Nicky Lodge in Cuyabeno Deep Amazon Experience in the Heart of the Rainforest
If you are looking for a real Amazon experience, far from crowds and close to nature, Nicky Amazon Lodge offers exactly that.
Located in the lower part of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, directly on the Cuyabeno River, this lodge is designed to immerse you in the rainforest while providing the essential comfort needed for a multi day jungle adventure.
Here, the jungle is not something you visit. It surrounds you.
Stay Inside the Amazon
Nicky Lodge features seven cabins built in traditional indigenous jungle style, blending naturally into the environment. Each hut contains two rooms that can be arranged as single, double, triple, twin or matrimonial beds, all protected with mosquito nets.
Every room includes a private bathroom with shower, giving you comfort after long days exploring the forest. Outside your cabin, hammocks invite you to relax while observing birds, monkeys and the constant movement of the river. Early mornings bring the sounds of howler monkeys and exotic birds. Nights fill the air with the powerful rhythm of the Amazon.
This is not luxury tourism. It is authentic jungle immersion with the comfort that matters.
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A Real Jungle Itinerary
Your adventure begins at the Cuyabeno Bridge at 09h30. After lunch at the bridge, you begin a three hour canoe journey down the river toward the lodge. This first ride already introduces you to monkeys, birds and the narrow river ecosystem that defines Cuyabeno.
Upon arrival at Nicky Lodge, you settle in, relax and take a short introductory walk around the area. After dinner, your bilingual naturalist guide explains the upcoming days and offers an optional night walk for those who want to discover the nocturnal world of the rainforest.
A Day Knowing The Science
On the second day, exploration begins before breakfast when wildlife activity is at its peak. A guided trek through primary forest reveals medicinal plants, insects, amphibians, snakes and birdlife. You learn how fragile and interconnected this ecosystem is, and how indigenous knowledge has preserved it for generations.
After lunch, a motor canoe excursion takes you around Kapok Island in search of monkeys and pink freshwater dolphins. In the evening, a forest walk reveals spiders, tarantulas, colorful frogs and other nocturnal species that only emerge after sunset.
Knowing Seoqueya comunity
Day three connects you with the local Siona community. You follow the Taricaya trail to Seoqueya Community where you witness the preparation of traditional yuca bread known as cassave. Your guide shares cultural history and traditions that continue today.
In the afternoon, you navigate upstream to Laguna Grande, a stunning black water lake surrounded by flooded forest known as Igapo. Here, Macrolobium trees dominate the ecosystem and you have the opportunity to swim while watching one of the most spectacular sunsets in the Amazon. On the return journey, the search for caimans and fishing bats begins as darkness falls.
Enjoy the Sunrise canoe
On the fourth day, an early sunrise canoe ride offers one last opportunity for birdwatching and quiet reflection before returning upstream to Cuyabeno Bridge.
If you choose the five day program, an additional day allows deeper immersion with extra hikes and canoe explorations, increasing wildlife sightings and giving you more time to truly disconnect from the outside world.
Location
Jungle
trip type
Swimming
Relaxing
Hiking
Duration
4 or 5 days
Starting at
USD 330
Dracaena wants to offer the finest exploration in the Rainforest with the Nicky Amazon Lodge. It is located on the Cuyabeno River (lower part of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve), with 7 cabins built in the traditional Indian style of the jungle. Each hut has 2 rooms that can be single, double and triple accommodation, twins or matrimonial beds with mosquito nets to keep you safe from biting insects. All rooms have private bathrooms with showers. All cabins have an area where you will be able to relax in the hammocks or sitting to observe some species of birds and monkeys or to enjoy nature early in the morning or to listen to the nocturnal songs of the Amazon.
We want to bring you closer to the typical indigenous constructions of the area and at the same time provide you with the necessary comfort to make your stay an unforgettable experience. No luxuries, just pure fun.
DAY 1 Enter the Forest
Day 1: Our excursion begins in Puente del Cuyabeno at 09h30.
The Cuyabeno Bridge where we eat our lunch. After lunch, we start our journey down the river to our Lodge (approx. 3 hours).
Then our excursion into the rainforest can really start. Along the river, we can observe some species of monkeys and birds from very close because this part of the river is really narrow.
Finally, we arrive to the Nicky Amazon Lodge. We have some time to relax and later we get an introductory walk around the Lodge. After dinner, our naturalist bilingual guide gives us a briefing on the upcoming activities for the next few days and the area. There is also a night walk for those who want to see the nightlife of the Amazon.
Day 2 – EXPLORE THE JUNGLE”
EXPLORE THE JUNGLE
Day 2: Before breakfast, we start our journey. The brisk morning hours are the best time to see the rainforest’s thriving activity. We trek into the rainforest with our Naturalist guide who shares their wealth of knowledge. We also have the opportunity to learn about how life in the tropical rainforest co-exists in a fragile balance. Botanic information emphasizes the use of the medicinal plants, which has been taught by the local ancestors for generations. We also find some species of amphibians, butterflies, centipedes and millipedes, snakes, birds, monkeys, or any footprints of mammals in the trail.
Then, we return to the lodge to get lunch. Later we navigate along the Cuyabeno River to turn around the Kapok Island trying to find species of monkeys. We also have a good chance of seeing the freshwater pink dolphins in the amazing river scenery.
Before dinner, we venture into the forest to find species of insects, spiders, tarantulas, snakes, or colorful frogs. The night world of the Amazon is perfect for viewing small species and enjoying the nocturnal sounds of the jungle.
Day 3 – SHAMAN OF THE FOREST”
PUERTO BOLIVAR – INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
Day 3: An early activity permits us to enjoy nature with a good chance to watch some monkeys and birds.
After breakfast, we follow the “taricaya” which means turtle trail to visit the Seoqueya Community, where some local families of the Siona’s Indigenous group live. A member of the family shows us how they prepare the yuca bread which is called “Cassave” and our guide explains local traditions and cultures from the past to the present.
Then we return to the lodge. After lunch, we always have time to relax and to enjoy the place.
In the afternoon we go out with our motor canoe upstream to visit the Laguna Grande where we navigate in the amazing lake and admire the flooded forest by black water or Igapo, considered an ecosystem of the rainforest, dominated by the famous Macrolobium trees which are homes of Epiphytes plants and bird, there is time to go swimming in the lake while we enjoy the spectacular sunset in the rainforest.
Before we return to the lodge we venture downstream to search for Caimans (alligator family) and fishing bats.
4 DAY & 3 NIGHTS 7 / 5 DAY & 4 NIGHTS
Day 4 – SPLENDOR OF NATURE”
CUYABENO
Day 4: The last early activity is a short canoe excursion to watch the sunrise over the jungle. This is a good opportunity for bird watching. It permits us to create some last memories of this wonderful place.
After breakfast, you have time to prepare your luggage for the trip back. We navigate upstream to reach the Cuyabeno Bridge, where we provide a box lunch.
For passengers going for long trip 5 days/ 4 nights, the additional day includes a morning walk and an extra canoe excursion admiring the wonderful landscape in either the afternoon the night another walk.
Day 5 – BACK TO CIVILISATION” RETURN TO Puente del Cuyabeno
Day 5: The last early activity is a short canoe excursion to watch the sunrise over the jungle. This is a good opportunity for bird watching. It permits us to create some last memories of this wonderful place.
After breakfast, you have time to prepare your luggage for the trip back. We navigate upstream to reach the Cuyabeno Bridge, where we provide box lunch.
Arriving at approx. 12h30 either to catch the bus back to Quito.
Meals from Lunch day 1 until lunch on day 4 or 5
Tea / Coffee and Filtered Water
Accommodation Double/Triple or Matrimonial cabin
Transportation from Lago Agrio to the Caiman Lodge and back to Lago Agrio
Bilingual Naturalist Guide
DAY ONE
Arrival to Cuyabeno Bridge
Transfer to the entrance of the national park
Lunch
Canoe ride to get to the lodge
Watch the sunset on the Lagoon
Dinner
Free time
DAY TWO
Breakfast
hike through the Amazon rainforest
Lunch
Paddle canoe
Dinner
We will take a Canoe and go out looking for Caiman
DAY THREE
Breakfast
Roughly 1.5-hour canoe ride to the community
Visit lady who shows you how to make Yuka bread
Lunch
Visit Shaman
Take the Canoe back to the lodge
Dinner
Night walk
DAY FOUR
If you take the 4-day option
Breakfast
Leave the lodge by canoe
bus back to Cuyabeno Bridge where the tour ends
If you take the 5 day option
Breakfast
Optional activity hiking or canoe ride
Lunch
Optional activity
Dinner
DAY FIVE
Breakfast
Leave the lodge by canoe
bus back to Cuyabeno Bridge where the tour ends
Transport from Quito to Cuyabeno Bridge and back – return flights approx. $190 US – bus is between $15 US – $30 US
$5 US Contribution to Siona Community Visit
$5 US Contribution to Shaman Visit
Alcoholic / Soft drinks
TIPS
Rain Poncho and Rubber boots
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Frequent Questions about Yatch Activity
Yes. Nicky Amazon Lodge is located in the lower part of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, directly on the Cuyabeno River. You access the lodge by canoe, which means you are truly inside the rainforest ecosystem, not near it.
Cuyabeno is one of the most biodiverse areas in Ecuador. Visitors often see monkeys, sloths, pink river dolphins, caimans, toucans, parrots, frogs, insects and many species of birds. Wildlife sightings are common during canoe rides, jungle hikes and night excursions.
Yes. Each cabin has private rooms with private bathrooms and showers. Beds can be arranged as single, double, triple, twin or matrimonial, and all rooms include mosquito nets for protection and comfort.
Yes. The tour is guided by accredited bilingual naturalist guides who adapt the pace and activities to the group. You do not need previous jungle experience. Canoe rides, hikes and wildlife spotting are designed to be safe and enjoyable.
Travelers usually take a night bus or flight from Quito to Lago Agrio or Cuyabeno Bridge. From there, transportation and canoe transfer to the lodge are organized as part of the tour program. The river journey is part of the experience.
Yes. The tour is operated by licensed guides with extensive experience in the rainforest. Activities are organized safely, and guides provide instructions during hikes, canoe rides and night walks. The lodge operates under official reserve regulations.
If you have any other questions about Quito, transportation, tours, safety, or what to do during your stay, our team at Quito Garden is 100% prepared to help you. We’re happy to provide personalized recommendations and make sure your experience in Quito is smooth, safe, and unforgettable. Just reach out — we’re here for you.
