Tortuga Tours Travelling in Ecuador
Tortuga ToursTravelling in Ecuador

TAPIR LODGE
Situated in the northeastern Province of Sucumbíos, in the upper Ecuadorian Amazon region, within the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve lays the Tapir Lodge. Built in partnership with family members of the Siona Community, with whom Tapir Lodge shares the Eco-tourism activities and profits in order to help meet appropriate ecological standards. Tapir Lodge offers all the facilities possible in the heart of the jungle, but in order to avoid unnecessary disturbances to the environment, we employ alternative means of illumination, such as solar panels which produce 110 volts of electricity.

 

FEATURES

  • Total capacity: 36 guests
  • 1 bungalow with 6 double rooms with private bathrooms, 2 of them can also be used as family cabins for 4 and 2 more for five people
  • Our 15 meter tower with 4 rooms equipped with a queen size bed and a twin size extra bed, with private bathroom, hammock, balcony and a spectacular view of the Amazon jungle
  • Our new tower with 6 rooms equipped with a queen size bed and a twin size bed, with private bathroom, hammock and balcony
  • Hot water in all rooms
  • All the facilities operate using electricity provided by solar panels
  • Gift shop: T-shirts, Polo shirts, caps, handicrafts from the area
  • Dining room (capacity 35 passengers)
  • Bar with wine, beer, cocktails and soft drinks available

*Special combination for nature lovers: 4 nights lodging and 2 nights camping

  • Single Rooms have a charge 30% over rate.
  • Children under 12 years old 30% off.
  • There are no flights to and from Lago Agrio on Sunday.

 

ITINERARIES
ITINERARY 4 DAYS/ 3 NIGHTS

DAY 1
Our services start at Lago Agrio´s Airport. This can be reached either by bus or by plane in the first flight TAME 09H15. The approximate time by bus is 8 hours while the flight will approximately 40 minutes on board of a Boeing.  From Lago Agrio we will drive to the Northeast side of the Sucumbíos province where “El Puente” (The Bridge) is located.  It will take us between 2 or 2 ½ hours to reach The Puente depending on weather and traffic conditions.  Throughout this drive you will have the opportunity to see beautiful landscapes created by the combination of rainforest, rivers, and small towns.

After our arrival to “EL Puente” we will take a break to enjoy our box lunch then we will proceed to get ready for our next journey on board of a motorized canoe.  We will provide you with rain coats and life vest; your luggage will be covered with plastic for protection, to prevent it from getting wet in the event of rain.  Throughout the trip in this narrow river you will be able to admire some of the wide variety of flora and fauna that the Cuyabeno Reserve has to offer.  We will navigate for 2 hours until we arrive to the Tapir Lodge.  Once in the Tapir Lodge guests will be indicated to their rooms to make themselves comfortable.  After dinner (19:30) the guide will provide general explanations about the Tapir Lodge as well as about the Cuyabeno Reserve and the activities that will take place the following days.

 

DAY 2   
Our  day  will begin  with a healthy and delicious  breakfast that will be served  at around 07:30 am, after that we will meet our guests  at our pier where we will  make sure that everyone has got a pair of rubber boots for the excursion (available until size 45 EU).  Depending on the size of the group we will be driving with a motorized canoe or with a paddle canoe.  Our tour this day  will start  at 09:30, this day consist of an upstream drive to the “Laguna Grande” (Big Lake) it will take  around 30 minutes by motorized canoe or 1 hour by Quilla.  In the Laguna Grande we will have the opportunity to observe that surroundings Flora and Fauna.  The Flora find in the lake is quite unique, we will find  Igapos or inundated forest as well as the macrolobium; ancient trees that have adapted themselves to the surrounding, enviroment thus growing straight out of the water.  These majestic and antique trees create the perfect habitat for other plants, such as Bromelias, Orchids, Ferms and Cacti Once the Igapo excursion has been completed, we will travel to “Terra Firme” and begin a trek on a path called “Palma Roja” (Red palm); this path was once part of a scientific research station belonging to the Catholic University.  Before starting our trek the guide will provide a brief explanation regarding basic ecology of the rainforest.

We hope to have the opportunity to see and hear many species of birds such as Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Macaws, and Toucans; and if we are lucky enough we will come across two of three species of Monkeys.  We will return to Tapir for lunch, it will be served at 14:30, after that our guests will have a 2 hours braked approximately.

At around 17:00 hours, we will meet at our pier and drive with the canoe to a different area of the “Laguna Grande”. Once we get to the lake we will navigate thought the surrounding area searching for birds and other animals.  If so desired our guests could go for a swim which is a perfectly safe and a very relaxing activity.  Depending on the weather, we may be able to admire a breathtaking sunset.

Once the evening activities are closed, we will return to Tapir and have a refreshing drinks at our bar or chat with the guide about the day´s events.  After dinner depending on the weather conditions we can take a quick night trek around the Lodge looking for frogs and other night wanders.

 

DAY 3 
Depending on the weather conditions, we could have an early start and head out on a bird watching excursion.  We will leave Tapir at around 06:00am navigating downstream admiring the flora and fauna found along the river while searching for exotic birds, native to the region we should be returning at around 07:00 am to enjoy a delicious breakfast.  After this we will meet at the pier.  This day our excursion will consist of a 2 hours canoe drive downstream.  Throughout our journeys we will search Morphs (giant Blue Butterfly), Monkeys and more.

On Our way we will pass the village of Puerto Bolívar who´s solely inhabitants are the Sionas.  Following Puerto Bolívar we will continue to a small community where we will have the opportunity to visit and meet Thomas the local Shaman who belongs to the Cofan ethnic group.  Thomas spends most of this time curing and treating the local inhabitants with his vast knowledge of medicinal plants.

At Thomas’s backyard.  At our arrival we will take a break to enjoy a tasty box lunch.  After lunch Thomas will share with us his experience in the rainforest as well as the processes for healing people.  For those interested in taking part of a healing ceremony the option is at hand and it should last about 40 minutes.  Handicrafts are available for purchase, all of them crafted out of materials provided by and obtained in the rainforest.

At around 15 hours we will navigate back to Puerto Bolívar where we will be greeted by the local Siona family. There will observe how the Cassava Bread is prepared. The Yuca (Cassava) Root (Manihot Esculenta) has always been an essential food supply and perhaps the main source of carbohydrates for the indigenous communities of the rainforest

Once the Yuca (Cassava) has been collected it will be peeled and grinded into a paste; this “paste” is then pressed to eliminate the water and the starch.  The remaining dried product will be toasted in a pan for few minutes and the result will be a “pancake” like bread of neutral taste which we will be able to taste.  We will then head back to the Tapir, there we will take a dinner and spend the night.  After the dinner the staff will introduced to the guests that worked in that days then they will share and enjoy of a typical cocktail of passion fruit.

 

DAY 4
Breakfast will be served at 08:00 AM. After breakfast we will coordinate and schedule your departure from Tapir. This is generally between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM depending on flight and weather conditions. Our staff will attend to the luggage as they make sure it is all loaded onto the canoe. We will depart Tapir and make our way back to the bridge. Our private transportation will be waiting for us. Drive back to Lago Agrio. Arrive to airport.

 

ITINERARY 5DAYS/4NIGHTS
DAY 1
Our services start at Lago Agrio´s Airport. This can be reached either by bus or by plane.   In the first flight TAME 09:10.  The approximate time by bus is of 8 hours while the flight will approximately 40 minutes on board of a Boeing.  From Lago Agrio we will drive to the Northeast side of the Sucumbíos province where “El Puente” (The Bridge) is located.  It will take us between 2 or 2 ½ hours to reach The Puente depending on weather and traffic conditions.  Throughout this drive you will have the opportunity to see beautiful landscapes created by the combination of rainforest, rivers, and small towns.

After our arrival to “EL Puente” we will take a break to enjoy our box lunch then we will proceed to get ready for our next journey on board of a motorized canoe.  We will provide you with rain ponchos and life vest; your luggage will be covered with plastic for protection, to prevent it from getting wet in the event of rain.  Throughout the trip in this narrow river you will be able to admire some of the wide variety of flora and fauna that the Cuyabeno Reserve has to offer.  We will navigate for 2,5 hours until we arrive to the Tapir Lodge.  Once in the Tapir Lodge guests will be indicated to their rooms to make themselves comfortable.  After dinner (19:30) the guide will provide general explanations about the Tapir Lodge as well as about the Cuyabeno Reserve and the activites that will take place the following days.

 

DAY 2  
Our  day  will begin  with a healthy and delicious  breakfast that will be served  at around 07:30 am, after that we will meet our guests  at our pier where we will  make sure that everyone has got a pair of rubber boots for the excursion (available until size 45 EU).  Depending on the size of the group we will be driving with a motorized canoe or with a paddle canoe.  Our tour this day  will start  at 09:30, this day consist of an upstream drive to the “Laguna Grande” (Big Lake) it will take  around 30 minutes by motorized canoe or 1 hour by Quilla.  In the Laguna Grande, we will have the opportunity to observe that surroundings Flora and Fauna.  The Flora find in the lake is quite unique, we will find  Igapos or inundated forest as well as the macrolobium; ancient trees that have adapted themselves to the surrounding, enviroment thus growing straight out of the water.  These majestic and antique trees create the perfect habitat for other plants, such as Bromelias, Orchids, Ferms and Cacti Once the Igapo excursion has been completed, we will travel to “Terra Firme” and begin a trek on a path called “Palma Roja” (Red palm); this path was once part of a scientific research station belonging to the Catholic University.  Before starting our trek our guide will provide a brief explanation regarding basic ecology of the rainforest.

We hope to have the opportunity to see and hear many species of birds such as Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Macaws, and Toucans; and if we are lucky enough we will come across two of three species of Monkeys.  We will return to Tapir for lunch, it will be served at 14:30, after that our guests will have a 2 hours brake approximately.

At around 17:00, we will meet at our pier and drive with the canoe to a different area of the “Laguna Grande”.  Once we get to the lake we will navigate thought the surrounding area searching for birds and other animals.  If so desired our guests could go for a swim which is a perfectly safe and a very relaxing activity.  Depending on the weather, we may be able to admire a breathtaking sunset.

Once the evening activities are closed, we will return to Tapir and have a refreshing drinks at our bar or chat with the guide about the day´s events.  After dinner depending on the weather conditions we can take a quick night trek around the Lodge looking for frogs and other night wanders.

 

DAY 3
Depending on the weather conditions, we could have an early start and head out on a bird watching excursion.  We will leave Tapir at around 06:00am navigating downstream admiring the flora and fauna found along the river while searching for exotic birds, native to the region we should be returning at around 07:00 am to enjoy a delicious breakfast.  After this we will meet at the pier.  This day our excursion will consist of a 2 hours canoe drive downstream.  Throughout our journeys we will search Morphos (giant Blue Butterfly), Monkeys and more.

On Our way we will pass the village of Puerto Bolívar who´s solely inhabitants are the Sionas.  Following Puerto Bolívar we will continue to a small community where we will have the opportunity to visit and meet Thomas the local Shaman who belongs to the Cofan ethnic group.  Thomas spends most of this time curing and treating the local inhabitants with his vast knowledge of medicinal plants.

At Thomas´ backyard, we will take a break to enjoy a tasty box lunch.  After lunch Thomas will share with us his experience in the rainforest as well as the processes for healing people.  For those interested in taking part of a healing ceremony the option is there and it should last about 40 minutes.  Handicrafts are available for purchase, all of them crafted out of materials provided by and obtained in the rainforest.

At around 15 hours we will navigate back to Puerto Bolívar where we will be greeted by the local Siona family.  There will observe how the Cassava Bread is prepared.  The Yuca (Cassava) Root (Manihot Esculenta) has always been an essential food supply and perhaps the main source of carbohydrates for the indigenous communities of the rainforest

Once the Yuca (Cassava) has been collected it will be peeled and grinded into a paste; this “paste” is then pressed to eliminate the water and the starch.  The remaining dried product will be toasted in a pan for few minutes and the result will be a “pancake” like bread of neutral taste which we will be able to taste.  We will then head back to the Tapir, there we will take a dinner and spend the night.  After the dinner the staff will introduced to the guests that worked in that days then they will share and enjoy of a typical cocktail of passion fruit.

 

DAY 4 
Breakfast will be served at 07:30 AM.  The day will be scheduled according to your interests guests will have the option to choose their activities with the guide. Several options are available, ranging from bird watching, canoeing, fishing, or walking in the rainforest.  Lunch will be served at the Tapir Lodge and in the afternoon our guests can enjoy some leisure time and enjoy the last sunset over the lake.  After dinner we will serve and enjoy a farewell Passion fruit  Cocktail, as we take a little time to introduce our hard working, attentive and diligent staff members; whom without their cooperation, assistance and courteous service Tapir Lodge could not provide our guests  with  the first – class  service you will receive you’re your first day with us.

 

DAY 5
Breakfast will be served at 08:00 AM. After breakfast we will coordinate and schedule your departure from Tapir. Departure time is generally between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM depending on flight times, and weather conditions. Our staff will attend to the luggage as they make sure it is all loaded onto the canoe. We will depart Tapir and make our way back to the bridge, where our private transportation will be waiting for us to take us back to Lago Agrio´s airport.

 

 

ITINERARY 7DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS
A UNIQUE COMBINATION FOR NATURE LOVERS!!! (4 nights lodging & 2 nights camping)

DAY 1
Our services start at Lago Agrio´s Airport. This can be reached either by bus or by plane, in the first flight TAME 09:15. The approximate time by bus is of 8 hours while the flight will approximately 40 minutes on board of a Boeing.  From Lago Agrio we will drive to the Northeast side of the Sucumbíos province where “El Puente” (The Bridge) is located.  It will take us between 2 or 2 ½ hours to reach The Puente depending on weather and traffic conditions.  Throughout this drive you will have the opportunity to see beautiful landscapes created by the combination of rainforest, rivers, and small towns.

After our arrival to “EL Puente” we will take a break to enjoy our box lunch then we will proceed to get ready for our next journey on board of a motorized canoe.  We will provide you with rain ponchos and life vest; your luggage will be covered with plastic for protection, to prevent it from getting wet in the event of rain.  Throughout the trip in this narrow river you will be able to admire some of the wide variety of flora and fauna that the Cuyabeno Reserve has to offer.  We will navigate for 2,5 hours until we arrive to the Tapir Lodge.  Once in the Tapir Lodge guests will be indicated to their rooms to make themselves comfortable.  After dinner (19:30) the guide will provide general explanations about the Tapir Lodge as well as about the Cuyabeno Reserve and the activities that will take place the following days.

 

DAY 2
Our  day  will begin  with a healthy and delicious  breakfast that will be served  at around 07:30 am, after that we will meet our guests  at our pier where we will  make sure that everyone has got a pair of rubber boots for the excursion (available until size 45 EU).  Depending on the size of the group we will be driving with a motorized canoe or with a paddle canoe.  Our tour this day  will start  at 09:30, this day consist of an upstream drive to the “Laguna Grande” (Big Lake) it will take  around 30 minutes by motorized canoe or 1 hour by Quilla.  In the Laguna Grande we will have the opportunity to observe that surroundings Flora and Fauna.  The Flora find in the lake is quite unique, we will find  Igapos or inundated forest as well as the macrolobium; ancient trees that have adapted themselves to the surrounding, enviroment thus growing straight out of the water.  These majestic and antique trees create the perfect habitat for other plants, such as Bromelias, Orchids, Ferms and Cacti Once the Igapo excursion has been completed, we will travel to “Terra Firme” and begin a trek on a path called “Palma Roja” (Red palm); this path was once part of a scientific research station belonging to the Catholic University.  Before starting our trek our guide will provide a brief explanation regarding basic ecology of the rainforest.

We hope to have the opportunity to see and hear many species of birds such as Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Macaws, and Toucans; and if we are lucky enough we will come across two of three species of Monkeys.  We will return to Tapir for lunch, it will be served at 14:30, after that our guests will have a 2 hours brake approximately.

At around 17:00, we will meet at our pier and drive with the canoe to a different area of the “Laguna Grande”.  Once we get to the lake we will navigate thought the surrounding area searching for birds and other animals.  If so desired our guests could go for a swim which is a perfectly safe and a very relaxing activity.  Depending on the weather, we may be able to admire a breathtaking sunset.

Once the evening activities are closed, we will return to Tapir and have a refreshing drinks at our bar or chat with the guide about the day´s events.  After dinner depending on the weather conditions we can take a quick night trek around the Lodge looking for frogs and other night wanders.

 

DAY 3
On the third day we will start our camping expedition driving downstream for about 4 hours.  On our way down we will take a break and enjoy a delicious box lunch.  Right after lunch we will search for the perfect spot on the shores of the Cuyabeno River and set up our camp, we will then trek through the rainforest and with enough luck we might be able to see some  diurnal  mammals.  We will return to the campsite for dinner and spend the night there.

 

DAY 4
We will have an early start and glide downstream which we will give us the opportunity to enjoy the sounds of the different animals. We will then find the right spot at the heart of the rainforest where we will enjoy our breakfast.  After breakfast we will trek though the rainforest for about 4 hours. In this area we will have the opportunity to search for birds such as:  Herons, Egrets, Curassows, Hawks, Screaming Pihas, Oropendolas, Fly Catchers and King Fishers, as well as different species of Monkeys.    We will return to the camp where lunch will be served.

After lunch, we will have a well deserved resting period of about 2 hours then we will ride along the Cuyabeno River for more bird watching until the night falls.  Once the night settles, with the aid of our flashlights we will search for caimans and other nocturnal animals.  We will return to the campsite for dinner and we will spend the night there.

 

DAY 5
After an early breakfast, while enjoying the mood of the rainforest, we will begin disassembling the camp site; we will then head upstream following the Cuyabeno River.  During our return we will stop at a small settlement.  Here we will have the opportunity to visit and meet Thomas the local Shaman who belongs at the Cofan ethnic group. Thomas spends most of his time curing and treating the local inhabitants with his vast knowledge of medicinal plants.

Thomas will share with us his experience in the rainforest as well as the processes for healing people.  For those interested in taking part of a healing ceremony the option is at hand and it should last about 40 minutes. After the presentation there will be a session with Thomas. Handicrafts are available for purchase, all of them crafted out of materials provided by and obtained in the rainforest.

At around 3:00 pm we will navigate back to Puerto Bolívar where we will be greeted by the local Siona family.  There we will observe how the Cassava Bread is prepared.  The Yuca (Cassava) Root (Manihot Esculenta) has always been an essential food suppley and perhaps the main source of carbohydrates for the indigenous communities of the rainforest.

Once the Yuca (Cassava) has been collected it will be peeled and grinded into a paste; this “paste” is then pressed to eliminate the water and the starch.  The remaining dried product will be toasted in a pan for few minutes and the result will be a “Pancake like bread” of neutral taste which we will be able to taste.  We will then head back to the Tapir where we will spend the night.

 

DAY 6
Breakfast will be served at 07:30 AM, the day will be scheduled according to your interest, and guests will have the option to choose their activities with the guide. Several options are available: ranging from bird watching, canoeing in the lake, or trekking in the rainforest. According to the type of activity you choose, the day will be scheduled to fulfill your interest. Lunch will be served at Tapir. In the afternoon our guests can enjoy some leisure time and enjoy the last Sunset over the lake. Dinner will be served at around 08:00 PM. After dinner we will serve and enjoy a farewell Passion Fruit Cocktail, as we take a little time to introduce our hard working, attentive and diligent staff members; whom without their cooperation, assistance and courteous service Tapir Lodge could not provide our guests with the first-class service we trust you will receive from your first day with us.

 

DAY 7
Breakfast will be served at 08:00 AM. After breakfast we will coordinate and schedule your departure from Tapir. Departure time is generally between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM depending on flight times, river and road conditions as well as the guide’s decision. Our staff will attend to the luggage as they make sure it is all loaded onto the canoe. We will depart Tapir and make our way back to the bridge. Our private transportation will be waiting for us. Drive back to Lago Agrio. Arrive to airport.

 

Price does include:

  • Box lunch.
  • Private transportation Lago Agrio - Cuyabeno - Lago Agrio.
  • Accommodation in double room with private bathroom and hot water shower
  • Canoe rides
  • 3 meals a day
  • Soft drinks (water, coffee, tea)
  • Daily excursion program
  • Naturalist multilingual guides (English, German)
  • Rubber boots, raincoats, life jackets.

Price does not include:

  • Flight Quito - Lago Agrio (US$69)*
  • Flight Lago Agrio - Quito (USD$67)*
  • Alcoholic and bottled beverages.
  • Tips and personal expenses.

*Rates are subject to change without previous notice
We operate everyday except Sundays with a minimum of 2 international passengers or please contact us for our fixed departures.

Contact

Just give us a call:

 

+593 (0) 987048121

 

or write us an e-mail:

 

info@tortugatours.de

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