Experience the Cuyabeno Amazon: 4-Day Waita Lodge Adventure in Sucumbios, Ecuador

Summary: Our experience at Waita Lodge was amazing. The transfers by shuttle and motorized canoe was seamless. Our guide Carlos took care to explain the uses of various plants, spotted frogs, toucans, macaws, kingfishers, 5 species of monkeys, capybaras, and of course, the pink dolphins. He was so kind as to take the pictures while we used the binoculars to view the wildlife. So much to see and appreciate there. The meals prepared for us were excellent. We felt very fortunate to have this experience in the Amazon. Thank you to the staff at Waita Lodge and Ecuatraveling.

Summary: I had the most amazing 4 days at Waita Lodge and would loved to have stayed longer. The lodge was very comfortable, clean and relaxing and had everything we needed. Our food was always made with fresh ingredients and was really good. Our guide, Charlie, was so knowledgeable and I learned a huge amount about the wildlife, flora and fauna in the rainforest. His ability to recognise bird calls was incredible and I lost count of the number of species we encountered. He looked after us very well and his passion for the rainforest rubbed off on us all. I was lucky enough to see the pink river dolphins a few times, including when they swam up past the lodge so we could stand on the decking and watch them. I also saw sloths, various species of monkeys, macaws, capybaras (which were right outside the lodge grazing), caiman, snakes, toads, loads of unusual insects and spiders, and so many different birds. Overall the experience was unforgettable and I would encourage anyone who is interested in wildlife or plant life to book this trip. You won't regret it!

Summary: Waita is a remote and isolated lodge that is ideal for birdwatching and animal viewing. We traveled there from Quito where it took one 45 minute flight, two taxi rides totaling 2 hours, a 3 hour shuttle, and a nearly 4 hour motorized canoe ride to reach the lodge, but for us the journey was nearly half the fun as our drivers expertly took care of us and shared their knowledge of the flora, fauna, and history of each area we passed through. When we arrived at Waita, they immediately welcomed us to rest and eat well with their masterful cooking and clean and cool lodgings. Everything we ate had so much care and flavor that I never wanted to leave lodge! But when we did, our expert Naturalist, Diego, made sure to carefully show and name each plant and animal that we came across, and he worked hard so that we had the absolute best tour of the jungle that we could possibly have. He kept us safe and taught us how to respect the jungle and the river, and he made sure that we got to see the rare and at ease animals and birds that lived along the Cuyabeno River. From monkeys, sloths, dolphins, otters, caimans, parrots, toucans, kingfishers, and more, we always saw something new and thriving every day. From the sounds of howler monkeys and birds every morning, to the clearest stars along the river at night, our time at Waita lodge was a truly magical and once in a life time experience and I would highly recommend their lodge and their tours to anyone wanting to experience the Amazon rainforest and the dignified tributaries that make up this world famous river!