Escuela Dos Mundos (Two Worlds Spanish School) is a Spanish Language School based in Quito, Ecuador offering individual and group spanish classes with experienced local spanish teachers.

5 day Amazon Jungle Program - Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve




After following the format for our Quito Spanish program as detailed in the overview page, students will then continue with the following schedule:

DAY 1:
We meet in Lago Agrio at 10 Am from where we will take private transportation to the entrance of Cuyabeno. On our way we have lunch. Then you take a motorized canoe down the Cuyabeno River for two and a half hours. During the canoe ride you will get a first look at the jungle and we will be able to observe different kinds of birds such as: Caciques, Oropendolas, Greater Anis and the prehistoric bird "Hoatzin". You may also be able to see a variety of monkeys and other jungle animals, depending on the time and weather conditions.


We will arrive at the cabins around 4:30 pm. At that time you will be shown to your rooms and you can relax a little. After a siesta we will leave the camp for a swim in the lagoon and to watch a beautiful sunset in the middle of the Laguna Grande. You will then return to the camp for dinner, and can finish your first day in the jungle relaxing in a hammock or having a drink at the bar.

DAY 2:
After breakfast we will take a hike in the primary forest for 3 to 4 hours, where your guide will explain how a tropical rainforest works. You will be able to learn about medicinal plants and might be able to see some exotic birds or monkeys. We will then return to the camp for lunch and a siesta. In the afternoon you will go piranha fishing, have a swim in the lagoon and watch the sunset. With a little luck you can observe the pink river dolphins or an anaconda sunbathing in a tree. You will return to the camp for dinner followed by a night canoe ride to look for caimans.

DAY 3:
For those who are willing to see the sun rise, you can go for an early morning bird watching canoe ride at around 6 Am. You will return to the camp for breakfast, and then depart in native dugout canoes to visit a family of the community of Tarapuy. You will see how Casabe is prepared, traditional bread made from Yucca (Manioc). You can help prepare the Casabe and see how only material from the jungle is used in making the bread. You will then visit the Siona community and your guide will explain the life and traditions of the Sioneas. You will be able to see what traditions have been lost and what has been maintained. After that we return to the lodge to have a late lunch. At night you can go on a short nocturnal hike through the primary forest in search of insects, spiders, geckos or scorpions, and listen to the night sounds of the jungle.

DAY 4:
After breakfast we take the motorized canoe back to the entrance of Cuyabeno Reserve from where we take transportation to Lago Agio.

The program for five days includes a day of canoeing, which is described as follows: We depart in native, dough canoes, called "quilla" to visit smaller lagoons such as Pato Cocha, and Caimán Cocha. While padding you have a better opportunity to see more fauna and flora, and you can get a good idea of what an igapo (flooded) forest looks like. You can observe a variety of different birds and monkeys. Because this activity is about 4 - 5 hours long, we take a box lunch with us.

Included:
¤ Public terrestrial transportation: Quito - Lago Agrio - Quito
¤ Private terrestrial and maritime transportation: Lago Agio - Puente Cuyabeno - Lago Agrio
¤ Lodging (double room, private bath room, hot water and mosquito nets)
¤ Three meals
¤ Coffee, tea, purified water
¤ Excursions and activities
¤ Bilingual guide (English, naturally Spanish)
¤ National Park Entrance Fee
¤ Rain boots and poncho

Not Included:
¤ Alcoholic beverages
¤ Tips

This program costs $ 1780 for the following:
¤ 5 days in the jungle (full service)
¤ 15 hours of Spanish lesson in the Jungle
¤ 60 hours of Spanish lessons in Quito
¤ 25 days full service with an Ecuadorian family in Quito (a private room, a private bath room, hot water, three meals, laundry service, and practice of Spanish Language)
¤ Transfers (airport - host family house - airport)
¤ 3 hours of Salsa lessons
¤ 2 city tours
¤ Book for readings and vocabulary and material for exercises
¤ Registration fee

View the other program option:

Program 2: Limoncocha, Yasuni National Park