Trails in Cuyabeno

Trails in Cuyabeno

Exploring the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve means stepping into a world full of life, mystery, and a deep connection with nature. At Green Forest EcoLodge, we invite our guests to walk along some of the most representative trails of the Amazon, each with its own magic and uniqueness. Among the most remarkable are: Tapir, Católica, and El Saladero.

Tapir Trail

This trail is named after one of the most emblematic and mysterious animals of the jungle: the Amazonian tapir. Although sightings are rare due to its elusive nature, walking this trail takes you deep into dense forest areas where this species lives.

• Along the way, visitors can observe century-old trees, animal tracks, and a wide variety of birds and insects.
• It is an ideal hike to learn about the role of large mammals in maintaining the ecological balance of the rainforest.

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes round trip

Católica Trail

The Católica Trail stands out for its botanical richness and cultural value. Here, local guides share ancestral knowledge about medicinal plants and their use in the daily life of Amazonian communities.

• Throughout the walk, it is common to find orchids, vines, and species of great ecological importance.
• This trail is perfect for those who want to combine nature with culture, discovering the harmonious relationship between the forest and its human inhabitants.

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes round trip

El Saladero Trail

One of the most fascinating hikes is the El Saladero Trail, which leads to the famous natural clay licks. These spots are true meeting points for wildlife, especially birds such as macaws, parrots, and parakeets, which consume the clay to absorb essential minerals and neutralize toxins in their diet.

• Visiting a clay lick is one of the most authentic experiences in the Amazon: a spectacle of colors and sounds that reflects the richness of the ecosystem.
• You may also find signs of mammals that come to these sites in search of nutrients.

Duration: 3 hours round trip

Trail at the lodge

Imagine night falling in Cuyabeno, with the lodge in silence, lit only by the soft glow of lanterns. Behind the lodge, a hidden trail opens up—a path that holds the secrets of the Amazon rainforest. This night walk lasts between one and one and a half hours, and depending on the river level, it may even lead you past the majestic Ceibo tree, guardian of the jungle.

During the journey, nocturnal life awakens all around you. You’ll encounter leafcutter ants tirelessly at work, congas and lemon ants moving through their tiny world. You’ll hear the songs of crickets and grasshoppers, while stick insects blend perfectly into the branches. The chorus is completed by bullfrogs, cane toads, and other species like hylids and bufonids that seem to accompany your steps.

But that’s not all: the bravest will be amazed by amblypygi, also known as tailless whip scorpions, fascinating creatures that look like something from another planet. And if the rain joins your adventure, you might be lucky enough to spot false corals or non-venomous snakes, whose shapes and colors inspire both respect and admiration.

Every step along this trail is a reminder that the jungle never sleeps: it simply changes its rhythm, and you are a privileged witness to this transformation.

A Complete Experience in Cuyabeno

Each trail offers a unique opportunity to discover the Amazon from different perspectives: the secret life of mammals, the ancestral knowledge of plants, and the natural dynamics of birds at the clay licks. Guided by our expert naturalists, the guests of Green Forest EcoLodge enjoy safe, educational, and deeply inspiring hikes.

Exploring the trails of Cuyabeno is not just a walk in the rainforest — it is living the Amazon at its fullest expression.

Guided by our expert naturalists, the guests of Green Forest EcoLodge enjoy safe, educational, and deeply inspiring hikes.

Green Forest Ecolodge | Cuyabeno Ecuador