Activities

At Kuyana Amazon Lodge, we offer a curated selection of Amazon rainforest activities designed for every type of traveler — from adventure seekers to those looking for peace, wellness, and reconnection with nature.

Choose from jungle hikes, waterfall explorations, river rafting, wildlife observation, beekeeping and mushroom cultivation tours, cultural encounters with local communities, yoga sessions, and natural spa rituals — each experience revealing a new side of the Amazon.

Whether you wish to craft a complete travel package that blends adventure, culture, and relaxation, or prefer to book individual experiences, Kuyana Lodge gives you the freedom to design your perfect journey.

Every activity is guided by our local experts and contributes directly to the conservation of this unique ecosystem.
Because here, every step you take helps nature regenerate — and your soul reconnect.

Kuyana Island and Guitarracocha Trail

Reconnect with the spirit of the Amazon.

Begin your adventure with a guided hike through Kuyana Island, a serene natural sanctuary within our private reserve. This peaceful trail invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the connection between body and nature.

Continue toward the Guitarracocha Trail, named by ancient Quechua communities who believed the gentle sounds of this small lagoon resembled the music of guitars carried by the wind. As you walk, feel the vibrant energy of the forest, listen to the rhythm of the wildlife, and discover the stories hidden among trees, water, and stone.

The experience concludes at the Hollín River viewpoint, overlooking one of the cleanest and most vital tributaries of the Napo River — a reminder of how alive the Amazon truly is.

Difficulty: Moderate (2.5 / 5)
Duration: Approx. 2 hours round trip
Tour Type: Inside the Kuyana Reserve

Medicinal Plants & Amazonian Healing Traditions

Learn from the ancestral wisdom of the Quechua culture.

This enriching experience begins at the home of Meche Mamallacta, a respected Quechua leader and guardian of ancestral knowledge. Together with her husband Gabriel, both skilled botanists, they preserve generations of traditions that honor Pachamama — Mother Earth — and the deep bond between people and plants.

During your visit, you’ll explore their family farm and discover the Amazon’s medicinal and nutritional plants used for centuries in healing, rituals, and daily life. Each leaf and root tells a story of resilience, care, and coexistence with nature.

The journey continues with Rafael, a dedicated plant alchemist, in his artisanal laboratory. There, he demonstrates the extraction of natural essential oils from Amazonian plants — a process that blends science and spirituality, revealing the forest’s power to heal body and mind.

Difficulty: Easy (2 / 5)
Duration: Approx. 3.5 hours (round trip)
Tour Type: Outside the reserve (seasonally available)

Birdwatching Trail – Amazon Rainforest Birds

Witness the awakening of the forest.

At dawn, the Amazon rainforest comes alive with sound and color — the perfect time to explore the Birdwatching Trail around Kuyana Amazon Lodge. Guided by our local experts, you’ll quietly follow jungle paths to observe some of the region’s most iconic species in their natural habitat.

Spot tiger herons, orioles, caciques, kingfishers, parrots, tanagers, and other tropical birds that make Kuyana their home. The experience offers not only incredible photo opportunities but also a chance to understand the vital role these species play in the balance of the rainforest ecosystem.

Ideal for both beginners and seasoned birders, this peaceful walk is a reminder of the Amazon’s vibrant biodiversity and the beauty of early-morning silence.

Difficulty: Easy (2 / 5)
Duration: Approx. 1 hour (round trip)
Tour Type: Within the Kuyana Reserve

Waterfalls Trail – Explore the Spirit of the Amazon

Walk where the forest breathes.

This immersive journey invites you to awaken your senses and connect deeply with the essence of the Amazon rainforest. Following the Ushpayacu estuary, a network of natural springs that gives life to the jungle, you’ll venture through lush vegetation, crossing streams and discovering a series of hidden waterfalls that cascade down the forest terrain.

Along the way, listen to the vibrant sounds of life surrounding you — the calls of tropical birds, the hum of insects, and the distant flow of water. Every step reveals how alive and interconnected this ecosystem truly is.

More than a hike, this experience is a journey of reconnection — a chance to walk mindfully, feel the sacred energy of the land, and let nature’s rhythm restore your balance.

Difficulty: Moderate (3 / 5)
Duration: Approx. 3 hours (round trip)
Tour Type: Within the Kuyana Reserve

Amazon Safari – River, Wildlife & Culture

An authentic journey through the living heart of the Amazon.

This full-senses adventure begins with a canoe ride on a peaceful Amazon lagoon, gliding silently through calm waters surrounded by dense jungle. From your non-motorized canoe, observe monkeys, tropical birds, and other wildlife thriving in their natural habitat — a photographer’s paradise and a reminder of the forest’s extraordinary biodiversity.

Continue your journey along the Napo River aboard a motorized canoe to reach a Quechua women’s community project, where you’ll be welcomed with traditional dances, crafts, and heartfelt stories that reflect the deep connection between people and the rainforest. You’ll also visit a majestic giant Ceibo tree, one of the Amazon’s most sacred natural monuments.

Every moment of this safari embodies Kuyana’s vision of sustainable luxury in the jungle — authentic, respectful, and deeply transformative.

Difficulty: Easy (2 / 5)
Duration: Approx. 4 hours (including 1-hour drive to the activity)
Tour Type: Outside the lodge

Rafting Experience – Amazon Rivers Adventure

The ultimate white-water journey through the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Get ready for an unforgettable day of white-water rafting in the Amazon rainforest, surrounded by pristine jungle landscapes and the sound of rushing water. At Kuyana Amazon Lodge, we offer rafting adventures for all levels — from beginners to seasoned experts:

  • Class II Rivers: Perfect for beginners and families seeking a fun, scenic ride with gentle waves and plenty of time to enjoy the lush surroundings.

  • Class III Rivers: Ideal for intermediate adventurers ready for faster rapids and exciting challenges while remaining safe and accessible.

  • Class IV – The Hollín River: Reserved for experienced rafters craving adrenaline and immersion in nature’s raw beauty. This world-class river flows through stunning jungle canyons, hidden waterfalls, and magical rock formations — a truly exhilarating ride.

For those looking for something extraordinary, you can even arrive at Kuyana Lodge by rafting down the Hollín River, entering the lodge through a spectacular stretch of Amazonian scenery few travelers ever experience.

All experiences are led by internationally certified guides who prioritize safety and sustainability, ensuring you enjoy every moment with confidence and respect for the environment.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (Class II–IV options)
Duration: Approx. 5 hours (round trip)
Tour Type: Outside the reserve – seasonally available

Grand Canyon & Amazon Caves 

Explore one of the Amazon’s most breathtaking hidden wonders.

For true adventure seekers, this experience reveals the wild beauty of the Grand Canyon Trail, a route that combines scenic landscapes, pure adrenaline, and the mystique of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest.

Your journey begins with a guided hike through dense jungle vegetation leading to a spectacular rock canyon and hidden waterfall, where you can swim and unwind surrounded by dramatic cliffs and lush greenery. The atmosphere is pure energy — vibrant, raw, and unforgettable.

The final stretch takes you into ancient Amazonian caves, natural formations once used by native communities for shelter and rituals. Here, the sense of history and mystery is palpable, connecting you to the timeless spirit of the forest.

This expedition blends physical challenge, exploration, and discovery — a true highlight for those seeking adventure tourism in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (3.5 / 5)
Duration: Approx. 4 hours (round trip)
Tour Type: Outside the reserve

Night Walk – Discover the Amazon After Dark

When the sun sets, the jungle comes alive.

As darkness falls, the Amazon reveals an entirely different world. Join our guided night walk through the Kuyana Reserve to experience the forest’s nocturnal rhythm — a vibrant ecosystem that awakens under the stars.

With the help of our expert naturalist guides, you’ll observe fascinating creatures that emerge after sunset: colorful frogs, insects, reptiles, and other mysterious species that form part of the rainforest’s delicate balance. Listen closely to the hum of life surrounding you — each sound tells a story of adaptation and survival.

This Amazon night tour is ideal for travelers who want to see the jungle from a new perspective, blending discovery, adventure, and respect for nature’s secrets.

Difficulty: Easy (2 / 5)
Duration: Approx. 1 hour (round trip)
Tour Type: Within the Kuyana Reserve

Cooking Class & Chocolate Experience – Taste the Amazon

Where tradition, flavor, and sustainability meet.

At Kuyana Amazon Lodge, embracing the local culture of the Ecuadorian Amazon is an essential part of the journey. This immersive experience invites you to discover the region’s vibrant culinary traditions through the aromas, colors, and flavors that define its people and their connection to the land.

Led by local cooks, the Amazon cooking class begins with the preparation of traditional dishes such as maito (fish wrapped in bijao leaves) and chontacuro (edible larvae), recipes deeply rooted in ancestral wisdom and sustainable living. Each ingredient tells a story — one of community, respect, and adaptation to the rainforest’s abundance.

The experience continues with a hands-on chocolate-making session, where you’ll learn how to transform locally harvested cacao into pure, aromatic chocolate using traditional methods practiced by indigenous communities for centuries.

By joining this experience, you’re not only savoring authentic Amazonian cuisine, but also supporting responsible tourism that values local producers, fair trade, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Difficulty: Easy (2 / 5)
Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours (round trip)
Tour Type: Within the Kuyana Reserve

Visit a Quechua Family – Cultural Encounter in the Amazon

Experience the heart of Ecuador’s living traditions.

This meaningful experience invites you to visit the Quechua community of Santo Domingo del Hollín, home to around 50 families who continue to preserve their ancestral traditions and sustainable way of life.

Welcomed by a local family, you’ll gain insight into daily life in the Amazon — learning how they cultivate the land, grow their food, and live in harmony with nature. Discover the traditional healing practices and medicinal knowledge passed down through generations, and understand how respect for the forest sustains both body and spirit.

This is not a performance, but a genuine exchange — a chance to listen, share, and connect with the people who call the rainforest home. Each visit directly supports community-led initiatives that promote education, local economy, and the preservation of indigenous culture.

Difficulty: Moderate (2.5 / 5)
Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours
Tour Type: Outside the reserve