The Amazon Rainforest – one of the biggest highlights that we were able to experience during our time in Ecuador. I first wasn’t sure how I would do, four days in the jungle, but it turned out to be a great adventure with lots of animal spotting, community visits and impressive scenery.

We booked our tour via Geo tour in Baños, which was recommended to us by our hostel. There are a variety of tour operators in the city offering similar tours to different lodges, they however do differ in quality, days and times and you want to make sure that you get your money worth. Geo tours operates with the Green Forest Eco Lodge located in the Cuyabeno National Park Taraepoa and I have to say, they did a great job hosting us. The food was amazing, our guide Romolo was so passionate about teaching and showing us all about the jungle and it’s animals and the rooms were well equipped considering that you are in the jungle (mosquito nets, towels, etc.). The lodge runs on solar power, so you have the opportunity to charge your phones or cameras during the day, just make sure you get there early enough to secure a spot. Also, the lodge can sometimes experience power outs (again, it’s the jungle), but sitting at dinner with candlelight has a really cozy touch to it.

Day 1

Before making it to Cuyabeno community, we had some traveling to do. We left Baños in the evening around seven, took a 1 hour bus to Ambarto and from there the night bus to Lago Agrio. Not the most comfortable ride, I have to say, as busses in Ecuador are mostly not semi cama with not a lot of space to get comfy, but eventually also this bus ride came to an end. In order to be picked up for the tour, the agency tells you to take a taxi to a hostel nearby, where they feed you breakfast and you have the chance to freshen up. Our driver came around 9:30 am and after a two hour van ride, we finally arrived where the boat with our guide Romolo was waiting for us. We were lucky as Monique, Henni and I were the only ones arriving they day, s9 we had our own personal boat tour with lots of animal spotting. It’s funny, because at the beginning I didn’t see shit. Literally, Romolo would point out ‘Oh guys, do you see the monkey, sloth, bird’ and I had no idea what he was talking about, because all I saw was tree next to tree next to palm tree. But after four days of animal spotting you kind of get the hang of it and suddenly we were the ones calling out ‘Oh, look!’.

Anyways, after two hours of animal spotting, boat riding and getting adjusted to the situation, we arrived at the lodge, where we met the rest of our group. Because people stay different numbers of nights, groups are newly formed almost every day. We had some lunch and free time to check out our lodge and around 4 pm we were sitting in the boat again, on our way to Laguna Grande. Coming into the jungle, I really only had one big hope – to see an Anaconda. And boy, did we see not one, not two but at least three big ass anacondas, two of them directly on our first day. One was hiding in a tree, the other one, however, was sleeping outside and let me tell you – it’s impressive to have such a huge animal right in front of you. I mean LOOK AT THIS!

At Laguna Grande, they are driving you along different kind of trees, you see birds and finally the sunset, which is just absolutely beautiful. I am not a big sunset girl, but this was just amazing. But don’t be fooled and think that once’s the s7n goes down its time for bed. The night boat ride is actually pretty thrilling because you are searching for caimans and all kinds of snakes, which can sometimes be a bit spooky. They have flash lights, the mosquitos are ready to eat you, bets are flying next to you and the reflection of the trees in the water makes you feel like you just entered the movie inception. It’s incredible. On our first day, we actually saw a baby caiman and an additional baby snake ( but honestly after you’ve seen a grown as anaconda, everything else feels tiny).

The end of the day, as every end of the day in the jungle, ended with a three course meal, followed by a very early good night sleep, as we had really early bird watching on the list.

Day 2

Waking up at 5 AM to go bird watching is not my favorite thing to do, I have to admit. I appreciate a good bird, but let’s just say they are not the most exciting animals for me (shame on me). But we woke up anyways to join Romolo for an early boat ride towards Laguna Grande. It’s still really interesting to see how the jungle wakes up and birds start their day. And we did see a lot of different species so for bird lovers it’s paradise (dad?). After approximately 1,5 hours, we drove back to the lodge to eat breakfast and had a little time off before we went to the Cuyabeno community to make Yuka bread and get a session with the shaman. I thought the visits were nice, but of course they are pretty touristy as this is one of the main incomes the community has. It was still interesting to be included in the process and to walk through the village and see how these people spend their day to day life.

In the evening, Romolo took us for a short Jungle walk. I can’t decide whether it was more interesting and calming or scary as hell. It rained a bit before, so the ground was super slippery and muddy and you have to pay attention to where you step and what you touch. There are so many sounds around you and all you see are the tiny flash lights. And then he says ‘Now we will turn all the lights off’. Silence. Jungle. Just Monique’s and my heavy breathing cause we were shitting our pants (hah!). We didn’t see a lot of animals, but it was still an experience that I won’t forget.

Day 3

Our last full day in the jungle also meant a switch of guides. Romolo had to pick up new people and so we were going with another group for our two hour jungle walk/hike. Because of the rain, we shortened it a little bit, which I was fine with because it was super humid and the mosquitos were out for our blood. It was still a nice walk, we saw snakes, different types of insects and incredible forest. Highlight was us walking through mud and water in the end with one girl falling in completely and my sinking in with one leg.

After the hike, we had lunch before heading out on the boat again. I have to say, the last boat ride was still very cool, and we saw piranhas, but it was a lot of repeatedly sitting in a boat over and over again. I would have liked to do some more hiking or exploring by foot instead. But of course, the guides need to keep tourists in lines so I understand that there weren’t too many other options.

Overall, the trip was really amazing and we left on the fourth day around 9 to catch the bus to Quito. I would highly recommend to everybody to do a jungle trip. Whether it is in Ecuador, Peru, Brazil or elsewhere, but it really is incredible. Just make sure that you pick a company that is ecologically friendly and respects the environment rather than destroying it.