The document summarizes a 5-day trip that students from the Tourism and Hospitality career of the Technical University of Ambato took to the Cuyabeno Reserve in Ecuador. During the trip, they visited several natural areas in the reserve, including the Caiman Lodge where they stayed. Some of their best moments included swimming in Laguna Grande where they saw pink dolphins, watching the sunrise over the reserve, and learning about the local Siona community. The Cuyabeno Reserve provides opportunities to experience nature through activities like jungle walks and boating, and learn about the area's biodiversity and indigenous cultures.

1. ADVANCED
ENGLISH
Names: Jael Veloz
Jonathan López
Date:06/12/2018
ADVANCED ENGLISH
CUYABENO RESERVE

2. INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................3
2. THE CUYABENO RESERVE............................................................................4
3. PHOTOS ACCORDING TO THE ITINERARY ............................................5
4. HOW DO/DID YOU FEEL BEFORE AND DURING THE TRIP? .............12
5. OUR BEST MOMENTS IN CUYABENO .....................................................18
7. RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................20
6. CONCLUSIONS..................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................21

3. 1. INTRODUCTION
The students of the Tourism and Hospitality career of the Technical University of
Ambato, last week we made a field trip to the Cuyabeno Reserve, the trip lasted
5 days, from Monday 26 to Friday 30 November, where we visited several tourist
places especially related to nature.
During the trip we met many places like: the lagoon of Papallacta, the Magic and
San Rafael waterfalls, Lagoagrio, the Cuyabeno reserve, Cayman Lodge, the big
lagoon, Siona Community among others.
We considered that the most important thing of the trip was to know more about
the nature that we have in our country, because we had the opportunity to see a
great variety of flora and fauna representative of the place, as for example, we
observed: many birds, 4 types of monkeys, snakes, caimans, spiders, insects
and the most attractive pink dolphins.
In Addition, we stayed in one of the best known Lodges of the place that was
"Caiman Ecolodge", this lodge was very nice and cozy, taking into account that
we had some problems with insects in the rooms.
Finally we learned many things, for example the elaboration of casabe, we had
fun every day in the big lagoon and we could observe the sunset and the sunrise
in an unexpected way. This experience was unique and different from other trips
we had previously, it is worth traveling for many hours because our expectations
were very high and at the end of the trip they could be fulfilled.

4. 2. THE CUYABENO RESERVE
Jimenez (2014) argues that, The Cuyabeno Fauna Production Reserve It is
considered a wildlife sanctuary and includes areas of high value for the
conservation of biodiversity, in the reserve are the largest tropical lake systems
in the country: the Cuyabeno River and the Lagarto River.In the reserve the
environments vary between forests of the mainland, flooded forests, swamps,
rivers and lagoons. Tropical forests are known to have the largest number of living
species, although the reasons for such high diversity are complex.
Paez (2016) says that,it is located in the provinces called Napo and Sucumbíos.
The Reserve has its name from the correspondent river “Rio Cuyabeno”. You
can entrance the Reserve from Lago Agrio, the last city before the Amazon
begins. From there your jungle tour starts. Our guide pick you up and bring you
to the river. From there you go with a 2 hour canoe ride to the Cuyabeno Lodge.
On your way you will already spot a lot of wildlife.
Ministerio del Ambiente (2015) explain that, the protected area takes its name
from the Cuyabeno River, which is located in the environment and originates in a
complex of 14 lagoons and forms the most extensive wetland in the Ecuadorian
Amazon. These forests are flooded in the territory of dolphins, manatees,
caimans, anacondas and otters, and the water guarango, the most unique tree in
the reserve; Thanks to its special adaptations, it can grow on the banks of rivers
and lagoons, originating a magical and mysterious environment that attracts
miles of visitors every year. The reserve is also one of the protected areas with
the greatest cultural diversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Here there are
communities of indigenous Siona, Secoya, Cofán, Kichwa and Shuar.
Cardenas (2012) states that, this place has not been visited by miles of people at
the same time, because there are very few groups that are allowed to work in the
region, to which you can enjoy nature and all its charms in a almost intimate
atmosphere. It can also be found in the places of the Amazon River, and the
eagle of the region, which is also known as Hoatzin.

5. 3. PHOTOS ACCORDING TO THE ITINERARY
The first day we started our trip at 4:11 am. We depart from the Technical
University of Ambato to Lago Agrio
In the path we found the Papallacta lake.This place was very attractive because
its was surrounded of mountains.

6. We visited the Magic Waterfall, it was a beautiful place and it’s located in “Rio
Malo”.
We visited the San Rafael Waterfall,its is located on the border of the provinces
of Napo and Sucumbios.Is surrounded by a landscape filled with tropical
vegetation.

7. Also we had lunch, we tried the local food that was “Tilapia ahumanda”. This
food was very delicious.
We visited Lago Agrio city, this city is the entrance to the southern part of the
Ecuadorian Amazonas Jungle

8. In the morning we had the breakfast, it was a piece of bread, eggs, sausage,
avocado and two small “tortillas” with cheese.
Furthermore, we rest in the hammocks with our friends.

9. In the afternoon we arrived at The Cuyabeno Reserve, we traveled for two
hours by canoe for the check-in at the Caiman Lodge.
Besides, we could look some snakes that were in the trees.

10. We took some photos at the lodge and we walked around of that.
At night, we can looked a lot of animals such as: toads,caimans,lizards,etc.

11. We went to the “Laguna Grande”,here we swam and spent time with our
classmates.
The last day, we visited the Siona community and we could drank the “chicha
of yucca”,this is a typical beverage of this community. Also we tried the cacao
that usually is used for prepare the chocolate.

12. 4. HOW DO/DID YOU FEEL BEFORE AND
DURING THE TRIP?
At the time of making our luggage, we are anxious because we
did not know what type and how much clothes to take to the
trip.

13. From several hours making our luggage, we carry everything
necessary for personal use and grooming as well as enough
clothes for the long trip.

14. We were very excited before the trip, because from few
semesters ago we want to travel to Cuyabeno.

15. In this picture we are very happy and with a little fear, because
we were going to the canoes to travel two hours on the river to
arrive to Caiman Lodge.

16. We think that this photo represents one of the best moments of
the trip because we could swim in the same lagoon that the
pink dolphins swim and also we had a nice time having fun with
our classmates.

17. One of the best landscapes during the trip, it is undoubtedly
this Sunrise, this image transmits us many emotions and
makes us think us the beauty of traveling and finding new
places in our beautiful Ecuador.

18. 5. OUR BEST MOMENTS IN CUYABENO

20. 6. CONCLUSIONS
 In the Cuyabeno reserve you can do a lot of activities such as
take a walk through the jungle or swim in the Laguna Grande.
 Cuyabeno it’s a good place for to be in connect with the
nature.
 In this place you can know about the Siona Community and
you can prepare the “casabe” that it’s a typical food.
7. RECOMMENDATIONS
 If you carry some food, it’s necessary that you give to the tourist
guide for he saves in a safe place.
 Bring binoculars in order to look better some animals.
 Bring repellent
 Bring extra money for buy some things in the community.
 Bring purified water (some bottles).
 Bring lantern for observe better.

21. REFERENCES
Ministerio del Ambiente. (2015). Areas Protegidas del Ecuador. Retrieved from
http://areasprotegidas.ambiente.gob.ec/es/areas-protegidas/reserva-de-
producci%C3%B3n-faun%C3%ADstica-cuyabeno
Cardenas. (2012). Ser Turista. Retrieved from https://serturista.com/ecuador/reserva-
de-produccion-faunistica-cuyabeno/
Jimenez. (2014). Viajando x. Retrieved from
https://ec.viajandox.com/cuyabeno/reserva-de-produccion-de-fauna-cuyabeno-rpfc-
A1242
Paez. (2016). Amazon Rainforest . Obtenido de http://cuyabenolodge.com.ec/general-
facts-about-the-cuyabeno-wildlife-reserve/