Lagunas
de
Cuyabeno
(Lakes
of
Cuyabeno)
This
lake
network
is
the
most
frequented
by
visitors
to
the
Reserve.
The
network
consists
of
a
total
of
fourteen
interconnected
lakes;
difficult
to
tell
apart
when
the
area
is
flooded.
Most
popular
amongst
tourists
are
Laguna
Grande
(Great
Lake),
Caimancocha,
Patococha
and
La
Quebrada
de
la
Hormiga.
The
lakes
have
a
darkish
colouring
due
to
the
decomposition
of
organic
vegetation.
A
few
metres
north
of
this
sector
is
where
the
equatorial
line
is
located.
There
are
three
pathways
here
which
lead
into
the
interior
of
the
tropical
rainforest:
La
Hormiga,
Saladero
de
Dantas
and
Palma
Roja.
Laguna
de
Zancudococha
/
Iripari
(Lake
of
Zancudococha)
The
lake
is
so-called,
not
due
to
the
abundance
of
mosquitoes,
but
due
to
a
misinterpretation
by
mestizos
of
the
indigenous
name
“lake
of
the
small
fish”.
This
body
of
water
stretches
from
the
month
of
the
Zancudo
ravine
at
River
Aguarico
to
the
lake
itself.
It
is
the
largest
and
roundest
dark
water
lake
in
the
Ecuadorian
Amazon
region.
At
River
Aguarico,
the
rainforest
is
well-conserved
making
it
possible
to
observe
a
wide
range
of
river
life,
especially
the
Amazonian
pink
dolphin.
There
is
a
military
road
from
Zancudo
leading
to
River
Tiputini
along
with
several
other
interesting
pathways
which
snake
through
the
jungle.
The
observation
tower,
Sacha
Urcu,
measuring
eighteen
metres
high
permits
the
rainforest
to
be
viewed
from
a
different
perspective.
Complejo
de
Rio
Lagarto
(River
Lagarto
Complex)
This
complex
is
formed
of
several
rivers
including
River
Imuya,
Lake
of
Imuya
,
River
Lagarto
and
Lakes
Redondococha,
Delfincocha
and
Lagartococha
amongst
numerous
other
smaller
lakes.
This
network
is
just
part
of
a
much
larger
zone
constituting
a
huge
body
of
lakes
and
rivers
extending
approximately
10,000
hectares
,
which
stretches
over
the
border
into
Peru
.
There
is
a
pathway
from
Huagrahurco
leading
to
the
Imuya
ravine.
A
great
diversity
of
flora
and
fauna
exists
here,
consistent
throughout
the
Reserve.
The
pink
dolphin,
in
particular,
can
be
spotted
in
River
Lagarto
and
manatees
can
occasionally
be
observed
in
the
Lake
of
Imuya
.
There
is
also
an
abundance
of
multicoloured
parrots,
which
can
prove
to
be
extremely
noisy.
Rio
Cuyabeno
(River
Cuyabeno)
The
Reserve’s
namesake
river
is
one
of
the
biggest
attractions
in
the
area.
On
navigating
the
river,
several
swamps,
lagoons
and
seasonally
flooded
zones
can
be
observed.
Vegetation
here
is
equally
rich
and
diverse.
The
Lakes
of
Cuyabeno
and
the
Cuyabeno
beaches
comprise
the
areas
most
frequented
by
visitors
here.
Rowing
boat
can
be
used
as
a
means
by
which
to
navigate
the
smaller
rivers
at
the
mouth
of
River
Cuyabeno,
where
alligators
and
turtles
can
be
spotted,
particularly
at
night.
Comunidades
COFANES
de
Sabalo,
SIONAS
de
Puerto
Bolivar
and
QUICHUAS
de
Playas.
(The
Indigenous
Communities
of
Cofanes,
Sionas
and
Quichuas
in
Sabalo,
Puerto
Bolivar
and
Playas
respectively.)
The
indigenous
Cofan
community
in
Sabalo
is
an
interesting
place
for
ecotourism.
It
offers
jungle
tours,
artisan
crafts
for
sale
in
a
house-turned-museum
and
also
accommodation
consisting
of
a
total
of
four
cabins.
It’s
an
extremely
well-organised
community
and
its
inhabitants
are
more
than
prepared
to
assist
in
helping
guide
visitors
through
the
rainforest.
The
indigenous
Sion
community
provides
accommodation
for
tourists:
rustic
cabins
with
wooden
floorboards
and
palm
leaf
roofs.
The
Quichua
community
offers
jungle
tours
and
accommodation
also
in
the
form
of
cabins.
They
also
have
an
ecotourism
program,
which
is
being
implemented
in
Rio
Aguas
Negras
and
in
the
surrounding
areas
of
Playas
de
Cuyabeno.
Playas
de
Cuyabeno
All
activities
are
carried
out
in
conjunction
with
the
Reserve’s
administration
centre.
Visits
must
be
planned
in
advance.
Last
Updated
21st
July
2006
(DLW)
