Top Nueva Loja Full-Day Tours: Expert Review

Nueva Loja, also sometimes called Lago Agrio, acts as a portal into the wildly amazing Amazon region of Ecuador, offering loads of captivating full-day tours that, in a way, present distinctive glimpses into the rainforest’s center. So it’s quite easy to get lost planning. That is why I felt the need to present this guide so you don’t. Now that being said, narrowing down the best of the bunch can be a little bit tough. Therefore I present to you some suggestions! The five full-day tours, that seemingly offer remarkable Amazonian experiences. Each selection promises unforgettable adventures and moments that stick with you, well, like that smell you get in the Amazon, it lingers.

Exploring the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

One should start with, possibly, the most visited park near Nueva Loja. You see, it’s just such a hit because of what it seemingly packs into a fairly small area, from flooded forests, and well they’re called that for a reason! To dry land forests, also fairly explanatory. Arguably, the animal spotting is phenomenal, basically. So I would argue this is where anyone should start their adventures, almost. Because many tours take you by motorized canoe down the Cuyabeno River. That means that, often, guides know exactly where all the cool monkeys and crazy colorful birds hangout.

You know what else? Basically, several tours will include visits to indigenous communities where you kinda get to understand their everyday routines and also, in some respects, the way they have been trying to hold on to them. I would also recommend finding tours that put you in the hands of local guides since, actually, they offer an extra layer to what you are experiencing, too it’s almost, like hearing stories that other folks wouldn’t necessarily have a clue about. Remember that this visit, that, can be planned as either single-day or even multi-day.

Read our full review: Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Cuyabeno Reserve Tour)

Tarapuy Craft Market and the Pacaya River

A little further from town but easily attainable is this gem. See, I will try to make this suggestion often, that of, go see what the real local artisans are up to because, really, it is one of the purest cultural experiences, almost. See what the artisans make, often beautiful handcrafts, very interesting souvenirs. It could be, for example, tagua nut carvings or wood creations and the sort of woven goods.

You can typically find locally made things with, what feels like, the maker’s heart put into them. And listen, the Pacaya River? Seriously good place to just chill out on a boat, seeing wildlife from a safe distance and hearing birds you have definitely never heard. Typically, any money you put down, goes right to the local indigenous folk.

Read our full review: Tarapuy Craft Market and the Pacaya River Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Craft Market & Pacaya Trip)

Dureno Community Immersion

This visit basically represents an intimate visit with the local folks of the area. Now in saying that, its probably best to have some basic Spanish or go with a translator because most folks probably don’t know English that well, anyway. Some communities open their doors so visitors can get to know all the really quite super ancient traditions, stuff such as the old hunting techniques and how the shamans in those locations cure things, stuff that goes very, very far back.

Listen, these peeps know everything about forest sustainability, things such as what plants and animals live in a certain area. Usually they’ll take you to these places for a very up close encounter with, well, them, usually for photos. That could easily open your mind a bit to how the local communities try to hold on to their way of life whilst, too it’s almost, navigating the quick changing modern lifestyle. So, again, be very respectful and humble when, literally, visiting other people’s houses!

Read our full review: Dureno Community Immersion Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Community Visit Experience)

The বিস্ময়কর (Wonderful) Limoncocha Biological Reserve

Honestly, I had to use Google Translate for the word, it just sounds way better in Spanish, even though that is not the primary language. Now as a matter of fact, this reserve is an excellent spot to see a bunch of biodiversity without, what sometimes could be, traveling super far from Nueva Loja. As I am saying this, I would really love it if some day, somebody comes and visits! You seemingly get so many habitats such as lagoons and swamps and forests, actually, each seemingly brimming with, like, all kinds of life.

So in this trip expect lots of birds because apparently the reserve pulls in over 470 different species and basically it acts as a party every morning. You might, arguably, get the spot the hoatzin which sometimes is called the “stinkbird”, yet don’t stress about it, the moniker describes the smell when under duress rather than some obvious everyday smell, so it goes without notice! Plus you may glimpse caimans. Listen, for photogs or naturalists or bird lovers, really, there couldn’t be better.

Read our full review: Limoncocha Biological Reserve Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Limoncocha Exploration Tour)

Lago Agrio Oil Fields Tour

For a totally different perspective on life around Nueva Loja you might think about an, admittedly, very very interesting oil field tour. Is that weird to see a giant industrial thing? It probably is. But listen, oil brought in a lot of people to the region so there are some interesting stories and cultural mixes.

Any decent tour operator is quite cautious in stressing environmental responsibilities, especially at some sites. Now what is important? The locals have seen a drastic shift. Some tours bring you in to see exactly that and even have former field workers give insights. You do want a tour that actually really goes into what happens on the site whilst also showcasing responsible work. So I would start by Googling some honest review from average folks just like your!

Read our full review: Lago Agrio Oil Fields Tour Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Oil Fields Cultural Insights)