Sacha Lodge – Ecuador Amazon
Duration
4 days
Tour Type
Extensions
Group Size
Departures
Everyday
Overview
The Sacha jungle lodge is located in the province of Sucumbios, in the Northeastern part of Ecuador. A 40-minute flight will take you from Quito to Coca. Then you travel by motorized dugout canoe for 2 hours (approximately) down the Napo River, after which a 30 minute walk will get you to the lodge. The lodge is located in a very nice setting surrounded by primary forest.
The Sacha tour program consists of a combination of jungle walks on narrow trails – through different types of forests (Primary, Secondary, Varzea etc.) – and canoe rides on local lakes and rivers. In addition, an observation tower and the recently finished 275 meters long canopy walkway enables visitors to climb 36 mts. into the canopy for an unobstructed view of intact rainforest, as well as a possible close-up view of mammals, plants and dozens of species of birds.
Groups of 5 to 8 people at the most will be formed and led by an English/Spanish speaking naturalist guide plus a local native guide. At the Sacha lodge in Ecuador you will find comfortable accommodations in rustic cabins of native design that blend in with the surrounding rainforest. At the same time, you will be provided with the comforts you would expect of a first class hotel: modern bathrooms with hot running water, screened rooms with a magnificent view of the rainforest; bottled water free of-charge; and excellent, international cuisine that incorporates the delicious tropical fruits of the region.
Day 1: Arrive Coca – Ecuador Amazon
Day 2 & 3: Amazon Activities
Day 4: Depart Amazon
Tour Highlights
Coca – Ecuador Amazon: Arrival in Coca, transfer to Sacha Lodge via motorized canoe and boardwalk through palm forest, Pilchicocha Lake, bird observation tower, butterfly house, night trek, or evening canoe ride to see caimans.
Amazon Activities: Morning canopy walk on Liana Chica trail, hiking through terra firma and igapo forest, exploring the pristine primary forest with Kapok and fig trees, afternoon hikes along Rio Napo or Leoncillo trail to see Titi monkeys. Lagartococha trail to Lagartococha Lake, canoe ride across the swamp to spot wildlife, fishing excursion for piranhas, canoe ride to see three-toed sloths and various monkeys, climbing Sacha’s 135-foot wooden tower for panoramic views and sunset, evening canoe ride through flooded forest.
Depart Amazon: Final trek across boardwalk, two-hour canoe ride back to Coca, flight back to Quito.
Itinerary
Upon arrival to Coca you will be greeted for airport reception and enjoy a brief lunch in Sacha’s private house before beginning your transfer to the Sacha Lodge. Boarding a covered motorized canoe, you will enjoy a two hour transfer down the Napo River. Disembarking the canoe, the staff at the Sacha Lodge will assist with your luggage as you enjoy an easy, 30-minute walk through the densely flooded palm forest. Following the raised boardwalk you will reach the Pilchicocha Lake, a remote black-water lake where dugout canoes await to carry you further into the Amazon Jungle. As you cross the lake, the cries of tropical birds will serenade you as you reach the Sacha Lodge.
Later this afternoon you can chose to return to Pilchicocha Lake to enjoy a refreshing swim; visit the bird observation tower to view the several species of birds common around the lodge, and enjoy the sunset; or visit the butterfly house to view the many beautiful colors of the various butterfly species.
This evening after dinner enjoy a guided night trek through the rainforest to view the hundreds of different fauna species that can be found only during the evening hours. You may also choose to enjoy an evening canoe ride on Pilchicocha Lake in search of caimans. (L. D.) (Semi-Private Transfer) (Shared Guide)
This morning you will wake early to enjoy breakfast and begin your morning activity, starting at approximately 6:00AM.
Following the Liana Chica trail for one mile you will arrive at the canopy walk, a self-standing rigid suspension canopy walk that will allow you to observe the spectacular views of the rainforest canopy and the many colorful and exotic birds and mammals that can be found high above the ground floor.
The canopy walkway is 36-meters high and 275-meters long, with two of the three towers offering observation decks every 12-meter.
Descending from the thrilling canopy walk, you will follow the Liana Grande trail through the terra firma and igapo forest habitats as your native guides explain the various flora species that can be used for medicinal purposes. As the trail turns into the Higueron trail, you will be led through a pristine primary forest where large Kapok and fig trees tower hundreds of feet over your head.
After lunch, you may choose to enjoy a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo, or choose a slightly more challenging hike along the Leoncillo trail where the elusive Titi monkey hides. Both trails will lead you back to the main boardwalk for your final trek and canoe ride back to the Sacha Lodge.
Tonight enjoy dinner and an evening at your leisure at the Sacha Lodge. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)
This morning after breakfast you will follow the Lagartococha trail, hiking to the Lagartococha Lake. As you walk you will learn more from your naturalist guides of the native people of this region, and their deep relationship with the surrounding ecosystem.
Arriving at Lagartococha Lake, enjoy a tranquil canoe ride across the swamp that is home to anacondas, caimans and capybaras. Reaching the other side, you might be able to spot playful squirrel monkeys jumping through the trees. Returning to the lodge, you will enjoy the remainder of the morning at your leisure.
This afternoon, following lunch, enjoy a fishing excursion for the infamous razor-toothed piranha. Following time to fish, you will enjoy a canoe ride through he flooded Amazonian forest. While you glide along the water, keep your eyes peeled to the trees in search of the elusive three-toed sloth, and squirrel, capuchin and howler monkeys.
As your canoe ride comes to an end, you will reach Sacha’s 135-foot wooden tower, built around an old Kapok tree. Climbing to the top you will be able to enjoy views of the vibrantly colored birds and watch as the sunsets over this amazing ecosystem.
Leaving the tower, enjoy an evening canoe ride through the flooded forest, listening to the symphony of nocturnal frogs and insects. Returning to the lodge, enjoy dinner and an evening at your leisure. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)
This morning after breakfast you will make one final trek across the boardwalk, returning to the river for your two-hour canoe ride back to Coca. Upon arrival to Coca airport you will check-in for your flight back to Quito. (B.) (Semi-Private Transfer)
Hotels & Lodges
Ecuador
- Napo River: Sacha Lodge
NOTES
- The lodge program is subject to change without notice due to unexpected circumstances or weather conditions
Itinerary Map
Included/Excluded
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Hotel accommodation for 3 nights
- Daily buffet breakfast, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
- All transfers, touring and sightseeing via shared services
- Activities as listed in the itinerary
- Document holder and luggage tags
- Hotel taxes and service charges
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Round trip flights from Quito to Coca
- Local Departure taxes, local airport taxes
- Beverages, personal expenses, activities outside the lodge, and other items not mentioned above are not included.
- You should ensure you have travel insurance in place to cover the possibility of unforeseen circumstances which result in the inability to participate in the tour
- Daily arrivals (except Sunday)
- A yellow fever vaccination is mandatory & has to be done at least 10 days prior to arrival
