Sacha Lodge

One of Sacha Lodge's highlights is our 130-foot observation tower, which allows guests to climb into and above the rainforest canopy for a magnificent view of the surrounding area. From the tower's ample platform it is possible to observe toucans, parrots, and dozens of other colorful bird species in the treetops. With some luck, noisy howler monkeys or the gentle three-toed sloth may also be seen, especially with the aid of a powerful telescope provided by your guides.

The tower may be reached on foot via a half-hour walk through terra firma forest, although no one can miss out on at least a one-way trip to or from the tower along Orchid Creek, Pilchicocha Lake's natural black water runoff to the Napo River. In a dugout canoe guests may follow this winding stream through untamed palm forest for about an hour, a trip that many choose to repeat.

In recent years Sacha Lodge has become a favorite destination of both professional and amateur ornithologists. Over 500 species of birds have been registered in the area, and from the tower platform our bird specialist guides have on several occasions reported seeing over 80 species in a single morning!

A short distance from Sacha Lodge is Ecuador's most accessible parrot lick, an exposed clay bank where brightly colored parrots of several different species gather in the early morning. In ideal conditions (sunny and dry), the parrots will often perch on and eat the exposed clay.

On an ideal morning thousands of parrots can be seen gathering around this bank between 7:00 and 8:00 for a spectacular show of sound and color. The lick is located on the edge of Yasuni National Park, which may be reached from Sacha by a one half-hour motorized canoe trip down the Napo River.

Sacha Lodge is home of one of the largest butterfly farms in Ecuador. Designed as a live exhibition conservatory, the Butterfly House is now successfully breeding nearly 40 local butterfly species. Guests will be shown how these beautiful insects are bred and raised, and later be free to wander through "the flying room", where hundreds of colorful butterflies including spectacular blue morphs flutter from flower to flower.

Itinerary

Day 1

The journey to Sacha Lodge begins in Quito, Ecuador's capital city. From here, a 45-minute flight takes you over the Andes Mountains' majestic snow-covered peaks and down over 8500 feet into the town of Coca (Puerto Francisco de Orellana). Here, a covered motorized canoe will be awaiting you for a 21/2-hour, 50-mile trip down the Napo, the largest river in Ecuadorian Amazon. Upon arrival to Sacha Lodge's 3200-acre private reserve, guests will take their first walk along a raised boardwalk through dense flooded palm forest to Pilchicocha Lake, a black-water paradise where dugout canoes await to carry you to the Lodge.  The staff will welcome you with a cocktail and snacks, and after a brief orientation guests will be shown to their rooms. There is usually opportunity to swim, bird watch or visit a small lookout with a scenic view of the lake and lodge before sunset.

Day 2

Once visitors arrive at Sacha they will be divided into small groups and the naturalist guides will organize an itinerary to fit to each group's specific interests and physical abilities. A typical day at Sacha begins at sunrise or earlier, and each group may decide on its own wake-up and breakfast times. In the afternoon, visits begin between 3:00 and 4:00 and often continue into the evening, when the nocturnal insect and frog chorus begins. Activities are spread out over a wide area and allow visitors to explore several distinct but equally fascinating habitats. Several trails lead through pristine terra firme forest, where 150-foot kapok trees tower above and roots form huge buttresses to give trees support. Others follow strategically raised boardwalks in seasonally flooded forests, where walking on the ground would be nearly impossible during most of the year due to groundwater. One trail many choose to follow even leads across fallen tree trunks and a steel cable zip-line through rich swampland! For adventurous souls, the day does not necessarily end with dinner. Night walks and canoe trips, with the aid of flashlights, often reveal creatures seldom seen during daylight. Caimans (of the alligator family) and giant insects rule the jungle after sunset...