SACHA LODGE

GTSL-180 – SACHA LODGE
Four Days / Three Nights
Daily Departures

HIGHLIGHTS

Lake Pilchicocha, Lake Pool, Bird Watching, Butterfly House, Liana Chica, Canopy Walk, Hiking along the Rio Napo, Lake Lagartococha, Canoe Riding through the flooded Amazonian Forest, Sacha’s 135-foot wooden tower built around an ancient Kapok tree.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Departure from Quito and arrival in Sacha Lodge

Meeting and assistance in check in at Quito airport for your morning flight to Coca. Upon arrival enjoy a quick lunch in Sacha´s private house and then transfer to the docks for a 2-hour journey down the Napo River, followed by a 30 minute hike to lake Pilchicocha to the Sacha Lodge.

After check in and briefing enjoy a swim in the pool of lake Pilchicocha; bird observing from the mini tower or visit the butterfly house with your naturalist guide. After dinner, a night walk through the rainforest or maybe a canoe ride on the lake.
Meals: Lunch, dinner

DAY 2: Sacha Lodge

A walk on the Liana Chica trail; Spectacular views of the rainforest canopy from the Canopy walk; Learning about native medicinal plants; Leisurely hihe along the River Napo or hiking on the Leoncillo trail.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 3: Sacha Lodge

Hiking on the Lagartococha trail. A tranquil canoe ride through a natural swamp on lake Lagartococha; A refreshing swimming in the pool lake or a nice relaxing nap in your personal hammock. Learning how o fish the razor-tooth piranha. A silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest reaching Sacha’s 135-foot wooden tower built around an ancient Kapok tree and a night canoe ride listening to the symphony of frogs and insects as you navigate through the narrow-flooded forest trail, keeping your eyes open for caimans.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 4: Depart Sacha Lodge to Coca and Quito

Breakfast and a departure from the lodge 7:30 AM. One last walk on the boardwalk to the river, and from there a 2-hour canoe ride back to Coca for your 35 minutes flight back to Quito.
Meals: Breakfast

GROSS RATES PER PERSON BASED VALID FOR 2019

NET AIR FARES QUITO/COCA/QUITO IN COMBINATION WITH THESE PROGRAMS:

GTSL-180 – SACHA LODGE
Four Days / Three Nights

Daily Departures

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1: Departure from Quito and arrival in Sacha Lodge

Meeting and assistance in check in at Quito airport for your morning flight to Coca. A 30 minutes flight over the Andes Mountains leads you to a bustling oil town called Coca located in the Amazon Basin. A quick lunch in Sacha´s private house and then it is off to the town docks where you will board Sacha´s private canoes for the 2-hour journey down river to Sacha´s Lodges property.

A 30 minutes hike through the rainforest leads you to lake Pilchicocha. Here, you are met by native workers to paddle you across the lake to your final destination. Arrive at Sacha Lodge around 3:00 or 4:00 pm (subject to change).

At the lodge, enjoy a swim in the pool of the lake Pilchicocha, which is a black water lake home to many species of fish and animals. A refreshing swim after arriving may be just what you need after being in the equatorial heat all day. The lake pool has a 12-meter-long by 5-meter-wide and 3-meter-deep, and a double security mesh which allows you to cool off and relax, without the fear of encountering the unknown.

Bird observing from the mini tower offers guests an excellent opportunity to view several species of birds common around the lodge. Also, a great place to watch the sun set. Visit the butterfly house with your naturalist guide to view the beautiful colors of many different species of butterflies.

After dinner, accompany your naturalist guide on a night walk through the rainforest to view the hundreds of different species of animals that can only be found at night. Or maybe a canoe ride on the lake to view the spectacled and black caimans with their glowing orange eyes as you silently paddle across the lake to get a closer view.
Meals: Lunch, dinner

DAY 2: Sacha Lodge

Begin the morning activity between 6:00 and 7:00 am.
Walking on the trail Liana Chica and arrive at the canopy walk, for spectacular views of the rainforest canopy and the many different species of vibrantly colored birds. Designed to be a self-standing rigid suspension canopy walk. It is one of only a few in the world! Located within Sacha´s private reserve, 2 miles from the shores of the Rio Napo and 1 mile from the lodge, the bird walk gives guests the opportunity to get an up close and personal view of the rainforest canopy. Two of the three towers have observation decks every 12 meters making towers accessible for everyone. The canopy walkway is at 36 meters high and 275 meters long, giving guests a “birds eye view” of all the wonders and beauty the tropical rainforest has to offer. The canopy walk is designed as a sturdy walkway enabling guests to casually move along while enjoying the spectacular views.

After the canopy walk, Liana Grande through terra firme and igapo forest habitats where native guides will explain many different species of medicinal plants that have been being used in their culture for hundreds of years. Liana Grande will turn into the trail Higueron, which will take you through pristine primary forest with huge Kapok and Fig trees towering hundreds of feet above your head.

After lunch, you may choose to take a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo, or choose a little more challenging hike on the trail Leoncillo to try and spot the elusive dusky titi monkey. Either way the trails will lead you back to the main board walk for your final hike and canoe ride back to the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 3: Sacha Lodge

Leaving the lodge after breakfast, you begin your hike on trail Lagartococha. This trail offers you the chance to learn more about the native people and their relationship with the forest. Learn about the trees where native people believe the spirits of their ancestors live, and the mysterious “duende” or devil-man of the forest. After arriving at lake Lagartococha, take a tranquil canoe ride through a natural swamp, which is the home of anacondas, caimans, and capybaras. After the canoe ride, a walk on the other side of Largatococha may give you the opportunity to spot capuchin or squirrel monkeys playfully jumping through the trees. Return from the walk or canoe ride and head back to the lodge for a refreshing dip in the pool lake, or a nice relaxing nap in your personal hammock on your private balcony.

After lunch, your native guide will teach you how to fish for the infamous razor-toothed piranha. Keep in mind that piranhas will never attack a person and swimming at the same time is perfectly safe and fun!

Around 15:00 you will begin what many thinks is the best trail at Sacha, a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest. Where you have a good chance of being surrounded by troops of squirrel, capuchin, and howler monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled for the shy and elusive river otter as well as the incredibly well camouflaged three-toed sloth!

After your eye-popping ride through the flooded forest, you will arrive at Sacha´s 135-foot wooden tower built around an ancient Kapok tree. Get close up views of vibrantly colored birds through Sacha´s powerful scopes, and watch the sun set with an amazing view of Mount Sumaco, a volcano, and possibly a view of the snow-covered caps of the Andes!

Leaving the tower just before or after sunset will give you an experience not soon forgotten. A canoe ride back through the flooded forest at night will be an awe-inspiring experience. Listen to the symphony of frogs and insects as you navigate through the narrow-flooded forest trail, keeping your eyes open for caimans. Watch the several species of bats flying over your heads and listen to the many species of nocturnal birds making their eerie nighttime calls. Finally, after your mesmerizing canoe trip through the Amazon, you will arrive back at lake Pilchicocha and the welcoming lights of Sacha lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 4: Depart Sacha Lodge to Coca and Quito

Breakfast and a departure from the lodge 7:30 am. One last walk on the boardwalk to the river, and from there a 2-hour canoe ride back to Coca for your 35 minutes flight back to Quito. -Arrive in Quito at 12:30 pm. (subject to change).
Meals: Breakfast

GROSS RATES PER PERSON BASED VALID FOR 2019

NET AIR FARES QUITO/COCA/QUITO IN COMBINATION WITH THESE PROGRAMS:

TOUR PROGRAM INCLUDES:

Assistance at the airports in Quito & Coca
Transfers in Coca from airport to canoe
Canoe transport from Coca to Sacha Lodge
Overnight accommodations based on double occupancy
All meals during the stay. Welcome drink. Water, tea, coffee in all meals
Aquatic transportation.
Daily guided tours with English speaking Naturalist and Native guides
Rain poncho and rubber boots: (Boot size 4 – 12 US)
Taxes

NOT INCLUDED:

Air Fare Quito/Coca/Quito – quoted separately
All expenses of personal nature including purchases of souvenirs, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
Gratuities and tips to guides and lodge staff
Native community interpretation center entrance fee $5.00 per person paid locally (optional visit)

NOTE: We can begin and end our programs on any day of the week, except on Sundays. Visit to the parrot clay lick is offered Wednesdays and Sundays at no extra cost.