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The journey to Sacha Jungle Lodge begins in Quito, Ecuador's capital city. From here, a 25-minute flight takes you over the Andes Mountains' majestic snow-covered peaks and down over 8500 feet (2600 meters) into the Amazon Region. The flight destination is the port town of Puerto Francisco de Orellana, locally known as Coca, where you will be met by a bilingual guide and taken to a private dock. Here we will pause for a snack and to use the rest rooms before boarding our covered motorized canoe for a 2-hour, 50-mile (80-kilometer) trip down the sediment-rich waters of the Napo, the largest river in Ecuadorian Amazonia.


During the ride it is easy to spot handsome shore birds such as herons, kingfishers, spoonbills and ospreys between the scattered native huts as you travel steadily away from civilization. Upon arrival to Sacha Lodge's 5000-acre (2000-hectare) private reserve, our guests will take their first walk along a raised boardwalk through dense flooded palm forest where several species of monkeys are often sighted. But don't worry… we will carry your luggage for you! 

The path leads to Pilchicocha lake, a blackwater paradise where you'd least expect to find any sign of people, but dugout canoes (and even paddlers) await to carry you even farther. As you cross the lake, the cries of tropical birds lead you to your final destination and home base for an exciting jungle experience.



Gallery of Activities





A typical day at Sacha begins at sunrise or earlier, in order to take advantage of the cool morning hours when the rainforest's animals are most active. Each group may decide on its own wake-up and breakfast time, as well as the difficulty and duration of their morning outings. In the afternoon, visits begin at around 3:00 and often continue into the evening, when the nocturnal insect and frog chorus begins.

Wherever the destination, our excursions proceed slowly in order to appreciate the fascinating details that our guides point out around you.

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! 

A favorite activity of our guests is to paddle dugout canoes along tannin-rich black-water creeks and lakes, where luxuriant lianas, orchids, bromeliads and palm trees thrive. And wherever an outing may lead the possibilities of spotting animals, from the tiny pygmy marmoset to the feared ocelot or puma, are endless.

During free time at the lodge, swimming and piranha fishing are also activities not to be missed… but don't worry! Piranhas are scavengers and the guides will prove that swimming is perfectly safe.

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… Do you dare search for them?

TOUR PRICES

   4 DAY 5 Day TaxesAirfare
Jamu Lodge  $ 300 $ 365 $ 0 $ 200
Kapawi Lodge $ 970 $ 1,210 $ 35 $ 480* 
La Selva Lodge  $ 1,215 $ 1,510 $ 0 $ 200
Manatee Amazon Explorer  $ 1,065 $ 1,330 $ 60 $ 200
Napo Wildlife Center  $ 1,289 $ 1,536 $ 0 included
Sacha Lodge  $ 1,050 $ 1,290 $ 0 $ 200
Sani Lodge  $ 955 $ 1,195 $ 0 $ 210
Yarina Lodge  $ 460 $ 550 $ 0 $ 200
Guacamayo Lodge  $ 280 $ 320 $ 10 $ 200
Samona Lodge  $ 280 $ 320 $ 10 $ 200
* Ground transportation Quito – Shell – Quito + Air Transportation Shell – Kapawi – Shell

These package Include:

  • Local naturalist guide (indigenous guide)
  • Fluvial Transportation
  • Translator naturalist guide English – Spanish (National tourism guide with license)
  • Three daily meals
  • Programmed excursions
  • Accommodation in cabins with private bathrooms
  • Safe bottle water in meals, cabins and excursions
  • Rubber boots (up to size 43).

The package does not include:

  • Transportation QUITO – COCA – QUITO of US $ 185.00
  • Soft beverages
  • Alcoholic drinks 
  • Personal equipment: flash lights, rain poncho.
  • Tips