Getting to Sacha Lodge is done through a series of legs. The first leg is from Quito to Coca by plane-a short trip that lasts about half an hour to 45 minutes time to see above the clouds and descend into the city by the Napo River.
Travel from Coca to the beginnings of the Sacha Reserve is a two-hour, motorized canoe ride. At the start of the reserve there is a short hike to the shores of Lake Pilchicocha, where travel to the far side of the lake to Sacha Lodge is undertaken by dugout canoe.
Canopy Walk
Rising 94 feet (36 meters) above the forest floor, this 940-foot (275-meter) suspension bridge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding rainforest and its wildlife. As morning light filters through the canopy, monkeys call in the distance, macaws glide overhead, and endless treetops stretch across the horizon. Blending design with nature, the canopy walk allows you to move quietly above the forest, observing birds and animals feeding among the high branches without disturbing their environment.
Yasuni Clay Lick
A short canoe ride from the reserve, the Yasuni Clay Lick becomes a vibrant scene of sound, color, and activity throughout the day. Groups of parrots, macaws, and parakeets gather during cooler hours to feed, creating an unforgettable display. This remarkable experience leaves a lasting impression both in memory and in photographs. With expert guides identifying species such as the cobalt-winged parakeet or yellow-crowned parrot, it is a must for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.
Kapok Tower
Set high within the branches of a towering Kapok tree, this observation platform offers a unique perspective above the rainforest canopy. From over 100 feet high, you can spot birds, watch monkeys moving through the trees, and appreciate the vast diversity of the jungle. The Kapok tree itself can reach up to 200 feet, creating an impressive natural structure. Among the highlights is the chance to observe rare species like the harpy eagle resting in the upper canopy.
River and Lake Trips
Exploring the rivers and lakes by canoe is an essential part of the Amazon experience. Whether traveling to the clay licks or venturing out at night to spot caimans, these journeys reveal the true scale of the rainforest. Along the way, birds cross the sky, monkeys call from the treetops, and turtles rest along the banks. Guided excursions provide deeper insight into this ecosystem, offering a connection with nature that feels far removed from everyday life.
Day one starts after being collected from your hotel in Quito before a short flight to Coca. After making your way to the docks of the Napo River, you board a motorized canoe and embark on a two-hour trip downstream.
At the end of the first leg you arrive at the beginning of the Sacha Reserve, where you traverse a boardwalk for half an hour until you reach the shores of Lake Pilchicocha. After hopping into canoes, Sacha Lodge staff takes you across the lake to the Rainforest luxury lodge.
One suggestion for the first day is a visit to the Butterfly House, where you can explore the breeding process of some of the forty species of butterflies that thrive in the Sacha Reserve.
Yellow swallowtails, blue morphs, glass-wing butterflies, and nocturnal owl butterflies are a few of the species that you can observe up close in the open air, flying room – a butterfly sanctuary where the winged creatures have the rule of the roost.
After an early breakfast, one of the Sacha lodge activities worth getting up for is the canopy walk, a 94 feet (36 meters) high, 940-foot (275-meter) suspension bridge over the canopy of the jungle that gives you an eagle-eyed view of the surrounding treetops and the creatures that live in their branches. Keep a lookout of monkeys, macaws, toucans, and harpy eagles, bustling with life in the morning hours.
After lunch in the afternoon, a different experience at the Amazon Rainforest lodge is a forest walk, where the creatures of the lower part of the jungle are found with the help of a naturalist guide. Crested owls, spider monkeys, and a myriad of insects, frogs, and spiders are en force here, and the trip through the dense foliage opens up new paths into the natural world. After dinner, night hikes take you into a world where snakes, caiman, and stick insects come out of the woods.
After an early morning breakfast on day three, more bird watching awaits at the nearby Yasuni clay lick. A short canoe ride away and a heaven for the 30 or so species of parrots, macaws, and parakeets-arriving early in the morning gets you there in time to see the flock descend from high above for feeding. It’s a natural kaleidoscope of color and a somewhat clumsy symphony of movement that sparks the imagination and amazes the senses.
After a yummy lunch with a view of the lake at Sacha Lodge, head over to the Kapok Tower, a 130-ft observation tower built high in the branches of a gigantic Kapok tree. From the skyward vantage point, the massive scope of the Sacha Reserve comes into focus, as do the creatures that live in the tree tops. Guides point out birds of prey like the harpy eagle – a predator that stays up high until it spots smaller birds of the lower layers of the canopy to swoop down upon.
After breakfast and a last leisurely stroll around the Rainforest luxury lodge and the shores of the lake, goodbyes are said to the staff of Sacha Lodge and the return trip ensues. It’s often said that the best rainforest trip is one that awakens the wonders of nature, and on the journey back to the modern world thoughts begin to take shape about preserving the jungle for generations to discover for themselves.
Sacha Lodge began as a smaller version of its current self, growing in size as the word got out about the reserve, the lodge, and the strides that they were making to protect the forest from logging and threats from the outside world.
After discovering the wonders within the Sacha Lodges borders, a seed is planted that stays with you for years to come with the hopes that the jungle continues to inspire those who take the journey to visit it.
Depart Quito for a half-hour flight to the rainforest town of Coca in the Amazon. Lunch in town is followed by an immersive two-hour canoe ride down the Napo to get to Sacha Lodge. Your first activity is a hike to Lake Pilchicocha, where you will meet native workers who will paddle you to the lodge.
After you settle in, take some time to climb the observation tower and see the many species of birds flying through the canopy. An evening hike led by a naturalist guide takes you on your first real excursion into the jungle, where you will spot many
Your morning starts with a hike to the canopy walk, where you will literally be among the birds. There are multiple tower observation decks. Come down from the canopy to walk Liana Chica and Liana Grande trails through terra firma and igapo forest habitats, where you will learn about the various species of medicinal plants from your guide.
In the afternoon, you can choose to explore other trails around the lodge or go for an exciting canoe ride around the lake looking for wildlife, this top Ecuador Amazon lodge also features a nice swimming pool adjacent to the main lake where you can take a refreshing swim or enjoy the tranquil views of the lagoon.
Today you will hike the Lagartococha trail, located right next to the Sacha Lodge followed by a canoe ride through a natural swamp, where anacondas, caimans, and capybaras can be spotted. On the other side of the trail, you might see capuchin or squirrel monkeys in the trees, some of the main species to be found in the Amazon rainforest.
After lunch, your guide will teach you how to fish for piranhas. Then, you will be delighted by a final afternoon hike or canoe ride with time to look for more wildlife.
An early morning will take you to the renowned parrot clay lick just 30 minutes down the Napo River in Yasuni National Park, the heart of the Ecuadorian rainforest. Here, you will see hundreds of birds flocking to get their fill of clay to balance the acidity in their diets. Then journey back to Sacha lodge enjoying fabulous views of the surrounding forest, you can go for more trail exploration or to relax and enjoy of the comfort of your Amazon rainforest lodge.
Enjoy one final breakfast and early morning walk to spot monkeys and birds before heading back to Coca. Once in Coca, you will be escorted to the airport, where the Sacha lodge staff will be waiting to help you board the plane and bid you a final farewell from the Ecuadorian jungle. You will arrive back in Quito by 12:30 pm and this will be the end of an amazing Sacha Lodge Trip.
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Antonio Sánchez y Francisco Ecija, Quito
The Sacha Lodge experience takes you deep into Ecuador’s Amazon, where you explore untouched rainforest, encounter wildlife up close, and enjoy guided walks, canoe trips, and canopy excursions—all while staying in a comfortable eco-lodge setting.
Sacha Lodge is situated within a private reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon near the Napo River, close to the renowned Yasuni region—one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. This location provides access to dense jungle trails, secluded waterways, and rich wildlife habitats.
Getting to Sacha Lodge involves a short flight from Quito to Coca, followed by a motorized canoe ride along the river. The journey continues with a brief walk and a paddle canoe crossing over Lake Pilchicocha, creating a scenic introduction to the Amazon.
The lodge offers cozy rooms and spacious family suites built with local materials to blend naturally into the environment. Many accommodations feature thatched roofs, private terraces, screened windows, and views overlooking the surrounding rainforest.
Guests can enjoy guided jungle walks, canopy and observation tower visits, canoe excursions through lakes and creeks, wildlife viewing at sunrise and sunset, and night walks to spot nocturnal species. Visits to butterfly houses and nearby clay licks are also included.
The area surrounding the lodge is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including monkeys often heard in the canopy, colorful bird species, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, and occasionally elusive mammals, offering memorable encounters in the rainforest.
The package typically covers all meals served at the lodge, purified drinking water, guided excursions according to the itinerary, bilingual naturalist guides, and assistance at the airport in Coca. Basic gear such as ponchos, boots, and umbrellas is also provided.
Additional expenses generally include flights between Quito and Coca, alcoholic beverages, tips for guides and staff, internet access, and any personal purchases or services.
Yes, the lodge caters to a wide range of travelers. Activities are adapted to different fitness levels, making it a great option for families as well as adventurous visitors seeking a rainforest experience without the need for camping.
Sacha Lodge operates year-round, and each season offers something unique. The wet season brings lush landscapes and active river life, while the drier months often provide clearer skies and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
SACHA LODGE ACCOMMODATION & SPECS
ACCOMMODATION
Standard Rooms: 26 Comfortable private rooms allowing double and upon request also triple accommodation
Suite Rooms: 3 Luxurious family suites some include floor to ceiling windows
LODGE
Balsa Restaurant: Enjoy a beautiful view of the Pilchicoha lake while you enjoy exquisite food
Attention to Details: Helpful and friendly staff members and tour guides always ready to help
Activities: Variety of activities while looking for wildlife in the heart of nature
Pristine Surroundings: Secluded private reserve inside pristine Rainforest home to hundreds of species of reptiles, mammals, birds and more
SERVICES
Satellite WIFI
Souvenir Shop
Laundry Service
Bar and Lounge
Library
Local and International Meals
Safety Deposit box in each room
Screened windows and mosquito nets
Ceiling Fans in all rooms
Getting to Sacha Lodge is done through a series of legs. The first leg is from Quito to Coca by plane-a short trip that lasts about half an hour to 45 minutes time to see above the clouds and descend into the city by the Napo River.
Travel from Coca to the beginnings of the Sacha Reserve is a two-hour, motorized canoe ride. At the start of the reserve there is a short hike to the shores of Lake Pilchicocha, where travel to the far side of the lake to Sacha Lodge is undertaken by dugout canoe.
