Highlights

• Experience the Ecuadorian Lower Amazon Basin.
• Enjoy authentic wildlife sightseeing, Ecuador one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world.
• Parrot Clay Lick, a must see while on the Forest Hike in the Lodge.
• Dashing scenery of one of the major tributaries of the Amazon River, the mighty “Napo River”.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Quito

Transfer in upon arrival, our representative will be waiting for you at the International Arrivals section in order to transfer you to your hotel for a well-deserved overnight! Welcome to Ecuador!

Overnight: First Class Hotel in Quito.

Meals: (-)

Day 2: Quito City Tour 

The place to start is Colonial Quito, a city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls and, rising above, the steeples and cupolas of the city´s many spectacularly decorated historic churches. The city has one of the best-preserved colonial centers in all South America and its integrity was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared Quito a World Cultural Heritage site. We will walk through the Main Plaza, where you will see the Government Palace and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries. Afterwards we will be heading to the Middle of the World, where we will visit the Equatorial Monument and the Ethnographical Museum to learn more about Ecuadorian Pre-Hispanic Cultures.

Overnight: First class Hotel in Quito.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Amazon Experience

Depart Quito´s airport at 11:00am (subject to change). A 30 minute 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’s 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 minute 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 15:30 or 16:00 pm (subject to change).

Swim in 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. 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.

Overnight: Sacha Lodge

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 4: Amazon Experience

Start the morning activity between 6:00 and 7:00.  Begin walking on 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 firma 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 boardwalk for your final hike and canoe ride back to the lodge.

Overnight: Sacha Lodge

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 5: Amazon Experience

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 “dwende” 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 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 15:30 you will begin what many think 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 riverotter as well as the incredibly well camouflaged three-toed sloth! After your eye-popping ride through the flooded forest, you will arrive at Sacha´s135-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.

Overnight: Sacha Lodge

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 6: Riobamba – Devil´s Nose Train Ride – Ingapierca Ruins – Cuenca (B  BL)

FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO

Breakfast and a departure from the lodge at 07:30am. One last walk on the boardwalk to the river, and from there a 2-hour canoe ride back to Coca for your 35-minute flight back to Quito. Arrive Quito at 12:30pm (subject to change).

Overnight: First class Hotel in Quito.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7

If taking an international flight, there will be a transfer to the airport of Quito.  You could also extend your stay in Ecuador with other land tours we can offer you.

Not Included:

• Internal Flight Roundtrip to/from Coca.
• Tips, drinks, extras and personal expenses.
• Any other service not mentioned on the itinerary.

Notes:

• Sample Itinerary (subject to change due to weather, specific interests and guests’ physical conditions)
• If you would like to have a 4 nights experience in the Amazon, please add a supplement of $300 net pp in double occupancy.