Sacha Lodge Yasuni National Park. Birding Ecuador

Sacha Lodge Yasuni National Park. Birding Tour Ecuador

Saha Lodge Exploraves Birding Tour

Have you heard about the Yasuni? You must have. In recent years it is probably the most talked-about protected area in Ecuador. Everybody is talking about it. But how many people really know the Yasuni?.

The Yasuní is one of the last areas of jungle that, remain intact in Ecuador, the most biodiverse place on the planet. These extraordinary forests are the heritage of all Ecuadorians and one of the Earth´s life reserves. They are also home to peoples who have developed an intimate dialogue with the forests and who know them deeply.

Sacha Lodge Yasuni National Park. Birding Ecuador

Imagine yourself drifting down a narrow, winding creek surrounded on all sides by a lush, endless sea of tropical greenery, and all that separates you from the deep black Amazon waters is a canoe hand-carved out of a single tree trunk. As you manoeuvre around a bend something unidentified crashes off into the underbrush, and you catch a glimpse of two magnificent, colourful macaws startled into flight. Suddenly, the forest erupts with a roar so loud that all you can imagine is some giant, fierce predator on the prowl. But as you turn to face your destiny, the menace is revealed as a family of furry red howler monkeys huddled together in a treetop. With a sigh of relief you continue onward, deeper into the unknown.

This is one of the many sensations you may experience at Sacha Lodge, located in the heart of Ecuador´s Amazon Basin. A heaven for nature lovers, birdwatchers, scientists and adventure seekers, Sacha Lodge provides comfortable accommodations, first-class meals and expert guides in order for you to fully enjoy the wonders of the tropical rain-
forest.

Sacha Lodge Yasuni National Park. Birding Ecuador.

Sacha Lodge Exploraves Birding Tour

Day 1

–Arrive at Sacha Lodge around 3:30 or 4:00 pm.

-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.

 

Day 2

-Begin morning activity between 6:00 and 7:00 (full-day/ box lunch)

-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.

-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.

-Higueron will eventually lead to the Finca where an excellent lunch prepared especially for long day trips, will be served while you listen to the many species of birds around the Finca and enjoy the coolness of the covered picnic tables.

-From the Finca, 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.

 

Day 3

-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 razortoothed piranha. Keep in mind that piranhas will never attack a person and swimming at the same time is perfectly safe and fun!

-Around 4:00 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 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´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.

 

Day 4. Sacha Lodge Yasuni National Park. Birding Ecuador

-A chance to view four different species of parrots at the same time is something that should not be missed. Sacha is close enough to Yasuni National Park that a thirty minute motorized canoe ride down the napo to the parrot lick is well worth it. Leaving at six in the morning from Sacha and arriving at the lick around 7:30 will give you plenty of time to get close up views of the parrots eating the clay to neutralize the acids which they get from eating their many different types of fruits and leaves.

-After the parrot lick, take a step back in time and visit a local Qechua. This visit gives you an experience and an appreciation of the different lifestyle Amazonian people have been living for hundreds of years. Learn about their customs and their diet as well astheir daily activities. The people from the house are very friendly and welcoming and are always happy to communicate and participate with their guests.

-Arriving back at the lodge around 11am or so gives you plenty of time to swim or relax before lunch is served. Visit the butterfly house once again to photograph the beautifully colored butterflies.

-For your afternoon activity, Pantano is the trail to take. Pantano offers you several different types of rainforest habitats. From secondary to primary forests as well as flooded forest and swampy areas. An excellent trail for monkeys and birds in the afternoon, your naturalist and native guides will intrigue you with their knowledge of the jungle and its inhabitants as well as provide you with an everlasting experience and memory of the neotropical rainforest.

 

Day 5

-Breakfast and an easy walk on the boardwalk to watch monkeys one last time before your final departure from Sacha Lodge.

-Arrive in Coca and be escorted to the Coca airport where all plane tickets will be in the hands of Sacha employees waiting to help you board the plane and a final farewell.

 

Contac us for information:  avearatinga@yahoo.es   0981286507

 

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