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 maneuver around a bend
something unidentified crashes off into the underbrush,
and you catch a glimpse of two magnificent, colorful 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 haven 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
rainforest.
The
lodge
The lodging at Sacha was carefully designed to offer comfort
to the traveler yet preserve the environment and rainforest
ambience. All of our cabins, with high thatched roofs
and private shaded terraces, are constructed with traditional
materials and nestle well concealed into the lush surroundings.
Each of 26 the rooms, which include single, double and
(upon request) triple accommodations, provides a private
bathroom with flushing toilet and hot shower. All cabins
are screened against insects, and contain ceiling fans
above two comfortable double beds. During free time, visitors
may overlook the jungle from hammocks and often report
seeing wild fauna such as toucans, agoutis and monkeys
right from their own cabin!
Guests may also enjoy a raised lookout
above our main bar and lounge, which offers a scenic view
of Pilchicocha Lake and excellent opportunities to birdwatch.
Activities
& attractions
 Guests explore the surroundings in small groups, each led by a native guide with
expert knowledge of the rainforest’s medicinal
and other useful plants, and a bilingual naturalist guide educated in the biology
and ecology of the area. 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.
One trail even
leads across fallen tree trunks and a steel cable zip-line through rich swampland.
You can paddle dugout canoes along tannin-rich
black-water creeks and lakes, where luxuriant lianas, bromeliads
and palm
trees
thrive. 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.
 The Observation Tower is
a highlight of Sacha Lodge. This 135-foot (43-meter) observation
tower allows guests to climb to
the rainforest canopy for
a magnificent view of the surrounding area. It is possible to observe
toucans, parrots, dozens of other colorful bird species in the treetops,
and with luck, noisy howler monkeys, foraging squirrel
monkeys or the gentle
three-toed sloth.
In recent years Sacha Lodge has become
a favorite destination of both professional and amateur
birders. Over 500 species of birds have
been registered in the area, and from the tower
guides have reported seeing over
80 species in a single morning!
 The recent addition of a 940 foot (300m)
long canopy walkway approximately
94 feet
(30m) above the ground lets you further your explorations
of the rainforest canopy. This sturdy walkway
is fixed
to the
ground
with metal towers for stability, and offers
an unbelievable opportunity
to spot dozens of animals and epiphytes that are seldom seen from the ground.
Sacha Lodge is home to one of the largest
butterfly farms in Ecuador. Designed as
a live exhibition conservatory, the farm
breeds nearly 40 local butterfly species. Guests can observe how these
insects are bred and raised, and can wander through “the
flying room”  where hundreds of colorful butterflies including spectacular
blue morphs flutter from flower to flower.
At a short distance from Sacha Lodge
is the Yasuní Parrot Lick, Ecuador’s
most accessible parrot lick. On an exposed clay bank
brightly-colored
parrots of several different
species gather in the early morning to eat the exposed clay. On an ideal morning,
hundreds of parrots or parakeets can be seen close from
a blind, gathering around this bank. The lick is located
on the
edge of Yasuní National
Park, reached by a one half-hour motorized canoe trip
down the Napo River. |
