Are you looking for a place where you can discover the Amazon of Ecuador in a luxurious and comfortable way? Sacha Lodge, meaning “jungle lodge” in indigenous languages, is a small paradise situated by the Pilchicocha lake, deep in the Amazon of Ecuador. It serves as the habitat for over six hundred bird species, eight species of monkeys, anteaters, sloths, giant otters, bats, and big cats. At Sacha Lodge, you’ll stay in modern furnished bungalows, savor delicious cuisine, and embark on daily adventures to explore the different sides of the rainforest. In this article, I will tell you everything you want to know about Sacha Lodge in the Amazon of Ecuador.
Welcome to Sacha Lodge in the Amazon of Ecuador
Sacha Lodge is located by the Pilchicocha lake, near the Rio Napo, in the Amazon of Ecuador. Covering a 2000-hectare protected natural reserve, Sacha Lodge is approximately a 2-hour boat ride from the city of Coca. As soon as you step onto the boat, you leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind, slowly sailing towards a realm of relaxation where only the sounds of crickets and birds matter.
The Sacha Lodge complex comprises two restaurants, a reception area, and 26 rooms, scattered across the Amazon of Ecuador. If you have a room in the 300 series, you may find yourself strolling through the jungle for about 10 minutes to reach the restaurant. Each walk is a small adventure in itself and it is not uncommon to encounter a monkey colony or come across an agouti along the way. At Sacha Lodge, all your meals and excursions are included, making the lodge the base for daily explorations in the surroundings.
The rooms
All rooms, connected by well-maintained boardwalks, are constructed from natural materials, spacious, and modernly furnished with glass throughout. From your bed, you can gaze through the tall windows at the lush green jungle. The beds are large and comfortable, and the bathroom is well-appointed with glass walls, providing a view of the green surroundings. There’s hot water, and rest assured, the only onlookers here might be monkeys or frogs.
On your balcony, you can relax in one of the chairs or take a siesta in the hammock. Sacha Lodge offers one-, two-, and three-person rooms, as well as family cabins.
Restaurants
Sacha Lodge in Ecuador boasts two restaurants. including La Balsa, entirely made of wood, and situated by Lake Pilchicocha. During breakfast, you might be lucky enough to spot a caiman, and at lunch, your attention may be drawn to a lively giant otter family. La Balsa offers a breakfast buffet between 5 and 7 am and a lunch buffet from 1 pm. The dishes vary daily, providing an extensive selection.
The Oropendola restaurant, named after the Oropendula bird, is nestled in the jungle and offers an à la carte dinner. This means you choose your own time and table and then select your dishes from the daily changing menu.
Both restaurants also feature a bar, and La Balsa provides coffee, tea, and water 24 hours a day. From 10 am, fresh juices and snacks, including fruit, cake, and sandwiches, are available. After an early morning excursion, this is a perfect way to unwind and gather energy for the rest of the day.
For special offers at Sacha Lodge and tailor-made trips through Ecuador, feel free to send an email for more information to contact@passporttheworld.com.
Activities Sacha Lodge in Ecuador
During your stay at Sacha Lodge in the Amazon of Ecuador, all excursions and activities are included. In groups of up to 6 people, you go on daily expeditions, guided by your personal guide, who explains the program each day. It’s essential to note that the excursions follow the rhythm of nature. This may be a bit of a shock, as the alarm goes off at 5 am, followed by breakfast at 6:30 am, and departure at 6 am. Depending on your schedule, you may return to the lodge by noon for lunch around 1 pm. After lunch, there’s time for a siesta, much-needed to venture out again around 4 pm. Sometimes, an night walk follows dinner, and after such an intensive day, believe me, you’ll find yourself in bed early.
The program is meticulously designed to expose you to all facets of the jungle. Each group does something different or the same in the opposite direction, ensuring everyone experiences the same activities by the end of their stay. Here’s an overview of activities at Sacha Lodge Ecuador.
Day 1 – Activities
A half-hour walk takes you to a unique spot in the jungle: a 275-meter-long and 36-meter-high suspension bridge, built by Sacha Lodge and the local community. It’s also the only one in the South American rainforest. Along the way, you never know what you might encounter. Within 5 minutes, our guide pointed out a beautiful owl duo, the Crested Owl. It was one of my wishes to spot them, so I couldn’t be happier.
Upon arrival, you can walk across the bridge and take a seat on the towers, to enjoy the views and bird sounds.
During our visit our guide explained about 6:30 am being rush hour for birds. We were able to see one bird after another up close through the telephoto lens, brought by our guide. We spotted the palm tanager, green and gold tanager, turquoise tanager, crested oropendula, and the speckled chachalaca. The big surprises are the toucan species, such as the chestnut-eared aracari and the white-throated tucan, and a large sloth we were able to observe from very close.
The observation tower
In the afternoon, a visit to the observation tower is on the schedule. A canoe trip across Lake Pilchicocha and one of the creeks takes you to this 40-meter-high tower, in the heart of the jungle. These canoe trips are a delight each time, allowing you to fully absorb the peace and sounds of the jungle, including the observation of numerous birds and monkeys.
The observation tower is built around a kapok tree and offers expansive views of the green surroundings. Enthusiasts can climb even higher via a narrow circular staircase to 45 meters.
Day 2 – Activities
Ever heard of a clay lick? A clay lick is a wall that attracts numerous parrot and parakeet species due to the minerals present in the wall. In the early morning, you can admire countless colorful jungle parrots here, having their daily meal. From Sacha Lodge, it’s about an hour’s boat ride to the clay lick, part of the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador. Bring a pair of binoculars and a good lens, and of course, maintain an appropriate distance. An excursion you wouldn’t want to miss.
The boat trip to the Clay Lick often includes a visit to a local community along the Rio Napo. Sacha Lodge supports the Shipati Warmi project, an initiative run by the women of the Nueva Providencia community of Yasuní in Ecuador. During a visit, you get acquainted with the traditions and customs, taking a glimpse into the daily life of the community, learning more about the preparation of local dishes, and, of course, tasting them. An interesting cultural experience alongside all the natural highlights. Additionally, your visit supports the local project.
Admire the jungle from a crane
Have you ever thought about observing the jungle from above, spotting every monkey and bird up close? Sacha Lodge has a 45-meter-high crane, where you sit in a lift basket and float above the Amazon of Ecuador. Not scary at all (unless you have a fear of heights), but securely enclosed.
You move slowly up and down, rotating 360 degrees above the rainforest canopy. This allows you to come face to face with monkeys, toucans, and if you’re lucky, even a sloth. But the unique view alone is worth it. The crane is accessible through a canoe trip over the Anaconda creek.
Night activities
One evening, you’ll venture out for a night walk. Led by a guide, you’ll search for various spiders, frogs, and insects, experiencing the jungle in an entirely new way. Another night is dedicated to a canoe trip, the best way to spot the eyes of the caiman.
Other activities
In addition to guided excursions, Sacha Lodge in the Amazon of Ecuador offers several activities you can do at your own pace.
Butterfly garden
Sacha Lodge has a butterfly garden that you can visit in your free time. The garden houses forty species, including the glasswing butterfly, blue morpho, tiger longwings butterfly, yellow swallowtails butterfly, and the owl butterflies. It’s a perfect way to observe butterflies up close.
Swimming
It might be a bit hard to imagine, especially after returning from a tour where you saw anacondas and caimans in the lake, but at Sacha Lodge, you have the opportunity to swim. In the lake, there is a section near the restaurant separated from the rest of the lake by a cage-like structure. This way, you don’t have to worry about unexpected visitors, and it’s delightful to cool off.
Lectures
On various evenings, you can attend short lectures in the Balsa restaurant on specific topics such as medicinal plants, elusive animals, and the Amazon rainforest. The presentations last about twenty minutes and are an interesting addition to your stay in the Amazon.
Mini Travel Guide Sacha Lodge – Amazon Ecuador
How much does a stay at Sacha Lodge Ecuador cost
A fully included stay of 3 nights and 4 days for 2 people costs around EUR 3000. No, a jungle stay is not cheap, and that totally makes sense, when you consider that all supplies must make a mega journey to reach the lodge. Additionally, you are in a unique natural setting, isolated from the outside world, with high-end service, where an entire team works hard for you every day. It’s crucial to consider whether the price-quality ratio is reasonable, and in my opinion, Sacha Lodge manages to provide that. Moreover, all meals and excursions are included, making it convenient during your stay as you don’t have to make choices and can participate in all excursions.
Best time to visit the Amazon of Ecuador
The Amazon of Ecuador can be visited throughout the year. Due to its location on the equator, Ecuador has a constant climate. The average temperature in the jungle is around 28 degrees, but it usually feels warmer and more humid, especially when the sun is shining. In the evening, it cools down nicely. There is a chance of rain throughout the year, making the jungle lush and green. The rainy season runs from December to June, bringing pleasant temperatures. The dry season runs from July to November, with higher temperatures but still a chance of rain. Each season attracts different animals, so depending on the season, there is a greater chance of seeing fish, birds, and reptiles.
How to reach Sacha Lodge in Ecuador
Once you make a reservation, the Sacha Lodge team is at your disposal to coordinate your stay in the the Amazon of Ecuador. It’s recommended to do this so that all logistics align. A flight from Quito takes you to Coca, or Puerto Francisco de Orellana, the capital of the Orellana province in the Amazon of Ecuador, in half an hour. Here, you will be met and taken to the Sacha Lodge office, where you have time to have a drink and freshen up. And then your jungle adventure begins with a one-and-a-half-hour boat ride on the Rio Napo.
Curious about what to do in Quito? Read more in my extensive Quito Ecuador guide with numerous tips for sights, restaurants, hotels, and tours to discover the surroundings.
From the Sacha Lodge dock, it’s a short 15-minute walk to one of the creeks of Lake Pilchicocha. Here, you board canoes and are paddled to the lodge. Quite a journey, but believe me, every moment is enjoyable. And your luggage? You don’t need to worry about it. It takes its own journey from the airport directly to your room.
Are you planning to book your own logistics and perhaps spend a night in Coca? Coca is not a bustling city but has some acceptable accommodations, such as Gran Hotel de Lago – El Coca. You can easily search, compare, and book domestic flights from Quito to Coca via Skyscanner .
Why stay at Sacha Lodge
Sacha Lodge is a perfect place to stay if you are looking for comfort in the Amazon of Ecuador. The lodge is spacious, consisting of modernly furnished rooms, well-maintained paths, and two restaurants serving various meals. Additionally, all activities are well thought out to require minimal effort. Of course, you wake up early and take a substantial walk here and there, but it’s all manageable. Even if you’re not very mobile, at Sacha Lodge, with attractions like the crane, you still have the opportunity to experience every side of the Amazon in Ecuador. Sacha Lodge is an ideal place for adventure and comfort.
What to bring to Sacha Lodge Ecuador – packinglist
What do you bring during your stay in the Amazon of Ecuador? First, it is good to know that Sacha Lodge is exceptionally luxurious and comfortable. Nevertheless, there are some essential things you should bring. Check out my useful packing liist.
- Walking shoes (boots are available during you stay)
- Comfortable socks
- Comfortable slippers or sandals
- Light clothing (no bright clothing)
- Something warm for the evening (for when it cools down)
- Rainwear/poncho
- Daypack
- Dry bags and Ziploc bags
- Binoculars – they are also available on site.
- Cameras + long lens
- Self-charger because of humidity
- Headlamp/Flashlight
- Water bag and/or water bottle
- Hat against the sun
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Lots of anti-mosquito spray
- After bite
- Medicines and other personal items
- A travel insurance
Travel Insurance
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About Sacha Lodge
Sacha Lodge was founded more than 20 years ago by Swiss-born Benny. His love for Ecuador made him the owner of lodges such as La Casa del Suizo, Hacienda Píman, Scalisia Galapagos Lodge and Sacha Lodge. Want to learn more about Sacha Lodge? Have a look at their website, facebook, or instagram.
For special offers at Sacha Lodge, a tailor-made trip through the Amazon of Ecuador or a combined stay with Hacienda Piman, feel free to send an email for more information to contact@passporttheworld.com.
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In every country I look out for the most beautiful and unique places to stay. A boutique atmosphere, a stylish design, a lovely setting, and a good service are important topics for me, when choosing a hotel. In addition, I like to support the locals and love a sustainable approach around a hotel. Are you curious about my favorite hotels in Ecuador? In the next article you will find an overview of the best boutique hotels in Ecuador, where I personally stayed.
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Disclaimer: I was invited to stay at Sacha Lodge in the Amazon in Ecuador but this review is based on my personal view and is independent from the invitation. This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something using one of our links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you, which helps us keep this blog alive. Thank you for your support! Please see our disclosures for more information.