Ecuador | Road Scholar Trip Extension to Sacha Lodge

The journey to Sacha Jungle Lodge begins in Quito, Ecuador's capital city. Maximum weight limit on all internal flights in Ecuador is 50 pounds per person. This flight takes you over the Andes Mountains' majestic snow-covered peaks and down over 8500 feet (2600 meters) into the Amazon Region. The flight destination is the port town of Puerto Francisco de Orellana, locally known as Coca, where you will be met by a bilingual guide and taken to a private dock. Here we will pause for a snack and to use the rest rooms before boarding our covered motorized canoe for a 2-hour, 50-mile (80-kilometer) trip down the sediment-rich waters of the Napo, the largest river in Ecuadorian Amazonia. Upon arrival to Sacha Lodge's 5000-acre (2000-hectare) private reserve, you will take your first walk along a raised boardwalk through dense flooded palm forest where several species of monkeys are often sighted. But don't worry... we will carry your luggage for you! The path leads to Pilchicocha Lake, a blackwater paradise where you'd least expect to find any sign of people, but dugout canoes (and even paddlers) await to carry you even farther. As you cross the lake, the cries of tropical birds lead you to your final destination and home base for an exciting jungle experience.

A typical day at Sacha begins at sunrise or earlier, in order to take advantage of the cool morning hours when the rainforest's animals are most active. Each group of travelers will decide on its own wake-up and breakfast time, as well as the difficulty and duration of their morning outings. In the afternoon, visits begin at around 3:00 and often continue into the evening, when the nocturnal insect and frog chorus begins. The excursions proceed slowly in order to appreciate the fascinating details that our guides point out around you. Activities are spread out over a wide area and allowing you 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, where walking on the ground would be nearly impossible during most of the year due to groundwater. One trail many choose to follow even leads across fallen tree trunks and a steel cable zip-line through rich swampland! A favorite activity for many is to paddle dugout canoes along tannin-rich black-water creeks and lakes, where luxuriant lianas, orchids, bromeliads and palm trees thrive. And wherever an outing may lead the possibilities of spotting animals, from the tiny pygmy marmoset to the feared ocelot or puma are endless. During free time at the lodge, swimming and piranha fishing are also activities not to be missed... but don't worry - Piranhas are scavengers and the guides will prove that swimming is perfectly safe. For adventurous souls, the day does not necessarily end with dinner. 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.

Full day exploring Amazonia.

Full day exploring Amazonia.

After breakfast you will depart from the lodge, 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. Maximum weight limit on all internal flights in Ecuador is 50 pounds per person. Upon arrival in Quito you will connect with your international flight to the USA or join your Road Scholar program.