The idea of being immersed deep in the jungle, leaving civilization far behind, has always been a dream of mine. So when the opportunity arose to visit Sacha Lodge in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, I naturally jumped at the chance! What followed was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.
In this blog I’d like to share details of my 4-day trip with readers. I hope that anyone planning a visit to Sacha Lodge Ecuador will find my notes useful
How do you get to Sacha Lodge?
Every magical destination begins with a journey, and Sacha Lodge is no exception. In this case the journey was quite long, but also fun.
Departing early, a morning flight from Quito took us to the city of Coca, the meeting point to begin the tour. At Coca airport we were greeted by a Sacha guide, and transferred to Sacha's private house. Here we received a warm welcome, a snack and a short introduction about what the trip will be like.
Now the journey into the jungle really begins… a 2-hour motorized canoe ride on the Napo River, transported us to the entrance of the lodge property. Along the way we could appreciate the views of lush green vegetation and sounds of the jungle.
Disembarking the motorized canoe, we then had our first short walk along a raised boardwalk through a dense flooded palm forest. Then a paddle canoe ride of 15-20 minutes to finally arrive at the lodge.
All in all quite a journey! But, personally I rather enjoyed it. I could feel my excitement growing as we descended deeper into Amazon jungle, and further away from signs of civilisation.
Sacha Lodge itinerary – 4 days / 3 nights
Visitors get their first feel of the rainforest on the motorised canoe from Coca. We were even able to spot wildlife before reaching the lodge! On the paddle canoe, the first thing we saw, strange as it sounds, was a small black caiman hanging on a branch of a tree, which was right above us. Without a doubt it was an incredible welcome!
Arriving to Pilchacocha Lake where Sacha Lodge is located, the Sacha Lodge staff greeted us with a warm welcome, and we headed straight to the restaurant where a delicious buffet awaited us. After lunch, our guide led us to our rooms, and we had a couple of hours to rest & explore, getting our bearings of our new home. With a 5000 reserve as our new playground, life is full of possibilities.
After fitting our rubber boots – provided by Sacha Lodge for excursions - we took a short walk around the lodge, went to the butterfly farm and finally it was time for our delicious dinner.
For the next few days, we had to get up early in the morning because that is when the temperature is coolest and the animals are most active. In addition, the early morning is perfect for bird watching and listening to how the animals move.
My group was so lucky that on the second day, we had the opportunity to see giant otters while paddling in our creek canoe. We also spotted toucans, squirrel monkeys, many species of birds, and a variety of insects. Night walks and nocturnal canoe rides are also an excellent way to see some of the more elusive animals.
Some days, after lunch, we had a few free hours to rest, before continuing with the afternoon activities. This free time was perfect to enjoy a quick swim in the lake pool in the black waters of Lake Pilchicocha. The Sacha lodge pool is very safe, with a double security mesh so you don't have to worry about encountering the unknown. With a bit of luck, you might even spot caimans and giant otters swimming in the lake.
In the Amazon rainforest, the climate varies greatly and is unpredictable. Heavy rains did sometimes fall on us, before the sky cleared up, and then it would rain again and so on. Of course, rain is an integral part of the rainforest experience, and, in fact, it was a treat to see the forest in this state – it is, afterall, the rain that maintains the lush plant life. So expect the unexpected ;)
Last, but not least, the visit to the local Amazon community was very educational. We had a close encounter with local people, to see how they live, and experience their culture, gastronomy, and day-to-day activities. They also explained to us how they still use the knowledge that their ancestors have passed down from generation to generation, to harvest, hunt and live in the jungle.
Finally, on the 4th day of the Sacha Lodge itinerary, it’s time to head home. Waking up very early in the morning, it’s a canoe ride back to the city of Coca, and flight to Quito.
Sacha Lodge facilities & service
It was impressive that in the middle of nowhere, visitors can enjoy a luxury lodge with great facilities and outstanding infrastructure. Lodging at Sacha combines the highest level of comfort, with the preservation of the environment and rainforest ambiance.
I was allocated to a standard Sacha room that was very spacious. Facilities included wifi, hot water, ceiling fans, air conditioning, spacious porch, private bathroom and floor-to-ceiling windows for an immersive jungle shower experience! Suites are also available for an even more luxury stay.
It is important to emphasize that Sacha Lodge provides a very personalized service. All excursions and activities were in groups of no more than 6 people, which was fantastic for sneaking stealthily around the jungle to observe wildlife. Also, the Sacha guides are very knowledgeable and were enthusiastic about showing us as much as possible during our stay.
And Yes! The gourmet food at Sacha Lodge is super tasty, and the chef adapts the menu to cater for any customer’s special dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian or vegan food.
Sacha Lodge canopy walkway
The infrastructure that tourists can enjoy at Sacha is amazing. None more so than the famous Sacha Lodge Canopy Walkway. The 94-foot (36-meter) high bridge gives a unique vantage point above the treetops, to enjoy panoramic views and excellent bird watching.
We stayed in the canopy for a couple of hours, and, once the light rain stopped, the birds suddenly became very active (as our guide had promised). So, we had a wonderful opportunity to observe a great variety of species flying and feeding. One of the most memorable images that I still remember clearly is that of a family of toucans that were very close to us, hanging from the branches of the big Kapok tree. This was an unforgettable part of the trip for me.
Sacha Lodge 360 tour
I was almost forgetting to describe the new 360 tour! If you are a fan of heights then this will be mind-blowing! It basically consists of seeing the forest above the trees from a crane, and enjoying the magnificent forest from the top! Of course, this activity is subject to weather conditions for safety reasons, but it is a very nice addition to the Sacha Lodge facilities to give tourists new and exciting experiences.
Sacha Lodge price
The standard 2023 price of the Sacha Lodge 4-day tour is $1490 per person in standard cabin accommodation. The suite cabins are a little more expensive at $1800 per person. Guests should also consider that the airfare from Quito to Coca (and return) is an additional cost.
Although these prices may seem expensive at first glance, I would say that it is well worth it given how amazing the Sacha Lodge experience is. This is the perfect way to visit the Amazon Rainforest in comfort, and of course tourists are well looked after from start to finish.
At the end of a memorable trip, it was time to return to the hustle and bustle of the big city, but super charged with the great energy that the jungle gave us! I feel truly blessed to have been able to experience the amazing Amazon ecosystem, and especially in such luxury at Sacha Lodge.
Check the Happy Gringo website for more detailed information about Sacha Lodge Ecuador, and for help in organising your own dream trip into the Amazon.
