Itinerary

Our Sacha Lodge Birding Packages offers all-inclusive deep jungle excursions on its 5,000 acres of private reserve in the ecuadorian amazon with more than 500 possible bird species to observe. You will also observe wildlife in its natural habitat and exclusive attractions like Canopy Bridge Walkway, Canopy Crane, Kapok Tower, Lake Pool and Butterfly House. Our Birding and Local Native Guides will teach you about the rainforest ecosystems and all the possible hides for birding specialties. 

Day 1

TRANSFER TO QUITO AIRPORT, FLIGHT TO COCA CITY, PADDLE CANOE 

• After a rewarding 30-minute flight over the eastern Andean mountain range to reach the city of Puerto Francisco Orellana "El Coca," our transfer will take you to Coca Dock to start your journey to the amazon. Here, you will have the opportunity to take a break, use the restrooms and enjoy a refreshing drink.  Continue by Motorcanoe for 2-hours along Napo River towards the welcome area of Sacha Lodge. At this location, you will switch to a paddle canoe to go birding in the serene waters of Sacha Creeks. 
  
• Upon arriving in the afternoon to Sacha Lodge, we will be greeted with an impressive view of the the lagoon. Welcome Drink and Lunch, followed by a brief talk from your guide and plan the activities for the next days. Night walk and excursion for insects, amphibians and reptiles or Night Caiman Spotting from the canoe. 
• Targets: Greater Ani, Smooth billed Ani, Limpkin, Hoatzin, Anhinga, Rufescent-Tiger Heron, Snowy Egret, Cocoi Heron, Snail Kite, Cream-coloured Woodpecker, Crested Owl, Speckled Chachalaca, Blue-throated Piping Guan, Squirrel Cuckoo, Green-backed Trogon, Amazonian Trogon, Green and Rufous Kingfisher, Gilded Barbet, Channel-billed Toucan, Cinnamon Attila, Wattled Jacana, Striated Heron, Common Potoo, Crested Oropendola and others.  
• Meals: Lunch and Welcome Dinner 
• Overnight Sacha Lodge, Standard Double Cabins

Birding Photos: Hoatzins, Sacha Lodge Restaurant, and Cream-coloured Woodpecker by Diego Cruz and Neil Wiken.  

Day 2

CANOPY BRIDGE, OBSERVATION TOWER, LAGARTOCOCHA LAGOON

• Early morning, we’ll set off through the amazon forest to Sacha Canopy Suspended Bridge that is 300 meters long and 36 meters tall for spectacular sighting of the Amazon Basin and Birding Specialties like Toucans, Aracaris, Tanagers, Hawks and Wildlife.
• In the afternoon its possible to explore Lagartococha Lagoon and the several creeks of the flooded reserve for other specialties. Continue to Canopy Crane or Danta Observation Tower for more birding from above the treetops. At night excursion for Reptiles, Amphibians and Caiman Spotting.  
• Targets: Blue-headed Parrot, Mealy Amazon, Yellow-crowned Amazon, Dusky-headed Parakeet, White-eyed Parakeet, Blue and Yellow Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, Orange-cheeked Parrot, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Red-bellied Macaw, Black-headed Parrot, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Lettered Aracari, Many-banded Aracari, Scarlet Tanager, Plum-throated Cotinga, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Giant Otters, Red-Howler Monkey, Brown-headed Spider Monkey, Squirrel Monkey and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 
• Overnight Sacha Lodge, Standard Double Cabins

Birding Photos: Green and Gold Tanager, Three-toe Sloth, Giant Otters by Diego Cruz.

Day 3

OBSERVATION TOWER, PARROT WALL LICK, PADDLE CANOE 

• We begin the morning with a short paddle canoe towards Napo River to embark in a 20 minute motorcanoe towards the Yasuni Parrot Clay Lick for possible 5 species of Parrots. Continue to Macaw Tree or Observation Towe for great opportunities to observe macaws, hawks, sloths, monkeys, and kites. 
• Afterwards, continue exploring the main trails of the reserve, where the flooded river forest is home to manakins, antbirds, woodcreepers, and woodpeckers. In the afternoon, paddle through the creeks and return to the lodge. Night observation of Black Caimans, Agami Heron, Nocturnal Owls and others. 
• Targets: King Vulture, Wire-tailed Manakin, Dward Tyrant-Manakin, Golden-headed Manakin, Blue-crowned Manakin, Purplish Jacamar, Great Jacamar, White-throated Toucan, Amazonian Motmot, Sooty Antbird, Moustached Antwren, Peruvian-warbling Antbird, Black-necked Red-Cotinga, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Yellow-rumped Cacique and others. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 
• Overnight Sacha Lodge, Standard Double Cabin

Birding Photos: Crested Owl, Red-howler Monkey and Agami Heron by Neil Wiken and Diego Cruz. 

Day 4

TRANSFER TO COCA AIRPORT, FLIGHT TO QUITO, FREE NIGHT JIMENITA LODGE  

• On your final day, enjoy one last scenic canoe ride along the Napo River with great opportunities to spot Giant Otters, Hoatzins, and other Amazon wildlife. You'll return to Coca City for your included flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, you'll be picked up at the airport and transferred privately to our Jimenita Lodge, just 15 minutes away. Leisure afternoon exploring the trails of our birding reserve, visiting the hummingbird feeders and observation deck, or simply unwinding in one of our comfortable chairs while observing the sunset in the Andes. 
• Targets: Western Emerald, White-bellied Woodstar, Black-tailed trainbearer, Blue and Grey Tanager, Blue and Yellow Tanager, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Giant Hummingbird, Golden Grossbeak and others.  
• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch 
• FREE  NIGHT: Overnight Jimenita Birding Lodge, King Room with Chimney

Birding Photos: Dusky-headed Parakeet, Rufous-headed Woodpecker and Noisy-night Monkey by Craig Hedlund and Diego Cruz. 

Day 5

TRANSFER OUT TO THE AIRPORT

• 24/7 Transfer Out to the Airport after having a delicious breakfast in our Jimenita Restaurant. In case you have an early flight we will arrange a Boxed Breakfast. Thanks for choosing Ecuador Birds Tours.  
• Meals: Breakfast