Once you land in the lively city of Quito, our designated driver will be there to greet you. He will be holding a sign with your name for easy recognition. He will then escort you to your hotel, where you can relax and get settled.

AM: At 6:15 / 6:30 AM, your driver will collect you at your hotel. We’ll start driving along the Calacali – Nanegalito road with colorful landscapes and ever-changing vistas. At km 52, we will turn left and onto the secondary road, which for about 30 more minutes will take us to Bellavista Lodge, perched at the top of the Tandayapa Valley. Arrival at Bellavista. Your guides will greet you here and indicate rooms and facilities before going for breakfast. 09:30 a.m.: Discovery hike into Bellavista Reserve´s forest! Your guide will choose the best trails and hike options according to the group size (no more than eight hikers), weather, and trail conditions. After two or more hours of straightforward and educative hike, you are back in the lodge for lunch. PM: your package includes another forest hike into another different trail among the many trails in Bellavista – discover the ecology of this mysterious forest. Or take a birding-specific hike! Dinner. You may well get a good sighting of the delightful Olinguito, and maybe the Kinkajoo, right at the Lodge!

AM 5.00 AM Departure with a private transfer to a local reserve to experience the Cock-of-theRock lek and possibly other avian wonders. Back to the lodge at about 8:30 AM for breakfast and a guided hike in Bellavista.

PM: An option to go and discover the trails on your own, along the self-guided trail, or with the aid of our trail map. This will be an inspiring moment. Or, join your included guided hike with your guide at 3 PM or sit and chat with other guests while watching the feeders at close quarters full of hummingbirds of 10-12 different species! Dinner and overnight.

Yanacocha Ecological Reserve Full Day with Night Walk in Sachatamia – Jocotoco Foundation

Dive into the heart of Ecuador’s natural beauty with a full-day exploration of the Yanacocha Ecological Reserve, followed by an enchanting night walk in Sachatamia. Located just an hour northwest of Quito on the lush slopes of Pichincha Volcano, Yanacocha is a haven for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers, famed for its vibrant hummingbird population and diverse flora and fauna.

This tour offers a serene escape into the cloud forest’s tranquility, where every step reveals the reserve’s rich biodiversity. Guided walks provide insight into the Jocotoco Foundation’s conservation efforts, ensuring an educational and inspiring experience. As dusk falls, the adventure continues with a night walk in Sachatamia, offering a unique opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife and experience the forest’s mystical ambiance after dark.

This tour supports the Jocotoco Foundation’s work in ecosystem preservation and blends adventure, conservation education, and the thrill of discovery. Ideal for anyone wishing to connect with nature and witness Ecuador’s ecological wonders up close, it promises unforgettable moments and a deeper appreciation for the planet’s beauty.

Immerse yourself in Ecuador’s natural and cultural wonders with our Full Day Tour, carefully curated for nature enthusiasts and chocolate lovers. With a private English-speaking guide leading the way, you’ll enjoy an intimate journey through some of Ecuador’s most scenic and sensory locations.

Morning Birdwatching in Sachatamia (6-8 am): Kickstart your adventure in the serene Sachatamia reserve, a hotspot for birdwatching. During these prime morning hours, experience the thrill of spotting exotic birds in their natural habitat.

San Tadeo Birding: Continue your avian exploration at San Tadeo, where diverse bird species thrive. Entrance fees are covered, ensuring seamless access to this birdwatcher’s paradise.

Butterfly Garden – Mindo: Transition from feathers to fluttering wings at Mindo’s Butterfly Garden. Marvel at the beauty and variety of local butterfly species in a vibrant, natural setting.

Tour de Chocolate: Indulge your senses with a visit to El Quetzal for an enlightening “Tour de Chocolate.” Learn about the journey from cocoa bean to chocolate bar and enjoy Ecuador’s renowned chocolate tastings.

Wrap up your day by relaxing at your hotel in Quito.

Pick Up: 9:00 am from your hotel’s lobby.

Your journey begins with a hotel pick-up by your guide, setting off to explore one of Latin America’s most enchanting cities. Quito, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, captivates with its stunning colonial district and friendly inhabitants. You’ll be taken to some of the city’s most extraordinary locations.

Our first stop is Independence Square, also known as Plaza de La Independencia. This vibrant square is flanked by key governmental buildings—the Archbishop’s Palace, the Presidential Palace, and the Cathedral—making it Ecuador’s cultural epicenter.

Next, we’ll visit the Church of La Compania de Jesus, a remarkable Jesuit temple widely considered one of Latin America’s most impressive. This baroque-style masterpiece showcases some of the continent’s finest artistry, adorned with intricate ornamentation from floor to ceiling. Its main altar and extensive use of gold leaf throughout will leave you spellbound.

Our exploration of the colonial district continues with a visit to San Francisco Square, once the city’s commercial hub. Today, it’s a serene spot for soaking up the colonial grandeur of Quito, nestled amidst a stunning backdrop of mountains and volcanoes. Here, you’ll find the Church and Monastery of San Francisco—one of Latin America’s oldest Catholic establishments.

Our tour then takes us to a site known by many names. First called “Yavirac” by Quito’s original inhabitants, it was later christened “Panecillo” by the Spaniards, who likened its perfect shape to a small bread roll. Atop this hill, a replica of famous sculptor Bernardo Legarda’s Virgin keeps a watchful eye over the city from her lofty perch.

We’ll pause for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing our journey to the “Mitad del Mundo,” or the Middle of the World. This monument commemorates the 18th-century French geodesic mission that pinpointed the exact spot where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres. It’s a unique opportunity to straddle both hemispheres at once—perfect for a memorable selfie.

Our visit to Mitad del Mundo city includes a stop at the Intiñan Museum, where you’ll delve into Ecuador’s indigenous culture and partake in special experiments only possible at latitude 0°. The day concludes with a leisurely drive back to your hotel, rich with memories of a captivating day in Quito.

Pick up: 08:00 am

This is a spectacular day trip out of Quito to the volcano Antisana. The majestic volcano is one of the highest volcanoes in Ecuador, with an approximate height of 5,704 meters (18,714 ft). This proud volcano is one of the natural treasures that Ecuador has to offer. In the surrounding area, you’ll witness a near-pristine Andean forest, where deer, rabbits, condors, and even the elusive spectacled bear dwell. Join us on an exciting adventure to this awe-inspiring part of Ecuador and enjoy the unique beauty of this colossal volcano. Our day starts in the morning when your guide picks you up from your hotel. You’ll head east to the Antisana Natural Reserve, and we will visit Mica Lake, where many bird species and other forms of life flock to this type of ecosystem. You may encounter some rabbits and even a condor gliding in the clear sky if you’re lucky. The natural reserve of Antisana is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful and pristine reserves of the Ecuadorian Andes.

After visiting the lagoon, we’ll continue driving to Termas Papallacta

Accompany us on a relaxing and wonderful tour of one of Ecuador’s best spas, and let your worries melt into the medicinal waters of Papallacta. Enjoy the magnificent cuisine at the spa, and if you’d like, you can take a short hike into the Andean paramo, enjoying the incredible sights of this natural landscape.

Note: Special spa treatments are not included in this tour.

After breakfast at Termas de Papallacta, we drive around one hour to San Isidro Lodge.

On the way, you will learn more about the Andean paramo, its ecological importance, and the incredible wildlife that has made this area its home. We will continue driving until arriving at Guango Lodge.

Guango Lodge will initially lead us through the drier central valley, where we will pass through agricultural zones and native chaparral forests before rising steeply to the high and (often) windswept paramo. Among the many bird possibilities, we will be mainly on the lookout for the Andean Condor (sometimes hard), Carunculated Caracara, Andean Gull, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Scrub & Blue-and-yellow Tanagers, and Southern Yellow-Grosbeak. If there were a day to have your camera ready, this would be it. On clear days, the scenery is spectacular, with superb views of the snow-capped Volcán Antisana and seemingly endless high Andean mountainscapes harboring a backdrop of textures that make for an unforgettable birding setting. This area, known as the Papallacta Pass by birders, is rich in paramo birdlife. With the proper weather, you can expect to see some of the following: Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Tawny Antpitta, Many-striped Canastero, White-chinned Thistletail, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, some interesting seedeaters, and even Giant Conebill (with a bit of luck, up in the Polylepis woodlands). The Papallacta Pass is right on the continental divide. Once we finish our paramo birding, we will work down the east slope – Amazonian drainage now – towards Guango Lodge. On the way, we will pass through some beautiful high-elevation temperate forests where we will have a chance to stop and soak in this birdy zone; some of the possibilities include Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Viridian Metaltail, Red-crested Cotinga, Black-backed Bush-Tanager, to name a very few. We aim to arrive at Guango Lodge for a hot, sit-down lunch, where the hummingbird feeders will be dripping with species such as Tourmaline Sunangel, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and White-bellied Woodstar.

After lunch, we’ll devote our afternoon birding to the trails and spectacular hummingbird feeders at Guango Lodge. On the grounds at Guango, we frequently run into some of the best temperate forest flocks on any of our tours in Ecuador; in a matter of minutes, it isn’t uncommon to see Bar-bellied Woodpecker, White-banded Tyrannulet, Blue-backed Conebill, Black-capped, and Black-eared Hemispingus, Slaty and Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, several species of mountain-tanager and even Plushcap. We will always watch for other mainly local or aesthetic highlights, and Gray-breasted mountain toucan and Mountain Avocetbill are among them.

Before it gets too late, we will turn our sights down for a 1 ½ hour drive to Cabañas San Isidro. We will shoot to arrive in time to get settled into our rooms and even try to spotlight a Rufous-bellied Nighthawk at dusk before what will certainly be a delicious dinner.

Assuming the weather cooperates, we will want to try a short night walk after dinner—right between the cabins and the dining room—in search of the “mystery owl.” This gorgeous owl may one day prove to be a new species to science.

We plan to start the morning with birding right around the lodge, where we often find it hard to pull ourselves away, and the birds sometimes keep coming. Some of the regulars include Montane and Olive-backed Woodcreepers, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Black-billed Peppershrike, Inca Jay, Bluish Flowerpiercer and Subtropical Cacique! Afte  about an hour, we will want to visit the Antpitta feeders, where you will likely see White-bellied Antpitta only feet away, and maybe even the very rare Peruvian (!). The  est of the morning will be spent birding the ample trail system and forested roadside at Cabañas San Isidro, where Long-tailed Antbirds, Plain-tailed Wrens, and Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias await.

After lunch at the lodge (and possibly an afternoon break), we can choose any trails that sprawl out from the lodge (or even the roadside) for a second crack at flocks and other activity… quetzals or maybe a fruiteater, anybody? The  rue beauty of the day is that we do not need vehicle commutes – any longer than a few minutes – so we will take full advantage of birding along slowly on foot (surrounded by rich habitat).  We  y en want to try a spot near the lodge for Andean Potoo and Rufous-banded Owl. Night at Cabañas San Isidro.

Morning birding on the beautiful Guacamayos ridge trail—only about 20 minutes from the lodge by vehicle—where some of the birds we hope to see include Green-and-black Fruiteater, Handsome Flycatcher, Rufous Wren, Turquoise Jay, Grass-green Tanager, a few species of skulking tapaculos (and maybe even an Ocellated), and Northern Mountain-Cacique. While not as common but still regularly seen here, other more challenging possibilities include Greater Scythebill, Dusky Piha, and Black-billed Mountain-Toucan.

The forest here is enchanting and an event no birder wants to miss when visiting the San Isidro area. Depending on the guide’s plan, we may enjoy one last meal at Cabañas San Isidro.

Then we continued our trip, enjoying the landscape until we arrived at Hotel de Lago at Coca.

The following two and a half hours will be spent in a motorized canoe heading down river, beginning an unforgettable experience in the Amazon rainforest. We will provide you with a box lunch and extra drinks for this part of the trip.

At the end of the motorized canoe ride, you will be dropped off at La Selva’s main dock, where the final leg of the trip to the lodge will be completed in a paddle canoe. The only things you must take care of during this part of the trip are your carry-on and camera equipment; all other luggage will be transported by La Selva staff.

The manager will wait to greet you with a refreshing beverage, snacks, and a brief briefing about your La Selva stay.

Intro to the Rainforest

After some rest and time to unpack, one of the Naturalist Guides will give you some basic information about the tropical rainforest, the Amazon, and how La Selva operates.

The idea is to begin your activities with general knowledge of the unique place you have just arrived at.

Matapalo Charapa Trail: This trail was given the Spanish name of the famous Strangler fig (Ficus sp), one of many remarkable trees on this short walk. Mahogany trees over 400 years old can be seen, and your guides will share their knowledge of the flora and fauna seen along the trail with you. Due to the time of day, soft natural light shines through the canopy, and diurnal and nocturnal animals begin their daily transitional activities.

Night Canoe Ride: Garza Cocha Lagoon is a great place to search for caimans, bats, owls, and night mammals with the help of a spotlight the guides will use. If the night sky is clear, there are also great opportunities for stargazing!

Snacks: You can find snacks at the bar and order cocktails from the bartender. There is also a non-alcoholic beverage station where you can help yourself to limitless tea and coffee!

Dinner: Find your seat and get comfortable while our servers serve you each course.

SAMPLE DAY

A typical day at Sacha begins at sunrise or earlier to take advantage of the excellent morning hours when the rainforest’s animals are most active.

Each group agrees on a wake-up time when their guide will knock on their door for a rude awakening! Breakfast will begin half an hour after that.

Wherever the destination, our excursions proceed slowly to appreciate the fascinating details our guides point out around you.

You might begin the day paddling dugout canoes along tannin-rich black-water creeks and lakes, where luxuriant lianas, orchids, bromeliads, and palm trees thrive, always with the possibility of spotting animals, from the tiny pygmy marmoset to the feared ocelot or puma. Then, you could board the motorized canoe for a short ride along the Napo River to visit the Providencia Community of Yasuní, learning about their jungle way of life and testing out their cooking techniques, stopping to watch the parrot disco of the clay lick along the way.

You will return to the Lodge in the late morning, in time for a 1 PM lunch. Between lunch and your afternoon adventure, you can enjoy the Lodge, lounging on sun chairs with a book on the Balsa, or cooling off in the Lake Pool. Activities begin again between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM and often continue into the evening when the nocturnal insect and frog chorus begins. An afternoon excursion might see you trekking through pristine Terra Firme forest, where 150-foot kapok trees tower above, and roots form massive buttresses to give trees support, your guide pointing out the crest owl territory and calling to the howler monkeys. You could then climb 94 feet (30 meters) up to the Canopy Walk, a 940-foot (275-meter) bridge across the treetops from where you can spot dozens of animals and birds.

Days at Sacha Lodge do not end with the fading of the light or even with dinner. With flashlights, night walks and canoe trips often reveal creatures seldom seen during daylight. Caimans (of the alligator family) and giant insects rule the jungle after sunset. Do you dare search for them?

*Please note: activities are subject to weather, though Forest Walks, the Kapok Tower, and Canopy Walk are the keystones of the Sacha Lodge

SACHA LODGE ACTIVITIES

Adventure is given at Sacha Lodge, and all guests, from those happy to relax in their comfort zone to the most courageous, will reap tremendous rewards from our spectrum of activities. The water is the thread that links each experience: you’ll become an expert at hopping in and out of the canoe and manning the oars and will come to love the surreal peacefulness of paddling down streams through virgin wilderness. Expedition groups are never larger than six and are always accompanied by a naturalist and local guides. We strive to match guests with others of similar ages, interests, and abilities in expedition groups.

CANOPY EXPLORATION CRANE

Guests may now ride 150 feet (45 meters) above the ground to explore the rainforest canopy in an elevator-like metal basket suspended from a 150-foot-long boom. Our guides, via remote control, will move throughout 2 acres of forest to find and drop in on birds and monkeys from above as they do their daily business. The Canopy Crane offers safety sensors to keep you from bumping into trees, so your canopy exploration will be as safe as thrilling.

CANOPY WALK

Imagine crossing the rainforest across a bridge 94 feet (36 meters) high over the treetops. This 940-foot (275-meter) sturdy walkway is fixed to the ground by three metal towers. It offers an astounding opportunity to spot dozens of animals and epiphytes seldom seen from the ground, immersed in the canopy. You might even follow along with troops of monkeys as they forage through the forest canopy. And if you don’t see them, you’ll almost certainly hear them: howler monkeys roaring through the sunset like true jungle kings.

KAPOK TOWER

You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world on our 135-foot (43-meter) observation tower, a platform built on the highest branches of a giant kapok tree. From here, magnificent, panoramic views of the forest unfold all around, while the 500 species of birds registered in the area, including rainbow-coloured toucans and parrots, become easy to spot. Climb onto the crows’ nest for the 360-degree experience, the captain of the Amazon.

YASUNI PARROT LICK *on Wednesdays and Sundays only*

A short distance from Sacha Lodge is Ecuador’s most accessible parrot lick, an exposed clay riverbank where technicolored parrots of several species gather in the early morning. In ideal conditions (sunny and dry) hundreds of parrots will perch on and eat the exposed clay in a spectacular show of sound and colour! The lick is located on the edge of Yasuní National Park, accessible from Sacha by a short canoe trip down the Napo River.

THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE

Sacha Lodge is home to one of the largest butterfly farms in Ecuador. Designed as a live exhibition conservatory, the Butterfly House is now successfully breeding nearly 40 local butterfly species. Guests will be shown how these beautiful insects are bred and raised and may roam through ‚” the flying room,” where hundreds of colorful butterflies flutter from flower to flower. Transparent glass-wing butterflies, spectacular blue morphs, striking tiger longwings, bright yellow swallowtails, and giant nocturnal owl butterflies are only a few of the species you’ll encounter here, up close and personal.

FOREST WALKS

Creeping along the jungle paths through the spotlights of sun filtering down through the canopy, careful not to tread on an army of marching ants, your nature guide will point out plants and insects and the fascinating symbiosis between them. He might take you through the territory of the crested owls or red howler monkeys, expertly mimicking the creatures’ call to win their trust and coax them out of hiding. When darkness falls, have your flashlight ready to spot creatures of the night, from tarantulas and boas to stick insects and frogs.

CREEK PADDLING

Besides being your means of transport between expeditions, creek paddling in dug-out canoes is a fabulous adventure, with the bonus that it requires little physical exertion. Paddling down the streams is like entering a tunnel leading to a lost world. Birds call in surround sound, and vast families of monkeys leap from branches overhead, a show to coincide with the sun’s setting.

CAIMAN SPOTTING BY NIGHT

A night-time expedition to look for caiman on the lake is perhaps the most magical experience of an adventure already filled with wonder. Under cover of darkness, you will take a canoe out onto the water, your way lit by glittering stars. The eyes of the caiman glow ghoulishly red in the torchlight as the amphibious creatures float along the swampy shallows.

BIRDWATCHING

Of the incredible 1,600 bird species registered in Ecuador, 600 (37 percent) have been seen at Sacha Lodge. That’s almost 7 percent of the species found worldwide!

For avid birdwatchers, we can provide specialist bird guides who know the best spots for hard-to-find species and can quickly identify species by sight and sound. Oscar Tapuy, our local expert who has been with Sacha since 1995, estimates that he spots 60 species daily on average. Your guide will lead you through various habitats where mixed flocks are common and generally begin before sunrise to take full advantage of the morning peak. Our guides carry telescopes and have become dab-hands at taking photos with your camera or phone through the lens!

LEARN ABOUT THE COMMUNITY’S DAY-TO-DAY *on Wednesdays and Sundays only*

Our visit takes us to the Shipati Warmi project, an initiative run by and benefiting the women of the Providencia community of Yasuní. Through a hidden dialogue, we learn about their day-to-day lives: how they dry clothes in the jungle and the challenges of getting to school before helping to prepare and try traditional food. It’s an intimate, unique experience in which we discover the differences and similarities between our culture and another. The Shipati Warmi project asks that each guest donate $10

LAKE POOL

The Lake Pool is the only one in the Amazon region that is ideal for families. The plunge pool, protected by a mesh cage, allows you to cool off and relax in the black shallows of Pilchicocha Lake without the fear of encountering the unknown. You could even spot caiman and giant otters swimming by the other side of the net.

DEPARTURE DAY

Wake Up Call

Breakfast

Departure to Coca: According to your briefing the night before, you will have an early wake-up call, breakfast, and departure from the lodge.

The lodge staff will assist you with your checked luggage, and the motorized canoe ride will head upstream back to Coca.

Once you land in  Quito, our designated driver will greet you. He will be holding a sign with your name for easy recognition. He will then escort you to your hotel, where you can relax and get settled.

Flight Information: