sacha lodge

ecuador

The Personalities

Jungle Wanderers, Bird Enthusiasts, Mowglies

Moments

Thrilling jungle experience complemented with rainforest ambiance. Feeling the thirst for adventure, awakened by the raw surrounding wilderness.  

Best Visiting Months

December to March

Cost

Why stay

Welcome to Sacha Lodge (“Sacha” is the Quichua Indian word meaning “forest”) - the true Ecuadorian Amazon, where the lodging is beautifully integrated with the lush environment. All the cabins are connected to the main lodge by boardwalks and include private shaded terraces. One of Sacha Lodge’s highlights is the 135-foot observation tower. Built around a giant kapok tree, the tower allows guests to see above the rainforest canopy and enjoy unforgettable sunsets and magnificent views of the surrounding wildlife. 

Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest and bordered by the tranquil waters of Lake Pilchicocha, Sacha Lodge offers guests a unique and immersive experience in one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. The lodge is dedicated to sustainability, employing eco-friendly practices such as solar power usage and rainwater harvesting. Accommodations, ranging from spacious cabins to the famous treetop suites, are designed to minimize environmental impact while providing comfort and a close connection to nature. Sacha Lodge is actively engaged in conservation efforts, supporting local initiatives and promoting environmental education.

Why wander

Guests have the opportunity to explore the intricate web of Amazonian life through guided excursions, allowing for an appreciation of the delicate balance that sustains this extraordinary ecosystem. Each day at Sacha Lodge brings a new adventure. The early risers can birdwatch on the canopy walk, or have the unforgettable experience of visiting one of Ecuador's largest butterfly farms. Take a quiet and mysterious canoe ride through the surrounding streams and lakes. Head downriver to the Yasuni Clay Lick to visit dozens of parrots. Refresh with a swim in the lagoon or spend the afternoon fishing for piranha along the river. For those seeking a little more thrill, fly through the forest on a zip-line or take a night walk to observe the mysterious nocturnal life of the Amazon.

Indulge in

Barbecue with fellow travellers 

Getting There

Getting to Sacha Lodge is half the experience. Fly into Quito - Ecuador’s capital city. From here a 25-minute flight will take you into the Amazon Region. Arrive at the town of Coca, where you embark on a magical two-hour canoe ride through Napo, the largest river in Ecuadorian Amazonia, bringing you to your final destination at last.

WILD INITIATIVES

“Since its foundation in 1992, Sacha Lodge has proven that it is possible to sustain a healthy balance between economic development, rainforest conservation, local human advancement and respect to local culture. We pride ourselves on maintaining this social and ecological responsibility, which is the basis of true Ecotourism.

In 2017 we began a collaboration with the University of San Francisco in Quito and Manchester University in the United Kingdom in a project observing the behaviour of pygmy marmosets, a species of tiny monkeys that feed off sap by making tiny holes in trees, now endangered by deforestation and poachers stealing them as pets.

Most Lodge employees come from local communities (the few exceptions being the administrator, chef and bilingual guides), making Sacha the largest tourism-sector employer in Ecuador’s Amazon region. This not only brings direct economic benefits to these communities, but also provides them with a practical alternative to harmful activities such as logging and oil exploration. In addition, having employees work as native guides offers them the opportunity to share their ancestral knowledge with others plus an incentive to continue passing it on to their children in a changing world. Since 1995 Sacha has also invested heavily in acquiring land from neighbouring colonists. Not to be confused with rainforest natives, these colonists came from cities and would have relied on heavy farming and hunting to survive. Thanks to such efforts, we have saved over 5,000 acres from deforestation and are now the largest private reserve in the Ecuadorian rainforest. It’s no accident that the animals in the Reserve and around the Lodge are so plentiful and unafraid of humans – the land is protected by a team of guards, who prevent poachers from entering. As is fitting for a Lodge that thrives on the conservation of the environment, Sacha Lodge strives to make its practices as eco-friendly as possible, issuing guests with reusable water bottles and separating its waste, sending it inland to be recycled. Through our efforts, we hope to help ensure that future generations of both natives and visitors have the opportunity to continue enjoying the wonders of the tropical rainforest.”

*Images property of SACHA LODGE