Sacha Lodge is located in the heart of Ecuador's Amazon Basin on the north bank of the Napo River. The lodge is a haven for nature lovers, birdwatchers, scientists and adventure seekers providing comfortable accommodation, good meals and knowledgeable naturalist guides. A particular feature of the lodge are the excellent canopy attractions which include a 275-metre long canopy walkway 30 metres above the rainforest floor, and a 43-metre observation tower.
Lodging at Sacha has been designed to provide maximum comfort to the international traveller whilst preserving the environment and rainforest ambience. Each of the 26 double rooms are constructed with traditional materials and have high thatched roofs and private shaded terraces with hammocks. There are two double beds in each room, and triple accommodation can be organised by prior arrangement. The rooms are fully screened against mosquitoes and have private bathrooms with a flushing toilet and hot shower. Ceiling fans provide relief from the heat of the rainforest, and there are electrical outlets for recharging camera and camcorder batteries. There is a separate dining area and bar, with an observation platform providing views across Pilchicocha Lake. The food served is good and wholsesome with a mixture of Ecuadorian and international cuisine, and the cooks are used to providing for vegetarian diets. Barbecues are also often served from the outdoor bar and dining platform right on the edge of the lake.
The lodge sits within a 5000-acre private reserve rich in biodiversity. Inhabitants of the surrounding rainforest include over 100 species of mammals (with 8 monkey species) and a bird list of over 550 species! To explore the rainforest visitors are divided into groups no larger than 6 led by a bilingual naturalist guide and a native Quichua guide. One of the highlights of a visit to Sacha Lodge is the canopy bird walk, one of only a few rigid, self-standing suspension canopy walkways in the world. This 275-metre long canopy walkway suspended over 30-metres above the forest floor enables visitors to experience life high in the rainforest canopy. Canopy access is also enjoyed from a 43-metre observation tower constructed around an ancient Kapok tree. In addition to canopy visits and rainforest hikes, just 30 minutes downstream from the lodge is the Yasuni parrot lick located in Yasuni National Park. During the morning (and weather permitting) hundreds of parrots including Mealy, Blue-headed and Yellow-crowned can be observed eating the clay. Sacha is also home to one of Ecuador's largest butterfly farms which breeds nearly 40 species of local butterflies. A guided visit to the farm includes a visit to "the flying room" where hundreds of fluttering colourful butterflies can be seen.
