Wildlife Photography Tours
Sacha Amazon Lodge: 4 Days Yasuni’s Hidden Wonders & Canopy Bridge
Experience the Amazon Rainforest at Sacha Lodge, another of Ecuador’s premier luxury rainforest destinations, offering over 500 bird species including Agami Heron, White-throated Toucan, Paradise Tanager, Hoatzin, and even the elusive Harpy Eagle nest.
A highlight is the unique canopy walkway, one of the finest in South America, providing eye-level views of the treetops and exceptional opportunities to observe birds and wildlife. The surrounding reserve is a biodiversity hotspot, home to Giant Otters, Red Howler Monkeys, Golden-mantled Tamarins, sloths, and many other Amazonian species.
Private guided paddle canoe excursions across Sacha Lagoons and forest creeks, multiple observation towers, and additional activities such as night walks, a butterfly farm, and a relaxing lake pool complete this immersive and high-end Amazon experience.
This tour can be seamlessly added as an extension to any of our birding itineraries or booked as a standalone experience, with departures available from Quito or Guayaquil.
Book this tour and enjoy a complimentary night at Jimenita Birding Lodge, including roundtrip airport transfers and breakfast—an ideal way to begin or end your birding adventure in comfort.
Contact Information
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Sacha Amazon Lodge
Quito Airport
Flight: Quito-Coca Included
Activities
Day 1. Paddle Canoe
Day 2. Canopy Bridge and Kapok Tower
Day 3. Blue and Yellow Macaws Tree and Danta Tower
Day 4. Flight Coca-Quito Included
Itinerary
TRANSFER TO QUITO AIRPORT, FLIGHT TO COCA CITY, PADDLE CANOE
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.
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.
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
Sacha Welcome Lodge
Spectacled Caiman
Ecuadorian Squirrel Monkey
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
Green and Gold Tanager
Three-toe Sloth
Giant Otters
OBSERVATION TOWER, MACAW TREE, PADDLE CANOE
We begin the morning with a short paddle canoe towards Napo River to embark in a 20 minute motorcanoe towards the Yasuni Macaw Tree for 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.
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
Paradise Tanager
Howler Monkey
Night-noisy monkey
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
Free Night: Overnight Jimenita Birding Lodge, King Room with Chimney
Collared Puffbird
White-necked Puffbird
Night Paddle Canoe
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
Sacha Luxury Amazon Lodge
You will overnight either in King or Double Standard Cabins
Standard or Suite Cabins
Featuring excellent cabins with private balconies
Private Balcony
with views to the rainforest
Paddle Canoe
activities with private birding guide
Testimonials
Amazing amount of birds in 3 different habitats
” Diego delivered on giving us a great experience in 3 different habitats and the target birds we came to see. The accommodations were really nice, the food was great including some authentic dishes in certain locations and the guides were experts. From the Andes, to the Cloud Forest with Miguel and finish in Napo Wildlife Center our experience in the Amazon. The birds were incredible. Toucans to nun birds to cuckoos and a great view of the Harpy Eagle. We will use Diego again when we return to see other parts of this really beautiful country”. Corinna, USA
Two week birding tour February 2026
” I organised a return birding trip to Ecuador for friends – 8 of us in total. I’ve been leading and organizing my own tours for just short of 50 years, traveled to well over 100 countries and have a life list of 7,250+. Ecuador Bird tours did a great job in meeting my requests. I got 80+ lifers, we saw c.500 species including 70+ Hummingbird species and iconic birds such as Condors, Hoatzin and Cock-of-the-Rock – everyone was happy! Every place we visited had a subtly different avifauna and a lodge or two that had the most magnificent array of feeders for Hummers, Tanagers, Antpittas and more. I’d recommend Ecuador Bird Tours to anyone wanting a good birding trip in Ecuador – whether for keen listers or total beginners – I’m sure they’ll organize something that fits and works well”. Peter Roberts, United Kingdom
Superb Custom Birding Tour East from Quito
“Ecuador Birds Tours provided an outstanding custom tour east from Quito over the high Andes and down to mid-elevation montane forest. Guide Marcelo Andy used his experienced ears and eyes to locate over 225 species in just 5 days. He was always friendly and accommodating while driving safely through the mountains. Communication during the entire process was always prompt, clear, and efficient. Diego Cruz and his company receive the highest recommendation from this very satisfied bird and photographer.” Andrew Fix
A great birding expereince in the high Andes
“A great trip, spread over two weeks and mainly located in the cloud forests on both sides of the Andes and with a few days in the Amazon area. I have travelled widely around the world on many birding trips and this was one of the best. The organisation by Ecuador Birds Tours was faultless and we felt safe at all times. A number of excellent birding sites were visited to make sure that we saw the widest possible range of birds. Our accomodation was also very good at all times, with very comfortable rooms, pleasant and friendly staff and generally very good food. Our guide, Miguel, was great – he was very knowledgable and enthusiastic and always tried to make sure that all members of the group saw the birds. I would certainly recommend Ecuador Bird Tours to anyone wanting to make the most of a birding holiday in the country”. Alain Ken
Three weeks birding photography in Ecuador
“An extraordinarily successful birding trip and well organised by Diego Cruz and his EBT Tour Operating Company. The three-week trip encompassed some excellent birding locations, superb lodges and we were very fortunate in having Daniel Cruz, Freddy Perez and Remy as our principal guides for the duration. They were all highly skilled birders, tactful and patient with us oldies, and excellent company. We saw 535 species of birds of which 138 were lifers for me. The bird of the trip without question was the Harpy Eagle. We also saw 13 different mammals on the way, of which seven were new to me. Of particular interest was seeing the Andean or Spectacled Bear.” Robert Falkner
Tour Inclusions
Welcome Drink
24/7 Private Airport Transfers Airport-Hotel-Airport
Excellent Accommodations in Standard Double Cabins
Entrance Fees to Reserves, Hides, Feeders, Observation Towers
Delicious and Healthy Meals as described in itinerary
Private English-speaking Birding Guide
Private Canoe in all activities within the lodge
Roundtrip Local Flights Quito-Coca-Quito
Ebird Online Birding Report
Quality Services
Personal Expenses
Soft and Alcoholic Drinks
Other Entrance Fees or Services
Tips
Paddle Canoe
Suspended Canopy Bridge
Kapok Tower, Danta Observation Tower, Canopy Crane
Lake Pool
Butterfly House
Piranha Fishing
Yasuni Parrots Clay Lick
Terra-firme Forest Trails
Giant Otter Observation
Night Excursions
Trip Reports
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