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Highlights:
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Hike through spectacular primary and secondary cloud forests, discover giant tree ferns, strangling trees, a wide range of epiphytes and a huge number of orchid species.
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Enjoy observing a good amount of the ~400 bird species that we have registered so far.
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Visit the Cock-of-the-Rock Lek.
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Enjoy nocturnal hikes and discover a whole cosmos of nocturnal biodiversity.
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Learn about the community's history and enjoy the experience of making „panela“ (sugar cane sugar) in a traditional way.
BIRD WATCHING
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Physical activity
Moderate
Languages
English and Spanish
Most travelers are looking for authenticity on their journeys. Our eco-lodge and its cabañas are located in the heart of a montane rain forest on top of a mountain with stunning views at 1.900 meters above sea level. Our reserve covers an area of 730 ha: 80 % of it is a pristine montane rain forest. It is located in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth: the Chocó Andean Hotspot.
Excellent Birding, ideal destination to observe endemic and exotic birds in the region.
Santa Lucía is home to more than 400 bird species, including gems such as the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, the Beautiful Jay and the White-faced Nunbird and it boasts with more than 300 orchid species.
Itinerary
Day 1
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Recommended arrival time: 8 am – 11 am
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Arrival (by car) at the entrance of the main trail where our guide is waiting for you
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Short explanation about the hike from the parking spot to the lodge
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Guided hike of about the two hours through mature secondary forest. The walk is about 2,5 kilometers long will take you about 500 meters uphill. There is a good chance of observing many bird and invertebrate species. You will arrive at our eco-lodge from where you can enjoy the spectacular landscape by which the reserve is surrounded (2.5km uphill – appr. 2 hours)
Welcome, introduction and check-in -
1:00 pm - Lunch in our dining room with spectacular panoramic views
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2:30 pm - Walk on the Self-Guided trail near our lodge
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A good opportunity to observe various Woodpecker species, Golden-winged and Club-winged Manaking as well as Tanagers and Warblers. Observation of up to 12 species of hummingbirds at feeders outside of the lodge (Appr. 2 hours)
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7:00 pm - Dinner
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A good night's sleep in one of our comfortable private cabins
Day 2
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4:00 am - Visit of the Cock-of-the-Rock Lek (a place where the males of that species display their mating ritual)
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Box breakfast in the forest
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The way back from the Lek leads through the primary forest as well as a mountain ridge that offers great opportunities to observe birds such as the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Mountain-Tanagers, Toucan Barbets, Swifts, Golden-headed Quetzals, Masked Trogons, Hummingbirds, Antpittas and many more (11km in total – app. 7 hours)
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1:00 pm - Lunch in our dining room with spectacular panoramic views
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Rest
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5:00 pm - Late afternoon hike. Birding and experiencing the sounds of the forest during dawn and the early night hours (appr. 3 hours)
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7:00 pm - Dinner
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A good night's sleep in one our our comfortable private cabins.
Day 4
Day 3
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5:30 am - Walk to the higher part of the reserve, observing a very different forest with different bird species, birds such as the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Crested Quetzals, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Mountain Tanagers and many more are waiting to be observed
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Box Breakfast in the Forest
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Rest
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1:00 pm - Lunch in our dining room with spectacular panoramic views
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2:30 pm - Walk on the Self-Guided trail near our lodge. A good opportunity to observe various Woodpecker species, Golden-winged and Club-winged Manaking as well as Tanagers and Warblers. Observation of up to 12 species of hummingbirds at feeders outside of the lodge (Appr. 2 hours)
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7:00 pm - Dinner
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A good night's sleep in one of our comfortable private cabins.
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7:00 am - Breakfast at the lodge with panoramic views.
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8:00 am - Walk to our sugar cane plantation: a short explanation of our conservation activities, sustainability, and research projects, including the camera trapping project and monitoring of the Andean Bear and other large mammals
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Further descent towards our waterfalls. On this trail, you can observe 3 waterfalls of different heights and – depending on the season – you can follow the trail down to the river where you can enjoy a refreshing bath
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1:00 pm - Box Lunch by the river
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The trails offer a wide range of birds the inhabit the subtropical forests. By the river itself, it is possible to observe Torrent Ducks, White-capped Dippers, Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant, etc. (5.6km in total – appr. 6 hours)
Rest -
7:00 pm - Dinner
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8:00 pm - optional - Night hike: apart from insects, spiders, and frogs there is also a chance to observe nocturnal birdlife, such as Pygmy-Owls, Nightjars, and Potoos.
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A good night's sleep in one of our comfortable private cabins
Day 5
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6:00 am - Observation in the lower part of the reserve at around 1.400m above sea level. Here it is possible to observe birds such as the Chocó Toucan, various Tanager species, Flycatchers, Hawks, etc. (4km – appr. 7 horas)
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Breakfast and Lunch during the hike
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2:00 pm - Departure
Details
What's included
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Entrance to Santa Lucía reserve
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Lodging in private cabins (incl. Private bathroom)
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All meals from lunch on the first day to lunch/box lunch on the day of departure.
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Local guide for all activities
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Mules for the luggage
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National taxes (VAT)
What is NOT included
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Mules for riding
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Tips
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Additional drinks (such as alcoholic beverages)
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Transportation
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Life/travel insurance
What to bring
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Comfortable and warm clothes.
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Water-proof backup
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Water-proof (head) torch
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Suntan lotion
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Insect repellent
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Solar charger or spare batteries
What to know
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There is no electricity in Santa Lucía (charge your batteries enough or bring spare batteries!)
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There is no access for cars within the reserve
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The itinerary can be modified for various reasons: particular interest of our visitors, weather situation, season, among others
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