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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.
ECO TOUR
Duration
4 Days / 3 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.
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. He will give you a 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)
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Welcome, introduction and check-in
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1:00 pm - Lunch in our dining room with spectacular panoramic views
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3:00 pm - optional - A hike along the self-guided trail: this walkthrough mature secondary forest offers a good chance to have a close look at cloud forest flora and fauna and includes a visit to our orchid garden where, depending on the season, flowers of up to 30 species can be admired
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7:00 pm - Dinner
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8:00 pm - optional - Nocturnal hike: experience the nocturnal fauna (insects, spiders, frogs, and the occasional bird or mammal) as well as the voices of the forest on a short night hike around the lodge
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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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7:00 am - Box breakfast in the forest
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Return to the lodge through a vast primary forest and along the mountain ridge. This is a good chance for bird observation (11km in total – appr. 5 hours)
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1:00 pm - Lunch in our dining room with spectacular panoramic views
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2:00 pm - optional - Preparation of "Quimbolitos": together with our kitchen staff, you have the chance to prepare this typical and very tasty little gem
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7:00 pm - Dinner
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8:00 pm - optional - Nocturnal hike: experience the nocturnal fauna, insects, spiders, frogs, and the occasional bird or mammal, as well as the voices of the forest on a short night hike around the lodge
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A good night's sleep in one of our comfortable private cabins
Day 3
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7:00 am - Breakfast enjoying the spectacular views from our dining room
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8:30 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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Connection to the waterfall trail.
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Walk along the trail where you can see 3 different waterfalls and as a destination, you reach the river, where in season you can take a refreshing swim (7km in total – appr. 6 hours)
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Box lunch by the river
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Return to the lodge and rest
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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 4
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6:00 am - optional - Bird watching and observation of forest flora and fauna around the lodge and on the self-guided trail
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7:00 am - Breakfast, enjoying the spectacular views from our dining room
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8:30am - walk down the main trail on which you will keep observing more birds, insects while also enjoying various interesting aspects of our megadiverse flora.
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10:00 am – Departure from the parking lot. From here, we will head to La Piragua waterfall, where you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery and, optionally, take a refreshing dip in its waters.
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11:30 am – Visit to El Zaguán, a space created by a local entrepreneur in Nanegal. (This activity requires prior coordination).
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12:30 pm – Tour of the town of Nanegal, where you can learn about its history, culture, and the warmth of its people.
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1:30 pm – Lunch in Nanegal, enjoying local gastronomy.
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3:00 pm – Departure from Nanegal to your final destination.
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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