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Highlights:
  • 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.
  • Enjoy observing a good amount of the ~400 bird species that we have registered so far.
  • Visit the Cock-of-the-Rock Lek.
  • Enjoy nocturnal hikes and discover a whole cosmos of nocturnal biodiversity.
  • 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.
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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

START AT:

$395

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Day 1
  • Recommended arrival time: 8 am – 11 am
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 7:00 pm - Dinner
  • 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
  • A good night's sleep in one of our comfortable private cabins.
Day 2
  • 4:00 am - Visit of the Cock-of-the-Rock Lek (a place where the males of that species display their mating ritual)
  • 7:00 am - Box breakfast in the forest
  • 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)
  • 1:00 pm - Lunch in our dining room with spectacular panoramic views
  • 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
  • 7:00 pm - Dinner
  • 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
  • A good night's sleep in one of our comfortable private cabins
Day 3
  • 7:00 am - Breakfast enjoying the spectacular views from our dining room
  • 8:30 am - Option 1 - A hike downhill on a trail that leads towards the Umachaca river passing through wonderfull primary forest and a former banana plantation until reaching the river. By the river, you have the chance to walk upstream where can enjoy a wonderful waterfall. Later you follow an ancient pre-Incan trail where you will learn about the history of the region while enjoying a walk through primary forest with spectacular tree ferns and other attraction of our flora and fauna. The trail leads to a pasture that offers spectacular views on the river and the surrounding forests (6 km downhill ~6 hours)
  • 10:30 am - Option 2 - Walk down the main trail on which you will keep observing more birds, insects while also enjoying various interesting aspects of our megadiverse flora. Snack in the forest (2.5km downhill – appr. 3 hours)
  • 1:00 pm - Lunch in Maquipucuna
  • Rest or walk along the self-guided trail
  • 7:00 pm - Dinner
  • Rest or walk along the self-guided trail
Day 4
  • 7:00 am - Breakfast
  • 8:00 am - Hike on on the of the trails in the Maquipucuna Reserve that includes observation of birds and explanations of the local flora; depending on the season observation of the Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is also possible
  • 1:30 pm - Lunch
  • 3:00 pm - Departure

Details

What's included
  • Entrance to Santa Lucía reserve
  • Lodging in private cabins (incl. Private bathroom)
  • All meals from lunch on the first day to lunch/box lunch on the day of departure.
  • Local guide for all activities
  • Mules for the luggage
  • National taxes (VAT)
What is NOT included
  • Mules for riding
  • Tips
  • Additional drinks (such as alcoholic beverages)
  • Transportation
  • Life/travel insurance
What to bring
  • Comfortable and warm clothes.
  • Water-proof backup
  • Water-proof (head) torch
  • Suntan lotion
  • Insect repellent
  • Solar charger or spare batteries
What to know
  • There is no electricity in Santa Lucía (charge your batteries enough or bring spare batteries!)
  • There is no access for cars within the reserve
  • The itinerary can be modified for various reasons: particular interest of our visitors, weather situation, season, among others
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