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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.
HIKING
Duration

4 Days / 3 Nights

Physical activity

Moderate / High

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
  • Recommended arrival time: 8 am – 11 am
  • Welcome to the Yunguilla Community
  • Introduction to projects and organization of the community
  • Check-in
  • 1:00 pm - Lunch in the community restaurant
  • 2:30 pm - Walk on the trail of the community farm Tahuallullo, including visits of productive activities, such as organic family gardens, craft makers, cheese and jam production facilities
  • 7:00 pm - Dinner with a local family
  • Rest
Day 3
  • 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

START AT:

$415*

Day 2
  • 7:00 am - Breakfast with a local family
  • 8:00 am - Drive (by car) to a mountain called Ali from where the walk towards the Santa Lucía reserve starts. On this trail descending from 2.600m to 1.900 above sea level, there is a good chance of observing a lot of spectacular bird species, such as the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan (Andigena laminirostris), various Tanagers (Tanagara ssp.), Andean Guan (Penelope montagnii) and the Turquoise Jay (Cyanolycy turcosa) (19km – app. 7 h)
  • 1:00 pm - Box lunch in the forest
  • Welcome, introduction and check-in at the Santa Lucía lodge
  • Rest
  • 7:00 pm - Dinner
  • A good night's sleep in one of our comfortable private cabins
​
Day 4
  • 7:00 am - Breakfast enjoying the spectacular views from our dining room.                
    8:30 am - 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
  • 1:00 pm - After lunch by the river, you'll 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 attractions 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)
  • 2:30 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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