top of page
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.
DISCOVER
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
-
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 the mature secondary forest (about 2,5 km long, 500 meters uphill – appr. 2 hours)
-
There is a good chance of observing many bird and invertebrate species
-
Welcome, introduction and check-in
-
Lunch in our dining room with spectacular panoramic views
-
3:00 pm - 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, you can find flowers of up to 30 species
-
7:00 pm - Dinner
-
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 - 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.
-
Connection to the waterfall trail.
-
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)
-
Box lunch by the river
-
Return to the lodge and rest
-
7:00 pm - Dinner
-
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)
-
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)
-
Rest
-
1:00 pm - Lunch in our dining room with spectacular panoramic views
-
2:00 pm Preparation of "Quimbolitos“: you have the chance to prepare this typical and very tasty little gem with our kitchen staff
-
7:00 pm - Dinner
-
8:00 pm - optional - Nocturnal hike to 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 4
-
6:00 am - optional - Bird watching and observation of forest flora and fauna around the lodge and on the self-guided trail
-
7:00 am - Breakfast enjoying the spectacular views from our dining room
-
8:30 am - option 1: 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. After lunch in 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
(6km downhill – appr. 6 hours) -
10:30 - 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 (2.5km downhill – appr. 3 hours)
-
Box lunch in the forest
-
2:00 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
bottom of page