Day 1 - 4
A small group of 5 fellow travellers accompanied us on our first trip to the Amazonia de Ecuador. All agreed unanimously that this experience had been a great one not least because of the 2 great lodges where we stayed. The combination of being on the water and hiking in the rain-forest alternated by spending time on one of the canapy towers was very good. We were lucky not to have too much rain, which really didn't matter, because we could not keep dry anyway due to the extremely high humidity and high temperature. Birding was superb and so were the people. A lovely experience for the bird and nature lover. Next year during August we will go again. Why not come with us ...
Leader : Pieter Verheij
Local Guides : Juan Carlos, Pablo and Marcello
Trip report Author: Pieter Verheij
Day 1 – August 18th
Arrival day in Quito and transfer to BB&El Jardin
Day 2 – August 19th
We had planned this extra day in Quito to give all fellow travellers time to relax after a long journey. We left at a decent time in the morning, thinking of those who arrived late after midnight, to visit Pasachoa National Park. The birds were not as considerate as we were and most activity was over at the time we arrived. We found among others the very nice Red-crested Cotinga, Russet-crowned Warbler, Spectacled Whitestart and had some fun with a couple of Pail-tailed Wrens (or they with us). Finally Juan Carlos took us on a trail which was a bit challenging, no time to look for birds, but just trying to stay on the track. A good training session for what was awaiting us in the AmazoniaDay 3 – August 20th
A half hour flight brought us from Quito to Coca, the entrance port to the Amazonia of Ecuador. Representatives of Sacha Lodge were present at the airport in Quito and also in Coca. The whole transfer went smoothly and after a small lunch we embarked in a motorized canoe to be transferred to Sacha Lodge. An interesting experience going fast on the Napo river, crisscrossing avoiding sandbanks, tree trunks and small islands. Too fast to see birds but giving us a good feeling about everything we could expect during our stay. After a half hour walk and a canoe trip (not motorized this time) we finally arrived at the lodge.
The lodge is beautifully located at the boarder of Pilchicocha lake, a real paradise in the jungle of the Amazonia. After being settled Pablo, our guide during our stay in Sacha Lodge, proposed a boat ride before dark on the lake and nearby creeks. We saw many common birds we would see again many times, such as the Smooth-billed and Greater Ani, Tropical Kingbird, Kiskadees and other flycatchers. We most enjoyed the busy and loud, but really beautiful Black-capped Donacobius, the Green and Rufous Kingfisher and we had our first meeting with the Hoatzin. At dusk we saw the Pauraque (Nightjar).
The lodge is beautifully located at the boarder of Pilchicocha lake, a real paradise in the jungle of the Amazonia. After being settled Pablo, our guide during our stay in Sacha Lodge, proposed a boat ride before dark on the lake and nearby creeks. We saw many common birds we would see again many times, such as the Smooth-billed and Greater Ani, Tropical Kingbird, Kiskadees and other flycatchers. We most enjoyed the busy and loud, but really beautiful Black-capped Donacobius, the Green and Rufous Kingfisher and we had our first meeting with the Hoatzin. At dusk we saw the Pauraque (Nightjar).Day 4 – August 21st
An early breakfast and a jungle walk to be at the Canapé Tower at sunrise when the birds awake. There are 3 towers connected by hanging bridges with a total length of 275 m. 
The tower itself is 30 meter high. A beautiful place to be at Canopy level and look at birdlife at its best. Although the whole construction looks safe and well maintained, walking on the hanging bridges is still not a favourite activity for those suffering from a fear of heights, but seeing halfway between two towers a nesting Double-toothed Kite, made me overcome my fear with the result of some nice close up shots of the bird on its nest. Being on the Canapé Tower was very productive and we had very good and close views of Maroon-tailed, Black-headed and Cobal-winged Parrots, a very nice Squirrel Cuckoo displaying, Gilded Barbet, Many-banded and Ivory-billed Aracari , White-throated Toucan, Golden- collared Toucanet and many more. Walking back for lunch we had a fantastic encounter with a pair of Crested Owls. Nothing is better than a siesta after lunch and we found that this was one of those days we deserved it. We went back to the jungle in the afternoon . Birdlife was quieter now but we were happy to find another beautiful Owl, the Tawny-bellied Screetch Owl.
The tower itself is 30 meter high. A beautiful place to be at Canopy level and look at birdlife at its best. Although the whole construction looks safe and well maintained, walking on the hanging bridges is still not a favourite activity for those suffering from a fear of heights, but seeing halfway between two towers a nesting Double-toothed Kite, made me overcome my fear with the result of some nice close up shots of the bird on its nest. Being on the Canapé Tower was very productive and we had very good and close views of Maroon-tailed, Black-headed and Cobal-winged Parrots, a very nice Squirrel Cuckoo displaying, Gilded Barbet, Many-banded and Ivory-billed Aracari , White-throated Toucan, Golden- collared Toucanet and many more. Walking back for lunch we had a fantastic encounter with a pair of Crested Owls. Nothing is better than a siesta after lunch and we found that this was one of those days we deserved it. We went back to the jungle in the afternoon . Birdlife was quieter now but we were happy to find another beautiful Owl, the Tawny-bellied Screetch Owl.Day 5 - 6
This slide show gives some Photo impressions of Mrs. Marie P. from Ireland, who came with us, not as a birder, but as a nature lover in general
Day 5 - August 22nd
Today we are starting the day with a boat-ride, first on the black-lake near the lodge and after a nice walk to the Napo River we again used the motorized canoe. We had another meeting with a group of Hoatzins being noisy on the side of the creek. And also the Smooth-billed and Greater Ani’s were present. Before going on board our guide showed us a good site for Black-banded Crake, and indeed we all got good views.
In just a few days the water lever had dropped in the river, and the “captain” needed even more skills to manoeuvre between islands and shallow places. On the sandbanks we got good views of Snowy and Great Egret and we also saw some Cocoi Herons and a Yellow-billed Tern.
There were many Black Vultures and a Yellow-headed Caracara. We were driving slowly along the shore with stops for the various Kingfishers (ringed, green and pygmy) and flycatchers (amongst others the Drab Water-tyrant, Yellow-browed Tody Flycatcher, Boat-billed and Piratic Flycatcher). A highlight was a nightjar (pauraque) sitting on a dead post on the riverside, which gave us all fantastic photo opportunities.
Walking back on the trail we found a pair of Undulated Tinamou. Unfortunately we saw them too late when the were flying away. We did the same track to the black-water lake again but we spent more time now looking around, which was very productive, giving us Collared Trogon, White-chinned Jacamar, Pied -, black-fronted- and Swallow-winged Puffbird, Scarlet-crowned Barbet and Crimson-bellied Woodpecker. We ended the day with a nice barbecue on the waterside.
In just a few days the water lever had dropped in the river, and the “captain” needed even more skills to manoeuvre between islands and shallow places. On the sandbanks we got good views of Snowy and Great Egret and we also saw some Cocoi Herons and a Yellow-billed Tern.
There were many Black Vultures and a Yellow-headed Caracara. We were driving slowly along the shore with stops for the various Kingfishers (ringed, green and pygmy) and flycatchers (amongst others the Drab Water-tyrant, Yellow-browed Tody Flycatcher, Boat-billed and Piratic Flycatcher). A highlight was a nightjar (pauraque) sitting on a dead post on the riverside, which gave us all fantastic photo opportunities.Walking back on the trail we found a pair of Undulated Tinamou. Unfortunately we saw them too late when the were flying away. We did the same track to the black-water lake again but we spent more time now looking around, which was very productive, giving us Collared Trogon, White-chinned Jacamar, Pied -, black-fronted- and Swallow-winged Puffbird, Scarlet-crowned Barbet and Crimson-bellied Woodpecker. We ended the day with a nice barbecue on the waterside.
Day 6 – August 23rd
Our last day already at Sacha Lodge. We had enjoyed our stay in all aspects. Superb food, friendly staff and very nice rooms and many good birds and other wildlife had made our stay a real pleasure.This day we had again an early start for a walk in the forest. The walking is normally not too difficult, the trails are in good condition and except for some smaller parts, there is not too much climbing. However the relatively high temperature combined with a very high humidity makes it impossible to keep dry. We found Slender-billed Kite posing nicely for us, Amazonian White-tailed Trogon and Amazonian Violaceous Trogon, White-chinned Jacamar, Pied Puffbird, Long-billed and Spix’s Woodcreeper, Lineated Woodpecker and many more.
We would meet at around 14h00 with the boat to Napo Wildlife Center at the jetty of Sacha Lodge at the Napo River. We left in time to do some birding on our way. We said good-bye to Pablo our excellent birding guide during our stay at Sacha Lodge and went on board Napo’s motorized canoe for our transfer. Here we met Marcello, our guide during our stay in Napo Wildlife Center.
The transfer took around 45 minutes. We stopped at the entrance of a creek with a jetty and reception buildings, part of Napo Wildlife Center. At this point we changed to a man-driven canoe for the last two hours to the lodge. The canoe had to manoeuvre between fallen tree trunks and other obstacles through the clear but black water.
Now we had time to look around at birds and other wildlife. Almost immediately we saw Rufescent Tiger-Heron and later Grey-necked Wood-Rail, Sungrebe, Spotted Sandpiper, Purplish Jacamar and several Kingfishers.
The lodge is beautifully located on the shore of the Añangucohoa lake. It has 12 spacious very nice decorated cabins, all with direct views on the lake. An extraordinary place.
After a welcome drink offered by the lodge we went up in the tower of the central building. This gave us good views of the very busy and loud Crested Oropendola y Yellow-rumped Cacique being busy with their nests in the trees along the lake.
The transfer took around 45 minutes. We stopped at the entrance of a creek with a jetty and reception buildings, part of Napo Wildlife Center. At this point we changed to a man-driven canoe for the last two hours to the lodge. The canoe had to manoeuvre between fallen tree trunks and other obstacles through the clear but black water.
Now we had time to look around at birds and other wildlife. Almost immediately we saw Rufescent Tiger-Heron and later Grey-necked Wood-Rail, Sungrebe, Spotted Sandpiper, Purplish Jacamar and several Kingfishers.The lodge is beautifully located on the shore of the Añangucohoa lake. It has 12 spacious very nice decorated cabins, all with direct views on the lake. An extraordinary place.
After a welcome drink offered by the lodge we went up in the tower of the central building. This gave us good views of the very busy and loud Crested Oropendola y Yellow-rumped Cacique being busy with their nests in the trees along the lake.
Day 7 - 10
Day 7 - August 24thWe left early in the morning at sunrise by canoe to explore the Anañgu creek. Almost immediately we met with a couple of Giant Otters and with some big Caiman. For some hours we moved through the narrow water roads having good views of Lesser- and Greater Kiskadee, Wattled Jacana, White-winged Swallow and many others. The highlight of this boat ride was without any doubt the Least Bittern, posing very well to satisfy all photographers. The Tibutini Trail is normally very good to see many species, this time we found amongst others Cream-colored Woodpecker, Purple-throated Fruit-Crow, Long-billed Woodcreeper and Screaming Piha.
Dim lights
Day 8 – August 25th
This day we went to visit the Clay Lick sites. One site is on the shore of the Napo River, and the other one is even more accessible just walking inland for twenty minutes and gives good views from a nearby constructed hide. To go to the Napo River we had to follow back the creek, which certainly was not a problem at all, because there are always many things to see. We saw a.o. Little Cuckoo, White-flanked Antwren, Great-billed Hermit, Plumbeous Antbird and again, but much better now the Sungrebe. Arriving at the Jetty we changed boats and with the motorized Canoe we went on the Napo River towards the Clay Lick. Many Dusky-headed Parakeets, Blue-headed Parrots, Mealy Parrots and some Yellow-crowned Parrots were eating the clay. It is spectacular to look at. Driving back we found along the riverside roosting on a post a Ladder-tailed Nightjar.
Coming back to the reception buildings of Napo Wildlife Center we were again surprised by the excellent service of this Lodge, by offering us a very nice lunch. When we arrived at the Clay Lick it was quiet, but it did not take long before the Parakeets started to arrive. Hundreds of Cobalt-winged Parakeets were drinking water and eating clay just in front of us. A fantastic experience. Walking back to the canoe we saw Ocellated Poorwill, Slaty-tailed Trogon and Great Jacamar. Later in the canoe, before the rain started to pour down we saw Speckled Guan, Drab Water Tyrant and Yellow-browed Antbird. We stayed dry thanks to the ponchos that our guides brought for us.Day 9 – August 26th
Already our last day in this really superb place . Today we went to the canopy tower. The canopy tower is located about 20 minutes from the lodge deep within the forest. The tower is built around a big Ceiba Tree and is about 36 m high. It is a beautiful experience to stand on the wooden platform and to observe the birds in the Canopy. As always in the Amazonia we started early to make use of the best part of the day for birding. Just to mention a few of the many birds we observed this morning are Many-banded Aracari, Ivory-billed and Golden-collared Toucanet, White-lored Tyrannulet, Blue and Yellow Macaw, Orange-cheeked Parrot, Gilded Barbet, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Plum-throated and Spangled Cotinga, White-fronted Puffbird, Amazonian White-tailed Trogon and various Tanagers. We went back to the Lodge for lunch and we had a nice rest. The views over the lake from the Cabins are great and just by sitting outside, one will see many birds being busy on the shore. Red-capped Cardinal, Striated Heron, a Capped Heron flying over the lake, Turtles taking a sunbath and so on. Napo Wildlife Center is really a great place to be.Day 10 – August 27th
Departure from the Amazonia and back to Quito.
