Current as of: May 15, 2025 - 18:49

Sacha Lodge Extension

Sacha Lodge Extension Trip Notes

  • Destination: Ecuador
  • Programmes: Trip Extensions
  • Activity Level:

    1 out of 7 - Easy

  • Ages: 16+
  • Trip Code: XTNSACHA

Trip Overview

Wildlife and tranquility in the heart of the Amazon

Travel into the untamed wilderness of the Ecuadorian Amazon, where the secluded Sacha Lodge sits immersed in its rainforest surroundings. From this tranquil spot overlooking Pilchicocha Lake, wildlife abounds. Blue-morph butterflies flit through the air, giant otters glide underneath the water and eight species of monkey grace the forest canopy. This expedition lets you experience the variety of the rainforest: take part in forest walks, explore by dug-out canoe, join a night-time exploration or tower above the trees on the Canopy Walk.

At a Glance

  • 5 day Sacha Lodge extension
  • Accommodation: 3 nights Sacha Lodge, 1 night Quito
  • Travel by minibus and boat
  • Price from GBP £2699 per person (shared room and travelling together)
  • Compulsory sole traveller supplement of GBP £460

Highlights

  • Stay at a luxurious eco-lodge overlooking Pilchicocha Lake, set within 5000acres (500ha) of forest
  • Experience one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet - the Amazon Rainforest
  • All activities included whilst at Sacha Lodge - canoe on the lake, forest excursions and Canopy Walk

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Sacha Lodge Extension is ideal for those who want to experience the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest. This is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet and a stay here allows you to take part in several activities, such as forest walks, canoe trips on the lake, canopy walkway and community visits.

This extension runs on a shared tour basis with non-Exodus guests.

Group

As this is an extension, local guides will be used at Sacha Lodge. In Quito you will not have a guide.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 1

Max group size: 4

Itinerary

Land Only

  • Start City: Quito
  • End City: Quito

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Extension starts with a flight to Coca • Motorised Canoe to Sacha Lodge
Sacha Lodge Extension

From our hotel we transfer to Quito airport for a short flight to Coca. A quick drive takes us to the dock where we board a large motorized canoe for a two-hour journey down the Napo River towards Sacha lodge, a pristine ecological reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The last part of our journey will involve crossing the boardwalk and taking a smaller dug-out canoe over the lake so as not to disturb the wildlife.

On arrival at Sacha Lodge we receive a welcome drink and a briefing on what to expect over the coming days. You will be in the hands of the incredible local team who are waiting to show you the diversity of the Amazon Rainforest.

Accommodation: Sacha Lodge

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Days 2 - 3
Activities in the Amazon Rainforest surrounding Sacha Lodge
Sacha Lodge Extension

Choice and flexibility is the key at Sacha Lodge. Your guide will design a programme to match the guests physical condition and personal interests. The best wildlife viewing starts early, as this is when animals are most active in the cool morning air. A day at Sacha Lodge is likely to start at sunrise or just before to take advantage of this.

You could find yourself paddling across the black waters of the lakes and creeks by dug-out canoe, trekking through forest to reach a 150ft kapok tree, watching a parrot clay-lick or climbing the canopy walkway to experience the forest from a 940ft (275m) bridge above the treetops. The canopy tower offers a fantastic insight into the vertical layers of the rainforest and its inhabitants, with magnificent panoramic views and bird watching to match. In this region over 600 bird species have been recorded, as well as monkeys, tamarins, tapirs, sloths, caimans and lizards. Look out for spider monkeys who often frequent the higher canopy searching for fruit.

Whichever activities your programme involves, you will have a rest during the middle of the day, normally returning to the lodge around 1pm for lunch. Take some time to enjoy your surroundings, have a cooling dip in the lake pool, or enjoy front-row seats across the lake from the loungers on deck. Afternoon activities usually commence between 3 – 4:30pm. During the day we head out on adventures to learn about the trees and forest and at night time we are armed with flashlights in search of caiman and other nocturnal creatures – your guide knows where to look!

Accommodation: Sacha Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4
Depart Sacha Lodge • Fly to Quito

We return to Quito the same way we came – motorised canoe back up the river to Coca and then a quick drive to the airport for the flight to Quito.

Accommodation: Vieja Cuba Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5
Extension Ends in Quito

The extension comes to an end and you are free to make onward arrangements at any time today.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Sacha Lodge

Sacha Lodge Extension

In Quito we stay at the Vieja Cuba, a comfortable small hotel in the Mariscal District.

The rest of the programme is located at Sacha Lodge, a luxury eco-lodge with 26 rooms, each of which is spacious, comfortable and clean. All rooms have a terrace looking onto the surroundings, and feature hot water, double or twin beds, 24/7 electricity (part solar powered), air conditioning and insect screened windows. Ceiling fans are also provided in each room.

Please be aware that a compulsory single supplement may apply due to the accommodation set up at the lodge.

Food & Drink

All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners are included.

Food at Sacha Lodge will be a highlight in itself – plentiful choice featuring local and international dishes.

Breakfast and lunch are usually served buffet style, with healthy/light options as well as more substantial dishes. Evening dinners are served à la carte, with a menu that changes on a daily basis to give you a taste of fine dining amongst the rainforest. Vegetarians and other dietary requirements can easily be catered for – please notify us in advance.

Transport

In Quito, transport is in a private air-conditioned minibus. We also take internal flights to get to Coca, and travel by motorised and dug-out canoe whilst at Sacha Lodge. Internal flights to Coca will be booked for you by Exodus and are included in the cost of this extension.

Weather & Seasonality

In Quito and the highlands it should be warm by day and generally dry. Maximum daytime temperatures are almost constant throughout the year at 20ºC, nights 8ºC. Some rain can be expected in February to May and October to November but storms, though heavy, are generally short. Quito and in general the highlands, are considered to have quite a pleasant climate, although the evenings can be chilly.
In the jungle regions it will be hot with high humidity. There is always a possibility of rain at any time, but not to the extent of spoiling your enjoyment. The driest time in the jungle (in terms of rainfall levels, not number of rainy days) is October to January.

What To Take

Essential Equipment

Lightweight long trousers
Long-sleeved lightweight shirts
Lightweight sweater or jacket
Raingear (ponchos are provided)
Trainers or hiking boots
Hat
Sun protection
Sunglasses
Small day pack
Insect repellant
Flashlight or headlamp bright enough for use on night walks

Optional Equipment

Binoculars
Camera

Practical Information

Visa

Ecuador

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Ecuador. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccinations and Health

Ecuador

All visitors to Ecuador must show valid medical insurance on arrival and cannot enter the country without it.

Recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis, typhoid and yellow fever.

You also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from (or have transited for more than 12 hours through) Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Additionally, you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you spent more than 10 days in Peru, Colombia, Bolivia or Brazil before arriving in Ecuador.

If you plan to visit the Amazon Rainforest, we recommend a yellow fever vaccination. Malaria is also a risk in some areas of the country (including the Amazon Rainforest) so we suggest you consult a doctor for more advice. Additionally, dengue, chikungunya and zika, all viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Ecuador's time zone: America/Lima (UTC -05:00)

Electricity

Ecuador's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins) and B (three pins: two flat, one round) – 120V, 60Hz

Sacha Lodge Extension

Money

Ecuador's currency: US dollar (USD)

ATM Availability

You should carry your money in US Dollars cash, since sterling can be difficult to change and may incur a poor exchange rate. Please note that obtaining change for larger denomination banknotes (US$100 and US$50) can be difficult. Try to carry a number of small notes (US$1 or US$5) as many small businesses and taxis do not carry large amounts of change.

ATMs accepting major credit and debit cards are readily available in Quito. Please contact your bank before travel to ensure compatibility.

Tipping

Tipping is an optional but very much customary practice in Ecuador and forms part of the service culture. Due to the dominance of US visitors in the destination, tips are reasonably high and this is likely to add up during your stay. Please remember that you are never under any obligation to give a tip and you should only do so when you are happy with the service you have received.
At Sacha Lodge you will have two leaders – one is a wildlife guide or biologist who will speak English and the other will be from the local tribe and may not speak English but is highly skilled at spotting and identifying wildlife. The two working together should provide an excellent service and if you think both do a good job, then a tip of about USD20 per person to each leader for your stay would be well received. You may also wish to leave a tip for the other lodge staff and a central box is left for this (USD10-15 per person per day is a good tip).

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Important Information

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Important Information

Your safe participation 

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. 

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. 

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. 

Seatbelts

All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.

How to Book

  1. Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
  2. Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
  3. Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.