Sacha Lodge Extension

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/ecuador
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/ecuador
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ecuador/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ecuador.html

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.

Weather

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.