Sacha Lodge Add-on Tour

Activity Level

Easy

Activity

Wildlife Holidays

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.

Key Information

Trip Code: XTNSACHA
Countries: Ecuador

What's Included

All breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners
Internal flights from/to Quito
All activities whilst at Sacha Lodge included

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

Itinerary

First Destination: Quito
Next Destination: Quito

Meals included:Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Quito
Next Destination: Quito

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

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

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

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

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Accommodation

Sacha Lodge

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.

Essential Information

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.

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

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.

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.

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 through 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.