Ecuador: Amazon Immersion

FAQs

What should I expect from traveling deep into the Amazon?

This is a true Amazon adventure, taking you deep into the rainforest by light aircraft and river. Being far removed from everyday life is a huge part of what makes it special: think pristine rainforest, incredible wildlife and the rare opportunity to properly disconnect, whilst living alongside an indigenous community.

Expect warm, humid conditions, some muddy or uneven trails and plenty of time outdoors. You’ll walk through the rainforest, travel by river and kayak alongside Achuar guides, but you don’t need to be an athlete. There’s plenty of downtime too, with time to swim, relax in a hammock or simply take in your surroundings.

The ecolodge is intentionally off-grid. There’s no mobile signal and Wi-Fi is limited to one communal area and can be intermittent, making this a brilliant opportunity to switch off.

You’ll be supported throughout by your Pack Leader and an experienced local team, many of whom were born and raised in the rainforest and have an incredible knowledge of the environment.

As with any adventure in a remote location, medical facilities are further away than you may be used to, which is why appropriate travel insurance is important. We’ll also ask you to complete a Remote Travel Acknowledgement within one week of booking so you’re familiar with the practicalities before you travel.

You can read the Acknowledgement here before you make your booking.

This all helps ensure the journey is safe, enjoyable and truly right for you — giving you complete peace of mind before you go.

What travel insurance do I need for this trip?

Comprehensive travel insurance is required for this trip, as it is for all Flash Pack adventures. For the Amazon, it’s particularly important to check that your policy covers travel in remote areas, including medical care and evacuation should you ever need it.

As a practical precaution, we require you to have access to $10,000 USD (or equivalent) in available funds or credit while traveling. This doesn’t need to be money held in your bank account and could simply be available credit on a credit card.

This is because, in the very unlikely event that additional support is needed while you’re in a remote location, evacuation costs may need to be covered upfront before being claimed back through your travel insurer.

We recommend having a quick chat with your insurer before you travel to make sure you’re comfortable with your level of cover and how any claims would work.

Are flights included?

Flights to and from your destination aren’t included in the trip price — you’ll need to book these independently. Any flights needed during the tour itself are included and taken care of by us. You’ll find recommended arrival and departure airports, along with suggested arrival and departure times, in the FAQs below.

Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code

Fly into and out of Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO).

What time should my flight arrive (time for the welcome meeting)?

Ideally no later than 2pm.

What time should my flight depart on the last day?

You’ll be departing from Quito, with a hotel check-out time of 11am. That said, you’re under no pressure to fly home at a particular time.

Are airport transfers included?

If you arrive on Day 1 of your trip, or you’ve booked yourself a pre-night at the same hotel the trip starts from, your airport arrival transfer will be included. Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and in groups depending on flight times, so you may have to wait in the airport for a short while.

However, if you’ve booked alternative pre-trip accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer. 

Please also note: in order to secure your place on the private transfer, you’ll need to provide your flight details to our Customer Experience team no later than 30 days prior to your departure date. You’ll get automated email reminders about this, but the team won’t be chasing you. That’s why it’s key to get this information over in good time. If the details are provided later than 30 days pre-departure, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

Departure transfers are not included due to travelers leaving at varying times.

Are tips included?

Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this trip. Suggested amounts total per group are:

• Pack Leader: USD 100-150 per group
• Boat driver: USD 40-60 per group
• Bus driver: USD 40-50 per group
• General staff: USD 300-350 per group
• Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc.

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

Do I need a visa?

Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.

You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:

• UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information. US citizens are required to have either a valid passport or Real ID in order to fly within the US.
• Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
• Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.

Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.

What vaccinations and medication will I need?

While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalized medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

1. Consult with a healthcare professional

We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your trip. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.

2. Up-to-date medical advice

• UK residents: visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for the latest medical advice.
• US residents: check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for specialized health information.
• Australian residents: refer to the Smart Traveler Health website for current medical advice.

3. Government travel advice

• UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
• Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.

4. Medication tips

If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.

We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy experience.

How much should I budget per day for extras?

We recommend budgeting around 40-60 USD per day.

Will there be a Pack Leader on this tour?

Yes. You’ll have the same dedicated Pack Leader throughout the tour – there to keep communication clear, support the group dynamic, and make sure you feel confident and cared for as the trip moves between the city, rainforest and community experiences. In a remote setting like this, that steady “human anchor” makes all the difference.

What is the Amazon ecolodge like?

The ecolodge will be fully exclusive to your Flash Pack group, giving you a private base in the heart of the rainforest alongside your Pack Leader and the local community team.

It’s beautiful, simple and intentionally off-grid, with open-air communal spaces, areas for yoga and stretching and individual huts surrounded by nature. Rooms have mosquito nets and natural ventilation, while the lodge runs mainly on solar power, so electricity is used mindfully. There’s no air-conditioning or hot water, with cool showers very much part of rainforest life.

When you’re not out exploring, free time is wonderfully unstructured. Kayak, read, journal, relax in a hammock, wander around the lodge grounds or simply listen to the rainforest around you.

How active is this Amazon adventure?

This is an immersive Amazon adventure, so expect to get out and explore. You’ll hike beneath the rainforest canopy, travel along winding rivers by boat, kayak through the jungle and explore alongside Achuar guides who know this landscape intimately.

You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should feel comfortable walking on uneven trails and embracing the Amazon in all its wildness, from warm, humid days to the occasional muddy path.

There’s plenty of time to slow down too. Between adventures, retreat to a hammock, listen to the sounds of the rainforest and soak up the extraordinary feeling of being completely surrounded by nature.

What will I be eating during my stay?

Meals are fresh, locally inspired and thoughtfully prepared, using ingredients sourced from nearby towns and surrounding communities wherever possible. The menu is omnivore, meaning it includes a mix of meat, fish and plant-based dishes, offering plenty of choice and familiar flavors alongside regional specialities.

Dietary requirements are very well catered for. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or have allergies or intolerances, these can be accommodated when shared with us in advance (via our app’s Onboarding Checklist after booking), and the team onsite are experienced at looking after a range of needs.

Safe drinking water is provided throughout the trip, including during your stay at the Amazon lodge, so you can relax and enjoy the experience without any worries.

 

What is the wayus tea ceremony on Day 6?

The Wayus tea ceremony is a traditional Amazonian cultural experience centred around guayusa, a native leaf brewed into a herbal tea by local Indigenous communities. For many families in the Amazon, this is an important daily ritual, taking place before dawn as an opportunity to gather, share stories and prepare for the day ahead.

As part of the ceremony, community members often drink several cups of guayusa tea with the intention of inducing vomiting as a traditional form of cleansing or purging. This is a long-standing cultural practice and an important part of the ritual for many local people.

During the experience, you’ll join the community to learn about the significance of the ceremony, observe the ritual and, if you wish, take part. Participation is entirely optional. You’re welcome to simply observe, have a small sip of the tea, drink a full cup, or opt out of drinking altogether.

Wayus contains natural caffeine (similar to green tea or yerba mate) but is not hallucinogenic. This experience has been included to offer an authentic insight into the traditions and daily life of the local community. We encourage guests to participate only to the extent they feel comfortable.

What should I expect from the community stays in the Amazon?

Staying alongside the Achuar community is at the heart of this adventure, giving you a rare opportunity to experience life in the Amazon and spend meaningful time with the people who call the rainforest home.

Throughout your time at both the ecolodge and with the Sharamentsa community, you’ll be welcomed as a guest. It’s all about traveling with respect and curiosity. Your local guides will help you understand community etiquette, including asking before taking photographs, staying with the group and following traditional greetings. You may also be offered local food or drinks along the way, but tasting is always entirely optional.

Your overnight stay with the Sharamentsa community takes the immersion a little deeper. Accommodation is simpler than at the ecolodge and twin-share for everyone, with mosquito nets provided. Meals follow local traditions, using ingredients grown or gathered from the surrounding land.

Your Pack Leader and local guides will be with you throughout, and you’ll receive a full briefing so you know exactly what to expect.

Single rooms are available in Quito and at the Amazon ecolodge, so the Sharamentsa overnight is the only night where single supplements aren’t available.

What do I need to know about the flights into the Amazon?

Reaching this remote part of the Amazon is all part of the adventure, with internal flights by small aircraft included in your trip.

For these flights, luggage is limited to around 13kg (30lbs) per person and needs to be packed in a soft duffel or backpack rather than a suitcase. Any additional luggage can be safely stored before you fly into the rainforest and collected afterwards.

Because of the size of the aircraft and weight-and-balance requirements, this trip is not suitable for guests weighing over 113kg (250lbs).

Rubber boots for rainforest walks are provided at the lodge, and we’ll collect your shoe size before you travel.

Is this a phone-free trip?

Our wellbeing trips are designed to help you be fully present without banning technology or creating anxiety.

Throughout each journey, there are gentle, clearly marked moments where you will be invited to put your phone away during shared experiences and meals. Participation is always optional, but strongly encouraged, as these phone-free windows are where the real magic tends to happen.

For unforgettable moments, your Pack Leader and a dedicated Flashpacker will capture photos for the group, allowing you to stay immersed without missing the memories. Additionally, those who love photography are encouraged to bring a DSLR or digital camera.

As mentioned above however, Wi-Fi is available in one communal area only and can be slow or intermittent, and there’s no mobile signal. This is your chance to properly switch off, slow down and fully immerse yourself in life in the Amazon – but the retreat staff will always be able to contact loved ones in case of an emergency.

What happens if I want or need to sit out of an activity?

At Flash Pack, we’re all about adventure, but we get that not every activity will be for everyone. If there is something that you need to skip, your Pack Leader can suggest ways to make the most of your free time. Your trip price covers the itinerary as a whole, so activities you choose not to join aren’t refundable.

Will the itinerary change?

As this journey takes place in a remote part of the Amazon, plans may need to adapt due to weather, river conditions or other factors outside our control. Rain can sometimes affect activities like boat journeys or wildlife spotting.

If conditions aren’t right, your Pack Leader and local guides will adjust the plan with safe, meaningful alternatives – such as cultural talks or time learning more about indigenous community life. Any changes are made with your safety and overall experience in mind.

We also plan departures outside of peak rainy season to reduce disruption, and may occasionally make small updates to keep the experience fresh.