Manatee Amazon Explorer

Price from: $2080
Duration: 9 Days
Min age: 10 years
Difficulty: Easy

Tour

Overview

With over 20 years of sailing in Ecuadorā€™s Oriente region, the Manatee Amazon Explorer was and continues to be, the pioneer in Ecuadorian Amazon cruising. At 121-feet in length and with a capacity for 30 adventurous guests, the Manatee may be smaller than her luxury sister ship the Anakonda, but remains a superior and spacious option for comfortably cruising to one of the most biodiverse places on earth, the remote and remarkable YasunĆ­ National Park.

Highlights

  • A unique luxury-adventure cruise experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon with year-round navigation, whatever the climate or the season
  • Reduced journey times, 30-minute-long flight, and minimal distances to travel allow guests to get the most out of their itineraries while on our cruises
  • Spacious suites with private, open-air balconies, allowing guests to take in the rainforest atmosphere and connect with the surrounding nature
  • Immersion into authentic Ecuadorian indigenous communities
  • Lessons on how to cook Ecuadorian cuisine, hosted by our expert chef
  • Kayaking and swimming in PaƱacocha, the ā€œPiranha Lakeā€
  • An opportunity to be conscious, supporting the conservation programs and indigenous communities that are part of our Amazon Sustainability Circle
  • Journeys through the most biodiverse place on earth, the World Biosphere Reserve
  • YasunĆ­ National Park
  • Excursions to the treetops, for wonderful 360-degree views of the rainforest from canopy-height observation towers
  • Journeys to Parrot Clay Lick, a natural avian paradise full of colorful parrots, parakeets, and macaws

FEATURES

  • Cabins with balconies
  • Air conditioning
  • Pool / Jacuzzi
  • Excercise room
  • Lecture room
  • Kosher Meals

EQUIPMENT

  • Snorkeling gear
  • Wetsuits
  • Kayaks / Canoes

Detailed

Itinerary

4 days / 3 nights

1st day

Embarkation

PM: Our adventure begins in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. After a 30-minute flight from Quito to the Amazonian city of Coca, we will transfer to the dock and board our motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the river, taking in the beauty of the Amazon, until we reach the Manatee Amazon Explorer and receive our warm welcome aboard.

On the Manatee, we will be joined by expert local naturalist guides, who will provide us with a brief, informative introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon; and afterward, guests will have the opportunity to explore our cruise ship and admire the rainforest landscape as we glide down the Napo River. After a delicious dinner, we will take a nighttime forest walk to hear the sounds of the rainforest and observe the nocturnal wildlife.

2nd day:

PaƱacocha Biological Corridor & The Mythical Piranha Lagoon

AM: We will travel downstream to the PaƱayacu River delta, where we will embark on a canoe trip to PaƱacocha Lake (ā€œPiranha Lagoonā€ in the native Kichwa language), an ecosystem flooded by blackwater river water. The surrounding protected rainforest is home to primates and birds and is the perfect habitat for piranhas, the PaĆ­che or pirarucu (one of the worldā€™s largest freshwater fish), the white caiman, and hundreds of other aquatic animals. The surrounding protected rainforest is home to primates and various bird species, which we will be able to spot during a walk with our guides.

PM: We will then recharge our energy with an Amazon-style barbeque at a community camp, and after a short rest, we will take part in aquatic activities such as kayaking and/or swimming. Back onboard the Anakonda, we will build on what we learned with an interesting talk about the region given by our guides.

3rd day:

Parrot Clay Licks & Amazonian Communities

AM: We will set out on our motorized canoes early in the morning to witness one of the most incredible sights on this side of the Western Amazon - the famous parrot clay licks. This unique place is rich in minerals and attracts hundreds of colorful parrots, parakeets, and Amazon birds who meet up here to lick the clay which provides a healthy boost to their digestion.

PM: In the afternoon we will visit the Kichwa womenā€™s community project, where we will learn about the indigenous lifestyle along the Napo river, their ancestral culture, and their community, and will have the opportunity to support them by purchasing handicrafts, local products, and souvenirs, as well as the opportunity to participate in the Charapas Turtle Conservation that we support together with the community.

4th day:

Disembarkation

AM: This is where our adventure ends! But first, we will enjoy our return to Puerto Providencia where we will disembark the Anakonda Amazon Explorer and ride back to the city of Coca in the motorized canoe.


Meals: Breakfast

4 days / 3 nights

1st day:

Embarkation

PM: Our adventure begins in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. After a 30-minute flight from Quito to the Amazonian city of Coca, we will transfer to the dock and board our motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the river, taking in the beauty of the Amazon, until we reach the Manatee Amazon Explorer cruise and receive our warm welcome aboard.

On the Manatee, we will be joined by expert local naturalist guides, who will provide us with a brief, informative introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon; and afterward, guests will have the opportunity to explore our cruise ship and admire the rainforest landscape as we glide down the Napo River. After a delicious dinner, we will take a nighttime forest walk to hear the sounds of the rainforest and observe the nocturnal wildlife.

2nd day:

Home of the Pink Dolphin & The Secoya Community

AM: In the morning we will explore the lower part of the Napo River, where we will spot different bird species such as eagles, oropendolas, and the celebrated woodpeckers.

PM: In the afternoon we will visit YasunĆ­ National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and home to the legendary pink dolphin. This is the perfect opportunity to participate in our pink dolphin conservation program, which we are involved in together with the Martinica community in the Cocaya area, providing a haven where these dolphins can live and feed without the risk of being hunted. The Secoyas people, a minority ancestral culture, live near Yasuni and will show us how to prepare traditional cassava bread during our visit.

3rd day

Kichwa Family & Life Onboard

AM: We will begin the day by visiting an authentic Kichwa family on the banks of the Napo River, where we will have the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community about their lifestyle.

PM: We will then board the Manatee and participate in a cooking class with our expert chef, who will show us how to prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian fare. Guests are also invited to try their hand at traditional handcrafting or to take in the magnificent Amazon environment from our open-air hot tub, enjoy cocktails at our Bar and Lounge, or delight in some nighttime stargazing from our Observation Deck. Our more active guests will have the opportunity to explore nature in this area by kayak.

4th day:

Forest Adventure & Observation Canopy Tower

AM: We start the day by visiting an observation tower built in a giant millenary kapok tree, where guests can marvel at the impressive 360Ā° view from the top overlooking the treetops of the forest canopy and contemplate the sheer vastness of the Amazon.

PM: In the afternoon, we will explore the primary forest and spot the different plant and wildlife species endemic to this ecosystem. We can also find the strange and unique bird known as the hoatzin, or as itā€™s known locally, the ā€œstinkbirdā€.

5th day:

Disembarkation

AM: This is where our adventure ends! But first, we will enjoy our return to Puerto Providencia where we will disembark the Manatee Amazon Cruise and ride back to the city of Coca in the motorized canoe.


Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary

At a Glance

Price

Tables

4 days: US $ 1,995
5 days: US $ 2,430

Included

In the tour

  • All meals on board.
  • All excursions, rain ponchos, and rubber boots.
  • Transfers to / from the vessel when arriving on our recommended flights.
  • Exclusive access to our VIP Lounge inĀ Coca city (before and after the cruise).
  • Private & personalized assistance for Quito - Coca - Quito flights at both airports on our recommended flights.
  • Wifi

Not Included

In the tour

  • Air ticket
  • Contribution to local communities
  • Transfers to and from Quito airport
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Gratuities
  • Satellite internet.
Destinations
Amazon
Highlights
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