Manatee Amazon River Cruise - 8 Days (Monday to Monday)

Description

This is a journey that takes us into the endless heart of biodiversity, the Amazon Basin. Given the remote and pristine nature of this jungle, the very best way to explore it is by navigating down the Napo River on exclusively – designed vessel set to explore the Amazon in style.

The M/V Manatee Amazon Explorer allows our guests to experience unparalleled adventures in total comfort. Journey with us down freshwater rivers, both whitewater and black water, and encounter different Amazonian ecosystems, including the possibility to observe fascinating animals such as pink river dolphins, manatees, caimans and piranhas, as well as hundreds of native bird and primate species.

We are committed to caring for natural resources and the conservation of local cultures by applying responsible and sustainable tourism practices and community involvement in all of our operations. We have also initiated Capi’s Amazon River Station (CARS). This is a program that manages 3 non-profit sustainable rescue projects for endangered animals in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest: The Charapas turtle, the Pink River Dolphin, and the Manatee.

Please Note: your voyage rates do not include Air Tickets Quito – Coca – Quito.

Trip Name

Manatee Amazon River Cruise - 8 Days (Monday to Monday)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: River Expedition Cruise Length: 37m Passenger Capacity: 30 Built: 2017 Although expedition cruising by its very nature is characterized as adventurous, the safety of our staff and passengers is of paramount importance to us. The Manatee Amazon Explorer is fully equipped and maintained in order to handle the most challenging conditions and circumstances, and is manned by experienced and conscientious expedition staff and crew. The canoes used for daily shore landings are rugged and versatile and are operated responsibly by experienced personnel. Onboard you will be fully briefed on all pertinent safety issues and concerns, as well as our environmental policy; passengers also receive appropriate and detailed briefings before each landing. The vessel features three decks: The MAIN DECK features a dining area, kitchen, the crew’s cabins, and the engine room. The UPPER DECK has 10 cabins including crew cabins. The SUN DECK houses the bridge, 4 cabins, the bar and lounge, and an outdoor dining area. Our boat has the capacity up to 30 guests accommodate 10 standard cabins and 4 suites that accommodate. Each cabin is equipped with air conditioning, closets, a private bathroom complete with a special shower massage, hot and cold water, 24-hour electricity and 110-voltage outlets and switches. The Manatee Amazon Explorer is also equipped with a small fleet of motorized canoes. The canoes provide unlimited mobility and allow for the exploration of the most remote areas and inaccessible shores. Our vessel is comfortable, and complies with both national and international navigation —as well as safety, security, and environmental protection— standards. We are certified by Smart Voyager and Rainforest Alliance, entities that guarantee the sustainability of our operations.

Itinerary

Day 1 - DAY 1 MONDAY: QUITO – COCA – NAPO RIVER

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 Amazon, until we reach the Manatee Amazon Explorer and receive our 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; afterwards, guests will have the opportunity to explore our cruise ship and admire the rainforest landscape as we glide down the Napo River. After dinner, we will take a nighttime forest walk to observe the rainforest's nocturnal activity and vividly experience its biodiversity first-hand.

Day 2 - DAY 2 TUESDAY: THE HEART OF YASUNI NATIONAL PARK (HOME OF THE LEGENDARY PINK RIVER DOLPHIN)

Early in the morning, we will visit Yasuni National Park, a pristine region of the Ecuadorian Amazon, home to the legendary pink river dolphin. In this area, we can also find anacondas, river turtles, and various primate species, as well as the colorful hoatzin, a unique bird known locally as the “stinky turkey”. In the afternoon, we will take a motorized canoe to a black-water lake, home to giant otters and the elusive manatee, and enjoy a pleasant hike in the riparian/gallery forest, with the chance to spot flocks of birds and marvel at the intricate organization of a colony of leaf-cutter ants.

Day 3 - DAY 3 WEDNESDAY: KICHWA FAMILY & LIFE ONBOARD

We will start the day off by visiting an authentic Kichwa family on the banks of the Napo River, where we will receive the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community. We will then board the Manatee for lunch as we continue upstream. Guests will participate in a cooking class with our expert chef and prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian. Guests are also invited to try their hand at traditional handicrafting or enjoy our onboard facilities, including the Rainforest Spa, the spectacular view from our Amazon Hot Tub, cocktails at our Bar and Lounge, and stargazing from our Observation Deck.

Day 4 - DAY 4 THURSDAY: FOREST ADVENTURE & OBSERVATION CANOPY TOWER

Our guests can relax and enjoy the Manatee Amazon Explorer during the morning and disembark to explore the nearby forest and discover a myriad of animals and plant species endemic to the Amazon basin. In the afternoon, we will visit a canopy tower built against a giant kapok tree and take in the view from the top as we loom above the lush treetops and look down on the sheer vastness of the Amazon. In the evening we will take a canoe onto the river to search for black caimans by flashlight.

Day 5 - DAY 5 FRIDAY: INDILLAMA NAPO RIVER – THE NORTHERN SIDE OF YASUNÍ NATIONAL PARK

We will begin the day kayaking on the Indillama River towards Yasuní National Park. Kayaks are smooth and silent, providing the very best opportunity to observe wildlife. Canoes can also be used to travel in search of more wildlife. After an adventure-filled day, guests can take advantage of our observation deck and experience a magical view under the stars. Our more energetic guests can choose to unwind with a night walk through the jungle in search of nocturnal creatures.

Day 6 - DAY 6 SATURDAY: PAÑACOCHA BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR

We will travel downstream to the Pañayacu River delta, where we will take a canoe trip to Pañacocha Lake (“Piranha Lake” in the native Kichwa), an ecosystem flooded by black-waters. The surrounding protected rainforest is home to primates and birds, and is the perfect habitat for piranhas, paiches (one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world), the white caiman, and hundreds of other aquatic animals. We will participate in nature walks led by local naturalist guides, and relax at a nearby campsite, where we will enjoy an Amazon-style BBQ. After lunch, we will do some kayaking and swimming activities. Back on board the Manatee, our guests will have the opportunity to attend a lecture and watch an educational documentary about the region.

Day 7 - DAY 7 SUNDAY: PARROT CLAY LICKS – AMAZONIAN COMMUNITIES & OBSERVATION TOWER

In the morning we will set out on canoes to observe one of the most incredible sights on this side of the Western Amazon, the parrot clay licks. This unique place is rich in minerals and attracts hundreds of colorful parrots, parakeets and amazon birds. Afterwards, we will visit a Kichwa Cultural Center, where we will learn about Amazon communities and their ancestral culture, traditions, and cuisine. Members of the local community will teach us about indigenous lifestyles along the Napo River, and we will have the opportunity to support the community by purchasing handicrafts, local products, and souvenirs. Before sunset, we will visit an observation tower in the rainforest canopy, which offers an astonishing 360-degree view of the Amazon basin. Bird-lovers will especially enjoy this outing.

Day 8 - DAY 8 MONDAY: RETURN

This is where our adventure ends! Enjoy the final part of our return journey, then disembark the Manatee Amazon Explorer to take the motorized canoe 90 minutes back to Coca.

Day 9 - Please Note:

The foregoing itinerary is our standard operating model. We intend tooffer everything as planned, and will make every effort to do so, howeverdepending on inclement weather, technical or operational difficulties beyondour control, the M/V Manatee Amazon Explorer reserves the right to modifythe itinerary without notice.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Swimming
Kayaking
Birdwatching
Jungle Hikes
Canoe Excursions
Cooking Lessons – Traditional Dishes
Climbing the Observation Tower high in the Amazon canopy
Native Family Visit
Night Hikes
Briefings given by Expert Naturalist Guides
Demonstration of Regional Handicrafts
BBQ Pit
Traditional Amazonian Delicacies
Camping (5 & 8 days Itineraries)