8 Day Amazon Discoveries: Search for the Pink Dolphin
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- Day 1 Depart Quito - Arrive in Coca - Embark on Cruise
- Day 2 Parrot clay Lick and Observation Tower
- Day 3 Visiting the Pañacocha Biological Corridor
- Day 4 Island Exploration – Yasuní National Park
- Day 5 Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and Yasuni National Park
- Day 6 Kichwa Culture and Swamp Forest hike
- Day 7 Parrot Lick – Limoncocha Biological Reserve
- Day 8 Disembark in Coca and Fly Quito
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||
| Triple | Double | Single | |
May 24 '13 May 27 '13 May 31 '13 Jun 3 '13 Jun 7 '13 Jun 10 '13 Jun 14 '13 Jun 17 '13 Jun 21 '13 Jun 24 '13 Jun 28 '13 Jul 1 '13 Jul 5 '13 Jul 8 '13 Jul 12 '13 Jul 15 '13 Jul 19 '13 Jul 22 '13 Jul 26 '13 Jul 29 '13 Aug 2 '13 Aug 5 '13 Aug 9 '13 Aug 12 '13 Aug 16 '13 Aug 19 '13 Aug 23 '13 Aug 26 '13 Aug 30 '13 Sep 2 '13 Sep 6 '13 Sep 9 '13 Sep 13 '13 Sep 16 '13 Sep 20 '13 Sep 23 '13 Sep 27 '13 Sep 30 '13 Oct 4 '13 Oct 7 '13 Oct 11 '13 Oct 14 '13 Oct 18 '13 Oct 21 '13 Oct 25 '13 Oct 28 '13 Nov 1 '13 Nov 4 '13 Nov 8 '13 Nov 11 '13 Nov 15 '13 Nov 18 '13 Nov 22 '13 Nov 25 '13 Nov 29 '13 Dec 2 '13 Dec 6 '13 Dec 9 '13 Dec 13 '13 Dec 16 '13 Dec 20 '13 Dec 23 '13 Dec 27 '13 Dec 30 '13 |
$1,635 | $1,900 | $2,850 |
Day 1 Depart Quito - Arrive in Coca - Embark on Cruise
Depart from Quito in the morning and after a 30 minute flight arrive at Francisco de Orellana (Coca). At the airport, meet your naturalist guides who will accompany you on a short transfer to the Napo River port. Embark on a motorized canoe ride downstream for approximately one and a half hours. During the trip listen to important information about the region. Once on board the Manatee Amazon Explorer, enjoy lunch and begin navigating down the Napo River. In the evening, there will be a welcome cocktail and a presentation about the trip, and an optional nocturnal tour by canoe or walk.
Day 2 Parrot clay Lick and Observation Tower
Breakfast will be served on board. Then embark on your excursion to the Parrot Clay lick, a great place to see a lot of bird species. Back on board enjoy your ready lunch. In the afternoon explore the Chaullacocha black water system, and depending on the river´s water level you may access this wonderful system either by walking or by paddling a canoe. Then an exploration of the lake shores looking for wildlife, such as turtles, herons, and caymans, and later in the day, a visit to the canopy tower, which is more than 30 meters high, from which an impressive view of the forest can be seen from the top. From this perspective, you can appreciate the secrets of this vast ecosystem that cannot be seen from another angle. The tower has 300 steps that will be worth climbing to get to the top, where the most amazing view awaits you. Return to the Manatee at night, after searching for caymans on the lake Chaullacocha Lake.
Day 3 Visiting the Pañacocha Biological Corridor
Continue your navigation downstream to arrive at the mouth of the Pañayacu (Piranha River). After arrival, there will be a canoe trip through the Piranha River to see the sights of this interesting protected forest. There will be the possibility to observe Pink River Dolphins, the agile Common Squirrel Monkeys and much more. The Piranha Lake area is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes of that place are the perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caymans. After a refreshing swim in the Piranha Lake, enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ and a cold drink at a nearby camping site. In the afternoon, embark on an exploration walk, and later on, when back on board, have dinner and receive a briefing about the next day's program.
Day 4 Island Exploration – Yasuní National Park
Early in the morning go for a walk in one of the Napo River Islands for bird watching, then return on board and start navigating down the Napo River. This afternoon enjoy a canoe excursion to explore the Tiputini River inside of the Yasuni National Park. At dusk, enjoy another real-life experience with the Ecuadorian Amazon basin with a choice of night walk, visit to a native dweling or canoe ride, depending on the river level, climatic conditions, wildlife behavior and accessibility to the location.
Day 5 Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and Yasuni National Park
Early in the morning, explore one of the most pristine rivers in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Cocaya River. Here have the opportunity to observe exotic plants, colorful birds and unique wildlife that lives in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This black water system is home to the legendary Pink River Dolphins, River Turtles, Black Caymans and the enigmatic Amazon Manatee. Moreover, if you look at the vegetation on the shores, you may see the Red Howler Monkeys, and other species such as the black tamarin, squirrel monkey, Three-toed Sloth, the leaf-eating bird, locally known as Stinky Turkey (Hoatzin), and other wildlife. The canoe trip upstream will reveal the overwhelming beauty of this aquatic region.
In the afternoon, in the heart of the Yasuni, visit one of the major black water lakes of the upper Amazon basin, the Jatun Cocha. Here there will be opportunities for walking and paddling and watching the giant otters; amazing water mammals and an endangered species. In addition, the observation of local flora and fauna is an unforgettable sight that will take your breath away.
Day 6 Kichwa Culture and Swamp Forest hike
On this morning, visit one of the local indigenous community centers, specifically, one of the Kichwa Culture schools. On this visit, have the opportunity to meet the local people and learn about their culture. Guests can meet the children and visit their native huts, and understand how these friendly people live, use the resources of this unique world, and how they have learned to deal with the fragility of this ecosystem. In the afternoon, guests can enjoy an afternoon of relaxing navigation onboard the Manatee, while resting up for the next day. There is also the opportunity to learn how to make Ecuadorian food in one of several cooking lessons directed by the onboard chef, and locals will teach you how to make fiber handicrafts too. Sit in on onboard lectures given by your naturalist about the different Amazon topics such as culture, biodiversity, Amazon formation, oil and sustainability. You will also walk over a wooden pass through the Morete (moretefleuxisa palm) swamp, where you may see frogs and parrots.
Day 7 Parrot Lick – Limoncocha Biological Reserve
Breakfast will be served on board. Then begin your excursion to the Parrot Clay licks, the perfect place to see numerous bird species. Or, begin your excursion to the Yaku Kawsay or live underwater museum, inside of the Yasuní National Park. This interesting project from one of the Kichwa Communities that shows the fauna that lives underwater in the Amazon rivers and lakes.
Back on board your lunch will be ready, and in the afternoon, there will be a visit to the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible area to find lots of birds, some monkeys, and at night a search for the black cayman. Return to the Manatee at night.
Day 8 Disembark in Coca and Fly Quito
Return to the city of Coca to take the morning flight back to Quito. The canoe ride upstream will take around two hours.
Itinerary Notes
Itinerary based on Friday start. Monday start date will have a different order. Departures are scheduled for every Friday and Monday.Please note not included:
- Roundtrip airfare Quito-Coca (approx $170, subject to change)
- Entrance fees (approx $55, subject to change)
Special Childrens Fare: Child under the age of 12 sharing with parents fare is only $800
This Program Includes:
- Transportation from the airport to the Manatee Amazon Explorer
- Accomodation
- All meals
- Guided excursions
- River and lagoon exploration
- Swimming
- Birdwatching
- Rainforest hikes
- Visits to local communities
- Informative talks and conferences
Program does not include:
- Airfare for the route Quito – Coca – Quito
- Community visits fee
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal Expenses
- Any other service not mentioned herein
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $15,000 charge.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | $250 |
| 89-60 days | 55% trip cost |
| 59-0 days | 100% trip cost |
Manatee
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 30
- River Cruise Ship
The Manatee Amazon Explorer is an intimate way to explore the great Amazon--it holds just 30 passengers, and is a stunning example of jungle luxury.
The Manatee's expedition leaders are always on hand to answer questions and offer information on the Amazon rainforest, the weather conditions, navigation, native cultures, and plants. Travelers will learn about this unique region through daily explorations, lectures, briefings, recaps and videos.
Manatee Exploration Trips include:
• River Transportation
• Accommodations in Single, Double or Triple Staterooms
• All meals (B, L, D), snacks, etc.
• Purified water
• All forest excursions
• Visits to native communities
• Excursion Leaders (Biologists, Zoologists, Botanists, etc)
• Lectures by our Excursion Leaders
Manatee Amazon Explorer Technical Specifications:
Type of vessel: River motor yacht
Capacity: 30 passengers, 12 crew
Length: 27 meters (89.1 feet)
Beam: 7 meters (23.1 feet)
Speed: 12 knots
Electricity: 110 and 220 volts, 60 hertz
Generators: 2 Iveco, 60 kw
Engines: 2 John Deere, 250 HP each
Safety: Fire detectors, life jackets, 2 lifeboats
Decks: Main deck, Cabin deck, Sun deck
Navigation equipment: Furuno GPS, deep sounder and radar
Communications: VHF, HF, satellite phone
Facilities: Bar, restaurant, boutique, guest laundry, air conditioning, boots and rain ponchos.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Triple 2 comfortable cabins with two lower twin beds and one upper berth, A/C, picture window, and private bathroom. |
 | Double 12 comfortable cabins with two lower twin beds, A/C, picture window, and private bathroom. |
 | Single Comfortable cabin with two lower twin beds, A/C, picture window, and private bathroom. Single supplement is 50%. |
