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 Visiting the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and Yasuni National Park
- Day 6 Kichwa Culture and activities on board
- Day 7 Parrots' Clay Lick and Limoncocha Biological Reserve
- Day 8 Disembark in Coca and Fly Quito
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||
| Triple | Double | Single | |
May 18 '12 May 21 '12 May 25 '12 May 28 '12 Jun 1 '12 Jun 4 '12 Jun 8 '12 Jun 11 '12 Jun 15 '12 Jun 18 '12 Jun 22 '12 Jun 25 '12 Jun 29 '12 Jul 2 '12 Jul 6 '12 Jul 9 '12 Jul 13 '12 Jul 20 '12 Jul 23 '12 Jul 27 '12 Jul 30 '12 Aug 3 '12 Aug 6 '12 Aug 10 '12 Aug 17 '12 Aug 20 '12 Aug 24 '12 Aug 27 '12 Aug 31 '12 Sep 3 '12 Sep 7 '12 Sep 10 '12 Sep 14 '12 Sep 17 '12 Sep 21 '12 Sep 24 '12 Sep 28 '12 Oct 1 '12 Oct 5 '12 Oct 8 '12 Oct 12 '12 Oct 15 '12 Oct 19 '12 Oct 22 '12 Oct 26 '12 Oct 29 '12 Nov 2 '12 Nov 5 '12 Nov 9 '12 Nov 12 '12 Nov 16 '12 Nov 19 '12 Nov 23 '12 Nov 26 '12 Nov 30 '12 Dec 3 '12 Dec 6 '12 Dec 10 '12 Dec 13 '12 Dec 17 '12 Dec 20 '12 Dec 24 '12 Dec 28 '12 Dec 31 '12 |
$1,510 | $1,755 | $2,630 |
Day 1 Depart Quito - Arrive in Coca - Embark on Cruise
Departure from Quito in the morning, to board the flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), which arrives to Coca after a short 30-minute trip. Afterwards, there will be a transfer from the airport to the Napo River port, where a motorized canoe will take you downstream for approximately one and a half hours; during the trip we will provide important information about the region. Once on board the MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER we will start navigating down the Napo River. Lunch will be served and later on we will stop for a night walk, return onboard for dinner, everything will depend on the river water level, weather conditions, wildlife behavior, and accessibility to the location.
Day 2 Parrot clay Lick and Observation Tower
Breakfast will be served on board. Then our excursion to the Parrot’s Clay lick, a great place to see a lot of bird species. Back on board our lunch will be ready, and in the afternoon we will explore the Chaullacocha black water system, upon the river water level; we can access this wonderful system by walking or by paddling a canoe. Then an exploration of the lake shores looking for wild life, like turtles, herons, and caimans, 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 view, we 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 end, where the most amazing view will be waiting for you. Return to the MANATEE at night, after searching for caimans on the lake of Chaullacocha.
Day 3 Visiting the Pañacocha Biological Corridor
We will continue our 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 is a 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 perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caimans. After a refreshing swim in the Piranha Lake we will enjoy a delicious BBQ Amazon style and a cold drink at a nearby camping site. In the afternoon, we will have an exploration walk, and later on, when we are back on board, we will have dinner and a brief lecture about the next day's program
Day 4 Island Exploration – Yasuní National Park
Early in the morning we will have a walk in one of the Islands of the Napo River for bird watching, then return on board and we will start navigating down the Napo River during the afternoon, a canoe excursion to explore the Tiputini River inside of the Yasuni National Park. At dusk, our first live experience with the Ecuadorian Amazon basin will begin (night walk, visit to a native house or canoe ride will depend on the river level, climatic conditions, wildlife behavior and accessibility to the location).
Day 5 Visiting the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and Yasuni National Park
Early in the morning, we will explore one of the most pristine rivers in Ecuadorian Amazonia, Lagartococha (COCAYA) River. Here we will have the opportunity to observe exotic plants, colorful birds and unique wildlife that lives in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This black water system is the home of the legendary Pink River Dolphins, River Turtles, Black Caimans and the enigmatic Amazon Manatee. Moreover, if we look at the vegetation on the shores, we may see the Red Howler Monkeys, and other species like the black tamarind, 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 we will visit one of the mayor black water lakes of the upper Amazon basin, the Jatun Cocha here there is the opportunity for paddling and watching the giant otters; amazing water mammals and endangered species. In addition to this the observation of local flora and fauna is an unforgettable sight that will take your breath away.
Day 6 Kichwa Culture and activities on board
On this morning, we will visit one of the local indigenous community's centers, specifically, one of the schools of the Kichwa Culture. On this visit, we will have the opportunity to meet the local people and learn about their culture. Our guests can meet the children and share culture visits to the huts and understand how this friendly people live, use the resources of this unique world, and how they have learned to manage the fragility of this ecosystem. In the afternoon guests can enjoy of a relaxing navigation onboard the Manatee, while recharging batteries for the next day. There is also the opportunity to learn how to make Ecuadorian food in one of our cooking lessons directed by our chef on board, also locals teach you in make fibers handicraft to, lectures on board by the naturalist about the different Amazon topics like culture, biodiversity, Amazon formation, oil and sustainability. Also we have the chance to make a hike, walking over a wooden pass through the Morete (morete fleuxisa palm) swamp, frogs and parrots can be seen with luck.
Day 7 Parrots' Clay Lick and Limoncocha Biological Reserve
Breakfast will be served on board. Then our excursion to the Parrot’s Clay licks, a great place to see a lot of bird species. Back on board our 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 caiman. Return to the MANATEE at night.
Day 8 Disembark in Coca and Fly Quito
The Manatee Amazon Explore will arrive to the point where we started our adventure. Early morning trip back to the city of Coca to take the flight back to Quito.
Itinerary Notes
Itinerary based on Friday start. Monday start date will have a different orderPlease note not included:
- Roundtrip airfare Quito-Coca (approx $190, subject to change)
- Yasuni National Park Fee ($25)
- Parrots salt lick entrance fee ($20)
- Pañacocha ($20)
Special Childrens Fare: Child under the age of 12 sharing with parents fare is only $675
Cruise dates: Additional dates are available, this cruise departs every Friday or Monday.
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%. |
