This fascinating 8-day itinerary takes you to the hearth of the Ecuadorian Rainforest, a unique ecosystem filled with an incredible biodiversity. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure provides many close encounters with the teaming wildlife of the Yasuni, the largest of Ecuador's continental National Parks. During you journey meet the famous pink river dolphin, visit local communities, kayak, watch for wildlife, and much more!
Highlights
Admire the rainforest landscape and sand banks of the great Napo River
Sail pristine waters home to the legendary pink river dolphin & anaconda
Visit an observation tower that has been built against a giant kapok tree
Tour the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, home of more than 478 bird species
Depart from Quito in the morning and after a 30 minute flight arrive at Francisco de Orellana (Coca). Arrive in Coca and transfer to the docks to embark on a motorized canoe. Navigate down the river for about 60 minutes before meeting the M/V Anakonda.Throughout the journey you have a chance to admire the rainforest landscape and sand banks of the great Napo River.
Immediately after boarding the M/V Anakonda, continue navigating downstream. Settle in to your cabin and familiarize yourself with the ship as you sail. In the evening, disembark and take an evening walk to experience the forest's nocturnal activity.
In the morning, we explore the lower part of the Napo River, where we can observe different species of birds such as eagles, orioles, and the famous woodpeckers. In the afternoon, we visit the Yasuní 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 carry out in conjunction with the community of Martinique in the Cocaya area and provides a safe place where dolphins can live and feed without risk to be hunted. Near Yasuní live the Secoyas, an ancestral minority community, with whom we learn to prepare the traditional casabe during our visits.
We will start the day off by visiting an authentic Kichwa family located on the banks of the Napo River, where we will have the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community.
We will then board the Anakonda Amazon Cruise for some leisure time as we continue our navigation upstream. At this time, our guests will be delighted with our life onboard activities and participate in a cooking lesson with our expert chef who will share recipes and techniques using fresh and organic ingredients to prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian food that you can replicate at home. After lunch, guests are also invited to try their hand at making traditional handicrafts and attend an ancestral cultures lecture with one of our local guides. For our more active guests, a kayaking activity is the best choice to explore the surrounding nature. There is an option for everyone!
Day 4: Forest Adventure | Observation Canopy Tower
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, 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: Indillama and Napo River | Yasuni National Park
Today, choose from two different activity options that allow you to search for amazing wildlife. You may kayak though the Indillama River, one of the Napo River's effluents that goes into Yasuni National Park. This is a great excursions for wildlife observation, kayaks are great silent vehicles to flow down river.
On the other hand, you can choose to go in a canoe ride through the Napo River. It's up to you!
Continue down the Panayacu River delta. Stop for an exploratory canoe trip and experience the sights and sounds of this fascinating reserve. Seek out pink river dolphins and common squirrel monkeys. Flooded by white waters, the rivers and lakes which comprise the Pañacocha ecosystem provide the perfect habitat for water monkey fish, white caiman, and the infamous piranha. After a refreshing swim (for the courageous!), enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ meal and refreshing beverages at a nearby camping site. In the afternoon, disembark and hike the trails that circle the area.
In the morning 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. Afterward, we will visit a Kichwa Cultural Center, where you can learn about Amazon communities and their ancestral culture, traditions, and cuisine. Members of the local community will teach you about indigenous lifestyles along the Napo River, and you have the opportunity to support the community by purchasing handicrafts, local products, and souvenirs. Before sunset, 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: Disembark | Coca | Fly to Quito
1 Breakfast
Return to the city of Coca to take the morning flight back to Quito. The canoe ride upstream takes around an hour and a half.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,405
Select a Date
Standard Suite
14 outside facing suites with double or twin bed options, panoramic windows, in-suite sitting areas, air conditioning system, bathroom with shower, toilet, sink, cabinet, hairdryer and a basket of toiletries.
Select a Date
Deluxe Suite
4 outside facing suites with balconies, double or twin bed options, panoramic windows, in-suite sitting areas, air conditioning system, bathroom with shower, toilet, sink, cabinet, hairdryer and a basket of toiletries.
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
7 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Bilingual Naturalist Guide
Unlimited supply of hot water, coffee and tea.
Transportation to and from Coca airport and M/V Anakonda.
Complimentary boot rental is available. However, due to the limited supply of boots available aboard the ship, it is recommended that you bring your own rubber boots for best fit and availability. Youth size boots are not available.
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Internal Flights: Quito - Coca - Quito
Wifi
Admission to communities and parks: $80 per person (subject to change).
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.