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Two kayakers making their way down the Amazon River.

Exploring the Amazon Rainforest

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Manatee
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This 8-day journey takes you into the endless heart of the Ecuadorian Rainforest, which extends its fabulous prism of life throughout the Amazon Basin. This inspiring adventure provides many unexpected, astonishing encounters with the teaming wildlife of the Yasuni, the largest of Ecuador's continental National Parks. Your journey includes the chance to see the famous pink river dolphin, visit local communities, kayak, watch for wildlife, and much more.
Three turtles hitch a ride on a log down the river.Getting a guided tour through the Amazon.A Squirrel Face Monkey watches from high in a tree.Venture into the Amazon on a Manatee river cruiseTwo kayakers making their way down the Amazon River.
Highlights
  • Admire the rainforest landscape and banks of the great Napo River
  • Seek out pink river dolphins and common squirrel monkeys
  • Visit the Sani Warmi Kichwa Interpretation Center
  • Visit a school located on the banks of the Napo River
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Quito | Fly to Coca | Embark

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 accompany you on a short transfer to the Napo River port. Embark on a motorized canoe ride downstream for approximately an hour and a half. During the trip listen to important information about the region. Once on board the M/V Manatee, enjoy lunch and begin navigating down the Napo River. In the evening, there is a welcome cocktail and a presentation about the trip, and an optional nocturnal forest walk.

Day 2: Panacocha Biological Corridor

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.

Day 3: Parrot's Clay Licks | Amazonian Communities

n 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, 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. 

Day 4: 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!

Day 5: Yasuni National Park

Early in the morning, visit Yasuni National Park, a pristine region of the Ecuadorian Amazon, home to the legendary pink river dolphin. In this area, you 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, 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 6: Kichwa Family | Life onboard

Start the day off by visiting an authentic Kichwa family on the banks of the Napo River, where you receive the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community. 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 handicrafts 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 7: Forest Adventure | Observation Canopy Tower

Guests can relax and enjoy the Anakonda Amazon Cruises during the morning and disembark to explore the nearby forest for a walk to discover a myriad of different animals and plant species that can only be found in the Amazon basin.

In the afternoon, visit a canopy tower, built against a giant Kapok tree. The perspective at the top of this observation tower is truly glorious, looming above the lush treetops and providing a view of the sheer vastness of the Amazon Basin.

In the evening,  venture into the river on a canoe to search for black caimans with the help of our flashlights.

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.

Ship/Hotel

Manatee

Manatee

Manatee

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 comfort and luxury.
Manatee Sun Deck
Manatee
Manatee

Dates & Prices

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Deals

Early Booking Discount 22854
Book by May 31, 2025, and enjoy a 10% discount on Manatee applicable to all departures from October to December 2025 and throughout 2026, except Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The discount is subject to availability and cannot be combined with other promotions. A non-refundable deposit of 20% is required at the time of booking. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
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Up to 40% Off for the 2nd Guest 26587
Book by May 31, 2025, and enjoy a discount of up to 40% for the 2nd guest. This offer applies to select departures from January to May 2025.
  • Anakonda Amazon Cruise: 40% OFF for the 2nd guest
  • Manatee Amazon Explorer: 30% OFF for the 2nd guest
The discount is subject to availability and cannot be combined with other promotions. A non-refundable deposit of 20% is required at the time of booking. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
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Per person starting at
$4,827
Select a Date
Standard
20 sq meters, 10 cabins, 8 with twin single or double beds and 2 triple occupancy cabins with a twin bunk and a single bed. Each cabin features large picture windows and a balcony. Equipped with air conditioning, closets, bedside table, 24 hours of electricity and 110-voltage outlets and switches.
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Deluxe
24 sq meters, 4 suites with twin single or double beds, or a double bed and a single pull out bed in the triple occupancy cabins. Each cabin features large picture windows, a balcony, and private Jacuzzi style baths. Each cabin is equipped with air conditioning, closets, bedside table, 24 hours of electricity and 110-voltage outlets and switches.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Transfers to/from the vessel when arriving on recommended flights.
  • All excursions, rain ponchos, and rubber boots.
  • Exclusive access to VIP Lounge in Coca city (before and after the cruise).
  • Private & personalized assistance for Quito - Coca - Quito flights at both airports on the recommended flights.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Transportation to and from Quito airport.
  • All alcoholic & Non-alcoholic drinks
  • Satellite internet
  • Contribution to local communities

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
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