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Pink Dolphins swimming in the Amazon River

Amazon Discoveries: Search for the Pink Dolphin

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Manatee
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Experience the Amazon's unique ecosystem and incredible biodiversity first hand! Board the Manatee for an 8-day adventure that begins and ends in Coca. Your journey includes the chance to see the famous pink river dolphin, visit local communities, kayak, watch for wildlife, and much more. 
Venture into the Amazon on a Manatee river cruiseTwo beautiful parrots are perched in a tree.Getting a guided tour through the Amazon.Three turtles hitch a ride on a log down the river.Pink Dolphins swimming in the Amazon River
Highlights
  • Watch for the legendary pink river dolphin
  • Interact with local children at a school located on the Napo River
  • Visit the Ecuadorian Amazon's flooded ecosystem by canoe
  • View the amazing Amazon Basin from the top of an observation tower
Trip Type:
  • Small Ship
Activity Level: Relaxed
0

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: Yasuni National Park

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning, disembark for the first daylight close-and-personal tropical rainforest experience, where you can see and learn about the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon.

After lunch, the ship navigates to one of the most pristine and rarely explored sections of Ecuadorian Amazonia, home to the legendary pink river dolphin, black caiman, and anaconda. Also be on the look out for river turtles, various species of monkey, and hoatzins. The only way to actually visit this flooded ecosystem is by canoe, a ride that reveals the beauty of a lush jungle world. A glamping option is available to those travelers who wish to participate - please inquire for more information.

Day 3: Visit to a Local Community | Life onboard

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 4: Forest Adventure | Observation Canopy Tower

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 6: Panacocha Biological Corridor

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 7: Parrot's Clay Licks | Observation Tower

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

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

Save up to 20%
Book by October 31st, 2021 and receive a discount of up to 20% on all our 2022 and 2023 departures! Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
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Save up to 20%
Book early and receive a discount of up to 20% on all our 2022 and 2023 departures! Special offer valid only until October 31st, 2021.

Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
Applies to all departures
Per person starting at
$4,138
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.
Select a Date
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.

Notes

NOTE: The detailed itinerary above is a standard model of operation. The ship company intends to offer everything as planned, but it is important to note depending on technical or operational difficulties beyond control, the M/V Manatee Amazon Cruise reserves the right to modify the itinerary without notice.

This program includes:
  • Transportation to and from Coca airport and M/V Manatee
  • Accommodation on board
  • Scheduled visits according to the itinerary with a certified naturalist guide
  • Unlimited supply of hot water, coffee and tea
  • All meals on board
Program does not include:
  • Transportation to and from Quito airport
  • Air Ticket Quito - Coca - Quito ($250 per person - subject to change)
  • Admission to communities and parks ($50 per person - subject to change)
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Tips
  • Wi-Fi Internet
  • Personal expenses
  • Other services not specified in the program.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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