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.
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.
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
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.
$4,138
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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.
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)
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 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
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!
