7 Night Cruise sailing from Quito roundtrip aboard Manatee.

Although expedition cruising by its very nature is characterized as adventurous, the safety of our staff and passengers is of paramount importance to us. The Manatee Amazon Explorer is fully-equipped and maintained in order to be able to cope with the most challenging conditions and circumstances, and is manned by experienced and conscientious officers, crew members and expedition staff. The canoes used for daily shore landings are rugged and versatile and are operated in a responsible manner by experienced personnel. Onboard you will be fully briefed on all pertinent safety issues as well as our environmental policy, and you will receive appropriate and detailed briefings before each landing.

Our vessel is comfortable, and it complies with both national and international navigation norms, as well as safety, security, and environmental protection standards. We are certified by Smart Voyager and Rainforest Alliance, both of which guarantee the sustainability of our operation.

EXPLORE THE AMAZON

The most incredible voyage to the Amazon Rainforest with an itinerary that includes visits to an ecosystem with an impressive diversity that is only possible onboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer. The Cuyabeno Natural Reserve, Yasuni National Park (the largest national park in Ecuador), Limoncocha Biological Reserve (the only one in Ecuador), the observation tower, canoe expeditions, walks in the rainforest and the wonderful indigenous peoples in this part of the world await your visit.

DAY 1 - FRIDAY : Quito - Coca - Yasuni National Park

Departure from Quito in the morning, to board the flight (additional cost) to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), which arrives at 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 at the Life Under Water Museum and will return onboard after a night walk, for dinner. Everything will depend on the river water level, weather conditions, wildlife behavior, and accessibility to the location.

DAY 2 - SATURDAY: Parrot Clay Lick and Observation Tower

Breakfast will be served on board. Then our excursion to the Parrot Clay lick (additional cost), 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, and depending on the river´s water level; we may access this wonderful system either by walking or by paddling a canoe. Then an exploration of the lake shores looking for wildlife, such as turtles, herons, and caymans, 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 perspective, 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 top, where the most amazing view awaits you. Return to the MANATEE at night, after searching for caymans on the lake Chaullacocha Lake.

DAY 3 - SUNDAY: 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 will be the 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 the perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caymans. After a refreshing swim in the Piranha Lake, we will enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ and a cold drink at a nearby camping site. In the afternoon, we will go fore an exploration walk, and later on, when we are back on board, we will have dinner and receive a briefing about the next day's program

DAY 4 - MONDAY: Island Exploration - Yasuni National Park

Early in the morning we will go for a walk in one of the Napo River Islands for bird watching, then return on board and 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 real-live experience with the Ecuadorian Amazon basin will begin (night walk, visit to a native dewling or canoe ride, depending on the river level, climatic conditions, wildlife behavior and accessibility to the location).

DAY 5 - TUESDAY: Visiting the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and Yasuni National Park

Early in the morning, we will explore one of the most pristine rivers in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the 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 home to the legendary Pink River Dolphins, River Turtles, Black Caymans 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 such as the black tamarin, 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 major black water lakes of the upper Amazon basin, the JatunCocha. Here there will be opportunities for walking and paddling and watching the giant otters; amazing water mammals and an endangered species. In addition, the observation of local flora and fauna is an unforgettable sight that will take your breath away.

DAY 6 - WEDNESDAY: Kichwa Culture and walk in a Swamp Forest

On this morning, we will visit one of the local indigenous community centers, specifically, one of the Kichwa Culture schools. 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 visit their native huts, and understand how these friendly people live, use the resources of this unique world, and how they have learned to deal with the fragility of this ecosystem. In the afternoon, guests can enjoy of a relaxing navigation onboard the Manatee, while resting up 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, and locals will teach you how to make fiber handicrafts too, onboard lectures will be given by the naturalist about the different Amazon topics such as culture, biodiversity, Amazon formation, oil and sustainability. We will also walk over a wooden pass through the Morete (moretefleuxisa palm) swamp, where we may see frogs and parrots.

DAY 7 - THURSDAY: Parrots' Clay Lick or Water Museum and Limoncocha Biological Reserve

Breakfast will be served on board. Then we will begin our excursion to the Parrot Clay licks, a great place to see a lot of bird species or we will begin our excursion to the Yaku Kawsay or live underwater museum, inside of the Yasuni National Park, a very interesting project from one of the Kichwa Communities that shows the fauna that lives underwater in the Amazon rivers and lakes. 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 cayman. Return to the MANATEE at night.

DAY 8 - FRIDAY: Returning Home

Return to the city of Coca to take the morning flight (additional cost) back to Quito. The canoe ride upstream will take around two hours.