We provide authentic experiences to enhance your visit with an in-depth perspective of local life, people and culture.
The Manatee Amazon Explorer is 90 feet long (27 m), 24 feet wide (7 m) and accommodates 30 guests in comfortable cabins with private bathrooms and running hot water, individual air conditioning, laundry service on board, large dining room, bar and lounge area, panoramic terrace, delicious cuisine and the finest multilingual naturalist guides.
Passport, comfortable walking shoes or tennis, rubber boots and rain ponchos (provided on board as a courtesy), long pants, 3 or 4 lightweight (no jeans), 3 or 4 long short sleeved cotton shirts or blouses, windbreaker or sweater, cotton socks, a pair per day, shorts, 2 or 3 T-shirts, a couple swimsuites, cotton underwear, hat or cap, plastic water bottle, suntan lotion, sunglasses, flashing with extra battery, binoculars (available for rent), waterproof small backpack, insect repellent, cameras with high speed film, personal first aid kit, plastic bags for wet clothes.
Day 1.
Morning departure by plane from Quito to Francisco de Orellana
(Coca), a center of oil production, named in honor to the Spanish
Conqueror who discovered the Amazon River in 1541. The Manatee will
be awaiting near this river port and guests reach it by motor canoe
on the Napo River. Once aboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer a
thrilling adventure of exploring the tropical rain forest and its
native communities will begin. The courteous crew will attend to
your needs and the guides will introduce you to the surprising
Amazon world, its people, more than 560 species of birds, and
hundreds of botanical wonders. The Manatee sails along different
ecosystems and important natural reserves such as the Yasuni
National Park and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve.
Day 2.
Early departure by motor canoe to visit a very special corner of
the jungle, the clay banks of the river where different species of
parrots gather daily to eat this clay that helps them digest the
seeds they feed on, it is quite a sight, colorful and noisy! Then,
back aboard the Manatee to sail upriver and reach one of the
tributaries of the Napo to observe the flora and fauna, the
surprising pigmy monkeys and then a trek to the installations of
what was the Summer Institute of Linguistics of South America in
Limoncocha, currently the only Biological Reserve of Ecuador. Upon
reaching the Limoncocha Lake, we will board a canoe and travel
along the banks of this marshy ecosystem, where over 470 species of
birds have been recorded. There is a possibility to fish for
piranha, and a short walk. At night, it is possible to observe the
black caimans who inhabit the lagoon, quite an experience... Late
return to the Manatee for dinner and overnight.
Day 3.
The adventure today begins with a visit to the Museum of Pompeya,
a small archaeology sample with Amazonian funeral urns that date
back several centuries, as well as utensils and ways of life of the
ancient denizens of the rain forest, which can still be seen today.
We will also have the opportunity to see the giant tress of the
Amazon, like the kapok, which rise over the forest canopy to more
than 80 meters high, with huge roots. Guests can also try rowing
the canoes on a tranquil tributary of the Napo River up to the
house of a native family, to share a moment with them and learn
their ways of life.
Day 4.
Arrival to Francisco de Orellana and a visit to this quaint town
before our flight over the immense rainforest and midday landing in
Quito.
While the Manatee navigates upriver, the guides wrap up our knowledge of the great Amazon region. Then transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito.
Note: Every night there will be additional activities such as conferences, review of the flora and fauna and night outings.
INCLUDED all meals and accommodation and excursions with naturalist guides. also the Yasuni National Park fee of US$20.00 pp.
|
No of travellers Seasons |
1 Single |
2 Sharing |
|
All Year |
||
|
5 days • 4 nights |
£985 |
£670 |
|
4 days • 3 nights |
£748 |
£567 |
Prices per person including transfers to/from main hotels in
Quito, all transport by bus and motorised canoe in the Amazon,
accommodation, English speaking guide, full board and excursions as
shown.
Return flights from Quito to Coca included. Yasun National Park
fee of USD20 not included.