Anakonda
Cruises in Ecuadorian Amazon

Sunday to Wednesday

Day 1 - Quito, Coca, Napo River and night safari in Yasuni National Park

Afternoon departure from Quito (a short 30-minutes flight) arriving at the city of Coca (Francisco de Orellana); transfer to the Río Napo port; journey by motorised canoe downstream (ninety minutes) to board the M/V Anakonda, all the while observing the ever-changing forest-clad riverbanks of the silty-brown headwaters of the Amazon River. Soon after boarding, the M/V Anakonda will start navigating downstream, a great opportunity for observing from our sundeck the amazing flora and fauna of the region. After dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk into the forest to discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how life emerges in the dark right before your eyes.

Day 2 - Panacocha biological corridor  

We will continue our navigation downstream to the Pañayacu River delta; take a canoe trip up the river to experience the sights of this fascinating reserve. We will seek out Pink River Dolphins, Common Squirrel Monkeys and much more. Pañacocha (Piranha Lake, in Quechua) is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes here are the perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, as well as the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caiman. After a refreshing swim (for the courageous!), we will enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ meal and refreshing beverages at a nearby camping site. In the afternoon, we will head out on exploration trails, and return onboard for dinner.

Day 3 - Kury Muyu and parrot clay licks 

Breakfast served on board. Today we will enjoy a cultural & ethnic encounter with the locals. We will spend some time at one of the forest communities to learn about their everyday lives. Take advantage to shop for local handcrafts and souvenirs. Later we head over to the Parrot Clay licks, a great place to witness one of the most exciting wildlife spectacles in Amazonia. After lunch, explore one of our local jungle trails as we head to a most unique water museum, where you will learn about many of the creatures that inhabit this environment. After the visit, conditions permitting, paddle your way downstream back to the Napo and enjoy more opportunities to observe wildlife.

Day 4 - Return to Quito

Transfer to Coca for your onward flight.

Wednesday to Sunday

Day 1 - Quito, Coca, Napo River and night safari in Yasuni National Park

Afternoon departure from Quito (a short 30-minutes flight) arriving at the city of Coca (Francisco de Orellana); transfer to the Río Napo port; journey by motorised speedboat downstream (ninety minutes) to board the M/V Anakonda, all the while observing the ever-changing forest clad riverbanks of the silty-brown headwaters of the Amazon. Soon after boarding, the M/V Anakonda will start navigating downstream, a great opportunity for observing from our sundeck the amazing nature and wildlife of the region. After dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk into the forest to discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how life emerges in the dark right before your eyes.

Day 2 - Peruvian border and Cuyabeno reserve

After a delicious breakfast we will disembark to visit one of the local family homes. During the visit, we will have the opportunity of meeting representative members of the Amazonian community, learning from their culture, talents and ways of life. We will understand how these giving and joyful people live, utilise and protect their resources, and how the cherish the fragility of their ecosystem.

After lunch, the Anakonda continues navigation towards one of the most pristine black-water systems of the Amazon Basin, home to legendary pink river dolphins, black cayman and the enigmatic Amazonian Anaconda. We may also spot river turtles and a series of monkey species such as the black-mantled tamarin, red howler or squirrel monkeys, as well as three-toed sloths and the primitive hoatzin, a bizarre bird locally called 'Stinky Turkey' (Pavo Hediondo). The canoe trip upstream will reveal the overwhelming beauty of this aquatic jungle world.

Day 3 - Flooded forest and Monkey Island 

This morning, we will explore a swamp forest from the comfort of a high rise board walk, a very good chance to discover the wildlife that frequents these "moretales", or Morete palm forests, where birds, primates and different aquatic creatures congregate. Afterwards, we visit a local home where funerary urns from the XVII century have been discovered and excavated.After lunch, and a short time to unwind as the M/V Anakonda navigates upstream, we will spend some time exploring one of the large islands, where many surprises can be found. For our more adventurous guests, we offer Glamping for the night. Please enquire.

Day 4 - Kury Muyo and Parrot clay licks 

Breakfast is served on board. We will enjoy a cultural & ethnical encounter with the local communities. We will spend some time at one of the communities to learn about their everyday lives. Here, you'll be able to shop, a great opportunity to purchase local handcrafts. Later we head over to the Parrot Clay licks, where we will witness one of the most exciting wildlife spectacles in Amazonia. In the afternoon, we visit the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible natural reserve with over four hundred bird species. Search for Black Caiman after dusk. Evening return to the Anakonda.

Day 5 - Return to Quito

Transfer by boat to Coca for your onward flight.

Sunday to Sunday or Wednesday to Wednesday

Day 1 - Quito, Coca, Napo River and night safari in Yasuni National Park

Morning departure from Quito (a short 30-minutes flight) arriving at the city of Coca (Francisco de Orellana). Transfer to the Río Napo por and journey by motorised canoe downstream (ninety minutes) to board the M/V Anakonda, all the while observing the ever-changing forest-clad riverbanks of the silty-brown headwaters of the Amazon River.

Soon after boarding, the M/V Anakonda will start navigating downstream, a great opportunity for observing from our sundeck the amazing flora and fauna of the region. After lunch, an initial outing on one of our trails will introduce you to the wonders of the tropical rainforest, an easy walk that will bring you to your first encounters with the Amazon Basin. After dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk into the forest to discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how life emerges in the dark right before your eyes.

Day 2 - Panacocha Biological Corridor 

We will continue our navigation downstream to the Pañayacu River delta; take a canoe trip up the river to experience the sights of this fascinating reserve. We will seek out pink river dolphins, common squirrel monkeys and much more. Pañacocha (Piranha Lake, in Quechua) is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes here are the perfect habitat for the infamous piranha, as well as the water monkey fish (Arawana) and white caiman. After a refreshing swim, we will enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ meal and refreshing beverages at a nearby camping site. In the afternoon, we will head out on exploration trails, and return onboard for dinner.

Day 3 - White Water River and Yaku Kausay and night safari

Breakfast served on board. We explore a white-water river in search of local fauna. After lunch we stop at the fascinating Amazonian Water Museum (Yaku Kausay). After dinner take an optional night walk inside the forest (depending on accessibility, river water levels, weather conditions and the wildlife).

Day 4 - Pompeya, Napo River and Yasuni National Park 

In the morning we will visit a very interesting butterfly house and research project at one of the nearby communities. After lunch, we will enjoy an easy walk in terra firme forest and discover the animated forest understory of the Amazon Basin. After dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk to discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how life emerges in the dark right before your eyes.

Day 5 - Peruvian border and Cuyabeno Reserve 

After a delicious breakfast we will disembark to visit one of the local family homes. During the visit, we will have the opportunity of meeting representative members of the Amazonian community, learning from their culture, talents and ways of life. We will understand how these giving and joyful people live, utilise and protect their resources, and how the cherish the fragility of their ecosystem.

After lunch, the M/V Anakonda continues navigation towards one of the most pristine black-water systems of the Amazon Basin, home to legendary pink river dolphins, black cayman and the enigmatic Amazonian Anaconda. We may also spot river turtles and a series of monkey species such as the black-mantled tamarin, red howler or squirrel monkeys, as well as three-toed sloths and the primitive hoatzin, a bizarre bird locally called 'Stinky Turkey' (Pavo Hediondo). The canoe trip upstream will reveal the overwhelming beauty of this aquatic jungle world.

Day 6 - Flooded Forest and Monkey Island 

This morning, we will explore a swamp forest from the comfort of a high rise board walk, a very good chance to discover the wildlife that frequents these "moretales", or Morete palm forests, where birds, primates and different aquatic creatures congregate. Afterwards, we visit a local home where funerary urns from the XVII century have been discovered and excavated.After lunch, and a short time to unwind as the M/V Anakonda navigates upstream, we will spend some time exploring one of the large islands, where many surprises can be found.

For our more adventurous guests, we offer glamping for the night. Please enquire.

Day 7 - Kury Muyo, parrot clay licks and Limoncocha Biological Reserve

Breakfast is served on board. We will enjoy a cultural & ethnical encounter with the locals communities. We will spend some time at one of the communities to learn about their everyday lives. Here, you'll be able to shop, a great opportunity to purchase local handcrafts. Later we head over to the parrot clay licks, where we will witness one of the most exciting wildlife spectacles in Amazonia. In the afternoon, we visit the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible natural reserve with over four hundred bird species. Search for Black Caiman after dusk. Evening return to the Anakonda.

Day 8 - Return to Quito

Transfer by boat to Coca for your onward flight to Quito.