Manatee Amazon Cruise

Our journey commences in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. From here, a quick 30-minute flight take us to Coca in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Upon our arrival, a smooth transfer takes us to the river dock, where our adventure truly begins. We step aboard a comfortable motorized canoe for a picturesque 90-minute voyage downstream, immersing ourselves in the breathtaking jungle scenery. Our destination is the Anakonda Amazon Cruise where we'll join season local naturalist guides. They'll provide a concise yet insightful introduction to the wonders of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Following this, you'll have the opportunity to explore our cruise ship, all while marveling at the lush rainforest panorama along the banks of the Napo River. As the day transitions to night, a delectable dinner awaits, setting the stage for a captivating nighttime forest walk.

We continue to travel downstream to the Pañayacu River delta, where we will take a canoe trip to experience the sights of this fascinating water reserve. Pañacocha Lake is an ecosystem flooded by blackwaters. Pañacocha means “Piranha Lake” in the native Quechua language. The surrounding protected Rainforest is home to 9 species of primates, 500 species of birds and more than 100 fish species. This is the perfect habitat for Piranhas, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and the White Caiman. In this little piece of paradise, we will participate in nature walks led by our local naturalist guides, and relax at a nearby campsite where we will enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ and refreshing beverages. After lunch, we will do some kayaking, and the bravest among us will enjoy a nice refreshing swim in the Piranha Lake! We promise it’s not as dangerous as it sounds! Back on board the M/V Anakonda Amazon Cruises, our guests will have the opportunity to attend a lecture given by our concierge and watch an educational documentary about the region.

We will start the day off by visiting an authentic Kichwa family located on the banks of the Napo River, where we will have the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community. We will then board the Anakonda Amazon Cruise for some leisure time as we continue our navigation upstream. At this time, our guests will be delighted with our life onboard activities and participate in a cooking lesson with our expert chef who will share recipes and techniques using fresh and organic ingredients to prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian food that you can replicate at home. After lunch, guests are also invited to try their hand at making traditional handicrafts and attend an ancestral cultures lecture with one of our local guides. For our more active guests, a kayaking activity is the best choice to explore the surrounding nature. There is an option for everyone! • For our adventurous guests, this day, we are pleased to offer a glamping program as an alternative manner to explore this enchanting destination (Optional activity for the 5 & 8 days Itinerary).

We will begin the day kayaking along the Indillama river, one of the Napo River’s tributaries, which leads us into Yasuni National Park. Kayaks are smooth and silent, providing the very best opportunity to observe wildlife. Canoes can also be used to travel in search of more wildlife. The choice is yours! In these waters, you will find yourself surrounded by lush greenery. After an adventure-filled day, you may choose to take advantage of our observation deck where you can relax and experience a magical view under the stars. Our more energetic guests may choose to unwind with a night walk through the jungle to observe nocturnal creatures.

Early in the morning, we will visit Yasuni National Park. This is apristine and relatively undisturbed region of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Our guests will be pleased to learn that this is the home of the legendary Pink River Dolphin! In this area we can also find anacondas, river turtles and various primate species, as well as the colorful Hoatzin, a unique bird that is known locally as the “Stinky Turkey”. Later in the afternoon, we will go canoeing in a blackwater lake, home to giant otters and the magnificent, albeit elusive manatee. We will also enjoy a pleasant hike in the Riparian/Gallery Forest, where we have the chance to spot a flock of birds and marvel at the intricate organization of a colony of leaf-cutter ants by the “Giant Fig Tree”, a truly majestic tree that is home to an abundance of wildlife, much like the “Giant Kapok Tree”.

We will start the day off by visiting an authentic Quechua family located on the banks of the Napo River, where we will receive cultural immersion and the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community. We will then board the M/V Anakonda Amazon Cruises for lunch and some leisure time as we continue our journey upstream. At this time, our guests are invited to participate in a cooking class with our chef who will share recipes and techniques for preparing exquisite traditional Ecuadorian food that you can replicate at home. Guests are also invited to try their hands at making traditional handicrafts.

Our guests can relax and enjoy the M/V Anakonda Amazon Cruises during the morning and disembark to explore the nearby forest for a walk to discover a myriad of different animals and plant species that can only be found in the Amazon basin. In the afternoon, we will visit a canopy tower, built against a giant Kapok tree. The perspective at the top of this observation tower is truly glorious, looming above the lush treetops and providing a view of the sheer vastness of the Amazon Basin. In the evening, we will bravely venture into the river on a canoe to search for black caimans with the help of our flashlights.

This is where our adventure ends! Enjoy the last part of our return journey onboard and then disembark the M/V Anakonda Amazon Cruises to take the motorized canoe back to Coca, a one and a half hour ride. *For our passengers with a more adventurous inclination, we are pleased to offer a glamping program, which is an alternative manner to explore this enchanting destination. Contact us for more details! (Optional activity for the 4&7-nights Itinerary).