TOUR DETAILS

 

Tour Name

Manatee Explorer  4Days / 3Nights

(Friday-Monday)

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Description

Visit on board Manatee Explorer two of the famous protected areas of eastern ECUADOR, the Yasuní National Park and the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Come and enjoy a unique journey along the lush upper Napo River, one of the tributaries of the great Amazon River. Explore one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems with its fascinating wildlife and stunning scenery. Experience the roar of howler monkeys, meet indigenous rainforest people and much more… The amazon riverboat accommodates 26 lucky guests in 13 double cabins with individual air conditioning, running hot water, large dining room and inviting bar and lounge area. However, 4 of the cabins can be comfortably used as triples if needed, for a total guest occupancy of 30.  Our 3-decker vessel has an experienced crew of 11 including expert English speaking naturalist guides.  Laundry service available on board.

 

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DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1 - COCA

(-/L/D)

River navigation,jungle exploration, night walks.

 

Day 2 - JUNGLE

(B/L/D)

Visit Parrots' Clay Lick and Observation Tower, jungle exploration, river navigation, hikes in the area. 

 

Day 3 - JUNGLE

(B/L/D)

Visiting the Pañacocha Biological Corridor, hikes in the area, river navigation, canoe ride, search for the pink dolphins.

 

Day 4 - COCA

(B/BL/-)

Native family house visit, transfer out to Coca, flight back to Quito or continue on to your next destination.

 

ITINERARY DESCRIPTION

 

Day 1 - COCA

(-/L/D)

Quito – Coca – Yasuní National Park

Departure from Quito in the morning, to board the flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), which arrives to 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 - JUNGLE

(B/L/D)

SATURDAY - Parrots' Clay Lick and Observation Tower

Breakfast will be served on board. Then our excursion to the Parrot’s Clay lick, 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, upon the river water level; we can access this wonderful system by walking or by paddling a canoe. Then an exploration of the lake shores looking for wild life, like turtles, herons, and caimans, 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 view, we can appreciate the secrets of this vast ecosystem that cannot be seen from another angle. The tower has 200 steps that will be worth climbing to get to the end, where the most amazing view will be waiting for you. Return to the MANATEE at night, after searching for caimans on the lake of Chaullacocha.

 

 

Day 3 - JUNGLE

(B/L/D)

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 is a 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 perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caimans. After a refreshing swim in the Piranha Lake we will enjoy a delicious BBQ Amazon style and a cold drink at a nearby camping site.  In the afternoon, we will have an exploration walk, and later on, when we are back on board, we will have dinner and a brief lecture about the next day's program.

 

 

Day 4 - COCA

(B/BL/-)

MONDAY - Native House and Returning home

Early in the morning a visit to a native house and back to the boat the return to the city of Coca to take the afternoon flight back to Quito. The boat ride upstream will take around two hours; a lunch box will be served in route, or continue on to your next destination.

 

Notes

• While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On daily basis of your tour you will be advised of any amendments.

• The Expedition leaders will always be offering information about the region, tours, weather conditions, navigation, native cultures and probabilities to encounter wildlife through lectures, briefings, recaps and videos.

• Wildlife encounters can not be guarantee.

 

The following activities can be done during the program:

•        canoe rides

•        birdwatching

•        walks in the jungle

•        ecofishing (catch and release)

•        shamanic experience

•        river exploration

•        swimming

•        lake and lagoon exploration

•        visit to native communities

•        night camping in the jungle

 

 

Recommendations

• Passport and personal travel documents

• Comfortable walking shoes or tennis

• Rubber boots and rain ponchos (provided as a courtesy)

• Long pants, 3 or 4 lightweight (not Jeans)

• Long and short sleeved cotton shirts or blouses, 3 or 4

• Windbreaker or sweater

• Cotton socks, a pair per day

• Shorts, 2 or 3

• T-shirts, 3 or 4

• Bathing suit

• Cotton underwear

• Hat or cap

• Suntan lotion

• Sunglasses

• Flash light with extra batteries

• Binoculars (available for rent)

• Waterproof small backpack

• Insect repellent

• Cameras with extra bateries and memory cards

• Personal first aid kit

• Plastic bags for wet clothes and electronics

 

Included

Naturalist english speaking guides, local guides, canoe ride, all meals and excursions

 

Not Included

Air tickets to the jungle, drinks, tips, personal expenses.