8-DAY AMAZON CRUISE ON BOARD THE MANATEE
STARTING AT: $4,138.00 ADULTS DOUBLE
AVAILABLE FOR MONDAY ARRIVALS IN COCA
These thrilling natural experiences are possible on board our exclusive vessel featuring cabins with private balconies and ceiling to floor windows. Make yourself at home with great on-board amenities, like a lively bar and lounge, a cozy reading room, an al fresco lounge, and a dining room providing exceptional culinary offerings. An outdoor hot tub on the observation deck is available for your enjoyment. We want to ensure that you experience the perfect rainforest adventure in full comfort, navigating deep into the heart of one of the new seven wonders of the natural world – the Amazon.
During this 8-day Amazon Cruise on board the Manatee Amazon Explorer, you will enjoy a cruise of the Napo River on board the first class Manatee River Boat.
- 7-Nights Standard Accommodations on board the Manatee Amazon Explorer
- All Meals during Cruise
- 8-Day/7-Night Water & Land Excursion Program
- Services of certified English-speaking Amazon naturalist guides
- Private & personalized meet and greet service at the Quito and Coca airports.
- Round trip transfers Coca Airport to/ from the vessel*
- Exclusive access to Manatee’s VIP Airport Lounge* (before and after the cruise) with coffee, tea, water and light snacks.
- Assistance with booking and issuance of Quito/ Coca/ Quito airline tickets
- Assistance with planning additional mainland and Galapagos extensions
- On-site logistical support services of our cruise partners to quickly address any unforeseen situation and provide the necessary assistance as the case may require
*Applicable when booking the local flights through EcoAmerica
Day by Day Itinerary: Manatee Amazon Explorer Cruise – 8 Days – Mon to Mon
DAY 1 | MON | Welcome to the Ecuadorian Amazon | D.
Upon arrival to the frontier town of Coca, we transfer to the dock, and embark in a motorized canoe navigating down river about an hour and a half, then board the M/V Manatee for a seven-night cruise in A/C. standard cabins. Throughout the journey admire the rainforest landscape along the banks of the great Napo River.
Immediately after boarding the M/V Manatee, we continue the journey downstream. Here we have our first opportunity to enjoy the exciting features of the cruise ship: spacious social areas, comfortable suites, and an observation deck that provides spectacular views. An evening walk is organized after sunset giving us the opportunity to discover the forest’s nocturnal activity and listen to the continuous sounds of nature.
DAY 2 | TUE | Border with Peru (The Heart of Yasuní) | B.L.D.
After breakfast, we disembark on land for our first up-close-and-personal tropical rainforest experience. We learn about the relationship between plants and animals while closely watching for samples of Amazonia’s fascinating biodiversity at every turn.
After lunch, the M/V Manatee steers to one of the most pristine and little explored sections of Ecuadorian Amazonia, home to the legendary pink river dolphin, black caiman, and anaconda. We may also find river turtles and various species of monkeys, as well as the primitive Hoatzin, a one-of-a-kind bird locally known as “the Stinky Turkey”. The only way to actually visit this flooded ecosystem is by canoe, a ride that will reveal the beauty of a lush jungle world.
DAY 3 | WED | Meeting the Community – Activities on Board – Island Exploration | B.L.D.
After breakfast, we visit a school located on the banks of the Napo River, where we have the opportunity to interact with children of the area and learn about the educational system of a remote jungle community in Ecuador.
We return to the M/V Manatee for lunch and a moment to relax while we continue upstream. A lecture and documentary screening is offered and if time permits, learn about (and make) typical handicrafts of the area. In the afternoon, we explore one of the largest river islands of the Napo River.
DAY 4 | THU | Observation Tower – Limoncocha Biological Reserve | B.L.D.
After breakfast, we visit an observation tower built 100-feet high, against a giant kapok tree. From the top of the tower we have a unique perspective of the forest as we look over the treetops and experience the greatness of the Amazon Basin.
In the afternoon, we visit Limoncocha Biological Reserve, a protected area where more than 478 bird species and several monkey species have been recorded. This activity will extend into the evening, when we have a chance to spot black caiman with the help of flashlights. Return to the M/V Manatee for dinner.
DAY 5 | FRI | Indillama & Napo Rivers – Yasuní National Park | B.L.D.
After breakfast, we kayak through Napo River’s tributary, Indillama River, which takes us into Yasuni National Park. Since kayaks are silent as they travel down river, much of the wildlife remains undisturbed as we pass through.
DAY 6 | SAT | Visiting the Pañacocha Biological Corridor | B.L.D.
After breakfast, we continue our course downstream to the Pañayacu River delta where we take a canoe trip up the river to experience the sights of this reserve. We seek out Pink River Dolphins, Common Squirrel Monkeys and much more. Pañacocha (Piranha Lake, in Quechua) is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. These rivers and lakes are a 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 enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ meal at a nearby camp site. In the afternoon, we set out on the exploration trails, and return onboard for dinner.
DAY 7 | SUN | Clay Licks – Sani Warmi and Yasuni National Park | B.L.D.
After breakfast, we visit one of the most amazing spectacles this side of western Amazonia known as Parrot Licks. These unique pools of mud are rich in minerals and attract hundreds of parrots, parakeets, and amazons every day. If weather permits, we will have a chance to marvel at this astonishing natural phenomenon.
Later we visit the Sani Warmi Kichwa Interpretation Center, where a group of Kichwa women will speak of their customs, cuisine, and everyday life. The center was created in order to showcase the Amazonian culture, and it is a unique opportunity to learn about their lifestyles along the Napo River. Here you have the opportunity to buy crafts, local products, and souvenirs.
After lunch, we stop at the Yakukawsay Kichwa Interpretation Centre, and end with an evening walk through the forest (depending on accessibility, river water levels, and weather conditions).
DAY 8 | MON | Coca / Home / Next Destination | B.
In the morning, disembark the M/V Manatee and transfer by motorized canoe to Coca.
*NOTE: The detailed itinerary above is a standard model of our operation. We intend to offer everything as planned, but it is important to note depending on technical or operational difficulties beyond our control, the M/V Manatee Amazon Cruise reserves the right to modify the itinerary without notice.
PRICES PER PERSON IN US$ – NO MINIMUM GUESTS REQUIRED
AVAILABLE FOR MONDAY ARRIVALS IN COCA
DOUBLE | TRIPLE1 | QUAD (2 BDR) | SINGLE SUPPLEMENT | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
STANDARD CABIN |
|||||
$4,138.00 | $3,516.00 | $4,138.00 | $2,073.00 | ||
DELUXE CABIN |
|||||
$5,170.00 | $4,393.00 | $5,170.00 | $2,546.00 |
¹ Triple Occupancy share existing beds.
INCLUDES
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Assistance at the Quito Airport by the staff of the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel
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One Night at the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel with breakfast and tax
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Round trip transfers Quito airport / Wyndham Hotel
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Assistance at the Quito Airport by the staff of the M/V Manatee to receive delivery of cruise documentation
PRICES PER PERSON IN US$ – NO MINIMUM GUESTS REQUIRED
DOUBLE | TRIPLE | QUAD (2 BDR) | SINGLE SUPPLEMENT |
---|---|---|---|
$102.00 | $82.00 | $102.00 | $181.00 |
INCLUDES
-
Assistance at the Quito Airport by the staff of the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel
-
Two Nights at the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel with breakfast and tax (One on arrival date, and one upon return from the cruise)
-
Round trip transfers Quito airport/ Wyndham Hotel
-
Assistance at the Quito Airport by the staff of the M/V Manatee to receive delivery of cruise documentation
PRICES PER PERSON IN US$ – NO MINIMUM GUESTS REQUIRED
DOUBLE | TRIPLE1 | QUAD (2 BDR) | SINGLE SUPPLEMENT |
---|---|---|---|
$204.00 | $164.00 | $204.00 | $362.00 |
INCLUDES
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Meet & greet service at the Quito Airport
-
Private Transfer Quito Airport/ Hotel
-
Private Transfer Quito Hotel/ Airport
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Two Nights in Quito at the first class Dann Carlton Hotel with breakfast & tax
-
Private Guided Quito City Tour & Middle of the World Monument with lunch
-
English-speaking Guide Service during tours and excursions
-
On-site logistical support services of our corresponding in-country offices to quickly address any unforeseen situation and provide the necessary assistance as the case may requir
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 | Welcome to Quito, Ecuador!
Meet and greet service upon arrival to the Quito Airport by your local host for your private transfer to the first class Dann Carlton Hotel for a two-night stay with breakfast and taxes included.
DAY 2 | Private Quito City Tour & Middle of the World Monument | B.L.
Following an early morning breakfast, we head out to Quito’s old town, or Centro Histórico, declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1978. We begin with one of Quito’s highlights: its breathtaking views. At Alameda Park and the Basilica, we will admire the staggering hills on which the city was founded followed by a walk along one of Quito’s oldest streets, García Moreno (also known as the Street of the Seven Crosses), which dates back to pre-Columbian times. As we reach Quito’s main square, Independence Plaza, we take a peek inside the Presidential Palace, the main Cathedral, La Compañía Church (considered one of the continent’s most spectacular monumental buildings), San Francisco Church (the oldest in Quito and the largest religious complex in South America), and its spectacular cobblestone square. Around midday, we head north to the Equator to visit the ‘Mitad Del Mundo’ (Middle of the World) monument. You may choose to visit the Ethnographic or Inti-ñan Museums, both located near the monument site, which highlights the particularities of being situated right at the meeting point of two hemispheres, straddling the Equator. Along the way we will stop for a traditional Ecuadorian lunch. We then head back to Quito and transfer guests back to their hotel. Lunch is included.
DAY 3 | Quito Hotel / Quito Airport / Coca Town to begin First Class Amazon River Cruise | B.
At the appropriate time, your local host will transfer you to the Quito Airport to board your flight to Coca (airfare is NOT included). A short 30-minute flight takes us to the frontier town of Coca (Francisco de Orellana). Upon arrival you will be met by your local host and transferred to the dock, where we will embark on a motorized canoe and navigate down river about one hour, to board the M/V Manatee
PRICES PER PERSON IN US$ – NO MINIMUM GUESTS REQUIRED
DOUBLE | TRIPLE1 | QUAD (2 BDR) | SINGLE SUPPLEMENT |
---|---|---|---|
$496.00 | $419.00 | $463.00 | $363.00 |
INCLUDES
-
Meet & greet service at the Quito Airport
-
Private Transfer Quito Airport/ Hotel
-
Private Transfer Quito Hotel/ Airport
-
Three Nights in Quito at the first class Dann Carlton with breakfast & tax
-
Private Guided Quito City Tour & Middle of the World Monument with lunch
-
Private Guided Excursion to the Otavalo Market with lunch
-
English-speaking Guide Service during tours and excursions
-
On-site logistical support services of our corresponding in-country offices to quickly address any unforeseen situation and provide the necessary assistance as the case may require
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 | Welcome to Quito, Ecuador!
Meet and greet service upon arrival to the Quito Airport by your local host for your private transfer to the first class Dann Carlton Hotel for a three-night stay with breakfast and taxes included.
DAY 2 | Private Quito City Tour & Middle of the World Monument | B.L.
Following an early morning breakfast, we head out to Quito’s old town, or Centro Histórico, declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1978. We begin with one of Quito’s highlights: its breathtaking views. At Alameda Park and the Basilica, we will admire the staggering hills on which the city was founded followed by a walk along one of Quito’s oldest streets, García Moreno (also known as the Street of the Seven Crosses), which dates back to pre-Columbian times. As we reach Quito’s main square, Independence Plaza, we take a peek inside the Presidential Palace, the main Cathedral, La Compañía Church (considered one of the continent’s most spectacular monumental buildings), San Francisco Church (the oldest in Quito and the largest religious complex in South America), and its spectacular cobblestone square. Around midday, we head north to the Equator to visit the ‘Mitad Del Mundo’ (Middle of the World) monument. You may choose to visit the Ethnographic or Inti-ñan Museums, both located near the monument site, which highlights the particularities of being situated right at the meeting point of two hemispheres, straddling the Equator. Along the way we will stop for a traditional Ecuadorian lunch. We then head back to Quito and transfer guests back to their hotel. Lunch is included.
DAY 3 | Private Otavalo Market Excursion | B.L.
We begin our travels north of Quito, towards Otavalo, visiting the small village of Calderon, known for its unique and colorful ornamental ‘baked-bread’ dolls (figuras de masapán). We then continue along the Pan-American Highway to Guayllabamba to taste one of Ecuador’s endemic fruits (the chirimoya), stopping en route to admire the region’s beautiful landscape and snow-capped mountains, making a short stop at San Pablo Lake before arriving at Otavalo. Here we visit the busy textile market located at ‘Poncho Plaza’, famous as one of the largest open-air markets in South America. Find all kinds of handcrafts including tapestries made on old-Spanish weaving looms, and even older pre-Columbian back strap looms. Stop for Lunch at a Hacienda. Enjoy some free time to shop (and haggle) with the friendly Otavaleños. In the early afternoon we visit a colonial hacienda for lunch. We then head to the small artisan village of Cotacachi and return to Quito in the late afternoon/early evening.
DAY 4 | Quito Hotel / Quito Airport / Coca Town to begin First Class Amazon River Cruise | B.
At the appropriate time, your local host will transfer you to the Quito Airport to board your flight to Coca (airfare is NOT included). A short 30-minute flight takes us to the frontier town of Coca (Francisco de Orellana). Upon arrival you will be met by your local host and transferred to the dock, where we will embark on a motorized canoe and navigate down river about one hour, to board the M/V Manatee
PRICES PER PERSON IN US$ – NO MINIMUM GUESTS REQUIRED
DOUBLE | TRIPLE | QUAD (2 BDR) | SINGLE SUPPLEMENT |
---|---|---|---|
$866.00 | $675.00 | $779.00 | $695.00 |
In Napo – Coca / Ecuadorian Lower Amazon: M/V Manatee Amazon River Cruise. The Manatee has interior and exterior dining areas that are located on the Main Deck and Sun Deck respectively. The on board chefs prepare a spectacular variety of both national and international cuisine. The Sun Deck also houses the well-stocked bar and conference room. The conference room has a flat-screen television, projector and comfortable seating, and it is here where your naturalist guides will give informative talks and detail the following day’s activities. This room also has a computer lounge with internet service (be warned it is very slow!), as well as a small library.
The Manatee also carries one and two-man kayaks for use on occasion by guests. No previous experience is necessary and this is a great way to get close to the wildlife on the riverbanks, and it is also great fun! The exciting itineraries are carried out with a heartfelt commitment to the communities and nature of the Amazon and the variety of excursions is ample and compelling.
Although expedition cruising by its very nature is characterized as adventurous, the safety of the staff and passengers is of paramount importance. The Manatee Amazon Explorer is fully equipped and maintained in order to handle the most challenging conditions and circumstances, and is manned by experienced and conscientious expedition staff and crew.
M/V Manatee Plans
- Prices are subject to change without previous notice.
- The itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, safety, and local regulations.
- Deposit: A $900.00 per person deposit is required to activate the booking process. Due to the popularity of the destination and the high demand for space, early reservations are strongly encouraged. Additional deposits may be required by suppliers, if so you will be notified.
- None of the services have been requested nor confirmed at this time (unless otherwise indicated). If the selected hotels are not available, we will make our best effort to obtain the next best available hotel in the same city/region. We should have confirmation of the suggested services and facilities and/or suitable alternatives within 48 hours after receiving your deposit, which will be applied to the final payment.
- Final Payment: The balance is due 65 days prior to the start of your tour. If full final payment has not been received by the due date, EcoAmerica Tours reserves the right to cancel the reservation without notice.
- Method of Payment: For your convenience, we accept major credit cards (filling out our Credit Card Authorization Form), checks, and PayPal.
- The price does not include: personal expenses, additional activities, international and local airfares as well as airports departure taxes (unless otherwise indicated), gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, bell and wait staff, and any other service not listed.
- Airfares, if any, booked through EcoAmerica Tours may require immediate ticketing, if so, you will be notified accordingly. In most cases, the airfare charge(s) will appear on your credit card statement as processed by the airline(s) used for your travel arrangements.
- Meal Codes: B=Breakfast / L=Lunch / D=Dinner.
- All tour services are SIB shared basis (unless otherwise indicated).
- Please refer to the attached terms and conditions as presented in the credit card authorization form and in our website: Terms of Travel. These terms apply in full to this travel program.
- Travel Protection Plan: Travel insurance is a great way to protect your travel investment. By choosing to offer travel insurance, your travel agent is providing you a financial safety net for most unforeseen travel inconveniences. Allianz Travel Insurance plans have been created to suit most any traveler’s coverage needs. For your peace of mind, we strongly suggest you to purchase travel insurance. For more information, please visit: Allianz Global Assistance or contact us for a personalized quote.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR FULL SERVICE PLATFORM:
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- Celebrating three decades leading the tourism industry in Latin America.
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LIABILITIES
EcoAmerica Tours, LLC. and/or any of its agents will not claim any responsibility for injury, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or other irregularities which may be caused either through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of companies or individuals providing or engaged in transportation, accommodations or other services related to the execution of the tour, or through natural calamities and other factors beyond its control. Prices are subject to adjustment in the event of any change, without notice. EcoAmerica Tours, LLC reserves the right to change any tour if considered necessary in order to render better service to its clients. Travelers choosing to participate in these vacation programs do so at their own risk. EcoAmerica Tours is not to be held responsible for injuries, damage expenses, and/or costs resulting from accidents or accidental death while participating in these vacation programs. Travelers have been directed to read these disclaimers. EcoAmerica Tours, LLC