Manatee Amazon Cruise

Comfortable Adventure in Ecuador's Amazon

The only Amazon River cruise currently operating in Ecuador, this is a great itinerary going deep into the Yasuni National Park, on a very comfortable boat: Photos

Manatee Amazon Explorer Boasting over 20 years' experience in Amazon riverboat cruises, the exclusively-designed Manatee Amazon Explorer offers all the necessary comforts while still being an exciting jungle adventure.

The Manatee Amazon Explorer operates in the pristine upper basins of the Napo and Aguarico Rivers, around Limoncocha Wildlife Reserve and Yasuni National Park, Ecuador’s largest protected animal reserve. Here, the devoted, highly-knowledgeable guides come into their own, as they willingly share their wealth of information about the Amazon's tropical rainforest.

The Manatee offers itineraries of four, five, eight and ten days, to accommodate all budgets and timescales. There is so much to see in the Ecuadorean Amazon, and the Manatee is so comfortable, that even a ten-day journey will seem too short.

Manatee Amazon Explorer Map

4-Day Amazon Riverboat Cruise

The Cuyabeno Natural Reserve, Yasuní National Park (Ecuador's largest national park), Limoncocha Biological Reserve (the only one of its kind in Ecuador), an observation tower, canoe and kayak expeditions, walks in the rainforest, and the wonderful indigenous peoples in this part of the world are some of the many highlights of this trip to the Amazon Rainforest.

Another highlight is undoubtedly the comfort and welcome of the Manatee Amazon Explorer and its staff.

Please note that the itinerary below is dependent on the river water level, weather conditions, wildlife behavior, and accessibility to locations, so may vary.

Day 1: Fri: Quito – Coca – Yasuní National Park
(Lunch & Dinner)

Departure from Quito in the morning, to board the flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), which arrives in Coca after 30 minutes.

From here, transfer 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 visit the Life Under Water Museum. We will return to the boat after a nocturnal walk, for dinner.

Day 2: Sat: Parrot Clay Lick & Canopy Observation Tower
(All meals)

After breakfast on board, we set off for an excursion to a Parrot Clay lick, a great place to spot many bird species in large numbers.

Once back on board, lunch will be ready, and then in the afternoon we will explore the Chaullacocha black water system. Depending on the water level, we will either access the system either on foot or by canoe.

We then explore Lake Chaullacocha looking for wildlife, such as turtles, herons, and caimans, followed by a visit to a canopy tower, which is more than 100ft / 30m high, and has a spectacular view of the Amazon forest from the top. It is well worth climbing the 300 steps to appreciate this unique perspective of the Amazon ecosystem!

Return to the Manatee in the evening, after searching for caimans on Lake Chaullacocha.

Day 3: Sun: Visiting the Pañacocha Biological Corridor
(All meals)

We continue our navigation downstream to arrive at the mouth of the Pañayacu (Piranha) River. This is an ecosystem flooded by white waters, and the rivers and lakes here are the perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caimans.

Here we make a canoe trip to see the sights of this interesting, protected rainforest. We hope to observe Pink River Dolphins and agile Common Squirrel Monkeys, among many other species.

After a refreshing swim in Lake Piranha, we will enjoy a delicious Amazon-style barbeque at a nearby camping site.

In the afternoon, we go for an exploratory walk, before returning to the Manatee for dinner.

Day 4: Mon: Native Dwelling; Return to Quito
(Breakfast & Lunch)

Early in the morning we will visit an indigenous village, to enjoy the fascinating human geography of the Amazon River.

We then return to the boat and head back to the city of Coca, to take the afternoon flight back to Quito. The boat ride upstream will take around two hours; a picnic lunch will be served along the way.

Manatee Amazon Explorer Ecuador

5-Day Amazon Riverboat Cruise

The Cuyabeno Natural Reserve, Yasuní National Park (Ecuador's largest national park), Limoncocha Biological Reserve (the only one of its kind in Ecuador), an observation tower, kayak and canoe expeditions, walks in the rainforest, and the wonderful indigenous peoples in this part of the world are some of the many highlights of this trip to the Amazon Rainforest.

Another highlight is undoubtedly the comfort and welcome of the Manatee Amazon Explorer and its staff.

Please note that the itinerary below is dependent on the river water level, weather conditions, wildlife behavior, and accessibility to locations, so may vary.

Day 1: Mon: Quito – Coca – Yasuní National Park
(Lunch & Dinner)

Departure from Quito in the morning, to board the flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), which arrives in Coca after 30 minutes.

Once settled into our cabins, the Manatee Amazon Explorer starts navigating down the Napo River to Yasuní National Park.

Later that afternoon, we make a canoe excursion to explore the Tiputini River, and then at dusk, we have a guided walk in order to experience our first Ecuadorian Amazon basin nightfall, and its accompanying sights and sounds.

On return to the boat, we have dinner on board, and a chance to discuss what we have seen and the plan for the following days.

Day 2: Tues: Visit to Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve & Yasuní National Park
(All meals)

This morning, we take the canoes to explore the Cocaya River - one of the most pristine rivers in the Ecuadorian Amazon, which forms part of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve - to observe exotic plants, colorful birds and unique wildlife. Some of the species we hope to see in this black water system include Pink River Dolphins, River Turtles, Black Caimans and the enigmatic Amazon Manatee. Moreover, the vegetation on the shores is home to Red Howler, Black Tamarind and Squirrel Monkeys, Three-toed Sloths, and the Hoatzin - a pre-historic,leaf-eating bird, known locally as 'Stinky Turkey'!

In the afternoon, in the heart of the Yasuní National Park, we will visit Jatun Cocha, one of the major blackwater lakes of the upper Amazon basin, with opportunities for walking, paddling and watching Giant Otters, an endangered species of water mammal.

Day 3: Weds: Kichwa Culture & Swamp Forest Hike
(All meals)

This morning, we visit a Kichwa Culture Schools. During the visit, we have the opportunity to meet the children and adults of the indigenous village, learn about their culture and how they have adapted to their fragile ecosystem.

In the afternoon, while the Manatee sails upstream, there is time to relax. There is plenty to do on board, though: our chef gives cooking lessons in Ecuadorian and Amazon cuisine; locals give classes in making fiber handicrafts; and the naturalist guides give lectures on a variety of Amazon-related topics such as culture, biodiversity, geography, the oil industry and sustainability.

Once moored, We take a guided walk over a wooden boardwallk through the Morete Palm swamp. Animals we are likely to see include frogs and parrots.

Day 4: Thurs: Parrot Clay Lick or Life Under Water Museum; Limoncocha Biological Reserve
(All meals)

Breakfast will be served on board before we begin our excursion to the Parrot Clay licks, a great place to see a wide variety of bird species, in great numbers. Alternatively, we visit Yaku Kawsay - the Life Under Water Museum - inside Yasuní National Park. This museum is run by the local Kichwa community and showcases the fauna that lives underwater, in the rivers and lakes of Amazonia.

In the afternoon, we visit Limoncocha Biological Reserve, a beautiful area notable for its birdlife, as well as the activity of a variety of monkey species.

After nightfall, we go in search of Black Caiman, before returning to the Manatee for dinner

Day 5: Fri: Amazon - Coca - Quito
(Breakfast & Lunch)

Today we head back to the city of Coca, to take the afternoon flight back to Quito. The boat ride upstream will take around two hours; a picnic lunch will be served along the way.

8-Day Amazon Riverboat Cruise

There is so much to see in this part of Ecuador's Amazon - or Oriente - and an eight day itinerary really allows for a complete exploration of such highlights as The Cuyabeno Natural Reserve, Yasuní National Park (Ecuador's largest national park), Limoncocha Biological Reserve (the only one of its kind in Ecuador). Various excursions include an observation tower, canoe and kayak expeditions, walks in the rainforest during the day and after dark, and visits to the fascinating indigenous peoples in this part of the Amazon.

And it is impossible to tire of the comfort and welcome of the Manatee Amazon Explorer and its staff.

Please note that the itinerary below is dependent on the river water level, weather conditions, wildlife behavior, and accessibility to locations, so may vary.

Also note that this itinerary can be done from Monday to Monday, if necessary.