The 90 foot long (27 m) 24 foot wide (7 m) "Manatee Amazon Explorer" riverboat has been specially built for cruises in the Ecuadorean rainforest, accommodating 30 guests in comfortable cabins with private bathrooms and running hot water, individual air conditioning, on board laundry service, large dining room, inviting bar and lounge area, panoramic terrace, delicious cuisine and the finest multilingual naturalist guides. In addition, it is equipped with two powerful 250 HP engines for a 12 knot output, two 60 kw generators for 110 and 220 V/60 cylces, Furuno GPS, deep sounder, radar, VHF, HF, satellite phone, video/cable and the highest safety standards, personable service and efficiency.
Itinerary:
Day 01 - Monday
Morning flight from Quito over the Eastern Cordillera and down into the airstrip at the town of Francisco de Orellana, a hub for sustainable oil production and named after the discoverer of the Amazon River back in 1541. The Manatee will be pulling up to dock in time for you to board this exciting adventure vessel, ready to take you on a rare journey packed with nature study, cultural interaction and even more of the magical wonders of the largest unexplored wilderness on earth. Navigation starts promptly during lunch until mid-afternoon to disembark to visit a local community at Pompeya, with its on-site archaeological museum for a lecture on the anthropology of the region. -/L/D
Day 02 - Tuesday
Eke your way through a network of black water streams to a flood forest habitat, fish for piranhas and spot some of the hiding wildlife. With luck, you might be able to see fresh-water pink dolphins. Enjoy a jungle barbecue and Amazon hammock siesta, a refreshing swim and back to our vessel in time for dinner and a lecture at the terrace-bar of the Manatee. Note: Optional overnight at an Indian camp under the star-filled sky and multiple nocturnal noises of the jungle, centered round an inviting campfire. B/L/D
Day 03 - Wednesday
After breakfast, get a great terrace view of the jungle before disembarking to admire a superb parrot salt lick and trek into the interior rainforest, containing 70% of all pharmaceutical compounds, and native Indians that live symbiotically with this unique ecosystem. Arrival for lunch at a native campsite. Refreshing afternoon swim at a lake and some optional fishing before returning by paddle dugout through black water creeks to our vessel. Evening lecture at our inviting terrace-bar. B/L/D
Day 04 - Thursday
Terrace breakfast for early-birds while the Manatee journeys upriver while hundreds of parrots and macaws start their morning flight. Take a dugout journey through winding streams, bordered by native huts and abundant flora, the canopy towering over our heads. Our silent approach offers incredible sounds coming from the rainforest's interior. Return to the Manatee in time for lunch. Afternoon visit to a native house on stilts and surrounded by locally cultivated plants. Learn how pineapples, bananas, tapioca, naranjilla, cocoa, coffee and other tropical fruits are grown that you normally see already packed at supermarkets! We will share an unforgettable encounter with these gracious people and learn about their unique lifestyles, traditions and medicinal plants. We then climb a hill for a magnificent view of the immense rainforest below. Upon returning to the ship and after a rewarding hot shower and relaxation on the terrace deck, our chef will delight us with a traditional farewell buffet, including a "surprise" dessert. B/L/D
Day 05 - Friday
Arrival to Francisco de Orellana and return flight over the immense rainforest and midday landing in Quito. B/-/-
B = breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
Prices 2008:
- 8 days Double USD 1320.-
- 5 days Double USD 675.-
- 4 days Double USD 507.-
Airfare Quito-Coca-Quito: USD 120.-
Yasuni National Park Fee: USD 20.-
Children under 11 years: 50% Discount
In the price included:
English speaking naturalist guide, three meals a day and accommodation as mentioned in the program, free purified water, all general equipment including rubber boots and rain poncho's.
Not included in the price:
Binoculars, reserve entrance fees, alcoholic beverages, tip, Flight Quito/Coca/Quito, International flight airport tax (USD 41.- per person), personal items and travel insurance!
What to bring with you:
Lightweight long and short-sleeved shirts, lightweight pants and shorts (no jeans), comfortable shoes, swimwear, hat with brim, sunglasses, torch, insect repellent, sun block, 1-2 plastic bags, binoculars, passport, camera (with flash), day pack.
Please take note that the sequence of visits can change to meet climatic and/or operational reasons at time of cruise.
If you need any additional information please write us:
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South America 
