Itineraries - M.V.
Manatee Amazon Explorer:
Effective
Starting 2013:
|
8-Days
/ 7-Nights Monday-to-Monday |
8-Days / 7-Nights Friday-to-Friday
|
| 4-Days / 3-Nights
Friday-to-Monday |
5-Days / 4-Nights Monday-to-Friday
|
Explore the Amazon
This is a how-to of
penetrating an evergreen mass of diversity spread out kilometers
on end across the Amazon Basin: the spellbinding tropical
rainforest. As we can see from above, nature tells us the best way
is to travel its silt-clad veins into what may seem uniform, but
is the epitome of change and diversity. This most inspiring
journey will include a myriad unexpected possibilities and the
surprising forest visions of magical flooded forests at the
Cuyabeno Nature Reserve, untamed wilds within the Yasuni National
Park (the largest national park in Ecuador), and the quiet stills
of Limoncocha (Lemon Lake), where we will climb canopy observation
towers, inch down black-water jungle streams, walk the understory
through meandering trails and meet the sacred peoples of the
Amazon forest.
8-Days / 7-Nights Itinerary
-
Monday to Monday
Effective Starting 2013:
Day-1 - Monday:
Quito - Coca - Napo River - Yasuni National Park
Morning departure from Quito
(a short 30-minutes flight) arriving at the city of Coca
(Francisco de Orellana); transfer to the Río Napo port; journey by
motorized canoe downstream (ninety minutes) to board the M.V.
Manatee, all the while observing the ever-changing forest-clad
riverbanks of the silty-brown headwaters of the Amazon River. Soon
after boarding, the M.V. Manatee will start navigating downstream,
a great opportunity for observing from our sundeck the amazing
flora and fauna of the region. After lunch, an initial
outing on one of our trails will introduce you to the wonders of
the tropical rainforest, an easy walk that will bring you to your
first encounters with the Amazon Basin. After dinner, enjoy an
optional nocturnal walk into the forest to discover the mysteries
of this unique environment and see how life emerges in the dark
right before your eyes.
Day-2 - Tuesday:
Peruvian Border / Cuyabeno Reserve
After a delicious breakfast we
will disembark to visit one of the local family homes. During the
visit, we will have the opportunity of meeting representative
members of the Amazonian community, learning from their culture,
talents and ways of life. We will understand how these
giving and joyful people live, utilize and protect their
resources, and how the cherish the fragility of their ecosystem.
After lunch, the Manatee continues navigation towards one of the
most pristine black-water systems of the Amazon Basin, home to
legendary Pink River Dolphins, Black Cayman and the enigmatic
Amazonian Anaconda. We may also spot river turtles and a series of
monkey species such as the Black-mantled Tamarin, Red Howler or
Squirrel Monkeys, as well as Three-toed Sloths and the primitive
Hoatzin, a bizarre bird locally called ‘Stinky Turkey’ (Pavo
Hediondo). The canoe trip upstream will reveal the
overwhelming beauty of this aquatic jungle world.
Day-3 - Wednesday:
Flooded Forest and Monkey Island
This morning, we will explore
a swamp forest from the comfort of a high rise board walk, a very
good chance to discover the wildlife that frequents these “moretales”,
or Morete palm forests, where birds, primates and different
aquatic creatures congregate. Afterwards, we visit a local
home where funerary urns from the XVII century have been
discovered and excavated. After lunch, and a short time to unwind
as the Manatee navigates upstream, we will spend some time
exploring one of the large islands, where many surprises can be
found.
For our more adventurous
guests, we offer Glamping for the night. Please enquire.
Day-4 - Thursday:
Kury Muyo and Clay Licks
Breakfast is served on board.
We will enjoy a cultural & ethnical encounter with the locals
communities. We will spend some time at one of the
communities to learn about their everyday lives. Here, you’ll be
able to shop, a great opportunity to purchase local handcrafts.
Later we head over to the Parrot Clay licks, where we will witness
one of the most exciting wildlife spectacles in Amazonia. In
the afternoon, we visit the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an
incredible natural reserve with over four hundred bird species.
Search for Black Caiman after dusk. Evening return to the Manatee.
Day-4 - Friday:
Pompeya and Napo River at Yasuni National Park
After breakfast we will visit
an Archeological/Ethnographic Museum on the Island of Pompeya for
a unique look at the ancient cultures that lived and settled in
the area. After lunch, we will enjoy an easy walk in terra
firme forest and discover the animated forest understory of the
Amazon Basin. After dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk
to discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how
life emerges in the dark right before your eyes.
Day-6 - Saturday:
Visiting the Panacocha Biological Corridor
We will continue our
navigation downstream to the Pañayacu River delta; take a canoe
trip up the river to experience the sights of this fascinating
reserve. We will seek out Pink River Dolphins, Common
Squirrel Monkeys and much more. Pañacocha (Piranha Lake, in
Quechua) is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers
and lakes here are the 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 will enjoy a delicious
Amazon-style BBQ meal and refreshing beverages at a nearby camping
site. In the afternoon, we will head out on exploration
trails, and return onboard for dinner.
Day-7 - Sunday:
White Water River and Yaku Kausay at Yasuni National Park
Breakfast served on board. We
explore a white-water river in search of local fauna. After lunch
we stop at the Amazonian Water Museum (Yaku Kausay), and an
optional night walk inside forest (depending on accessibility,
river water levels, weather conditions, and wildlife behavior).
Day-8 - Monday:
Returning Home
We head back to the city of
Coca to take the morning flight back to Quito. The canoe ride
upstream takes around two hours.
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8-Days / 7-Nights Itinerary
- Friday to Friday
Effective
Starting 2013:
Day-1 - Friday:
Quito - Coca - Napo River - Yasuni National Park
Morning departure from Quito
(a short 30-minutes flight) arriving at the city of Coca
(Francisco de Orellana); transfer to the Río Napo port; journey by
motorized canoe downstream (ninety minutes) to board the M.V.
Manatee, all the while observing the ever-changing forest-clad
riverbanks of the silty-brown headwaters of the Amazon River.
Soon after boarding, the M/V Manatee will start navigating
downstream, a great opportunity for observing from our sundeck the
amazing flora and fauna of the region. After lunch, an
initial outing on one of our trails will introduce you to the
wonders of the tropical rainforest, an easy walk that will bring
you to your first encounters with the Amazon Basin. After
dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk into the forest to
discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how life
emerges in the dark right before your eyes.
Day-2 - Saturday:
Visiting the Panacocha Biological Corridor
We will continue our
navigation downstream to the Pañayacu River delta; take a canoe
trip up the river to experience the sights of this fascinating
reserve. We will seek out Pink River Dolphins, Common
Squirrel Monkeys and much more. Pañacocha (Piranha
Lake, in Quechua) is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The
rivers and lakes here are the 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
will enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ meal and refreshing
beverages at a nearby camping site. In the afternoon, we
will head out on exploration trails, and return onboard for
dinner.
Day-3 - Sunday:
White Water River and Yaku Kausay at Yasuni National Park
Breakfast served on board. We
explore a white-water river in search of local fauna. After lunch
we stop at the Amazonian Water Museum (Yaku Kausay), and an
optional night walk inside forest (depending on accessibility,
river water levels, weather conditions, and wildlife behavior).
Day-4 - Monday:
Pompeya - Napo River - Yasuni National Park
In the morning we will visit a
very interesting butterfly house and research project at one of
the nearby communities. After lunch, we will enjoy an easy walk in
terra firme forest and discover the animated forest understory of
the Amazon Basin. After dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk
to discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how
life emerges in the dark right before your eyes.
Day-5 - Tuesday:
Peruvian Border / Cuyabeno Reserve
After a delicious breakfast we
will disembark to visit one of the local family homes. During the
visit, we will have the opportunity of meeting representative
members of the Amazonian community, learning from their culture,
talents and ways of life. We will understand how these giving and
joyful people live, utilize and protect their resources, and how
the cherish the fragility of their ecosystem.
After lunch, the Manatee
continues navigation towards one of the most pristine black-water
systems of the Amazon Basin, home to legendary Pink River
Dolphins, Black Cayman and the enigmatic Amazonian Anaconda. We
may also spot river turtles and a series of monkey species such as
the Black-mantled Tamarin, Red Howler or Squirrel Monkeys, as well
as Three-toed Sloths and the primitive Hoatzin, a bizarre bird
locally called ‘Stinky Turkey’ (Pavo Hediondo). The canoe trip
upstream will reveal the overwhelming beauty of this aquatic
jungle world.
Day-6 - Wednesday:
Flooded Forest and Monkey Island
This morning, we will explore
a swamp forest from the comfort of a high rise board walk, a very
good chance to discover the wildlife that frequents these “moretales”,
or Morete palm forests, where birds, primates and different
aquatic creatures congregate. Afterwards, we visit a local
home where funerary urns from the XVII century have been
discovered and excavated. After lunch, and a short time to
unwind as the Manatee navigates upstream, we will spend some time
exploring one of the large islands, where many surprises can be
found.
For our more adventurous
guests, we offer Glamping for the night. Please enquire.
Day-7 - Thursday:
Kury Muyo and Clay Licks
Breakfast is served on board.
We will enjoy a cultural & ethnical encounter with the locals
communities. We will spend some time at one of the communities to
learn about their everyday lives. Here, you’ll be able to shop, a
great opportunity to purchase local handcrafts. Later we
head over to the Parrot Clay licks, where we will witness one of
the most exciting wildlife spectacles in Amazonia. In the
afternoon, we visit the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an
incredible natural reserve with over four hundred bird species.
Search for Black Caiman after dusk. Evening return to the Manatee.
Day-8 Friday:
Returning Home
We head back to the city of
Coca to take the morning flight back to Quito. The canoe
ride upstream takes around two hours.
| Top
of Itineraries | Top
of Page | Map
|
5-Days / 4-Nights
-
Monday to Monday
Effective
Starting 2013:
Day-1 - Monday:
Quito - Coca - Napo River - Yasuni National Park
Morning departure from Quito (a
short 30-minutes flight) arriving at the city of Coca (Francisco de
Orellana); transfer to the Río Napo port; journey by motorized
speedboat downstream (ninety minutes) to board the M.V. Manatee, all
the while observing the ever-changing forest-clad riverbanks of the
silty-brown headwaters of the Amazon. Soon after boarding, the
M.V. Manatee will start navigating downstream, a great opportunity
for observing from our sundeck the amazing nature and wildlife of
the region. After lunch, an initial outing on one of our
trails will introduce you to the wonders of the tropical rainforest,
an easy walk that will bring you to the first encounters with the
Amazon basin. After dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk
into the forest to discover the mysteries of this unique environment
and see how life emerges in the dark right before your eyes.
Day-2 - Tuesday:
Peruvian Border / Cuyabeno Reserve
After a delicious breakfast we
will disembark to visit one of the local family homes. During
the visit, we will have the opportunity of meeting representative
members of the Amazonian community, learning from their culture,
talents and ways of life. We will understand how these giving
and joyful people live, utilize and protect their resources, and how
the cherish the fragility of their ecosystem.
After lunch, the Manatee
continues navigation towards one of the most pristine black-water
systems of the Amazon Basin, home to legendary Pink River Dolphins,
Black Cayman and the enigmatic Amazonian Anaconda. We may also
spot river turtles and a series of monkey species such as the
Black-mantled Tamarin, Red Howler or Squirrel Monkeys, as well as
Three-toed Sloths and the primitive Hoatzin, a bizarre bird locally
called ‘Stinky Turkey’ (Pavo Hediondo). The canoe trip upstream will
reveal the overwhelming beauty of this aquatic jungle world.
Day-3 - Wdnesday:
Flooded Forest and Monkey Island
This morning, we will explore a
swamp forest from the comfort of a high rise board walk, a very good
chance to discover the wildlife that frequents these “moretales”, or
morete palm forests, where birds, primates and different aquatic
creatures congregate. afterwards, we visit a local home where
funerary urns from the xvii century have been discovered and
excavated. after lunch, and a short time to unwind as the manatee
navigates upstream, we will spend some time exploring one of the
large islands, where many surprises can be found.
For our more adventurous guests,
we offer Glamping for the night. Please enquire.
Day-4 - Thursday:
Kury Muyo and Clay Licks
Breakfast is served on board. We
will enjoy a cultural & ethnical encounter with the locals
communities. We will spend some time at one of the communities to
learn about their everyday lives. Here, you’ll be able to
shop, a great opportunity to purchase local handcrafts. Later
we head over to the Parrot Clay licks, where we will witness one of
the most exciting wildlife spectacles in Amazonia. In the
afternoon, we visit the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible
natural reserve with over four hundred bird species. Search
for Black Caiman after dusk. Evening return to the Manatee.
Day-5 - Friday:
Returning Home
We head back to the city of Coca
to take the morning flight back to Quito. The canoe ride upstream
takes around two hours.
| Top
of Itineraries | Top
of Page | Map
|
4-Days / 3-Nights
- Friday to Monday
Effective Starting 2013:
Day-1 - Friday:
Quito - Coca - Napo River - Yasuni National Park
Morning departure from Quito
(a short 30-minutes flight) arriving at the city of Coca
(Francisco de Orellana); transfer to the Río Napo port; journey by
motorized canoe downstream (ninety minutes) to board the M.V.
Manatee, all the while observing the ever-changing forest-clad
riverbanks of the silty-brown headwaters of the Amazon River.
Soon after boarding, the M.V. Manatee will start navigating
downstream, a great opportunity for observing from our sundeck the
amazing flora and fauna of the region. After lunch, an
initial outing on one of our trails will introduce you to the
wonders of the tropical rainforest, an easy walk that will bring
you to your first encounters with the Amazon Basin. After
dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk into the forest to
discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how life
emerges in the dark right before your eyes.
Day-2 - Saturday:
Visiting the Panacocha Biological Corridor
We will continue our
navigation downstream to the Pañayacu River delta; take a canoe
trip up the river to experience the sights of this fascinating
reserve. We will seek out Pink River Dolphins, Common Squirrel
Monkeys and much more. Pañacocha (Piranha Lake, in Quechua)
is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and
lakes here are the 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 will enjoy a delicious
Amazon-style BBQ meal and refreshing beverages at a nearby camping
site. In the afternoon, we will head out on exploration
trails, and return onboard for dinner.
Day-3 - Sunday:
Kury Muyu and Parrot Clay Lick
Breakfast served on board.
Today we will enjoy a cultural & ethnic encounter with the locals.
We will spend some time at one of the forest communities to learn
about their everyday lives. Take advantage to shop for local
handcrafts and souvenirs. Later we head over to the Parrot
Clay licks, a great place to witness one of the most exciting
wildlife spectacles in Amazonia. After lunch, explore one of our
local jungle trails as we head to a most unique water museum,
where you will learn about many of the creatures that inhabit this
environment. After the visit, conditions permitting, paddle
your way downstream back to the Napo and enjoy more opportunities
to observe wildlife.
Day-4 - Monday:
Returning Home
Early departure from the
Manatee and transfer back to Coca (two-hour canoe ride); return
flight to Quito
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Programs Include:
- Transportation from the
airport to the Manatee Amazon Explorer
- Accommodations
- All meals
- Guided excursions
- River and lagoon
exploration
- Swimming
- Bird watching
- Rainforest hikes
- Visits to local communities
- Informative talks and
conferences
Programs Do Not Include:
- Airfare Quito – Coca –
Quito
- Community visits fee
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic
beverages
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal Expenses
- Any other service not
mentioned herein
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of Itineraries | Top
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