I would guess that when most people are shopping for an Amazon cruise, they first think of Brazil or Peru. Sure, you can find a good cruise in either of those countries - especially in Peru, where you can find a lot to choose from. If you are only going to Brazil or only to Peru, then it makes sense to look for a cruise in that country.
Anakonda Cruise Ship
But if you are only going to Ecuador or are combining Ecuador with Peru, then I would suggest doing an Amazon cruise in Ecuador. Of course if you are visiting the Galapagos, why not save on the travel time and flight expense by staying in Ecuador, instead of flying to another country?
But if you are just traveling to see the Amazon, consider this:
The Ecuadorian amazon has less population than Manaus in Brazil and Iquitos in Peru - the start points for most cruises. The most populated city in the Ecuadorian amazon has 48,000 inhabitants. Manaus in Brazil has a population of 1.9 million people and Iquitos in Peru has a population of 457,000 inhabitants.
Most of the Ecuadorian territory is owned by the government. There are 10 protected areas where no private investment is allowed and the territory belongs to the local communities:
In these protected areas hunting and clearing of trees is prohibited, so wildlife should be plentiful.
In Ecuador’s Amazon there are 12 different ethnic groups:
Siona, Cofan, Secoyal, Huarani, Zaparo, Quichuas, Achuar, Shuar, Shiwiar, Andoas, Zaparas, Los Tagaeri.
There are really only 2 cruise boats that operate in the Ecuadorian Amazon - the Manatee Explorer and the Anakonda. The Manatee is a moderate cruise, while the Anakonda is more of a deluxe cruise. If you compare prices with cruises in Peru or Brazil, you will note that the prices for the Ecuadorian Amazon cruises look pretty good.
But if you are just traveling to see the Amazon, consider this:
The Ecuadorian amazon has less population than Manaus in Brazil and Iquitos in Peru - the start points for most cruises. The most populated city in the Ecuadorian amazon has 48,000 inhabitants. Manaus in Brazil has a population of 1.9 million people and Iquitos in Peru has a population of 457,000 inhabitants.
Most of the Ecuadorian territory is owned by the government. There are 10 protected areas where no private investment is allowed and the territory belongs to the local communities:
- Cofan-Bermejo Ecological Reserve
- Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve
- Antisana Ecological Reserve
- Sumaco Napo Galeras National Park
- Limoncocha Biological Reserve
- Yasuni National Park
- Cuyabeno wildlife production reserve
- Condor Park
- Wildlife refuge el Zarza
- Biological Reserve el Quimi
In these protected areas hunting and clearing of trees is prohibited, so wildlife should be plentiful.
In Ecuador’s Amazon there are 12 different ethnic groups:
Siona, Cofan, Secoyal, Huarani, Zaparo, Quichuas, Achuar, Shuar, Shiwiar, Andoas, Zaparas, Los Tagaeri.
There are really only 2 cruise boats that operate in the Ecuadorian Amazon - the Manatee Explorer and the Anakonda. The Manatee is a moderate cruise, while the Anakonda is more of a deluxe cruise. If you compare prices with cruises in Peru or Brazil, you will note that the prices for the Ecuadorian Amazon cruises look pretty good.
Manatee Explorer
Why is that? Not because they are inferior. The ship amenities are similar, the wildlife viewing is as good or better and the cultural interaction is as good or better.
But:
On the 8 day / 7 night cruise itinerary they can visit 4 protected areas: Yasuni National Park, the Cuyabeno Reserve, Limoncocha and Pañacocha Biological Corridor. Since their operation involves 15 communities of the Amazon Region, theirr passengers have the opportunity to really connect with the
destination and generate memorable experiences by interacting with local people and with the wildlife on the same trip.
But:
- fuel costs in Peru are about 3 times higher and they are about 4 times higher in Brazil
- most supplies can be driven overland in a day to Coca and transferred to the ships, while they have to be flown to Iquitos or Manaus or shipped long distances by boat
- roundtrip flights from Quito to Coca are shorter and cheaper than those from Lima to Iquitos or from Rio/Sao Paulo to Manaus
On the 8 day / 7 night cruise itinerary they can visit 4 protected areas: Yasuni National Park, the Cuyabeno Reserve, Limoncocha and Pañacocha Biological Corridor. Since their operation involves 15 communities of the Amazon Region, theirr passengers have the opportunity to really connect with the
destination and generate memorable experiences by interacting with local people and with the wildlife on the same trip.
I'm not normally much of a cruiser, but I did a cruise on the Anakonda and had a very good experience. I saw plenty of wildlife that I haven't seen elsewhere, had a lot of interaction with local villagers and got to eat great food on board. We did some excursions to places that lodge-based travelers visited, as well as others. On the longer cruises, you go way beyond where all of the lodges are
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