Manatee Amazon Explorer Cruises

• Galapagos Cruises
• Galapagos Tours -  Single Hotel-based
• Galapagos Tours -  Island Hopping
• Amazon Lodges and  Cruises
• Cloud Forest Lodges
• weekly regular mainland tours
• Best of Ecuador and Galapagos Tour
• Suggested  Tours
• Multisport Tours
• Walking Tours​
• Northern Ecuador Bicycle Tour
• Self-drive Tours
• Pacific Coast Cruise

 The Manatee Amazon Explorer, received the award for Latin America’s  Best River Cruise Ship in the 2021 First Edition of the World Cruise Awards.

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Visit two of the famous protected areas of eastern ECUADOR, the Yasuní National Park and the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Come and enjoy a unique journey along the lush upper Napo River, one of the tributaries of the great Amazon River. We invite you to explore one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems, with its fascinating wildlife and stunning scenery. Experience the roar of howler monkeys, meet indigenous rainforest peoples and so much more on these 4,5 and 8 day cruises that depart every week on Mondays and Fridays. The 5 and 8 day cruises go beyond all of the lodges and signs of oil field work, into pristine territory.

In addition to our rainforest explorations, another important feature of the program will be our visits to the homes of forest residents. We will visit and learn what their lives are like, living on the edge of this vast trackless forest. A walk through their gardens is always interesting and we will learn their survival skills, which permit them to continue living in the complex tropical forest environment. Almost all forest dwellers collect plants for medicines and we will talk to them about which plants they collect and their uses. During our voyage you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with many different communities that live along the shores of the Napo River Basin.

"Glamping" as a new program highlight. Each camp is fully sealed and above ground on a wooden platform, and is equipped with comfortable beds, charming rustic furniture, and superior service. Our guests will be able to enjoy gourmet meals, champagne and hot showers in our tented camp area after an exciting nature walk.You may choose between four different camp sites (Cocaya, Jatum Cocha Yasuni, Huririma and Sani), where you can enjoy and explore the beautiful rainforest and its incredible biodiversity of plants and animals, such as the black caimans or otters. In the evening, a local guide will tell you exciting stories about adventures and the way of life in the magical amazon region. In the morning, travelers will go for a kayak excursion on the river and observe incredible wildlife. After a delicious breakfast, they will go back on board the Manatee Amazon Explorer.

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5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS ITINERARY
MONDAY – FRIDAY

DAY 1 MONDAY: QUITO – COCA – NAPO RIVER
Our adventure begins in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. After a 30-minute flight from Quito to the Amazonian city of Coca, we will transfer to the dock and board our motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the river, taking in the Amazon, until we reach the Manatee Amazon Explorer and receive our welcome aboard. On the Manatee, we will be joined by expert local naturalist guides, who will provide us with a brief, informative introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon; afterwards, guests will have the opportunity to explore our cruise ship and admire the rainforest landscape as we glide down the Napo River. After dinner, we will take a nighttime forest walk to observe the rainforest's nocturnal activity and vividly experience its biodiversity first-hand.

DAY 2 TUESDAY: THE HEART OF YASUNI NATIONAL PARK (HOME OF THE LEGENDARY PINK RIVER DOLPHIN)
Early in the morning, we will visit Yasuni National Park, a pristine region of the Ecuadorian Amazon, home to the legendary pink river dolphin. In this area, we can also find anacondas, river turtles, and various primate species, as well as the colorful hoatzin, a unique bird known locally as the “stinky turkey”. In the afternoon, we will take a motorized canoe to a black-water lake, home to giant otters and the elusive manatee, and enjoy a pleasant hike in the riparian/gallery forest, with the chance to spot flocks of birds and marvel at the intricate organization of a colony of leaf-cutter ants.

DAY 3 WEDNESDAY: KICHWA FAMILY & LIFE ONBOARD
We will start the day off by visiting an authentic Kichwa family on the banks of the Napo River, where we will receive the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community. We will then board the Manatee for lunch as we continue upstream. Guests will participate in a cooking class with our expert chef and prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian. Guests are also invited to try their hand at traditional handicrafting or enjoy our onboard facilities, including the Rainforest Spa, the spectacular view from our Amazon Hot Tub, cocktails at our Bar and Lounge, and stargazing from our Observation Deck.

DAY 4 THURSDAY: FOREST ADVENTURE & OBSERVATION CANOPY TOWER
Our guests can relax and enjoy the Manatee Amazon Explorer during the morning and disembark to explore the nearby forest and discover a myriad of animals and plant species endemic to the Amazon basin. In the afternoon, we will visit a canopy tower built against a giant kapok tree and take in the view from the top as we loom above the lush treetops and look down on the sheer vastness of the Amazon. In the evening we will take a canoe onto the river to search for black caimans by flashlight.

DAY 5 FRIDAY: RETURN
This is where our adventure ends! Enjoy the final part of our return journey, then disembark the Manatee Amazon Explorer to take the motorized canoe 90 minutes back to Coca.

• The deluxe cabins are on a higher deck.
  
• 10 Standard Cabins have a  shower (standup, no tub) and are 20m2
  
• 4 Deluxe Cabins have a jacuzzi  and are 24m2
  
• Either cabin type is available with  matrimonial  or twin beds

IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. You must wear a life vest during all boat and canoe trips.
2. Trained naturalist Guides offer advice, give informative talks and conduct all excursions.
3. There is an entrance fee to Yasuni National Park of USD 20 per person (subject to change) and must be paid by passengers directly.
4. The programs described are subject to change without notice, and can be operated in different sequences depending on climatic and operational conditions. All decisions are oriented in terms of passengers interest and safety.
5. For your comfort, bottled water is supplied during your stay, free of charge.
6. All meals are included in the cost of the program. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are available at extra cost.
7. Electricity is 110 volts AC.

• Passengers over 16 years of age must present a completed vaccination card, with at least 14 days of validity after completing the scheme, or the negative result of a real-time RT-PCR test taken up to 72 hours before travel.
• Persons aged between 6 and 16 years of age must present a negative real-time RT-PCR test result, performed up to 72 hours before travel, if they do not have a completed vaccination certificate.
• Guests must sign a health form agreeing to follow local protocols established by the Ministry of Health.

They can help all of their passengers with the arrangements for the PCR test to be taken. They work with an excellent laboratory that has been helping  with the sample and with the results within hours. It has a cost of USD 80.00 per PCR test.

They will maintain their biosecurity protocols and mandatory mask use requirement during visits to native communities as part of their commitment to protect and conserve this important cultural heritage, and respect for their community spaces.

"Everything was perfect! Thank you for asking. I really can’t thank you enough for your planning. The bus tour was on time, a comfortable way to travel and a knowledgeable tour guide. The travel to and from Coca was easy and the manatee was a perfect way to see the amazon. Thank you for all you did to make our vacation wonderful!"  Meg

"The trip went absolutely perfectly, thank you so much for getting that all arranged! I know these are difficult times and that makes it so much harder to make this happen so we really appreciate it.  Thank you again!"  Brody and Cyd 

4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS ITINERARY
FRIDAY – MONDAY

DAY 1 FRIDAY: QUITO – COCA – NAPO RIVER
Our adventure begins in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. After a 30-minute flight from Quito to the Amazonian city of Coca, we will transfer to the dock and board our motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the river, taking in the Amazon, until we reach the Manatee Amazon Explorer and receive our welcome aboard. On the Manatee, we will be joined by expert local naturalist guides, who will provide us with a brief, informative introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon; afterwards, guests will have the opportunity to explore our cruise ship and admire the rainforest landscape as we glide down the Napo River. After dinner, we will take a nighttime forest walk to observe the rainforest's nocturnal activity and vividly experience its biodiversity first-hand

DAY 2 SATURDAY: PAÑACOCHA BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR
We will travel downstream to the Pañayacu River delta, where we will take a canoe trip to Pañacocha Lake (“Piranha Lake” in the native Kichwa), an ecosystem flooded by black-waters. The surrounding protected rainforest is home to primates and birds, and is the perfect habitat for piranhas, paiches (one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world), the white caiman, and hundreds of other aquatic animals. We will participate in nature walks led by local naturalist guides, and relax at a nearby campsite, where we will enjoy an Amazon-style BBQ. After lunch, we will do some kayaking and swimming activities. Back on board the Manatee, our guests will have the opportunity to attend a lecture and watch an educational documentary about the region.

DAY 3 SUNDAY: PARROT CLAY LICKS – AMAZONIAN COMMUNITIES & OBSERVATION TOWER
In the morning we will set out on canoes to observe one of the most incredible sights on this side of the Western Amazon, the parrot clay licks. This unique place is rich in minerals and attracts hundreds of colorful parrots, parakeets and amazon birds. Afterwards, we will visit a Kichwa Cultural Center, where we will learn about Amazon communities and their ancestral culture, traditions, and cuisine. Members of the local community will teach us about indigenous lifestyles along the Napo River, and we will have the opportunity to support the community by purchasing handicrafts, local products, and souvenirs. Before sunset, we will visit an observation tower in the rainforest canopy, which offers an astonishing 360-degree view of the Amazon basin. Bird-lovers will especially enjoy this outing.

DAY 4 MONDAY: RETURN
This is where our adventure ends! Enjoy the final part of our return journey, then disembark the Manatee Amazon Explorer to take the motorized canoe 90 minutes back to Coca.

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS ITINERARY
MONDAY – MONDAY or
​FRIDAY-FRIDAY

This is a combination of the 3 and 4 night itineraries

Book by September 30, 2024, and you will receive the following discounts on select Manatee Explorer departures below for 4, 5, and 8-day itineraries:

• solo travelers receive 50% off of the single supplement
• couples receive 30% off for the 2nd guest
• for families of 3, 1 guest under 12 is free

for these departures:
4 days, Fri.-Mon. -  SEP 20 - SEP 23 *, SEP 27 - SEP 30 *OCT 11 - OCT 14, NOV 29 - DEC 02 *, DEC 06 - DEC 09
5 days, Mon.-Fri. - ​SEP 23 - SEP 27 *, SEP 30 - OCT 04, OCT 07 - OCT 11, OCT 28 - NOV 01, NOV 25 - NOV 29 *, DEC 16 - DEC 20
* Ask for 8 days departures

• The promotion is valid for new bookings until Sept. 30, 2024, and cannot be used with any other discount.
• For families of 3: First guest under 12’s cruise free (1 child for free, based on triple suite, two adults paying double suite rate each).
• Minimum recommended age for children: 6 years
• Full non-refundable payment is required at the time of booking
• All bookings are subject to availability and written confirmation.
• Restrictions apply.

We are granting a discount of  15% for 2025 - 2026 departures, available until Sept. 30, 2024.

• Promotion valid for new reservations made until September 30, 2024, and cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions.
• Valid for departures from January 1, 2025, to December 20, 2026, except Christmas and New Year's Eve.
• Minimum recommended age for children: 6 years.
• A 20% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.
• All reservations are subject to availability and written confirmation.
• Other restrictions may apply.

2024 rates per person for Manatee Explorer:

room type	suite type	4 days	5 days	8 days
double	standard	-	$2865	$4585
double	deluxe	$2871	$3581	$5728

2025-2026 rates per person for Manatee Explorer:

room type	suite type	4 days	5 days	8 days
double	standard	$2415	$3016	$4827
double	deluxe	$3022	$3770	$6030

*Child rate of 50% off applies for each adult, ie 1 adult/1 child, 2 adults/2 children. If there are 3 children and 2 adults the third child will pay full adult rate.
​Triple rate of 45% off can only be applied if 3rd person is under 12
​add 50% to double rate for single occupancy
Glamping = $500 per person per night
Tariff Subject to change without previous notice, Prices are per person. A cancellation policy applies.

The Exploration Trips include:
• River Transportation.
• Accommodations in Single, Double or Triple Staterooms.
• All Meals (B, L, D), snacks, etc.
• Purified Water
• Excursions in the forest (all kind).
• Visits to Native Communities.
• Excursions Leaders (Biologists, Zoologists, Botanists, etc).
• Lectures by our Excursions Leaders.

Does Not Include:
• Air Fare Quito-Coca-Quito : Round trip (Quito – Coca – Quito): USD 250.00 One way (Quito – Coca / Coca – Quito): USD 140.00 (subject to change)
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities
• Bar Drinks, Soft Drinks
• Community entrance fees $ 70* (4 and 5 days) and $ 80* (8 days) 
Extra charge for wi fi: $15 per cruise

RESERVATIONS
​A reservation is valid only with a written confirmation. Once the reservation is confirmed, the client has a time limit of 5 business days to send a deposit of 10% of the total invoice  in order to hold and guarantee the reservation. Our system automatically eliminates all reservations that don´t have a deposit registered after the time limit specified above.
Full payment is required 65 days prior to the cruise departure.
 
REBOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO COVID-19*

• All guests with a scheduled booking shall have the option (up to 60 days prior to the cruise departure date) to rebook an alternative date until December 2022, with no penalty fees. Not applicable during Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
• For all such re-bookings, the value of the moved booking shall be applied as a Future Travel Credit (FTC) and shall not be transferable to a different guest. No further changes will be permitted within 59 days prior to the departure date and our regular terms & conditions shall apply, except in the event that travel is not possible within 59 to 4 days prior to the cruise due to a justified COVID-19* reason.
• Due to public health requirements, should a guest present any symptoms consistent with a COVID-19 infection during boarding, their access to the cruise vessel will be denied and no refund will be applicable.
• Final payment will be rescheduled based on the new travel date, according to original  booking terms & conditions. We  will provide assistance for setting a new date. In the event of such changes or cancellations, third-party fees may apply and shall be payable.

*For the purpose of these terms and conditions, a “COVID-19 reason” requires the guest scheduled to travel to present their confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 within 4 to 59 days prior to the date of departure.
CANCELLATION TERMSGiven the current global financial crisis that is affecting us as part of the Tourism industry, we strongly encourage rescheduling, as opposed to trip cancellation.
If you decide to cancel your trip, a charge shall apply to reflect the reasonable costs incurred by us in arranging and subsequently canceling your booking. Due to the complex nature of our travel itineraries, charges for cancellations after the balance due date will vary as follows:
Long-Term Cancellations

• • From booking confirmation date to 61 days prior to cruise departure:
    All initial deposits are non-refundable, however, these can be used as credit when selecting an alternative date until December 2022.

Short-Term Cancellations

• • 60 days or less prior to cruise departure:
    Total payment is non-refundable and will be applied as the cancellation fee.

We strongly recommend that our guests take out travel insurance for increased protection.
PLEASE NOTE:

• Certain third-party arrangements may not be changed after confirmation, and any change or cancellation regarding these may result in a charge of up to 100% of the total cost, depending on the third parties offering the services.
• For cancellations, any applicable wire fees and credit card commissions will be deducted from the refund calculation.
• Depending on the future conditions of the pandemic, we can modify the policies detailed above. This will be communicated in a timely manner to your preferred contact details.​​