The new Manatee Amazon Explorer riverboat has been specially built for cruises in the Ecuadorian rainforest on the Rio Napo. You will visit Monkey Island,  Yasuni National Park and Biosphere Reserve, walk jungle trails and explore virgin rain forest. The Manatee Amazon Explorer is 90 feet long (27 m) 24 feet wide (7 m) and accommodates 30 lucky 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. 

Some 60 million years ago, South America was an enormous island, partly submerged in the Atlantic. The Amazon River flowed west, as the Andes rose majestically eons later. Life gathered in isolated patches, like Noah's Ark, bearing the promise of continuity. Salt water retreated to the sea, rains clashed against mountain slopes, and the Panamanian land bridge gave way to genetic transactions with the North. The result? The greatest orchestration of life ever heard on Earth - whose symphonies delight the spirit as its rainbow of colors come alive with what scientists call "biodiversity". What's more, not even the most outlandish imagination, nor the most sophisticated multimedia equipment, could ever emulate this "divinely computerized programming".

In 1541, the very first Europeans set out from Quito to explore these dense jungles east of this ancient Incan capital in search of gold and cinnamon. Not the jungle or the natives ever revealed where the precious metal of "El Dorado" was to be found, as they floated for 800 miles down the Napo to come upon what they thought to be the Atlantic. But it wasn't the Atlantic - yet. It was the Great Amazon River, fed by over a thousand tributaries that emptied one third of the Planet's fresh water into the sea!

Almost 500 years have passed since the discovery of this magnificent river system that flows through the world's largest primeval forest, containing 10% of all existing trees, 70% of all pharmaceutical compounds, and native Indians that live symbiotically with their unique ecosystem. This is the habitat of wildlife that is sure to be watching you - or vice versa - if you are lucky: freshwater dolphins, 500 species of birds, half a dozen species of monkeys, caimans, tapirs, 2500 species of butterflies.
Today, you can be a temporary guest in this magical wonderland for young and old. Our Amazon Manatee Explorer, designed for adventure, yet featuring the comforts and advantages of modern technology - is the result of over 20 years of experience in running expeditions others think are extinct. Come aboard for an experience of a lifetime!
Our boat has the capacity to accommodate up to 30 passengers in 14 of its charming double, double-twin and single-twin cabins. Each cabin is equipped with air conditioning, closets, a private bathroom complete with a special shower massage, hot and cold water, 24 hours of electricity and 110-voltage outlets and switches.

Sample 5 day Itinerary:

Day 1 Quito – Coca – Yasuní National Park

Depart from Quito in the morning, flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), arriving to Coca after a short 30 minutes trip. Transfer to the Napo River port then the motorized canoe ride downstream will be approximately one and a half hours; during the trip we will provide important information about the region. Once on board the Manatee Amazon Explorer will start navigating down the Napo River for the whole afternoon. At night our first live experience with the Ecuadorian Amazon basin will begin (night walk or canoe ride will depend on the river level, climatic conditions, wildlife behavior and accessibility to a location).

Day 2 Visiting the Pañacocha Biological Corridor

We will continue our navigation downstream to arrive at the mouth of the Pañayacu (Piranha River). After arrival, there will be a canoe trip through the Piranha River to see the sights of this interesting protected forest. There is a possibility to observe Pink River Dolphins, the agile Common Squirrel Monkeys and much more. The Piranha Lake area is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes of that place are perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caimans. At night, there will be an optional excursion to explore the forest and riverbanks and also optional overnight at our camp for an extra fee of $30,00 per person can be arranged.

Day 3 Visiting the Observation Tower – Native House

On the third day of our cruise, we will explore the Observation Tower build around a tree to observe the different ecosystems of the forest and a wide variety of birds. After lunch at the Manatee, you will stop at a Native House of the Kichwas a native guide will bring into the light their way of life and traditions.

In the morning we will continue to visit one of the tallest trees of the Rainforest, the Kapok, a native guide also will explain to us the use of medicinal plants, if time permits we will have a visit to the CICAME Archeological Museum which preserves pottery from the Omagua Culture, one of the first forest pre-Columbian residents of the Napo River basin. This is also a good place to shop local handicrafts made from rainforest materials. In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible area to find lots of birds, some monkeys and at night looking for the Black Caiman, return to the Manatee at night.

Day 5. Returning home

Return to the city of Coca to take the morning flight back to Quito. The canoe ride upstream will take around two hours.

Sample 4 day Itinerary

Day 1 Quito – Coca – Yasuní National Park

Depart from Quito in the morning, flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), arriving to Coca after a short 30 minutes trip. Transfer to the Napo River port then the motorized canoe ride downstream will be approximately one and a half hours; during the trip we will provide important information about the region. Once on board the Manatee Amazon Explorer will start navigating down the Napo River for the whole afternoon. At dusk our first live experience with the Ecuadorian Amazon basin will begin (night walk, visit to a Native House or canoe ride will depend on the river level, climatic conditions, wildlife behavior and accessibility to a location).

Day 2 Visiting the Pañacocha Biological Corridor

We will continue our navigation downstream to arrive close to the mouth of the Pañayacu (Piranha River). After arrival, there will be a canoe trip through the Piranha River to see the sights of this interesting protected forest. There is a possibility to observe Pink River Dolphins, the agile Common Squirrel Monkeys and much more. The Piranha Lake area is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes of that place are perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caimans. At night, there will be an optional excursion to explore the forest and riverbanks.

Day 3 Visiting a Native House and CICAME Museum – Limoncocha Biological Reserve

In the morning we will visit a Native House from the Kichwa people that lives inside of the Yasuni National Park with an interesting walk in a mature forest if the time permits after this a short visit to the CICAME Archeological Museum, which preserves pottery from the Omagua Culture, one of the first forest pre-Columbian residents of the Napo River basin. This is also a good place to shop local handicrafts made from rainforest materials. In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible area to find lots of birds, some monkeys and at night looking for the Black Caiman return to the Manatee at night.

Day 4. Returning home

Return to the city of Coca to take the morning flight back to Quito. The canoe ride upstream will take around two hours.

Please note: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On daily basis of your tour you will be advised of any amendments.

The Exploration Leaders will always be offering information about the region, tours, weather conditions, navigation, native cultures and probabilities to encounter wildlife through lectures, briefings, recaps and videos.

Our 90 foot long (27 mt) 24 foot wide (7 mt) Manatee Amazon Explorer riverboat has been specially built for cruises in the Ecuadorean rainforest, accommodating 30 lucky 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.