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Manatee Amazon Explorer - 5D/4N
The Amazon Region contains the world’s largest tropical rainforest, the world’s largest river, the the greatest diversity of wildlife. More than 4000 species of birds, 2000 species of fish, 60 species of reptiles, and a great variety of mammals such as the Jaguar, Peccary, Giant Anteater, Tapir, Capybara, and Pink River Dolphin inhabit the area. In addition to the rainforest explorations, the program visits the homes of forest residents. You can visit and learn what their lives are like, living on the edge of this vast trackless forest. Traveling around Ecuadorian Amazon offers an unforgettable experience; memories that you will carry long after leaving the Amazon.
Manatee River Boat
This yacht accomodates 30 passengers in 14 cabins doubles with private bathrooms, air conditioner, and hot water. Accomodations and services include: dining room, bar, laundry, store, reading room, and balcony. Canoes, bird watching, jungle walks, fishing, river exploration, lakes and lagoons, swiming, night camping in the jungle. Crew of 12 including Naturalist Guide.
Departures: Mondays
Includes: River transportation; accomodation in single, double, or triple staterooms; all meals, snacks, etc.; purified water; excursions in the forest (all kind); visits to native communities; excursion leaders (biologists, zoologists, botanists, etc.); lectures by excursion leaders.
Not Included: Air fare Quito-Coca-Quito; travel insurance; gratuities; bar drinks, soft drinks; personal expenses; entrance to National Parks.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Monday - Depart from Quito in the morning, flight to Fracisco de Orellana. Transfer to the Napo River Port for a 2 hour motorized canoe roide downstream (a box lunch will be provided during this). Once aboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer, a thrilling adventure of exploring the tropical rain forest and its native communities will begin. The crew will attend to your needs and the guides will intorduce you to the surprising Amazon world. The Manatee sails along different ecosystems and important natural reserves such ast he Yasuni National Park and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve.
- Day 2: Tuesday Terra Firmae Forest, Lakes and Gorges. - Morning disembarkation for a stroll on terra firmae forest, towards an internal lagoon in the Yasuní
National Park, observing the different ecosystems and accompanied by the naturalist guide. The excursion includes the opportunity to swim and fish for the famous piranha, time to rest and lunch. The return to the mighty Napo River will be on board a native canoe, rowing along a small black water creek or gorge. - Day 3: Wednesday Parrots and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve - Early departure by motor canoe to visit a very special corner of the jungle, the clay banks of the river where different species of parrots gather daily to eat this clay that helps them digest the seeds they feed on, it is quite a sight, colorful and noisy! Then, back aboard the Manatee to sail upriver and reach one of the tributaries of the Napo to observe the flora and fauna, the surprising pygmy monkeys and then a trek to the facilities of what used to be South America’s Summer Institute of Linguistics in Limoncocha, currently the only Biological Reserve of Ecuador. Upon reaching the Limoncocha Lake, we will board a canoe and travel along the banks of this marshy ecosystem, where over 470 species of birds have been recorded. There is a possibility to fish for piranha, and for a short walk. At night, it is possible to observe the black caimans that inhabit the lagoon; quite an experience… Late return to the Manatee for dinner and overnight.
- Day 4: Thursday Culture / The Amazon man / Giants of the Forest - The adventure today begins with a visit to the Museum of Pompeya, a small archaeological sample with
Amazonian funeral urns that date back several centuries, as well as utensils and ways of life of the ancient denizens of the rain forest, which can still be seen today. We will also have the opportunity to see the giant trees of the Amazon, like the kapok, which rises over the forest canopy to more than 40 meters high, with huge, protruding roots. Guests can also try rowing the canoes on a tranquil tributary of the Napo River up to the house of a native family, to share a moment with them and learn their ways of life. - Day 5: Friday The Return - While the Manatee navigates upriver, the guides wrap up our knowledge of the great Amazon region. Then
transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito.
NOTE - WHILE IT IS INTENED TO ADHERE TO THE ABOVE ROUTE, THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FLEXIBILITY BUILT INTO THE ITINERARY AND ON OCCASION IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO MAKE ALTERATIONS. ON A DAILY BASIS WHILE ON TOUR, YOU WILL BE ADVISED OF ANY AMENDMENTS.
Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs
We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.
US Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here
Canadian Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here
Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs
We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.
