Amazon river discovery by cruise

Upon arrival at Quito airport, you will meet with your guide, who will transfer you to your hotel.

Situated in a circle of Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second-highest capital, with arguably one of the finest settings in the world. Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was an important part of the Inca Empire, before being destroyed and re-founded by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534.

The colonial center – declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 – is one of the largest and best-preserved in Latin America. It is home to excellent museums, churches, and art galleries.

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Photo: mehdi33300

Explore the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical center in the Americas, visiting some of its most important churches such as the impressive Cathedral, majestic Compañía, and iconic San Francisco, guardians of a stunning multi-ethnic artistic and cultural heritage.

We begin the tour with the quirky Guapulo quarter; have a look at the Congress building, before heading to the Old Town. We finish the day at the “Panecillo” hillside with its breathtaking views of the old and modern city surrounded by the rolling Andes Mountains.

As an addition to the Quito Colonial City Tour, we travel to the “Equatorial line” complex. Its monument is located at the latitude 0º 0´0″ and provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to straddle both hemispheres or hop between the two in the blink of an eye. The monument forms the focal point of a park and leisure area with gift shops and restaurants.

The site occupies an important place in the solar-based Andean cosmovision since ancient Andean people were aware of its significance many thousands of years ago. The Ethnographic Museum at the complex provides a fine overview of Ecuador’s varied cultures and geography.

Overnight.

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Photo: jkraft5

After taking a short 30-minute flight from Quito to the Amazon city of Coca, located in the Province of San Francisco de Orellana, we will transfer to the dock. There we board our motorized canoe to begin our journey down the river for approximately an hour and a half, taking in the first sights and sounds of the Amazon. Soon, we will reach the Manatee Amazon Explorer and receive our welcome aboard.

Once we have settled into the Manatee Amazon Explorer, we will be joined by expert local naturalist guides who will provide us with a brief and informative introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon. After this introduction, the guests will have their first opportunity to discover the exciting features of our cruise ship: spacious social areas, comfortable suites, and the observation deck that allows us to admire the changing rainforest landscape as we glide down the Napo River.

After dinner, we will plunge straight into the Amazon by going for a nighttime forest walk to observe the forest’s nocturnal activity and experience the thrill of the vivid noises and aromas that come from so much biodiversity.

Overnight.

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© Amazon Cruise

Early in the morning, we will visit Yasuni National Park. This is a pristine and relatively undisturbed region of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Our guests will be pleased to learn that this is the home of 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 that is known locally as the “Stinky Turkey”.

Later in the afternoon, we will go canoeing in a blackwater lake, home to giant otters and the magnificent, albeit elusive manatee. We will also enjoy a pleasant hike in the Riparian/Gallery Forest, where we have the chance to spot a flock of birds and marvel at the intricate organization of a colony of leaf-cutter ants by the “Giant Fig Tree”, a truly majestic tree that is home to an abundance of wildlife, much like the “Giant Kapok Tree”.

Overnight.

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Photo: AlxPortilla

We will start the day by visiting an authentic Quechua family located on the banks of the Napo River. There we will receive cultural immersion and the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community.

We will then board the Manatee Amazon Explorer for lunch and some leisure time as we continue our navigation upstream. At this time, our guests will be delighted with our life onboard experiences and participate in a cooking class with our expert chef who will share recipes and techniques, using fresh and organic ingredients to prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian food that you can replicate at home.

Guests are also invited to try their hands at making traditional handicrafts or enjoy our onboard facilities such as: a relaxing massage at the Rainforest Spa, a spectacular ever-changing scenery view from our Amazon Hut Tub, a delicious cocktail at our Bar and Lounge or just admire the amazing sunset or the stargazing at night from our Observation Deck Lounge. For our more active guests, a kayaking activity is the best choice to explore the nature around. There is an option for everyone!

This day we are pleased to offer a camping program for our adventurous guests which is an alternative manner to explore this enchanting destination.

Overnight.

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Photo: eismannhans

Our guests can relax and enjoy the Manatee Amazon Explorer during the morning and disembark to explore the nearby forest. You can go there for a walk to discover a myriad of different animals and plant species that can only be found in the Amazon basin.

In the afternoon, we will visit a canopy tower, built against a giant Kapok tree. The perspective at the top of this observation tower is truly glorious, looming above the lush treetops and providing a view of the sheer vastness of the Amazon Basin.

In the evening, we will bravely venture into the river on a canoe to search for black caimans with the help of our flashlights.

Overnight.

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Photo: RollingEarth

DAY 7: FLIGHT TO QUITO

The amazon journey ends.

In the morning, you disembark the M/V Manatee and are transferred by motorized canoe to Coca (1 ½ hour ride). From there you take the flight to Quito.

At Quito’s airport, we will be waiting for you to take you to the hotel.

Overnight.

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DAY 8: QUITO SIX SENSES TOUR

This day you will experience Six Senses Tour through Quito. It is a unique and innovative program that is fixed with psycho-sensory experiences in which every perceptive human sense is involved. The Six Senses Tour Quito was born as an innovative experience program by Latin Trails, in which Psychology and sensitive methods are combined. This gives our guests a complete life experience of ancient places and typical meals in the marvelous City of Quito. Overnight.

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Photo: Moiz_Cukurel

The adventure ends. You will be taken to the airport to catch your international flight.

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© Quiport