Amazon and Galapagos Cruise

Trip Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 - Sunday · Quito
Today we arrive in Quito and are transferred to Hotel JW Marriot.

Overnight at Hotel JW MARRIOT – deluxe room

Day 2 - Monday · Quito / Coca
Your unforgettable adventure begins with a 30-minute flight from Quito to the Amazonian city of Coca. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the dock and board a motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the river, taking in the beauty of the Amazon, until you reach the Manatee Amazon Explorer and receive a warm welcome aboard. On the Manatee, you will meet the expert local naturalist guides, who will provide a brief, informative introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon; and afterwards you will have the opportunity to explore the cruise ship and admire the rainforest landscape as you start moving down the Napo River. After a delicious dinner, you can take a nighttime forest walk to hear the sounds of the rainforest and observe the nocturnal wildlife. This is a wonderful introduction to what you will experience during the next days.

Overnight on board the MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER

Day 3 - Tuesday · Yusuni National Park Start the day with a delicious breakfast. Your first visit this morning will be in the lower part of the Napo River, where you will spot different bird species such as eagles, oropendolas and the celebrated woodpeckers. After lunch, enjoy a visit of the Yasuni National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and home to the legendary pink dolphin. This is the perfect opportunity to participate in the pink dolphin conservation program, which the Manatee is involved in together with the Martinica community in the Cocaya area, providing a safe haven where these dolphins can live and feed without the risk of being hunted. The Secoyas people, a minority ancestral culture, live near Yasuni and will show us how to prepare traditional cassava bread during our visit to them. Dinner will be on the Manatee.

Overnight on board the MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER

Day 4 - Wednesday · Yusuni National Park
Your day will begin with a visit to an authentic Kichwa family on the banks of the Napo River, where you will have the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community about their lifestyle. After this, return to the Manatee and participate in a cooking class with an expert chef, who will show you how to prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian food. You are also invited to try traditional handcrafting or to take in the magnificent Amazon environment from the open-air hot tub, enjoy cocktails at the Bar and Lounge, or delight in some nighttime stargazing from the Observation Deck. For more active guests there is also the opportunity to kayak in the area.

Overnight on board the MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER

Day 5 - Thursday · Yusuni National Park Start your day by visiting an observation tower built in a giant millenary kapok tree, where you can marvel at the impressive 360° view from the top overlooking the treetops of the forest canopy and contemplate the sheer vastness of the Amazon. In the afternoon, you will explore the primary forest and spot the different plant and wildlife species that are endemic to this ecosystem. Don’t miss on trying to find the strange and unique bird known as the hoatzin, or as it’s known locally, the “stinkbird”.

Overnight on board the MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER

Day 6 - Friday · Coca / Quito
Your adventure in the Amazon has come to an end, but not without one final look at this beautiful place on your return to Puerto Providencia where we you will disembark the Manatee Amazon Explorer and ride back to the city of Coca in the motorized canoe in order to take your flight back to Quito.  Arrival in Quito at noon and transfer to Hotel Wyndham Airport. Free afternoon.

Overnight at WYNDHAM QUITO AIRPORT HOTEL

Day 7 - Saturday · Quito / Galapagos Early transfer to the airport to take the flight to Galapagos. Upon arrival in San Cristobal Island, you will receive assistance at the airport from the cruise’s staff. Transfer from the airport to the M/C Ocean Spray.

PM: San Cristobal - Lobos Island / Kicker Rock: Lobos Island is aptly named after the many sea lions that reside here resting and playing along the rocky shores. Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, frigate birds, Galapagos sharks, schools of tropical fish, stingrays.

Kicker Rock is one of the most extraordinary sites in the Galapagos Islands, made of two eroded volcanic cones that tower over the sea at about 104 meters in the middle of the open water. It is a nesting place of sea birds and a nice spot to take pictures while the vessels circumnavigate around the rock.

Day 8 - Sunday · San Cristobal AM visit to Pitt Point: When arriving at Pitt Point, you will feel as if you are in some other planet. Enjoy this moderate uphill trek through rocky land. Watch out for blue-footed boobie nests on the ground and keep an eye out for the redfooted boobies nesting in the trees. This is a great spot to take exceptional pictures. Activities: Hiking and kayaking. Possible Wildlife: Sea lions, various shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies.

PM: San Cristobal - Witch Hill: Witch Hill has awesome crevices and eroding rocks along the shoreline where you will first pass in panga. Afterwards be prepared to visit a powdery white sand beach with teal and turquoise waters. Don’t forget to get your snorkel gear, as this is one of the best ways to enjoy the island. Activities: Panga ride, swimming, snorkel.

Possible Wildlife: sea lions, various shore birds, finches, mockingbirds, tropical fish, and different crabs from the Sally lightfoot.

Day 9 - Monday · Floreana AM: Post Office Bay: Ask the Cruise Manager for one of our complimentary postcards to write a message and address it home. Leave it in the barrel used many years ago by pirates and sailors. While you are there, you can look through other postcards that you can take home with you to send for fellow travelers who have already left their messages! Try to learn as much as possible from this site, as this is one of the historical spots in the Islands. Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, various shorebirds and seabirds, marine life.

PM: Cormorant Point / Devil’s Crown: Cormorant Point is an interesting visitor site. Two beaches can be visited here, just beyond the first beach is a saltwater lagoon with flamingos. Devil’s Crown boasts one of the finest snorkeling opportunities. Hundreds of colorful fish species can be seen along the reef, along with sharks, rays, sea turtles, sea lions, among others. It’s a beautiful underwater spectacle that cannot be missed.

Possible Wildlife: frigatebirds, sea lions, sea turtles, Galapagos sharks, white-tipped sharks, tropical fish, various shorebirds and seabirds, varied marine life.

Day 10 - Tuesday · Santa Cruz / Guayaquil AM: Black Turtle Cove: This shallow inlet is surrounded by mangroves and provides a natural protection for a variety of marine life, attracting the vulnerable juveniles of many species. Below the surface of the water, you can see both black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, golden cow-nose rays, and spotted eagle rays. Pelicans and blue-footed boobies hunt here, diving gracefully into the water.

After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your flight to Guayaquil. Arrival in the afternoon and transfer to Hotel del Parque.

Overnight at HOTEL DEL PARQUE

Day 11 - Wednesday · Guayaquil Today, you will enjoy a full day at a Cocoa Farm. Hacienda La Danesa is a private ranch located in Ecuador’s green coastal region, east of the Guayaquil and near the Andean foothills. It has been owned by the Olsen Peet family for more than 50 years and its 1,200 acres produce fine cacao, teak, 2,000 liters of milk per day, fresh cheese and pinto quarter horses. Food is a highlight at Hacienda La Danesa — fresh cheese, vegetables, and fruits are served in the al fresco restaurant, and picnics can be arranged.

Overnight at HOTEL DEL PARQUE