Jungle Adventure aboard Manatee Amazon Explorer Cruise in Ecuador

Jungle Adventure aboard Manatee Amazon Explorer Cruise in Ecuador BY NUEVO MUNDO EXPEDITIONS ON SALE @ www.nuevomundoexpeditions.com

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UPDATED 2 weeks ago DURATION 4 Days/3 Nights SEASON May & July RETAIL PRICE USD 1,000.00 per person SALE PRICE USD 900.00 per person Save USD 100.00! EXPIRES Jul 31, 2013
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DESCRIPTION

In 1541, the very first Europeans set out from Quito to look for gold. Little did they know that after floating down 1,300 km (800 miles) on the Napo River they would reach the Great Amazon River, fed by over 1,000 tributaries that empty 1/3 of the planet's fresh water into the sea! Now, it’s your turn to go down the Napo River, but this time with the creature comforts of modern technology on board our deluxe Manatee Amazon Explorer riverboat. Imagine, you don’t even have to camp or stay at a lodge to enjoy the highest quality natural history experience! Why suffer? Here’s more about the Manatee...

Nuevo Mundo Expeditions is joint owner of the Manatee Amazon Explorer, the result of over 30 years of experience in running expeditions others think are extinct. It 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, plus the highest safety standards, personable service and efficiency. We even have internet, mobile phone service and satellite TV if you want to know what’s cookin’ in the outside world.

In a nutshell, here’s what you see: the world's largest primeval forest, containing 10% of all existing trees, 70% of all pharmaceutical compounds, and indigenous people that live symbiotically with their unique ecosystem. This is the habitat of wildlife that is sure to be watching you - or vice versa: freshwater dolphins, 500 species of birds, half a dozen species of monkeys, caimans, tapirs, 2,500 species of butterflies, just to mention a few!

Mosquitoes? Well, not on the ship. It’s because the Manatee is surrounded by flowing water, and it’s air conditioned throughout, so no mosquito nets are necessary (like at lodges)!

How many days? We have weekly programs for 4 and 5 days, plus special expedition departures for 8 and 10 days (minimum 16 passengers).

When is the best time to travel? Anytime. We can help you fit your jungle experience around the rest of your Ecuador itinerary. Don’t miss this magical wonderland for young and old aboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer!

ADDITION RATE INFORMATION

Quotes are in double occupancy; discount for triple cabin and single supplement apply.

Not included: kayak rental, alcoholic drinks, and other personal expenses.

Offer applies for 5d/4n trip too: $957 normal / $850 sale price.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Quito – Coca – Yasuní National Park

Depart from Quito in the morning and take a 25-minute flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), named after the Spanish explorer that led the expedition from Quito to Amazonia in 1541. A motorized canoe will be waiting at the dock to ride downstream for approximately 1½ hours. During the trip Nuevo Mundo will provide important information about the region. Once on board the MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER, start navigating down the Napo River for the rest of the afternoon. At dusk, your first live experience with the Ecuadorian Amazon basin will begin: night walk, visit to a native home or canoe ride, depending on the water level, weather conditions, wildlife behavior and accessibility to the location. (LD)

Day 2: Pañacocha Protected Forest

We continue our journey upstream to reach the mouth of the Pañayacu (Piranha River). We will take a canoe trip along the Piranha River, an ecosystem flooded by white water, to see what this protected forest has to offer: freshwater pink dolphins, the common squirrel monkey, white caimans, and of course, piranhas. Here you can swim in the lake and/or fish for piranha using "catch and release" techniques. At night, there will be an optional excursion to explore the forest and riverbanks (BLD).

Day 3: Limoncocha Biological Reserve & Parrots' Clay Lick

Early morning visit to another area of the Yasuní National Park, the most accessible parrot and parakeet clay licks in Ecuador, where these birds use the clay to help their digestion. You'll have the best spot to watch and enjoy this incredible show up close! It is difficult to imagine hundreds, sometimes thousands of parrots and parakeets coming all together at once to the clay licks! In the afternoon, go to the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible area for spotting lots of birds, monkeys and, at night, search for the black caiman. You will have the opportunity to swim in the lake and practice ecofishing using “catch and release” techniques. (BLD)

Day 4: Return To Quito

After breakfast, take the canoe ride upstream for about 2½ hours to reach the city of Coca. Return flight to Quito. (B)

River Traveled:

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Accommodations
• Specified meals (B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner)
• Activities as per itinerary
• Naturalist guides
• Purified water
• Rain poncho and rubber boots
• Community and park fees
• Airfare to Coca

NOTES

The Manatee Amazon Explorer is "Smart Voyager Certified."

Travel & Industry Awards: Conservation International Ecotourism Excellence Award

Affiliations: Adventure Travel Trade Association * Ecuadorian Chamber of Tourism * Ecuadorian Ecotourism Association * International Living