Manatee Amazon Explorer

With over 20 years of sailing in Ecuador’s Oriente region, the Manatee Amazon Explorer was and continues to be, the pioneer in Ecuadorian Amazon cruising. At 121-feet in length and with a capacity for 30 adventurous guests, the Manatee may be smaller than her luxury sister ship the Anakonda, but remains a superior and spacious option for comfortably cruising to one of the most biodiverse places on earth, the remote and remarkable Yasuní National Park.

Luxurious Adventure

A direct descendent of the first tourist cruise to explore the upper basins of the Napo and Aguarico Rivers – following in the wake of the Francisco de Orellana himself – this 2017 luxury reincarnation of the original Manatee, named after the graceful Amazonian manatee found in these waters, has taken accommodation levels to the next level whilst keeping all of the adventure.

In total, the Manatee has fourteen spacious, air-conditioned, river-facing suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and ensuite facilties providing exceptional views and an unexpected level of comfort in the depths of the Amazon. The four designated deluxe suites also have their own whirlpool bathtubs, replete with relaxing bubbles and resplendent views of the rainforest, and give the hot tub on the observation deck a run for its money.

When not enjoying the spacious observation deck’s unobstructed views, comfy sofas and sun loungers, guests can also unwind in the inviting panoramic indoor lounge-cum-conference room, or succumb to the serenity of the Crystal Room, ideal for curling up in with a book.

The friendly and attentive crew will extend their warm Amazonian hospitality and keep everyone entertained and at ease. Any children on board can get involved with fun cooking classes using fascinating local ingredients, whilst parents can try their hands at making a cocktail with fruits from the jungle – or simply enjoy one from the well stocked onboard bar. Dine on sumptuous food, freshly prepared juices and snacks, all served in the first deck’s chic dining room or al fresco in the popular outdoor lounge.

The Manatee is also one of the few boats in the Amazon to offer satellite internet access, although you shouldn’t be short of natural entertainment with so much to see all around you. Manatee guests will also be able to relax in the purpose-built, private VIP lounge at the pier in Coca both before boarding and after disembarking the vessel, with complimentary refreshments available.

Extensive Itineraries With Interesting And Unique Activities

The Manatee’s four-, five- and even eight-day itineraries have plenty of adventurous activities available for all ages and abilities, including itinerary features unique to Ecuador. Explore Jatuncocha’s series of lagoons home to river otters, caiman and the infamous anaconda. Stand above the canopy at a panoramic observation tower built against a giant kapok tree for the most spectacular of views.

Grab your binoculars and take to the canoes for one of the Amazon’s most spectacular shows as macaws, parakeets and parrots gather at a hidden clay lick, sometimes in their hundreds, to ingest the clay’s important detoxifying minerals.

On the longer itineraries, there is also an incredible one-night camping option (with applicable surcharge) for up to 8 passengers, an unmissable opportunity to sleep in a private, thatch roof cabin by the wildlife, and piranha-rich Lake Pañacocha, deep in the Pañacocha Protected Forest Reserve.

Visit a record-breaking region home to almost 600 bird species, 150 amphibian species, and in just one hectare both a staggering 100,000 insect species and more tree, shrub and liana species than anywhere else in the world. Witness all these natural wonders and more aboard a Manatee Amazon Explorer cruise.