Anakonda – 8 Day Cruise Wednesday Departures

Note: This itinerary starts at Quito airport, we would recommend a few nights in Quito before hand, please speak to your consultant for further arrival information.

* This itinerary runs from a Wednesday to Wednesday 

Overview:

Travel on board the M/V Anakonda, the luxury cruise ship in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest, and experience the Amazon River in a most unique way. Visit the remote and pristine areas where few have had the opportunity to travel, with only 40 fellow passengers, and interact with the region’s local communities while enjoying the comforts, facilities and services of a 5-star boutique hotel in the middle of the Ecuadorian Amazon. 

The Anakonda operates in the upper basins of the Napo and Aguarico Rivers, around Limoncocha Wildlife Reserve and Yasuni National Park, Ecuador’s largest protected animal reserve. Here, the devoted, highly-knowledgeable guides come into their own, as they willingly share their wealth of information about the Amazon's tropical rainforest. The exciting itineraries are carried out with a heartfelt commitment to the communities and nature of the Amazon, and the variety of excursions is ample and compelling. 

The Anakonda has floor to ceiling windows with a view of the passing river and rainforest which make suites the most comfortable way to experience the splendor of the Amazon. 

Inclusions:

• Onboard accommodations. 
• All meals on board. 
• Scheduled excursions according to the itinerary. 
• Certified naturalist local guides. 
• Coffee station (unlimited supply of water, coffee, and tea). 
• Exclusive access to our VIP Lounge in Coca city (before and after the cruise). 
• Transfers to/from the vessel when arriving on our recommended flights. 
• Private & personalized assistance for Quito – Coca - Quito flights at both airports when arriving on our recommended flights.

Exclusions:

• Airfares
• Community entrance fees (USD $80 per person)
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Tips and gratuities
• Internet Wi-Fi
• Other services not specified in the program. 
• Travel Insurance

QUITO – COCA – NAPO RIVER

Our adventure begins in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. After a 30-minute flight from Quito to the Amazonian city of Coca, we will transfer to the dock and board our motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the river, taking in the Amazon, until we reach the Anakonda Amazon Cruise and receive our welcome aboard. 

On the Anakonda, we will be joined by expert local naturalist guides, who will provide us with a brief, informative introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon; afterwards, guests will have the opportunity to explore our cruise ship and admire the rainforest landscape as we glide down the Napo River. 

After dinner, we will take a nighttime forest walk to observe the rainforest's nocturnal activity and vividly experience its biodiversity first-hand.

Please note that all cruise itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s discretion. Passengers should also be aware that animal sightings cannot be guaranteed due to the unpredictability of wildlife behavior.

 THE HEART OF YASUNI NATIONAL PARK (HOME OF THE LEGENDARY PINK RIVER DOLPHIN)

Early in the morning, we will visit Yasuni National Park, a pristine region of the Ecuadorian Amazon, home to 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 known locally as the “stinky turkey”. In the afternoon, we will take a motorized canoe to a black-water lake, home to giant otters and the elusive manatee, and enjoy a pleasant hike in the riparian/gallery forest, with the chance to spot flocks of birds and marvel at the intricate organization of a colony of leaf-cutter ants.

 KICHWA FAMILY & LIFE ONBOARD

We will start the day off by visiting an authentic Kichwa family on the banks of the Napo River, where we will receive the opportunity to learn directly from members of the local community. 

We will then board the Anakonda for lunch as we continue upstream. Guests will participate in a cooking class with our expert chef and prepare exquisite traditional Ecuadorian. Guests are also invited to try their hand at traditional handicrafting or enjoy our onboard facilities, including the Rainforest Spa, the spectacular view from our Amazon Hot Tub, cocktails at our Bar and Lounge, and stargazing from our Observation Deck.

FOREST ADVENTURE & OBSERVATION CANOPY TOWER

Our guests can relax and enjoy the Anakonda Amazon Cruise during the morning and disembark to explore the nearby forest and discover a myriad of animals and plant species endemic to the Amazon basin. 

In the afternoon, we will visit a canopy tower built against a giant kapok tree and take in the view from the top as we loom above the lush treetops and look down on the sheer vastness of the Amazon. In the evening we will take a canoe onto the river to search for black caimans by flashlight.

 INDILLAMA NAPO RIVER – THE NORTHERN SIDE OF YASUNÍ NATIONAL PARK

We will begin the day kayaking on the Indillama River towards Yasuní National Park. Kayaks are smooth and silent, providing the very best opportunity to observe wildlife. Canoes can also be used to travel in search of more wildlife. 

After an adventure-filled day, guests can take advantage of our observation deck and experience a magical view under the stars. Our more energetic guests can choose to unwind with a night walk through the jungle in search of nocturnal creatures.

PAÑACOCHA BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR

We will travel downstream to the Pañayacu River delta, where we will take a canoe trip to Pañacocha Lake (“Piranha Lake” in the native Kichwa), an ecosystem flooded by black-waters. The surrounding protected rainforest is home to primates and birds, and is the perfect habitat for piranhas, paiches (one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world), the white caiman, and hundreds of other aquatic animals.

We will participate in nature walks led by local naturalist guides, and relax at a nearby campsite, where we will enjoy an Amazon-style BBQ. After lunch, we will do some kayaking and swimming activities. Back on board the Anakonda, our guests will have the opportunity to attend a lecture and watch an educational documentary about the region.

PARROT CLAY LICKS – AMAZONIAN COMMUNITIES & OBSERVATION TOWER

In the morning we will set out on canoes to observe one of the most incredible sights on this side of the Western Amazon, the parrot clay licks. This unique place is rich in minerals and attracts hundreds of colorful parrots, parakeets and amazon birds. 

Afterwards, we will visit a Kichwa Cultural Center, where we will learn about Amazon communities and their ancestral culture, traditions, and cuisine. Members of the local community will teach us about indigenous lifestyles along the Napo River, and we will have the opportunity to support the community by purchasing handicrafts, local products, and souvenirs. 

Before sunset, we will visit an observation tower in the rainforest canopy, which offers an astonishing 360-degree view of the Amazon basin. Bird-lovers will especially enjoy this outing.

RETURN

This is where our adventure ends! Enjoy the final part of our return journey, then disembark the Anakonda Amazon Cruise to take the motorized canoe 90 minutes back to Coca.