We offer two jungle itineraries, one staying in a lodge and one cruising the river. Both itineraries include 4 nights in the jungle and offer the opportunity to follow jungle trails, visit lakes, see the wildlife and get an insight into the jungle way of life.
Jungle Lodge Itinerary
Sacha Lodge, Napo River
Day 1 (Wednesday)
Evening flight from the UK to Quito,
flying overnight.
Day 2 (Thursday)
Morning arrival in Quito. Optional
Colonial Quito excursion in the afternoon (2 nights).
Day 3 (Friday)
Optional Otavalo Market excursion.
Day 4 (Saturday)
Morning flight from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos. We transfer to our ship, our home for the next 7 nights, where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Cerro Dragon where often there are flamingos near the two lagoons.
Day 5 (Sunday)
This morning, we visit Bartolome, where we can climb to summit of this volcanic island. From here, there are wonderful views. We can also snorkel with penguins in the surrounding sea. In the afternoon, we visit Santiago. The black lava shoreline has marine iguanas and red Sally Lightfoot crabs. You can snorkel here with fur seals.
Day 6 (Monday)
This morning, we visit Fernandina, the westernmost island. Flightless cormorants, sea lions and Galapagos penguins are common here. After lunch, we visit Isabela, the largest of the islands, excellent for snorkelling.
Day 7 (Tuesday)
After breakfast, we visit the island of Seymour, home to many marine birds. In the afternoon, we visit the highlands of Santa Cruz, including the Galapagos Tortoise Reserve, and the lava tunnels.
Day 8 (Wednesday)
Visit San Cristobal Island. As some passengers are embarking and disembarking today, the sites visited will vary.
Day 9 (Thursday)
In the morning visit Punta Suarez on Española, walking among the blue-footed boobies, masked bookies and other sea birds. In the afternoon we visit Gardner Bay, a beautiful beach which is excellent for swimming and snorkelling.
Day 10 (Friday)
In the morning, on Santa Cruz, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we see the work done in the conservation of the flora and fauna of the islands, and see the town of Puerto Ayora. In the afternoon, visit Rabida Island, a small island with a central volcano, with red lava rocks. There is very good snorkelling here.
Day 11 (Saturday)
Final excursion on the islands before flying back to Quito (2 nights).
Day 12 (Sunday)
A free day in Quito. Take our optional excursion to the Bellavista Cloud Forest.
Day 13 ( Monday)
Morning flight to Coca, then a two-hour motorized canoe ride down the Napo River to the Lodge on Pilchicocha lake, arriving in time for a swim. Visit the mini-tower to observe birds and watch the sun set. After dinner, take a walk to explore the forest after dark.
Day 14 (Tuesday)
A morning visit to the canopy walkway to observe the jungle canopy and the varied birdlife. Walk through an igapo forest, where native guides explain the medicinal use of many plants. After lunch, continue through the forest, perhaps seeing the dusky titi monkey.
Day 15 (Wednesday)
Take a canoe ride on Lagartococha lake, home to anacondas, caimans and capybaras. After lunch, fish for piranhas, then a silent canoe ride through the flooded forest, looking for sloths. A climb of a wooden tower built around an ancient kapok tree gives splended sunset views. We return to the lodge by canoe, taking an amazing ride through the night-time flooded forest.
Day 16 (Thursday)
An excursion to the banks of the river, where different species of parrot gather at a clay lick. Then visit a native settlement to learn their way of life. After lunch, follow a trail through the forest, with guides explaining the jungle around you.
Day 17 (Friday)
Return to Coca before flying back to Quito (1 night).
Day 18 (Saturday)
Morning flight to the UK.
Day 19 (Sunday)
Morning arrival in the UK.
Please note, jungle excursions may vary due to weather conditions.
Jungle Cruise Itinerary
Manatee Amazon Explorer, Rio Napo
Day 1 (Wednesday)
Evening flight from the UK to Quito,
flying overnight.
Day 2 (Thursday)
Morning arrival in Quito. Optional
Colonial Quito excursion in the afternoon (2 nights).
Day 3 (Friday)
Optional Otavalo Market excursion.
Day 4 (Saturday)
Morning flight from Quito to Baltra in the Galapagos. We transfer to our ship, our home for the next 7 nights, where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Cerro Dragon where often there are flamingos near the two lagoons.
Day 5 (Sunday)
This morning, we visit Bartolome, where we can climb to summit of this volcanic island. From here, there are wonderful views. We can also snorkel with penguins in the surrounding sea. In the afternoon, we visit Santiago. The black lava shoreline has marine iguanas and red Sally Lightfoot crabs. You can snorkel here with fur seals.
Day 6 (Monday)
This morning, we visit Fernandina, the westernmost island. Flightless cormorants, sea lions and Galapagos penguins are common here. After lunch, we visit Isabela, the largest of the islands, excellent for snorkelling.
Day 7 (Tuesday)
After breakfast, we visit the island of Seymour, home to many marine birds. In the afternoon, we visit the highlands of Santa Cruz, including the Galapagos Tortoise Reserve, and the lava tunnels.
Day 8 (Wednesday)
Visit San Cristobal Island. As some passengers are embarking and disembarking today, the sites visited will vary.
Day 9 (Thursday)
In the morning visit Punta Suarez on Española, walking among the blue-footed boobies, masked bookies and other sea birds. In the afternoon we visit Gardner Bay, a beautiful beach which is excellent for swimming and snorkelling.
Day 10 (Friday)
In the morning, on Santa Cruz, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we see the work done in the conservation of the flora and fauna of the islands, and see the town of Puerto Ayora. In the afternoon, visit Rabida Island, a small island with a central volcano, with red lava rocks. There is very good snorkelling here.
Day 11 (Saturday)
Final excursion on the islands before flying back to Quito (2 nights).
Day 12 (Sunday)
Free day in Quito. Take our optional one-day Bellavista Cloud Forest excursion
Day 13 (Monday)
A morning flight from Quito to Coca, from where you take a motorized canoe ride down the Napo River to Manatee Amazon Explorer. The boat then navigates down the river and the guides will explain the Amazon's ecosystem (4 nights).
Day 14 (Tuesday)
Morning walk through the forest to a lagoon, where we can fish for piranhas. We have a picninc lunch, before returning to the Napo River rowing along a small blackwater creek in a native canoe.
Day 15 (Wednesday)
An early excursion to the banks of the river, where different species of parrot gather at a clay lick. The Manatee then sails upriver, and you walk through the jungle to Limoncocha Lake, where over 470 species of birds have been recorded. You can also try piranha fishing here. At night, it is possible to spot black caimans on the lake, before returning to the Manatee.
Day 16 (Thursday)
Today you can row a canoe on a tranquil tributary of the Rio Napo to a native settlement to learn their way of life. Take a walk under the jungle canopy, where the enormous Kapok tree can grow to over 40m tall. There is also a fascinating Amazon museum visit, showing how people used to live in the rainforest.
Day 17 (Friday)
A final look at the jungle as the Manatee sails upriver, before you fly back to Quito (1 night).
Day 18 (Saturday)
Fly to UK
Day 19 (Sunday)
Arrival in the UK.
Please note, jungle excursions may vary due to weather conditions.