The Anakonda Amazon Cruise Tour
Aboard the Anakonda Amazon Cruise, you will enjoy an extraordinary journey deep into the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
The luxury river cruise, along with its sister vessel the Manatee, is the only vessel of its kind navigating this stretch of the Amazon's Napo River. The Anakonda offers you floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious suites, and elegant social spaces that bring the surrounding rainforest right to your doorstep.
Winner of South America's Leading River Cruise Company at the World Travel Awards in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Anakonda sets the standard for luxury in the wilderness. Choose from 4, 5 and 8-day cruises departing every Sunday and Wednesday from Coca.
Between excursions, you can unwind in comfort aboard a ship designed to make the Amazon feel intimate and comfortable rather than remote.
You will enjoy Amazon-inspired meals in the dining room, unwind at the bar and lounge on the third deck, and take in the scenery from the sun deck's outdoor hot tub as the rainforest drifts silently by.
And according to your itinerary, expert local naturalist guides will lead you into the jungle and onto the river to encounter piranha lagoons, parrot clay licks, river dolphins, caimans, primates, and hundreds of bird species. You will also connect with Kichwa communities along the Napo River, participate in turtle conservation, and experience the Amazon after dark on a guided nighttime forest walk.
Prepare for unforgettable moments through kayaking, swimming, canoe trips, wildlife spotting, cultural visits, and nights filled with the sounds of the most alive wilderness on the planet.
The Anakonda Amazon Cruise Accommodation
Suites
The Anakonda offers 16 suites across two cabin categories. All face the river with panoramic windows, private bathrooms with hot water, and air conditioning.
The 12 standard suites are 20 square metres with French balconies, full-size beds convertible to queen, and a private bathroom with hot water. The 4 deluxe suites are slightly larger at 24 square metres and come with a full walkout private balcony, a whirlpool bathtub, and the same air conditioning and river-facing outlook.
Social Areas
Common areas include a panoramic restaurant, the El Dorado bar and salon, a shaded al fresco lounge, a reading room, an outdoor jacuzzi and solarium on the sun deck, a boutique, a gym, and a conference room. With a maximum of 40 passengers, the boat is sized to feel spacious without being crowded.
Dining
The main dining room looks out over the river and serves a mix of traditional Ecuadorian dishes and international options, with ingredients drawn from the surrounding region where possible.
Spa
A spa with massages and treatments is available on board and can be booked during the cruise.
The Anakonda Amazon Cruise Tour Summary
Each cruise is guided by expert local naturalists across 3, 4 and 7-night itineraries, all travelling deep into the Napo River corridor and the ecosystems bordering Yasuni National Park, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.
On the water and in the forest, you will encounter white caimans, the enormous pirarucu fish, pink river dolphins, piranhas, primates, hoatzins, and hundreds of bird species. Early mornings bring one of the Amazon's most spectacular wildlife events: the parrot clay licks, where hundreds of parrots and parakeets descend on mineral-rich riverbanks in a burst of colour and noise.
Cultural encounters run through every itinerary, and no other Amazon cruise we know of offers you access to the range of communities you will visit here. From the riverside Kichwa settlers and their women's community project, to the Secoya, one of the Amazon's most traditional ancestral tribes, each visit gives you a genuine window into the human story of this river. You can also take part in active conservation through the Charapas Turtle Conservation program and the pink dolphin protection work in the Cocaya area.
For guests who want to go further, an optional glamping experience brings the full comfort of the Anakonda to a camp set up in the rainforest itself.
Video Introduction
Tour Info
- Country: Ecuador
- Focus Area: Yasuni National Park
- Duration: 4, 5, 8 days
- Start Point: El Coca Airport (OCC)
- End Point: El Coca Airport (OCC)
The Anakonda Amazon Cruise Itinerary
Choose your itinerary
Click a duration to see the day-by-day programme for this cruise.
Other itinerary lengths may be available — send a request to check options and pricing.
Day 1 · Sunday
Quito to the Napo River
Your trip starts in Quito with a 30-minute flight to the Amazonian city of Coca. From the airport you transfer to the dock and board a motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the Napo River to the Anakonda Amazon Cruise. On board you are welcomed by the crew and introduced to your naturalist guides, who give a briefing on the Ecuadorian Amazon before you have time to settle in and watch the rainforest pass from the deck. After dinner, the first excursion is a night walk into the forest to listen for the sounds of the jungle and look for nocturnal wildlife.
Day 2 · Monday
Pañacocha, the Piranha Lagoon
The cruise travels downstream to the Pañayacu River delta, where you board canoes for a trip into Pañacocha Lake, known in the native Kichwa language as Piranha Lagoon. This blackwater ecosystem sits within protected rainforest and is home to piranhas, the giant pirarucu fish, white caimans and hundreds of aquatic species. A guided walk through the surrounding forest looks for primates and birds before you recharge at an Amazon-style barbecue at a community camp. The afternoon is spent on the water with kayaking and swimming, and the day closes back on board with a talk from the guides on the ecology and culture of the region.
Day 3 · Tuesday
Parrot Clay Licks & Kichwa Community
An early morning canoe departure to reach one of the standout sights of the western Amazon, the parrot clay licks. Hundreds of parrots, parakeets and other birds gather here each morning to feed on mineral-rich clay, creating a spectacle of colour and noise that is hard to match anywhere in the rainforest. In the afternoon you visit a Kichwa women's community project on the banks of the Napo River to learn about indigenous life and ancestral traditions. There is an opportunity to buy handicrafts and local products directly from the community, and to take part in a turtle conservation project that the Anakonda supports alongside them.
Day 4 · Wednesday
Return to Coca
The cruise returns to Puerto Providencia where you disembark the Anakonda and board the motorized canoe back to the city of Coca, bringing the trip to a close.
Day 1 · Wednesday
Quito to the Napo River
Your trip starts in Quito with a 30-minute flight to the Amazonian city of Coca. From the airport you transfer to the dock and board a motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the Napo River to the Anakonda Amazon Cruise. On board you are welcomed by the crew and introduced to your naturalist guides, who give a briefing on the Ecuadorian Amazon before you have time to settle in and watch the rainforest pass from the deck. After dinner, the first excursion is a night walk into the forest to listen for the sounds of the jungle and look for nocturnal wildlife.
Day 2 · Thursday
Pink River Dolphins & the Secoya Community
The morning is spent exploring the lower Napo River, an area rich in birdlife where eagles, oropendolas and woodpeckers are regularly spotted along the banks. In the afternoon the cruise enters Yasuni National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and the habitat of the legendary pink river dolphin. This visit includes an insight into the Anakonda's pink dolphin conservation program, developed with the Martinica community in the Cocaya area, which has created a protected zone where dolphins can feed and move freely without the threat of hunting. The day ends with a visit to a Secoya community, one of the region's ancestral cultures, who share their traditions and demonstrate the preparation of traditional cassava bread.
Day 3 · Friday
Kichwa Family & Life on Board
The morning begins with a visit to a Kichwa family on the banks of the Napo River for a direct look at daily life and local traditions. Back on board, a cooking class with the Anakonda's chef introduces the ingredients and techniques behind traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. The rest of the day is yours to fill as you like. Try your hand at traditional handicrafting, take in the forest from the open-air hot tub, have a cocktail at the bar and lounge, or join an active kayaking excursion into the surrounding jungle. After dark, the observation deck is a good spot for stargazing away from any city light.
Day 4 · Saturday
Canopy Tower & Primary Forest
The day starts at an observation tower built into a giant kapok tree, where a 360-degree view from the top looks out over an unbroken canopy of primary Amazon forest. In the afternoon you head into that forest on foot with your guides to look for plant and animal species endemic to this ecosystem, including the hoatzin, an ancient and peculiar bird known locally as the stinkbird for reasons that become clear up close.
Day 5 · Sunday
Return to Coca
The cruise returns to Puerto Providencia where you disembark the Anakonda and board the motorized canoe back to the city of Coca, bringing the trip to a close.
Day 1 · Sunday
Quito to the Napo River
Your trip starts in Quito with a 30-minute flight to the Amazonian city of Coca. From the airport you transfer to the dock and board a motorized canoe for a 90-minute journey down the Napo River to the Anakonda Amazon Cruise. On board you are welcomed by the crew and introduced to your naturalist guides, who give a briefing on the Ecuadorian Amazon before you have time to settle in and watch the rainforest pass from the deck. After dinner, the first excursion is a night walk into the forest to listen for the sounds of the jungle and look for nocturnal wildlife.
Day 2 · Monday
Pañacocha, the Piranha Lagoon
The cruise travels downstream to the Pañayacu River delta, where you board canoes for a trip into Pañacocha Lake, known in the native Kichwa language as Piranha Lagoon. This blackwater ecosystem sits within protected rainforest and is home to piranhas, the giant pirarucu fish, white caimans and hundreds of aquatic species. A guided walk through the surrounding forest looks for primates and birds before you recharge at an Amazon-style barbecue at a community camp. The afternoon is spent on the water with kayaking and swimming, and the day closes back on board with a talk from the guides on the ecology and culture of the region.
Day 3 · Tuesday
Parrot Clay Licks & Kichwa Community
An early morning canoe departure to reach one of the standout sights of the western Amazon, the parrot clay licks. Hundreds of parrots, parakeets and other birds gather here each morning to feed on mineral-rich clay, creating a spectacle of colour and noise that is hard to match anywhere in the rainforest. In the afternoon you visit a Kichwa women's community project on the banks of the Napo River to learn about indigenous life and ancestral traditions. There is an opportunity to buy handicrafts and local products directly from the community, and to take part in a turtle conservation project that the Anakonda supports alongside them.
Day 4 · Wednesday
Indillama River & the North Side of Yasuni
The day begins on the water with a kayaking excursion on the Indillama River, one of the Napo's tributaries leading into Yasuni National Park. Kayaks move quietly through the forest edge, making them well suited for wildlife spotting along the banks. Canoes are also available for those who want to cover more ground. After a full day on the river, the evening is spent on the observation deck under a clear Amazon sky, and more active guests can join a night walk into the jungle to look for nocturnal creatures.
Day 5 · Thursday
Pink River Dolphins & the Secoya Community
The morning is spent exploring the lower Napo River, an area rich in birdlife where eagles, oropendolas and woodpeckers are regularly spotted along the banks. In the afternoon the cruise enters Yasuni National Park and the habitat of the legendary pink river dolphin. This visit includes an insight into the Anakonda's pink dolphin conservation program, developed with the Martinica community in the Cocaya area, which has created a protected zone where dolphins can feed and move freely without the threat of hunting. The day ends with a visit to a Secoya community, one of the region's ancestral cultures, who share their traditions and demonstrate the preparation of traditional cassava bread.
Day 6 · Friday
Kichwa Family & Life on Board
The morning begins with a visit to a Kichwa family on the banks of the Napo River for a direct look at daily life and local traditions. Back on board, a cooking class with the Anakonda's chef introduces the ingredients and techniques behind traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. The rest of the day is yours to fill as you like. Try your hand at traditional handicrafting, take in the forest from the open-air hot tub, have a cocktail at the bar and lounge, or join an active kayaking excursion into the surrounding jungle. After dark, the observation deck is a good spot for stargazing away from any city light.
Day 7 · Saturday
Canopy Tower & Primary Forest
The day starts at an observation tower built into a giant kapok tree, where a 360-degree view from the top looks out over an unbroken canopy of primary Amazon forest. In the afternoon you head into that forest on foot with your guides to look for plant and animal species endemic to this ecosystem, including the hoatzin, an ancient and peculiar bird known locally as the stinkbird for reasons that become clear up close.
Day 8 · Sunday
Return to Coca
The cruise returns to Puerto Providencia where you disembark the Anakonda and board the motorized canoe back to the city of Coca, bringing the trip to a close.
The Anakonda Amazon Cruise Activities
Nighttime forest walk
Canoe trip to Pañacocha Lake
Rainforest walk at Pañacocha
Amazon-style barbeque
Kayaking and swimming
Evening talk with guides
Parrot clay licks
Kichwa women's community visit
Napo River birding
Yasuní National Park — pink river dolphin
Secoya community visit
Kichwa family visit
Cooking class
Handicrafting, hot tub, and stargazing
Kayaking on the Napo
Canopy observation tower
Primary forest walk
Indillama River kayaking
Frequently Asked Questions
- 4 Deluxe Suites (23 m² / 247 ft²) with floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, air conditioning, private bathrooms with hot water, and whirlpool bathtubs.
- 12 Standard Suites (19 m² / 204 ft²) with floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, air conditioning, and private bathrooms with hot water.
Rates & Inclusions
4 days / 3 nights
Standard Suite (Double Occupancy): $2,995
Deluxe Suite (Double Occupancy): $3,749
5 days / 4 nights
Standard Suite (Double Occupancy): $3,743
Deluxe Suite (Double Occupancy): $4,679
8 days / 7 nights
Standard Suite (Double Occupancy): $5,990
Deluxe Suite (Double Occupancy): $7,485
Notes
- Programs per person based on double & single occupancy.
Included
- 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.
Not Included
- Air ticket Quito–Coca–Quito, USD 250.00 net per person
- Communities fees
- Transfers to and from Quito’s airport
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
- Wi-Fi Internet
- Other services not specified in the program
Operated By Anakonda Amazon Cruises
About Anakonda Amazon Cruises
Anakonda Amazon Cruises was founded in 2002 by Raúl García and his wife Martha. Raul has decades of experience in the naval and travel industries. And they now operate the only two luxury vessels for Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest. These are the Manatee Amazon Explorer & the Anakonda Amazon Cruise.
The mission of Anakonda Amazon Cruises is to meld conservation with unique travel experiences. This benefits the environment and communities while offering you a fantastic experience of the Amazon. Half of the staff of Anakonda Cruises are from nearby communities to ensure locals benefit from ecotourism.
Consistently receiving high praise from guests and featuring in many travel and nature publications, Anakonda Amazon Cruises have become one of the leading tour operators for the Amazon Rainforest.
Anakonda Amazon Cruises Details
Explore More Tours
The Manatee Amazon Cruise
El Coca, Ecuador
Aboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer, you will travel deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon on one of the Amazon Rainforest's most …
La Selva Eco-Lodge & Retreat
El Coca, Ecuador
La Selva Eco-Lodge & Retreat is an award-winning Amazon Rainforest lodge in the Ecuadorian jungle and is regarded as the …
