Ecuador: The Pacific Coast & Amazon (4 - 12 days)
Experience Ecuador's golden Pacific coastline and its offshore islets or combined with a 4 day Amazon riverboat cruise.
2013 Departure Dates and Cost
Daily based on 2 or more persons
Mantaraya Lodge Coastal Ecuador
This 4 day program departs daily from Guayaquil (add-ons from Quito are available upon request)
Tour cost per person based on twin $ 675 USD
Amazon, Andes and Coastal Ecuador
This 12 day program departs each Saturday from Quito
Tour cost per person based on twin $ 1,675 USD
Single Supplement $ 770 USD
Itinerary: Mantaraya Lodge & Machalilla Park (4 day)
DAY 1: GUAYAQUIL/MANTARAYA LODGE (L,D)
Transfer by road approximately 3 1/2 hours to Mantaraya Lodge near the small coastal town of Puerto Lopez. 3 nights accommodation at Mantaraya Lodge. Afternoon visit to one of the two local archaeological museums.
DAY 2: MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)
Departure to Machalilla National Park. Appointed in 1979 as a National Park with an area of 55,000 hectares, the Machalilla National Park protects marine and coastal habitats as well as abundant archaeological remains. It has tropical dry forest contrasting with the wet cloud forest along its coast and offshore islands.
Time will be spent on Los Frailes beach for snorkeling and swimming. The coral reef around the Isla de la Plata and on the adjacent coast is the only coral reef off mainland Ecuador. A spectacular biodiversity of underwater marine life exists due to the Humboldt current flowing from the south meeting the northbound warm El Nino current. Big game fishing is great too, with world records for marlins and other coastal species caught here.
DAY 3: ISLA DE LA PLATA (B,L,D)
Breakfast. Full day visit to Isla de la Plata. We will hike on the island, have a boxed lunch and spend the afternoon swimming and snorkeling. Optional scuba diving is available to certified divers. Return to Puerto Lopez to Mantaraya Lodge. 
Isla de la Plata has been compared physically and biologically to the Galapagos Islands. It is the only place in the world, besides the Galapagos, where Waved Albatrosses nest (April to November). Other birds such as the red billed tropic bird and a large colony of frigate birds also nest here. In addition, the waters around the Isla de la Plata are a playground for more than eleven different species of marine mammals, including a small colony of sea lions. From June to October, Humpback Whales from Antarctica congregate here to bear their young and court, with spectacular displays of breaching and spy-hopping, while competing for the females attention. Several species of resident porpoises can be observed year around.
DAY 4: MACHALILLA/GUAYAQUIL (B,L,D)
After breakfast we will visit the Ayampe River rainforest section of the park. Continue to Guayaquil.
Itinerary: Amazon, Andes & Coastal Ecuador (12 days)
DAY 1: ARRIVE QUITO
On arrival in Quito you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
DAY 2: QUITO (B,L,D)
Morning visit to Colonial Quito (with lunch included), highlighting the country's historical and cultural background. Visit the newly restored Independence Square, the narrow streets of La Ronda, the dazzling gold-leafed La Compania Church, bustling San Francisco Plaza, plus a bird's-eye view atop Panecillo Hill. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 3 - 6 COASTAL ECUADOR AT MANTARAYA LODGE
See description above for this 4 day program. Flight included back to Quito.
DAY 7: QUITO/MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER (B,L,D)
Morning departure by plane from Quito to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), an oil production center, named after the Spanish conqueror who discovered the Amazon River in 1541. Transfer to the river port and board motorized canoes and travel along the Napo River to reach the Manatee awaiting nearby. Once aboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer, a thrilling adventure of exploring the tropical rain forest and its native communities will begin. The courteous crew will attend to your needs and the guides will introduce you to the natural and cultural world of the Amazon. The Manatee sails along different ecosystems and important natural reserves such as the Yasuni National Park and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve where more than 560 species of birds and thousands of botanical wonders have been recorded.
This Amazon riverboat accommodates 26 guests in 13 double cabins with individual air conditioning, running hot water, large dining room and inviting bar and lounge area. However, 4 of the cabins can be comfortably used as triples if needed, for a total guest occupancy of 30. Our 3-decker vessel has an experienced crew of 11 including two English speaking naturalist guides. Laundry service available on board.
DAY 8: YASUNI NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)
Morning disembarkation for a stroll on terra firma forest, towards an internal lagoon in the Yasuni National Park, observing the different ecosystems with your naturalist guide. The excursion includes the opportunity to bird watch and observe wildlife, swim or fish for piranha. Field lunch and return to the Napo River on board a dug out canoe, rowing along a small black water creek or gorge.
DAY 9: LIMONCOCHA BIOLOGICAL RESERVE (B,LD)
Early departure by motor canoe to visit a very special corner of the jungle, the clay banks of the river where different species of parrots gather daily to eat this clay which helps them digest the seeds they feed on. It is an amazing spectacle of colorful and sound! Then, back aboard the Manatee we sail upriver to reach one of the tributaries of the Napo to observe the flora and fauna, the look out for pygmy monkeys. We then trek to the facilities of what used to be South America's Summer Institute of Linguistics in Limoncocha, currently an important Biological Reserve.
Upon reaching the Limoncocha Lake, we will board a canoe and travel along the banks of this marshy ecosystem, where over 470 species of birds have been recorded. There is a possibility to fish for piranha, and for a short walk. At night, it is possible to observe the black caimans that inhabit the lagoon. Late return to the Manatee for dinner and overnight.
DAY 10: RETURN TO QUITO (B,L,D)
While the Manatee navigates upriver, the guides wrap up our knowledge of the great Amazon region. Then transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. On arrival transfer to the hotel.
This itinerary is subject to change for safety and technical reasons.
DAY 11: OTAVALO MARKET (B,L)
Visit the famous Otavalo Craft Market. Lunch and return to Quito.
DAY 12: QUITO DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for the departure flight.
EXTENSIONS: Galapagos Islands or Peru.
