Whale Watching Adventure in the Coast of Ecuador

Rates include: 1 night Swissotel or LeParc in Quito, 4 nights at Mantaraya lodge, roundtrip airfare to Manta and 2 airport transfers.

$963 per person (based on double occupancy)

Departure Days: Every day (Whale season is from June - December)

Program Description:

Day 1: Montecristi, Puerto Lopez and Salango
Early morning flight from Quito to Manta, arrival and immediate transfer by private bus to Machalilla National Park, visiting on the way Montecristi village, to witness the manufacture process of the erroneously named "Panama Hats", besides hats its inhabitants also produce place mats, beach mats, baskets in different sizes and colours, all these articles produced with the leaf of the Toquilla tree. Follow to Puerto López where Mantaraya Lodge is located. After lunch, visit nearby Salango beach to enjoy some snorkeling. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Mantaraya Lodge

Day 2: Isla de la Plata
After an early breakfast we start our trip. About 40 km off the cost of Puerto Lopez is Isla de la Plata, part of Machalilla National Park, the small island is a favourite nesting place for blue footed and Nasca boobies, frigate birds, pelicans and giant albatross Walk on trails, swim and snorkel in crystal clear waters of the coral reefs, escorted by playful sea-lions. From June to September this is the best opportunity to see humpback whales and other whale species that come all the way from the Antarctic for mating or deliver calves. Sail back to Puerto López in the afternoon for a late briefing and dinner (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Mantaraya Lodge

Day 3: Agua Blanca and Los Frailes beach
Today we will visit Agua Blanca, a small community of about 50 families located 12 km North of Puerto Lopez. The community still lives in a similar way as the Manteño Cultura (800 BC to 1532 AC) . There is a small museum with pre-Columbian ceramics and a special stroll of about 1,5 km to the unique dry forest. Among the bird species that occur in the area are the little woodstar, Esmeraldas woodstar and saffron siskin. There are also healthy populations of pale-browned tinamou, gray-cheeked parakeet and ochraceous Attila. All of these species are only found in Ecuador's dry forests and are at risk of extinction. Mammal species include the black howler monkey, white-fronted capuchin, collared peccary and the Sechuran desert fox. Return to the hotel for lunch, in the afternoon enjoy the beautiful Los Frailes beach, perfect for sunbathing or snorkeling in the clear water and white beach. Back to the hotel,  briefing and dinner. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Mantaraya Lodge

Day 4: Ayampe and La Playita
Today we will go to Ayampe River tropical forest, one of the few areas that due to its location and condensation still has a tropical forest. Lunch.  Visit to La Playita (snorkel). Back to Mantaraya Lodge,  Briefing and dinner. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Mantaraya Lodge

Day 5: Salango and Mantaraya Lodge, return to Quito
In the morning visit the small museum of Salango which boasts 5,000 years of history and culture. This archaeological museum exhibits mostly jewelry made with spondylus , giant mollusc that could measure up to 25 cm in diameter, harvested mostly on the beaches of Manabi province and traded with other indigenous communities throughout the Andes. After lunch depart to Manta to board your flight back to Quito. Arrive in Quito and transfer to the hotel. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Overnight at Swissotel or LeParc, breakfast included