MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK

THE WONDERS OF MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK
ECMT-229 - (private, 5 days/ 4 nights, from Quito. Departs daily except Sunday). Includes accommodations and all meals. Air ticket to/from Portoviejo or Manta and entrance fee to the Machalilla National Park are extra.

DAY 01 Departure from Quito by plane to Manta or Portoviejo. Arrival and overland transfer towards Machalilla National Park with en-route visits to Montecristi, an antique historic town founded in 1628. This small town is best known as the birthplace of the "Panama" hats, which although historically produced in Ecuador, were first widely distributed from Panama. Lunch. Afternoon visit to the Museum of Salango. Dinner and accommodations at Mantaraya Lodge.
Level of Difficulty: easy short walk

DAY 02 After breakfast, transfer to Puerto Lopez to board a small yacht and sail to Isla de la Plata. Located 45 Kms (28 miles) off the coast, this island is a seabird sanctuary, home to many of the same species found in the Galapagos Islands. A trek toward Punta Machete allows you to observe birds such as boobies, red-billed tropic birds and a large colony of frigate birds. Colonies of sea lions and migrating humpback whales can be seen in the vicinity. Box Lunch. Dinner and accommodations at Mantaraya Lodge.
Level of Difficulty: Medium distance trek on dirt trail. Bring bathing suit. Snorkeling equipment (masks, fins and snorkel) is available at no charge.

DAY 03 After breakfast, by motorcar to the Community of Agua Blanca. This tiny town’s name (white water) refers to the natural spring of sulfurous water near one of Ecuador’s oldest archaeological sites: the ruins of Salangome. Excavations can be observed both in situ and in the small community-run museum.
Level of Difficulty: uphill walk on dirt trail
Lunch. Afternoon visit Los Frailes Beach, a secluded stunning cove, one of the area’s nicest beaches in the Pacific Coast. Swimming and snorkeling from the beach. Possibility of a one mile trek along the tropical dry forest observing the bird life, the forest and the scenery. Dinner and accommodations at Mantaraya Lodge.
Level of Difficulty: easy swimming and trek on sand and dirt trail. Bring bathing suit and snorkeling equipment.

DAY 04 After breakfast, by motorcar to the tropical humid forest on the banks of the Ayampe River. A great variety of bird life is found along the banks of the small Ayampe river. The vegetation is a mixture of rain forest and coastal species. Afternoon to La Playita to enjoy the beach. Dinner and accommodations at Mantaraya Lodge.
Level of Difficulty: ride on dirt road with stops for short walks.

DAY 05 After breakfast, by motorcar to enjoy the beach of Salango. After lunch, departure to Portoviejo or Manta to take the flight back to Quito.

Wear light clothes for warm weather, bathing suit, sneakers or good walking shoes, hat or cap, sun protection, dark glasses.
Temperature: The warm, rainy season goes from December to May with an average high of 32° and low of 20° C. (89° F to 68° F) .
The cool, dry season goes from May de December with an average high of 20° and low of 15° C (68° F to 59° F).
Altitude: sea level