Machalilla Paddling Adventure $1860

Departure Date

Daily

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Views

1458

Maximum Seats

10
Overview

Get ACTIVE with this EXPEDITION off the coast of the pristine Machalilla National Park in the central pacific of Ecuador. Paddle the waters along the crystal-blue coastline in search of majestic Humpback whales. Explore below the surface to view colorful fish and gentle sea turtles. Be taken away by the views while hiking across Isla de La Plata to make friends with the ever-famous blue-footed boobie. Have your mouth water diving into fresh local cuisine of sea-to-table fare and watch the sunset from the dry forest line of the coast in Puerto Lopez.

Accommodation is provided at charming eco-lodges.
  • Paddle along the coast to view whales

  • Snorkel with colorful fish

  • Hike la Isla de la Plata

  • View blue footed boobies

  • Taste the Local Cuisine

  • Have your breath taken away by the fiery sunset of Ecuador’s Pacific Coast.

  • Stay at unique places in every location

  • Be led by top Activexpedition experienced guides with every step you take

  • Support sustainable travel that preserves culture and nature

  • Hiking

  • Paddling

  • Swimming

  • Culture

  • Wildlife

  • Year around

  • 5 years old

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Hike The Dry Coast

Living easy down the Ruta Spondylus, the scenic route from Esmeraldas in the north of Ecuador down towards Salinas near the port city of Guayaquil. After picking you up from either the Manta Airport or bus station we make our way southbound the Pacific coast to picturesque Puerto Lopez. Step out of the city into this quaint fishing town that sits along the most perfectly arched turquoise bay filled with blue and white fishing boats rocking in the salty breeze. We will check into our accommodations and head out for a lunch beachside. Indulge in local dishes such as encocado de camaron made with fresh coconut and locally harvested shrimp or freshly caught fish, apanado (fried), like the locals do.

From seafood to seaside we journey into Machalilla National Park. Founded in 1979 this was one Ecuador’s first as well as largest protected natural areas in the country. Here we find treasures such as Los Frailes beach, Salango Island, Isla de la Plata; all of which we will be visiting on this adventure! Today we go cliff-side at Los Frailes beach to catch the stunning views of its rocky shores after a hike through the abundant dry forest that lines the coast.

Overnight: Mantaraya Lodge or similar
Meals included: Lunch
Day 2

Paddling to the Bread Oven and visit Agua Blanca Museum

Take in the sunrise mountainside at the hotel to charge up for today’s excursion. After a delicious and nutritious breakfast, we head out to paddle through Machalilla National Park. Through the towering walls of rock formations and over coral reefs that lie just below the surface of the azure water in this perfectly preserved natural area, Machalilla is home to many species of marine life. Jump in beneath the waves snorkeling to visit the homes of colorful fish and with some luck sea turtles. Our afternoon takes us to the nearby community of Agua Blanca. Home to the archeological remains of one of the oldest and longest lasting pre-Colombian civilizations in South America, Agua Blanca is truly an ode to community tourism and preservation of the past.

Overnight: Mantaraya Lodge or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 3

Paddling Salango Island

Crossing the foamy tide by kayak to nearby Salango Island, we will spend our day with our toes in the white sand beaches and exploring the coral reefs that surround this emerald green isle. The guides and people of the nearby town of its namesake dedicate themselves to the protection of the surrounding reefs and spondylus shells. After a day of fun in the sun we make way back into Puerto Lopez to relax. Stroll around the town on your own or lounge bay-side in one of the colorful chairs that line the beach. In the late afternoon we will have a cooking lesson on how to prepare ceviche: Ecuadorian style. Did you know that most Central and South American countries have their own ways to prepare this popular dish? In Ecuador it's typical for people to add popcorn and plantain chips to theirs! Delicious!

Overnight: Mantaraya Lodge or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4

Isla de La Plata Island boat tour

Whether it be from June to December when there is the chance of seeing Humpbacks cresting over the waves around the island or December to March when the weather is its most stunning, this island cannot be missed! A quick boat ride to the island, named after the stolen treasures, hidden on the island by pirate Sir Francis Drake, this small isle is a jewel in and of itself. Home to a variety of wildlife the island is best known as the natural habitat for birds such as Blue footed boobies, Red footed boobies, masked boobies, Albatross, petrels, and more. Walking along the sandy beaches of the island alongside bright orange crabs that scurry away from the incoming tide, we will also have some time to snorkel to view fish and turtles.

Overnight: Mantaraya Lodge or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 5

Departure

Transfer to the airport or bus station of Manta.

Meals included: Breakfast

Let's design your adventure

    • Top Experienced Certified English-Speaking Guide

    • Private Transport

    • Accommodation for four nights

    • Meals according to the Itinerary

    • Water and snacks at all time

    • Water bottle

    • Paddling gear: NRS paddleboards and expedition kayaks, paddles and lifejackets

    • Snorkeling gear: Mask

    • All fees to reserves and museums

    • International or domestic flights

    • Airport transfers for international flights

    • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

    • Tips for guides and drivers

    • Travel insurance (mandatory)

    • Optional activities

    • Itinerary Disclaimer: Even though we have a detailed itinerary, changes can be made by your guides, due to weather or safety reasons. Please also note that none of the wildlife sightings mentioned on the itinerary are guaranteed.

    • Visas and Passports: Make sure you check your visa and passport validity and requirements per country. It is important your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your travel.

    • Accommodation: We strive to use small and charming places that are unique and provide stellar service.

    • Single Supplement Costs: Generally this fee is not incurred as we match you with another person of the same gender in a twin room, but if you prefer not to share and have your own room, then there will be an associated fee

    • Transportation: Driving time can take more than expected in Ecuador, as it is a small country with roads meandering through the Andes mountains. We assure your comfort during transit no matter the size of the group.

    • Gear: At Activexpediton we always make sure our guests have top of the line gear from well-known and reputable international brands as we understand that the best gear gives extra confidence to our riders. For paddling we use NRS and Aire paddleboards and kayaks, paddles and lifejackets, for snorkeling we provide mask only as fins are not allowed as they could damage the coral.

    • Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 2 out of 5. No prior experience is required and your guides will always brief you about safety and proper use of gear on every leg of the trip. While paddling there will be a boat support in the case that someone wants to take a break or just wants to relax.

    • Weather and Elevation: In Ecuador the weather can be vary greatly depending on which side of the Andes you are traveling to, so it is highly recommended to come ready for all kinds of weather. When they say “Ecuador, All in One Place” they mean it! The altitude determines the temperature and the higher you go the colder it gets. Don’t let the geographic location of the country fool you. Even at a mere 15,000 feet the temperatures can feel like those of a winter in the northern United States. The coastal lowlands in the western part of Ecuador are typically warm with temperatures in the region of 25 °C (77 °F). Coastal areas are affected by ocean currents and between January and April are hot and rainy. 
The weather in Quito is consistent with that of a subtropical highland climate. The average temperature during the day is 70 °F (21 °C), which generally falls to an average of 50 °F (10 °C) at night. The average temperature annually is 64°F (17.8°C). There are only really two seasons in the city: dry and wet. The dry season runs from June to September and the wet season is from October to May.

    • Sustainability: We do our best to not produce any trash; we believe that recycling is not enough, so we try to avoid using any plastic or materials that pollute our environment. Every day we work towards being a zero-waste tour operator and our staff is well trained to leave the least impact possible in our service areas. We also work with local indigenous communities in the different regions. By doing so we are able to teach our guests about the rich culture Ecuador, all the while helping the people preserve their traditions and lands. By working directly with local peoples, we are able to create a sustainable touristic income for the community.

    • Guides: All our guides have a professional background from the Tourism University; this means they have a degree in guiding, so their knowledge and skills when leading a group are top-notch. Each guide has many years of experience and they all have taken additional courses for other outdoor activities as well as have International First-Aid certifications. On top of all of this, they are all extremely personable and strive to deliver travel experiences of a lifetime.

    • Heath advices: no vaccinations needed for this trip

    We do recommend travelling light for this expedition. A duffel bag of 50 litters for your luggage and a backpack of 20 litters for daily activities should be sufficient. In Ecuador the weather can change drastically so please be ready.

    • Passport

    • Credit card

    • Two pairs of lightweight hiking pants

    • Two pairs of shorts

    • Two bathing suit

    • Four non-cotton T-shirts

    • One cotton T-shirts

    • Two water T-shirt

    • One fleece

    • One rain jackets

    • Two buffs

    • One pair of snickers

    • One pair of water sandals

    • One pair of flip flops

    • One- or two-night outfits

    • One cap or hat

    • Sunscreen

    • Sunglasses

    • Mosquito repellent

    • Camera

    • Optional binoculars

    NOTE: Laundry is available almost at every location and is quite cheap, this helps traveling light too.

    Price based on number of guests:

    2 - 3 guests

    $1860/per person

    • All premium features

    • Daily departures

    4 or more guests

    $1250/per person

    • All premium features

    • Daily departures

    Go private

    • We are ready to meet your needs and put together an unforgettable experience.

    Talk to our Activexpedition expert

    We're here to chat about your next big idea.

    • 7 am - 4 pm Monday through Thursday.
    • 7 am to 1 pm Fridays (US central) toll free or by skype.
    Otherwise, email us anytime. On average we provide quotes within 6 hours during business hours and the next day during off business hours. Privately guided trips allow you to be in control of all the details of your trip - departure times, accommodations, extra nights, extra activities, extra experiences - what you want and how you want it. If you want to go private or customize this expedition, contact us.
    Phone

    US & CANADA: +1 (919) 400-5824 EC: +593 (09) 5955-5556

    Email

    christian@activexpedition.com