SPONDYLUS EXPEDITION

THE SPONDYLUS EXPEDITION
Full Itinerary (8 days / 7 nights)

Sea expeditions aboard M/Y Kontiki Wayra through the Coast of Ecuador that will make us float away even with our feet on the ground. Unique places, pristine beaches, ecological reserves and natural treasures await at every stop. A seldom-traveled cultural route, curated along destinations marked by sustainability.
The Spondylus Route, starts in Manta every other Sunday. Spondylus takes its name from the spondylus shell that served as local currency due to its rare value.
Jaramijó, Bahía de Caráquez, Isla de la Plata, Machalilla National Park and Ayangue are some of the locations that we will explore during our sea adventure.
August - November

DAY 1 - Sunday
Manta - Ayangue

Our discovery journey of coastal Ecuador starts in Manta, one of the most important ports in the country and a strategic location for tourism in Manabí. This beach city is internationally known for its fishing industry, whose star product, tuna, is exported all over the world. Our shuttle will take you to Manta’s port authority (TPM), from where we will board M/Y Kontiki Wayra for check-in and a welcome drink. Our concierge will introduce you to our crew members, go over the yacht areas and assign the staterooms that will become home for the next 8 days. In the evening, we will enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by our executive chef onboard.
Overnight sailing to Ayangue.

DAY 2 - Monday
Ayangue - Machalilla National Park

We start day 2 at Ayangue, a small coastal town also known as the Pool of the Pacific because of its calm waters. After breakfast onboard, we will depart in one of our tenders to the nearby islet
El Pelado for a snorkeling expedition. This is a unique opportunity to swim with the local community of sea lions and explore the submarine secrets of the area. 
From June until October, this also becomes a privileged location to see humpback whales closely.
By noon, we will return to the yacht for marine activities in the ocean 
club and lunch onboard. After lunch, we will disembark for the beach of Ayangue and after a short beach walk, we will arrive at a charming place where we will learn about the Valdivia culture. This is a millenary culture that maintains intact its pottery tradition, inherited from the pre-Inca Valdivia culture (4500 B.C.). We will learn about the techniques and materials used in making ancestral pieces as we make our own handcraft in a beautiful “experience in clay”. 
We will return to the yacht for dinner.
Sailing to Machalilla National Park.

DAY 3 - Tuesday
Machalilla National Park - Isla de la Plata

After a hearty breakfast, we will disembark in Machalilla National Park 
where a land transfer will take us to Agua Blanca.
This small community houses archeological pieces from one of the oldest civilizations in South America, the Manteño Culture, which dates back to the year 1500 A.C. 
Temples, country houses, typical ancient squares and other archeological remains are some of the treasures in Agua Blanca. 
A short walk through its forest will show us butterflies, hummingbirds and local trees such as the algarrobos. During our visit, we will celebrate an ancestral ritual of purification and gratitude, that will connect us with nature and with ourselves, accompanied by the guidance of the shamans of the community.
Return to the yacht for lunch.
In the afternoon, we will enjoy a private beach experience in the islets of Machalilla National Park and will enjoy diverse marine activities such as snorkel, paddleboard, kayak or swim in our beach club which includes an oceanic pool, a water slide, SeaBobs, etc.
We will go back to the yacht to enjoy a beautiful sunset and dinner in the main deck*.
Sailing to Isla de la Plata.
*Depending on favorable weather conditions

DAY 4 - Wednesday
Isla de la Plata - Pacoche/San Lorenzo

After breakfast, we will start our activities with a wet landing in 
Isla de la Plata, which belongs to Machalilla National Park. Isla de 
la Plata holds beautiful natural treasures and a walk through its 
trails will take us to nesting areas of Blue Footed Boobies, Masked 
Boobies and Frigatebirds. 
After our land exploration, we will go back to the yacht for lunch. 
In the afternoon, we will do a guided underwater snorkeling expedition to learn about the marine ecosystem on the island.
We will be able to see a variety of marine species, including giant stingrays, whale sharks, and turtles. 
During mating season, June to October, we will be able to see from 
the distance humpback whales that come to warmer waters to 
mate and give birth. Scuba diving is available upon request at the 
time of booking. In the afternoon we will enjoy a sunset party* with the freshest seafood of the area and our signature cocktails.
Sailing to Pacoche/San Lorenzo.
*Depending on favorable weather conditions.

DAY 5 - Thursday
Pacoche/San Lorenzo - Bahía de Caráquez

After breakfast onboard, we will disembark in the harbor of Manta where a land transfer will take us to the Refuge of Coastal Marine Wildlife Pacoche. 
Our first visit is to the tropical humid forest, where we will hike through one of its trails to take a look at the community of howling monkeys who live in the middle of its exuberant vegetation.
Afterward, we will go to San Lorenzo, one of the largest nesting spots for marine turtles in Ecuador, if we are lucky, we will get to see baby turtles on their way to the ocean during hatching season.
We will enjoy a special gastronomic experience in San Lorenzo using the manabita ancestral oven. After lunch, we will learn about the Toquilla straw hat tradition with a local family of weavers from Pile. The small town of Pile is known for the community of artisan weavers responsible for making the finest and most expensive Toquilla straw hats in the world. We will be able to see firsthand how the hats are made. Incorrectly known as Panama Hats, the Toquilla Straw Hat was designated in 2012 as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World.
In the afternoon, we will return to the yacht and enjoy some relaxing time and dinner onboard. 
Sailing to Bahía de Caráquez.

DAY 6 - Friday
Bahía de Caráquez - Jaramijó

We start day 6 with breakfast onboard, before departing aboard our 
dinghies to Puerto Amistad in Bahía de Caráquez, where a land transfer will take us to Iche in San Vicente.
A gastronomic lab led by Fuegos Foundation, Iche was founded to 
educate local chefs in creating ‘haute cuisine' using ancestral techniques of food preparation. 
A gastronomic farm-to-table experience hosted by local chefs that will reveal a mix of history, tradition and the unique flavors of coastal cuisine. Cacao, salprieta, corviche, and chillangua are some of the local flavors that will add to our foodies' lexicon.
In the afternoon, we will get back to the yacht to relax at the sundeck and later on in the evening guests will enjoy a chocolate tasting and dinner.
Sailing to Jaramijó.

DAY 7 - Saturday
Jaramijó - Manta

We will start our day with a hearty breakfast onboard. Our last day of 
activities is designed for guests to enjoy the coastline, marine activities and to do some local handcraft shopping.
After breakfast, we will disembark in the port of Jaramijó and head off to Montecristi, cradle of the Liberalism in Ecuador and an important production center for Toquilla handcrafts and home goods.
In Montecristi we will visit Ciudad Alfaro, a historic building dedicated to General Eloy Alfaro, one of the most important political figures in the republican era of Ecuador.
After this visit to Ciudad Alfaro, we will walk around Montecristi and 
the dozens of little shops featuring Toquilla goods, such as tableware, 
bags, hair accessories, souvenirs, etc. This is a nice opportunity to do 
some local shopping.
We will go back to the yacht for lunch and in the afternoon we will have free time to enjoy marine activities, relax in the hot tub, enjoy some spa treatments, and participate in an onboard cooking class with our chef.
Farewell dinner and cocktail onboard.
Sailing to Manta.

DAY 8 - Sunday
Manta

.We will say our goodbyes early in the morning, as your transfer to the airport will be awaiting at Manta’s Port Authority (TPM).
Check-out and transfer to Manta’s airport or hotel of your choice.
End of services.
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