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Mantaraya Lodge Tours - Machalilla National Park, Ecuador

The Machalilla National Park is one of the most outstanding examples of Tropical Dry Forest that exists on the ecuadorian central coast.Established in 1979 and occupying more than 35.000 hectares,this special forest of Cretaceous origin(100 million years)is distinguished by the abundant number of species that have adapted to the high temperatures and low precipitation.Cactus,ceibos,carob and a species of terrestrialbromeliad are found along the seemingly dry,narrow river valleys their growth enabled by its high humidity level,attracting a great number of birds and giving it a truly oasis appearance amidst arid surroundings.

Transition forest are also found in this rare woodland characterized by large quantities of bromeliads, colonizing the branches and trunks of trees like beautiful hanging gardens and quenching their thirst from the enveloping mist of moisture is reflected in the appearance of palms, bamboo, "heliconias", lichen mosses and many more species whose existence depends on the precipiotation provided by the collision of the clouds with the vegetation.

The Machalilla National Park supports insular ecosystem as well,found on La Plata and Salango Islands,The first of the sea birds nested and made colonies here alongside sea lions,reminding one of the Galapagos Islands.

All these natural conditions have encouraged the establishment of abundant fauna,principally of birds whose list has grown to almost 300 species,such as the tree species of boobies coexisting on La Plata Island,the "trogons", hawks, motmots,flycatchers,doves and curassow that live on the mainland.Special mention should be made to the Humpback Whales that pass trough the waters of the Machalilla National Park on their journey to Antarctica from June to October for mating, and can be seen when visiting La Plata Island from June to September.

Apart from the outstanding flora and fauna found here, and as a prfect complement to the Machalilla National Park, is its possession of one of the most significant archaeological sites that the culture maintains up to present days. Here the remains of an ancient occupation of more than 26.000 years ago have been found and restored.This extensive and persistent scientific activity has brougth about the excavation of many monuments and artifacts, such as the discovery of "Balsa" rafts the coastal people used for trading along the great distances of the Pacific coast.These ancestors have left their fingerprints in the present populations of La Pila and Montecristi in the form of beautifull worked weavings with vegetable fibers and ceramics which are exhibited in two interesting local museums.

Ultimately, Machalilla National Park is an ideal environment for offering a great many activities within the framework of Ecoturisim, such as birding, trekking, biking, snorkeling and camping. In addition, the possibility exist to realize scientific expeditions and environmetal studies for students interested in the different ecosystem found in this unique corner of Ecuador.

Mantaraya Lodge is located at the Machalilla National Park in the Province of Manabi, 15 minutes drive from Puerto Lopez. Its construction is a Mediterranean style. The hotel has capacity for 42 passengers, accommodated in 15 rooms, which can be used as Single, Double, Triple or Quadruple. Rooms are very ample and have either a balcony or terrace with a hammock, fan, as no air conditioning is needed due to its size, private bath with hot water. Passengers can enjoy the swiming pool and savor Ecuadorian and international food at the restaurant. There is also a living room with television and cable

5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS

DAY 01:The journey starts with a 30 minute flight from Quito to Manta or Portoviejo. One of our qualified staff members will transfer you by car to Machalilla National Park (about three hours ride). On the road, there will be an stop in order to visit the home of the legendary Panama hat, Montecristi. For approximately one hour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the air and history of this notable coastal town with residents engaged in the weaving of these extraordinary straw hats. Back on the way to Machalilla NP, enjoy the ride that offers splendid views of coastal Manabí. At your arrival to Mantaraya lodge, a superb lunch will be ready for you. In the afternoon, our proficient naturalist leader will present to you a range of activities you can select from. You can either go to the beach, venture into a fishing village or hike through an exceptional moist forest to experience your first encounter with the local flora and fauna. After dinner, there will be an introductory talk about Machalilla NP and the activities for the next day.

DAY 02: It is time to discover the Machalilla NP wonders. Located in the heart of the park, the village of Agua Blanca offers you the opportunity to observe the archeological remains of the once powerful Salangome Chiefdom, which was part of the Manteño culture. With the help of various organizations, the community of Agua Blanca with more than 400 inhabitants is engaged in several projects to rescue the archeological ruins and improve the administration of the tourism activities. There is a great number of activities in the area for you pleasure.

The Valdivia, Chorea and Manteña Cultures also inhabited this land of a template climate and extraordinary landscapes, where arqueological remains are still found within the park, and can be admired in situ especially at Agua Blanca. The people of this community live in a very similar way to their ancestors', which were the Manteña Culture that inhabited this land from 800 to 1532 DC. There is a small museum where you will find some pre-Columbian ceramics and pictures of some of the current inhabitants with the same facial features as those found on the ceramics. The guides are locals who proudly tell how the community survives without land divisions among them, and how their environment has been practically unchanged for years. From the museum, the guide takes you on a walk for over about a mile . You will encounter birds such as the hornero with its unique nests, the beautiful motmot, iguanas on tree branches, a lovely clean river valley, arqueological areas, a small lagoon with high levels of sulfur in the mud, which has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, and a breathtaking view point. You will see the funeral urns in situ with human bones and skeletons exactly as they were found. The Manteña Culture buried their dead in urns dressed with their ceremonial clothes and adorned with earrings, necklaces, etc. In the arqueological area you can also admire in situ remains of the ceremonial temples, houses and squares. In the temples you can see pieces of the famed stone seats (small stone thrones) used by the shamans or spiritual leaders of the community

* For the adventurers, there is a brilliant occasion to explore the San Sebastian fog forest riding a horse. Some trails designed by the local people will take you through deciduous and semi-deciduous dry forest to arrive to the fog forest at an elevation of around 800 m. This tour offers you the chance to observe tropical birds, plants, insects, reptiles and occasionally mammals at different altitudinal levels. This also an excellent tour for bird lovers after organizing minor adjustments !!*

* If you want to work out, we can arrange a bike ride through the Buena Vista valley dirt road (about 5 Km). Departure from the entrance road to Agua Blanca, ending at the archeological museum. This trip gives you the chance to be in close contact with the deciduous tropical dry forest enjoying nature and people's way of living. The tougher option is to take the Julcuy road departing from Buena Vista valley and ride for about 40 Km to end at the Jipijapa-Guayaquil highway where our truck will be waiting to get us back to the hotel.*

*These are optional excursions not included in the cost of the program-please contact our agent to organize this activity in advance. It is also an intense and demanding adventure that requires more than an average level of fitness. Also, please note that if you are particularly sensitive to heat, this may not be the trip for you

The visit to Agua Blanca village takes practically the entire day. For this reason, a box lunch and plenty of water will be provided during the tour. On the ride back to the hotel, at your choice, we can stop by the fishing town of Puerto López and stroll through the "Malecón" or main street along the beach to have a view of the town's corners. After dinner, our excursion leader will be giving briefing about the activities for the next day; and, if you are interested, a lecture regarding a special topic about Machalilla NP .

DAY 03: This day we swap the mainland activities at Machalilla to explore the wonders of the offshore Isla de la Plata. The Silver Island is an outstanding wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and other marine life. Our sea adventure begins at Puerto López tranquil harbor, which is appropriate to go on board the comfortable Mantaraya boat. The navigation to the island may last about one and half hours. There are mainly three activities in this full day tour. One is hiking along the pre-design paths at the island with our naturalist guide to learn more about the natural, geological and cultural history of La Plata. It is your decision to take the long or short track. There is also plenty of time to go snorkeling and observe an interesting marine ecosystem around Drake's bay. If you just want to swim and relax on the beach, you'll have the opportunity to do so. A box lunch and loads of water will be offered to you during this trip. By the afternoon, our boat will be cruising back to Puerto López where our bus will get us back to Mantaraya Lodge. After dinner, our excursion leader will be giving a talk about the activities for the next day; and, if you are interested, a lecture regarding a special topic about Machalilla NP .

*If your hobby is scuba diving, do not hesitate to contact our agent to carry out previous arrangements to satisfy your wishes. Isla de la Plata has excellent locations for divers where you may see multicolored fishes, rocky coral reefs, rays and occasionally sharks. This is an optional excursions not included in the cost of the program-please contact our agent to organize this activity in advance. You will need to demonstrate your diving experience by presenting your PADI license

DAY 04: The rocky cliffs, bays and wide beaches of southern Manabí are surely a luring attraction to anyone. That's why, today's tour is going to be at the unspoiled white sand beach composite of Los Frailes; which is one of the three major protected seashores of Machalilla NP where the nesting of at least two species of sea turtles (carey and green turtles) takes place each year between January and May. The three gorgeous beaches at los Frailes are separated by tropical coastal scrub vegetation and eroded headlands. The choices to get here are to walk through a natural trail that starts near the entrance road and ends at the main beach. This path goes along the seashore offering an exceptional coastline view and access to the three beaches. The hike lasts approximately three hours and offers you the chance to observe different species of flora and fauna that inhabit the coastal scrub. Another way to get to the main beach is by car or bike through a non paved road. Once in Los Frailes, you can just relax and sunbathe, or walk throughout the natural path, or go swimming in the warm waters of the equator, or may be go snorkeling and enjoy the vivid marine creatures you may encounter. Lunch will be served at the hotel and after a deserving rest, our excursion leader will bring you to the small fishing village of Salango. This small town, located south of Puerto López, has an interesting museum with samples collected at different sites, inside and outside the national park. In addition, the museum exhibits in chronological order the archeological ceramic vestiges of cultures that inhabited the coast of Ecuador more than 5,000 years ago. People at Salango are involved in a project called the marine parcel, which is shallow area located between the Salango hill and the Salango Island where you can do snorkeling, scuba diving and selective fishing. After dinner, our excursion leader will be giving a briefing about the activities for the next day; and, if you are interested, a lecture regarding a special topic about Machalilla NP .

* If your hobby is scuba diving, do not hesitate to contact our agent to carry out previous arrangements to satisfy your wishes. Los Frailes and Salango have fantastic locations for divers where you may enjoy observing multicolored fishes and the marine life that takes place in rocky coral reefs. This is an optional excursions not included in the cost of the program-please contact our agent to organize this activity in advance. You will need to demonstrate your diving experience by presenting your PADI license

DAY 05: This last day offers you the chance to visit the tropical moist forest, also known as fog forest. On one trip with our naturalist guide, you may see over 20 different species of birds, learn about the local flora and understand why this ecosystem is different from the others you have already been. For a couple of hours or more, if you want, come into contact with this marvelous paradise and experience the sensation of being in the real jungle. Lunch will be ready for you at the lodge. In the afternoon, you will have some time to pack and get ready to leave Machalilla NP. The trip to Manta or Portoviejo airports will take around a couple of hours. On your arrival to the airport, our staff will take care of your ticket and boarding pass to return to Quito.

Please note: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On daily basis of your tour you will be advised of any amendments. Our staff will always be offering information about the area, the weather conditions, navigation, native cultures, plants and probabilities to encounter wildlife through lectures, briefings, recaps and videos.
Diving, fishing, horse riding, biking are offered at extra cost.

4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS - same as above, but days 4 is deleted.

3 DAY / 2 NIGHTS - same as above, but days 2 and 4 are deleted.

2012 Price per person in US$:

THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Land transportation to and from Manta
Naturalist English/Spanish speaking guide
Visits according to the itinerary
Accommodations and meals (set menu)
Trip to Isla de la Plata on board Mantaraya II

NOT INCLUDED:
Air ticket Quito/Manta/Quito
Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
Machalilla National Park entrance fee ($20 for adults, $10 for children)
Personal expenses

CLIMATE: The location and geographic configuration as well as the influence of the marine currents of Humboldt and El Niño are responsible for a climate with many local variations between the coast and the mountain area. The average prevailing temperature is 66°F (19°C) in the mountain area and 75°F (24°C) along the coast. Relative humidity varies between 75% and 98%, with more humidity in the highlands. The average annual rainfall varies between 300 mm on the coast and 1200 mm in the highlands.
LUGGAGE: One standard suitcase is recommended plus a handbag and reasonable suitcase and store additional luggage at the city’s hotels.
DOCUMENTS: Valid passports, Identification Cards for citizens and/or residents of Ecuador.
WHAT TO WEAR: Informal clothing at all times. Comfortable light cottons. Short and long sleeve blouses and shirts. Jeans, shorts and swim wear. A light jacket or sweater for cool nights. Good walking shoes for excursions. You should bring protective sun lotions, a light hat and insect repellent.
ACCESSORIES: Sunglasses, camera and plenty of film. Waterproof bags to protect
your equipment. Binoculars. Alarm clock. Flashlight. Maybe a small tape recorder.
Snorkeling equipment like mask, fins, snorkel.
CURRENCY: U.S. Dollars are needed for bar or handicraft shopping. Travelers checks or
Credit Cards like Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted at the hotel.
VACCINATIONS: Consult your doctor about preventive medication.
TIPPING: As in many places, gratuities are customary, but entirely at guest’s discretion.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. You must wear a life vest during all boat trips.
2. Trained naturalist Guides offer advice, give informative talks and conduct all excursions.
3. The programs described herein are subject to change without notice, and can be operated in different sequences depending on climatic and operational conditions. All decisions are oriented in terms of passengers interest and safety.
4. For your comfort, bottled water is supplied during your stay at the hotel, free of charge.
5. All meals are included in the cost of the program. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are available at extra cost.
6. Electricity is 110 volts AC at the hotel.

Museums - Manabí is an exceptional place to find archeological evidence of pre-Columbian cultures. The chronological birth of the Ecuadorian archeology occurred 3, 800 ± 1800 years B.C. with the discovery of ceramic pieces that belonged to the old Valdivia culture named by the archeologist Emilio Estrada in 1958. The historic pottery of the Ecuadorian coast has experienced several transformations in style since its beginning, about 6,000 years ago. For these reason, the experts have divided the pre-Columbian era in Ecuador into three chronologically different periods. The Formative Period (3,500 - 800 years B.C.) includes the Valdivia, Machalilla and Chorrera cultures that displayed a developing pottery style. The Regional Development Period (800 B.C. - 800 A.C.) is represented by the Guangala and Bahía cultures. The ceramic objects made during this time showed advanced and more complex style than its predecessors. The Integration Period (800 A.C.- 1500 A.C.) is essentially represented by the Manteño-Huancavilca culture. It's an era dominated by empires, chiefdoms and trading. The museums at Salango and Agua Blanca have on display an interesting collection of ceramics that belonged to some of these cultures.

Whale Watching - Join us to encounter the magnificent Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), the fifth largest whales in the world, along Manabí's southern coast.These gigantic marine mammals are distributed worldwide and reside in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Humpback whales are obligate migratory animals in order to complete their natural life cycle.The feeding grounds of the south Pacific whale population are located at the margin of the Antarctic ice. These cetaceans feed on krill (a kind of shrimp) and each adult individual can eat up to one ton of food per day.

The whale migration is related to the female's reproductive condition. When migrating from their feeding grounds to the wintering grounds, they travel more than 7,000 Km and far from the coast in waters with an average depth of 200 m. Mating and calving takes place in the Pacific warm waters of the Equator zone. The humpback whales arrive to the Ecuadorian coast in June and stay until September.
* Cruises only offered in whale season from June to September.

Humpback whales are believed to be the most acrobatic, performing different displays, breaches and songs on the surface and underwater. Thanks to this natural behavior, we are able to observe and learn more about these extraordinary marine mammals. In Manabí, the marine areas used by the whales to reproduce and calve are located in shallow waters situated off shore the Machalilla National Park, Puerto Cayo, Puerto López, Manta and Isla de la Plata. Our whale watching cruises last approximately three hours and the trips are fun!! We are the only whale watch operator offering expert Naturalist guides who interpret the whales natural behavior. Our trips are well organized and informative to delight and educate our guests. Come join us to experience this unparalleled whale watch cruises. Our trips frequently start from Puerto López bay.

Diving - The Mantaraya II is the fast boat allows scuba divers and passengers to explore the full range of Machalilla National Park waters.The Mantaraya can reach Isla the la Plata,Machalilla´s crown jewel,from Puerto Lopez in slightly over an hour.(That´s half the travel time of older tour boats in the area.)And the Mantaraya scuba center in Puerto Lopez is literally "the only game in tonw" for well maintained, modern scuba gear.Mantaraya is a world-class operation with excellent organization,equipment and facilities.

Machalilla divers will swear that Poseidon grafted vibrant Caribbean reefs to the drab ocean bottoms of the Galapagos. A confluence of current nourishes local waters. The could Humboldt Current from the south joins warm flows from the north. As a result,the waters are rich in bouth could-and warm-water marine life large and small. Machalilla offers a dazzling variety of reefs that are colorful, vibrant, and thick with colorful warm-water fish, hard and soft corals, sponges, and gorgonians.

Machalilla´s reefs and inhabitants are much more colorful than the drab rocky-bottoms of some Pacific American dive destinations.Except for visibility in the 30- to 50- foot range and the some timnes-stong surge,divers could easily believe they´re exploring reefs in the Caribbean. But Machalilla offers encounters with the large marine life that´s typical of the Galapagos. Seaturtles,dolphins, sharks and giants manta rays are common year´ round.

Between July and October, Machalilla waterts are a breeding ground for humpback whales.During that period, charter boats operatos can almost guarantee daily whale encounters. A word of advice:schedule a Machalilla dive trip during whale season.A close-up view of breaching humpbacks is valuable bonus for even the most single-minded scuba diver.

De la Plata Island is a favorite spot for scuba-diving, because even though the temperatures are at a cool 60 ° F to 65 ° F, the sea temperature is higher than 68 ºF. The Island is surrounded by Coral Reefs so the marine life is exciting and plentiful; its physically and biologically very similar to the one in Galapagos, as several books have described it. It is the only place in the world, besides the Galapagos Islands, where Waved Albatrosses nest (April to November). Other birds also nest here, such as the red billed tropic bird and a large colony of frigate birds. In addition, the waters around the island are a playground for more than eleven different species of marine mammals, including a small colony of sea lions.

The coral reef around the Island and on the adjacent coast is the only coral reef close to mainland Ecuador. This coral reef can be explored with scuba or snorkel gear. A spectacular biodiversity of underwater marine life exists because the Humboldt current flows from the south, and then meets the northbound warm current El Niño. In this area you can also find activities like sport fishing; With world records for marlins and other coastal species caught here, this activity is popular in the area.

** SCUBA DIVING AT ISLA DE LA PLATA IS SUBJECT TO THE BOAT'S OPERATION TO THE ISLAND ON THAT DAY
** THIS OPERATION IS DONE WITH A MINIMUM OF 2 PASSENGERS. IN THE EVENT OF A SINGLE PASSENGER, A 100% RECHARGE APPLIES

THESE RATES DO NOT INCLUDE THE MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE (Subject to change).

NOTE:
Passengers will be responsible in the event of damage or loss of equipment. A security deposit will be asked for prior to the activity.

IMPORTANT:
Guide speaks Spanish only. Passengers must be certified in order to dive.

DEPOSITS:
An immediate deposit of USD 100 per person is required to guarantee the reservation.
A 50% deposit has to be made 60 days prior to departure.
A 100% of the total price has to be paid 30 days prior to departure.

CANCELATIONS:
No fee will apply if the cancellation is made 90 or more prior to departure.
If the cancellation is made between 89 and 60 days prior to departure there will be a USD 100 cancellation fee per person
If the cancellation is made between 59 and 30 days prior to departure, 50% of the total price will be charged
If the cancellation is made 30 or less days prior to departure, 100% of the total price will be charged, even for health issues.