TOQUILLA EXPEDITION

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

Sea expeditions through five provinces of 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 Toquilla Route, or the northern route, starts in Manta every Sunday afternoon. Toquilla takes its name from the traditional toquilla straw hats made in Ecuador since the 1600’s. Mompiche, Bahía de Caráquez, Manta, Puerto López, Isla de la Plata, Puerto Bolívar and Guayaquil are some of locations that we will explore during our sea adventure.

DAY 1 - Sunday
Manta – Mompiche

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 Yacht Club, from where we will board M/Y Kontiki Wayra for check-in and a welcome cocktail. Our concierge will introduce you to our crewmembers, 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 Cecilia Cedeño.
Overnight sailing to Mompiche.

DAY 2 - Monday
Mompiche – Bahía de Caráquez

We start our second day with breakfast in the main deck’s gourmet salon as we approach Mompiche in Esmeraldas province. 
This province is known for being home to the most important afro-ecuadorian community in the country. This area is also inhabited by 3 different indigenous communities: Cayapas, Épera and Awá.
Once we hit the shore, we will be able to see the lifestyle of artisanal
fishermen and we will understand why this destination is famous for its beautiful beaches, exuberant landscape and tropical weather.
After a short walk along the beach, a bus will take us to Portete harbor,
where a small “panga” (dinghy) will take us for a ride in the mangroves
where we will stop for “concheo” a local activity to collect shellfish from the mangrove that will later on become fresh ingredients for a “dock to table” culinary experience on board.
We will return to the vessel at noon for lunch and in the afternoon, we will have time to walk around the beach or to snorkel, kayak or paddleboard around Jupiter Island. Afterwards, we will go back to the yacht to enjoy the sunset at the sundeck with a cocktail from the organic bar. Dinner will be served aboard in the evening, with an offering of local flavors.
Overnight sailing to Bahía de Caraquez

DAY 3 - Tuesday
Bahía de Caráquez – Manta

We start day 3 with breakfast at the gourmet salon, before departing
aboard our dinghies to the Natural Reserve Isla Corazon, where two local guides await to lead us into exploring this mangrove island in the shape of a heart. Isla Corazon is a nesting site for one of the largest frigate colonies in the Pacific Ocean. This area also counts with over 60 species of native and migratory birds.
After our dinghy ride, we will disembark in the port of San Vicente, where a bus will take us to a traditional farm in the community of San Miguel de Sarampion.
This orchard farm grows some of the Cocoa heritage trees which are
over 120 years old. These trees belong to the “Arriba Nacional” family
and as we walk through the farm we will learn about the growth, harvest, fermentation and drying of the cocoa beans that later on will yield the finest chocolate in the world. We will have a country lunch on site using traditional cooking techniques over a wood oven for a delightful “farm to table” experience. The gastronomic experience will end with making our own personal chocolate.
In the afternoon, we will get back to the yacht to relax at the sundeck and later on dine in the gourmet salon, always enjoying authentic flavors of the destination visited.
Overnight sailing to San Mateo, Manta.

DAY 4 - Wednesday
Manta – Puerto López

After breakfast onboard, we will disembark in the harbor of San Mateo where a bus will take us to the Refuge of Coastal Marine Wildlife Pacoche. This visit is divided in two. First visit is to the tropical 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. The second visit takes place in the Reserve Lighthouse, where a short walk will take us through several lookout spots from which we will enjoy the amazing view of the coastal shoreline and neighboring beaches. San Lorenzo beach, next to the lighthouse is 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.
Lunch will be served on site with amazing views of the beach, and once again our executive chef will host a culinary experience using fresh local products and ancestral cooking.
After lunch we will take a bus that will take us to the small town of Pile, known for its community of artisan weavers who make the finest toquilla straw hats in the world. Incorrectly known as Panama hats, our straw hats were designated by UNESCO in 2012 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World. We will visit the artisan’s homes which serve as shops and we will learn how their expert hands weave these beautiful handcrafts.
After this visit we will get back to the yacht to relax and later on enjoy a dinner in our gourmet salon.
Overnight sailing to Puerto López. 

DAY 5 - Thursday
Puerto López – Isla de la Plata

What better way to start the day than alfresco breakfast? 
After, we will disembark in the harbor of Puerto Lopez where a bus 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 ceibos. At the end of the walk, we can swim in a natural sulfurous lagoon believed to have wellness properties. Return to the yacht for lunch. 
In the afternoon we will visit Los Frailes beach, a crescent shaped beach believed to be one of the most beautiful in the country with white sand, warm waters and a great spot to snorkel, paddleboard, swim or kayak.
We will go back to the yacht to enjoy a beautiful sunset and dinner in the main deck.
Overnight sailing to Isla de la Plata.

DAY 6 - Friday
Isla de la Plata – Puerto Bolívar

After breakfast, we will start our activities with a wet landing in Isla de la Plata which belongs to Machalilla National Park.
Also known as Small Galapagos, Isla de la Plata, holds natural treasures similar to those of Galapagos. A walk through its trails will take us to nesting areas of Blue Footed Boobies, Masked Boobies and Frigates.
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 in the island. We will be able to see a variety of marine species including giant stingrays, whale sharks, and during mating season we will be able to see humpback whales in the distance. Scuba diving is available by request at the time of booking.
Between the months of June and November, our travelers will be able to see large groups of humpback whales as we sail along the coast.
In the afternoon we will enjoy a Teppanyaki sunset party with the freshest seafood of the area.
Overnight sailing to Puerto Bolívar.

DAY 7 - Saturday
Puerto Bolívar – Guayaquil

Early-bird breakfast on board and posterior disembark in Puerto Bolivar. There two mini vans will take us to the private Natural Reserve of Buenaventura managed by the Jocotoco Foundation.
This private reserve expands over 1500 hectares of cloud forest, with
four different microclimates and it is home for over 320 species of birds, 255 species of butterflies, over 30 species of hummingbirds and a variety of marsupials, amphibians and reptiles. A guided walk through its trails will immerse us in a subtropical forest adorned with exotic orchids. A small display of Ecuador’s biodiversity.
From Buenaventura we will ride to Zaruma, a coffee-lover’s paradise
that preserves intact the architecture from early 1900’s. Get ready for
an unusual experience in Zaruma as we put on our miners’ hats and boots to walk into a gold mine. El Sexmo is the oldest mine in the area and in the last few years has changed its activity from extraction to tourism. 
After visiting the mine, we will have lunch at an old traditional house in Zaruma and will enjoy the local flavors of a coastal city greatly influenced by the flavors of the highlands. After lunch we will have some time to walk around the small picturesque streets of Zaruma.
In the afternoon we will return to the yacht for our farewell dinner.
Overnight sailing to Guayaquil.

DAY 8 - Sunday
Guayaquil

Our last day starts with breakfast overlooking the Guayas River in the
Santa Ana harbor. After saying goodbye to our crew members, we will
have our last disembark, but the expedition is not quite over. We will visit the city of Guayaquil also known as Pacific’s Pearl for an exploration of its vibrant lifestyle.
Despite being a fast paced and modern city, Guayaquil preserves several beautiful historic areas, such as Las Peñas neighborhood, which has become the bohemian center of the city showcasing small traditional coffee shops, bars and restaurants, art galleries, and handcrafts’ shops. After a walk around the neighborhood, we will climb 444 steps to the top of Cerro Santa Ana where we will find the Lighthouse of Guayaquil and the small Chapel of Cerro Santa Ana, which crown las Peñas with amazing views of the city.
The expedition ends with a land transfer to the hotel of your choice
where your suitcases will be waiting for you.
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