Spondylus Expedition

Day 1: Manta / 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.

Afterwards, 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.

Day 2: Bahía de Caráquez - Jaramijó

We start day 2 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.

Day 3: 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 their 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 at the hot tub, enjoy some spa treatments, and participate in an onboard cooking class with our chef.

Farewell dinner and cocktail onboard.

Day 4: 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.

• Accommodation in the luxury stateroom of your choice with 2 twin beds or 1 king bed dressed with sustainably sourced cotton.
• All meals and snacks prepared fresh daily by our onboard chefs with local organic produce using a balanced mix of traditional and modern techniques. Menu variations are available upon request.
• All in land gastronomic experiences beautifully set up by our crew in unique natural locations, following the traditional cuisine of the destination.
• All soft beverages, an assortment of wine, beer and other spirits, classic and signature cocktails, freshly ground local coffee and organic teas.
• Unlimited Wi-Fi onboard, air conditioning, a/v entertainment and automated lighting, shades and audio systems in each stateroom.
• All land and sea expeditions led by our two expert naturalist guides, daily briefings about the excursions, tips and other valuable information.
• Transfers and access to all natural reserves, beaches and protected areas.
• All gear for water activities: wetsuits, kayaks, SUPs, snorkeling equipment.
• All facilities on board: Jacuzzi, fitness center, sunbeds, and beach towels.
• Kontiki shuttle from hotel to port of Manta for check in and boarding.

• International airfare to Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE).
• Internal transfer from Quito or Guayaquil to the port of Manta.
• Hotel accommodation the night before the expedition in Manta, Quito or Guayaquil. However, we can assist with information, selection and reservation of 5 star properties.
• Fine wine and spirits, available on demand at a cost.
• Pre and Post experiences/stays are not included, but we can gladly assist with information, selection and reservation at partner properties in Ecuador, including Galapagos and neighboring countries.
• Gratuities to crew and guides.