Itinerary

DAY 1: BIKING FROM THE ANDES TO THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST

We depart Quito in the morning and drive west across the magnificent Andes Mountains, crossing between the Pichincha and Atacazo volcanoes. On the way, we enjoy fabulous views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes before arriving at Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve near the towns of Nono-Tandayapa, where our mountain biking adventure begins. This cloud forest is one of most diverse areas in the world for bird watching, with many species of trogons, toucans, and at least 18 different species of hummingbirds. We bike downhill, descending in altitude from 11,800 to 2,600 feet (3,600 to 800 meters), while the vegetation and wildlife around us changes as we pass from cloud forest to sub-tropical rainforest. The scenic dirt road snakes alongside an occasional small jungle town, while wildlife like flycatchers and kingfishers populate the rainforest canopy above us. While we explore this section of forest, a chase vehicle serves as backup and assures that we feel safe throughout our journey. In the late afternoon, we arrive at our lowland jungle lodge, La Cascada, near the Toachi River. La Cascada offers a number of welcome luxuries in the midst of a beautiful jungle setting, with a natural waterfall that is visible from almost all of its rooms, as well as spa complexes and services. The evening is spent relaxing and dining at the lodge. (L, D)

DAY 2:  BLANCO RIVER RAFTING (Class III+)

We depart the lodge after an early morning breakfast and drive to our put-in site along the Blanco River. We continue our descent westward towards the Pacific Coast by riding the white water waves and thunderous rapids of the Blanco River. The Blanco offers almost non-stop thrilling Class III+ rapids and a high volume of water (especially after it joins the Toachi), at the same time as beautiful jungle scenery and a wide variety of bird life. In between paddling furiously to get through the next rapid, we enjoy the sights of birds like egrets, cormorants, and kingfishers flying along the wide riverbanks and perched on high cliffs alongside towering waterfalls. Our experienced guide helps us enjoy the river to its fullest, steering our raft through fun hydraulics and encouraging us to go for a refreshing swim in flat pools of water. After rafting for about 3-4 hours, we enjoy a delicious riverside lunch. In the afternoon, we leave behind the banks of the Blanco to make the return drive to La Cascada, where we spend another relaxing evening. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: RAFTING THE TOACHI RIVER (CLASS III+)

The following morning, we drive to our put-in site along the Toachi River. The Toachi begins high in the Andean cloud forest and thunders westwards to the tropical rainforest of Ecuador's coast. Our rafting journey takes us through about 30 kilometers of the best whitewater west of the Andes, with plenty of class III+ rapids to get our hearts racing. Throughout our river run, we enjoy spectacular jungle scenery, encounter an abundance of bird life, and may even spot a southern river otter. Once again, our guides, who are expert naturalist and rafting guides at the same time, help us to spot wildlife and guide us through the best (and most fun) river routes. Depending on water levels, our rafting time may vary between three to four hours. When we reach our take-out site later in the afternoon, a picnic lunch awaits us on the riverbanks. In the afternoon, we drive west to the Canoa Beach area in Manabi Province, a stretch of beach that is famed for its excellent surfing and waves. We spend the evening at a comfortable beachfront hotel and fall asleep listening to the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing along Ecuador's coast. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: COASTAL EXPLORATION AND MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK

After a traditional coastal-style breakfast, which includes delicious plantains, we drive along Ecuador's coast along the "route to the sun," enjoying sun-dappled ocean scenery and exploring tiny fishing villages and prosperous coastal towns until we arrive at Machalilla National Park. The park is the only one in Ecuador to include land on the continent, along the coast, and offshore islands at the same time. Machalilla was established to conserve a very uncommon tropical dry forest ecosystem, full of palo santo vegetation and towering ceibo trees, some of which are more than 500 years old. Machalilla is also the site of Ecuador's most ancient cultures, including the Machalilla for whom the park is named, and the Manteña, Guangala, Bahia, Chorrera, and Valdivia, some of whose settlements date back more than 5,500 years ago. When we arrive at the park, we visit the local museums full of awe-inspiring artifacts of these ancient cultures, including the mysterious "venus" figurines of the Valdivia culture. In the afternoon, we practice sea kayaking to sharpen our paddling technique before tomorrow's morning trip to Salango Islet. Afterwards, we spend the evening at a seaside lodge. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: SEA KAYAK, SNORKELING, AND HIKE IN SALANGO ISLET

Today's destination is Salango, a small islet filled with cultural history and interesting wildlife, located approximately 3 km offshore. As we paddle through the Channel of La Plata to reach the islet, we will be on the lookout for Humpback whales, as they use this channel to migrate north during the months of June through October. Catching sight of them thrusting out of the water to breach acrobatically on the surface is a breathtaking memory that lasts a lifetime. Once we reach the islet, we paddle around the shore to seek out coastal wildlife along pristine beaches, and then trade in our kayaks for snorkeling gear to explore the underwater wildlife of Salango. The islet is also the site of ancient burial grounds belonging to the Valdivia, Machalilla and Chorrera cultures, which date back up to 5,000 years ago. The Manteña culture used these shores when they sailed small rafts made of balsa wood up and down the southern Pacific Coast to conduct trade in Spondylus shells, which are now rare delicacies (both for their use in cuisine and art) that can still be found around Salango. We explore some of this rich cultural heritage as we hike around Salango, before departing to return to the mainland in the afternoon. The evening is spent in Alandaluz Eco Lodge, an award winning beach front lodge that recycles water and prepares meals from its own organic garden. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS AND SNORKELING IN ISLA DE LA PLATA

On the morning of day six, we head out on a motorboat to reach Isla de la Plata (Silver Island), another island a short distance off the coast of Machalilla. Isla de la Plata is renowned for its marine and bird life, which is very similar to that found on the Galápagos Islands - and can be equally as fearless. During our hike around the island, we encounter birds such as blue- and red-footed boobies, frigates, pelicans, and albatross. We also run across playful sea lions lounging on picturesque beaches. Lunchtime brings us to Puerto Lopez, a small fishing town with plenty of delicious seafood to indulge our appetites. In the afternoon, we put on our bathing suits and facemasks and explore the marine life of the island, by snorkeling along the shores of Isla de la Plata with colorful tropical fish that swim in schools around us. In the late afternoon, we return to Machalilla to spend the evening and relax at our seaside lodge. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: AYAMPE HUMID FOREST AND HIKE IN AGUA BLANCA

After breakfast, we begin our hike through the Ayampe Humid Forest of Machalilla, a great place to observe ocean and continental bird life. This is the habitat of at least 230 different bird species, including a breeding site for the rare Esmeraldas Woodstar. After our hike, we visit the Agua Blanca Community, where we find a well-maintained archeological site and an "in situ" museum, containing the ruins of the many cultures that have inhabited these shores over the years. A main attraction amongst these intriguing artifacts is a solar calendar that was once used to celebrate the rites of the winter and summer solstices, in addition to the funeral urns of the Manteña culture. In the early afternoon, we drive to Manta to catch our return flight to Quito, arriving in Ecuador's capital city in the early evening. (B, L)

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