Highlights
This little-known part of Ecuador has something for everyone. Nature lovers will revel in the unique dry and lush cloud forests only a few miles apart. Bird life abounds and rare fauna and flora are commonplace. Gigantic whales can be observed in the wild during their mating season and coral reefs are home to exotic sea life. Manabi is well-known for having the most important cultures of Ecuador, such as the pre-Colombian Valdivia and Machalilla. Many caverns and tombs have been found throughout the region and our adventure trip we will visit the archeological site of Agua Blanca, an outdoor whale museum and we’ll even stay at an eco-lodge situated on an actual Smithsonian dig.
The cool part of this trip is that we weave these incredible sites together by boat, kayak, hiking trails and even rides (horse and bike). For those who love to surf (or want to learn) this is paradise. There are breaks virtually everywhere and you will be joined by some of Ecuador’s best surf instructors. There are places where even beginners can ride the breaks for over a half mile! For the ultimate souvenir, get famous board shaper, Rene Burgos, to custom design your own board to take home. Other activity options include sailing, sport fishing, whale watching, diving and watching the tropical sunset.
Full Description
Explore the remote and charming coast of Ecuador on this 8-day surfing and multi-sport safari.
This little-known part of Ecuador has something for everyone. Nature lovers will revel in the unique dry and lush cloud forests only a few miles apart. Bird life abounds and rare fauna and flora are commonplace. Gigantic whales can be observed in the wild during their mating season and coral reefs are home to exotic sea life. Manabi is well-known for having the most important cultures of Ecuador, such as the pre-Colombian Valdivia and Machalilla. Many caverns and tombs have been found throughout the region and our adventure trip we will visit the archeological site of Agua Blanca, an outdoor whale museum and we’ll even stay at an eco-lodge situated on an actual Smithsonian dig.
The cool part of this trip is that we weave these incredible sites together by boat, kayak, hiking trails and even rides (horse and bike). For those who love to surf (or want to learn) this is paradise. There are breaks virtually everywhere and you will be joined by some of Ecuador’s best surf instructors. There are places where even beginners can ride the breaks for over a half mile! For the ultimate souvenir, get famous board shaper, Rene Burgos, to custom design your own board to take home. Other activity options on this South American vacation include sailing, sport fishing, whale watching, diving and watching the tropical sunset.
Includes:
- Professional guide service
- Domestic R/T flight from Quito to Manta
- 7 nights delux lodging
- All activities and expedition equipment
- Private transportation
Excludes:
- Airfare to/from Ecuador
- Alcohol and items of personal nature
- Meals not covered in the itinerary
- Tip or gratuities
Day by Day Itinerary
We pride ourselves in running a relaxed and flexible schedule. Every trip is different depending upon the group, other trips in the area, and sometimes the weather. Important: The itinerary is subject to change as it is dependent on weather and participants’ ability. Our daily distances can fluctuate depending on weather, activities, and National Park notices. The following is a sample of what your trip might be like.
Day 0 - Saturday
Today you will arrive in Quito. A ROAM representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Tonight we will dine together and go over last minute details.
Day 1 - Sunday
After an early flight to Manta we will cross the Cape towards Cabo San Lorenzo and stop for a breakfast of tropical fruit. Assuming the waves and wind are right, we will head to the small fishing village of San Mateo and try our surfing skills on Ecuador’s longest wave. For those not wanting to try surfing, you’ll continue on to tonight’s destination, Faro Escandinavo, for an exquisite lunch and time to kick back on the beach or around the pool. Dinner and Overnight at Faro El Escandinavo.
Day 2 - Monday
Depending on swell and direction, we’ll head out for a morning surf session (or lesson for beginners) to either Las Pinias or San Mateo. The non-surfers will enjoy walking the beach or visiting with local fisherman. After a morning of surf we’ll head back for a fresh water shower, breakfast and then visit the village of Pile. This is an authentic, non-touristy village where Toquilla hats are woven. After lunch, we can take a trek through Pacoche Forest and observe howler monkeys and fauna and flora of the Cape. Henning Nilsen is the charismatic owner of Faro El Escandinavo and was formerly a journalist and editor in Norway. Tonight he will prepare us a special European influenced dinner. Overnight at Faro El Escandinavo.
Day 3 - Tuesday
After a spectacular beach side breakfast, we’ll make our way from El Faro to Los Frailes. Part of Machalilla National Park, this is one of the nicest beaches in Ecuador. After some quality beach time, we will walk to the Agua Blanca archaeological site. Accompanied by native guides, we will hike the 6 mile trail towards the San Sebastian cloudforest area. Our trek takes us through dry tropical forest where we will witness firsthand the incredible transition of plant species as we gain an altitude of 1000 feet.
Later, we will transfer to Atamari, overlooking the Ayampe River Valley. This lodge offers one of the best panoramic views of the coast of Ecuador. In the afternoon you can choose between horseback riding in the Ayampe River valley, surfing at the river mouth or most adventurous - cocktailing cliffside. Dinner and overnight at Atamari Lodge.
Day 4 - Wednesday
Today we’ll do a short transfer to Peurto López for a boat ride to Isla de la Plata, a sacred island in pre-Columbian times. Peurto Lopez is the whale capital of the west coast and has an interesting outdoor museum. Today there will be opportunities to snorkel and learn how the divers of the pre-Incan past harvested the spondylus shell. Part of Machillia National Park, this island is often referred to as “Little Galapagos” as it harbors some of the same birds and wildlife. The addition of coral reefs adds to the exotic array of fish we will see while snorkeling.
During whale season (June to September), you can watch humpback whales breaching out of the water. The Pacific Whale Foundation declares that Ecuador is one of the most amazing destinations for whale watching in the world. Dinner and overnight in Atamari.
Day 5 - Thursday
An early morning breakfast will get us on our way to Bahia de Caráquez. En route we will visit Montecristi, the birthplace of the finest straw hats in the world. This is where the original “Panama Hat” was created. The historical error of naming this hat is partly due to a photo taken of President Roosevelt during the construction of the Panama Canal. The Montecristi and the Jipijapa were the first to weave these hats. Many famous kings and celebrities have worn these around the world. Some of these hats take from 3 to 6 months to make depending on the fineness of the straw. Hats like the Montecristi Superfino, are worth up to $3000 US and more in international hat shops.
Upon arrival in Bahia de Caráquez, we’ll take a short tour of the Archaeological Museum. Bahia is known for being one of the main sites for the “Phoenicians of the Americas.” The local culture that dates back to 500 B.C. was trading a famous spondylus red thorny oyster that was worth more than gold, all the way up to Mexico and down to Chile.
At low tide we’ll travel down the beach to Chirije, where you will find romantic rustic beachfront cabins amidst an archaeological site. This 500-acre property has been owned by the Tamariz family. This site was studied by Dr. Douglas Ubelaker, physical anthropologist of the Smithsonian Institution and Dr. Jean Francois Bouchard pre-Columbian professor of the Louvre Museum of Paris. This was an ancient pre-Columbian port, where the balsa wood sailing vessels landed for the spondylus shell trade. This afternoon there will be an opportunity to surf the El Pajonal beach break or go for a hike across the property into dry forest. Tonight we’ll dine beachside with relaxing views over the Pacific. Overnight Chirije.
Day 6 - Friday
Today will be as active or relaxing as you like. Early risers can hike the beach before breakfast while others take advantage of sleeping in after the bustling schedule of days prior. Join morning surf lessons right in front of the lodge or take a beach tour to watch local fisherman. In late afternoon we’ll take a moderate trek into the dry forest to see the awesome Ceiba (kapok) trees and learn about the dormant forest and birdwatching. The back of the property can be accessed by mountain bike as well. Tonight we’ll enjoy a campfire on the beach.
Day 7 -Saturday
After breakfast we will head to Canoa for an opportunity to explore the town and surf its famous beach break. Those who are feeling really adventurous may opt for a paragliding experience. Canoa is a lesser-known beach community that has a laid back lifestyle. It is slowly becoming a tourist center for those few travelers that have heard about it through the grapevine. In the afternoon, we’ll go canoeing to Isla Corazon. This is a protected mangrove forest where Montubio natives are working as part of a sustainable tourism project. Canoeing through mangrove tunnels, we’ll reach the largest frigate bird colony on mainland Ecuador (larger than the one that exists on Tower Island in the Galapagos). Much like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “The Birds”, you will be swarmed by as many as 60 species. Tonight we’ll dine in Bahia and overnight on the oceanfront at Casa Grande Guesthouse in Bahia de Caráquez. This is the home of Patricio Tamariz’s mother who is the Grande Dame of shrimp farming and the unofficial Queen of Bahia!
Day 8 - TRANSFERS TO THE AIRPORT
Morning departure for the airport in Manta for flight back to Quito.
About The Operator:
R.O.A.M.
Headquarters:
Nelson, BC, Canada
Established:
January 1986
After working the rivers and coastlines in Canada, United States, New Zealand and Australia, we founded a wilderness rafting and kayaking operation called Rivers & Oceans Unlimited. For more than 15 years R&O facilitated first class expeditions throughout Western Canada and Alaska. In 1999, we changed to the R.O.A.M. umbrella, which better reflects the mountainous nature of our travel and began to carefully develop a variety of international locales.
Although we are still a small family-owned operation, ROAM has facilitated trips for O.A.R.S., Mountain Travel Sobek, GORP, American Express, World Wildlife Fund, Butterfield & Robinson and Virtuoso, to name a few. Our style of trips has revolutionized the adventure industry in a positive manner as we’ve continually raised the bar for levels of service and creativity.
From the inception of R&O to the foundation of R.O.A.M., we have been the industry leader in providing the best guides, gear, and highest level of service and comfort without compromising the integrity of the locales we visit. We encourage you to contact about our trips so you can make a date for an adventure of a lifetime.
We are committed to the preservation of North America’s wilderness habitat. Our excursions are designed to promote an understanding of the delicate ecosystems that make our province unique while preserving their fundamental integrity. We ask participants to share our concern for the environment by practicing low impact touring in this sensitive area. ROAM operates on a “no trace” policy meaning we travel in a self-contained manner, carrying in what we require and carrying out all garbage and human waste. We believe the survival of the natural environment and the wildlife it supports depends on establishing an economy beyond simple resource harvesting. Our goal is to immerse our clients in vast natural beauty that, in turn, supports eco-tourism as a viable, economic choice.
