Day 1: Arrival (Meal: Dinner)
International arrival to Guayaquil and transfer from airport to hotel. Accommodation: Oro Verde Hotel or similar.

Day 2: Full day City Tour in Guayaquil with Parque Histórico (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) Upon pick up from your hotel we familiarise ourselves with this colourful city, one much different to its highland counterpart, Quito. Known for its fast-pace and bold nature, Guayaquil still has many points of interest, including Parque Simón Bolivar (popularly known as Parque de las Iguanas). The park is a delightful place for bird lovers, as the abundant ficus trees here are home to some truly exotic flycatchers and arboreal Iguanas. Experience the splendid Palacio Municipal and the several monuments, including the architecturally severe Gobernacion de la Provincia building, situated on the promenade at the waterfront Malecon Simon Bolivar which lines the shore of the Guayas River. Positioned behind the park is a Neo Gothic Cathedral which provides an insight into Guayaquil ́s interesting past. In close proximity are the Moorish Tower and the awe inspiring Rotonda Monument portraying Simon Bolivar and Jose San Martin shaking hands (the two South American generals who liberated the continent from Spain met in Guayaquil in 1822). As we stroll through the attractive district of Las Peñas, amid old houses constructed from timber, we pass art galleries and cafes with beautiful views. On route we visit “Mercado Plaza del Sur”, a metallic structure designed by Eiffel. Heading west of Las Peñas, back to the hotel, we pass an extensive cemetery filled with remarkably ornate tombs, a vestige of times gone by, illustrating Guayaquil ́s wealth over the last century. Our excursion continues to the Historical Park of Guayaquil, it offers rich stories of life and history of this great city in Ecuador. Learn about this important port city and discover the overflowing native flora and fauna at this park. It is also an ideal location to learn about the birds, reptiles, and mammals of this region. Environmentally established, the park displays the characteristics of the urban area of Guayaquil, as well as offering recreation, education, and vibrant culture. Accommodation: Oro Verde Hotel or similar.

Day 3: Guayaquil – Puerto Lopez (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) In the morning, we cross the arid savannah of Santa Elena Peninsula to reach the Pacific coast. The trip continues through several fishing villages. On the way, we will see beautiful beaches, and artisan villages. In the afternoon, we arrive at the small fishing town of Puerto Lopez. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation: Mantaraya Hotel or similar.

Day 4: Boat Excursion to Isla de la Plata (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). At Puerto López, you take a two hour boat ride to De la Plata Island. On this route, during the navigation you have a high possibility of viewing dolphins and whales. The locals tell that the name De la Plata Island (Silver Island), was given because the pirate Francis Drake, at the end of the XIV century, took treasures from the Spanish ships and hid them on this island. According to the legend, much of this treasure were never claimed and is still hidden there. 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. Return to the hotel. Accommodation: Mantaraya hotel or similar.

Day 5: Visit Agua Blanca Community & Frailes Beach (Machalilla National Park). Return to Guayaquil (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) Early in the morning, your guide will pick you up to take you to the first attraction: Agua Blanca community and Museum. The Valdivia, Chorea and Manteña Cultures inhabited this land of a template climate and extraordinary landscapes, where archaeological remains are still found within the park, and can be admired in situ especially at Agua Blanca. Fifty two families conform the Agua Blanca Community. The small village is located 7.5 miles to the north of Puerto Lopez and 3 miles off the main highway. 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, archaeological areas, a small lagoon with high levels of sulfur in the mud, which has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, and a breathtaking viewpoint. You will see the funeral urns in situ with human bones and skeletons exactly as they were found. The next stop will be to one of the most beautiful natural beaches of Ecuador. Visit Los Frailes Beach, a secluded stunning cove, one of the area’s nicest beaches in the Pacific Coast. Swimming and snorkeling from the beach. Possibility of a one mile trek along the tropical dry forest observing the bird life, the forest and the scenery. At this place you can enjoy the tropical coastal scrub, observation of local flora – palo santo, muyuyo and a variety of cactus. It is an important nesting site for sea turtles. Geologically, Los Frailes is composed by several and wide gorgeous beaches, cliffs, capes, and rocky headlands. You can observe how bays are formed by action of sea currents. Return to Guayaquil. Accommodation: Oro Verde Hotel or similar.

Day 5: Transfer to the Train Station (Meal: Breakfast) Transfer to the train station (located in Ibarra), a small town near Otavalo, to begin your amazing experience by train.

Services Included:

• Privates transportation
• Meals detailed in the itinerary
• Hotel accommodation
• English speaking guide

Services not included:

• Meals not specified in the itinerary, beverages with meals.
• Additional meals and drinks (soft & alcoholics)
• Tips and personal expenses
• Travel and medical insurance