MOTMOT JOURNEY
Day 1. The journey starts with a 30 minute flight from Quito to Manta or Portoviejo. One of our qualified staff members will transfer you by car to Machalilla National Park (about three hours ride). On the road, there will be an stop in order to visit the home of the legendary Panama hat, Montecristi. For approximately one hour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the air and history of this notable coastal town with residents engaged in the weaving of these extraordinary straw hats. Back on the way to Machalilla NP, enjoy the ride that offers splendid views of coastal Manabí and the chance to observe some species of birds, among them, the black vulture, turkey vulture, brown pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, tropical kingbirds, the Harris’s hawk and much more. At your arrival to Mantaraya lodge, a superb lunch will be ready for you. In the afternoon, our proficient naturalist leader will guide you thorough an interesting trail to look at the birds that inhabit the tropical coastal scrub. You may possibly see the eared dove, Pacific parrotlets, the amazilia hummingbird, golden-olive woodpeckers, long-tailed mockingbirds and more. After dinner, there will be an introductory talk about the birds at Machalilla NP and the activities for the next days of the tour.
Day 2. It is time to discover the Machalilla NP wonders. Located in the heart of the park, the village of Agua Blanca offers you the opportunity to observe the archeological remains of the once powerful Salangome Chiefdom, which was part of the Manteño culture. With the help of various organizations, the community of Agua Blanca with more than 400 inhabitants is engaged in several projects to rescue the archeological ruins and improve the administration of the eco-tourism activities. There is a great number of activities in the area for you pleasure.
- You might choose to visit the Agua Blanca archeological museum to learn from one of the native guides about pre-Columbian cultures, the local way of life and the natural history of the area.
- From the museum, we can take you hiking with the company of a knowledgeable native guide around the archeological site through a path that offers the possibility to encounter different species of birds that inhabit the deciduous tropical dry forest. This is a brilliant place to possibly encounter blue-crowned motmots, vermilion flycatchers, the fasciated wren, red-eyed vireos, tropical gnatcatchers and others. You may choose to spend some time at the sulfurous water spring and take a therapy bath. The hiking distance and time depends on you.
- For the adventurers, there is a brilliant occasion to explore the San Sebastian fog forest. A network of trails designed by the local people will take you through deciduous and semi-deciduous dry forest to arrive to the fog forest at an elevation of around 800 m. This excursion offers you the chance to observe different ecosystems and the tropical birds that inhabit in them. You may observe over 40 species of birds such as the yellow-rumped cacique, blue-gray tanagers, banaquits, streak-headed woodcreeper, red-masked parakeets and many more. *
*This is an optional excursions not included in the cost of the program-please contact our agent to organize this activity in advance. It is also an intense and demanding adventure that requires more than an average level of fitness. Also, please note that if you are particularly sensitive to heat, this may not be the trip for you.
The visit to Agua Blanca village takes practically the entire day. For this reason, a box lunch and plenty of water will be provided during the tour. On the ride back to the hotel, we may stop for a short time at Los Frailes; which is one of the three major protected seashores of Machalilla NP where the nesting of at least two species of sea turtles (carey and green turtles) takes place each year between January and May. The three gorgeous beaches at los Frailes are separated by tropical coastal scrub vegetation and eroded headlands. Once in the area, a relaxed hike in one of the trails offers you the chance to observe different species of birds that inhabit the coastal scrub. Some of the common birds you may find are the Harris’s hawk, American kestrels, collared antshrikes, Pacific horneros and some other interesting birds. After dinner, our excursion leader will be giving a talk about the activities for the next day; and, if you are interested, a lecture regarding a special topic about Machalilla NP .
Day 3. This day we swap the mainland activities at Machalilla to explore the wonders of the offshore Isla de la Plata. Isla de la Plata is an outstanding wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and other marine life. Our sea adventure begins at Puerto López tranquil harbor, which is appropriate to go on board the comfortable Mantaraya boat. The navigation to the island may last about one and half hours. There are mainly three activities in this full day tour. One is hiking along the pre-design paths at the island with our naturalist guide to observe the miniature short-tailed woodstar, red-billed tropicbirds, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, magnificent frigatebirds and perhaps waved albatrosses; it is your decision to take the long or short trail. There is also plenty of time to go snorkeling and observe an interesting marine ecosystem around Drake’s bay. If you just want to swim and relax on the beach, you’ll have the opportunity to do so. A box lunch and loads of water will be offered to you during this trip. By the afternoon, our boat will be cruising back to Puerto López where our bus will get us back to Mantaraya Lodge. After dinner, our excursion leader will be giving a talk about the activities for the next day; and, if you are interested, a lecture regarding a special topic about Machalilla NP .
- If your hobby is scuba diving, do not hesitate to contact our agent to carry out previous arrangements to satisfy your wishes. Isla de la Plata has excellent locations for divers where you may see multicolored fishes, rocky coral reefs, rays and occasionally sharks.*
*This is an optional excursions not included in the cost of the program-please contact our agent to organize this activity in advance. You will need to demonstrate your diving experience by presenting your PADI license
Day 4. This last day offers you the chance to visit the odd tropical moist forest, also known as fog forest at the Chongon-Colonche mountain range. On one trip with our naturalist guide, you may see over 30 different species of birds, learn about the local flora and understand why this ecosystem is different from the others you have already been. For a couple of hours or more, if you want, come into contact with this marvelous paradise and experience the sensation of being in the real jungle. Early lunch will be ready for you at the lodge. In the afternoon, you will have some time to pack and get ready to leave Machalilla NP. The trip to Manta or Portoviejo airports will take around a couple of hours, may be more if you decide to stop at the Achi hill (a site on the road between Puerto Cayo and Jipijapa) to observe some other interesting species of birds. On your arrival to the airport, our staff will take care of your ticket and boarding pass to return to Quito.
