Islands, beaches and forests 4 Days | Puerto Lopez is located close by to Machalilla National Park's most incredible sights. Only one hour away from Isla de la Plata, this town enjoys a mixture of quietness and liveliness, rarely found elsewhere.
Puerto Lopez is one of our favorite coastal towns in Ecuador. It enjoys a prime location close to Machalilla National Park main attractions. The mixture of quietness and liveliness this town enjoys is rarely found in any other town in the country. In this tour, we will explore some incredible beaches, dry forests, viewpoints, archeological spots and the incredible Isla de la Plata.
On our first day we will travel from Quito to Puerto Lopez on the beautiful Ruta del Sol, on our arrival we will enjoy a nice afternoon off to relax at the beach and enjoy this beautiful town on a Friday night. The next day our adventure begins, we will board into the comfortable yacht Explora I, and sail away to Isla de la Plata. On our way, we will stop to watch the incredible display of humpback whales that come to our coasts during July to September to breed. Afterwards we will continue sailing up to Drake bay on Isla de la Plata where we start our hike into land.
Isla de la Plata is well known for its biodiversity. We will see some exotic and amazing species of birds like blue footed boobies, nazca boobies, frigates, pelicans and others. After reaching some incredible viewpoints of the ocean, we will enjoy a delicious picnic style lunch, and then some snorkeling at the incredible reefs this island holds.
Our third day is full of relaxation and adventure. We will leave to Los Frailes beach, considered to be the most beautiful one in Ecuador, but not before hiking the "Sendero del Bosque" trail, where we will encounter some fascinating virgin beaches while crossing the dry forest around. On the afternoon we will go to Aguablanca, an archeological site of great importance on our history, and famous also for its sulfured pool that is said to have healing properties.
On our fourth day, depending on the weather condition we can sail to Salango Island, and enjoy a full morning of relaxation on a virgin beach and do some snorkel on the reefs around. After lunch we depart back to Quito.
Departures/Includes
Every Friday, other days on request.
Includes: Accommodation standard hotel. Transportation Bilingual guide or Guide and translator. Breakfast and Lunch. Naturist guide on hikes. Marine transfer from Puerto Lopez to the Islands Picnic style lunch on Isla de la Plata Native guide. Snorkel gear
Not included: Dinner Machalilla Park Entrance Fee (+$20 USD non-nationals, +$5 USD nationals) Tips and personal expenses.
Itinerary
Day 1 04:30 am Guest pick-up from hotels. 05:00 am Departure from Quito. 13:30 pm Lunch in Manta. 16:00 pm Arrival to Puerto Lopez
Day 2 07:30 am American Breakfast. 08:30 am Departure to Isla de la Plata (All year), humpback whale observation (from June to September) 11:00 am Arrival to Isla de la Plata. Hike and exploration of the Island accompanied by a naturist guide. Picnic style lunch. Snorkeling. 17:30 pm Arrival to Pto. Lopez
Day 3 07:30 am Breakfast 08:30 am Departure to Los Frailes (Mototaxi) 09:00 am Sendero del Bosque trail hike (visit to the beaches of Tortuguita, Playita and Los Frailes) 13:30 pm Lunch 14:30 pm Departure to Aguablanca. 17:00 pm Return to Puerto Lopez
Day 4 07:00 am Breakfast 08:00 am Departure to Salango Island 08:30 am Free time at Salango Island beach, snorkeling. 12:00 pm Return to Puerto Lopez 13:00 pm Check-out and lunch 14:00 pm Departure from Puerto Lopez 22:00 pm Arrival to Quito
IMPORTANT NOTICE: EC TRAVEL does not recommend night travelling by bus, car or any mean of transportation on highways. This is why we avoid travelling at night as much as possible. Thank you foryour understanding.
Every Friday, other days on request. 
