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Kontiki + La Selva
11 DAYS PROGRAM QUITO, KONTIKI CRUISE & LA SELVA LODGE
“Kontiki + La Selva”
Neighbouring Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is a relatively small country that nevertheless offers an enticing array of scenic landscapes, diverse wildlife species and interesting cities. Dense Amazon rainforest, towering Andean mountain peaks, palm-fringed Pacific Coast beaches and fascinating historical sites are all part and parcel of Ecuador’s prolific charms.
The former Inca town of Cuenca is the nation’s third-largest city and a Unesco World Heritage Site. This alluring city, with its cobbled streets, beautiful architecture and photogenic plazas, boasts a huge variety of museums and art galleries.
11 DAYS PROGRAM QUITO, KONTIKI CRUISE & LA SELVA LODGE
ITINERARY
DAY 1 TRANSFER IN
Upon arrival to the city of Quito, you will be met by one of our representatives, who will transfer you to your hotel to settle in.
DAY 2 CITY TOUR & MIDDLE OF THE WORLD MONUMENT + INTIÑAN MUSEUM & CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE (B,L)
Your guide will pick you up from the hotel to discover one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, Quito will charm you with its beautiful colonial district and welcoming residents. You will visit some of the most amazing places the city has to offer. Independence Square, or Plaza de La Independencia, is surrounded by the central powers of government, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Presidential Palace, and the Cathedral. This beautiful square is very much the cultural heart of Ecuador.
Along the way, you will visit the Church of La Compañía de Jesus. This Jesuit temple is perhaps one of the most impressive temples in Latin America. Built-in a baroque style, it is one of the finest examples of art in Latin America. There isn’t a single space that is without ornamentation, and all of the pieces are delicately crafted. You will be amazed by the main altar and the gold leaf used throughout the entire church. Continuing our tour of the colonial district you will visit San Francisco square. Once the most important place of commerce in the city, now the square is a quiet place to reflect on Quito’s colonial splendor nestled within the surrounding mountains and volcanoes. Here you will find the church and monastery of San Francisco, one of the oldest Catholic complexes in Latin America. Our next stop on this tour has gone by many names. First known as “Yavirac” by Quito’s ancient original residents, it was renamed “Panecillo” by the Spaniards since its perfect shape resembles a small bun. Here, a replica of renowned sculptor Bernardo Legarda’s Virgin watches over the city and protects it from the heights.
Lunch Local Restaurant.
After a delicious meal, you will continue a visit to Pacari where you enjoy a chocolate experience.
Later witnessing the panoramic view of the city we will continue towards the “Mitad del Mundo”, the Middle of the World. A monument dedicated to the French geodesic mission that visited Ecuador in the 18th century and determined the point where the equatorial line divided the two hemispheres. Don’t miss this unique chance to get a selfie while in both the northern and southern hemispheres simultaneously. After visiting the Mitad del Mundo city, we will visit the Intiñan Museum where you will learn more about the indigenous culture of Ecuador and you will be able to participate in some unique experiments that can only be done at latitude 0°.
Finally, you will be driven back to your hotel.
DAY 3 TRANSFER OUT – FLIGHT TO MANTA (B,D)
KONTIKI CRUISE – SPONDYLUS PROGRAM 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS
A private transfer will be arranged from the hotel to the airport to connect with your flight to Manta city.
Transfer with guide. At Quito International Airport, you will be met by one representatives in the National departure area. Here they will assist you with the check-in process and give you a short briefing about the journey.
Manta – Isla de la Plata
Our discovery journey of coastal Ecuador starts in Manta, one of the most important ports in the country and a strategic location for tourism in Manabí. This beach city is internationally known for its fishing industry, whose star product, tuna, is exported all over the world. Our shuttle will take you to Manta Yacht Club, from where we will board M/Y Kontiki Wayra for check-in and a welcome cocktail. Our concierge will introduce you to our crew members, go over the yacht areas and assign the staterooms that will become home for the next 5 days.
In the evening, we will enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by our executive chef onboard.
Overnight sailing to Isla de la Plata.
DAY 4 KONTIKI CRUISE ON BOARD (B,L,D)
Isla de la Plata – Puerto López
After breakfast, we will start our activities with a wet landing in Isla de la Plata, which belongs to Machalilla National Park. Also known as Small Galapagos, Isla de la Plata holds natural treasures similar to those of the Galapagos. A walk through its trails will take us to nesting areas of Blue Footed Boobies, Masked Boobies, and Frigates. After our land exploration, we will go back to the yacht for lunch.
In the afternoon we will do a guided underwater snorkeling expedition to learn about the marine ecosystem on the island. We will be able to see a variety of marine species including giant stingrays, and whale sharks, and during the mating season, we will be able to see humpback whales in the distance. Scuba diving is available by request at the time of booking. Between June and November, our travelers will be able to see large groups of humpback whales as we sail along the coast. In the afternoon we will enjoy a Teppanyaki sunset party with the freshest seafood in the area and live music onboard.
Overnight sailing to Puerto López.
DAY 5 KONTIKI CRUISE ON BOARD (B,L,D)
Puerto López – Bahía de Caráquez
What better way to start the day than an alfresco breakfast? After, we will disembark in the harbor of Puerto Lopez where a bus will take us to Agua Blanca. This small community houses archeologycal pieces from one of the oldest civilizations in South America, the Manteño Culture, which dates back to the year 1500 a.C. Temples, country houses, typical ancient squares, and other archeological remains are some of the treasures in Agua Blanca.
A short walk through its forest will show us butterflies, hummingbirds, and local trees such as the ceibos. During our visit, we will celebrate an ancestral ritual of purification and gratitude, that will connect us with nature and with ourselves, accompanied by the guidance of the shamans of the community.
Return to the yacht for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Los Frailes beach, a crescent-shaped beach believed to be one of the most beautiful in the country with white sand, warm waters, and a great spot to snorkel, paddleboard, kayak or swim in our beach club which includes an oceanic pool, a water slide, SeaBobs, etc. We will go back to the yacht to enjoy a beautiful sunset and dinner on the main deck.
Overnight sailing to Bahía de Caráquez.
DAY 6 KONTIKI CRUISE ON BOARD (B,L,D)
Bahía de Caráquez – San Mateo
We start day 4 with breakfast at the gourmet salon, before departing aboard our dinghies to the port of San Vicente, where a bus will take us to a traditional farm in the community of San Miguel de Sarampión.
This orchard farm grows some of the Cocoa heritage trees which are over 120 years old and still in production. These trees belong to the “Arriba Nacional” family and as we walk through the farm we will learn about the growth, harvest, fermentation, and drying of the cocoa beans that later on will yield the finest chocolate in the world.
Afterward, we will visit Iche in San Vicente, a gastronomic project led by the Fuegos Foundation to educate local chefs in creating ‘hate cuisine’ using ancestral techniques of food preparation. A gastronomic farm-to-table experience hosted by two local chefs will reveal a mix of history, tradition, and the unique flavors of coastal cuisine.
In the afternoon, we will get back to the yacht to relax at the sundeck, and later on, in the evening guests will enjoy a chocolate tasting and dinner.
Overnight sailing to San Mateo, Manta.
DAY 7 KONTIKI CRUISE ON BOARD & FLIGHT TO QUITO (B, L)
San Mateo – Manta
After breakfast onboard, we will disembark in the harbor of San Mateo where a bus will take us to the Refuge of Coastal Marine Wildlife Pacoche. This visit is divided in two.
First visit is to the tropical forest where we will hike through one of its trails to take a look at the community of howling monkeys who live in the middle of its exuberant vegetation. The second visit takes place in the Reserve Lighthouse, where a short walk will take us through several lookout spots from which we will enjoy the amazing view of the coastal shoreline and neighboring beaches. San Lorenzo beach, next to the lighthouse is one of the largest nesting spots for marine turtles in Ecuador, if we are lucky, we will get to see baby turtles on their way to the ocean. Our farewell lunch will be served on board with amazing views of the coast. After lunch,h we will take a bus that will take us to the small town of Pile, known for its community of artisan weavers who make the finest toquilla straw hats in the world. Incorrectly known as Panama hats, our straw hats were designated by UNESCO in 2012 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World. We will visit the artisan’s homes which serve as shops and we will learn how their expert hands weave these beautiful handcrafts.
Transfer to hotel or airport as required.
Upon arrival to the city of Quito, you will be met by one of our representatives, who will transfer you to your hotel to settle in.
DAY 8 TRANSFER OUT – FLIGHT TO COCA
LA SELVA 4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS (B,BL,D)
A private transfer will be arranged from the hotel to the airport to connect with your Amazon flight. Transfer with guide. At Quito International Airport, you will be met by one of La Selva representatives in the National departure area. Here they will assist you with the check-in process and give you a short briefing about the journey.
After a 30 minute commercial flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana “El Coca”, the representative will transfer you by private transportation to the city’s main dock at the Napo River.
The next two hours will be on a motorized canoe heading down river on what will be the beginning of an unforgettable experience in the tropical rainforest, the Amazon.
At the end of the motorized canoe ride, you will be dropped off at La Selva’s main dock and your first close encounter with the rainforest begins and the final leg of the trip to the lodge will be completed in a paddle canoe. The only thing you must take care of during this part of the trip is your carry-on and camera equipment, all other luggage will be transported by La Selva staff. The manager will be waiting to greet you with a refreshing juice, snacks and a short briefing with general information about your stay at La Selva.
Intro to the Rainforest, one of the Naturalist Guides will give you basic info about the tropical rainforest, the Amazon, and how La Selva operates. The idea is to begin your activities with background knowledge of the amazing place you have just arrived to.
Matapalo Trail was given the Spanish name of the famous Strangler fig (Ficus sp), one of many remarkable trees that you can find on this short walk. Mahogany trees over 400 years old can be seen and your guides will share their knowledge of the flora and fauna. Due to the time of day there is great natural light and the diurnal and nocturnal animals are beginning their daily transitional activities.
The dinner will be served at this time. Find your seat and get comfortable while our waiters serve you each course.
DAY 9 LA SELVA LODGE FULL DAY (B,L,D)
We will walk into to the forest, after a 20 minute walk the observation tower comes into sight. This amazing construction will allow you to climb 120 ft above the forest. Your Naturalist and Native guides will help you spot the colorful birds of the Amazon, maybe even certain primates.
On the way back from the tower there is the option of taking the Tucaneta Trail where your Native Guide can show you some of the medicinal plants still in use today and your Naturalist Guide will provide you with interesting info on the ecology and natural history of the Amazon.
There is also the option of visiting the beautiful lagoon of Mandi Cocha. A hike of about 1 hour takes you to the lagoon where an Igapo Forest is present, meaning that the forest is temporarily flooded by black water. Different species of birds and even giant otters can be seen here. Charapa trail goes on for about an hour beginning at the lodge and ending by the edge of the lagoon. It is a great loop where different mammals, monkeys and birds can been seen that come closer to the lagoon at this time looking for food. It is also perfect for witnessing an Amazonian sunset from the water in the canoe.
At the night you will have a canoe ride with the help of a spot light your guides will take you around the lagoon via canoe looking for nighttime wildlife. This is also a great opportunity for star gazing!
DAY 10 LA SELVA LODGE FULL DAY (B,L,D)
Today you will make your way back to the Napo River and take a motorized canoe ride to the clay licks, one of the most fascinating displays of the wild world. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather here to eat the mineral rich soil, an important part of their diet. Binoculars are essential to really capture the moment.
After the clay licks we will take you to experience our Cultural Activity. An Amazonian Kichua woman will welcome you at their community center to share their life of the Kichua’s in the Amazon. This is special because it is part of the Amazon you do not find on the maps and provides the special and unique opportunity to really get to learn more about the people of the Amazon.
Garzacocha Lagoon is one of the most beautiful lagoons in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Here there are many chances to see monkeys and birds and sometimes families of squirrel monkeys join capuchin monkeys looking for food. The tremendous calls of the Howler monkeys can be heard in the afternoon and the smallest monkey in the world, the Pigmy Marmoset can be seen here too. Plenty of birds like the Hoatzin, toucans or macaws can also be seen flying overhead. On a night walk we give you the chance to enjoy the creatures and sounds of the Amazon Jungle at night. Sometimes we can see amazing things during this activity. Make sure you bring a flashlight for this fantastic experience.
Our manager will provide you all the necessary information about your departure procedure for the next morning.
DAY 11 LA SELVA LODGE – FLIGHT TO QUITO (B)
In accordance to your briefing the night before, you will have an early wake up call, breakfast and departure from the lodge.
The lodge staff will assist you with your checked luggage and the motorized canoe ride will head upstream back to Coca, where our representatives will take you to the airport to help you with your checked luggage and boarding passes.
End Services
11 DAYS PROGRAM QUITO, KONTIKI CRUISE & LA SELVA LODGE
Prices 2023
Prices per Person
| Number of Guests | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Guest |
USD 8,815.00
|
| 2 Guests |
USD 5,809.00
|
| 3-5 Guests |
USD 5,715.00
|
| 6-9 Guests |
USD 5,622.00
|
| 10-18 Guests |
USD 5,579.00
|
| Single Supplement |
USD 2,665.00
|
INCLUDED:
NOT INCLUDED:
TripAdvisor Reviews
What our customers say
Linda B.
I dealt with Sofia, who was superb, patient, informative, efficient, and lovely. Thank you.
Alex
January 2023
Joyce
Hi Maria,
Everything was perfect. They loved it all and are raving about everything
Boat, food, and staff experiences
All they could say was it was magical
As you know, the trip home was a nightmare. They did not get home till 4 am NYC time
But it did not change the amazing experiences and memories they gave of this family trip
You and your staff were outstanding
Thank you
Joyce
March 2023
Alex
Overall I had a great experience. My travel agent Pablo was extremely helpful and understanding.
Alex
February 2023
Karen
We had a wonderful time in the Galapagos and are recommending it to our friends.
Karen
March 2023
Erick & Vicky Howe
Hello Vanessa & Sofia,
Patricio our driver, was pleasant and always smiling when we saw him no matter the time. A true asset for your company to work with someone like him.
My wife and I wanted to express how this trip so far exceeded our expectations ! Your companies attention to detail is below no other that we have worked with around the world. The staff on the Ocean Spray were top of the line as well.
Please let me know where I can post a review for other folks to learn about what a great company you all are.
Thank you,
Eric & Vicky Howe
May 2023
Joy Wegner
Hi Sofia – Joy Wegner here — my husband Bud and I completed our Peru journey last Friday.
I just wanted to send you a personal note of thanks — everything about our Peru trip was outstanding service! People easily picked us up at airports and train stations, they were completely informed of travel plans and showed an obvious desire to ensure our safety and our health. The guides, in Lima, in Cusco, and in Machu Picchu were so knowledgeable and really on-target with their guidance for our trip. We will recommend Columbus Travel to friends.
Thank you for your part in making this trip so enjoyable for us! Best wishes . . .
Bud & Joy Wegner
April 2023
Ariela
Dear Sofia,
The trip was great and everything was organized very well. I really appreciate your excellent help with planning our little adventure. If we decide to go back to Galapagos, I will definitely contact you again.
Ariela Hrepic
May 2023
Jeff Zackon
Hi Sofia
Over and above the review I would like to make the following comments:
- We had a fantastic time.
- Your organization of the trip and attention to detail was exceptional.
- The staff of Columbus Travel that we encountered were all courteous and prepared to assist beyond the call of duty. I must single out Pablo with his wealth of knowledge and personable approach.
- Both excursions from Quito were top rate, especially the delicious lunch served at the Hacienda we visited on the Otavalo trip.
- Swissotel was excellent. The staff were also willing to assist at all times.
Thank you for organizing. I will certainly be recommending your services to my friends planning a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Jeff Zackon
April 2023
Rita Nigam
Hello Pablo,
Hanzel, our tour guide in the Galapagos was amazing we were very lucky to have him for 10 days and felt like saying goodbye to the family at the end. The staff on the boat were the same.
The Amazon was a great adventure, and 3 nights was a perfect amount of time.
This was truly an experience of a lifetime to see nature at its best and in action. Our family truly enjoyed ourselves.
Rita Nigam
May 2023
Katharina
Hello Sofia,
Thanks a lot for supporting over the long period until finally we were able to go on our cruise!
It was a great trip, great boat. Everything was organized perfectly and we had the time of our lives!
Katharina
Katharina
May 2023
Peony Yee
Good morning, Cristina!
We really have had the most wonderful trip in Ecuador! So glad we could make the last minute switch from Peru to the Rainforest. We were thinking that your initial suggestion for having us go to Cuenca was probably better still as we have heard great things about that place. That means we will need to come back to Ecuador again. We also wanted to go to the cloud forest.
We look forward to working with you again next time!!
Thanks again!
Peony Yee
March 2023
Rocio
Amazing experience. Pablo was the best travel agent; I highly recommend him and his team!
Rocio
March 2023
Michael K
Cris was very helpful and fast in responding.
Michael K
January 2023
Jim N
Cristina was amazing to work with, very Professional, and always offered prompt replies to any questions I had.
Jim N.
December 2022
Paul
How much you enjoy your Galapagos adventure is going to be the quality of the boat and crew. In my case, working with Pablo Rea of Columbus Travel both were excellent. The guide was very knowledgeable, the crew were very helpful. They were always cleaning, and preparing for the next Zodiac excursion. All of the meals were very good and plentiful. The Galapagos is one of the top 10 destinations in the world, Do not miss it
Paul
July 2020
John K.
It was a fantastic experience, even better than we expected! Sofia and the Columbus team were excellent; they were very responsive, quickly answered any questions we had, and were available to help us navigate the logistics of our trip. They even helped coordinate some travel logistics outside of those they booked for us and solved a few issues while on our trip. I would highly recommend Columbus and this trip to the Galapagos to anyone!
John K.
Abril 2021
CA
Sofia was great! I was worried about a wire transfer, but it all worked well. She was very helpful throughout the process and very responsive to emails. We had some issues with the boat, but Sofia stepped in and ensured everything went smoothly.
CA
August 2021
KC
Even with the enormous challenges of the pandemic, we had a wonderful experience working with the exceptional team at Columbus Travel. Sofia was amazing! She is so very special and talented, and we hope she is recognized for her fantastic work! Everything about our trip went precisely as planned. Everything was easy, on time, and met and exceeded our expectations.
We look forward to recommending Columbus Travel and hope to book another trip in the future.
K,C
July 2021
Lew
I felt that Sofia and her team were always on top of things. It made my trip comfortable despite the COVID paperwork.
Lew
April 2021
Patricia H
I worked almost daily with Sofia at Columbus Travel. She answered all my questions professionally within a day and reset my itinerary several times until it was perfect. The guide and driver chosen for us were beautiful. The hotels she recommended were clean and comfortable and served delicious food. The tours to a Chocolate plantation, hummingbird, and butterfly gardens blended well with the city and hiking tours. It was a very good package, and I can’t think of anything that could have made it better. Our guide, Pablo, answered all our questions but also explained Ecuador’s geography, history, and culture. I enjoyed the little side trips to markets and had time alone to venture into a few cities. My daughter accompanied me on this trip, and Pablo had many questions for her. He was so kind. Patricio, our driver, and Pablo made us laugh and seemed like old friends accompanying us. I wish I could have stayed longer!
Patricia H
March 2021
Steve
Pablo was a great help in getting our trip booked and providing last-minute assistance when plans changed. Thanks!”
Steve
February 2021
Yehudit S.
Columbus Travel was very professional and helpful. They prepared a wonderful trip for us and provided a very professional guide and driver. The Galapagos Legend was a good choice for the variety of experiences provided and the staff.
Yehudit S.
December 2022
Mitch
My travel agent Sofia was very helpful in providing information and answering my various questions in a timely manner. While we communicated exclusively through email and text, I found her professional, personable and knowlegable. She even provided me a cell number to call her if needed but it was needed because everything went so well. I also appreciated the phone call from Maria upon arrival to my hotel in Quito to make sure I arrived okay and to reconfirm my appointment the next morning with Pablo. He was a great help in assisting me with processing migration documents to enter the Galapagos Islands. This service saved me almost an hour wait/processing time. That was a very nice extra service provided. I will be contacting Sofia when I start planning my next trip
Mitch
August 2021
Ashley
Thanks to Pablo at Columbus Travel, our trip to the Galapagos was perfect. Even though rebooking with Covid, Pablo was always very responsive and didn’t miss anything with planning our trip. We will use his services again in the future.
Ashley
August 2021
Janet
Pablo Rea was extremely helpful, responsive, and enthusiastic. I had some worries about travel at this time, and he was so supportive regarding my concerns and made sure every issue was addressed. The services were highly efficient and reliable. We were so impressed that they arranged for us to get the COVID tests we needed within the time frame required. Everything went smoothly, and it was a fantastic trip.
I will recommend this service to my friends. They are very professional. The trip was made easy because they paid attention to all the details.
Janet
June 2021
John K
It was a fantastic experience, even better than we expected! Sofia and the Columbus team were excellent; they were very responsive, quickly answered any questions we had, and were available to help us navigate the logistics of our trip. They even helped coordinate some travel logistics outside of those they booked for us and solved a few issues while on our trip.
I would highly recommend Columbus and this trip to the Galapagos to anyone!
John K.
April 2021
K Coffin
Sofia was amazing! Great communication! She always got back to me right away, and she was a significant problem solver when I was in the middle of the jungle and had some issues. My original dive was canceled, but that was no fault of anyone except Covid-19. When it was canceled, Sofia immediately contacted me with several other options, and it worked out fine. The dive was terrific as well. Thanks for everything!
K Coffin
February 2021
Andreia
At first, I was a little afraid because I found it on the internet, and there was not much information on Spanish websites, but after some research, we decided to buy it and were not disappointed.
Andreia M
November 2020
Belinda
Fantastic trip, a great tour guide, and driver. Accommodations were excellent and very unique. The food options were very enjoyable. Would highly recommend Columbus Travel.
Belinda M
June 2020
