La Plata Island Tour
4 DAYS – 3 NIGHTS WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION
AZULUNA is located just south of the Machalilla National Park, in Ecuador’s Manabi Province. Its privileged view and proximity to the ocean offer you a unique and pristine setting for a well-deserved rest away from your normal routine.
AZULUNA offers private cabins, each with a beautiful ocean view, designed to maximize privacy and tranquility. The cabins are built using local ecological materials and various types of wood such as bamboo and cade (tagua palm leaf). At Azuluna, we take care of the local eco-system by re-using and recycling.
Azuluna supports various local community projects through Fundacion Reto Internacional:
www.fundacionretointernacional.org.ec
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1
- Lunch.
- In the afternoon: Visit the Ayampe river; where you can enjoy the spectacular natural surroundings as you hike along the river. You will have the opportunity to view some of the 300 different species of birds from the area, as well as various types of wild bamboo.
- Dinner.
DAY 2
- Breakfast.
- In the morning: Visit the Community Project of Agua Blanca.
Agua Blanca is a typical small community in the Ecuadorian coast with small, simple houses built of bamboo and cade roofs (tagua palm leaves).
Agua Blanca was the capital of the Señorío Manteño de Salangome (ancient indigenous settlement). Temples, palaces and houses were built here and populated by thousands of people. The locals were excellent sailors, and their balsa ships sailed from Mexico to Peru, exchanging products with different cultures along the way.
More than a decade of archeological work including several excavations, led the archaeologists to discover and rescue many important artifacts and ruins from the Manteño culture. Some of these artifacts are displayed in a small local museum which is administrated by the community. Different types of pottery, sacred U shaped stone chairs used just by the “curaca” or community chief, copper jewelry and obsidian projectile points which reconfirm the trade this culture kept with indigenous groups from the Andes, are displayed in the museum. The Manteños used spondylus seashells as currency for their trade and as a symbol of wealth. Nowadays, this precious seashell can be tasted in the best restaurants in the area, although it’s harder to find lately due to overfishing.
To complement this cultural immersion, you will have the opportunity to take a refreshing swim and have a natural mud treatment in the spectacular sulphur lagoon, amidst the beautiful and peaceful surroundings.
- Box lunch or a meal in Puerto López.
- In the afternoon: Visit Frailes Beach.
- Dinner.
DAY 3
- Early in the morning: Observe the fishermen returning with their catch to Puerto López (optional).
- Breakfast (Azuluna or Puerto López, depending on the activity above).
- Full day: Tour of La Plata Island. Boat trip, approximately 2 hours (we recommend bringing sea sickness medication. Mareol is the name used in Ecuador, and can be found at any Pharmacy).
- Hiking around the Island- approximately 2 to 3 hours (a local Naturalist guide will be in charge).
- Box lunch included (2 sandwiches, fruit and water).
- Snorkeling (included in tour).
La Plata Island is part of the Machalillia National Park and is located 36 kilometers from the continent and is 1200 hectares in size. It has a dry climate where different species of plants have adapted. Its fauna is mainly fish and a multitude of birds such as the blue-footed booby, red-footed booby, masked/nazca booby, frigate bird, red-billed tropicbird and albatross which have chosen this island for mating.
The island was a ceremonial center in pre-Columbian times. After the Spanish conquest, pirates used to visit the island. In the late XVI century it was used as a base by Sir Francis Drake after assaulting the Galleon “Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción” to divide his loot. For those who love underwater scenery and wildlife, Drake Bay is the perfect place for its coral reefs. The only way to get here is by arranged tours.
- Dinner.
DAY 4
- Breakfast.
- Horse-back riding (not included in the budget), or relaxing at the beach, or visit the unique Bamboo Church of Ecuador, “Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria”, in the unique village of Puerto Rico (all activities optional).
- Lunch.
- Check Out.
ADULTS: US $ 293.38; CHILDREN up to 5 years old: US $ 197.82
(taxes included and we need a minimum of 2 people)
Please write to us at info@azuluna-ecuador.com
INCLUDED
- Accommodation in double or matrimonial cabin minimum and according with availability.
- American Breakfast. Note: breakfast could take place in the market (local breakfast) if the group decides to observe the fishermen returning with their catch.
- Lunch and dinner according to itinerary; in both cases meal includes: soup, main course, dessert and juice. Note: depending on each program some of these meals could be replaced by a box lunch.
- Safe, drinkable water.
- Beach Towels.
- Tours mentioned above guided by professionals.
- Snorkeling.
- Free WiFi and parking.
- Ecuadorian taxes.
NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation to and from Azuluna.
- Municipality of Puerto Lopez tax US $ 1 when you enter Isla de la Plata and entrance fee to Agua Blanca US $ 5.
- Horse-back riding mentioned above as optional.
- Full (travelling, medical, etc.) insurance. In case of an accident or death, air or bus company or travel agency insurance will be applied. Please check for more details at the end of this itinerary.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tips.
- Anything extra not mentioned in the itinerary above.
CONFIRMATION POLICIES
- To confirm your reservation we require a payment of 50% of the total cost of the program as soon as the booking has been done, and the remaining 50% maximum one week before the date of your arrival.
CANCELLATION POLICIES
30-07 DAYS BEFORE THE TOUR STARTS
FORFEIT
50% OF TOTAL COST
06-00 DAYS BEFORE THE TOUR STARTS
FORFEIT
100% OF TOTAL COST
- You may cancel your confirmed booking IN WRITING.
- The forfeit will be deducted automatically from the deposits made as soon as the written cancellation is received.
COMMENTS:
- Azuluna runs this tour in coordination with local air and bus companies, as well as local travel agencies and tourist guides.
- Azuluna works only with reputable tourist companies.
- Azuluna will be responsible for providing accommodations and on-time meals, according to the itinerary above. Any delay in air, bus or sea transportation will be the responsibility of each particular company providing the service.
- A 10% fee will be added to the final bill for credit card payments.
DID YOU KNOW….
- That about 10% of your accommodation costs at Azuluna Eco-Lodge are used to support different development projects in nearby Las Tunas Village.
- Azuluna is supporting the development of the local economy through the practice of “fair trade” through the purchase of:
- Organic coffee served in our restaurant as planted and processed by “Agroartesanal Association of Coffee Producers Intag River-Imbabura Province”;
- The marketing of the artesan crafts sold in our Reception desk boutique as created by the Association of Families in Rocafuerte-Manabi Province; and
- The purchase of biodegradable cleaning products used throughout this Eco-Lodge as made and supplied by a micro family business from Manta-Manabi Province
AZULUNA ECOLODGE SEEKS TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ALL ITS PRACTICES!
“Perla del Pacífico Sur” Award for “Best Management Practices in Sustainable Tourism 2011”
Mention of Honor 2012: “Good Practices in Sustainable Tourism and Support to Community”, GAD Puerto López
Members of the Ecuadorian Association of Ecotourism
Selected as one of the 35 Economic and Romantic Paradises in South America, Chile Enviajes, 2014