The Machalilla National Park is one of the most beautiful-protected National Parks in Ecuador. It is also the most visited park because of its beautiful beaches and the humpback whales.They visit Ecuador on their long journey from the Antarctic every summer from July through September. These mammals come here to mate in the area close to the Isla de la Plata because the temperature of the water permits such a spectacle. There are other sites and interesting places to visit all year long such as virgin white sand beaches or sites like Salango.

Day 1
A morning flight will take us to the port city of Manta. From here we will be transferred to visit the famous town of Montecristi, better know for its original and finest handmade "Panama Hats". We will have time to look around. We will continue to the Ocean passing typical coastal fishermen villages until arrive at our hotel.

Day 2
With our binoculars ready, we will departure for the Pto.Lopez to catch our yacht to explore "Isla de la Plata". In our way to the island we will have a chance to observe fauna and flora. Isla de la Plata has almost the same environment as the Galapagos Islands. Here you can see a group of sea lions that visit the island frequently, fragatas, albatross, tropical birds, blue footed boobies and red foot boobies.

Day 3
This day we will be for relaxing and sunbathing in Los Frailes, a beautiful beach that has been conserved like it was before...virgin and pure...a good chance to take walks or simply do nothing but rest and enjoy the day. In the afternoon we will visit the Salango archaeological Museum that has a good collection of pre-Colombian figures.

Day 4
After breakfast we will be transferred to the airport to catch our flight back to Quito.

Tour Includes
• 4Day/3Night Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Box Lunch
• Air tickets
• Private Transportation
• Bilingual guide
• Machalilla National Park fee
• Yacht ticket

Note the trip can also be done by car or bus.

Whale watching in their natural environment has become an increasingly popular worldwide activity. The presence of humpback whales off the Ecuadorian coast, especially in the Machalilla National Park, is a unique tourist attraction during this period of the year. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate from the Antarctic (South Pole) to tropical waters to mate and give birth to their calves during the austral winter (June-September). These whales look for Ecuadorian waters to breed because the calves need to be born in a warm environment since are born with a thin isolating layer.

The humpback whales are easy to recognize because of their extremely long pectoral fins, which measure almost a third part of their body’s length. In fact, their scientific name, Megaptera novaeangliae, means "of big wings". These whales can measure up to 16 m of length and weigh up to 40 tons. They are usually dark blue, gray or black colored on their back, but their flippers, sides and belly have several white spots and some scars. Their caudal fin (tail) has some unique spots like fingerprints at the ventral part, which are used by scientists as an identification pattern of individual whales.