Kontiki Expeditions has announced an eight-day exploration of the remote Ecuadorian coast, with its nine-stateroom, 132-foot M/S Wayra scheduled to set sail later this month. Accommodating just 18 guests, Kontiki’s 128-foot superyacht M/S Wayra travels two routes along the Ecuadorian coast. The yacht’s small size and routes allow access to smaller ports and villages starting from or ending in Manta or Guayaquil. Kontiki Expeditions is the first water-based member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and a proponent of sustainable, “neo-luxury” travel.
According to Carlos Nunez, CEO and founder of Kontiki Expeditions, “Environmental protection is critical when it comes to cruising. We adhere to strict sustainability standards on board, at sea and on land. We are also committed to a variety of social programs including sponsorship of the Real Madrid Foundation to promote values to children through sports.”
The new Kontiki Expeditions yacht offers two eight-day itineraries, “The Toquilla Expedition” and “The Spondylus Expedition,” in which Kontiki will transport guests to remote areas in Ecuador to explore and celebrate the indigenous cultures within a context of wellness. Programs and excursions are led by 13 crew members and two local experts committed to sustainability and conscious travel. Onboard, wellness professionals, naturalist guides and a local chef who creates farm-to-table and sea-to-table cuisine add to the Kontiki experience.
The superyacht is complete with a sundeck, gourmet salon, two outdoor lounges, bar, and a gym and fitness area. Guests can relax in the hot tub, have a massage or practice yoga. The staterooms feature automated lights, A/V and A/C, besides unlimited Wi-Fi. A nearly 1:1 crew to guest ratio allows for personalization and attention to guest needs and interests, from packing and unpacking luggage to creating a special meal or activity.
Kontiki will visit small coastal ports where locals will join the staff in leading visits. Daily on-board schedules rotate with cooking classes, wellness activities, and chocolate and coffee tastings. Water sports include diving, snorkeling and paddle-boarding. Before each cruise, a Kontiki concierge will reach out to guests, creating a bespoke experience that allows for activities to meet varying interests. The yacht can also be booked as a full charter tailored to the interests of a group.
Kontiki Expedition excursions offer immersive experiences including a visit to a cocoa farm for lessons on making chocolate and a tasting session; a gastronomic experience with ancestral cuisine and a cooking demonstration; a visit to the New Latitude vineyard for a wine tasting; hiking and wildlife sighting in the Pacoche National Reserve Forest; a meeting with the toquilla straw hat weavers; a visit to San Lorenzo Lighthouse, besides a visit to the turtle-nesting site; sailing to Isla de la Plata for a day of marine activities and a wildlife hike; a visit to ancient community of Agua Blanca with a wellness-oriented swimming experience in the sulfur lagoon; and a visit to Los Frailes (Friars Beach), and the marine beach club for marine golf, kayaking, diving and paddle-boarding.
Islands and inland areas of visit include Bahia de Caraquez, San Mateo, Pile, San Lorenzo, Isla de la Plata, Agua Blanca and Puyango. Rates are inclusive of all activities, meals, port transfers, park entrance fees, guided expeditions and more. Solo traveler rates and private charter rates are also available.
For more information, visit www.kontikiexpeditions.com.
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