Private Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve from Guayaquil

Be picked up from your hotel in the morning and head to the Ecological Reserve Manglares Churute, takeing approximately 1.5-hours to get there. Begin with a canoe ride down a river and through the mangrove forest and witness the many species of birds and receive an explanation as to how the reserve preserves their habitat, as well as that of the local Mangrove Ghost Crabs.

The tour continues with a hike on the ‘Howler Monkey Trail,’ where you will most likely (though are not guaranteed) hear and see howler monkeys, as well as White-Fronted Capuchins. Your guide will also show you which trees and plants have medicinal or other useful purposes. The hike takes a little less than an hour and is not particularly strenuous, though there is an uphill portion and there are a lot of bugs. After the hike continue to local cacao farm for a typical Ecuadorian lunch, cooked by a local community member.

The final part of the tour will go to a local organic cacao farm and learn the process of making cacao into chocolate. See the different stages of the tree’s growth, the steps in the process, and of course, try some 100% cacao, as well as processed chocolate.

Finally, back to your Guayaquil accommodation.