Tell friends you are going to Ecuador for a cruise, and they will probably assume you’re heading to the Galapagos. But there is a new cruise company that travels to Ecuadorian coastal communities and nature preserves seldom visited by tourists: Kontiki Expeditions, which offers laid-back luxury on a 128-foot motor yacht with nine cabins and capacity for just 18 passengers.
Onboard Kontiki Wayra
If clients have ever dreamed of having their own private yacht, it’s easy to pretend onboard Kontiki Wayra. Built in 2011 and refurbished in 2021, Wayra (meaning “wind” in Quechua, a local Indigenous language) offers a modern, boutique vibe. When my fellow passengers and I arrived by Zodiac from the port city of Manta, we were greeted by the yacht’s friendly crew members (there are 11 onboard, plus two guides) and asked to remove our shoes. It was barefoot relaxation from that moment on, starting with a welcome toast on the Sundeck beside a groovy Jacuzzi and an alfresco bar.
Small is beautiful, and Wayra is a gem. Despite its size, there’s ample room for passengers and crew to maneuver without tripping over each other. The yacht’s four decks include a Panoramic Main Deck with an open living/dining/bar space where we gathered for meals and nightly previews of the next day’s activities. The interior design is sophisticated yet natural, with wood tones and comfortable furnishings, complemented by the work of local artists and artisans. The Interior Deck has a small spa and gym space.
Wayra’s nine teak-floored cabins range from a 140-square-foot Porthole Luxury Stateroom to 193-square-foot Veranda Luxury Staterooms. All feature plush beds, a desk and tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers and L’Occitane products, plus a Nespresso machine with hand-crafted mugs. Guests can use touch pads to control their cabin’s air temperature, lights and automatic shades.
Wayra's interior design is sophisticated yet natural.
Credit: 2022 Kontiki ExpeditionsCruising Ecuador With Kontiki Expeditions
Even though Wayra makes guests feel like VIPs, we quickly learned that the trip would be unpretentious and authentic — focusing on sustainability; supporting local communities; and providing immersive encounters with Ecuadorian culture, fauna, flora and food.
Kontiki offers standard seven-night itineraries or customized itineraries for groups who are interested in a private charter, with a variety of pre- and post-cruise add-on options in other Ecuadorian regions.
Our cruise was an action-packed coastal and island exploration. It included a guided hike on pristine Isla de la Plata (sometimes called “Small Galapagos”) to see blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds; a cacao plantation tour where we had a chance to make (and eat) exquisite chocolate; a trip to an ancient village where we participated in a traditional cultural ceremony; and a workshop demonstration by a weaver of traditional toquilla straw hats. On other excursions (reached by small bus), we searched for howler monkeys in a tropical forest and tasted fresh, local cuisine at an innovative culinary school.
During the in-between hours, we had opportunities to relax on secluded beaches and play with an extensive array of water toys, including snorkeling gear, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, Seabobs (for speedy swimming and diving) and a giant waterslide cascading from the Sundeck.
The yacht features marine toys, including a slide.
Credit: 2022 Kontiki ExpeditionsThe food onboard was an adventure, too. The Wayra chef created gourmet menus and daily snacks showcasing fresh Ecuadorian ingredients — including stellar seafood and produce — that introduced an array of delicious flavors and a few dishes none of us had seen or tasted before.
Overall, it’s an active cruise for sure-footed travelers who are comfortable with wet landings and short hikes on uneven paths. If your clients are prone to seasickness, keep in mind that this is a small yacht without stabilizers. We had a couple of rough passages during our cruise, and I was thankful that I had packed motion sickness medication.
Kontiki Expeditions is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and Wayra offers an elevated approach to expedition cruising. It’s a special adventure and cultural experience, well-suited to couples, families, groups and celebrations at sea.
