Kontiki Wayra

KONTIKI EXPEDITIONS

ON DECK Route: Ecuador Maiden Voyage: November 2020 Owner / Operator: Kontiki Expeditions Affiliation: SLH www.kontikiexpeditions.com

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) – a global collection of independently minded hotels – has revealed details of its first ever water-based member.

Named Kontiki Wayra, the private yacht from Kontiki Expeditions will explore destinations along the coast of Ecuador, travelling between Manta and Guayaquil and providing authentic immersion into the local cultures, traditions and cuisine of each stop. The vessel features nine luxury staterooms complete with king-size beds and walk-in showers, while communal areas include an on-deck hot-tub surrounded by loungers to soak up the sunshine. There’s also a bar, dining room, gym and spa.

“We are pioneers in offering luxury sea expeditions along seldom-travelled routes,” comments Carlos Nuñez, Kontiki’s founder and CEO. “Our new expeditions reveal the beauty and authenticity of coastal Ecuador, passing through small, uncrowded towns and historical sites, forests and wetlands, pristine beaches and protected ecological reserves.”

Kontiki Expeditions also has firm objectives regarding conscious travel, with measures such as eliminating single-use plastics, reducing its CO2 footprint, and supporting the activities and traditions of local communities.

For SLH, it is hoped the partnership will be the first of many, with the group believing that such concepts will serve to meet rising demand for private group travel and tailormade itineraries. “SLH is thrilled to welcome Kontiki Expeditions, the first ever water-based SLH member, to our portfolio of independently minded luxury hotels,” notes Kenan Simmons, Vice President of The Americas at SLH. “The outstanding excursions offer unique and sustainable ways to explore the captivating destinations off the coast of Ecuador, and we are delighted to provide a global support network to celebrate these exceptional expeditions.”