Galapagos Islands: Multi-Sport Adventure (9 days)
Explore the Galapagos Islands on Mountain Bike, Sea Kayak, Horseback and Foot.
The Galapagos Islands are a living laboratory of evolution. Charles Darwin started the chorus of curiosity 140 years ago, and the music hasn't slowed. The hot and cold currents that meet at the Equator have produced an incredibly rich and unique diversity in marine life.
There are no predators, so the animals have no fear. One can literally walk right up to hundreds of exotic animals including blue-footed boobies, lava lizards, equatorial penguins, and pink flamingos. On our standard and premium multi-sport tour through the Galapagos we travel away from the crowds and cruises and from a very different perspective. We island hop in sea kayaks, paddling beside giant marine turtles, sea lions and bottle-nosed dolphins. Inland we meander along trails on mountain bikes, horseback and on our own two feet. We've built in plenty of time for snorkeling in the turquoise waters and scuba diving is also available and highly recommended. If you have a hunger for adventure, and want an active alternative to exploring this world heritage site, this trip is a sure bet to satisfy.
2012 Departure Dates & Costs
Monthly departures year round.
next departure dates:
July 20 - 29, 2012
August 24 - Sep. 2
Tour cost: $ 2950 USD from Quito based on standard accommodation based on twin share. includes airfare Quito/Galapagos return.
Single Supplement $ 255 USD
Does not includes Galapagos Park Tax $100 and Galapagos Registration fee $10
Itinerary: Galapagos Standard Multi-sport
Day 1: Arrival Quito
On arrival in Quito you will be met and transferred to a comfortable hotel in town. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city and acclimate to this high altitude city, located at 9,500 feet.
Day 2: Quito-San Crisotbal (Hiking)
We'll pick you up in the morning, transfer you to the airport and then all connect to a flight to San Cristobal Island. Upon arrival we'll check into our hotel then set off on foot, hiking to nearby Frigate Hill for splendid views of the coastline and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. We'll also enjoy our first encounters with the local wildlife, since this hill is often frequented by magnificent and great frigate birds, with cameos from blue-footed boobies, swallowed tailed-gulls, and Darwin finches. On our way back we can swim in the sea from the white sand of Mann Beach. Our first evening is free for exploring around town. (B,L)
Day 3: Playa Ochoa and Leon Dormido (Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling)
We slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast to reach Playa Ochoa. This journey a scenic one with opportunities to encounter sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies and frigates birds. At Playa Ochoa we take-out to relax, enjoy the beach, or swim with the resident sea lions. After lunch we paddle over to Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone whose flanks are covered with seabirds. Leon Dormido offers excellent snorkeling, and for certified divers, is one of the best dive sites in the Islands. Here we'll have good opportunities to see hammerhead and white tipped sharks, eagle and golden rays, and dozens of species of tropical fish, clams, starfish and marine invertebrates. In the afternoon we return for our hotel for our last evening in San Cristobal. (B,L)
Day 4: Santa Fe and Santa Cruz Islands (Snorkeling and Sea Kayaking)
After a wholesome breakfast, we return to the sea navigating in a fast boat from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz Island. We take time out during the boat trip to make a stop at Santa Fe Island, home to one of the most beautiful beach coves in all the Galapagos. You will have the chance to snorkel in crystal waters with playful sea lion pups and multi-colored fluorescent fish, or visit a submerged rock where several rays and marine turtles can be found. After a delicious lunch on board, we continue to Puerto Ayora. Here is where we pick up our sea kayaks. We'll slip into our sexy crafts and explore the small channels of Divine Bay and Punta Estrada through calm turquoise waters, surrounded by towering lava cliffs. White-tipped sharks, rays, and colonies of blue footed-boobies, tropic birds, herons, and marine iguanas are commonly encountered in this area. We return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon to spend the evening at leisure and dine on a scrumptious meal of fresh seafood. (B,L)
Day 5: Itabaca Channel - Santa Cruz (Sea Kayaking and Mountain Biking)
We transfer to El Chato reserve, in the upper realm of Santa Cruz Island, an area which is the natural habitat of the Galapagos tortoise. As we seek these lumbering giants, we will also come across pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigate birds bathing in fresh water lakes. We explore lava caves, incredible volcanic tunnel formations, and Media Luna, an old collapsed crater on top of Santa Cruz Island. As we wind along a trail through Miconia forest, we?ll reach a lookout point with stunning vistas down to the coastline. Following lunch, we switch gears and prepare our mountain bikes to ride a mostly downhill section through highland farmlands and small villages that lead to El Garrapatero beach. El Garrapatero is an expansive beach area, including a fresh water lake where pink flamingos, herons, grebes, stilts and other shore birds are commonly found. There is ample time to relax on this perfect, whitesand beach after a full and active day of hiking and biking. The evening is free to relax at your beachfront hotel or venture out for some local nightlife. (B,L)
Day 6: Isabela (Hiking)
In the morning, we'll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to better understand the effort of conservation within the National Park. Afterwards, we'll board a speed boat and head to Puerto Villamil, the capital of Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos. Isabela was formed by the merge of 6 shield volcanoes; Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. All of these volcanoes, except the Ecuador volcano, are still active making this island a hot spot, and one of the most volcanically active places on the earth. Isabela's rich animal, bird, and marine life are also beyond comparison. In the afternoon we visit the Galapagos Rearing Centre, and enjoy walking and exploring the various trails along the coastline, surrounded by mangroves and salty lagoons home of herons and flamingos. Overnight is spent at our hotel. (B,L)
Day 7: Isabela Island (Horseback Riding and Hiking)
After breakfast, we'll be transported to Santa Tomas. Here we'll mount horses and set off for a 2 hour ride (9 kms/6 miles) cantering up a steep hill to the rim of the Volcano Sierra Negra, which claims fame as the second largest caldera in the world. From this vantage point, the view of the 6 x 5-mile wide caldera and Perry Isthmus is spectacular. After lunch we'll set off on foot to explore Volcan Chico, where evidence of volcanic activity is visable because of the steamy fumaroles that seep out of the cone. This is an excellent example of the geologic occurrences that have created the Galapagos Islands. In the late afternoon, we return to town to overnight in our cozy hotel. (B,L)
Day 8: Isabela - Santa Cruz - Quito
After breakfast, we'll board a boat crossing back to Santa Cruz Island, and from there we'll transfer by bus to Baltra Island for our flight back to the mainland. Upon arrival in Quito we?ll transfer back to our hotel in Quito where you will have the remainder of the day free to do any last minute shopping and enjoy Ecuadorian city life. (B)
Day 9: Departure
You'll be transferred to the international airport for your flight back home. (B)
Additional Information
Trip Includes:
- All accommodation
- Airfare Quito/San Critobal return
- Meals as indicated (b-breakfast, l-lunch, d-dinner)
- Mountain bikes, sea kayaks, horses
- Airport transfers and internal transportation (excluding flights)
- Veteran wilderness guides
Not Included:
- Galapagos Park Entrance Fee & tax $110 USD
- Dinners
- Ecuador Departure tax $ 41 USD
- Gratuities and items of personal nature
