Galapagos Multi-Sport Adventure

Discover the southern islands of the Galapagos Archipelago in ways you never thought possible. In this active excursion, you’ll traverse the marine reserve by kayak, speed down the highlands on a mountain bike, or hike through intriguing volcanic formations. Every day, a new adventure awaits you. In the evening, explore small port towns, or just relax in high-quality, choice hotels. We highly recommended combining this tour with diving in the world-class marine reserve.

2007 Departures: daily on request

2007 Costs:

• $2230 per person/double occupancy-4 persons traveling
• $3665 per person/double occupancy-2 persons traveling
• Add $350-$400 for flights Quito-Galapagos-Quito (depending on season)

Note: This is a fully escorted tour operated on request as a private departure.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive to Quito. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for one night.

Day 2: TRANSFER AND HIKE IN SAN CRISTOBAL. We pick you up in the morning to board your flight to San Cristobal Island. Once we arrive and after our welcome briefing and lunch at a local restaurant, the adventure begins. We will hike out of town and visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, for general knowledge about island formation, volcanoes, evolution and natural history. Today we will explore dry forest and will be able to observe cacti, acacia, palo santo, galapagos cotton and more as we hike towards Frigate Hill along trails of lava rock featuring splendid views of the coastline and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This will be a good time to enjoy our first encounters with local wildlife, since the hill is often visited by such Galapagos wildlife such as the magnificent and great frigate birds, blue footed boobies, brown pelicans, gulls, herons and lots of land birds including Darwin finches, warblers and mockingbirds. On our way back we can stop for a refreshing swim at Carola Beach or Mann Beach. In the evening we can explore town and dine at a restaurant of our election. (B, L)

Day 3: SEA KAYAK PLAYA OCHOA AND SNORKEL AT LEON DORMIDO. We slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast, going north exploring bays and coves with lots of wildlife. Darwin Bay is a very interesting site where the Beagle landed for the first time. This route is filled with sea lions, marine turtles, blue footed boobies and frigate birds. At Playa Ochoa, we take the kayaks out for a while to relax, enjoy the beach, or swim with the sea lions. After lunch, we hike to the fascinating islet Isla Lobos, where we learn about marine iguanas and lava lizards. The hike offers great opportunities to see Frigates and Boobies as they nest nearby, as well as one of the biggest colonies of sea lions. Our final challenge of the day is to reach Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone whose flanks are home to thousands of sea birds. Leon Dormido offers excellent snorkelling, and for certified divers, one of the best dives in the Islands. There is a good chance of seeing hammerhead and white tipped sharks, eagle and golden rays, as well as dozens of species of tropical fish, clams, starfish and marine invertebrates. In the afternoon we return to our hotel for our last evening in San Cristobal. (B, L)

Day 4: SNORKEL IN SANTA FE ISLAND AND MOUNTAIN BIKE IN THE SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS. After breakfast, we take a fast boat from San Cristobal to Santa Fe and the Santa Cruz Islands. Santa Fe Island is home to a beautiful crystal water cove where we snorkel with playful sea lion pups and florescent fish. We also explore a submerged rock where rays, marine turtles and a huge variety of tropical fish can be found.

We continue in our boat to Santa Cruz, where w e transfer to El Chato reserve in the upper part of Santa Cruz Island, natural habitat of the Galapagos tortoise. As we explore this area, we’ll also come across pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigate birds bathing in fresh water lakes. We explore lava caves featuring incredible volcanic tunnel formations, and on a clear day we can see Media Luna, an old collapsed crater on top of Santa Cruz Island. In the afternoon we will drive to Cerro Mesa on the high part of Santa Cruz. From there, we check out our mountain bikes and after a safety talk we ride (mostly downhill) through highland farmlands, through Bellavista village, until we reach Puerto Ayora. This ride is about 20 kilometers on dirt and paved roads. After the ride, we spend the night at a local hotel. (B, L)

DAY 5: HIKE AND SEA KAYAK IN SANTA CRUZ. After breakfast, w e pick up our kayaks to travel around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada, paddling through multiple lava channels of calm, turquoise waters. Within the channels, white tipped sharks and rays patrol beneath the waves, while colonies of blue footed-boobies, tropic birds, herons and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. On the way back to our hotel, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management efforts in the archipelago. Afterwards, we offer an optional hike that is about 6 kilometers roundtrip to Tortuga Bay. One of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the Archipelago, this is a self guided trail through dry forest habitat. We return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon and spend the evening at leisure and you’re encouraged to dine or explore alternatives in the Galapagos’ most populous town. In the evening, you’re free to relax or sample the local nightlife, liveliest on the weekends. (B, L)

Day 6: HIKE AND EXPLORATION IN ISABELA. From Puerto Ayora, we board a fast boat for Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. Isabela is the largest Island in the archipelago, formed by 6 shield volcanoes - Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf.  All of these volcanoes except one remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. Here, we visit the Galapagos Rearing Center, to learn about tortoise development and conservation. We explore the bay in search of the endemic Galapagos penguin and follow a trail along the coastline to observe dramatic lava formations and to meet a large colony of sea lions. The local mangroves and salty lagoons feature the mangrove finch, endemic to Isabela. We can also spot American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos and many other shore species. In the afternoon, we relax on exotic white sand beaches. The evening is spent in the tranquil port town of Puerto Villamil. (B, L, D)

Day 6: HORSEBACK RIDE AND HIKE IN ISABELA. From Puerto Villamil, we head up to the highlands to prepare our horses for a ride of about 6 miles (9 km) on irregular terrain until we arrive at the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano. Sierra Negra is the second largest caldera in the world. From this viewpoint, you have a fantastic view of the 6 x 5 mile-wide caldera, the other the volcanoes and the Perry Isthmus beyond. From here we hike to Chico Volcano, with its puffing fumaroles and striking lava formations, examples of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galapagos Islands over millennia. In the late afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil for our last evening on the “Enchanted Islands.” (B, L, D)

Day 7: ISABELA – SANTA CRUZ, TRANSFER OUT In the morning we return to Santa Cruz Island, to transfer by bus to Baltra Island for our flight back to the continent. An optional, one- or more-day diving tour extension is highly recommended. On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel for a one night stay. (B)

Day 8: You’ll be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport to check-in for your return or continuing flights. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

INCLUDED: Accommodations in tourist, or first class and tourist superior hotels, meals as described, adventure and protective equipment, professional English speaking guide, land and sea transportation.

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare to/from Galapagos (Low season $340, High season $400, subject to change) Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($100 per person), hotel & restaurant diners, beverages, tips or gratuities, or personal expenses.

IMPORTANT: This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last minute weather conditions and adjustment of Galapagos National Park policy.

Trip notes:

• This trip begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador, which can be reached via daily flights on a wide variety of airlines. Latin American Escapes offers excellent discounted airfares, please contact us for a quote from your home city.
• Additional days may be added in Quito at either the beginning or end of this itinerary if you wish to explore the city in more depth, or visit other interesting areas of Ecuador---the Amazon rainforest, colonial cities, Indian markets, volcanoes, hot springs, etc.

Additional Information:

• BOAT TRAVEL TIME: 2-3 hours per day
• PADDLE OR ACTIVITY DURATION: 2-4 hours each day
• SEASON: All year
• ALTITUDE: Sea level to 600 m.
• WEATHER TEMPERATURES: December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF/ 15ºC to 25ºC
• WATER TEMPERATURE: The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF.
• SUGGESTED: Water sandals, rain shell, flashlight, water bottle, non-cotton trekking gear, sun block, hat and mosquito repellent.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.