10-Day Galapagos Multi-Sport
Experience the famed volcanic Galapagos Islands with this action packed adventure! The islands offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with the wildlife. The tour also provides many benefits to local communities and is socially and environmentally responsible. Be part of an educational and inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness’ in the world!
ItineraryDay 1: Arrival Day - QuitoStop At: Quito, Quito, Pichincha Province
Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 18:00pm.
Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America - declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area.
ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Sheraton Quito or similar
Day 2: Galapagos - San Cristobal Island / La Loberia - SnorkelStop At: La Loberia, Ecuador
Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of San Cristóbal. Once arrived, we have a transfer to the hotel in the town of Puerto Moreno and a short briefing about the next days, before the adventure begins. In the afternoon we will head to "La Loberia", which is both a home beach and nursery for large Galapagos sea lions, we can spot them while snorkeling, as they are very curious and approach to swimming next to you underwater. They may also be lazying over rocks or just lazy dozing in the sand. We also get to see yellow warbler birds, frigate birds, and several species of Darwin’s finches along the beach. In between the rocks, we can find marine iguanas, which you can only see in Galapagos. We also have the time to go for a refreshing swim, explore the waters with our snorkel equipment and enjoy the beach.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Opuntia or similar
Day 3: Galapagos - San Cristobal Island / Kicker Rock - SnorkelStop At: Kicker Rock, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Ecuador
In the morning, we will take a boat to Kicker Rock, located off the coast of San Cristóbal, also known as the Sleeping Lion (Leon Dormido) because of some resemblance. This is the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, two vertical rocks rising 500 ft (150 m) above the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Island’s natural monument has become a spectacular sight due to the many tropicbirds, frigate birds and boobies that fill the sky in this area. Beneath the sea, the crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful fish, such as rainbow fish and sharks, like the hammerhead and white tip. After lunch, we will spend some time on the beach and travel back to the hotel.
Boat ride to the Kicker Rock time: 1 hour each way
Snorkeling time: 2 times of 1 hour each
What to wear today: shorts, water long sleeve t-shirt, sandals or tennis shoes, bathing suit, hat or baseball cap, sun cream, mosquito repellent, buff.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Opuntia or similar
Day 4: Galapagos - Isabela Island / BikingStop At: The Wall of Tears, Puerto Villamil Ecuador
In the morning, hop to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago, and where the most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf; five of them are still active which makes the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. During our island crossing, be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October).
In the afternoon, we will explore the beautiful coastline on an exclusive trail on our bikes, taking us through an incredible ecosystem with a wide variety of wildlife including flamingos, marine iguanas and giant tortoises. We start with a visit to the Wall of Tears, a massive wall built with lava rocks. This site dates back to the 1950s, when Isabela was used as a penal colony and prisoners were forced to build the wall to keep them from going mad, because of the isolation they experienced. As we continue our ride along the coast, we will explore pristine, white sand beaches, mangrove forests and lagoons. This area is filled with a plethora of bird life, including American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, finches and many other shore birds, as well as the ubiquitous sea lions and marine iguanas.
Before dinner we can enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the beach of Puerto Villamil.
Flight time: 1 hour
Biking time: 3 hours total
Biking distance: 10 miles
Elevation gain: 200 feet (60m)
What to wear today: shorts, light t-shirt, sandals or tennis shoes, hat or baseball cap, sun cream, mosquito repellent, buff.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Cormorant Hotel or similar
Day 5: Galapagos - Isabela Island / Snorkel at Lava TunnelsStop At: Los Tuneles, Puerto Villamil 200250 Ecuador
Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches comprised of crystal clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through "Los Tuneles". Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around.
Boat ride to the Lava Tunnels time: 1 hour each way
Snorkeling time: 2 times of 1 hour each
What to wear today: shorts, water long sleeve t-shirt, sandals or tennis shoes, bathing suit, hat or baseball cap, sun cream, mosquito repellent, buff.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Concha de Perla, Puerto Villamil Ecuador
Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at "Concha de Perla", taking surfing lessons, biking or just relax on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island.
We recommend you take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located within walking distance from the hotel.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Cormorant Hotel or similar
Day 6: Galapagos - Isabela Island / Hike Sierra Negra - Kayak & Snorkel at Tintoreras IsletStop At: Sierra Negra, Ecuador
After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trailhead, we will prepare our backpacks for the hike into a young forest ecosystem, a world of recent geological history. Our destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano that last erupted in June 2018. Upon arrival, we take in breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, a caldera that is over six miles across at its widest point. If we feel energetic enough, we can continue our hike to Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations; great examples of the dramatic geological events that have formed the Galapagos Islands over millennia.
Hiking time: 4 hours both ways
Hiking distance: 6 miles (9.6 km) (10 miles -16 km- optional to Volcan Chico)
Hiking elevation gain: 950 feet (289.5 meters)
Maximum elevation while hiking: 3687 feet (1124 meters)
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Las Tintoreras, Puerto Villamil Ecuador
In the afternoon we will visit Tintoreras Islet by kayak, located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.
Kayaking time: 2 hours
Snorkeling time: 1 hour
What to wear today for kayaking and snorkeling: sandals, shorts, water long sleeve t-shirt, bathing suit, hat, sun cream, mosquito repellent.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Cormorant Hotel or similar
Day 7: Galapagos - Santa Cruz Island / Charles Darwin Station - Hike with Giant TortoisesStop At: Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
In the morning, traverse from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. During our island crossing, we will be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October).
Once we arrive, we will check-in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
In the afternoon, we will head to the 'El Chato' reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato's beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigatebirds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a freshwater lake. Afterward, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos' most populous town.
What to wear today: shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes or sandals, hat, rain jacket (for the boat ride), sun cream.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Silberstein or similar
Day 8: Galapagos - Santa Cruz Island/ Free Day - Optional DivingStop At: Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
Today, you can experience the Galapagos at your pace to your own desire, whether that be scuba diving or just time to relax on the beach! As an option, you can go on a self-guided exploration walk through the dry forest to Tortuga Bay (3.5 mi/ 5.6 km), a beautiful white sand beach and a nesting site to thousands of marine turtles. This beautiful place invites for swimming or snorkeling.
Alternatively, you can join any of the optional activities (at an extra cost), such as a trip to Floreana Island, Bartolome Island, or a scuba-diving day trip, just to mention a few.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Silberstein or similar
Day 9: Flight back to QuitoPass By: Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra's airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Sheraton Quito or similar
Day 10: Quito - DepartureStop At: Quito Airport Shuttle, Suiza 227 y Eloy Alfaro, Quito 170150 Ecuador
Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a "Buen Viaje"!
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"It is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes. Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip."
"Flight time: 2:45 hours each way from Quito to Galapagos. Regular size aircraft. About 140 passengers."
"45 minutes from San Cristobal to Isabela. Small size aircraft. 9 passengers. (personnel baggage allowance of 25 lbs) (20 lbs for check in baggage and 5 lbs for carry-on baggage equals 25 lbs total) ( Extra baggage USD 2,00 per extra pound - it can be paid directly)."
"Boat time: 2 hours speed boat from Isabela to Santa Cruz"
"45 minutes each way - Lava Tunnels"
"Infant seats available"
"45 minutes each way - Kicker Rock"
"45 minutes Airport transfers in Quito."
"45 minutes Airport transfers in Galapagos."
"45 minutes each way to Sierra Negra"
"All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation with an extra cost."
"Not recommended for pregnant travelers"
"Food: Travelling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure."
"Guides: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid responders."
"Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level"
"AJ Guides always carry a complete First Aid Kit in the trips. In some location and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service. In the Galapagos Islands, minimum 4 participants for the AJ trip leader service are required."
"Temperature: 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"
"The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF"
"Elevation: From sea level (most activities) to 1200 m (3,937 ft -Sierra Negra Volcano)"
"Level of Activity: Moderate to Challenge. This program is located in The Galapagos Islands, includes multisport activities, long hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkeling almost every day, sea kayaking to view wildlife, and biking mostly on flat roads."
"Gear: Adventure and protective equipment, snorkeling mask, fins, life jackets, mountain bikes, helmets, kayaks and paddle."
"Sustainable Travel.- Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living."
"This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability"
Hora de Inicio:
08:00 AM
Duración: 10 Days
Lugar de comienzo: Sheraton Quito Hotel, No. 36 - 212 y, Av. República de El Salvador, Quito 170135, Ecuador
Traveler pickup is offered
Airports- Mariscal Sucre Airport, Quito Ecuador
Cancelaciones y devoluciones:
All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
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