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Galapagos Multisport *9 Day*

There are travelers that prefer nothing more than a large beach blanket and a deck chair...and then there are the travelers that prefer the Galapagos Multisport Tour! Perfect for active families and athletic groups of four or more, this itinerary allows you to explore the Galapagos Gladiator-style. Hiking, kayaking, biking, snorkeling, horseback riding...what else can you squeeze into this adrenaline-packed Galapagos tour itinerary? Only the most eye-popping wildlife in the world -- sea lions, dolphins, turtles and bountiful birdlife swoop around you while you paddle and play. A truly unique and invigorating way to view this enchanted archipelago, the Galapagos Multisport will leave you breathless!

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HOME » Ecuador Travel » Galapagos Multisport

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Day 1 Arrive Quito

Overnight.

Day 2 Fly and Hike San Cristobal (L,D)

Land Iguana on a Galapagos wildlife tripCatch an early flight to San Cristobal Island to begin your action-packed Galapagos tour. After lunch at a local restaurant, start your adventure with a visit to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, to learn about the fascinating natural history, island formations, species and how it all relates to Darwin's evolution. You'll explore the dry forest, dotted with cacti, as you hike towards Frigate Hill along trails of lava rock. Splendid views of the coastline and the cheerful town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno accompany us on our walk. This will be a good time to enjoy your first encounters with local wildlife such as magnificent frigate birds, blue footed boobies, brown pelicans, gulls, herons and Darwin's famous finches. On the way back to town, we stop for a refreshing swim in the ocean.

Day 3 Sea Kayak and Snorkel Darwin Bay and Hike in the San Cristobal Highlands (B,L,D)

We slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast, past Playa Carola, exploring the coast line to Darwin Bay, the site of the first landing of the HMS Beagle. We will explore and snorkel in Darwin Bay which is home to sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies, and frigate birds. We return by midday to get ready to explore the San Cristobal highlands. We drive up to El Junco Lagoon, a freshwater lake located in a collapsed caldera at 2,300 feet (700 meters) of altitude on the San Cristobal Island highlands. The lake and its surroundings comprise a beautiful Miconia forest landscape, where we will find frigate birds washing off salt from their wings, Darwin’s finches, and mocking birds. We continue on to La Galapaguera in Cerro Colorado, a new facility operated by the National Park to breed and protect the subspecies of giant turtles endemic to San Cristobal (Geochelone chathamensis). On our way back, we visit El Cafetal, a historic hacienda that harvests a special class of coffee bean named Bourbon since 1875, since soil and weather conditions here are ideal for this product. In the afternoon, we return to our hotel to enjoy another dinner together and a relaxing evening.

Day 4 Snorkeling at Isla Lobos, Punta Pitt, and Leon Dormido (B,L,D)

A morning boat ride along the northern coast of San Cristobal Island takes to Isla Lobos, a small island that creates a narrow stretch of calm turquoise waters that provides a fantastic snorkelling site where you can swim and enjoy the best sea lion encounters in the entire archipelago. We continue north to the calm waters of Punta Pitt, a volcanic formation on the northeastern tip of San Cristobal Island. This is a nesting site for all three types of boobies, and one of the few sites where you can see the red-footed booby. On our way back, we reach Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone whose flanks are home to thousands of sea birds. At Leon Dormido, we enjoy excellent snorkelling; there is a good chance of seeing Galápagos sharks, eagle and golden rays, as well as dozens of species of tropical fish, clams, starfish, and marine invertebrates. If we are lucky, we may spot hammerhead and white-tipped sharks as well. From here, we return to port where we enjoy dinner and our last evening on San Cristobal Island.

Day 5 Fly Isabela and Mountain Bike (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we take a small, private plane from San Cristobal to Isabela Island. Isabela is the largest island in the archipelago, formed by 5 shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Sierra Negra, and Wolf. Galapagos tours of tortoises and rare wildlifeAll of these volcanoes (except for one) remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. Here, we visit the Galápagos Tortoise Rearing Center, to learn about tortoise development and conservation. We explore the bay for wildlife and follow a trail along the coastline to observe dramatic lava formations and meet a large colony of sea lions. In the afternoon we prepare our gear for a mountain bike ride to El Muro de las Lágrimas (Wall of Tears). We ride along the coast with spectacular views as we ride through mangroves and salty lagoons that are home to the mangrove finch, endemic to Isabela. We can also spot American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, and many other shore birds. We reach the Wall of Tears, a historic site that dates back between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela was a penal colony. On our way back we ride by and relax on exotic white sand beaches. The evening is spent in the tranquil port town of Puerto Villamil.

Day 6 Volcano Hike and Horse Ride in the Isabela Highlands (B,L,D)

From Puerto Villamil, we journey to the highlands where your horses will be waiting to begin a 6 mile (9 km) ride over irregular terrain near the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano. Sierra Negra is an active volcano which last erupted into a blazing show in October 2005. From this altitude, you will enjoy a fantastic view of the 5 mile-wide crater, and the Perry Isthmus and the other volcanoes beyond. From here you will continue by foot to Chico Volcano, with its puffing fumaroles and striking lava formations. Isabela offers an out-of-this-world environment and exemplifies the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, return to Puerto Villamil for dinner.

Day 7 Hike in Santa Cruz Highlands and Kayak in Divine Bay (B,L,D)

After an early breakfast, we travel by boat from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island (two hour boat trip). Once we arrive we travel to El Chato, the natural habitat of the largest tortoise in the Galapagos. As you seek these lumbering giants, you’ll also come across pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigate birds bathing in fresh water lakes. Lunch is served at a traditional highland hacienda where you can also explore lava caves with incredible volcanic formations. After lunch, we 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 swim beneath the waves, while colonies of blue footed-boobies, tropic birds, herons and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. Once in Puerto Ayora, prepare for your farewell dinner. Later in the evening you are free to explore nightlife alternatives in the Galapagos’ most populous town.

Day 8 Charles Darwin Research Station (B)

In the morning, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management projects in the archipelago. The research station is also home to Lonesome George, the very last tortoise of his species. Transfer by bus and ferry to Baltra Island to board your flight back to the continent. Overnight in Quito.

Day 9 Return Home

This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last minute weather conditions and adjustment of Galapagos National Park policy. This includes changes with the inter-island transportation.  

US$ 2875
 4 or more travelers
9-day tour beginning and ending in Quito, Ecuador
Tour Code: GM9
Single Supplement: US$300

US$3275
3 travelers
US$4375
2 travelers

Travel Highlights San Cristobal
Santa Fe
Santa Cruz
Isabela
Charles Darwin research center
Hiking
Sea kayaking
Snorkeling/SCUBA
Mountain biking
Horseback riding

Accommodations: 8 nights comfortable hotel

Food Includes: All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.

Transportation: Local flights, boat, sea kayak, van or jeep

Note: Flights from Quito-Galapagos-Quito are not included. Please allow US$370 for low season, from Sep. 15-Oct. 31 and May 1-June 14. Allow US$425 during high season, from June 15-Sep. 14 and Nov. 1-Apr. 30. Prices do not include US$100 Galapagos National Park fee.

Group & Staff: 2 Min, 16 Max, local guides

Personal Budgeting: Allow US$40 for meals not included, US$45 for international departure tax, and US$100 for Galapagos Park Entrance fee, $10 Galapagos Park tax

Pre & Post Tour Accommodations: Share US$45, Single US$75

Is it for Me? An adventurous Galapagos itinerary, designed with plenty of daily multi-sport excursions, as well as free time to explore on your own. Travelers should be fairly fit and ready for a variety of activities.

Arrival / Departure Transfers: 1 person US$50 each
2 or more people US$25 /person

Start Dates 2008 : Nov 20, Dec 26 2009 : Jan 3*, Feb 14, Mar 25, Apr 18, May 17, Jun 13, Jul 11, Aug 5, Aug 8, Sep 5, Oct 3, Oct 31, Nov 28, Dec 21
Custom dates available, please inquire. Trip can start most Mondays, Fridays and Sundays in Quito. *NO Horseback riding on Jan 3 departure
» Custom dates are available! «
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Prices are based on a 3% cash discount

 


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