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 athletic families and fit seniors, this itinerary allows you to explore the Galapagos the active way. Hiking, kayaking, biking, snorkeling...and of course, amazing wildlife! Paddle with sea lions, dolphins, turtles and bountiful birdlife. A truly unique alternative way to view this enchanted archipelago, the Galapagos Multisport leaves you breathless!
Highlights
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about conservation
Kayak along the coast to Darwin Bay, home to sea lions, turtles, and birds
Snorkel San Cristobal's coast and see a plethora of marine life
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Catch an early flight to San Cristobal Island to begin your action-packed Galapagos tour. After lunch, 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. 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 you on your walk. This is a good time to enjoy your first encounters with local wildlife such as magnificent frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, gulls, herons and Darwin's famous finches. On the way back to town, stop for a refreshing swim in the ocean.
Day 3: Hike San Cristobal Highlands | Kayak and Snorkel Darwin Bay
Today, 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 create a beautiful Miconia forest landscape, where you can find frigatebirds washing off salt from their wings, Darwin’s finches, and mocking birds. 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).
This afternoon, slip into your ocean kayak and pass the time paddling along the coast, past Playa Carola, exploring the coast line to Darwin Bay, the site of the first landing of the HMS Beagle. Explore and snorkel in Darwin Bay which is home to sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies, and frigatebirds.
Travel by boat to San Cristobal's northern coast. Depending on the weekday and Galapagos National Park regulations, visit Leon Dormido (the iconic "Kicker Rock"), Punta Pitt, or Cerro Brujo. Enjoy excellent snorkeling at any of these sites, where there are great chances of seeing Galapagos sharks, eagle and golden rays, as well as dozens of species of tropical fish, clams, starfish, and marine invertebrates. If you are lucky, you may spot hammerhead and white-tipped sharks as well. After this full-day northern coast excursion return to port to enjoy dinner and your last evening on San Cristobal Island.
After breakfast, take a small 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. Four of these volcanoes remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. Here, you visit the Galápagos Tortoise Rearing Center to learn about tortoise development and conservation. You then 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 prepare your gear for a mountain bike ride to El Muro de las Lágrimas (Wall of Tears). There are spectacular views as you ride along the coast through mangroves and salty lagoons that are home to the mangrove finch, endemic to Isabela. You can also spot American oystercatchers, herons, flamingos, and many other shore birds. Pedal to the Wall of Tears, a historic site that dates back between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela was a penal colony. On your way back ride by and relax on exotic white sand beaches. The evening is spent in the tranquil port town of Puerto Villamil.
From Puerto Villamil, journey to the highlands for a 6-mile (9 km) hike near the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano. Sierra Negra is an active volcano that last erupted into a blazing show in October 2005. From this altitude, enjoy a fantastic view of the 5-mile-wide crater, and the Perry Isthmus and the other volcanoes beyond. From here continue 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 the Santa Cruz Highlands | Sea Kayak in Divine Bay
After an early breakfast, travel by boat from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island (two hour boat trip). Once you arrive travel to El Chato, the natural habitat of the largest tortoise in the Galapagos. As you seek these lumbering giants, also come across pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigatebirds bathing in freshwater lakes. Lunch is served at a traditional highland hacienda where you can also explore lava caves with incredible volcanic formations. After lunch, pick up your kayak 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.
In the morning, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management projects in the archipelago. The research station gives you the chance to see giant tortoises from all over the islands. Transfer by bus to Baltra Island to board your flight back to the continent. Overnight in Quito.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$324
Notes
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Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
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