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Blog - Jim's Thoughts

Ecuador Tours and Travel

Galapagos Islands Multisport Tour, 7 Days

The enchanted islands are yours to discover in a way you never thought possible. Experience a new approach to the unforgettable Galapagos Islands. This land-based tour explores uncommon areas in San Cristóbal, Española, Floreana, and Santa Cruz islands. The program comes alive in a unique way as you sea kayak and snorkel in the marine reserve, or hike, horseback ride and even mountain bike on the islands´ high areas. Diving in the world-class marine reserve is optional, but highly recommended.

"We had a fantastic time. Each of our seven days in the Galapagos was crammed with amazing stuff: Kayaking several times, hiking alot, swimming, and the best--several days of snorkeling: Snorkeling with hammerhead sharks, with sea turtles, with a zillion blue, purple, pink and electric fish, with rays, with marine iguanas, with sea lions the people on Galapagos call "lobos" or wolves (who are everywhere-- you literally have to step over them wherever you walk), and the ultimate, best and most memorable snorkeling (at least for me) with penguins! We saw millions of blue boobies, white birds about the size of sea gulls with feet of Carolina blue, and frigate birds. We kayaked one day to an island then hiked to a beach crawling with iguanas. We went fishing for tuna on a fast boat, and Wayne and Will and I each caught nice ones, but the lobos ganged up on Meagan's fish and grabbed it from her line, all caught on video of course.

We went to the Charles Darwin Research Center to meet Lonesome George, the last of his particular species of giant tortoise, and the center of a worldwide search for a mate for him. As the giant tortoises live around 200 years, and George is only about 100, there is hope that one will yet turn up. (Saw a very cute tee shirt: an angry lady tortoise and an apologetic guy tortoise who is saying, "Okay I cheated on you, but that was 150 years ago!") Next day we hiked through the tortoise reserve and saw loads of giant tortoises taking mud baths."
Sema Lederman

Day 1: Transfer and Hike in San Cristóbal
We board a morning flight from Quito to San Cristobal Island. Once we arrive we have a welcome lunch and briefing before the adventure begins. We will hike out of town and visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, for a general understanding about island formation, volcanoes, evolution and natural history. We continue on to explore a unique dry forest and will be able to identify 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. In the evening we enjoy a gourmet waterfront dinner. The rest of the evening is free to explore town. (L)

Day 2: Sea Kayak Playa Ochoa and Snorkel in Leon Dormido
We slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast, going north exploring bays and coves full of local wildlife – including Darwin Bay, the site of the first landing of the HMS Beagle. The route is home to colonies of sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies, and frigate birds. Once we reach Playa Ochoa, we continue on to nearby Isla Lobos on the lookout for marine iguanas and sea lions. This is a fantastic snorkelling site where we are nearly guaranteed to enjoy one of the best sea lion encounters in the entire archipelago. We continue on to 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; for certified divers, this is also one of the best dives in the islands (optional). 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. With a little lucky, we may also swim with hammerhead and white-tipped sharks. In the afternoon we return to our hotel for our last evening in San Cristobal. (B L )

DAY 3: HIKE IN THE SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS
In the morning we embark in a fast boat from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz Islands. Once we arrive, we transfer to El Chato reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island which is the natural habitat of the incredible Galapagos tortoise. We hike in this reserve to learn about these lumbering giants. We also come across highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigate birds bathing in freshwater lakes. We also walk into and explore some amazing volcanic tunnels that were created by hot flowing lava. As we walk in these underground geological formations we revive tales of buccaneers hiding Inca gold. We continue to Los Gemelos, two volcanic craters near the top of the Island. We walk around these deep craters through a beautiful Scalesia forest covered with epiphytes and ferns. In this habitat we may see the short-eared owl, one of the two owls that live in the Islands. We return to town and the afternoon. This evening is free to dine at any of the good selection of Island restaurants. (B L)

DAY 4: SEA KAYAK IN SANTA CRUZ & HIKE TO TORTUGA BAY
After breakfast, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management efforts in the archipelago. We also get to meet Lonesome George, the last giant tortoise of his species. Later this morning we put-in our kayaks and paddle around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada, through calm turquoise waters that wind through high-walled lava channels. Within the channels, white-tipped sharks and rays tour beneath the clear water, while colonies of blue-footed boobies, tropic birds, herons, crabs and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. In the afternoon, we hike to Tortuga Bay, a beautiful white sand beach area, nesting site to thousands of marine turtles. This trail is 3½ miles (6 kilometers) long and crosses through a dry forest lava habitat home to hundreds of iguanas. We return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening at leisure in the Galapagos’ most populous town. (B L)

DAY 5: MTB COASTLINE EXPLORATION & KAYAK IN TINTORERAS
From Santa Cruz we embark on a fast boat to Isabela Island. During our Island crossing we will be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October) 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. When we arrive we set up our mountain bikes to explore the beautiful coastline for its scenery and wildlife treasures. We begin with a visit to El Muro de las Lágrimas which means Wall of Tears, a historic site that dates back between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela Island was used as a penal colony. The wall was built with lava blocks and had no other purpose that of keeping prisoners busy from the madness of isolation. We continue riding along the coast as we explore expansive white sand beaches, mangroves and brackish lagoons. This area is filled with birdlife such as American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, finches and many shore birds, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. In the afternoon we take our ocean kayaks and paddle out to Tintoreras, a set of small Islets within Isabela bay. The Islets are filled with wildlife and are home to the Galapagos Penguin, the only penguin that lives in equatorial region. We will also see sharks, marine turtles, sea lions and much more wildlife as we explore its many small coves and beaches. (B L D)

DAY 6: VOLCANO DISCOVERY HIKE IN THE ISABELA HIGHLANDS
From Puerto Villamil, we drive to the highlands up to where the road ends. Here we prepare our day backs and walk into a world of recent geological history. We walk on dirt trails until we arrive to the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano. Sierra Negra is an active volcano which last erupted in October 2005. We explore along the rim of the huge 6x5 mile-wide (9x8 kilometer) lava-filled crater. We may also get views to the other Isabela volcanoes and the Perry Isthmus and beyond. Optionally, we continue our hike all the way to Volcan Chico, an incredible area that offers puffing fumaroles and extraordinary lava formations, great examples of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galápagos Islands over millennia. In the afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil for our last afternoon in its exotic white beaches. (B L D)

DAY 7: TRANSFER TO BALTRA ISLAND & AIRPORT
In the morning, we will navigate (or flight based on weather conditions) to Baltra Island for our airport connection back to the continent. (B)

2010 PRICE PER PERSON (double or triple occupancy):

2010 fixed dates that we are trying to work with: September 18- 24, October 16 - 22/2010, November 13 - 19, December 17- 23, December 29 - January 4/2011

Special - GALAPAGOS MULTISPORT FOR ONLY $2473 per person for Oct. 16-22, including roundtrip flights from Quito to islands.

INCLUDED: Accommodations in tourist class superior hotels, all meals except for dinners during the program, adventure and safety equipment, professional English speaking guides, land and sea transportation. (see tour with hotel upgrade)

NOT INCLUDED: airport transfers in Quito or Guayaquil, Airfare to islands (currently about US$400 in high season, $350 in low season), hotel & resturant beverages, dinners at hotels, National park entrance fee (currently US$100, payable upon arrival), tips/gratuities and personal expenses.

IMPORTANT: These itineraries are subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last minute weather conditions and adjustment of Galapagos National Park policy.

IMPORTANT FACTS:
Level: Moderate to Challenging
BOAT TRAVEL TIME: 2-3 hours per day
PADDLE TIME: 2 to 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, rainshell, flashlight, water bottle, non-cotton trekking gear, sun block, hat and mosquito repellent.

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