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Ecuador
Galapagos Multisport, 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
Arrive to San Cristobal Island. Once we arrive, we hike to nearby
Frigate Hill for splendid views of the coastline and Puerto Baquerizo
Moreno. Get your first encounter with local wildlife, as the hill is often
visited by the magnificent and great frigate birds and others like blue
footed boobies, swallowed tailed-gulls, and Darwin finches. On our way
back we can swim in white sand, Mann Beach. We spend our first evening
free to explore around town. (B, 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 to reach Playa Ochoa. This journey is filled with sea lions,
marine turtles, blue footed boobies and frigates birds. In Playa Ochoa
we take-out to relax, enjoy the beach, or swim with the visiting lions.
After lunch we paddle to Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff
cone whose flanks are covered with seabirds. Leon Dormido offers excellent
snorkelling, and for certified divers, one of the best dives in the Islands.
Here we get good opportunities to see hammerhead and white tipped sharks,
eagle and golden rays, and dozens of species of tropical fish, clams,
starfish and marine invertebrates. In the afternoon we return for our
hotel for our last evening in San Cristobal. (B, L)
Day 3: Snorkel in Santa Fe Island and
Sea Kayak in Santa Cruz After breakfast we navigate in 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 and marine turtles can be found. We continue in our boat to Santa
Cruz, where we pick up our kayaks to travel around Divine Bay and Punta
Estrada paddling through multiple lava channels of calm and turquoise
waters. Within the channels, we encounter white tipped sharks, rays, and
colonies of blue footed-boobies, tropic birds, herons and marine iguanas,
perching out from the cliffs. We return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon
and spend this evening at leisure, to dine or explore alternatives in
Galapagos' most populated capital. (B, L)
Day
4: Hike and Mountain Bike in the Santa Cruz Highlands
We transfer to El Chato reserve in the upper domain of the Santa Cruz
Island, natural habitat of the Galapagos tortoise. As we seek out for
the giant tortoise, but can also encounter pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers,
finches and frigate birds bathing in fresh water lakes. We explore lava
caves, incredible volcanic tunnel formations, and Media Luna, an old collapsed
crater on top of Santa Cruz Island. This area trails through a Miconia
forest with great views down to the coastline. Following lunch, we prepare
our mountain bikes to ride mostly downhill through highland farmlands
and small villages down to El Garrapatero beach. El Garrapatero is a large
beach area with a fresh water lake where you can come across pink flamingos,
herons, grebes, stilts and other shore birds. Relax in this perfect white
beach after a full day of hiking and biking. On the way back to our hotel,
we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation
and management efforts. This evening is at leisure to relax in your beach
front hotel, or join the local nightlife during weekends. (B, L)
Day
5: Hike and Exploration in Isabela
We embark in a fast boat from Puerto Ayora to Puerto Villamil. Isabela
is the largest Island in the archipelago, formed by the merger of 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 unique Galapagos penguin and 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 witness American oyster
catchers, herons, flamingos and many other shore species. In the afternoon
we are left to enjoy some exotic white sand beaches. The evening is at
leisure in this tranquil port town. (B, L)
Day 6: Horseback Ride and Hike in Isabela
We head up to the highlands from Puerto Villamil. We set up our horses
to ride about 6 miles (9 km) on irregular terrain until we arrive to the
Sierra Negra volcano rim. Sierra Negra is the second largest caldera in
the world. From this viewpoint you have fantastic sights to the 6 x 5
mile wide caldera, the rest of the volcanoes, and the Perry Isthmus. Form
here we hike to Chico Volcano to evidence the rising fumaroles, striking
lava formations, examples of the geological occurrences that have created
the Galapagos Islands. In the late afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil
for our last evening in the Enchanted Islands. (B, L)
Day
7: Isabela- Santa Cruz, Transfer Out
In the morning we navigate returning to the Santa Cruz Island, to
transfer by bus to Baltra Island, for our flight back to the continent,
to arrive about 5pm. An optional, one or more days diving tour extension
is highly recommended. (B)
2008 PRICE PER PERSON (double or triple
occupancy):
| Hotels |
2 people
|
3 people
|
4 people
|
5-9 people
|
| standard |
$2990
|
$2120
|
$1780
|
$1582
|
| Superior |
$3090
|
$2320
|
$1990
|
$1775
|
Can start on any day, subject to availability -
Here are some 2008 fixed dates that we are trying to
work with:
May 26 - June 1, Jun 18 - 24, Jun 29 - Jul 05, Jul 08 -14, Jul 16 - 22,
Jul 30 - Aug 05, Aug 13-19, Aug 21-27, Aug 31-Sep
6 (superior), Sep 13-19, Sep 23-29, Oct 12-18, Oct 25-31, Oct 30 - Nov
5, Nov 13-19 (superior), Dec 3-9, Dec 16-22, Dec 20-26, Dec 27-Jan 2
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.
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
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE: DAY 25-36ºC, NIGHT 18-26ºC
SUGGESTED: Water sandals, rainshell, flashlight, water bottle,
non-cotton trekking gear, sun block, hat and mosquito repellent.
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