10 Day Quito and Galapagos Multisport
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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.
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Day 1: Quito Meet your 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. We 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. Accommodation: Sheraton Quito or similar. Day 2: San Cristobal Island - Snorkel 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 curios and approach to swim 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.Accommodation: Hotel Blue Marlin or similar Meals : Breakfast Day 3: Kicker Rock - Snorkel 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 site due to the many tropic birds, 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. Accommodation: Hotel Blue Marlin or similar. Meals : Breakfast, Lunch Day 4: Isabela Island - Bike 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. Accommodation: Cally or similar. Meals : Breakfast Day 5: Isabela Island - Snorkel at Lava Tunnels 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. 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 to take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located walking distance from the hotel. 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. Accommodation: Cally or similar. Meals : Breakfast, Lunch Day 6: Hike Sierra Negra - Kayak and Snorkel at Tintoreras After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trail head, 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 which 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. 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. 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) Kayaking time: 2 hours Snorkeling time: 1 hour What to wear today for hiking: shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, rain jacket, hat, buff, sun cream, mosquito repellent. What to wear today for kayaking and snorkeling: sandals, shorts, water long sleeve t-shirt, bathing suit, hat, sun cream, mosquito repellent. Accommodation: Cally or similar. Meals : Breakfast, Lunch Day 7: Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Station - Hike with Giant Tortoises 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. 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 fresh water lake. Afterwards, 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. Accommodation: La Isla or similar. Meals : Breakfast Day 8: Santa Cruz Island Free Day - Optional Diving 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 a 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. Accommodation: La Isla or similar. Meals : Breakfast Day 9: Flight Back to Quito 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. Accommodation: Sheraton or similar Quito. Meals : Breakfast Day 10: Quito - Departure Today our trip will end. Meals : Breakfast 2025 Rates: US$3737 per person Single supplement if you want your own room: US$1076 Departs every Friday with minimum of 2 people, maximum of 16 people NOTE
• If Galapagos flights are not issued by operator, penalty of USD $79.00 PP applies. Flights from operator = US$520 p.p. • Confirmed departures from 2 passengers. • Maximum group departures of 15 passengers in Galapagos. • Program rates based on shared groups. If private departures are required, please add private supplement of US$563 per person 
"I just got home in Seattle a few days ago and the trip was great. Wonderful guides and naturalists, accommodations were nice, and we were busy enough with the activities. " Mike |
What's Included:
Not Included
ITINERARY DISCLAIMER
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 of 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. BOAT TRAVEL TIME 2 hours from Isabela to Santa Cruz 45 minutes each way - Lava Tunnels 45 minutes each way - Kicker Rock KAYAKING TIME 2 hours SNORKELING TIME 1 – 2 hours a day BIKING TIME 3 hours total HIKING TIME Sierra Negra: 5 hours total El Chato Tortoises Reserve: 1 hour total ACCOMODATION All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are traveling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact us prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost. MEALS Traveling with us 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. Vegetarians, Vegans and Gluten Free people are very welcome in our trip, our guides are always ready to coordinate with chefs and restaurants for substitute meals for them, as Ecuador is very well known for its great diversity of gastronomy. YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES All guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed from the Tourism University to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid respondents. They all have approved several extra training courses for kayaking, rafting, biking and horse riding, besides this they all are Ecuadorian and have a fantastic personality. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips. In some locations and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service and make sure we practice sustainable tourism involving local indigenous people in our operation. 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 The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF ALTITUDE From sea level (most activities) to 1 200m (3,937 ft -Sierra Negra Volcano) AVG. TEMP. Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF DIFFICULTY LEVEL 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 ECO-TOURISM 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. HEALTH INFORMATION Please inform us of any existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are recommended when traveling to the tropics. Please ask your doctor for advice. What to Take
On this journey you will experience a great diversity of Island ecosystems, including cloud forest, dry forest and withe sandy beaches. So please see the list below for what we recommend as packing list. We recommend the use of a duffel bag (60 liters) for the main luggage and a daypack (20 liters) with rain cover for activities. REMEMBER: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO TRAVEL LIGHT! NOTE.- For the interisland flight from San Cristobal to Isabela the weight limit is 25 pounds, for each extra pound the airline charges 1 dollar aprox. • Passport • Travel insurance • Airline tickets • Credit or debit card • 1 Buff • 1 Fleece top • 1 Rain jacket • 4 Shirts/t-shirts • 2 Long sleeve water t-shirt for snorkeling • 3 Shorts • 1 Long trousers or light hiking pants • 2 Swimming suit • 2 Extra formal clothing for the nightlife • 1 Sport sandals (Chacos, keens or similar) • 1 Flip flops • 1 Tennis shoes • 1 Watch or alarm clock • 1 Binoculars • 1 Insect repellent • 1 Sun cream 50 SPF • 1 Sun hat or baseball cap • 1 Camera – waterproof if possible • 1 Water bottle • 1 Sunglasses • First-aid kit(should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking) • SMILE What details do we need to confirm the tour ?
PAYMENTS POLICIES: - The invoice will be sent upon booking confirmation by email, 35% deposit will be requested to confirm the booking. - 65% balance will be requested within 70 days before departure.
CANCELATION POLICIES: -Within 70 - 55 days prior to travel 35% cancellation fees. - Within 54 - 40 days prior to travel 50% cancellation fees. - Within 39 - 1 days prior to travel 100% cancellation fees. - No shows 100% cancellation fees. ALTERATIONS: - Any change of itinerary or service before and during the trip will depend on availability and subject to 100% cancellation penalties of existing services. - Leaving the trip at any day/time after arrival will apply 100% cancellation |
