Adventure Travel on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

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Ecuador

Galapagos Multi-Sport

Mountain Biking, Hiking, Kayaking and Snorkelling

(10 Days)

The Galápagos Islands are a living laboratory of evolution. The hot and frigid currents that meet at the Equator have produced an incredibly rich and unique diversity in the marine life. There are no predators, so the animals are friendly. It's literally possible to walk right up to blue-footed boobies, lava lizards, equatorial penguins, sea lions and pink flamingos without them scurrying off in fear. On BikeHike's 10-day Galapagos adventure we travel far from the crowds and cruises and view the islands from a very different perspective. We bob through the ocean surf by sea kayak, paddling alongside giant sea turtles, seals and bottle-nosed dolphins. Inland we whisk along dirt trails on bikes and our own two feet. We've built in plenty of time for snorkelling in the turquoise waters and for the certified, scuba diving is available as an optional activity (please note if you scuba dive you will miss a day of activity).

Trip Highlights

Snorkelling with a myriad of tropical fish, sea lions, and starfish
Biking on Santa Cruz Island to see the giant Galapagos turtles
Hiking Isabela Island in search of Galapagos penguins

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Quito

A BikeHike Adventures representative will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to a comfortable hotel in downtown Quito. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city and acclimate to this high altitude city, located at 2,800 meters/9,300 feet.

Day 2: Quito - Santa Cruz Island (Hiking and Snorkelling)

In the morning, we'll transfer back to the airport to connect with our flight to the Galapagos Islands, located 625 miles/1,000 km off the coast of mainland Ecuador. After landing on Baltra Island, we'll head by vehicle and ferry to our hotel in the quiet, charming harbour town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. After lunch, we'll hike for 50 minutes through vegetation dominated by the endemic Opuntia cactus to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the Galapagos. Here we'll refresh with a swim and enjoy our first encounter with marine iguanas, sea turtles, pelicans and blue-footed boobies. The evening is free in Puerto Ayora to relax or sample the local nightlife, liveliest on the weekends. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Santa Cruz Island (Biking & Hiking)

After a hearty breakfast in our hotel, we'll get on our mountain bikes and ride up to the humid tropical parts of the island to visit the giant Galapagos turtles living in the wild here. During the day, we'll stop to see the lava tunnels on the island. In the afternoon, we'll visit Garrapatero Beach for a refreshing dip, and then tour a local coffee and sugar cane plantation. Overnight at same hotel in Santa Cruz. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Santa Fe Island (Snorkelling)

In the morning, we'll transfer by speedboat to Santa Fe Island, renowned for having some of the world's tallest cactuses. We'll cruise around the island getting as close to the cliffs as we can to view the sea lions, blue-footed boobies and the swallow tailed gulls. The boat ride is approximately one hour. We'll then snorkel for a few hours amongst tropical fish, sea lions and marine turtles. Upon returning to Santa Cruz Island, we'll visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre to learn more about conservation and management efforts in the archipelago. Overnight at same hotel on Santa Cruz Island. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Isabela Island (Hiking & Snorkelling)

Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and was formed by six main volcanoes. All of these volcanoes except one remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. We arrive by speedboat (2.5 hours) to the town of Puerto Villamil where we visit the turtle breeding centre and hike through a dry forest, lava fields, mangroves and salty lagoons that are a refuge for flamingos, white-cheeked pintails and common stilts. We also usually encounter sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, frigate birds and blue-footed boobies among others. In the afternoon, we swim and snorkel among sea lions and the Galapagos penguins. The evening is spent in the tranquil port town of Puerto Villamil. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Isabela Island (Hiking)

We leave from the town for the highlands to hike on Sierra Negra, the oldest volcano on Isabela Island. It has a huge 3 mile/10 km caldera with great views of Perry Isthmus, Elisabeth Bay and Alcedo Volcano. Common birds on the volcano are the vermillion flycatcher, short-eared owl and the Galapagos Hawk.Overnight at same hotel in Puerto Villamil. Distance: 16km/10 miles. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Isabela Island - Santa Cruz Island (Sea Kayaking & Snorkelling)

In the morning, we take a speed boat back to the island of Santa Cruz where we'll pick up our kayaks and navigate around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada, paddling through multiple lava channels of calm, turquoise waters. Within the channels, white-tipped sharks and stingrays patrol beneath the waves, while colonies of blue-footed boobies, tropic birds, herons and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. In the afternoon, we have time for sightseeing and a walk around the town of Puerto Ayora. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Bartolome Island (Hiking & Snorkelling)

We drive 35 minutes to our boat and then head north for three hours to one of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago, Bartolome. The effort to get there is worth every minute. This beautiful island offers the most well known views of the Galapagos, with its tuff cones, spatter cones, enormous lava flows on Santiago Island, the Pinnacle Rock and two golden sand beaches.. After a hike to the look out point, we'll visit one of the golden sand beaches for some excellent snorkelling under the Pinnacle Rock, admiring the sea life. If we're lucky sea lions will play around us. In the afternoon, we return to Santa Cruz Island for our last night on the "enchanted isles". (B,L)

Day 9: Santa Cruz Island - Quito (City Tour)

Today we start with an early breakfast and a short drive to visit the two pit-craters of the "Gemelos" in the humid tropical zone of Santa Cruz Island. Then we shuttle to the airport on Baltra Island for our flight back to Quito and the mainland of Ecuador. In the afternoon, we'll tour the old town of Quito, the largest colonial centre of Latin America. After dinner in the old town we can explore the night life of Quito before returning to our hotel. (B,L)

Day 10: Departure

You'll be transferred to the international airport for your flight back home. (B)

Feb 17, 2012	-	Feb 26, 2012
Mar 9, 2012	-	Mar 18, 2012
Apr 27, 2012	-	May 6, 2012
May 18, 2012	-	May 27, 2012
Jun 1, 2012	-	Jun 10, 2012
Jul 20, 2012	-	Jul 29, 2012
Aug 24, 2012	-	Sep 2, 2012
Oct 12, 2012	-	Oct 21, 2012
Nov 16, 2012	-	Nov 25, 2012
Dec 7, 2012	-	Dec 16, 2012
Jan 18, 2013	-	Jan 27, 2013


Hotel
9 Nights