Ecuador

Galapagos Multi-Sport

Mountain Biking, Hiking, Kayaking, Snorkeling and Horseback Riding

(9 Days)

Slide Show

The Galápagos Islands are a living laboratory of evolution. Charles Darwin started the chorus of curiosity 140 years ago, and the music hasn't slowed. 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 have no fear. 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 9-day Multi-sport holiday through the Galapagos we travel away from the crowds and cruises, and view the islands in an active manner. We bob around the islands by sea kayak, paddling beside giant turtles, seals and bottle-nosed dolphins. Inland we whisk along dirt trails on bikes, horseback and our own two feet. We've built in plenty of time for snorkeling in the turquoise waters and for the certified, scuba diving is available and highly recommended. If you have a hunger for adventure and desire an active alternative to exploring this world heritage site, this trip is a sure bet to satisfy.

Trip Highlights

• Amazing marine life viewing!
• Snorkeling and sea kayaking on Santa Cruz Island
• Hiking and horseback riding on Isabela Island

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Quito

A BikeHike Adventures representative will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to a comfortable hotel in town. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city and acclimate to this high altitude city, located at 2,900 meters/9,500 feet.

Day 2: Quito-San Cristobal (Hiking)

We’ll pick you up in the morning, transfer you to the airport and then all connect to an internal flight to San Cristobal Island. Upon arrival we’ll check into our hotel then set off to The San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, to gain an understanding about island formations, volcanoes, evolution and natural history. This afternoon we'll hike through an expanse of dry forest with resident species of cacti, acacia, palo santo, Galapagos cotton and more. We'll also hike towards Frigate Hill along a web of lava rock trails rewarding us with panoramic views of the coastline and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This will be a good time for first encounters with Galapagos wildlife, since the Frigate Hill is often visited by 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 or Mann Beach. In the evening there's time to explore the town and dine at a restaurant of our selection. (B,L)

Day 3: Playa Ochoa and Leon Dormido (Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling)

We slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast, going north exploring bays and coves with lots of wildlife. Darwin Bay is a very interesting site where the Beagle landed for the first time. This journey is a scenic one with opportunities to encounter sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies and frigates birds. Once we reach Playa Ochoa we continue on to nearby Isla Lobos on the lookout for marine iguanas and where we can swim with the sea lions. Our final challenge for the day is to reach Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone whose flanks are covered with seabirds. Leon Dormido offers excellent snorkeling, and for certified divers, is one of the best dive sites in the Islands. Here we'll have 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 to our hotel for our last evening in San Cristobal (B,L)

Day 4: Santa Cruz Highlands (Mountain Biking)

After a wholesome breakfast, we'll return to the sea in a fast boat, motoring from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz Island. We'll transfer to El Chato Reserve, located on the upper stretches of Santa Cruz Island, and also the natural habitat of the Galapagos tortoise. As we seek these lumbering giants, we’ll also come across 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. Following lunch, we'll drive to Cerro Mesa to where we switch gears and prepare for our mountain bike adventure. Our guide will first give a safety talk, then it's downhill thrills through highland farmlands, Bellavista village, and all the way to Puerto Ayora. This ride is about 20 kilometers/12 miles on dirt and paved roads. We end our ride, at a comfortable local hotel for a shower and a cold beer. We return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon to spend the evening at leisure and dine on a scrumptious meal of fresh seafood. (B,L)

Day 5: Santa Cruz (Sea Kayaking and Hiking)

After breakfast, we pick up our kayaks to navigate around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada, paddling through multiple lava channels of calm, turquoise waters. Within the channels, white tipped sharks and rays patrol beneath the waves, while colonies of blue footed-boobies, tropic birds, herons and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. On the way back to our hotel, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management efforts in the archipelago. Afterwards, we offer an optional hike that is about 6 kilometers/4 miles roundtrip to Tortuga Bay. One of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the Archipelago, this is a self guided trail through dry forest habitat. We return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon and spend the evening at leisure and you’re encouraged to dine or explore alternatives in the Galapagos’ most populous town. The evening is free to relax or sample the local nightlife, liveliest on the weekends. (B,L)

Day 6: Isabela (Hiking)

From Puerto Ayora, we board a fast boat for Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. 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. Here, we visit the Galapagos Rearing Center, to learn about tortoise development and conservation. We explore the bay in search of the endemic Galapagos penguin and follow a 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 spot American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos and many other shore species. In the afternoon, we relax on exotic white sand beaches. The evening is spent in the tranquil port town of Puerto Villamil. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Isabela Island (Horseback Riding and Hiking)

After breakfast, we'll be transported to Santa Tomas. Here we'll mount horses and set off for a 2 hour ride (9 km's/6 miles) cantering up a steep hill to the rim of the Volcano Sierra Negra, which claims fame as the second largest caldera in the world. From this vantage point, the view of the 9 x 8 km/ 6 x 5 mile wide caldera and Perry Isthmus is spectacular. After lunch we'll set off on foot to explore Volcan Chico, where evidence of volcanic activity is visible because of the steamy fumaroles that seep out of the cone. This is an excellent example of the geologic occurrences that have created the Galapagos Islands. In the late afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil for our last evening on the “Enchanted Islands". (B,L,D)

Day 8: Isabela - Santa Cruz - Quito

After breakfast, we’ll board a boat crossing back to Santa Cruz Island, and from there we’ll transfer by bus to Baltra Island for our flight back to the mainland. Upon arrival in Quito we’ll transfer back to our hotel in Quito where you will have the remainder of the day free to do any last minute shopping and enjoy Ecuadorian city life. (B)

Day 9: Departure

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

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