Guide

English-speaking driver and guides throughout tour.

Flights

Intra-flight from San Cristobal to Isabela included (personnel baggage allowance of 25 lbs) (20 lbs for check in baggage and 5 lbs for carry-on baggage equals 25 lbs total) ( Extra baggage USD 2,00 per extra pound - it can be paid directly). Flights from Quito to San Cristobal, and Balta to Quito not included. As we have travellers from all over the world, flights before and after the tour are not included in the tour price and you need to arrange these separately by yourself once your tour is guaranteed. As we specialise in organising the best tours around the world for you, we are unable to advise on flight prices or book flights on your behalf. We recommend that you do not book your flights until your place on the tour has been confirmed. Check out the following link which is powered by Skyscanner to book your flight - https://flights.tourradar.com

Transport

Airport transfers at San Cristobal and Isabela. Public island-hopping transportation. Private vehicle throughout tour. Please note that the flights from Quito to San Cristobal, and Balta to Quito are not included, you are required to arrange this yourself.

Others

Snorkeling at Kicker Rock and Isla de Los Lobos. Trekking to the top of Sierra Negra active volcano in Isabela Island. Snorkeling in Tintoreras and Lava Tunnels. Kayaking in Tintoreras. Biking to the Wall of Tears. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Hiking in Santa Cruz highlands. Snorkeling mask and fins. Mountain bikes and helmets Kayaks, life vests and paddles. Public transport throughout tour (INGALA transit card must be purchased). Airport transfers at San Cristobal and Isabela. Intra-flight from San Cristobal to Isabela included.

Meals

9 Breakfasts. 3 Lunches. Other meals are not included to give you maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat.

Accommodation

2 nights in twin-share rooms at the 5-star Sheraton Quito. 2 nights in twin-share rooms at the 4-star Hotel Blue Marlin. 3 nights in twin-share rooms at the 4-star Cormorant Hotel. 2 nights in twin-share rooms at the 4-star Silberstein Hotel. Please be aware that all accommodations are subject to change until 4-6 weeks before the departure date. Final accommodation details will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents.

Not included:

Others

INGALA transit card - US$20 per person (cash only and subject to change). Galapagos National Park fee - US$200 per person (cash only and subject to change). Pier-use fee at Puerto Villamil: US$10 per person. Wetsuit for rent - US$10. Tipping. Other meals, snacks and drinks. Pre and post tour accommodation. Flights from Quito to San Cristobal, and Balta to Quito not included (you are required to arrange this yourself, please contact our Travel Experts if you wish for Adventure Journeys to arrange this for you). Airport transfers for flights that are not included. Single Supplement (Available on request).

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (http://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents.

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Day 1 Arrival In Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrival In Quito

Welcome to Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire.

Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. Adventure Journeys can help you to organize a day trip, please do a request with time 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, and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an informational and acclimation day.

Accommodation: Sheraton or similar
Day 2 Travel Day To Galapagos Islands (San Cristobal Island)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Travel Day To Galapagos Islands (San Cristobal Island)

Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of the evolution of species. 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: Opuntia or similar

Meals : Breakfast and lunch
Day 3 Snorkel At Kicker Rock And Visit To Isla De Los Lobos (Sea Lions Island)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Snorkel At Kicker Rock And Visit To Isla De Los Lobos (Sea Lions Island)

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 feet 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: Opuntia or similar

Meals : Breakfast and lunch
Day 4 Biking To The Wall Of Tears
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Biking To The Wall Of Tears

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.

Accommodation: Cormorant beach house or similar

Meals : Breakfast
Day 5 Snorkel At The Lava Tunnels
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Snorkel At The 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. In the afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil to go kayaking in Tintoreras to observe sea lions, penguins, turtles and marine iguanas.

This will be the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguin 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: Cormorant beach house or similar

Meals : Breakfast and lunch
Day 6 Hiking To Sierra Negra And Snorkel In Tintoreras
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiking To Sierra Negra And Snorkel In 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 October 2005.

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, 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: Cormorant beach house or similar

Meals : Breakfast
Day 7 Charles Darwin Station And Highlands Of Santa Cruz
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Charles Darwin Station And Highlands Of Santa Cruz

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: Silberstein Hotel or similar

Meals : Breakfast
Day 8 Free Day
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Free Day

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 (about 3 ½ miles long), 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: Silberstein Hotel or similar

Meals : Breakfast
Day 9 Flight Back To Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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

Meals : Breakfast
Day 10 International Departure, End Of Services
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

International Departure, End Of Services

International departures, end of services. Take with you memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a "buen viaje"!

Meals : Breakfast

10 days tour

Private Galapagos Multisport

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Private Galapagos Multisport

Arrival In Quito

Travel Day To Galapagos Islands (San Cristobal Island)

Snorkel At Kicker Rock And Visit To Isla De Los Lobos (Sea Lions Island)

Biking To The Wall Of Tears

Snorkel At The Lava Tunnels

Hiking To Sierra Negra And Snorkel In Tintoreras

Charles Darwin Station And Highlands Of Santa Cruz

Free Day

Flight Back To Quito

International Departure, End Of Services

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