Galapagos Islands Multi-Sport Adventure
Based On Double Occupancy. Single Supplement Applies. Flight to and from Galapagos Islands not included.
Upcoming dates
9 Days, 8 Nights
Guayaquil
$4395
Based On Double Occupancy. Single Supplement Applies. Flight to and from Galapagos Islands not included.
Travel in the wake of Darwin and H.M.S. Beagle for a one-of-a-kind multi-sport adventure in the “Enchanted Isles.” Instead of looking down from a cruise ship observation deck, you’ll paddle with dolphins and marine turtles through electric turquoise water to white sand coves lined with sea lions.
You’ll mountain bike among surreal wildlife born without fear of humans, and trek through stunning volcanic landscapes incomparable to anything else on the planet. Don’t forget your camera!
You’ll learn why the Galapagos have been called an open-air zoo, and after each day’s guided adventures, you’ll retire to the most comfortable accommodations the islands have to offer.
Day 1: You will be met at the Guayaquil airport and transferred to your hotel for a good night’s sleep. Dinner is on your own, typically aboard your inbound flight for most arrivals.
Day 2: Following breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport to meet your early morning flight to San Cristobal Island some 600 miles off-shore (note the cost of this airfare is not included but The Northwest Passage will arrange). Upon your arrival the park-entrance fee is due ($100 USD), so plan ahead and make sure to have US dollars in cash. Following a short transfer to our hotel, we will have a tour of the beautiful new San Cristobal Interpretive Center, funded by the Spanish government. Then we’ll take a walk to Frigate Hill, followed by a dip in the sea at Carola beach, time permitting. Our evening will conclude with welcome drinks and orientation, followed by dinner in town together. Stroll along the waterfront to experience the unbelievable sight of hundreds of sea lions displaying various behaviors. You’ll learn why the Galapagos are dubbed an “open-air zoo”. (B, D)
Day 3: This morning, our kayaks and support vessel will take us to two offshore islands along the northwest shore of San Cristobal. Boat supported and dependent on sea conditions, our goals are Darwin Bay, then on to two spectacular snorkeling destinations by support boat, Isla Lobos and Leon Dormindo (the "sleeping lion", also known as Kicker Rock). The paddling will lead you along the pristine coastline exploring the array of breathtaking nooks, caves and corners. You may spot seals, marine birds and countless other marine species. The day will be broken up with breaks for swimming, snacking, snorkeling, and otherwise enjoying this photographic paradise. We will conclude our day with dinner in town together. (B, D)
Day 4: After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our small aircraft flight to the largest of the islands, beautiful Isla Isabela. Our home for the next 3 nights is Iguana Crossing, a name you will understand almost immediately! Newly opened, this is an exquisite base for our adventure. We will walk to a tortoise breeding center and explore the coastline by snorkel and fins discovering the islet of Tinetoreras. Tinetoreras, the local word for the white tipped shark, is home to a pod of such sharks along with sea lions and a newly-founded penguin colony. (B, D)
Day 5: After a delicious breakfast, we prepare for a full day of adventure on the land. We will transfer to Sierra Negro and hike to Vocan Chicao with breathtaking views of the islands. Our mountain bikes will be nearby for the downhill ride to lunch at Campo Duro, and then back to the hotel for a refreshing swim in the sea or a dip in the new pool overlooking the sea. Don’t miss the opportunity for a rooftop sundowner in the Jacuzzi… (B, D)
Day 6: A restorative sleep is followed by another scrumptious breakfast before leaving from the small harbor for a full-day excursion of snorkeling and exploration. Tunelos is our destination where we will snorkel through a variety of protected rock formations where penguins and sea turtles abound. Returning home, there is time for a siesta and a swim before setting out on bikes along the sea to visit the Wall of Tears. Dinner will be on your own tonight. (B)
Day 7: Early in the morning, we will transfer by fast boat to the more cosmopolitan island of Santa Cruz in the heart of the archipelago. We’ll have breakfast upon our arrival, and then depart for the Highlands of Santa Cruz. We’ll visit the tortoise reserve and explore the lava tunnels that are seemingly frozen in time. We’ll return to the port, and then hike out to Tortuga Bay for an afternoon of kayaking, keeping an eye out for turtles and marine birds. Our evening is just starting with dinner and a walk through Punta Ayora giving you a glimpse of modern day island life. (B, D)
Day 8: We’ll spend the morning kayaking at Garrapatero Beach, followed by lunch in the port. In the afternoon, we’ll explore Academy Bay by kayak. One final celebration dinner will help you capture the essence of island life firmly in your memory. (B, D)
Day 9: After breakfast, we will tour the Charles Darwin Center before transferring to Baltra Island, where we will have a brief moment for souvenir shopping before flying to Guayaquil and transferring to your hotel or airport. The Northwest Passage guides will help with any transfer from airport to hotel after arriving back in Guayaquil. (B)
Beyond your time on the islands: We encourage you to consider additional one-day or multi-day adventure add-ons. Our experience shows that a day walking the open-air markets with a local guide or zip-lining and exploring the jungle forests really round out the Galapagos Islands adventure. Of course Macho Picchu is within reach from Guayaquil and we can help make that a reality. Our office has the knowledge to help plan additional days in and around Guayaquil.
* Note I: This is our intended itinerary. As with any adventure travel, the forces of nature can be unpredictable, forcing us to make adjustments and changes to the itinerary. Rest assured that our many years of exploring have provided us with numerous options if changes need to be made.
**Note II: Our office staff is happy to help discuss the ideal travel options to meet your specific needs. Please call or email for additional information. Travel insurance is strongly encouraged and mandatory for your piece of mind.
"Superb! Many thanks to both Ryan and Jorge! Very good restaurants. Last day paddling and snorkeling was the best- never had an experience like the latter- 22 sea turtles AND a hammer-head shark! Wonderful- loved it all!" -Karen C., Ottowa, Ontario, Canada
"The guides were excellent. Jorge spoke good English and was very knowledgeable about the area, culture, and history. Ryan was excellent. The hospitality was great." -Mike M., Birchwood, Wisconsin
"All inns were lovely and we were made to feel at home immediately. All requests were taken care of expeditiously. Food was very good overall. I especially liked the local fare the first day we did the “cloud forest.” All the guides were delightful. Fabian was especially knowledgeable. Jorge could not have been more gracious and all spoke very good English. This is a wonderful way to really see the Galapagos and partake of local flavor as well as support the local economy." -Anne S., Glenview, Illinois
"The accommodations were very nice, clean, and comfortable. We thought the guides were great! All the activities were fun and easy!" -Florence W., Centennial, Colorado
"Ryan and Jorge were outstanding! Between the two of them all bases were covered - marvelous personalities, very knowledgeable, complemented one another. I felt we went to the best restaurants each place had to offer, and we were certainly kept busy with a variety of fun activities. Overall, congenial people, great guides, and fabulous snorkeling!" -Judi M., Birchwood, Wisconsin
"This was an incredible trip. The activities, the food, lodging, animals, guides, all came together for a great adventure." -B. Hayslip
The Galápagos Islands and their surrounding waters form the Galápagos Province of Ecuador, the Galápagos National Park, and the Galápagos Marine Reserve. The principal language on the islands is Spanish. The islands have a population of slightly over 25,000. (Wiki)
History Trivia: The islands are known for their large number of endemic species and were studied by Charles Darwin during his second voyage of HMS Beagle.
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