This seven day tour offers an alternative to the usual cruise tours. It is a very much more active way to engage with the unique natural terrain of these islands through daily active excursions, which may include kayaking, mountain biking, trekking, snorkeling and horseback riding. The Galapagos Multi-sport Adventure is an ideal vacation for active adventure travel enthusiasts, combining sport activities in a unique nature destination.

DAY 1: QUITO - GALAPAGOS (SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND)

Today begins your journey to one of the most amazing places on earth, the Galapagos Islands. This group of 13 major islands and dozens of smaller islets and rocks, all the result of volcanic activity, certainly appears to be out of this world. These islands are in fact, an unpredictable wilderness, a living laboratory of evolution filled with an extraordinary population of unique species, which have developed apart from human influence. For nature lovers, the thrill is even greater: birds and more birds, playful sea lions, exotic plant life, volcanoes and haunting land and seascape.

Early in the morning we will have to be at National airport in order to catch our Galapagos flight. At Quito's airport we have to pay de Ingala card US$ 10.00 and upon our arrival, the Galapagos National Park entrance fee (US$ 100 cash per person). Once arrived on San Cristobal Island we have a welcome lunch and briefing before the adventure begins. We will hike out of town and visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, for a general understanding about island formation, volcanoes, evolution and natural history. We continue on to explore a unique dry forest and will be able to identify cacti, acacia, palo santo, Galapagos cotton and more as we hike towards Frigate Hill along trails of lava rock featuring splendid views of the coastline and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Here will enjoy our first encounters with local wildlife, since the hill is often visited by Galapagos wildlife such as 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. The rest of the evening is free to explore town.(L)

DAY 2: SEA KAYAK PLAYA OCHOA AND SNORKEL AT LEON DORMIDO

After breakfast we slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast, going north exploring bays and coves full of local wildlife - including Darwin Bay, the site of the first landing of the HMS Beagle. The route is home to colonies of sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies, and frigate birds. Once we reach Playa Ochoa, we continue on to nearby Isla Lobos on the lookout for marine iguanas and sea lions. This is a fantastic snorkeling site where we are nearly guaranteed to enjoy one of the best sea lion encounters in the entire archipelago. We continue on to Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone whose flanks are home to thousands of sea birds. At Leon Dormido, we enjoy excellent snorkeling; for certified divers, this is also one of the best dives in the islands (optional). There is a good chance of seeing Galápagos sharks, eagle and golden rays, as well as dozens of species of tropical fish, clams, starfish, and marine invertebrates. With a little lucky, we may also swim with hammerhead and white-tipped sharks. In the afternoon we return to our hotel for our last evening in San Cristobal. (B.L)

DAY 3: HIKE IN THE SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS

After breakfast we embark in a fast boat from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz Islands. Once we arrive, we transfer to El Chato reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island which is the natural habitat of the incredible Galapagos tortoise. We hike in this reserve to learn about these lumbering giants. We also come across highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigate birds bathing in freshwater lakes. We also walk into and explore some amazing volcanic tunnels that were created by hot flowing lava. As we walk in these underground geological formations we revive tales of buccaneers hiding Inca gold. We continue to Los Gemelos, two volcanic craters near the top of the Island. We walk around these deep craters through a beautiful Scalesia forest covered with epiphytes and ferns. In this habitat we may see the short-eared owl, one of the two owls that live in the Islands. Return to Puerto Ayora to our hotel to overnight.(B.L)

DAY 4: SEA KAYAK IN SANTA CRUZ & HIKE TO TORTUGA BAY

After breakfast, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management efforts in the archipelago. We also get to meet Lonesome George, the last giant tortoise of his species. Later this morning we put-in our kayaks and paddle around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada, through calm turquoise waters that wind through high-walled lava channels. Within the channels, white-tipped sharks and rays tour beneath the clear water, while colonies of blue-footed boobies, tropic birds, herons, crabs and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. In the afternoon, we hike to Tortuga Bay, a beautiful white sand beach area, nesting site to thousands of marine turtles. This trail is 3½ miles (6 kilometers) long and crosses through a dry forest lava habitat home to hundreds of iguanas. We return to Puerto Ayora to our hotel to overnight. (B.L)

DAY 5: MTB COASTLINE EXPLORATION & KAYAK IN TINTORERAS

This day after breakfast we will be transferred from Santa Cruz to Isabela Island by speedboat. During our Island crossing we will be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October). This island is considered as one of the most volcanically active places on earth. When we arrive we set up our mountain bikes to explore the beautiful coastline for its scenery and wildlife treasures. We begin with a visit to El Muro de las Lágrimas which means Wall of Tears, a historic site that dates back between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela Island was used as a penal colony. The wall was built with lava blocks and had no other purpose than to keep prisoners busy and distract them from the madness of isolation. We continue riding along the coast as we explore expansive white sand beaches, mangroves and brackish lagoons. This area is filled with birdlife such as American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, finches and many shore birds, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. In the afternoon we take our ocean kayaks and paddle out to Tintoreras, a set of small Islets within Isabela bay. The Islets are filled with wildlife and are home to the Galapagos Penguin, the only penguin that lives in equatorial region. We will also see sharks, marine turtles, sea lions and much more wildlife as we explore its many small coves and beaches.(B.L.D)

DAY 6: VOLCANO DISCOVERY HIKE IN THE ISABELA HIGHLANDS

From Puerto Villamil, we drive to the highlands up to where the road ends. Here we prepare our day-packs and walk into a world of recent geological history. We walk on dirt trails until we arrive at the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano. Sierra Negra is an active volcano which last erupted in October 2005. We explore along the rim of the huge 6x5 mile-wide (9x8 kilometer) lava-filled crater. We may also get views of the other Isabela volcanoes, the Perry Isthmus and beyond. Optionally, we continue our hike all the way to Volcan Chico, an incredible area with puffing fumaroles and extraordinary lava formations - great examples of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galápagos Islands over millennia. In the afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil for our last afternoon on the exotic white beaches. (B.L.D)

DAY 7: TRANSFER TO BALTRA ISLAND & AIRPORT

In the morning, we will navigate to Baltra Island in order to catch our flight back to Quito.(B)

B- Breakfast; L-Lunch; BL-Box Lunch; D-Dinner

INCLUDED: Accommodations in standard and tourist superior hotels, meals as described on the itinerary, adventure and protective equipment, professional English speaking guide, land and sea transportation.

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare Quito-Galapagos-Quito $420 (High season rate: June 15 to Sep 14 and Nov 1 to Apr 31), $370 Low Season Rate: May 1 to June 14 and Sep 15 to Oct 30), Ingala Card (US$ 10.00), Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (US$ 100.00), dinners in San Cristobal and Santa Cruz Islands, soft and alcoholic drinks, tips and personal expenses.

IMPORTANT: This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last minute weather conditions and adjustment of Galapagos National Park policy.

Rates on request

Fixed departure dates in 2012 to be announced:

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.