Ecuador: Galapagos Multisport

10 days, Quito to Quito

This adventure is perfect for those who want to experience the incredible wildlife and scenery of the Galápagos Islands but prefer to sleep on shore. Go ashore at the lesser-visited island of Isabela and spend your days with playful sea lions, giant manta rays, and the Galápagos giant tortoise. This adventure offers a great balance of guided excursions and free time, with optional activities abound.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Quito

Arrive at any time.

Located 2850m (9348ft) above sea level, the Ecuadorian capital of Quito enjoys a wonderful spring-like climate, despite the fact that it is only 22km (14 mi) south of the Equator. On a clear day, several snow-capped volcanoes, including nearby Pichincha, are visible from the centre of this city nestled in a mountain-flanked valley. Add a rich history and a well-preserved colonial district to its beautiful location, and you can begin to understand why Quito appeals to thousands of tourists every year.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES - request current pricing

1. Quito City Tour -  Take a tour of Quito to learn more about this beautiful city and its local culture. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the golden Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city.

2. Quito City Tour and Equator - Enjoy a city tour of Quito. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city. Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere.

3. Middle of the World - Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere, visit the Intiñan Museum which showcases the immense cultural diversity within this small South American country. On the 00°00’00” magnetic line at the museum experiment with gravity. Later, head up to the Pululahua crater view point, one of the two inhabited volcanic caldera in the world.

4. Cotopaxi Volcano (Full Day Trip) - Enjoy a spectacular 2 hour drive to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park to see the highest active volcano in the world (5,897m/ 19,347 ft). Visit a museum in the park and hike around a lagoon at the bottom of the volcano to learn about the flora and fauna found at this altitude. Continue by car up the volcano to the parking lot, at over 4,500m/14,763 ft. Walk for an hour and a half to the refuge and after a short break, continue to the glacier (if the weather holds out). Return to Quito in the afternoon. **Park entrance fee is not included and is split among the number of travelers in the group**

5. Papallacta Hot Springs (Full Day Trip) - Drive two hours out of Quito to Papallacta Hot Springs, located on the Cinnamon trail, (65km from Quito) which is the same route that Francisco de Orellana took in 1542 when he crossed the Andean mountain range in search of spices and gold, and discovered the Amazon River. Relax in hot springs of varying temperatures with views of the Antisana volcano. Opt to go hiking, horseback riding or get a spa service for an additional cost. Lunch and entrance fees to hot springs are not included.

6. Teleférico - Enjoy spectacular views of Quito from this sky tram up Volcán Pichincha. Choose to go for a hike at the top, or just come along for the ride.

Day 2 - Quito / Santa Cruz Island

Catch an early flight to the Galápagos Islands. On arrival, head up to the highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch and to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat before continuing to Puerto Ayora.

Fly to Santa Cruz. Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz to observe the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. From this elevation, the panoramic views of the other islands are stunning. Explore the area and its incredible wildlife. 

Day 3 - Santa Cruz Island

Walk from Puerto Ayora along a 2.5 km raised causeway to the stunning white sand and beach of Tortuga Bay. Kayak in clear turquoise waters on the south side of Santa Cruz Island. Keep an eye out for nearby pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and other seabirds. With time for snorkelling and swimming, jump in and explore the underwater world where schools of yellowtail surgeonfish, king angelfish and parrotfish dance in the gentle waves. Spot turtles, friendly sea lions pups and small, docile, whitetip reef sharks.

Return to town for lunch.

In the afternoon visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.

This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.

Day 4 - Santa Cruz Island / Floreana Island

Spend a free morning enjoying Santa Cruz, before crossing by speedboat to Floreana Island. Keep an eye out for dolphins and the magnificent albatross along the way.

Get settled at the G Adventures-supported community guesthouse. PLEASE NOTE: Floreana Island is a small, isolated, inhabited island part of the Galápagos Archipelago. Many of its residents have been living there for the past three generations since the islands were first colonized. Its 150 residents have tried to benefit from the tourism boom, but since most tourism is marine-based and the boats don't stop in the village, they have struggled to find any opportunities. We are investing in community training and infrastructure to develop the first ecological, community tourism program in the Galápagos Islands that sees both the islands small entrepreneurs and its unique wildlife as the primary beneficiaries of this project. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.

Opt to swim or enjoy an introduction to snorkelling directly off Black Beach on the island. Immerse yourself in the waters of the Galápagos and meet some of the local wildlife.

Day 5 - Floreana Island

Enjoy an excursion to the seldom visited highlands of Floreana. Hear the tales about the pirates, whalers, seal hunters and buccaneers who once lived in this isolated and unique landscape.

Opt to explore the area around Black Beach. Walk along the black sand beach to Loberia to enjoy beach snorkelling or swimming. Please be sure you are a comfortable swimmer. The water here can be rough and the currents are strong.

Day 6 - Floreana Island / Isabela Island

Take a morning speedboat journey to Isabela Island. Enjoy a full day on Isabela Island that includes a trek up the Sierra Negra Volcano—one of the most active volcanoes in Galápagos—boasting the second largest crater in the world. Hike to the summit to experience a birds-eye view of the magical landscape. The volcano last erupted in June 2018, making it the most recent eruption in the Galápagos.

After the hike the group will hop on a bicycle and travel downhill for about 12km by bike with the group. Feel the wind on your skin and the fresh air in your lungs as you coast to the town of Puerto Villamil. This ride will be all downhill along a semi-paved road with beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding countryside. Please note that it is not a physically demanding ride.

Visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre on the way back to town.

Opt to take surfing lessons on the nearby beach. 

Day 7 - Isabela Island

Spend a free morning trying the optional activities in the area. Maybe hit the waves for surf lessons on the nearby beach.

Go snorkelling near Las Tintoreras, located south of Puerto Villamil – it's the perfect place to glide along watching the magic unfold under the water’s surface. Look out for sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and if you're lucky some Galápagos penguins

Visit Tintoreras to kayak and observe the whitetip reef sharks found swimming in the channels between the rocks. Get a close-up view of pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies. Watch for manta rays and rare Galápagos penguins, of which only 800 pairs exist.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - request current price

Grab your swimsuit and get ready to hang ten! Learn how to find and ride the waves with surfing lessons from local experts. Enjoy the fresh sea air, and try to spot local marine life while enjoying the waters. 

Day 8 - Isabela Island / Santa Cruz Island

Walk through the town’s wetlands to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. With the giant tortoise on its way to extinction in the late 1950s, this program was established to protect these noble creatures.

Around midday, set sail for Santa Cruz Island and dock at the town of Puerto Ayora. After a late hotel check-in, enjoy free time to explore this bustling little town and sample some of the local restaurants and bars, or maybe do some souvenir shopping in one of the many shops.

Day 9 - Santa Cruz Island / Quito

After a transfer over the island of Santa Cruz, arrive at Baltra Island for the return flight to Quito.

Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to the hotel for one last night on the town. Our representative in Quito will be able to advise on and help with some of the many day tours available in and around Quito.

Day 10 - Quito

Depart at any time.