Galapagos Islands Multi-Sport Adventure

Follow 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 amongst surreal wildlife born without fear of humans, and trek through stunning volcanic landscapes incomparable to anything else on the planet. Don’t forget a camera! You’ll learn why the Galapagos are called an open-air zoo, and after each day’s guided adventure, you’ll retire to the most comfortable accommodations the islands have to offer.

Day 1: You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a good night’s sleep. Dinner is on your own, typically aboard your inbound flight.

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. Upon your arrival the park-entrance fee is due ($100 USD), so plan ahead and make sure to have US dollars. Following a short transfer to our hotel, we will have a tour of the beautiful and new San Cristobal Interpretive Center, funded by the Spanish government. Then we’ll take a walk through the hillside to Frigate Hill, followed by a dip in the sea at Carola beach, time permitting. Our evening will conclude with welcome drinks/orientation and dinner in town together, then an opportunity for a stroll along the waterfront to experience the unbelievable sight of hundreds of sea lions doing their various “things”. B, L, 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 paddle 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 any other means of exploring this photographic paradise. We will conclude our day with dinner in town together. B, L, 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. You’ll learn why the Galapagos are dubbed an “open-air zoo”. B, L, 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 have a hike/horseback ride to Vocan Chicao with breathtaking views of the islands. Our mountain bikes will be nearby for the downhill ride to our picnic lunch at Campo Duro, then back to the hotel for a refreshing swim in the sea or the new pool overlooking the sea. Don’t miss the opportunity for a rooftop sundowner in the Jacuzzi… B, L, 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. 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 and a short hike to a lookout with a surprise awaiting. Dinner will be on your own tonight. B, L

Day 7: Early in the morning, we will transfer by fast boat to the somewhat 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. Turtles and marine birds abound. We’ll return to the port, and then hike out to Tortuga Bay for an afternoon of kayaking. Our evening is just starting with dinner and a walk through Punta Ayora given you a glimpse of modern day island life. B, L, 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. B, L, 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 Quito and transfer to your hotel. The Northwest Passage guides will help with any transfer from airport to hotel after arriving back in Quito. 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 Quito and we can help make that a reality. Our office has the knowledge to help plan additional days in and around Quito.

* 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.

What is special about this trip?
They don’t call the Galapagos an “open air zoo” for nothing. Join us as we acquaint ourselves with some of the most diverse and interesting wildlife on the planet. And we don’t peer through the tour bus glass. We avoid the crowds and get up close and personal with these beautiful islands as we explore them by foot, mountain bike and kayak! This truly is an adventure of a lifetime.

How do I get there?
Fly to Quito, Ecuador, the best staging city for launching a Galapagos Islands adventure.

What papers do I need for travel?
A valid US passport is required for all US citizens. Non-US citizens should contact their Ecuadorian embassy for requirements.

Do I need to get any shots before traveling?
No inoculations are required for entry. Getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B is a thorough safety measure though.

How and where will you meet me?
A guide carrying a Northwest Passage sign will greet you at the airport in Quito, and transfer you to your hotel.

How long will it take me to get there?
Obviously, flight times vary depending on location, layover, etc. but the direct flight from Miami takes about 4 hours, from New York about 7.

Where should I stay overnight around there?
If you plan to arrive early or stay late, give the office for a recommendation on a great place to stay.

What money should I take?
Bring money for gifts, drinks and the meals that are not included in the trip price (see itinerary). Also remember to have 100 US dollars for the San Cristobal Interpretive Center park entrance fee, $10 for the island transit card and $428 for the flight from the mainland to the Galapagos.

What's the currency? Exchange rate? Where can I exchange money?
US dollars are accepted everywhere on the islands. If you need to exchange money, do so in Quito (not at the airport) for the best exchange rate.

Do they take plastic there? Are there cash stations?"
Most places on the islands accept Visa and Mastercard. American Express is much less widely accepted. ATMs are prevalent across the islands.

What's the weather like?
We visit the Galapagos during the hot/wet season, but, don’t worry, you can expect warm, sunny days with some rain showers around midday. Also, the ocean currents make the water extremely comfortable for swimming, snorkeling and diving around this time of year.

What are the accommodations like?
We choose to stay in nicer hotels with attached bathrooms and other amenities important to your personal comfort.

What do I need to bring?
We will send you a detailed gear list upon registration.

Can I drink the water?
Yes, our accommodations have running potable water. Bottled water is available everywhere we stay as well.

What's the food like?
Expect a lot of delicious seafood. There are many tourist restaurants that cater to Americans, but generally we stick to the locals’ favorite cafes and restaurants.

What time zone will I be in?
The Galapagos are in GMT -6 hours or the US Central Time Zone.

How can people reach me in an emergency? Can I call home?
You will receive a list of all your hotels’ contact information prior to the trip so that people can contact you if a need arises. You can buy phone cards, and on the main street, there is a Pacifictel office with several phone cabins. (In all the populated ports, you can find Pacifictel, Porta and Bellsouth cabins.) Phone calls to the United States after 8:00 PM generally run around $.25/minute. Europe is a bit more, and Latin America is very expensive! The country code for Ecuador is 593, and the Galapagos have an area code of 05. All phone numbers have six digits preceded by an area code.

How much time do we spend traveling each day? How many miles? Do I have free time?
We typically kayak or mountain bike about 5-10 miles day. We make sure to leave free time in the afternoon for relaxation or more exploration.

What kind of equipment do you use?
We use double and single rotomolded kayaks as well as foldable double kayaks.

How many people are on this trip? How many guides? Who are the guides / what are their qualifications?
Typically, between 4 and 8 people join us on this trip. The guides are experienced outdoor professionals who hold certifications in Wilderness First Aid.

How can I prepare physically for the trip? How much prior experience is needed?
No prior kayaking experience or conditioning program is necessary for this program. We have had many participants get into a kayak for the first time ever in the Galapagos.

"This was an incredible trip. The activities, the food, lodging, animals, guides, all came together for a great adventure." B. Hayslip 2011

“This was one of the most exotic & adventurous trips I have ever taken. I had never been that close to nature and that much interaction with wild animals. I loved our tour guide, Fabricio, and the knowledge he shared with us. It was an awesome & unforgettable experience. Thanks, Rick! :)" -Corina Martinez, Age 12

“This Galapagos Adventure proved to be an expedition worth remembering. The new activities that we experienced such as kayaking and snorkeling made me feel very fortunate. The lessons learned could not have been taught by anyone else except our educated tour guide, Fabricio. With his enthusiasm for this archipelago, his fluency in both English and Spanish, and his great sense of humor, made our vacation that much more enjoyable and worthwhile. Our Northwest Passage tour guide, Rick also made our experience incredible. His knowledge of the S.A.O. Club and his choppy Spanish made this trip a lot more fun. Although this was the first Northwest Passage trip to Galapagos, Rick’s responsibility and care made it feel like he’s been touring trips in Galapagos for years! I also taught him a new word: deux ex machina. This trip has been wonderful and special. Thank you Northwest Passage -Julian Martinez, Age 16

“Rick (Northwest Passage) Thank you so much for such a memorable experience at the Galapagos Islands. Your therapy also helped me tremendously in understanding my husband. May this be the first of many journeys to the Galapagos. Best Regards,” -Jenny Martinez

“Great trip! It exceeded my expectations by 300% It is the ultimate land & water outdoor 300. Never expected to be able to be so close to the wild life without threatening them. Rick & our guide Fabricio took care of every possible detail. It has been the best multi-sport adventure trip that we have ever taken. Thanks to the Northwest Passage Staff!” -Gus Martinez