Galapagos Islands & Otavalo Highlands Multisport

Galapagos Islands & Otavalo Highlands Multisport Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Quito, Ecuador. Arrive in Quito any time today, pass through customs, gather your luggage and transfer on your own to our hotel for the evening.

• Day 2

  Following breakfast and ready to depart, meet your guide and other group members in the hotel lobby. We head immediately north of Quito to the highlands and the emerald Laguna Cuicocha (10,638'). Winding up to the lake, we drive through incredible Andean cloud forest scenery glimpsing views of nearby snowcapped mountains. We dedicate the afternoon to hiking and exploring this fascinating crater lake region. The flowers are superb and so is the birding. You may see such Andean birds as caracaras, buzzard eagles, humming birds, ducks, hawks and the occasional condor. This evening we retire to a lovely historic hacienda. Originally built in the 1700s and 1800s, haciendas today are modernized but maintain their warm character and authenticity. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 4-5 hours between 10,000' – 11,300'.

• Day 3

  For centuries, regional markets have played an important role in Indian life, providing regular gathering places for trade and socialization. Today we explore one of the most famous Ecuadorian Indian markets in Otavalo.  This colorful market dates back to pre-Inca times and is well known for its fine textiles, tapestries and Indian jewelry. While in the Otavalo region we will also visit one or two of the local communities such as the Peguche, Carabuela and Quichuqui, known for their tradition of ancestral healing practices. Then it's off to the Papallacta Hot Springs resort which involves crossing a 13,000' pass that offers stupendous Andean scenery.  Relax in the thermal baths (some of the best in all of Ecuador) before dining on delicious local cuisine. All meals included

• Day 4

  After a healthy breakfast, we visit the nearby highland interpretation center to learn about the unique paramo ecosystem and the Atlantic-Pacific continental divide. We continue with a hike in a very scenic reserve, part of the larger United Nations Biosphere Reserve. The environment here is endemic highland paramo (moorlands) with patches of cloud forest. This area of the Andes retains great amounts of water as it is the source to the largest water system in the world. It features a great number of lakes, possibly the highest concentrations in the Andes range. While hiking, keep an eye out for the birdlife. We may also see up to three different species of dear and, if we're lucky, the elusive spectacle bear. We return to the hot springs resort for lunch and our last opportunity to soak in the therapeutic sulfate and alkaline rich waters of the spa. In the late afternoon we return to Quito. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on own.
  
  Hiking: Optional 5-7 miles, 4-5 hours. Terrain: uneven, rocky trails at altitudes up to 12,000 ft.

• Day 5

  It's off to the Galapagos Islands this morning! A transfer is provided to the airport where we board our flight to the islands (located roughly 600 miles off-shore). We land on San Cristobal Island where we spend the next two days hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, you are obligated to pay a park entrance fee of $100 (subject to change) - you should have this handy in U.S. dollars. After lunch over looking the ocean, we head out for an afternoon of exploration stopping first at the impressive San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where we learn about the volcanic formation of the Galápagos archipelago and the unique evolution of life on the islands. Our hike is along trails of lava rock into dry forest of cacti, acacia, palo santo, Galápagos cotton, and other endemic vegetation and features splendid views of the rugged coastline. As we approach Frigate Hill be on the lookout for blue footed boobies, the magnificent frigate bird, Darwin finches and much more. On our way back to our lodging, we may stop for a refreshing dip at Carola or Mann Beaches. In the evening, we explore town and dine at a waterfront restaurant. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 3 miles, about 2 hours.

• Day 6

  Today is all about being on the water! After breakfast we slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast, past Playa Carola, and on to 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 snorkelling 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 snorkelling. 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 luck, we may also swim with hammerhead and white-tipped sharks. We return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for dinner and our last evening on San Cristobal. All meals included.
  
  Kayaking: 2-3 hours; Snorkelling: 2-3 hours.
  
  

  Note: July through September departures follow an altered itinerary on Days 7-11 due to oceanic conditions in the Galapagos at this time of year. You will travel to Isabela Island and then Santa Cruz. Please see below for details. The activities do not change, only the order in which you do the activities changes.

• Day 7

  After an early breakfast, we take a fast boat from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz Island. Once there we head to El Chato Reserve in the upper part of Santa Cruz Island – the natural habitat of the Santa Cruz tortoise, the largest in the Galápagos. The most recognized symbol of the Galapagos, the tortoise weights over 500 lbs and may have a shell measuring almost five feet! While we seek out these lumbering giants, we'll also come across pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigate birds bathing in freshwater lakes. We enjoy lunch at a traditional highland hacienda, where we also explore lava caves featuring incredible volcanic tunnel formations, and on a clear day we can see Media Luna, an old collapsed crater on top of Santa Cruz Island. After lunch, we slip into our kayak and paddle around Divine Bay and Punta Estrada, traveling through multiple lava channels of calm, turquoise waters. Within the channels, white tipped sharks and rays patrol beneath the waves, while colonies of blue footed-boobies, tropic birds, herons and marine iguanas perch along the jagged cliffs. In the evening, we are free to explore the nightlife in Puerto Ayora, the Galapagos' most populous town. All meals included.
  
  Kayaking: 3 hours.

• Day 8

  Early this morning we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management efforts in the archipelago. The research station is also home to "Lonesome George", the very last tortoise of his particular species from Pinta Island. Next, we're off to Isabela Island by fast boat and, again, on the look out for dolphins, migratory whales, as well as various sea birds. Isabela Island, the largest Island in the archipelago. Isabela was formed by six volcanoes - Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. Five of these volcanoes remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. This is a remarkably beautiful island and one of the youngest in the archipelago. Isabela is also known for its beautiful and expansive white sand beaches. After lunch, we launch our ocean kayaks and paddle out to Tintoreras, a set of small Islets within Isabela bay. The Islets are filled with wildlife - marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, sharks, marine turtles and much more as we explore its many small coves and beaches. The rest of the afternoon is to enjoy the lovely white sand beaches in the port town of Puerto Villamil. All meals included.
  
  Kayaking: 2 hours; Snorkeling: 1 hour.

• Day 9

  Saddle up for a 5 mile horseback ride into the highlands over rugged terrain to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, the 2nd largest intact caldera in the world after the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. From this vantage point, you have fantastic views of the six by five mile wide lava-filled caldera as well as the other volcanoes beyond and the surrounding coastline. We continue on foot to Chico Volcano. With its puffing fumaroles and striking lava formations, it offers an out-of-this-world environment and good examples of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galapagos Islands over millennia. In the afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil for dinner. All meals included.
  
  Horseback riding: 10 miles round trip; hiking: 3 miles.

• Day 10

  After breakfast, we prepare our gear for a mountain bike ride to El Muro de las Lágrimas - Wall of Tears. We ride along the coast with spectacular views as we pedal through mangroves and salty lagoons that are home to the mangrove finch, endemic to Isabela. We can also spot American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, and many other shore birds. We reach the Wall of Tears, a historic site that dates back between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela was a penal colony. The Wall was built by prisoners using huge blocks of lava for no other reason than to keep the prisoners busy from the madness of isolation. On our way back we ride by and explore Isabela's gorgeous white sand beaches. In the afternoon, we can take the opportunity to walk through mangrove forest to Concha y Perla bay, whose clear waters are perfect for snorkeling. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening as you wrap up your adventure to one of the most magical places on earth. All meals included.
  
  Mountain biking: 8-10 miles, unpaved roads; Snorkeling: 1-2 hours.

• Day 11

  After one last breakfast on sleepy Isabela Island, we travel to Baltra Island by plane or fast boat depending on weather conditions. Once on Baltra Island, we bid farewell to the Galapagos and board our flight back to Quito. Enjoy a short city tour of Quito followed by dinner at a traditional Ecuadorian restaurant. Breakfast and dinner included; light lunch snack provided on flights.

• Day 12

  You can depart anytime today. Transfer on your own to airport for flights home. Breakfast included.
  
  
  July-September departures altered itinerary:
  Day 7: Internal flight from San Cristobal to Isabela Island.
  -- Kayaking to Tintoreras Islets; snorkeling
  
  Day 8: Isabela Island
  -- Horseback ride and hiking to Sierra Negra and Chico Volcanoes
  
  Day 9: Isabela Island
  -- Mountain bike ride to El Muro de las Lágrimas - Wall of Tears
  -- Concha y Perla bay snorkel
  
  Day 10: Internal flight or fast boat from Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island
  -- Santa Cruz highlands – giant tortoise
  -- Kayaking Divine Bay and Punta Estrada
  
  Day 11: Santa Cruz Island – Flight back to Quito
  -- Visit Charles Darwin Research Station

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.  This includes changes to activity locations in the Galapagos due to changes in regulations and permitting by the Galapagos National Park Service.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one-half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available.

Meals as noted in the daily itinerary; 11 nights accommodations; private transfer in Otavalo highlands; internal flight from San Cristobal to Isabela; airport transfers Quito-Galapagos-Quito; internal flight from San Cristobal Island to Isabela Island; boat transfers as outlined in itinerary; equipment necessary for itinerary including sea kayaks, bikes, snorkel / mask / fin; services of an expert bi-lingual guide throughout.

International airfare to and from Quito; round trip airfare from Quito to Galapagos (mandatory $410); entrance fee to the Galapagos ($100, subject to change); Galapagos Islands transit card fee ($10); meals not specified in the itinerary; cost of medical immunizations as needed; insurance of any kind; cost of optional activities; optional wet-suit for snorkeling; excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); alcoholic beverages or soft drinks; optional gratuities to your guides; items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate [3].  It contains a variety of activities including moderate hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding and sea kayaking.  Although not particularly strenuous, the entire hike in the Otavalo highlands is above 10,000' and, as a result, can be more tiring than expected.  In general, the island hiking is moderate in both length and terrain. We are not moving at a fast pace as our primary objective is to take time to enjoy the wildlife. The biking on Isabela Island is on relatively flat terrain (mostly unpaved roads). You can choose not to bike this portion.  Sea kayaking on San Cristobal and Santa Cruz is broken up with stops to take advantage of the snorkeling opportunities. 

Unlike most equatorial regions, the Galapagos are not humid and hot; they are typically dry with cooler temperatures.  From July to December (the cooler, drier months) the average maximum air temperature is between 74° - 80° with an average water temperature hovering around 70°.  From January to June (the warmer, wetter months) the average maximum air temperature is between 78° - 88° with and average water temperature hovering around 74°.  The Otavalo highlands maintain a pleasant 60°- 65° daytime average year round; June-September are the drier months.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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