Ecuador - Galapagos Multisport

Lost World Adventures itineraries can be tailor-made according to your plans and preferences: budget, hotel selections, travel dates, optional excursions, length of trip, etc.

Day 1: Interpretation Center, Hike and Snorkel Tijeretas

Morning flight to the San Cristobal Airport on San Cristobal Island. You’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel. After lunch and a brief introduction, the journey begins at the Galapagos Interpretation Center to learn about the unique wildlife, geology, history, and social dynamics of the Galapagos.

After the visit, you hike with your guide to Tijeretas along natural trails formed of lava rocks. The path is surrounded by native plants like Galapagos cotton, palo santo, acacia, and cacti. You will spot blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, herons, gulls, warblers, mockingbirds, and finches in the vegetation and sea cliffs.

Your guide will interpret this amazing flora and fauna in the context of the natural history just learned. You will enjoy scenic views of the rugged coastline and the tranquil town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Cool off from the hike with a refreshing snorkeling session at postcard-worthy Carola Beach, surrounded by sea turtles, sea lions, and marine iguanas, and bask in the setting sun. After dinner, you’ll explore the friendly, laid-back beach town and stroll down the boardwalk to visit the neighboring colony of Galapagos sea lions.

Lunch and dinner included.

Day 2: Kayak and Snorkel in San Cristobal’s Northern Coast.

Your second day begins with a morning of kayaking along the coastal bays and coves of San Cristobal’s north coast, full of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, sea lions, and sea turtles. You may visit Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), Punta Pitt or Cerro Brujo.

The visiting site will depend on the day of the week and Galapagos National Park regulations. We’ll put on snorkeling gear and swim with sea lions, marine iguanas and countless reef fish. You’ll swim with spotted eagle rays, golden rays, Galapagos sharks, starfish, and fish of every shape, size, and color.

With luck, you may even see some menacing but harmless hammerhead sharks! After a full day spent exploring the seas, head back to the hotel for a delicious dinner and a well-earned rest.

All meals included.

Day 3: Bike the coastline, explore Tintoreras Islets

After breakfast, say goodbye to San Cristobal and take a short flight by small plane to Isabela Island. Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos and is still being formed by six active shield volcanoes. In fact, Isabela is one of the most volcanically active spots on the planet.

Upon arrival, embark on a bike ride that will take you through a wide variety of environments and ecosystems. Along the way, you’ll pass white sand beaches, mangrove forests and brackish lagoons, and a lava tube cave. As you ride, you’ll pass giant tortoises, flamingos and other wildlife.

At the end of the ride, you arrive at el Muro de las Lagrimas (the Wall of Tears). When Isabela was used as a penal colony, prisoners were forced to construct this towering wall of lava rocks for no other reason than to keep them distracted from the madness of isolation.

After lunch, explore Tintoreras, a set of small islets filled with hidden coves and beaches.

Here, you will find the peculiar, endemic Galapagos penguin and other marine life. At the end of the day, retire to your hotel. After a gourmet dinner, you can enjoy the well-appointed lounge or wander the idyllic sand streets of Puerto Villamil. All meals included.

Day 4: Volcano Hiking in Isabela’s Highlands

This morning, drive up the flanks of the Sierra Negra Volcano to the end of the road. Continue on foot and hike into a surreal world of geological history.

On the hike up, you can admire incredible views of the surrounding volcanoes and sea, as well as the distinctive highland ecosystem around you. But the real prize is at the top – when you arrive at the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano, you are treated to a truly breathtaking vista.

Sierra Negra is the second largest active caldera on the planet, over six miles at its widest point. You’ll hike the rim of this enormous crater and, if you feel energetic, continue on to the caldera of Volcan Chico, an otherworldly landscape of vibrant hues created by sulfur deposits.

Here you can explore spectacular lava formations and fumaroles. After a stop at an idyllic tortoise reserve for lunch, you’ll head back to the lowlands in time to spend your last afternoon on Isabela relaxing on the idyllic beaches and soaking up the island-life atmosphere. All meals included.

Day 5: Hike the Santa Cruz Highlands

Wake up with the sea breeze, have breakfast, then travel by speedboat to Santa Cruz Island, keeping an eye out for whales and dolphins along the way.

After checking in at the hotel head to El Chato in the Santa Cruz Highlands to find the famous giant tortoise in its natural habitat. It is truly an honor to walk in the stately presence of these gentle giants, who can live to be over 175 years old. Here you will see pintail ducks, Darwin’s finches, frigate birds, egrets, and the vermillion flycatcher.

The next stop is the incredible lava tunnels, which formed an ideal hideout for the pirates that once frequented the Galapagos. Legend has it that they were also used to hide Inca gold stolen from Spanish ships. You then hike on to Los Gemelos, two deep volcanic sinkholes at the top of the island, with rocky cliffs surrounding the huge pits of empty magma chambers.

The path takes you through a forest of endemic Scalesia trees, where you will be on the lookout for the elusive short-eared owl. The trees are covered with ferns and epiphytes and lend the forest a quiet, eerie feel. All meals included.

Day 6: Kayak Lava Wall Channels, Hike to Tortuga Bay

This morning, you’ll head back to sea in kayaks to explore the unique landscape of Punta Estrada and Divine Bay. As you paddle through channels beneath towering lava walls, you can see rays and white-tipped reef sharks below in the serene, clear water.

You can paddle right up to the fearless blue-footed boobies, lava gulls, herons, sally lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas perched along the cliffs.

After lunch, you’ll take a short hike through a distinctive dry forest to Tortuga Bay. Along the hike, you will find many interesting birds and plants. You emerge from the forest onto Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos, with soft, fine sand and pristine turquoise waters, perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

As evening comes, you’ll return to your waterfront hotel to celebrate a wonderful trip and celebrate your last evening in the Galapagos. If there is enough time you’ll stop for a visit at the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn from local scientists about the ongoing conservation efforts on these enchanted islands. The Research Station rears endemic plants, land iguanas, and giant tortoises for educational, scientific, and conservation purposes.

Here, you can learn more about the diverse evolutionary paths and characteristics of the animals and plants that we just met. All meals included.

Day 7: Transfer to Baltra’s Airport

After breakfast, transfer to the airport on Baltra Island for your return flight to the mainland and bid a fond farewell to the Galapagos. Breakfast included.