Ecuador's jaw-dropping landscapes provide a haven for outdoor adventure. Of the many tours in Galapagos, this itinerary is geared for active explorers. Kayak with sea lions, hike active volcanic craters, horse ride through green wilderness, snorkel into a mystical Galapagos world, and share your journeys with incredible wildlife. Split across mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos, as this multisport adventure tour in Galapagos...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Quito - Relaxing Arrival to Ecuador
Flying over Quito can be a magical experience, snow-capped mountains glistening from the plane window as you touch down beside the first ever World Heritage Site. Get picked up from the airport as you descend into the city. 17th-century plazas dominate the serene city center, the perfect place for a relaxing drink and watching the world stroll by. Settle into the city and nip into its heritage buildings, like bishop's courtyards converted to cafes and the gold leaf interior of La Compania. The central streets are easy to explore on foot, and there's always a new building or cafe that grabs your attention. With so much adventure coming soon, today is simply about relaxing in the city and acclimatizing to the gentle atmosphere of the country.
What's Included:
Day 2
Quito - Hiking Pichincha Volcano
Day 3
Cuicocha Crater Lake - Mountain Biking Through the Highlands
Day 4
Imbabura - Biking Through the Villages of Yesteryear
Day 5 - 6
Imbabura - Horse Riding Adventures in Verdant Valleys
Day 7
Galapagos Islands - Dramatic Wildlife Introductions to the Galapagos
Day 8
Galapagos Islands - Bike, Kayak, and Snorkel San Cristobal
Day 9
Galapagos Islands - Snorkeling Adventures in the Eastern Galapagos
Day 10
Galapagos Islands - Hiking the Rim of the World's Second Most Active Caldera
Day 11
Galapagos Islands - Relaxed Day Filled with Galapagos Wildlife
Day 12
Galapagos Islands - Departure
Trip Highlights
- Hike along the rim of the world's second most active volcanic caldera, Sierra Negra in the Galapagos Islands
- Ride presidential horses through the Ecuadorian wilderness at Hacienda Zuleta, the private trails taking you into condor-filled valleys
- Explore the Galapagos Islands and come face to face with iconic wildlife like red-footed boobies, magnificent frigates, and fur seals
- Kayak through Pacific Ocean bays filled with sea lions, Galapagos penguins, and white-tip reef sharks
- Spend two days mountain biking through Imbabura, taking trails through ancient villages and dramatic mountain vistas
- Take snorkeling adventures through surreal tropical worlds and encounter the eclectic beauty of Galapagos marine life
- Wander up the slopes of Pichincha Volcano and gaze across at the exploding craters of the country's other volcanos
- Discover the wonder of the Galapagos by spending six days on three very diverse islands
Detailed Description
The Ecuadorian landscape revels in its primitive beauty. Volcanic craters spurt out the flames of fire, vast green valleys are graced by critically endangered condors, and marine worlds collide around the Galapagos Islands. It's a haven for outdoor adventures, as the possibilities are endless. In this multisport adventure tour in Galapagos, hiking trails take you to alpine peaks, kayaks are surrounded by playful sea lions, biking trails connect ancient villages, and horses gallop through vast natural reserves. Every trail is dotted with endemic scenes, whether it's the indigenous villages or the flamboyant nesting grounds of seabirds. While the theme of this vacation is adventure, the collection of luxury accommodation offers a complementary elegance and tranquility. From the snow-capped highlands to underwater reef walls, different activities offer different angles. Become immersed in an eclectic world, where each adventure provides a sublime slice of the country's disparate ecosystems. Consider reading for yourself what other travelers had to say about the breathtaking journeys they experienced in their Galapagos travel reviews.
Over these 12 days, you split your time between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. See the city of Quito from above as you hike Pichincha Volcano, a towering cone that also offers views onto the country's active volcanos. Head into the Andean Highlands and Imbabura on day three, where a two-day mountain bike trip connects ancient villages and staggering mountain vistas. Stop for coffee at quaint 18th-century plazas, meander into remote valleys, and discover an Ecuador that's far off the beaten trail. Rest the legs at Hacienda Zuleta, your base for nights four to six. This luxury accommodation was the weekend home of former Ecuadorian presidents, and its paddock of horses reflect discerning tastes. Choose your ride and enjoy two days of tailored horse riding through the hacienda's private reserve, with condors and spectacle bears found in the forests.
On day seven you fly to the Galapagos Islands where your time is split across three distinctive islands. Have a gentle introduction to the archipelago by visiting Punta Pitt, a world-famous birding site that's full of three booby species and magnificent frigates. You then hike, bike, and kayak across San Cristobal Island, an adventure that encounters giant tortoises, sea lions, and a huge array of the archipelago's iconic characters. Throughout these six Galapagos days, there are numerous snorkeling opportunities. Along the abundant reefs, you'll see a huge variety of tropical fish plus the greats of the ocean: rays, sea turtles, reef sharks, and even penguins.
Travel to Isabela Island on day nine where a unique highlight is to hike around the crater of the world's second most active volcano, Sierra Negra. Follow the trail to another active volcano and then admire how the lava flows blur into lush green highlands filled with giant tortoises. Dolphins and whales can be spotted from your lodge balcony, and there's further opportunity to kayak and snorkel in vibrant bays. Finish the trip on Santa Cruz Island, via a stopover at North Seymour. This is another of the Galapagos's most sublime wildlife spots and provides an endearing final memory of the trip.
Starting Price
$14,700 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.89 stars based on 28261 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
Although the trip had a few bumps, Zicasso’s travel agency was excellent to work with. Our travel agent was responsive, informative, and had an excellent app (which he improved upon before we went away). He checked in regularly to make sure everything went smoothly and took all the pain out of self-traveling, which was the whole idea!
Reviewed By Audrey B.
Five stars are not enough! From the moment we connected, Zicasso's travel agency curated the perfect trip from start to finish. It was almost as if they knew the ins and outs of my family and our desires; they knocked it out of the park.
Traveling with two teenage girls, accommodations were important to us. Our hotel choices were perfect, spacious, and centrally located. Every tour was perfect, curated, and personal.
As first-time international travelers, we were a bit anxious. We were constantly supported by the travel company, getting our questions answered immediately at all times of the day or night. We had the trip of our dreams and could not have done it without this amazing agency.
Our travel agent was a delight, a mind reader and a consummate professional. The most sincere appreciation to all on this stellar team. I will shout this agency's name to everyone I know planning a trip. Thank you!
Reviewed By Jennifer S.
All activities were very well planned and generally good choices. The tour guides were generally good, also. Our Zicasso travel company needs to review the night ghost tour. It was actually pretty terrible. Our group of about 25 didn’t enjoy themselves and, along with us, many left before the end.
The entire transportation plan was excellent and drivers were always on time and very polite. The accommodations at both hotels were excellent.
Thank you.
Reviewed By Francis S.
Zicasso's travel designer put together a trip that got us to the places we wanted to see, with companies that suited our abilities and desires. He offered excellent suggestions, was always available, and was a pleasure to work with.
Reviewed By Mark H.
This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.
Reviewed By Branson S.