Scuba diving with wales in the Galapagos, Ecuador

Multisport Outdoors Adventure in Ecuador and Galapagos Tour

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Galapagos / Ecuador

Places Visited

Quito, Pichincha Volcano, Otavalo, Cuicocha Crater Lake...

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Suggested Duration

12 Days

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

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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

$11,695 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

4.88 stars based on 210 reviews.

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