Galapagos Islands Adventure Tours (trip)
Galapagos Islands Adventure Tours
- Airport, Ecuador near Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Active & Adventure
“"Every detail was taken care of and our local guides more than helpful." ”
| from $4,090* per person | 10 Days | Year-round |
| Simple accommodations | Exertion level: 4 | |
| Operator: ROW International | 12 people max | |
The Galapagos Islands have been a national park of Ecuador since 1959. Organized tourism began in the 1960's, and the Galapagos remains a far-flung and iconic destination. Because of their famed natural history and remarkable land and marine species, these remote islands are revered the world over. In the effort to preserve and protect the Galapagos, access to the islands is strictly regulated.
Most Galapagos Islands tours are cruise-based, carrying from 10 to 100 people. ROW's Galapagos tour, the only of its kind, allows our small groups to visit sites off the main tourist routes. And you'll travel in the most environmentally-friendly way imaginable - your own power. We walk and sea kayak where other more intrusive travel couldn't take us, and our reward is not only what we see, but also the pleasure we have in getting there. ROW's Galapagos adventure is the only that gives you the opportunity to camp on island beaches and to hike to the rim of a recently active volcano.
Few places on earth allow for such close contact with wildlife as the Galapagos Islands. Words simply cannot describe the intense wonder you experience while exploring these oceanic islands where the birds and animals have little fear of humans.
On this superlative Galapagos adventure you'll play in the water with sea lions, get within a few feet of blue footed boobies, marine iguanas and the giant Galapagos tortoises. You'll watch pelicans and boobies dive for fish, snorkel in transparent water rich with sea-life and even swim with sharks, if you dare.
Our stable and speedy expedition sea kayaks are for one or two paddlers and specifically equipped for the conditions we encounter in the Galapagos. All kayaking portions of the trip are supported by a panga, or small launch, that ensures everyone's comfort and safety while on the water. Although we recommend that participants have some paddling experience, we begin each Galapagos sea kayaking trip with practice and safety instruction. ROW's camping sites are approved by the park service, and we strictly adhere to leave-no-trace camping ethics in all excursions.
Our Galapagos Islands tour takes us to five islands for a wealth of wildlife and ecosystem diversity. Every journey is more than its destination, and we are thrilled to offer a Galapagos adventure unlike any other.
If you need to purchase some gear before your trip, ROW has assembled the more common items at our ROWear online store, hosted by New Headings.
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Locations visited/nearby
Galapagos islands , galapagos , Santa Cruz , Isabela , San Cristobal , Baltra , Kicker Rock , Sierra Negra , North Seymour , South Seymour , Cerro Brujo , Puerto Baquerizo Moreno , Puerto Villamil , Tintoreras , Los Tuneles , Isla Lobos, Ecuador, South America
2 testimonials about this trip
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Reviewer: A. Labetta
located in
Boston,
MA
USA
"Every detail was taken care of and our local guides more than helpful."
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Reviewer: R. Hughes
located in
Los Angeles,
CA
USA
"From Santa Cruz to Isabela and every place in between, this was a priceless experience and ROW is to be congratulated for such an innovative itinerary."
0 testimonials about the provider, ROW International:
Itinerary
DAY 1 – Depart home, arrive Guayaquil. Most flights arrive in the evening and a representative will meet you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel.DAY 2 – Along with your ROW Adventures guide, take a morning flight from Guayaquil to San Cristobal, the first of the Galapagos Islands on our trip. This is also our first chance to get in the kayaks and meet some local wildlife. Next we take a catamaran to our beach camp to settle in and enjoy watching sea lions, blue footed boobies and more as the sun sets.
DAY 3 - Today we will take our kayaks and we will paddle from our camp to Manglecito, it will take 2 to 3 hours depending on the weather conditions. Manglecito is a great place for bird watching. After kayaking we will enjoy some beach time. Afterwards we will continue by boat to Isla Lobos, Kicker Rock and if we have time we will visit Cerro Brujo, this is an amazing day of snorkeling when we see Galapagos and white tipped reef shark, eagle rays and swim with the ever playful sea lions. Late afternoon we will be returning to relax on the beach and enjoy our last night at camp.
DAY 4 – This morning we take an early morning walk before heading to the airport to fly to the island of Isabela and check into our beachfront hotel. After lunch we visit the small island of Tintoreras. This island is a unique volcanic formation. You'll see young marine iguanas and white-tipped reef sharks.
DAY 5 – Today we see a very different view of the Galapagos when we drive to the highlands and begin our hike of Isabela’s Sierra Negra. This active volcano last erupted in 2005 and has the second largest caldera in the world with a diameter of approximately six and a half miles. The hike can vary from 8-14 miles and includes viewing the spectacular caldera and incredible lava formations. After the hike enjoy some time on the beach or in town relaxing.
DAY 6 – In the morning, weather permitting, we’ll take a boat for roughly an hour to Los Tuneles: the most curious and remarkable lava formation which consists of arches and caves. We’ll walk along the shore and also snorkel in crystal clear water for an insight into the remarkable underwater world. We’ll have lunch and then head back into town. If we have time, we will visit the Tortoise Breeding Center, an initiative of the National Park for the conservation of Isabela’s tortoises. We will come back to the hotel walking through the beautiful white sand beach of Puerto Villamil.
DAY 7 – After an early breakfast we take an inter-island flight to Baltra. When we arrive we will immediately set out on a unique boat ride with a former fisherman to Daphne Major. Here you will visit an extraordinary site that not many people get a chance to see. Daphne is home to Darwin Finches, Galapagos Martins, Blue-footed and Masked Boobies. After 25 minutes of navigation you will disembark and enjoy a beautiful beach for more snorkeling. After a full day of adventure we arrive in Puerto Ayora and check into our waterfront hotel.
DAY 8 – A short 1 hour boat trip takes us to the island of Santa Fe, home of one of the most beautiful coves in all of the Galapagos. Feral goats were eradicated from Santa Fe in 1971 and a number of endemic species have thrived since then including the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, rice rats, numerous finches and the Galapagos Mocking bird. We take the opportunity to snorkel here and are often joined by the playful sea lion pups. The fluorescent fish make for great snorkeling as do the submerged rocks where the sea turtles and manta rays hang out.
Sail to Tortuga Bay, which is a beautiful, very fine white-sand beach, where you can relax and enjoy an outstanding sunset. Hopefully we will see the sea turtles that gave the bay its name! We will then return to Puerto Ayora to enjoy some free time before meeting for a sundowner on the waterfront deck.
DAY 9 – Return to Guayaquil from Baltra where the main airport is, originally an air base built by the US Navy during WW II, this is a small, low island separated from the northwest corner of Santa Cruz by the narrow Itabaca Channel. Enjoy a Farewell dinner. Overnight in Guayaquil
DAY 10 – Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or continue your travels.
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