Galapagos Islands Adventure Tours

Overview

ROW's Galapagos Islands adventure tour is a unique land-based program that includes a wide variety of activities. It is the only Galapagos Islands vacation that includes two nights camping on the islands. It provides a holistic view of the Galapagos ecosystems including the human element that is very much a part of the landscape. The trip includes sea kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and amazing wildlife viewing. Because we stay in small, local hotels, eat most meals at local restaurants, use local transport and services and buy all our supplies in the Islands, this trip represents the best in responsible, sustainable tourism to the Galapagos.

The Galapagos Islands are one of a few places on earth that allow for such intimate contact with a dazzling array of wildlife. Most Galapagos Islands tours are cruise-based and carry between 20-100 people. ROW’s journey, the only one of its kind, allows a small 12-person group to visit sites that are not on the main tourist routes. And our multisport trip travels in an environmentally-friendly manner–by your own power. You'll leave the crowds of visitors and well-worn paths behind to enjoy the peace of walking, snorkeling and paddling your way through this island paradise.

This Galapagos Island trip was featured in the New York Times Travel Section January 8, 2006. You will find the article entitled "Galapagos Unbound" by Tim Neville here at Galapagos Islands Tour. While the original itinerary has been modified somewhat since that time, the essence of the adventure has not changed. Our expert local guides work alongside Park Service certified guides to bring you a superlative Galapagos multisport adventure.

These trips are priced based on the number of guests per trip. Roll-over the trip name below for the tier price breakdown.

         

• Trip Duration: 11 Days
• Intensity: Easy
• Season: January - December
• Begins in: Quito, Ecuador
• Ends in: Quito, Ecuador

Details

Galapagos Islands Tours

ROW's Galapagos Islands Adventure Tour, "Galapagos Unbound", is a multisport vacation and the first of its kind offered in this tropical archipelago. This trip gets you off the typical cruise ship-based Galapagos tour and allows you to see the diverse wildlife and scenery of these islands from behind a paddle. Snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking through the Galapagos delivers a more intimate journey of this incredible island chain.

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.

Itinerary

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TOUR

DAY 1 – Depart home, arrive Quito, UNESCO World Heritage city, capital of Ecuador. Most flights arrive in the evening and a representative willmeet you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel.

DAY 2 – With an expert guide, enjoy a guided walking tour of Quito’s colonial city center followed by a taste of local cuisine at a traditional restaurant. After a free afternoon to explore further or to do some last minute shopping join your trip leader for a group orientation meeting.

DAY 3 – Along with your ROW Adventures guide, take a morning flight from Quito 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 4 – After breakfast we head for Cerro Brujo, Kicker Rock and finally Isla Lobos, 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. After lunch we take a three hour kayak trip before returning to relax on the beach and enjoy our last night of camping.

DAY 5 – 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 spend the afternoon visiting the Tortoise Breeding Center and the marshlands where the mangroves are home to many migratory birds and beautiful pink flamingoes. Enjoy a stroll along the spectacular white sandy beach before dinner.

DAY 6 – 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 7 – Today sees another great snorkeling and wildlife viewing day. We take a boat ride to Los Tuneles, a remarkable formation of lava tunnels. The water is crystal clear so we can view the sea turtles and marine life from above as well as snorkel through the tunnels to get an even closer look. After lunch we head to Tintoreras, a unique volcanic island, home to young marine iguanas and white tipped reef sharks.

DAY 8 – After an early breakfast we take a two and a half hour boat ride to Santa Cruz Island and check into our waterfront hotel. From here we kayak to Punta Estrada where the water is calm and shallow and we can watch the rays, mullet and sharks swim along the rocky coastline. We continue to Tortuga Bay to watch the sunset from this beautiful white sandy beach.

DAY 9 – Today we take the only road across the island to Canal de Itabaca, enjoying the contrasting scenery from the coast to the highlands. We join our boat for the trip to North Seymour, home to the magnificent frigate bird with its beautiful, red heart shaped pouch. The frigate birds share the islands nesting grounds with blue footed boobies, albatross and the Galapagos land iguana amongst others. After lunch on the boat, snorkel in the channel with the many species of tropical fish, rays and marine life. A visit to Bachas beach completes the day.

DAY 10 – Our last day on the islands takes us to the Galapagos highlands to visit perhaps the islands’ most famous resident; the giant Galapagos Tortoise. Weighing up to 500 pounds these gentle giants are scattered all over the islands. In the afternoon we take our flight back to Quito for overnight and a final dinner with the group.

DAY 11 – Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or continue your travels.

Consider our Ecuador Hacienda Extension or Amazon Jungle Lodge trips to lengthen your stay in this fine country.

ROW Difference

The ROW Difference on Galapagos Islands Tours

• Trips limited to just 12 guests
• Expert bilingual tour leaders in addition to Park Service Certified Naturalist guides lead our trips
• Accommodations in locally-owned, high quality beach-front boutique hotels
• The only Galapagos Adventure that includes two nights camping on the islands
• All top-quality camping gear provided
• All appropriate camping gear included
• All airport transfers included
• We follow "Leave No Trace" camping practices
• Visit sites off the beaten path
• The original Galapagos multisport featured in the New York Times
• Strong Responsible Travel Actions (see below)

Responsible Travel

We are proud that our Galapagos Islands Tours have a significant and beneficial economic impact in the Galapagos Islands and we leave a large percentage of the trip fee on the Islands.

• We stay in local hotels, eat in local restaurants, hire local guides and buy all our trip provisions and food in the Galapagos. This is sometimes quite challenging as what is available changes from week to week, but we believe in the importance of contributing to the local economy as much as possible. On the Island of Isabela we include a visit to the Pescado Azul Women’s Association whose principal objective is to increase the quality of life of fishermen and their families in the community of Puerto Villamil. The business provides a sustainable economic alternative for these women and the 200 fishermen who lack full time employment on the island. We buy their delicious smoked tuna pâté and other items to serve on our trips.
• Our trips also offer an excellent opportunity for our guests to interact with locals, providing a cultural element that hardly exists on yacht based trips. If you have an interest in understanding how the local human population lives in the Galapagos, you will gain many insights on this ROW adventure.
• On each island, we also hire the services of local boat owners and tour operators who support our trips in various ways. Some of these operators are local fishermen who are currently transitioning their livelihood from fishing to tourism. This is a goal that the National Park Service fully supports in order to better protect the marine life of the Galapagos, as well as better diversify the local economy. The Park Service has recently created special provisions to encourage fishermen to make this transition and we are glad to be able to help make this a reality for some of them.
• We have helped our local dive and support boat operators to finance the conversion of their boats from 2 stroke to 4 stroke engines making them more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.