Galapagos Adventurer Backpacker 9D

Upon arrival to San Cristobal Galapagos airport, make your own way to the hotel. 

In the afternoon your Galapagos Adventure begins! Accompanied by an English speaking surf instructor you will receive a short theory class to learn about safety, the rules of surf, tides, currents, types of waves, and the different parts of the board and accessories. Now you are ready for the practical surf lesson, where we teach you how to position yourself on the board, how to stand on it, how to catch a wave, read their movement, and practise different moves on your board. Our specialized surf guides are certified with ISA (International Surf Association), and they are also certified lifeguards.

Tour duration: 3 Hours / Type: This is a privately organized tour

Today you´ll go on a fun snorkel trip to the famous Kicker Rock. In the morning we sail to the Kicker Rock for about an hour and a half. The Kicker Rock is an ancient volcanic rock which was shaped by erosion throughout thousands of years. There are two enormous rocks that stick out of the ocean to a height of approximately 148m (486 ft). Between these rocks there is a beautiful channel which is great for snorkeling. On the rocks, you can see blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, and sea Lions. Under water, you can see hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays and schools of tropical fish. 

The Kicker Rock tour also includes a visit to one of the secluded white sand beaches north on the island of San Cristobal. One of the following beaches is visited: Manglecito, Puerto Grande, or Cerro Brujo. The choice between these three options depends on the Galapagos National Park authorities. On the beach the guide will take you on a short walk, and if time allows you can go for a swim or do some snorkeling. 

Tour duration: 6-7 Hours / Type: This is a shared tour service

A fun morning on your own Stand Up Paddleboard. We launch our SUPs from the Playa Mann and start making our way paddling towards Las Tijeretas. The waters are perfectly clear so you can admire the tropical fish, sea lions, rays, sea turtles and other marine life as we paddle along the northern coast of San Cristobal island. On the rocks at Las Tijeretas we have the opportunity to get close to frigate birds and blue footed boobies.

Tour duration: 2 Hours / Type: This is a shared tour service

In the afternoon, you ́ll take the speedboat to Santa Cruz Island.

Today you will enjoy an exhilarating biking adventure on the incredible island of Santa Cruz. After a short briefing from the tour leader about security and checking of equipment, the trip starts with a moderate climb over the hills to the highlands where your first stop is at the Twin Craters. You can walk the trail around these beautiful craters which is an idea place to see different species of Darwin’s Finches.

The adventure then continues towards the El Chato reserve – this is the best place in Galapagos to see the Giant Tortoises living in the wild. You can walk the trails and visit a lava tunnel. From here the biking tour continues downhill all the way back to Puerto Ayora passing by the neighborhoods of Santa Rosa and Bellavista. 

Tour duration: 4 Hours / Type: This is a privately organized tour

In the afternoon, you can enjoy free time for souvenir shopping at the excellent boutiques in Puerto Ayora town, as well as superb dining & nightlife.

Today you have the opportunity to discover one of the uninhabited islands on a navigable excursion. The tour includes a guided hike on the island and some time for snorkeling, with lunch on board the yacht. The exact destination depends upon daily availability, but will be one of the following options:

Bartolome: the site of the iconic Galapagos landscape of Pinnacle Rock, where you can take your perfect photo. You do have to climb 364 steps to get here, but the reward is immense. Along the way you can see lava fumaroles, and enjoy the incredible lunar style landscape. With a bit of luck, you may also see the world´s only tropical penguin here! After the land visit, you´ll have time to explore the amazing underwater wildlife while snorkeling.

North Seymour: One of the best islands for Galapagos birdlife, where you can see Frigate Birds, swallow tailed gulls and the famous Blue Footed Boobies who nest here. With red colored soil and red carpet vine growing on the island the scenery is exotic. Another interesting species found on North Seymour is the Land Iguana, a unique species from the ones seen on other islands.

South Plazas: This small but scenic island has a fantastic concentration of wildlife, from Sea Lions to Land Iguana´s and many bird species, including Frigate Birds, Lava Gulls and Red-Billed Tropicbirds. The dramatic cliffs, blue seas and spectacular natural red-carpet of algae make the scenery of this island particularly pretty.

Santa Fe: A very diverse island with a beautiful white sand beach where Sea Lions bask in the sun. The island is covered with huge cactus trees, food for the Land Iguana population that is endemic to this Santa Fe. The walk up is quite rocky buy you´ll be rewarded with stunning views at the top. Santa Fe is also considered one of the best snorkeling sites in Galapagos where sharks are often seen!

Tour duration: 7-8 Hours / Type: This is a shared organized tour

In the morning you will take the speedboat to Isabela Island.

Our guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the pier. Where, after a short briefing you will start paddling at the bay where you can enjoy the local wildlife. On the way you can observe penguins, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, iguanas Marinas, sea turtles, sea lions, eagle rays and sometimes Sharks "Tintoreras" juveniles.

Tour duration: 2 Hours / Type: This is a shared tour service

Free time in the evening to enjoy the spectacular sunset, & explore the small town.

An incredible hiking trip that is all about landscapes and volcanoes! A 45-minute bus ride will first take you to the start point of the hike. A guided 4 to 5 hours return trek takes you up to the summit of the active Sierra Negra volcano for wonderful views into one of the largest craters in the world. This approx. 12 km hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual. Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep.

Descending further you can visit Volcan Chico, to witness the incredible landscape of smouldering cones and craters formed by various past eruptions; it literally feels like you're walking on the moon!

If you decide to only visit the first viewpoint of Sierra Negra and not continue to Volcan Chico, this trip takes just 2-3 hours. 

Tour duration: 5 Hours / Type: This is a shared organized tour service

In the afternoon you have free time to explore the island on your own.

So you could kick-back and relax on the beautiful white-sand beach, or take a leisurely bike ride to the Wall of Tears – this cycling path goes past a series of lagoons and bays on the southern coast, taking in a variety of wildlife such as various bird species (finches, mockingbirds, frigates and occasionally blue footed boobies), marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, and you may also see the famous Galapagos Giant Tortoises wandering around.

The trail also includes a few look-out points to enjoy stunning views of the coastline, and finally the chance to see the Wall of Tears – a 100m long wall of tragic historical significance, built by Ecuadorian prisoners during the 1940s and 50s, many of whom dies during the construction of the wall due to the awful conditions in which they were forced to work.

A boat ride of about an hour and a half takes you to Tuneles; this is a fascinating landscape of huge collapsed ava tunnels. You begin on land where blue footed boobies often nest. Afterwards you will enjoy superb snorkeling at Cabo Rosa - this is one of the very best snorkel sites in Galapagos! White tipped reef sharks, green marine turtles, sting rays, sea lions, eagle rays and even sea horses are regularly seen here!

Tour duration: 5 Hours / Type: This is a shared tour service

An early morning inter-island speedboat will take you back to Santa Cruz.