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13 days Students Galapagos Volunteer Multisport Adventure
(Sea Kayaking, Mountain biking, Hiking, Snorkeling, and Horseback Riding) Level: Moderate ASGA-13
The ultimate student adventure in the world’s most exclusive destination. The Galapagos Islands, home to unique flora and fauna are also threatened by growing invasive species. Through this program students can contribute to help eradicate and repopulate the islands with native species, but will also learn about the magic of these islands through amazing wildlife encounters, natural history, biology and adventure activities such as: kayaking, mountain biking, trekking, snorkeling, and horseback riding.
DAY 1: TRANSFER AND HIKE IN SAN CRISTOBAL We pick you up in the morning to board your flight to San Cristobal Island. After our welcome briefing and lunch at a local restaurant, we will hike out of town to visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, where we will learn about the natural history and evolution of the unique species in the enchanted islands. Later we will hike to Frigate Hill along trails of lava rock for splendid views of the coastline and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. In the evening, the group will be briefed on the structure and activities of the volunteer program. (L,D) DAY 2 - 6: VOLUNTEERING AT THE SAN CRISTOBAL BIOLOGICAL STATION One of the main objectives of the station is to develop the technology to repopulate native habitat in the island’s highlands and to serve as a center for similar projects on other populated islands in the Galapagos chain. Native highland habitat is threatened due to farming activities and invasive species from the mainland such as tropical cedar and cinchona. For this purpose the Foundation has established a Plant Conservation Center for the production of native plant species. The Station is a 200 hectare site that works collaboratively with local landowners to develop clean agricultural alternatives for the production of vegetables and fruits to be sold to local restaurants and hotels. Volunteers will work on both the habitat restoration and agricultural components while at the reserve. In addition, your tour leader and Station staff will lead volunteers on various destination hikes throughout the reserve and nearby locations to explain the ecological and human dynamic of Galapagos. The accommodations are rustic, with 11 large shared rooms and meals will be provided through the program. In the afternoon of day 6, we will farewell our volunteer coordinators and head down to town for dinner and overnight at local hotel. DAY 7: SEA KAYAK PLAYA OCHOA AND SNORKEL AT LEON DORMIDO We slip into our ocean kayaks and spend the morning paddling along the coast, going north exploring bays and coves with lots of wildlife. Darwin Bay is a very interesting site where the Beagle landed for the first time. This route is filled with sea lions, marine turtles, blue footed boobies and frigate birds. Once we reach Playa Ochoa we continue on to nearby Isla Lobos on the look-out for marine iguanas and where we swim to enjoy the best sea lion encounters in the entire archipelago. Our final challenge for the day is to reach Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone whose flanks are home to thousands of sea birds. Leon Dormido offers excellent snorkelling, and for certified divers, one of the best dives in the Islands. There is a good chance of seeing hammerhead and white tipped sharks, eagle and golden rays, as well as dozens of species of tropical fish, clams, starfish and marine invertebrates. In the afternoon we return to our hotel for our last evening in San Cristobal. (B, L, D) DAY 8: SNORKEL IN DEVIL’S CROWN AND FLOREANA HIKE We transfer from San Cristobal to Floreana, on our way we stop at the Devil’s Crown which is an incredible snorkelling site, an underwater tuff cone full of marine life, corals, anemones, barnacles, sponges and many other animals and colourful fish schools. After this swim, we will arrive to Puerto Velasco Ibarra to check in at our beachfront hotel that belongs to the historic Wittmer family. The Wittmer residence offers a very interesting museum about the first colonizers in Floreana. In the afternoon, we explore the area by foot, through lava rocks in search of bird life and abundant colonies of sea lions. (B, L, D) DAY 9: HIKE IN FLOREANA HIGHLANDS AND TRANSFER TO ISABELA This morning we will explore the highlands in Floreana and some of it’s historical ruins. The highlands are a living testimony of the first inhabitants of the island, where we find rooms carved on sedimentary formations. The highlands also offer beautiful landscapes, forest and endemic species, as this is the only place where you can see the Medium Tree Finch and the Floreana Scalesia. We will also visit a small tortoise reserve at the end of this scenic hike. After lunch, we will travel by boat to Isabela Island which is the largest Island in the archipelago, formed by 6 shield volcanoes - Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. All of these volcanoes except one remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. We will hike around the brackish lagoons in search of shore birds and the greater flamingo that is one of the most majestic birds of the islands. After our hike return to our hotel for dinner and relaxation. (B, L, D) DAY 10: HIKE AND SHORELINE EXPLORATION IN ISABELA This day we explore the many lakes and wildlife sites in Isabela Island, we use a scenic road that leads us all the way to “The Wall of Tears”. We will also visit the giant tortoises breading center to learn about the conservation of the Cerro Azul and Sierra Negra species. We explore the bay in search of the endemic Galapagos penguin and follow a trail along the coastline to observe dramatic lava formations and several colonies of sea lions. The local mangroves and salty lagoons feature the mangrove finch, endemic to Isabela. We can also spot American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos and many other shore species. In the afternoon, we will snorkel in the bay and have time to relax on this exotic white sand beach. The evening is spent in the tranquil port town of Puerto Villamil. (B, L, D) DAY 11: HORSEBACK RIDING AND HIKING IN ISABELA From Puerto Villamil, we head up to the highlands where our horses will be saddled to begin a 6 miles (9 km) ride until we reach the rim of the Sierra Negra. Sierra Negra is the second largest caldera in the world. From this point, you will have fantastic views of the 6 x 5 mile wide caldera, as well as the other Isabela volcanoes and the Perry Isthmus and beyond. From here we hike to the Chico Volcano, which offers puffing fumaroles and out-of-this-world lava formations, examples of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galapagos Islands over millennia. In the late afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil. (B, L, D) DAY 12: SANTA CRUZ CHARLES DARWIN STATION AND TORTUGA BAY After breakfast, we take a fast boat to Santa Cruz, after lunch we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about other conservation and management efforts in the archipelago. Afterwards, we hike to Tortuga Bay (optional) which is about 6 kilometers roundtrip. Tortuga Bay is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the Archipelago, reached on a trail through a dry forest habitat. We return to Puerto Ayora in the late afternoon to spend the evening at leisure for dinner in the Galapagos’ most populous town. (B, L, D) DAY 13: SANTA CRUZ, TRANSFER OUT In the morning transfer by bus to Baltra Island for our flight back to the continent. An optional, one or more day diving tour extension is highly recommended. (B) INCLUDED: Accommodations in tourist, first class and tourist superior hotels, meals as described, adventure and protective equipment, professional English speaking guide, land and sea transportation. NOT INCLUDED: Airfare to/from Galapagos (subject to change) Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (subject to change), hotel & restaurant dinners, beverages, tips or gratuities and personal expenses. IMPORTANT: This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last minute weather conditions and adjustment of Galapagos National Park policy. IMPORTANT FACTS: BOAT TRAVEL TIME: 2-3 hours per crossing PADDLE OR ACTIVITY DURATION: 2-4 hours each day SEASON: All year ALTITUDE: Sea level to 600 m. WEATHER TEMPERATURES: December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF/ 15ºC to 25ºC WATER TEMPERATURE: The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF. SUGGESTED: Water sandals, rain jacket, flashlight, water bottle, non-cotton trekking gear, sun block, hat and mosquito repellent.
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