Survival of the Fittest: Hiking, Biking & Water Sports on the Galápagos Islands

At leisure. Check in at the hotel, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

8:00 a.m. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Travel and transfers will be via air-conditioned bus (with several steps) unless specified otherwise. The bus does not have a restroom on board; however, there will be stops at least every two hours for program activities, meals, and/or basic rest stops to break up longer travel times. Meals will feature local cuisine. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Next, we will ride to Laguna Eco Park for a kayaking field trip. After we attend a safety briefing and demonstration by a kayaking expert, we will join our Group Leader in a Yug Do session (stretching exercises utilizing a bamboo pole). We will then launch our kayaks and begin paddling. Our Group Leader and a local expert will help us with our form and provide commentary on the many beautiful birds we might encounter on our way. Some lowland dry forest species we hope to see include the Collared Antshrike, Baird's Flycatcher, Gray-backed Hawk, and the Great Green Macaw.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch we will ride back to the hotel in order to change clothes and freshen up. Next, we will ride to Guayaquil's resurrected Malecon where we'll accompany our Group Leader on a walking exploration of the waterfront and its historic areas. During the late 1990s Guayaquil and it's riverfront underwent a miraculous transformation, from seedy commercial port to cultural landmark. The Malecon is a fitting symbol of this revitalization effort and continues to draw visitors to its restored historic buildings, gardens, museums, stores, and restaurants.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure. Prepare for a morning check out and flight to the Galapagos Islands.

At the hotel.

After check out, we'll board the bus and ride to the airport to check in for our flight to the Galapagos Islands. Our Guayaquil Group Leader will assist with check-in procedures and bid us farewell at the airport as we proceed through security and get ready to embark on our flight. Upon arrival to the Galápagos Islands, we'll deplane onto the tarmac then walk to the airport building to complete immigration procedures. Once we collect our luggage and meet the Galapagos Group Leader, we will board a bus to the Itabaca Channel and then embark on the ferry service to Santa Cruz Island. Upon reaching Santa Cruz we will disembark from the ferry and board the waiting bus that will transport us to a microbrewery--the first of its kind on the island--to participate in a tasty introduction to the local operation. We will learn from a staff member about the history of the brewery and its approach to beer-making, plus we will discover what aspects of that location on the island make it a prime spot for beer making. Best of all, our visit will include the opportunity to sample some of the brews!

At the brewery restaurant.

Returning to the bus, we will ride a short distance to a Galapagueño artisan's workshop to gain insight into the carving techniques and artistic process involved in capturing the essence of local plants and wildlife in cedrella wood. Next, we'll reboard the bus and ride on to our lodge for check in. We'll have some time to settle into our rooms and freshen up before we regroup with our Group Leader for an orientation to the lodge. The Galapagos Magic is situated in the highlands and has sweeping views of Santa Cruz as well as neighboring islands. We will walk around the grounds to familiarize ourselves with the property and to learn about the lodge's conservation efforts. Ranching helps to support many local families; unfortunately, it also leads to deforestation to make pastures for livestock. The loss of habitat threatens the survival of many species including the Island’s most famous resident; the giant tortoise. Giant tortoises are only found in the Galápagos Islands and a small archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The Galapagos Magic has dedicated 12 of their 30 hectares to a forest restoration and wildlife sanctuary project that promotes giant tortoise conservation on Santa Cruz and helps to support the hundreds of giant tortoises that wander peacefully around the property. During our stroll around the lodge, we will search out giant tortoises to get up close and personal with one of the Galapagos’ most beloved residents. We'll continue our walk, making our way to a viewing platform to watch the sunset and wind down.

At the lodge.

At leisure. Our Group Leader will brief us on tomorrow's cruise itinerary and provide recommendations on clothing and items to bring.

At the lodge.

We'll ride a bus to the dock to begin today's cruise to a nearby island (route to be revealed by our Group Leader the day before). The sites visited on our cruise will be dependent on the Galapagos national park's allowances for this day and are subject to change at their discretion. Cruises typically visit one of the following: North Seymour, Santa Fe & Plazas Islands, or Bartolome. Upon reaching our island site, we'll tender ashore for a naturalist-led walk to learn about resident flora, fauna, and interesting geological formations. We'll round out our cruise with some snorkeling. Bartolome's visitor site has a long wooden walkway of 375 steps that rise 374 feet up to a lookout point overlooking Pinnacle Rock. During the climb it's possible to see volcanic formations such as lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. In addition to marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla and various cacti, the rocky coast is favored by Galapagos Penguins. North Seymour's trails pass through the island's large nesting colony of Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Other highlights include the endemic Palo Santo tree, sea lions, marine iguanas, and land iguanas. Santa Fe offers great opportunities for both land explorations and snorkeling. Iconic opuntia cacti dot the arid landscape; some specimens can reach upwards of 30 feet! The highlands are home to endemic Santa Fe iguanas and the beach is a sea lion hangout. S. Plaza is a prime location for observing seabirds and sunbathing sea lions on the rocky shores, while the cactus forest is a nesting ground for resident land iguanas. Each of the islands and marine sites we might be assigned to visit on today’s cruise are unique in their geological history, landscapes, and ecosystems. Whether we visit an older or younger island, each is representative of a different stage in the archipelago’s development and provides further insight into the evolution of its diverse plant and animal lifeforms.

On board the yacht.

Concluding our activities we will navigate back to Santa Cruz and board a bus for the ride back to our lodge. There will be some time to freshen up and relax before our next activity. Before dinner, we'll join a local expert for a presentation on the geology and conservation of the islands.

At the lodge.

At leisure. Prepare luggage for a morning check out.

At the lodge.

After check out we will board a bus and head to the highlands of Santa Cruz in preparation for our cycling field trip. We'll disembark at the starting point, ready our mountain bikes and then begin our scenic ride to Puerto Ayora town. A pit stop at Bellavista village will give us a moment to catch our breaths before we continue our journey. Upon arrival in Puerto Ayora we’ll ride to the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) and pay a visit to the station in order to learn about its mission and projects. The station is operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation and conducts scientific research and environmental education that helps to promote conservation of the archipelago’s unique environments. After waking up our appetites with this morning's exercises, we will take a bus ride to a local home in preparation for lunch. Members of a local family will welcome us into their home and give us a peek into life in the Galapagos.

Traditional meal with a local family.

Next, we'll return to the bus and ride to Garrapatero Beach in preparation for a kayaking field trip in the bay. Upon arrival we'll receive instructions, then grab our gear and launch from the beach. After our invigorating time on the water we'll paddle back to Garrapatero to drop off our gear. We'll conclude our field trip with a short walk on a mangrove-lined trail to a brackish lagoon frequented by Greater Flamingos, herons, stilts and other wading birds. We'll board the bus to our hotel in Puerto Ayora, then check in and settle into our accommodations.

On own to enjoy local fare. Our group leader will be happy to make suggestions.

We’ll walk to the pier where we hope to catch a glimpse of local wildlife. Sea lions enjoy lounging on pier benches and baby sharks and other fish are attracted by the pier’s lights.

At the hotel.

After checking out of our hotel we will take a short walk to the local fish market. During this visit we will have the chance to interact with locals and see firsthand the origin of some of our meals while in the Galapagos. Next, we’ll continue our walk to the pier and board a speedboat that will take us to Isabela. Upon arrival to Isabela, we will check into the hotel and prepare for your next activity. We will board a bus and ride a short distance to the Tortoise Breeding Center, located just outside the town of Puerto Villamil. The Center houses hundreds of juvenile and adult tortoises from different islands in the Galápagos. The first part of the visit we will receive expert commentary about the biology of these ancient creatures and learn about conservation efforts to save the species. The second part of the visit will be self-directed. Next, we will hike from town on a winding trail through wetlands and salt water lagoons to reach a forested breeding refuge. Here we hope to observe Flamingos, Black Neck Tilt, and other species.

At a local restaurant.

We will board a bus and transfer to the pier, then we'll embark on a small water taxi and journey across the bay to the Tintoreras Islets. We'll accompany our Group Leader and a local expert on a walking exploration of the lava rock trails as we study rock formations and learn about area wildlife. We'll be looking out for marine iguanas that regularly nest in the sheltered outcroppings and mangroves. Next, we'll direct our attention to what lies beneath the water's surface. We'll don snorkeling gear and begin swimming among small outcroppings of volcanic rock in the crystalline, turquoise waters. Some of the creatures that call this home include sea lions, marine turtles, Galapagos Penguins, and white-tipped reef sharks. The incredible root formations of the mangrove below the surface make for a surreal, fascinating experience.

On your own to explore local fare. The small town of Puerto Villamil is a port village of approximately 2,200 people. In the main square of town there are several open-air restaurants that offer a good selection of typical Ecuadorian dishes. Seafood is plentiful and popular, as well as, pizza, pasta and sandwiches.

At leisure. Walk on the beach, take a stroll through the small town or just relax at the hotel. Sunset is a great moment to be at the beach and perhaps enjoy a drink.

At the hotel.

We will board a bus and ride to the highlands in preparation for a full day of hiking at Sierra Negra and Volcan Chico. Sierra Negra Volcano is one of the most impressive examples of a volcano in the archipelago, measuring more than six miles across from north to south and more than five miles from east to west. We'll accompany our Group Leader and a local expert on a hike to the edge of the largest caldera in the Galápagos Islands. Our starting elevation will be approximately 1,970 feet. From there we will hike to several view points and to the summit which sits at approximately 3,280 feet. We will make a gradual descent as we head to 2,820 feet of elevation and then slowly hike our way back to our starting point.

Boxed lunch.

After lunch, we'll hike to Volcan Chico on the northeast corner of the volcano. Our hike will take us along relatively recent lava flows from 1979 and expose us to some incredible vistas. We'll use the same trail to return to our starting point, then we'll board the bus and ride along the coast to our hotel.

On your own to explore local fare in town.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will accompany our Group Leader and a local expert on a bike ride to the historic Wall of Tears. The Wall was constructed between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela was a penal colony. The wall was built by prisoners utilizing huge blocks of lava rock. From the wetlands trail we'll ride along the coast, enjoying spectacular views and looking for wildlife on the way. As we pedal closer to our destination, we'll pass through mangroves that are home to the Mangrove Finch-- a species endemic to Isabela. Other species we might come across during our ride include flamingos, herons, and American Oystercatchers. We'll enjoy a downhill ride sea-side along Isabela's gorgeous white sand beaches on our return to Puerto Villamil and our hotel.

At a local restaurant.

We will walk to the Puerto Villamil dock in preparation four our kayaking field trip towards Tintoreras Islets. After getting our kayak assignments and gear, we'll launch from the dock and paddle across the bay to look out over the picturesque Tintoreras Islets. At the end of our activity, we'll paddle to the Puerto Villamil dock and return our gear.

On your own to explore local fare in town.

At leisure. Please prepare for early morning check out, boat transfer, and flight.

At a restaurant in Puerto Ayora.

We’ll check out and transfer to the dock for our boat transfer to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. After we disembark in Puerto Ayora and make a quick stop for breakfast, we'll board a bus and transfer to the Baltra Airport. We'll exchange goodbyes with our Galápagos Group Leader at the airport and complete our check in for the flight to Guayaquil.

On your own, at the airport. Sandwiches, empanadas and snacks are available for purchase after going through security.

After a late afternoon arrival to Guayaquil, we'll transfer by bus to our hotel for check-in. We'll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Farewell dinner at the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

At leisure. Finish your packing and get a good night's rest for check out and departure in the morning. Participants with international flights departing very late this evening/before dawn next morning will need to check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport.

At the hotel (dependent on flight times). This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!