santa cruz essential multisport 2 2 3 3 · santa cruz is the most populated island in the...

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SANTA CRUZ ESSENTIAL MULTISPORT

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

• HiketoTortugaBayanaturalparadiseforwildlifeinteractions.

• VisittheSantaCruzhighlandsandenjoylunchatalocalranch.

• Walkamonggianttortoisesintheirnaturalhabitat.

• Snorkelandobservewildlifeatthebeautifulbeaches.

• Visitachocolatefactoryandlocalartgalleries.

• Takeadaytriptooneofthenearbyislands:Plazas,Bartolome,orNorthSeymour.

SantaCruzisthemostpopulatedislandintheArchipelagoandamustseeinyourGalapagosvisit.HomeoftheCharlesDarwinResearchStation,italsofeaturesoneofthemostbeautifulwhitesandbeachesoftheislands:TortugaBay.

Learnaboutevolutionandexploreamazinglandscapesfullofwildlife.Visitatraditionalfamilylocalfarmtotastesimplebutdelicioushome-madetreats.DiscoverPuertoAyoraanditslocalvibe,shopsandculinarydelights.Choosetoextendyourstayandvisitanearbyextraisland!

Effort:Moderate.Noexperiencerequired.Activities:Hiking,kayaking,snorkeling,birdwatching,wildlifeobservation,

communityinteractionandfoodieexperience.

GALAPAGOSESSENTIAL MULTISPORTS

2 DAYS/2 NIGHTS OR 3 DAYS/3 NIGHTS

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DAY 1: HIKE AND EXPLORE TORTUGA BAY AND MEET LOCAL ARTISANS AND WORKSHOPS

GetreadyforahikesurroundedbynativevegetationtothefamousbeachofTortugaBay.Thisincrediblewhitesandbeachhostsanamazingcolonyofblackanddarkmarineiguanas,aforestsofopuntiacactiandseaturtlesswimminginthecalmareaofthebaywhilethesurfersareenjoyingtheextremeleftsideofthebeachcalled“playabrava”.

WeleaveTortugaBayandheadbacktolunch.TheafternoonfindsuskayakingalongthebayofPuntaEstrada,discoveringwildlifeinthemangrovesandskirtingwallsoflavarockswherehundredsofbluefootedboobies,lavaherons,maskedboobies,brownnodiesandyellowcrownednightheronsperch.

At sunset we visit the local Punta Ayoraworkshops and learn about tempered chocolate, glass art,recycledartandmuchmore.Thisisanexcellentopportunitytopurchasesouvenirsthatmakeadifferenceinthelocalcommunity.(B,L)


CONTACT US: [email protected] / PHONE: (593-2) 604.6800 TOLL FREE: 1-888.234.3413 / www.opuntiahotels.com

GALAPAGOS ESSENTIAL MULTISPORTS

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DAY 2: HIGHLANDS FARMING EXPERIENCE, FOODIE ENCOUNTERS AND GIANT TORTOISES

AfterbreakfastweleaveinourvehicletothebiggestagriculturalareaofGalapagos:thehighlandsofSantaCruz.Ourfirststopisat“ElChato”NaturalReserve,wherewehikeinsearchoftheiconicGiantTortoisesintheirnaturalhabitat.Spotthemtakingmudbathsatthepondsortryingtocrosstheforestwalkingslowlyunderthevegetation.Thisisahealthynativeforestareathathoststheuniqueorchidoftheislandsamongotherendemicvegetation.

WecontinueontoahighlandfarmforalocallypreparedlunchwiththepeopleofGalapagos,willspendtime visiting the grounds and collecting different fruits and vegetables to sample later on. Agriculturepractices,animalfarming,coffeeplantations,sugarcaneproductsmadebytheownersawaitusalongwithtalesandlegendsofthefirstsettlers.Iftimeallows,wewilldrivedownto“Garrapatero”beachtoswim,enjoyamazinglandscapeandbirdwatchingatthepondsnexttothesandyarea.(B,L)




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OPTIONAL DAY/NIGHT EXTENSION:

DAY 3: JOIN US ON A FULL DAY TOUR OF NEIGHBORING ISLANDS SEYMOUR, BARTOLOME, PLAZAS OR SANTA FE

EnjoyaboatridetooneoftheincredibleislandsthatsurroundSantaCruz,dependingonthedaywe´lltakeyoutoBartolome,Seymour,PlazasorSantaFeislands.Eachofthemwithuniquewildlife,amazingsnorkelingsites,greathikingtrailsandunforgettableviews,whilelearningfromyournaturalistNationalParkguide.(B,L)




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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

SEASON: Year-round

ALTITUDE: 0 – 3,688 ft. (1,124 m) above sea level

WEATHER: During the warm season from January to May, air temperature is around 77 to 83 F (25 to 28 C) at sea level. During the cool season from June to December, air temperature is around 70 to 75 F (21 to 24 C) at sea level. Temperature decreases with altitude.

WATER TEMPERATURE: During the warm season from January to May, water temperature hovers around 77 F (25 C). During the cool season from June to December, average water temperature is about 72 F (22 C). Water temperature also varies significantly by location.

SUGGESTED ITEMS TO PACK: Walking shoes, rain jacket, water bottle, non-cotton trekking clothes, sunblock, sun hat and repellent.

INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED NOTE

Accommodations comfort or premium class hotels, meals as listed (B=breakfast, L=lunch), bilingual Galapagos naturalist guide and all sea

and land transportation during the journey.

Flights to and from Galapagos, entrance fee to Galapagos National Park, Galapagos

transit card, transfres, tips, hotel and restaurant beverages.

This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, inclement weather conditions, and adjustments of Galapagos

National Park policy.

All tours are shared with a group. Please enquire about private tour options.


Revised June 3/2016



santa cruz essential multisport 2 2 3 3 · santa cruz is the most populated island in the...

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