TOUR SUMMARY

• Duration: 16 days starting and finishing in Quito
• Trip focus: An active outdoor multi activity trip of climbing, snorkelling, hiking and biking.
• Accommodation: 3 nights basic hostel while on biking and climbing segment. 12 nights comfortable hotels.
• Transport: private van, flight, motorized boat
• Group Size: Max 12 + S.E.T. tour leader, 14 on Galapagos segment

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• City of Quito - The second highest capital city in the world in a beautiful setting.
• Multi-activity tour in Galapagos, diving/snorkeling, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking.
• Guided climb of Cotapaxi, the highest active volcano in the world
• 2 Day mountain biking tour
• Guided hike of Iliniza North

ITINERARY

DAY 1: QUITO: ARRIVAL DAY. You are free to arrive and check in at any time. There will be a briefing that night and a chance for you to meet your traveling companions and ask questions. The information will be awaiting you at the reception regarding that nights briefing. If arriving late in the evening. Don’t worry! You will be briefed in the morning and meet the group. (It is advised you arrive 1 day early to help with acclimatization) Highlight dinner. ( D)

DAY 2,3,4: QUILOTOA. Today we take a trip down the valley of volcanoes to Quilotoa .We will bike and hike at altitude and spend the night at a locally run hostel on the rim of the impressive Quilotoa volcanic lake. From Quilotoa we'll down hill mountain bike and hike in and around this impressive area then take private transport back along the valley of Volcanoes to our hostel at the foot of Iliniza where we will spend the night ( B, L, D)

DAY 5. ILINIZA NORTH. Our first acclimatization hike to the summit of Illiniza North. This will be a gradual high altitude hike to the summit with our first experience hiking in the high Ecuadorian altitude. Ideal preparation for the Cotopaxi summit. Over night in our hostel near Iliniza ( B , L, D )

DAY 6/7:COTAPAXI. Today we will travel onto our hostel situated under the impressive Cotopaxi . Later we will make out way up to the refuge where we will have a chance to try our hand at ice climbing and walking with our crampons, and getting use to our equipment and the thin air at 4200masl. That evening at around  midnight we'll begin the accent to the summit with the objective of summiting around 6am with unobstructed 360 views of Ecuador and the surrounding volcanoes all the way back to the city of Quito. An unforgettable experience! We descend and return to Quito for the evening of day 7 and a well-earned rest. (B, L, D while on Cotopaxi).

DAY 8 SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND - The trip begins with an early morning transfer to the airport and a flight to San Cristobal Island, Galapagos. Here you will be meet by our friendly staff and transferred to your hotel. After lunch will we make our way to the top of San Cristobal through the settlement of El Progresso, to La Soledad from where we will have panoramic views out over the Pacific towards Santa Cruz, Floreana and Santa Fe. After we jump on the bikes for an exhilarating down hill through the lush highlands of the island, through El Progresso down to the township of Puerto Barequizo. We will pay a visit to the Interpretation Center and learn the mysterious history of Galapagos, “The Enchanted Islands”. Later we hit Mann Beach for a swim where we can observe playful Sea lions and Frigates birds, gliding on the thermals. That evening we will have a welcome dinner of some of the islands fresh fish and produce. (L, D)

DAY 9 SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND - The day begins with a short boat ride to Kicker Rock observing along the way the abundant marine life that Galapagos is renowned for. On the way we stop off at Isla de Lobos to observe nesting Frigate birds and Blue Footed Boobies, and swim/snorkel with playful young Sea lions. A real highlight of the trip! We then continue onto Kicker Rock, the remains of an underwater volcano rising vertically 150m out of the sea. A truly impressive sight! Here we can dive and snorkel keeping an eye out below for Sea Turtles, Manta Rays and maybe the odd harmless Galapagos shark, just to name a few. After we head to Cerro Brujo Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the islands and return to port late in the afternoon. (B, L OPTIONAL DIVING, PLEASE ENQUIRE)

DAY 10 FLOREANA AND ISABELA ISLANDS - This morning we depart San Cristobal Island to Floreana Island. Keep an eye out for dolphins and the magnificent albatross along the way. Here will be experience some of the best snorkeling in the islands at Enderby Islet or Champions bay and Devils Crown. We depart Floreana to Isabela Island after a full day of snorkeling and diving. (B, L,D )

DAY 11 ISABELA - A full days hiking  takes us up Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Galapagos, and with the second largest crater in the world. h you can experience a birds eye view of this magical landscape. After taking in the incredible views from the volcano we visit the Breeding Center of the Giant Tortoise, the largest in Galapagos. That evening we can kick back at the bar on the beach and enjoy a nice cold beer or cocktail (B, L)

DAY 12 ISABELA - By pick up truck and on foot we make our way the wall of tears, built by convicts many years ago. Along the way we’ll pop in and visit Pink flamingos, also stopping at the lookout and one of the many natural pools, short walking trails, beaches and mangrove swamps along the way. After lunch we´ll take a tour of the bay in a zodiac where you can observe up close,the only penguins found close to the equator. Later we will do some more snorkeling in the Concha Perla and hopefully observe marine turtles resting on the sea floor. (B, L,D)

DAY 13 SANTA CRUZ - Today is an early morning departure to the Island of Santa Cruz. We will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz, observing The Galapagos Giant tortoise in natural surroundings, and the amazing lava tunnels, some over 1km long while taking in panoramic views of the islands. Later in the day we head to Tortuga Bay, a stunning beach with fine white sand to see marine iguanas or try you hand at some body boarding or surfing. (B, L,D)

DAY 14 SANTA CRUZ, SANTA FE, SAN CRISTOBAL - Today we pay a visit to Lonesome George at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here we can observe many species of tortoises and Land Iguanas in captivity, brought back form the brink of extinction. After some last minute shopping we depart Santa Cruz for Santa Fe Island for a nice dive/snorkel in a beautiful bay where we can observe the marine iguanas feeding off the rocks and schools of surgeon fish just below the surface. Return to San Cristobal. Evening group dinner to celebrate a great trip. (B, L, D )

DAY 15 SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND-QUITO - We bid farewell to the Enchanted Islands with a quick optional visit to La Loberia or last minute souvenir shopping! We depart San Cristobal Island and return to Quito and get transferred to the hotel. Our representative in Quito will be able to advise you and help with some of the many day tours available in and around Quito (B, L,D )

16. DEPARTURE DAY.

Special note!
S.E.T reserves the right to alter the itinerary due to weather conditions and or Galapagos Park regulation changes. Some times small changes need to be made last minute, in the best interests of the tour. Park regulation changes often happen with little or no warning.

IS THIS ADVENTURE FOR YOU?
From depths of the Pacific Ocean to the heights of the Andes, this is the ultimate adventure tour. An adventure trip carefully designed to acclimatize you and give you the best chance to summit the challenging Cotapaxi. We will begin with hikes in and around Quito, then a 2 day mountain bike excursion to Quilotoa crater lake with altitudes ranging from 2900m to 4000m.We compliment this trip of a life time with a multi-adventure trip to the enchanted Galapagos Islands, with amazing diving and wildlife viewing. You will come away from this trip with a true sense of accomplishment. You need to be in very good shape and have some experience at altitude. Being able to dive is not essential as all the dive sites are excellent for snorkeling. This is a very active adventure trip! From the heights of the second largest volcanic crater in the world,  to the depths of the enriched and unexplored waters of Galapagos, our carefully planned adventure tour is a must for all lovers of outdoor adventure. Whether you are diving with harmless sharks, playful sea lions, or giant manta rays, or just enjoying the company of the Giant Galapagos Tortoise, this unique Climb Bike Dive Tour is guaranteed to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE ... pretty much everything

All tours Include

• Pichincha Volcano hike
• Cotapaxi Volcano climb
• S.E.T tour leader throughout
• Climbing guides and all equipment.
• 2 day Quilatoa mountain biking excursion
• Airfare Quito-Galapagos-Quito
• 8 day Galapagos multi activity trip, with sea kayaks, snorkeling, mountain bikes and 2 optional dives
• All land transport during the itinerary.
• The cost of entry for all scheduled tours
• A nice cold beer at the end of the tour
• All hotel accommodations* (on a twin share basis including continental breakfast).* Additional and or single accommodations can be arranged at the clients’ request
• Meals as listed B, L, D

Not Included

• National Park entrance fee $110USD, only payable in cash, upon arrival
• Alcoholic / Soft drinks /Gratuities
• Isabela departure tax
• Meals not specified
• Anything not specified in the package
• Optional diving (please enquire for diving package)

PAYING LOCALLY

Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. Paying locally allows us to keep the overall cost of our tours competitive and pass the savings on to you. These funds are put towards local expenses. In some developing countries the transferring of funds is at times problematic so this is a way to help us serve you, whilst saving you money. This is especially true of Argentina since the devaluation of the peso. Payment is to be made to your leader upon arrival in cash.

All prices are approximates and subject to currency fluctuations until final payment has been made.