Galápagos Multisport

Arrival in High-Altitude Quito

Arrive at any time into Ecuador's capital, a city set in a high-altitude mountain valley at 2,850m. Despite its equatorial position, the elevation gives Quito a steady, spring-like climate year-round. Settle in and acclimatize; on a clear day, the peaks of several snow-capped volcanoes are visible from the city itself.

First Contact: Giant Tortoises of Santa Cruz

An early morning flight from the mainland brings you to the Galápagos. After landing on Baltra Island, a short ferry and overland transfer leads into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The environment shifts to a humid, green landscape, the natural habitat of Galápagos giant tortoises. Spend a few hours observing these massive animals moving through the vegetation before descending to the coast and the port town of Puerto Ayora to check in for the night.

Tortuga Bay & Darwin's Research Station

The morning is dedicated to Tortuga Bay, reached via a 2.5km paved path from Puerto Ayora. The trail opens onto a long stretch of fine white sand, home to marine iguanas and coastal birds. The calmer waters of the adjacent cove are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, with chances to see sea turtles and small, harmless whitetip reef sharks.

In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. The facility is a hub for conservation science, and its Fausto Llerena Breeding Center offers a close look at the island's famous tortoises and land iguanas, including a nursery for young tortoises whose shells are still hardening.