Galápagos Multisport with Quito

Here on Floreana Islands sits Post Office Bay … where 18th century whalers opened an unofficial post office in a barrel. It’s been in service ever since and the cost of postage has not gone up a single cent. Here is where the flamingos nest on towers of mud, but not before showing off their exquisite pink color circling the lagoon and landing.

Off the coast of Floreana Island lies Islote (Isla) Campéon. Above the water, it seems nothing but a bare, rocky landmass, but diving under the surface reveals a spectacular underwater realm.

Isabela Island is the largest of the Galapagos islands, on the western end of the archipelago. Shaped like a seahorse when viewed from above, Isabela is home to more wild tortoises than any other island, as well as a wide variety of other animal, bird and marine life.

On Isabela’s west coast lies Tagus Cove, a natural protected harbor where centuries ago whalers safely spent the night and left their ships’ signatures painted on the rocks. Nearby, Moreno Point near Elizabeth Bay is a birdwatcher’s delight. Further inland, visitors will find six volcanoes, five of which are still active and two that sit directly on the Equator. At the base of Alcedo Volcano is Urbina Bay (also spelled “Urvina”), a great place for snorkeling and home to the biggest land iguanas in the Galapagos.

To the north, located at the “mouth” of the island, is Punta Vicente Roca (Vicente Roca Point). Although it’s a marine-only site (meaning it can only be accessed via dinghy or SCUBA diving), the formation nonetheless draws plenty of visitors eager to see its spectacular sea life – penguins,seahorses, sea turtles, sunfish and more.

The capital of Ecuador sits in a valley between two Andes mountain ranges on the slopes of the 15,190 ft-high Pichincha volcano. Quito’s altitude is 8,960 ft. It has spring-like weather all year and so many artistic and architectural treasures that it was included in UNESCO’s Patrimony of Mankind program in 1978.

Santa Cruz Island is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station where you may learn about the breeding programs for the tortoises and land iguanas. Stroll through the town of Puerto Aroya to buy souvenirs.

Bachas Beach, the first stop on many cruise itineraries, provides a delightful introduction to the Galapagos Islands. Sea turtles, red rock crabs, flamingos and more can be found nearby. On the northern shores, Black Turtle Cove is a secluded estuary with herons, pelicans, sea turtles and other wildlife finding sanctuary among the mangroves.

In the highlands of Santa Cruz, the scenery continually changes as you ascend through all 7 vegetation zones. Visit a pair of large pit craters and the largest lava tunnels found in the Galapagos.

On the uninhabited side of the island, visitors can hike inland to the site known as Dragon Hill, so called for the colossal yellow land iguanas that live here.