Galapagos Running Adventure -
May 6 - 17, 2011
Itinerary
...with Kathy Loper and Kurt Bodmer
Optional Extension to Machu Picchu, Peru
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Itinerary- Galapagos
Included are three training runs scheduled:1) Quito at altitude
2) On the actual race course on San Cristobal
3) on a long sandy beach on Isabella, two days prior to the race
Fri. 6May ~ Miami - Quito, Ecuador
1615 Depart Miami on LanEcuador XL/517 Boeing 767-300, snack served, non-stop, 4hrs10min.1925 Arrive Quito - passengers will be met after passing through customs and transferred by Limo to the charming patio-style hotel,
PATIO ANDALUZ
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Passengers will be assisted with the Galapagos Entry Cards.
Two days in Quito include sightseeing featuring the highlights of Quito, with theatre "Teatro Sucre" and an excursion to Papallacta Hot Springs situated below the Antisana Volcano. There are many other "local" sites to explore on your own.
Sat. 7May ~ Quito
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by City tour. Includes one of the favorite museums, the Guayasamin Museum.This evening, you'll go The Teatro Sucre, located close to your hotel.
Sun. 8May ~ Quito
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Today you'll take a road trip, Ecuadorean style, to visit the hot springs at Papallacta. There will be a training run on one of the many trail sites prior to visiting the hot springs. Time permitting a visit to a trout or an ostrich farm will be made.
Mon. 9May ~ Quito - San Cristobal
Breakfast at the hotel.Flight to San Cristobal, Galapagos where you'll be met by running event coordinators and your Galapagos National Park guide. Lunch, orientation and an afternoon fishing excursion with local fishermen.
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Our visitors currently support three fishermen families. The "Fishing with Locals" program's impact on the environment is that instead of harvesting thousands of fish a year to survive, a fisherman only need harvest hundreds, all of which are eaten locally - thus reducing the carbon footprint of importing or exporting food. For the fishermen themselves, this allows them direct contact with people from outside the Galapagos and provides visitors a glimpse into a different life style and a first hand account of the history of life in the Galapagos.
Your bilingual Galapagos National Park guide will be available dawn to dusk during your stay for whatever you may need. Guides have a thorough knowledge of the geology, biology, history, current status and gossip of the Galapagos, as well as the experience of living here. They know how to advice making the most of your time, whether it's iguana watching, sunset viewing, snorkeling or hammock location. Should your guide need some help with something (extra help with a weak swimmer, for example) our "Come to Galapagos" tour company is always available.
This tour is focused more toward adventure and exploration rather than shopping and fine dining, though you will be eating better than the vast majority of visitors here. Breakfasts are served at the hotel & all other meals are provided by the premier restaurants.
Should anyone be interested, Salsa dancing is available some late nights at the local's club where you'll be the only gringos and the locals will likely be buying drinks and showing you some steps.
It is entirely possible to snorkel every dawn and sunset with the sea life. Guides have years of experience snorkeling with everyone from deep water free divers to complete novices. Most of them are certified Dive Masters. Their goal is to be sure you enjoy all the riches of the Galapagos to the fullest and discover riches to be seen underwater.
Tue. 10May ~ San Cristobal
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All day tour of the far side of the island. Commune with the Giant Tortoises in their reserve, visit the local farms where much of the food provided is grown - bananas, bamboo, papaya, guavas, etc. visit actually is. Visit Puerto Chino (pristine isolated beach) and El Junco, the highest elevation on the island and volcano crater now filled with water.
We have also been pioneering a program with local farmers to purchase produce from them. The town has grown accustomed to purchasing its produce from the continent where the large corporate farms can afford to grow, ship the produce and sell for a price that has made farming here a non profitable enterprise. We generally know months in advance how many people are coming and can go to the farmers and tell them on this date we are going to need X number of tomatoes, lettuce, etc. Many of these crops are grown knowing they will have a secure market for them.
This afternoon, a training run on the first part of the Marathon and Half marathon course - runners can run as far as they would like to train, followed by a pick up vehicle.
The marathon and half marathon begin below this giant wind turbine. With a little luck, the clouds will part and expose the view from this site of both sides of the island, distant islands and islets.
Wed. 11May ~ San Cristobal
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| Casa de Nelly |
Breakfast at the hotel
All day chartered boat trip to tip of the island and islets. Snorkel with sharks, rays, turtles and sea lions. Visit nesting grounds of Frigate Birds, Pelicans, Blue Footed Boobies and other tropical birds. Roam gorgeous, deserted and pristine beaches.
Thu. 12May ~ San Cristobal - Isabela
Breakfast at the hotel.Early morning inter-island flight to Isabela. The flight is very scenic and an opportunity few tourists receive to view the Galapagos Islands from the air. The plane lands in Puerto Villamil, Isabela. You'll check into your hotel and runners can join the last of the scheduled training runs.
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| Casa de Marita | Iguana Crossing |
On Isabela, you will stay at Casa de Marita or Hotel Iguana Crossing.
Your hotel fronts a long sand beach where occasionally flamingos can be seen wading in the surf. Sometimes weather, energy levels or constantly changing flight schedules. You have essentially two full days with your guide on Isabela. Depending on weather, you will likely hike the Sierra Negra volcano, see the tortoise breeding station, enjoy lunch at a private tortoise farm, view flamingos, penguins and marine iguanas. You will have a chartered boat trip to Shark Island where sharks can be seen "sleeping" from above and where there is a wonderful snorkel site a short distance away. It is just hard to plan which you'll be doing when until you arrive.
Fri. 13May ~ Isabela
Breakfast at the hotel.As mentioned above we're taking a flexible approach to your time on Isabela.
Sat. 14May ~ Isabela - San Cristobal
Breakfast at the hotel.Return flight to San Cristobal. Race registration, Course tour (bus ride) and PM pasta dinner.
Sun. 15May ~ Race day.
Very early breakfast at hotel.Van takes you to race site.
The Marathon and half marathon - both races will begin at 7 AM.
Beware of wild giant tortoises - occasionally seen crossing the roads. The section which follows dirt roads are relatively flat. You will be passing farms with pigs and cows.
In the parts of the course that run along the coast, beware of sea lions which will occasionally situate themselves in the middle of the road.
Mon. 16May ~ Isabela - Quito
Breakfast at the hotel.Return flight to Quito - airport check in at approximately 11 AM. It is possible to do an early morning snorkel or simply relax and enjoy your last hours in the Galapagos.
On arrival in Quito, you will be met and transferred to the Radisson Hotel for your last night in Ecuador. Celebrate at a farewell dinner at La Choza restaurant this evening.
Tue. 17May ~ Quito - Miami ... or continue on optional tour to Peru
Breakfast at the hotel.Early morning transfer to the airport for check in. Photos, smiling and hopefully a place in your hearts for Ecuador and the Galapagos.
0755 Depart Quito on LanEcuador XL/516, Boeing 767-300, snack served, non-stop, 4hrs05min.
0955 Arrive Miami. Change planes and connect to your home destination.