Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour

Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour

Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour

Prices

From $2,100USD

Difficulty

Guided

Hotels

Start Your Booking

Highlights

Explore the beautiful Galapagos Islands on this 7-day bike tour

Ride your bike to the tortoise breeding centre at Playa del Amor to meet the native tortoises and iguanas.

Surround yourself with wildlife as you look for penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, sharks, rays, tortoises, and more!

Snorkel, hike, and explore between each biking adventure.

Watch the sunset or take a stroll along the gorgeous beach just steps from your hotel after days full of riding.

The Galapagos Islands in Ecuador are a nature lover’s paradise! This guided biking tour lets you discover all the wonders of the islands as you explore on your bike. Cruise to beaches filled with ancient tortoises, ride under canopies of birds, and even snorkel and hike to beautiful areas rarely enjoyed by others. The Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour is not one to miss!

During this biking adventure, you’ll get to see plenty of the Galapagos’ renowned wildlife, including penguins, giant tortoises, sea lions, sharks, iguanas, and the famous blue-footed boobies. You’ll have a chance to see them all in their natural environments during excursions to the lava tunnels, the El Chato Reserve, Playa del Amor, and many other spots on Isabella and Santa Cruz islands. When you’re not biking, you can explore the towns and enjoy the gorgeous beach that is right outside your hotel. Cycling around the island is the perfect way to discover all that the Galapagos has to offer!

Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome Meeting

Spend today exploring beautiful Quito on your own, then make your way back to the hotel for your 6:00 pm welcome meeting. In the hotel lobby, you’ll meet your guide and other group members and hear all about the adventure to come!

Overnight Location
Hotel in Quito
Distance
None
Meals
None

Day 2 Giant Tortoises in Santa Cruz

After an early morning flight to the Galapagos, you’ll find yourself on the island of Santa Cruz. After your morning of travel, you’ll be happy to jump on a bike and take a ride to the El Chato Reserve. On your ride, you’ll be looking for the majestic giant tortoises that live here!

After lunch, you’ll take a short hike to see some more tortoises in the nearby lava tunnels, and then you’ll continue exploring the island on your bike.

Overnight Location
Hotel in Santa Cruz
Distance
37km, 400m of ascent, 985m of descent
Meals
Lunch

Day 3 Explore Isabela Island by Bike

You’ll have another early morning today, catching the speed boat to Isabela Island. Then you’ll grab your bike and start out on today's exploration of the island.

You’ll be riding through farms and exotic plants until you arrive at a collapsed volcanic crater. Take a hike around the cone of another volcano to look for more tortoises and the many species of birds that live on the island.

After savouring the views and the wildlife, continue your ride back to the coast and end up at your beachside hotel.

Overnight Location
Hotel on Isabela Island
Distance
32.9 km, 137m of ascent, 1,002m of descent
Meals
Breakfast and a snack

Day 4 Coastal Cycling

Yesterday you explored the island highlands, and today you’ll adventure along the magnificent coast. Along your ride, there will be stops for short walks to lookout points with incredible views. You’ll also be taking breaks at the Playa del Amor to visit the largest population of iguanas on the island!

After making some lizard friends, you’ll ride to the tortoise breeding centre to learn about the efforts being made to preserve these massive tortoises. You’ll ride past the flamingo lagoon on the way back (cameras ready!) and will arrive in time to watch the sunset over the water.

Overnight Location
Hotel on Isabela Island
Distance
14.9km, 138m of ascent, 138m of descent
Meals
Breakfast and a snack

Day 5 Discover the Wildlife of the Lava Tunnels

Today’s excursion will bring you to the lava tunnels. These unique volcanic formations are home to many animal species both above and below the water. You’ll arrive by boat but will have time to explore by foot to spot some blue-footed boobies and penguins. Then, grab your snorkel and jump in the water to look for white-tip reef sharks, turtles, fish, and golden or eagle rays!

After all the excitement, it’ll be a great night to grab a drink on a patio and watch the sun go down.

Overnight Location
Hotel on Isabela Island
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast and lunch

Day 6 Return to Quito

This morning you’ll be brought back to Baltra for your flight to Quito. Enjoy your last night in the city!

Overnight Location
Hotel in Quito
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast

Day 7 Departure

Your tour officially ends after breakfast when you check out of your hotel. Either return to the airport to start your journey home or travel to your next destination.

Overnight Location
None
Distance
None
Meals
Breakfast

Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour Price and Dates

This guided tour of the Galapagos Islands is run either as a group tour or a private tour. The prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:

  • Private tour: $2,350USD per person -

    Now $1,950USD per person

  • Group departures:

Day Of WeekPrice Per Person *
MondayNot Available
TuesdayNot Available
WednesdayNot Available
ThursdayNot Available
FridayNot Available
Saturday
$1,625USD
Book Now
SundayNot Available
* Single Supplement may apply

Accommodation on the Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour

This tour is based in 3 and 4-star hotels. The hotels offer comfortable rooms with great locations near the water. In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
You can pay a supplement of $625USD to have a private room in a hotel where available.

Hotel Dann Carlton in Quito

This Quito hotel has lovely welcoming rooms, but you’ll want to spend all your time at the indoor pool, fully equipped gym, or the charming garden.

Galapagos Inn Hotel in Santa Cruz

This family-run hotel was originally for researchers who came to the island, but now it welcomes all travellers with clean rooms and a swimming pool.

Cormorant Beach House Hotel on Isabela Island

This is the perfect place to watch the sunset across the water after a busy day. You’ll love staying right on a gorgeous stretch of white sandy beach.

Hotel Dann Carlton in Quito

This Quito hotel has lovely welcoming rooms, but you’ll want to spend all your time at the indoor pool, fully equipped gym, or the charming garden.

Hotels on Standard Tour

What’s Included in the Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, water, and some snacks are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 6 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Quito are not included.

Transportation during the Tour

Transport for you, your luggage, and your bike during the tour is included as outlined in the itinerary. Transportation to and from the airport in Quito before and after the tour is not included, as well as any domestic or international flights. The prices of domestic return flight between Quito and Galapagos Islands might vary anywhere between 400 USD to 650 USD per person depending on the availability.

Also Included

  • Experienced certified English-speaking guide
  • Private transportation
  • Bike rental, including a hybrid bike, certified helmet, and gloves
  • Snorkelling equipment, including masks and fins
  • Water bottle

Not included

  • Travel insurance
  • Any domestic and international flights
  • Galapagos transit control card
  • Galapagos National Park fee
  • Isabela Island fee
  • Lunches and dinners or drinks and snacks not previously mentioned
  • Tourist taxes if applicable
  • Visas if required
  • Personal equipment
  • Fees not mentioned as included
  • Tour guide, driver, server, or hotel staff gratuities
  • Optional activities

    Frequenty Asked Questions about Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour

    How hard is the Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour?

    We rate this tour as a 2/5. You don’t require a lot of cycling experience for this trip, and most of the trails are on flat, easy paths. There is one section that is on some irregular terrain, so some confidence on a bike would be an asset. There is vehicle support during most of the trip if you need a break.

    Do I need a visa to travel to Ecuador?

    Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

    Are meals included on the Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour?

    5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, water, and some snacks are included.

    Do I need insurance?

    Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover snorkelling and biking. Get your Travel Insurance.

    How do I get to Quito to start this tour?

    The best way to reach Quito is to fly to the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). You will need to arrange transportation to your hotel from the airport.

    Is the Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour guided?

    Yes, you will have an English-speaking guide for the duration of the tour.

    Where does the Biking the Galapagos Islands Tour end?

    This tour ends in Quito. You will need to arrange transportation to the airport.

    Are equipment rentals included?

    Yes, hybrid bike rentals, certified helmets, and gloves are included. Please bring any additional equipment desired.

    Is the Active Galapagos Adventure Tour family-friendly?

    Yes, this is a great tour for a family with adventurous older children. Children 12 years of age and older are welcome.

    What is the group size on the Active Galapagos Adventure Tour?

    The maximum group size for this tour is 10 people.

    Do I need special vaccines to travel to Ecuador?

    Check with your family doctor.

    Are there any travel restrictions for Ecuador?

    Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

    When is the best time to travel to Ecuador for this tour?

    The best time to travel to the Galapagos for this tour is December through May when the weather tends to be the most pleasant.

    Reviews

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    Prices

    From $2,100USD

    Difficulty

    Guided

    Hotels

    Start Your Booking

    What travellers say

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    Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews

    Tour Difficulty

    We rate this tour as a 2/5. You don’t require a lot of cycling experience for this trip, and most of the trails are on flat, easy paths. There is one section that is on some irregular terrain, so some confidence on a bike would be an asset. There is vehicle support during most of the trip if you need a break.


    Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

    Local guide

    Cesar Romero

    Quito, Ecuador

    Get in touch

    +1 (587) 327-9828

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