GALAPAGOS BIKE AND SUP
Discover the enchanted Galapagos Islands through this island-hopping tour! The islands offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. Due to it’s isolation, the Galapagos formed a natural sanctuary that preserves species, allowing them to evolve over countless millennia. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with the wildlife. The tour also provides many benefits to local communities and is socially and environmentally responsible. Be part of an educational and inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness’ in the world!
Unique Experiences:
- Snorkel with Sea Lions
- Biking and SUP to view wildlife
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DepartureQuito / Ecuador
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IncludedActivitiesLand TransportationMeals detailed in the itinerary
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Not IncludedDomestic flightsFees and entrances to parks and museumsAirport tranfer in & outInternational flight
FROM OUR GALLERY
DAY 1: QUITO ARRIVAL DAY
Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 18:00pm.
Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America - declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.
Meals included: none.
DAY 2: BIKING IN SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Island of Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival you will be picked up and transferred to Santa Cruz a nearby island, crossing the narrow Itabaca channel by ferry. From here we will continue by car to our first stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz. The highlands are home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. Here you will visit a private ranch where you will enjoy lunch before heading out for a walk in search of the giant tortoises. During this visit, you will also visit some lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies. Afterwards, we will continue on bikes to the other side of the island to Garrapateros beach, in route, we will stop at the Trapiche to learn about the process of making sugarcane liquor.
Accommodation: La Casa de Judy or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 3: BAY TOUR AND SNORKELING
Today after breakfast you will enjoy a half-day tour of Academy Bay. Be sure to pack everything you need for this trip. Optional snorkel equipment will be provided free of charge to anyone who wishes to use it. During the tour, you will take a boat to Academy Bay where you can swim and snorkel with all kinds of exotic fish and marine life, as well as the famous sea lions; they are very curious animals and like to approach to swim next to you underwater. Here you can also see the sought after blue-footed boobies. Afterwards, climb to a nearby viewpoint, and if you are lucky, you can see white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the ocean below. Afterwards, take a walk along the Playa de los Perros, where many sea iguanas are found basking in the sun. The enormous cacti, the deep,red color of the rocks and the turquoise, sparkling ocean make for great photo opportunities.
Accommodation: La Casa de Judy or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 4: STAND UP AND PADDLE
This morning, after breakfast, we will take a boat to San Cristobal Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago, this ride will take about 2 hours. Along the way, be on the lookout for dolphins and other marine life. Lunch will be on your own, and in the afternoon you will meet your guides to embark on Stand Up and Paddle in these waters. While exploring the bay of this charming island we will be searching for wildlife such as sea lions, rays, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and other beautiful species from the Galapagos, there will also be chances for swimming and snorkeling.
Accommodation: Blue Marlin or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 5: SNORKEL AT KICKER ROCK
In the morning, we will take a boat to Kicker Rock, located off the coast of San Cristóbal, also known as the Sleeping Lion (Leon Dormido) because of some resemblance. This is the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, two vertical rocks rising 500 ft (153 m) above the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Island’s natural monument has become a spectacular site due to the many tropic birds, frigate birds and boobies that fill the sky in this area. Beneath the sea, the crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful fish, such as rainbow fish and sharks, like the hammerhead and white tip. After lunch, we will spend some time on the beach and travel back to the hotel.
Accommodation: Blue Marlin or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 6: FREE MORNING - FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO
Enjoy some more free time this morning before going to the airport of San Cristóbal and taking a flight back to Quito.
Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE
International departures, end of services. Take with you memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!
Meals included: Breakfast.
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What's Included?
- Transportation: Airport transfers (for domestic flights), sea transportation Santa Cruz – San Cristobal, comfortable land transportation.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star hotels in the Galapagos.
- Meals: 6 Breakfasts & 3 lunches. Allow USD 180 for meals not included.
- Activities: Hiking to view the Giant Galapagos Tortoises, Bay tour In Santa Cruz, Snorkeling in Santa Cruz, Snorkeling in Kicker rock, SUP in San Cristobal, biking to Garrapateros Beach
- Gear: Snorkeling mask and fins, life vest, SUP gear, Trek bikes Marlin 7 with rock shock suspension and hydraulic brakes, bontrager helmets.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking Adventure Trip Leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park
What is not included?
- International flights.
- Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito round trip: estimated Budget $ 535 USD.
- My Own Room supplement: estimated budget $ 510 USD.
- Airport transfer (international flights).
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Meals not described in the itinerary: estimated budget $ 180 USD.
- INGALA transit card: $ 20 USD per person, cash only (subject to change).
- Galapagos National Park fee: $ 100 USD per person, cash only (subject to change).
- Pier-use fee at Puerto Villamil: $ 10 USD.
- Wetsuit for rent: $ 10 USD.
- Tips for guides and drivers: estimated budget $ 120 USD.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
DRIVING TIME: 1 hour for airport transfers both in Ecuador and The Galapagos.
PROVINCE: Pichincha and Galapagos.
SEASON: All year
TERRITORY: Quito the Capital of Ecuador, and The Galapagos National Park.
ALTITUDE:
Quito: 2.810 m (9.186 ft.)
AVG. TEMP.: Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy - All activities are very easy, both on the water and on land, in case you do not feel very comfortable with the water, ask your guide to provide you a life jacket or a floater to make your snorkeling experience more pleasant. For the bike tour is mostly on roads of dirt and asphalt, and there is always a car for support. NOTE - For specific details of activities please view the Full Itinerary.
GEAR: Adventure and protective equipment, snorkeling mask, fins, life jackets, mountain bikes, helmets, kayaks and paddle.
ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are traveling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
MEALS: Traveling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure. Vegetarians, Vegans and Gluten Free people are very welcome in our trip, our guides are always ready to coordinate with chefs and restaurants for substitute meals for them, as Ecuador is very well known for its great diversity of gastronomy.
YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed from the Tourism University to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid respondents. They all have approved several extra training courses for kayaking, rafting, biking and horse riding, besides this they all are Ecuadorian and have a fantastic personality. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips.
In some locations and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service and make sure we practice sustainable tourism involving local indigenous people in our operation.
SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon rain forest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.
HEALTH INFORMATION: Please inform AJ of any existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are recommended when traveling to the tropics. Please ask your doctor for advice.