Galapagos Multi-sport

Bike Tours On The Galapagos Islands Ecuador
Sea Kayaking On Galapagos Islands
Bartolome Island Galapagos
Galapagos Islands Snorkeling with tortoise
group Hiking On Volcanoes At Galapagos Islands
Wildlife and Marine Life Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Multi-sport
Duration:
10
Days
Priced from:
4199.00
USD

Galapagos Multi-sport

Trip Overview

Screen%20Shot%202019-04-23%20at%204.56.26%20PM.png(Biking, Hiking, Kayaking and Snorkelling)  Experience an adventure vacation to the Galapagos islands and witness this archipelago's incredibly diverse marine life on many travelers' must-do lists.

On this 10-day land tour, we will take you further than a traditional Galapagos tour. We travel far from the crowds and cruises and view these naturally rich islands from a very different perspective. We bob through the ocean surf by sea kayak, paddling alongside giant sea turtles, seals, and bottle-nosed dolphins. Inland we whisk along dirt trails on bikes and our own two feet.

The Galápagos Islands are a living laboratory of evolution just waiting to be explored by you. There are no predators, so the animals are friendly. It is literally possible to walk right up to blue-footed boobies, lava lizards, penguins, sea lions, and pink flamingos without them scurrying off in fear.

Another signature feature of our trip is the inclusion of cultural interactions with locals, including a meal in a local's home. Of course, we've also built plenty of time for snorkelling in the turquoise waters. For the certified, scuba diving is also available. This is a Galapagos experience not to be missed. 

WOW FACTORS

  • Snorkelling with a myriad of tropical fish, sea lions, and starfish
  • Biking on Santa Cruz Island to see the largest pit crater on the Island
  • Hiking Isabela Island in search of Galapagos penguins

Difficulty Level

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Itinerary & Map

Day 1

Quito
Arrival
The Galapagos land tour begins with a BikeHike Adventures representative meeting you at the airport and transferring you to a comfortable hotel in downtown Quito. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city and acclimate to this high altitude city, located at 2,800 meters/9,300 feet.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: none

Day 2

Quito - Santa Cruz Island
Biking
In the morning, we'll transfer back to the airport to connect with our flight to the Galapagos Islands, located 625 miles/1,000 km off the coast of mainland Ecuador. After landing on Baltra Island, we'll shuttle up to the humid tropical parts of the island to visit the giant Galapagos turtles living in the wild here. We’ll also stop to walk through some lava tunnels on the island. After lunch at a ranch, we’ll bike 20 km / 12 miles to our hotel for the evening. The remainder of the evening is free to relax. 

Biking Distance: 20 km / 12 miles
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Santa Cruz Island - Isabela Island
Kayaking
After breakfast in our hotel, we'll take a speedboat (2.5 hour ride) to Isabela Island. Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and was formed by six main volcanoes. All of these volcanoes except one remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. Upon arrival to the town of Puerto Villamil, we’ll check in at our hotel and then walk through mangroves and salty lagoons that are a refuge for flamingos, white-cheeked pintails and common stilts. We’ll then have lunch by the town’s park, before spending the afternoon kayaking through calm, turquoise waters. Keep an eye out for white-tipped sharks and stingrays in the waves below, and colonies of blue-footed boobies, tropic birds, herons and pelicans above the water. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant in town. 

Kayaking Duration: 2 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Isabela Island
Snorkelling
In the morning, we’ll travel by boat to see some lava tunnels in the ocean. We’ll hike over the tunnels and snorkel under them. There is a good chance of spotting rays and turtles in this beautiful site. We’ll also take a boat to the small island of Tintoreras to look for more sea lions and marine iguanas.  Upon arrival back to town, the remainder of the day is free. Overnight at the same hotel in Puerto Villamil.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

Isabela Island
Hiking
We leave from the town for the highlands to hike on Sierra Negra, the largest volcano on Isabela Island and one of the world's largest active volcanoes. It has a huge 6.5 mile/10 km caldera with great views of Perry Isthmus, Elisabeth Bay and Alcedo Volcano. Common birds around the volcano include Darwin finches, yellow warblers and mockingbirds. After our hike, we’ll return to town and have the afternoon free. Options include visiting a giant land tortoise breeding centre or simply relaxing at the beach and exploring the town more. Overnight at the same hotel in Puerto Villamil.

Hiking Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6

Isabela Island - Santa Cruz
Biking & Coffee Plantation
In the morning, we'll take a speed boat back to the island of Santa Cruz. After lunch we'll ride our bikes up to the look out point of Cerro Mesa, visit the largest pit crater on the island and then enjoy a great down hill bike ride to the beach of Garrapatero where we can refresh with a dip in the ocean. We’ll then take a vehicle up to one of the first coffee and cane plantations on Santa Cruz Island. We'll learn about the process of making organic coffee and sugar. Overnight at hotel in Santa Cruz. 

Biking Distance: 30 km / 18 miles
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Pinzón Island
Snorkelling
In the morning, we'll transfer 1.5 hours by speedboat to Pinzón Island. We’ll go snorkelling at two different sites that offer plenty to see such as tropical fish, sea lions and marine turtles. We’ll have lunch on board the boat, and then get back to town in the later afternoon. You have the rest of the day free to explore Puerto Ayora. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8

Bartolome Island
Hiking & Snorkelling
We drive 35 minutes to our boat and then head north for three hours to one of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago, Bartolome. The effort to get there is worth every minute. This beautiful island offers the most well known views of the Galapagos, with its tuff cones, spatter cones, enormous lava flows on Santiago Island, the Pinnacle Rock and two golden sand beaches. After a hike to the look out point, we'll visit one of the golden sand beaches for some excellent snorkeling admiring the sea life. . If we're lucky sea lions will play around us.  The snorkeling will either be under the Pinnacle Rock or at Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. In the afternoon, we return to Santa Cruz Island.

Hiking Distance: 2 km / 1.2 miles
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Santa Cruz Island - Quito
City Tour
Today we start with an early breakfast and shuttle to the airport on Baltra Island for our flight back to Quito and the mainland of Ecuador. In the late afternoon we'll tour the old town of Quito, the largest colonial centre of Latin America, before returning to our hotel. 

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10

Quito
Departure
You'll be transferred to the international airport for your flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast

What's Included

TRIP INCLUSIONS:
All accommodation (twin shared), meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), equipment, internal transportation (excluding flights), airport transfers and English-speaking guides.

TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Galapagos Park Entrance Fee ($200 US), internal flights (Quito-Galapagos Islands-Quito - from $775 US), airport departure taxes, gratuities, meals not indicated and items of a personal nature.

MEALS:
9 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 4 Dinners

ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel: 9 Nights

Trip Facts

Weather on the Galapagos islands

The islands resemble a temperate region with a very dry climate. Air temperatures range from 20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F) and water temperatures are between 16 and 28°C (61 and 82°F). There are two seasons, one warm/wet (January – June) and the other cool/dry (July-December). During the warm/wet season, warm currents from the north dominate the surrounding waters and warm the inland air. Skies are generally clear, however rain showers are frequent. The cool/dry season is referred to as garua because of the light drizzle that falls, as well as the cooler air and water temperatures (a result of the Humboldt current which is responsible for the churning of the waters and the rich food supply that feeds the animals). Animals are active throughout the year making any season the right time to visit.

January to May: Hot season with clear skies and intense sun. Average temperature is 30°C (86°F). Water temperature is warm, 26°C (79°F), and the water is calm.

June to December: Season is cooler. Average temperature is 27°C (81°F). The sun is less intense but there is still little rain.

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required for Canadian and American citizens traveling to the Galapagos Islands. There are no visas required for people with a Canadian or U.S passport. For citizens of other countries please check your local embassy for updated information on entry requirements.

Food and Water

Recommended Ecuadorian dishes include cuy (the local delicacy of guinea pig), ceviche, (seafood marinated in lemon, onions, and spices), and llapingachos (fried mashed potato and cheese pancakes). While in Ecuador, it is best to drink only bottled water or treated tap water. This also pertains to brushing your teeth. Fruit drinks, soft drinks, coffee and tea are all widely available and safe to drink.

FAQ

How big are BikeHike's groups?

Our adventures are built for small groups, with a maximum of 12 travellers on each guided tour. Each group is diverse, comprised of men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By travelling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause less disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings. Small numbers also allow greater flexibility and spontaneity: a dinner in a local home, an impromptu village wedding invite and any such experiences that can become among the most memorable experiences of your BikeHike adventure.

How fit do I need to be to join this trip?

We understand that people come in many fitness levels, so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four difficulty levels on our trips: Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Strenuous.

This is a “moderate” trip. These trips include 4-5 hours of physical activity throughout the day, with many breaks along the way.

Has this trip been run before?

BikeHike Adventures has been operating since 1994. This Galapagos trip has been one of our most popular trips for more than 10 years, and our guide there always gets outstanding reviews.

Also note that our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are screened without clients before they are added to our growing repertoire of adventures. Nothing is untested.

Can you tell me about your typical BikeHike travellers on this trip?

Our travellers share a common love for outdoor adventure. Most are looking for a physical adventure in an unfamiliar destination. A typical trip is comprised of men and women and age on this trip is typically very wide ranging. While this trip attracts our typical travellers between 30-60, it is also a great trip for families of all ages and generations. We also do a number of customized Galapagos trips for families based on this itinerary.  

Are there altitude considerations on this trip?

You will only be at high altitude when in Quito. The Galapagos Islands are at sea level.  If you plan on arriving a few days early to explore Quito, it is necessary to take precautions. It is important to take it easy for the first couple of days, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid the consumption of alcohol and heavy meals

What do I need to pack for this trip?

We have prepared a packing list that you can download by clicking the link to the right on this page.

 

Which airport do we fly in and out of for this trip?

Quito. You can arrive anytime on day 1 of the trip and depart anytime on day 10.

This trip is marked as 'Family Focused.' Are all of the groups' families or do any others typically book this trip?

This label just means that this trip is quite suitable for families, but anyone can book it. In fact, the listed group dates usually fill up with a good mix of couples, friends and singles. When families book with us, they usually choose to customize the trip and choose private dates. Our group dates over Christmas are typically the ones the fill up with families.

More about the Galapagos

Can you tell me about this trip’s activities?

We have a variety of activities included on our 10-day Galapagos Multi-Sport Adventure. This trip is rated moderate, and although we have activities scheduled daily, there is plenty of time built in for relaxation. The main focus of the Galapagos trip is viewing the flora and fauna of the islands, but in an active manner. There is minimal driving on the Galapagos trip, but there are some boat trips.

We include all of the major equipment (i.e. sea kayaks, bicycles, snorkel equipment), you are only required to bring along your own personal gear. There is no experience necessary to participate in any of the activities on this tour. Our guides are instructors and will teach you the necessary skills to gain the most out of your adventure.

For the biking, there is a support vehicle available.

Does this trip have E-bikes?

The Galapagos Islands doesn’t have availability for E-bikes at this time.

What kind of meals can we expect on the Galapagos Islands?

We consider our meals to be an essential ingredient to the success and authenticity of our trips. Most meals will be enjoyed in locally selected restaurants, so you'll have the opportunity to savour a wide variety of local cuisine. A sample meal is grilled fish, chicken or beef, served together with bean stew, salad and rice.

Will I require vaccinations to travel to the Galapagos?

We cannot give official medical advice. We advise you to contact your nearest travel clinic for updated information on health requirements, because this information can and does change frequently. You should plan ahead for your inoculations, as some of them require 30 days to take affect. Some shots cause mild reactions (fatigue to mild fever and nausea) and may require more than one dose over a period of weeks.

A good website for current information is The Centre for Disease Control.

Do I need a visa to enter Ecuador or the Galapagos Islands?

There are no visas required for people with a Canadian or American passport. For citizens of other countries please check your local embassy for updated information on entry requirements.

What is the best time of the year to go on a trip to the Galapagos Islands?

There is no "best" time of year to visit the Galapagos. It pretty much has the same weather year round. From October to June, expect clear skies, calm seas and mild winds. The temperature of the water is 26'C (79'F).  From July to September, the water temperatures are cooler and a little choppier due to the Humboldt Current, but nothing a wet suit doesn't solve. With the cooler waters, comes more marine life. 

Will there be Internet access?

There is Internet access on Santa Cruz and Quito. It is sometimes harder to get on Isabela Island.

What is the boat ride like from Isabela Island to Santa Cruz?

It is a speedboat that travels between the two islands of Isabela and Santa Cruz. The trip is around 2.5-3 hours each way.  If you are prone to seasickness, make sure to bring some motion sickness pills with you on the trip. Alternatively, consider travelling during October-June when the water is warmer and the seas are calmer.

Can I take this trip if...

I am a solo traveller? How does solo accommodation and costing work?

Many of our travellers (both men and women) join as singles. On average, BikeHike groups are 75% single travellers and 25% couples. Unlike many adventure travel companies, we don't charge single supplement fees to solo travellers. Instead, we pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge. A single private room supplement fee is only required if you specifically request a confirmed private room for the duration of the trip. Learn more about solo travel with BikeHike

I have special dietary requirements?

We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us when signing up for a trip.

I am travelling with children? Is this trip child friendly?

This is a great trip for families of all ages and generations! We also do a number of customized Galapagos trips for families based on this itinerary. This trip is generally suitable for families that include strong children (eight and older) and active teenagers. 

Accommodation

Most of our trips include comfortable mid-range accommodations. This includes accommodation that provides a clean and comfortable experience in characterful surroundings that reflect the destination. To build stronger connections with the communities and support the local economies, we avoid using large international chain brands on BikeHike trips. 

This trip includes the following types of accommodation:

HOTELS

In an effort to keep money in the communities we visit around the world, BikeHike prefers small hotels, bungalows, and haciendas that showcase the character and local flair of each destination.

Click HERE for more information about accommodation styles.

Adventure Dates

  • Mar 15 - Mar 24, 2024
  • Jun 07 - Jun 16, 2024
  • Aug 23 - Sep 01, 2024
  • Oct 25 - Nov 03, 2024
  • Dec 06 - Dec 15, 2024
  • Jan 17 - Jan 26, 2025
  • Feb 14 - Feb 23, 2025
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Price

(Land only, based on twin/shared room)
4199.00
USD
per person, plus approximately $975 USD for Internal Flights and Galapagos Entrance Fee

No single supplement fees
** Guaranteed departures on two travellers

Are You Organizing a Group Trip?
Discover our private group discounts

Add-Ons

  • It's easy to add days before and after your tour.  Just ask! 
Day Destination Activity Distance Lodging Meals
1
Quito
Arrival
Hotel
2
Quito - Santa Cruz Island
Biking
20 km / 12 miles
Hotel
b,
l,
d
3
Santa Cruz Island - Isabela Island
Kayaking
Hotel
b,
l,
d
4
Isabela Island
Snorkelling
Hotel
b
5
Isabela Island
Hiking
16 km / 10 miles
Hotel
b,
l
6
Isabela Island - Santa Cruz
Biking & Coffee Plantation
30 km / 18 miles
Hotel
b,
l,
d
7
Pinzón Island
Snorkelling
Hotel
b,
l
8
Bartolome Island
Hiking & Snorkelling
2 km / 1.2 miles
Hotel
b,
l,
d
9
Santa Cruz Island - Quito
Hotel
b
10
Quito
Departure
b

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EC
Elaine C
January 6, 2018
5

Jorgen was awesome. It was so nice having everything planned and also to get some of the local flavor. This was a fantastic trip. Everything was planned and everything was paid for ahead of time which made it very easy to relax and enjoy the vacation. The food we ate was amazing and the day trips were awesome. Would definitely recommend BikeHike if looking to explore central and South America in an active and stress free way.

Spring Lake, NC, USA
CS
Chris S
December 21, 2016
5

Galapagos was my first trip with BikeHIke (also my first trip of this kind). Since then I have enjoyed two more adventures with BikeHike. A testament in itself for the quality of their trips and accomplished guides..... I joined Galapagos Multisport as a single traveller. We were a small group and Jorgen immediately made me feel at home. BikeHike's land based trip is the ultimate Galapagos experience, allowing intimate connection to the Islands people. Diverse, crystal clear, and spectacular. Words can't describe my feeling while snorkelling with multiple Tortuga and Eagle Rays inches from my outstretched fingers.

Vancouver, BC, Canada
MG
Monique G
June 19, 2015
5

Awesome vacation; excellent guide. We recently planned a family reunion style trip to the Galapagos with Bike Hike Adventures and had such fantastic time. It was so personalized to our needs. The guide paid close attention to everyone in our family to make sure everyone was happy and really made the whole thing go so smoothly despite some of my family's spontaneous needs, not an easy task with a large group (9 of us). He went above and beyond every day. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the region. During the trip, we saw so many animals and learned a lot. Bike Hike helped us pack more great experiences into this vacation than we ever thought possible. Before choosing this trip, we were debating doing something else like a cruise but decided in the end to do a land tour instead. I'm so glad because I am pretty sure we saw more than the others we saw on boats. We even ate a meal with a local family -- a highlight.

New York, USA
ES
Eva-Marie S.
March 24, 2012
5

I'm afraid of signing up for any other trip, as I’ll likely be disappointed. How do you follow up on perfection?

Ontario, Canada
JB
Jim B
January 10, 2012
5

One word: Jorgen...He would not like to hear me say it, but...that man has a spirit and organizational skills that really made this trip a 'never forgotten and fondly remembered' experience.

Colorado, USA
LG
Lynette G.
January 5, 2012
5

The entire trip was amazing. The best part was all the wildlife - from the turtles, iguanas, blue footed boobies, penguins, sharks, sea lions and the list goes on! The trip was made all that better by having a fantastic group to travel with!

British Columbia, Canada
TK
Tim K.
December 2, 2011
5

Can't choose what was best. I loved the activities we did - the landscapes and wildlife were incredible, and the other people on the trip were an absolute blast to travel with.

British Columbia, Canada
GE
Gary E.
November 1, 2011
5

The guide could not have been better. We have taken many trips with many companies all over the world, but we have never had a guide as good as this trip.

Massachusetts, USA
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