Ecuador and Galapagos Bike Tour

Tour by Day

Day One: Welcome to Ecuador!
Your guides will meet you at the Quito Airport, and then we’re off to the Swisshotel. For the rest of the day you are encouraged to relax while your body acclimates to the altitude of the city, approximately 10,000 feet above sea level.

Meals: Light lunch

Day Two: Equatorial Line Visit, Imbabura and Otavalo Indian Market
Today we drive north from Quito to begin our first bike ride along the ciclo-way. Riding along a beautiful wide trail, we’ll pass over el Chiche river and be treated to stunning views of the gorge and surrounding dry forest. After, visit the iconic Equatorial line monument and straddle both hemispheres. Continue on to Imbabura for lunch at Hacienda La Merced Baja in Zuleta Valley. Later, we’ll ride through picturesque villages to the town of Otavalo, where we’ll explore the famous markets known for the hand weaved products of the indigenous residents. Enjoy an intimate dinner amidst the mountain surroundings at Hacienda Pinsaqui.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Equatorial Line Visit, Imbabura, Otavalo
Accomplished: 15 miles / 24km

Day Three: Cuicocha Lake Hike
This morning we’ll set out to hike around Cuicocha Crater Lake, which, at 3,070 meters, is a nature reserve, located on the slopes of the larger Cotacachi Volcano. This ecosystem is a combination of Paramo and Andean forest where you can find unique local flora such as pumamaqui, quishuar, chilca, bromarea, fushia, lupins, calcelaria, and other colorful Andean flowers. After hiking, we’ll hop on our bikes and ride to lunch in the town of Cotacachi. Explore the local leather shops in Cotacachi before returning to Quito for the evening. Tonight you are free to explore the city on your own.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Cuicocha Crater Lake, Cotacachi Volcano
Accomplished: 14 miles / 22 km
 

Day Four: Hike Frigate Hill
Today we’re off to the Galapagos. Board a morning flight to Baltra and transfer to San Cristobal Island. Enjoy a welcome lunch upon arrival and briefing before the adventure begins. Hike out of town to visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center for a general understanding about the islands. Then explore a unique dry forest. Our route leads us to Frigate Hill along trails of lava rock, featuring splendid views of the coastline and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Keep your eye out for local wildlife like magnificent frigate birds or blue-footed boobies. This evening we’ll enjoy a waterfront dinner at Casa Opuntia.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: San Cristobal Island, Frigate Hill, Puerto Baqueirzo Moreno, Carola Beach
Accomplished: 2.6 miles / 4km hiked
 

Day Five: Kayak and Snorkel on San Cristobal
Today, prepare for a full day of water activities! We’ll begin in ocean kayaks paddling along the coast and exploring coves, like Darwin Bay, that are full of local wildlife. Upon reaching Playa Ochoa, continue on to nearby Isla Lobos on the lookout for marine iguanas and sea lions. Finally, arrive in Leon Dormido, the jagged remains of an old tuff cone and home to thousands of sea birds. Here we’ll be treated to excellent snorkeling, and, for certified divers, one of the best dives in the islands. We’ll return to our hotel for our last evening in San Cristobal.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Darwin Bay, Playa Ochoa, Isla Lobos, Leon Dormido
Accomplished: 5 miles / 8 km kayaked
 

Day Six: Coastal Exploration of Tintoreras and Isabela Islands
Start with a short flight from San Cristobal to Isabela Island. We’ll head out on mountain bikes to explore the beautiful coastline with its stunning scenery and fascinating fauna. Visit El Muro de las Lágrimas (Wall of Tears), a historic site that dates back to the era between 1946 and 1959 when Isabela Island was used as a penal colony. Continue along the coast, exploring the expansive white sand beaches, mangroves and brackish lagoons. Enjoy a boat ride to the Tintoreras, a set of small islets that are filled with wildlife and home to the Galapagos penguin. Tonight we’ll dine at Iguana Crossing.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Isabela Island, El Muro de las Lágrimas, Tintoreras
Accomplished: 8 miles / 13 km
 

Day Seven: Volcano Discovery Hike in the Isabela Highlands
From Puerto Villamil, we’ll drive up to the highlands where the road ends and set off into a world of recent geological history. Walking on dirt trails, we’ll arrive at the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, which last erupted in October 2005. The rim encloses a huge lava-filled crater and offers views to the other volcanoes, the Perry Isthmus, and beyond. Feeling adventurous? Continue the hike up to Volcano Chico to observe the puffing fumaroles and extraordinary lava formations. Ride downhill to Campo Duro, passing coffee plantations and orange trees. Finally, return to Puerto Villamil to relax at our beachfront hotel.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Puerto Villamil, Sierra Negra Volcano, Campo Duro
Accomplished: 14 miles / 23 km

Day Eight: Tortuga Island Boat Trip
Enjoy a scenic boat ride out to the small horseshoe-shaped Tortuga Island. Once here we’ll explore Tortuga’s brackish lagoons, snorkel in Loberia Grande, and visit the wonderful sea bird sanctuary. In the afternoon we’ll return to Isabela for an optional hike. Choose to join your guides on the hike or spend your afternoon relaxing on the white sandy beaches. We’ll regroup this evening for dinner at the hotel featuring local specialties.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Tortuga Island, Loberia Grande

Day Nine: Hike with the Giant Tortoise at El Chato and Divine Bay Kayaking
Begin the day with a quick boat ride from Isabela to the Santa Cruz Islands. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the El Chato reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. These highlands are the natural habitat of the incredible Galapagos tortoise, and we’ll learn all about these lumbering giants during our hike. After lunch we’ll set off to paddle our kayaks around Divine Bay. Glide through turquoise waters that wind through high-walled lava channels, where white-tipped sharks and rays cruise beneath the surface. This evening we will dine at one of Puerto Ayora’s fantastic restaurants before settling down at the Angermeyer Waterfront Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Santa Cruz Islands, El Chato, Divine Bay, Puerto Ayora
Accomplished: 2.8 miles / 3.6 km hiked
 

Day Ten: Charles Darwin Research Station
Today we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation and management efforts in the archipelago. Then it’s time to say goodbye to the Galapagos and transfer out to Baltra for our flight back to Quito.

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Charles Darwin Research Station

Day Eleven: Adios Ecuador!
Relax and enjoy your last Ecuadorian breakfast, pop into the old town or head off to the airport to continue your journey or head home. The day is yours to enjoy.