Galapagos Ecuador Tours

May 25, 2022
Galapagos Tours

Day One: Welcome to Ecuador!
Our Ecuador and Galapagos bike tour begins at the Tababela Airport where your guides will meet you and then we’re off to the historical and traditional Hacienda Pinsaqui. 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. Enjoy an intimate dinner in the splendour of the mountain surroundings.

Meals: Dinner
Destinations: Otavalo
Accommodations: Hacienda Zuleta or Hacienda Pinsaqui

Day Two: Imbabura
After breakfast we’ll set out to hike around Cuicocha Crater Lake. At 3, 070 meters above sea level is the Cuicocha 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 colourful Andean flowers. After hiking, we’ll hop on our bikes and ride to lunch in the town of Cotacachi. Explore the local leather shops before returning to the hacienda. Later, we’ll ride through picturesque villages to the town of Otavalo, where we’ll explore the famous markets known for hand woven products from the indigenous residents. Tonight we dine at the hacienda.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Equatorial Line, Imbabura, Otavalo
Accomplished: 15 miles / 24 km
Accommodations: Hacienda Zuleta or Hacienda Pinsaqui

Day Three: Zuleta Valley
After breakfast we’ll hop on our bikes and ride through the Ugsha and on the Camueando Peguche road. Passing along dirt roads and agriculture land you will admire the cultural views of Lake San Pablo & Imbabura. Cycle the slopes of the Volcano until you reach Peguche with its waterfalls and the beautiful work from local weavers. After lunch in Otavalo we’ll ride slowly making our way back to Pinsaqui meandering through lush pasturelands, pine trees and eucalyptus forests. Tonight we enjoy our last dinner at the hacienda and in Otavalo as tomorrow we head for the islands of the Galápagos.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Zuleta, Peguche Waterfall
Accomplished: 14 miles / 23 km
Accommodations: Hacienda Zuleta or Hacienda Pinsaqui

Day Four: Hike Frigate Hill
Today we’re off to the Galápagos. Board a morning flight to Guayaquil 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 / 4.5 km hiked
Accommodations: Casa Opuntia

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 on 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
Accommodations: Casa Opuntia

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 Galápagos 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
Accommodations: Iguana Crossing

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
Accommodations: Iguana Crossing

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. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

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