| Quick Info |
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: Canal Itabaca - Pto. Ayora - Bellavista - Garrapatero -Santa Rosa - El Chato.
FLOREANA ISLAND. Island visit.
Price:
7 days / 6 nights: From USD 1625
Location: Galapagos Islands
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| Overview |
The Galapagos Archipelago comprises 13 large islands, 6 small islands, 42 islets and a number of small rocks and pinnacles, which make up a total land surface of 8,000km2. They are a group of submarine volcanoes that grew progressively from the ocean floor, until they finally emerged above sea level about 4.5 million years ago and formed a group of islands. The islands have been added to and new islands have been forming ever since. Each island is formed from a single volcano, with the exception of Isabela, which comprises 6 volcanoes strung together.
 In 1959, the Ecuadorian government set aside 1,714,000 acres (693,700 ha), 90% of the Galapagos Islands as a National Park. All the lands not already included in the settlement areas were designated and incorporated into the park. The Galapagos National Park Service works hand in hand with the Charles Darwin Research Station implementing their common goals of conservation and preservations of the natural resources with the Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve. In 1979, the Galapagos National Park was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO and later on it was designated a World Biosphere Reserve.
Giant turtles, marine and terrestrial iguanas altogether with the small lava lizards are the most recognized families of reptiles. The Galapagos reptiles, half of the bird species, 32% of the plants, and 25% of the fish, as well as a good number of invertebrates are endemic of this natural sanctuary. |
PRICE 2010
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PROGRAM
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PAX
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PRICE (USD)
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7 Days / 6 Nights Cycling Galapagos
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1
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2187
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2-3
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2000
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4-6
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1875
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7 or more
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1625
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| ◊ PRICE INCLUDES |
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• Round trip ticket
• Bicycle and protection equipment
• Transfers for passengers and bicycles
• Purified drinking water
• Experimented bicycle guides.
• Certified Galapagos National Park guides
• Mechanic and road assistance
• Breakfast, snacks (sandwich, fruit and candy), and lunch
• Accommodations in a standard hotel all nights
• Rides and boat trips
• Bayside tour
• Tour to Floreana
• Kayak excursion
• El Chato ticket
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| ◊ PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE |
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• National Park entrance fee (USD7 national tourists, USD100 foreign tourists)
• INGALA fee (USD $10)
• Diner (varies from USD $2.5 to USD$8)
• Personal shopping
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| Detailed Itinerary |
| • Day 1: |
 05h30
Departure from Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito (national departures) with bicycles well packed.
Once in Baltra, you will take a bus and a boat that will cross you over to Santa Cruz Island were your adventure begins. Once you cross Canal of Ithabaca, you will get your bike ready for a ride across Santa Cruz Island (north to south). You will make one stop. |
| • Day 2: |
08h00
After breakfast,you will head towards Puerto Ayora’s main pier were you will take a bayside tour that includes visits to: the white-tip sharks crevice, Playa de los perros, and a beautiful large crevice with clear, calm water where you will be able to swim and refresh for a couple of hours. After lunch at Playa de los alemanes, you will return to Puerto Ayora town and go to the Charles Darwin Research Station and its interpretive center were you will learn more about the archipelago, and have the big opportunity to meet Solitaire George, who is the last Galapagos Tortoise of its species.
Free evening-night.
Trip: 5km.
Walking time: 2 hours approximately
Physical-technical level: low
Climate: warm
Max. height: 8 m above sea level.
Min. height: 0 m above sea level. |
| • Day 3: |
 08h00
After breakfast, you will ride your bike towards Bellavista and Santa Rosa, small communities located at the high part of the island. On the road, you will be able to see the colonos farms were they produce milk, cheese, yoghurt and meet. After a 2 hours and a half ride you will get to El Chato, were you will be able to walk around and enjoy the beauty of the place while observing the famous Giant Galapagos Tortoises on their natural habitat. After a very special tortoise encounter, you will venture into the famous lava tunnels, were you will have lun ch before starting the ride back to Puerto Ayora town.
Free evening-night.
Trip: 38 Km. Paved and ballast roads.
Ascent and descent: 40% ascent - 20% plain – 40% descent.
Pedal time: 5 hours approximately
Physical-technical level: medium
Weather: warm humid
Max height: 500 m above sea level.
Min. height: 0 m above sea level.
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| • Day 4: |
 09h00
After breakfast, get ready to visit one of the most beautiful beaches of Galapagos, Tortuga Bay. It will take approximately a one hour hike to the beach, were most probably you will get to see marine turtles, marine iguanas and some endemic birds. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the sun, and the calm water of Playa Mansa will allow you to take a kayak excursion along the mangrove and a rocky wall. You will have a great time to relax, have lunch, and visit Laguna de la Ninfason in your way back to Puerto Ayora town.
Free evening-night.
Trip: 5km.
Walking time: 2 hours approximately
Physical-technical level: low
Climate: warm
Max height: 4 above sea level.
Min. height: 0 above sea level. |
| • Day 5: |
 08h00
After breakfast, you will ride your bike towards Bellavista in order to get to El Cascajo. An up and down road will lead you to the Garrapatero beach, a beautiful place were you will be able to enjoy nature while having lunch. After a good break, you will start the ride back to Puerto Ayora town.
Free evening-night.
Trip: 38 Km. Paved and ballast roads
Ascent and descent: 40% ascent, 20 % plain, 40% descent.
Pedal time: 5 hours approximately
Physical-technical level: medium
Weather: warm humid.
Max height: 500 above sea level.
Min height: 0 above sea level. |
| • Day 6: |
On the sixth day, you will enjoy a trip to Floreana Island, located one hour and a half southwest of the archipelago. The most important places you will visits in Floreana are: Post Office Bay, Black beach, Flamingo Bay, and the Pirates cavern from the XVIII century. Then you will be able to swim and do some snorkeling at Devils crown. Lunch and snack will be served at the boat.
In the afternoon you will head towards Puerto Ayora were your fun and captivating Galapagos experience will come to an end.
Evening and night free to prepare for next day flight to Quito. Bicycles must be well packed. |
| • Day 7: |
| After breakfast, you will travel by car to the other side of the island were you will cross on a boat to Baltra Island were the airport is located, and take the flight to Quito. |
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