Ecuador + Galápagos Bike + Adventure Tour
From the Andes to Wild Equatorial Islands
Tour Highlights
- Shop the markets of Otavalo and take home traditional textiles woven by indigenous residents
- Bike through unique Andean Dry Forests, where remarkable biodiversity dates back millions of years
- Kayak one of the most beautiful routes in the entire archipelago for a chance at a close encounter with sea lions
- Visit El Chato reserve on Santa Cruz Island, home to the famous Galápagos tortoises
Eat
Potatoes, pork, chicken, and beef from the Ecuadorian highlands; shrimp ceviche, bolones (green plantains), fish soups, and arroz marinero (seafood rice)
Drink
Refreshing cerveza and unusual Equatorial Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
As featured in:
Itinerary
Print Itinerary- Day 1
Welcome to Ecuador!
Our guides will meet you at the airport in Quito, ready to transfer north into the Andes and surrounding ancient volcanoes. As we ascend, we’ll stop for a photo to celebrate our inaugural crossing of the equator—the first of many on this trip. After lunch at one of our favorite organic restaurants in Cayambe, we’ll visit a rose plantation to discover the fragrant business behind one of Ecuador’s main exports. Once we arrive at our hotel, you are encouraged to relax while your body acclimates to the altitude. This evening, enjoy a first dinner in the splendor of the mountain surroundings.
Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Cayambe, Zuleta
Accommodations: Hacienda Zuleta - Day 2
Andean Dry Forest
After breakfast, we’ll hop in the van for a transfer northwest to Pablo Arenas, a tiny Andean town in the Imbabura province. After a safety talk and mountain bike fitting, we’ll begin riding through remarkable Andean Dry Forest via trail—transitioning us from ancient cobblestone to compact dirt paths. These living museums are home to an incredible diversity of flora—including the sacred quishuar tree and the ancient dye plant chilca. Some plants and trees are as old as 10 million years! After lunch at a local hosteria, it’s a lovely descent all the way to Salinas de Ibarra, known for its salt production dating back to the 15th century. Tonight, enjoy craft cocktails by the pool before we dine at the hotel restaurant—a farm-to-table feast sourced entirely from ingredients grown on-property and in the surrounding area.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Pablo Arenas, Salinas de Ibarra
Accomplished: 27 miles / 43 km, elevation gain: 3,182 feet / 970 meters
Accommodations: Hacienda Zuleta - Day 3
Zuleta Valley
This morning we will visit the Condor Preservation Project to see how Ecuadorians are protecting this unusual giant bird. Afterwards, we return to our bikes and ride through lush hills of Ugsha, on the Camuendo Peguche, and around the San Pablo del Lago on dirt roads. After cycling below the slopes of the Imbabura Volcano, we reach the peaceful village of Peguche with its spectacular waterfall. Lunch is in the village of Otavalo, where we’ll see the market brimming with colorful textiles hand-woven by indigenous residents. Transfer back to Quito and get ready for tomorrow’s departure to the islands of the Galápagos.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: San Pablo del Lago, Ugsha, Peguche, Otavalo
Accomplished: 14 miles / 23 km, elevation gain: 2,083 feet / 635 meters
Accommodations: Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel - Day 4
Creatures and Features of Santa Cruz Island
Today we depart for the Galápagos Islands. Board a morning flight to Baltra, an airport originally constructed during World War II to protect the Panama Canal, then transfer to the Itabacca Channel for a short ferry ride to the next-door island of Santa Cruz. Here, we make our way to Los Gemelos, the twin volcanic craters near the island’s center. The sinkholes are surrounded by scalesia trees endemic to the Galápagos, and we’ll keep our eyes open for the elusive short-eared owls frequently found in this forest. Before lunch, we’ll ride our fat bikes to the highlands and visit El Chato Reserve, the natural habitat of the Galápagos tortoise, then finish the day’s ride to the island hub of Puerto Ayora. After a full day of discovery on Isla Santa Cruz, sit down to a well-deserved dinner at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Santa Cruz Island, El Chato, Puerto Ayora
Accomplished: 22 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 1,148 feet / 350 meters
Accommodations: Angermeyer Waterfront Hotel - Day 5
Kayak Divine Bay
This morning, we’ll explore Punta Estrada and Divine Bay by kayak. In the turquoise waters surrounded by walls of lava channels, look just beneath the surface for gentle white-tipped sharks and eagle rays—or paddle close to the cliffs and sea coves for an up-close glimpse of fearless blue-footed boobies, lava gulls, herons, and marine iguanas. After lunch, a short hike through dry forest is filled with fascinating plants and birdlife. We’ll reach Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galápagos, and spend the afternoon sunning on soft, white sand or swimming in the pristine water. Return to our hotel this evening for a final dinner on Santa Cruz Island.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Divine Bay, Tortuga Bay
Accomplished: 5 miles / 8 km kayaking; 3 miles / 5 km hiking
Accommodations: Angermeyer Waterfront Hotel - Day 6
Coastal Exploration of Isabela and Tintoreras
Board a speedboat for an inter-island transfer from Santa Cruz to Isla Isabela. Upon our arrival, we’ll walk through a wonderland of mangroves and manzanillo trees to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. Here, learn how the Galápagos Park has invested years of research into these lumbering giants and how they have succeeded at steadily growing the tortoise population. Continue trekking around the marshy lakes where vibrant flamingos preen and play, then hop on another boat for a brief ride to Tintoreras. These small, wildlife-dense islets are home to the Galápagos penguin—the only kind of its species to live north of the equator. Tonight, sample island fare during a seaside dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Isabela Island, Tintoreras
Accomplished: 3 miles / 5 km hiking
Accommodations: Iguana Crossing - Day 7
Volcano Discovery Hike in the Isabela Highlands
From Puerto Villamil, we’ll drive into the highlands to see a world of recent geological history. Once the road ends, follow the dirt trails on foot to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, which last erupted in October 2005. The rim encloses a huge lava-filled crater and peers over the Perry Isthmus Volcano and beyond. For the adventurous, the hike continues up to Volcano Chico where the earth exhales hot sulfurous gases from fumaroles and lava formations mimic a lunar landscape. Ride downhill to Campo Duro, passing coffee plantations and orange trees, then return to Puerto Villamil to relax at our beachfront hotel. Tonight, your guides are happy to recommend a restaurant for dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Puerto Villamil, Sierra Negra Volcano, Campo Duro
Accomplished: 6 miles / 10 km, elevation gain: 0 meters; 6 miles / 9 km hiking
Accommodations: Iguana Crossing - Day 8
Tortuga Island
The island life awaits: a scenic boat ride brings us to the small horseshoe-shaped Tortuga Island, marked by secret swimming spots. Snorkel in Loberia Grande alongside sea lions and meet Galápagos green turtles face-to-face. Thousands of seabirds nest along the island’s cliffs, bringing the landscape to life. Return to Isabela for lunch in town. This afternoon, we’ll hop on our bikes and cruise the white sandy beaches, mangrove forests, and brackish lagoons. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner and toast to our adventures and discoveries!
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Tortuga Island, Loberia Grande
Accomplished: Snorkeling
Longer Option: 8 miles / 13 km, elevation gain: 207 feet / 63 meters
Accommodations: Iguana Crossing - Day 9
Adios Galápagos!
Enjoy one final, peaceful breakfast by the sea before saying goodbye to the Galápagos. Board our intra-island flight bound for Baltra, then catch our flight back to Quito where our tour comes to an end. Please note that our last flight back to Quito will arrive between 3:00 and 6:00 pm.
Meals: Breakfast
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
Arrival Details
Airport City: Quito, Ecuador Pick-Up Location: Quito airport Pick-Up Time: Until 11:00 am
Departure Details
Airport City: Quito, Ecuador Drop-Off Location: Baltra Airport Drop-Off Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Arrival and departure details for alternate itineraries and future year departures may be subject to change.
Travelers Take Note
The high altitudes of Quito and the Ecuadorian Highlands (up to 9,500 ft) may cause altitude sickness. Acclimatization can help, but we also recommend consulting your physician before traveling to Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands are governed by conservation and preservation laws to ensure they remain wild and beautiful. For this reason, the island visits in this itinerary are subject to change.
There is a limited luggage weight in place for inter-island flights (a maximum of 25 pounds per passenger). If your luggage exceeds this limit, the airline will charge $2.00 per extra pound. If the cumulative weight of bags from multiple passengers surpasses the weight limit, airlines reserve the right to decline the excess weight in the interest of safety. In such instances, a boat transfer can be arranged for the bags, with a charge of $50 per bag. Therefore, we highly recommend packing lightly.
This tour may include morning departures as early as 4:00 am due to Galápagos flight schedules. Once in the Galápagos, the main form of transportation is by boat. If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend preventative medication or wristbands.
Some accommodations on this tour are simpler and more rustic than typical DuVine accommodations but were chosen for their proximity to national parks and points of interest. Additionally, given the unique and sometimes remote infrastructure of the Galápagos Islands, you might experience slow or no internet connectivity, as well as imposed fresh water restrictions.
For the hikes on this tour, we strongly recommend bringing hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction (not running shoes or sneakers). Moisture-wicking clothing or daypacks are also recommended, but not required.
Weather by Month
Inclusions + Details
Accommodations
- Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
- Luggage transfers
Meals
- Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
- 6 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
- Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal
Activities
- Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
- Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
- Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
Gear
- Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
- Bike helmet
- Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
- GPS in most destinations
Support
- Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
- Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
- Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
- Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
