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Galapagos Tour: Giant Turtles and Lava Tunnels
4.9
35 Ratings
Puerto Ayora
Embark on a private BiciTour in the Galapagos Islands to explore giant tortoises, lava tunnels, and endemic forests. Discover the unique flora and fauna of this enchanting destination.
Embark on a private BiciTour in the Galapagos Islands to explore giant tortoises, lava tunnels, and endemic forests. Discover the unique flora and fauna of this enchanting destination.
Duration:
4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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Galapagos Frontier - Would you like to see the giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat?
If your answer is yes, and you like adventures, this tour is for you. We encourage you to come and discover the Galapagos Frontier reserve by bike, where you will be received by a naturalist guide with more than 30 years of experience who will take…
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Galapagos Frontier - Would you like to see the giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat?
If your answer is yes, and you like adventures, this tour is for you. We encourage you to come and discover the Galapagos Frontier reserve by bike, where you will be received by a naturalist guide with more than 30 years of experience who will take you to discover the endemic forest of Galapagos.
We’ll meet at the dock to choose the bikes. We will take them on the bus and descend to the reserve, where we will have coffee and juice before the tour. On the way we will pass through the forest of the transition zone, where we will be able to observe giant tortoises. We will be able to see various species of endemic birds such as cucube or Darwin’s finch among many others. Then we will see two lava tunnels, with recent formations of stalactites and stalagmites, where we will learn about the formation of the Galapagos Islands and, with luck, we will be able to see the Barn Owl. We will finish the tour by bicycle, in the Laguna de las Ninfas.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Snacks
- Bicycle use
- Tea and coffee
- Private transportation
- Snacks
- Bicycle use
- Tea and coffee
Additional Information
Bikes, Enormous Tortoises, and Volcanic Passageways
We’ll gather at Puerto Ayora’s San Francisco Park to collect the bikes, catch a bus to Los Guayabillos, and then descend to the reserve. Upon arrival at Galapagos Frontier, a seasoned naturalist guide boasting over three decades of experience will take you on a journey through the unique Galapagos…
Bikes, Enormous Tortoises, and Volcanic Passageways
We’ll gather at Puerto Ayora’s San Francisco Park to collect the bikes, catch a bus to Los Guayabillos, and then descend to the reserve. Upon arrival at Galapagos Frontier, a seasoned naturalist guide boasting over three decades of experience will take you on a journey through the unique Galapagos woodland, home to the most endemic plant species across the islands.
As we traverse the transition zone’s forest, we can look out for the giant tortoises that dot our path. We might also spot numerous endemic bird species such as the canary or Darwin’s finch among others.
Following this, we’ll explore two volcanic passageways adorned with newly formed stalactites and stalagmites. Here, we’ll delve into the story of the Galapagos Islands’ formation and, if we’re lucky, catch a glimpse of the cave-dwelling barn owl. Wrapping up the tour, we’ll revive ourselves with fresh juice from the fruit trees of the reserve.
Location
NAUTIDIVING S.A.
head to Charles Darwin Avenue in Parque San Francisco Santa Cruz
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(35 Ratings)
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Robert_m
Jan 7, 2025
Enjoyed every minute! - Wonderful experience! Our guide, Julio, was amazing!
Two in our group fell ill for a couple days, and the operator allowed us to reschedule the morning of the tour which was greatly appreciated by all.
Review provided by Viator
Colin_d
Dec 26, 2024
Incredible experience... - Incredible experience getting to see tortoises in their natural environment. Cesar’s knowledge and genuine passion make this an informative and amazing tour
Review provided by Viator
Michael_r
Oct 6, 2024
Both the turtles and the lava tunnels are amazing - We met Julio at the meeting point. He was already on his bike and we went together to the bike rental to get ours. The bikes were put in a pickup truck and we were driven inland (up hill). After 10 minutes we started our bike trip, which was mostly downhill and very enjoyable.
We arrived in the Turtle park and got a lot of background from the owner Cesar. He knows everything about these fascinating creatures. But also about all the plants and trees we encountered during our trail through the woods. Rubber boots were provided: very necessary.
After the trail we entered the Lava Tunnel. This is truely an amazing experience. With flash lights we went in deeper and deeper. Wow!
After the return form the lava tunnels we took the trail back and were treated with fresh fruit juice that Julio prepared. We left a tip for the turtle resort and drove our bikes back into town. Mostly downhill and very enjoyable. There were many turtles along the route!
Overall this tour is highly recommended. The combination of light activity and learning about Turtles is great. The lava tunnels are not to be missed.
Julio was a great guide and super friendly. Always smiling and enjoying the bike tour too. He made some photos of us as on the way as well. Go do this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Z9826uxanam
Sep 29, 2024
Excellent experience - The Guide was very dynamic, excellent care and very good information. Great views and super cute turtles!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rojas
Sep 13, 2024
Personalized experience - Julio and César were awesome. Treatment is personalized and the place is great to appreciate the turtles and different birds. Walk through the lava tunnels is quite interesting. Bike option with lunch was a great enjoyable choice for me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dylan_c
Jun 24, 2024
Bikes, Turtles and Lava Tunnels for a Memorable Morning! - Fantastic tour in the highlands of Santa Cruz. We met with Julio Cesar first by the pier who then took us on a bicycle ride to the reserve, which was great in itself. Then the reserve itself was awesome with a walk through the jungle where we met many turtles (some as old as 170!) in the wild. We ended with a tour through the fascinating lava tunnels then completed with a downhill bike ride back into Puerto Ayora. The whole morning was a great experience with knowledgeable enthusiastic guides. Highly recommended!!
Review provided by Viator
Epl_ronin03
May 22, 2024
worth the trip - Day started off with a taxi to the town where the reserve is located. From there, it was a short bike ride to the reserve. Cesar was a fantastic guide and is extremely knowledgable. Saw the giant tortoises and lava caves there. Cesar took me around his property and explained different plants and birds, as well as provided information about each of the turtles that we saw. There are some hills that you will have to bike up. But the ride back to town will be mostly downhill. Along the way you'll see farms and some cattle. You may even see a giant tortoise on the road. All in all, the tour with Cesar and his staff was great and I would highly recommend it if you want to get some good exercise while seeing the turtles. This tour included freshly made smoothies from fruit that one of his staff picked while on the tour. It also includes a delicious lunch. Well worth the visit
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulaso6794fc
May 21, 2024
DON’T MISS THIS TOUR!!! Lots of tortoises in the wild! - My husband and I did the bicycle tour and saw so many tortoises in their natural habitat, we were in awe. While you can see them at the Darwin Research Center, it is so much more exciting to see them in the wild. We are guessing we saw at least 20, including a couple mating. In addition, Cesar gave us lots of information (through a volunteer interpreter who did a great job) and told us about many different birds and plants, both native and invasive. It was educational and interesting. Then we toured the lava tunnels which was also very cool. After the hike back, we had juice of some of the fruits collected as we toured. We then rode the bikes back to the shop with a quick stop at Las Ninfas. While at the reserve, we met Cesar’s son, Julio, who does the cooking classes and also did the artwork on the shirt he was wearing which he really needs to mass produce and sell. Frontier has not been operating long and tourism is down right now, so we really hope word will get around to draw some business for them. Today we were the only two on the bike tour with two more joining for just the walking part. This is an experience that needs to be shared by many more. If you’re not sure about the bike part, at least do the walking only version. Look on their website galapagosfrontierec.com for info on all the tours they offer. Enjoy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
871yuchenw
May 14, 2024
Best Turtles & Lava Tunnel Tour - César, the owner of the ecofarm, is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. But not only his wealth of information, but also his animated and passionate delivery, is what really makes this tour the highlight on Santa Cruz. Included is a tour of the farm with all of its wild giant tortoises, endemic birds and plants followed by a stroll through the primordial forest of the Galapagos National Park leading to the ancient lava tunnel of Tito Alba.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richard_h
Dec 26, 2024
Disappointing but interesting - Disappointing- limited English with the bike guide. Cycled 4 blocks on not great bikes and waited for a taxi to pick us up then drop us off to cycle to Galapagos Frontier - a nature reserve to see the giant tortoises. We were given water and a snack and waited for others to join us. We were given a guided tour of the reserve where we saw many many giant tortoises. Then we were taken through the reserve and saw many more! Then we went to the Lava tunnels, ok but there is a limit to how many things you can look at that all look the same. The ‘experience’ was over 2 hours and we walked our 10000 steps! Then cycled back with the guide who was clearly miffed because I had commented it took too long! He cycled us through red cycle lights and cycled way ahead of us with little consideration for us. I’m disappointed as have used Viator in the past with great success.
Credit to Caesar who owns the reserve, he is passionate about the place and very informative about the flora and fauna. Everything had to be translated through two great German lads. They need to be aware of timings and consider the audience!
Review provided by Viator
