Santa Cruz bike and hike tour: Giant turtles and lava tunnels

Cycle rural highlands, then walk among giant tortoises and ancient lava caves

This 4.5-hour tour in Santa Cruz combines cycling through agricultural highlands with a guided hike into a nature reserve to observe giant Galápagos tortoises and explore lava tunnels formed by volcanic eruptions. A naturalist guide leads the experience. Private transport, bike use, coffee and empanadas are included. Choose between a standard bike on mostly downhill terrain or an e-bike for steeper sections.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cycle and hike in Santa Cruz Highlands

• Meet at San Francisco Park
• Pick up bikes and helmets
• Take bus to Guayabillos
• Cycle to Galapagos Frontier Reserve
• Hike to observe giant tortoises
• Explore lava tunnels
• Return by bicycle to Laguna de las Ninfas

The experience

You start at Parque San Francisco de Puerto Ayora, where you pick up a bike and helmet before boarding a bus to Los Guayabillos. The route descends through the transition zone, a forest where giant tortoises roam, and passes coffee plantations and fruit trees typical of the Galápagos highlands. Your guide, a naturalist with over 30 years of experience, points out endemic birds like Darwin's finches and the Galápagos hawk as you ride.

At Galapagos Frontier reserve, you leave the bikes and hike into the interior. The walk takes you deeper into the endemic forest where you'll encounter giant tortoises in their natural setting. Two lava tunnels with recent stalactite and stalagmite formations reveal how the islands formed. If conditions allow, you may spot a Barn Owl sheltering inside. The hike concludes at Laguna de las Ninfas, where you cycle back to the starting point.

Coffee and juice wait before the hike begins, and empanadas sustain you through the day. The standard bike follows mostly downhill sections and suits most fitness levels. The e-bike option handles steeper terrain with electric assistance, letting you conserve energy on climbs while keeping pace with the group.

What’s included

• Private transport to and from the reserve.
• bike and helmet use.
• naturalist guide in English or Spanish.
• coffee and tea before the hike.
• empanadas and fruit juice.

Options for this experience

2 options

Giant Turtles and Lava Tunnel BiciTour in GalapagosUp to 10 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:00 and 13:00Includes pickup

Electric Bike OptionUp to 15 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:00 and 13:00Electric Bike Option

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 13:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (9 to 14 years) · Under 9: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Galápagos frontier

Is this one for you?Choose the standard bike if you prefer a quieter descent through rural landscapes and want to conserve energy for the hike. Pick the e-bike if steeper climbs appeal to you and you'd rather have electric assistance managing the slopes. Either way, the fixed route and guided pace mean you're exploring with someone who knows where the tortoises shelter and can read the forest for wildlife.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 17 years); Child (9 to 14 years). Children under 9 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the regular bike and e-bike options on this tour?

The standard bike follows a mostly downhill route through quieter terrain, suitable for most travelers. The e-bike allows you to tackle steeper slopes with electric assistance, making it easier to manage more dynamic sections of the ride without sacrificing comfort.

Will I actually see giant tortoises during the hike?

Yes. The hike through Galapagos Frontier reserve takes you into the endemic forest where giant tortoises live in their natural habitat. Your naturalist guide knows where to find them and can explain their behavior and the reserve's conservation efforts.

What are the lava tunnels like?

The two tunnels at Galapagos Frontier show recent formations of stalactites and stalagmites created by ancient volcanic eruptions. Your guide explains how the Galápagos Islands formed geologically, and you may see a Barn Owl roosting inside if you're fortunate.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The tour combines 50% cycling and 50% hiking over 4.5 hours. A moderate level of physical fitness is needed. The standard bike descends mostly downhill, which is easier on the legs. The e-bike helps with steeper sections. The hike is guided and paced by the naturalist.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation from Parque San Francisco de Puerto Ayora to the reserve and back, bike and helmet use, coffee or tea before the hike, empanadas, and fruit juice are all included. Your naturalist guide speaks English or Spanish.