Galápagos by Sea Ocean Cruise Family Multi-Adventure Tour - Older Teens & 20s

Causal Plus Ship

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-2

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.

Meals

Available Bike Options

Also Included

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Ships

The ship we sail on is like a floating expedition boutique hotel, so you can visit a new destination each day without touching your suitcase once you've settled in. Our ship is custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. Our ship is vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to just 100 passengers. We sail with up to 30 Backroads guests on the Galápagos Legend ship.

Backroads Cruising Life

If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Our cruises are smaller, and much more intimate than a typical cruise. They are also quite lively, social experiences, shaped by both our Backroads group and the larger ship community. Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules and national park regulations that may occasionally limit our time on shore, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. If you love meeting new people, enjoy the ease of unpacking once, and don't mind a set schedule of port departure times, you'll love our approach to active river and ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.

Meals

All meals are served aboard. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.

Travel Time, Internal Flights & Comfort

Please note that there is an ample amount of travel time on this trip, and we may have earlier mornings than you are used to on Backroads trips—including as early as 4 a.m.—due to our flights between the Ecuadorian mainland and the Galápagos Islands. We'll be flying on commercial flights with Avianca or LATAM Airlines aboard twin-jet planes. Also, be prepared for wet, windy conditions and bring seasickness medication if you think you'll need it, especially in summer months when the waters can be a bit rougher.

Itinerary Changes & National Park Regulations

The Galápagos Islands are a welcoming and fascinating place, yet complex and at times logistically challenging due to national park regulations. So while mid-trip itinerary changes are possible, rest assured your Trip Leaders will be at the ready with excellent alternate activities. Also, in accordance with the national parks' environmental protection regulations, hikers in the Galápagos need to be accompanied by our local naturalist and hike in designated areas.

Terrain & Trail Support

Most hikes on this trip are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles or boats will get us to and from the trailheads, but the nature of these trails is such that we won't see our vehicles along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leader and local guides.

Service Standards

Although the Galápagos Islands are part of Ecuador, they can feel worlds away from the mainland, with challenges including slow or nonexistent internet and ATMs possibly running out of cash. Service onboard our ship and at hotels and restaurants can lack a sense of urgency when compared with other regions. Your best bet is to sit back, relax and soak in the island way of life.

Why Travel with Backroads in Ecuador