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

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

Walk/Hike

Snorkel

Kayak

Bike

Sailing through Ecuador's Enchanted Isles

From $8,399 - $11,499 pp dbl. occ. | 8 days / 7 nights

Call for single supplement pricing

Internal air: $560

Special Kids Prices

Embark on a family island escapade like no other. The Galápagos archipelago is an isolated natural sanctuary, home to some of the world's most unique tropical ecosystems above and below the sea. Encounter Galápagos giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies. Explore volcanic calderas and stunning beaches. Each day aboard our expedition ship brings a new adventure.

Highlights

Immerse yourself in especially designed activities in some of the most phenomenal and captivating ecosystems on Earth
Sail to uninhabited islands accessible only by our cruise-based itinerary and enjoy epic (including face-to-face!) animal encounters
Snorkel and kayak for a special extended time exclusive to Backroads guests, then return to our ship to indulge in creature comforts
Bike through the misty highlands of Santa Cruz, keeping an eye out for wildlife and sensational views

Ecuador

Start/End Quito

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Itinerary

Days 1-8 Your adventure begins in Baltra, the gateway to the Galápagos Islands | Explore the far reaches of this archipelago, which offers endless opportunities for exploration on land and sea | Journey on an eco-boutique expedition ship each day to unique coves and remote islands with opportunities to hike, snorkel and kayak at world-class sites | Experience firsthand the rugged beauty of the islands' fiery legacy by hiking along dried lava flows | Watch tiny Galápagos penguins dart and dive among the waves and Nazca boobies perched on rocky cliffs | Donning a snorkel and mask, discover an underwater wonderland of fascinating sea life | Hike through land iguana habitat en route to craggy cliffs where nesting red-billed tropic birds and swallow-tailed gulls play in the currents | Get up close and acquainted with iconic blue-footed boobies | View giant tortoises and learn about the breeding and life cycle of the islands' most famous residents | Look for lava lizards and frigate birds as you hike among cacti and acacias with panoramic views of picturesque bays and white-sand beaches | Take to the water in sturdy sea kayaks to gain a new perspective of the coastline and wildlife—if luck is on your side, you might spot rays, sea turtles, dolphins or sharks! | Discover a wide variety of endemic inhabitants found only in the Galápagos | Relax on idyllic sandy beaches with sunbathing sea lions | Bike through Santa Cruz's verdant highlands and visit an eco-farm that produces coffee and sugarcane | Savor a final evening under the stars while moored in the turquoise waters of a sheltered lagoon.

Please note: Due to the multiple stateroom options available on this trip, reservations can only be made by contacting one of our Trip Consultants at 800-462-2848 or via email. Also note that the islands we visit vary by departure. Download a Detailed Itinerary for specifics on each departure date.

PORTS OF CALL Bartolomé Island | South Plaza Islet | North Seymour Island | San Cristóbal Island | Española Island | Floreana Island | Santa Cruz Island | Baltra

Also note that the Galápagos Special Administrative Region Council has postponed until further notice their previously announced requirement that all visitors must provide proof of health insurance covering the duration of their stay in the Galápagos Islands.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the policy outlined below. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private room or tent, bike rental and internal air charges are considered part of the total trip cost and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage charges are calculated on total trip cost.

Cancellation Fees (Per Person)
Days Prior to Trip Start	Scheduled Trips	Private Trips	Custom Trips
126+ days	$200**	$600	30%
95-125	$200**	30%	50%
61-95 days	30%	50%	75%
31-60 days	60%	75%	100%
0-30 days	100%	100%	100%

** Rather than paying the cancellation fees, you may choose to keep your trip deposit ($600) in a holding account to use on a future Backroads trip with no expiration date.

Bike Cancellation Policies: If you are renting a Specialized Roubaix, Ruby, e-bike or Co-Motion Tandem, a full cancellation fee will apply in the event you cancel your trip reservation inside 30 days.

Transfers: You may transfer from one trip to another up to 95 days before trip departure without penalty—except Private or Custom Trips.

Release of Liability: Guests are required to provide a signed Release of Liability, Assumption of All Risks, and Arbitration Agreement and a completed Personal Information forms prior to trip departure; you will receive these materials shortly after reserving your trip. You may also complete your forms online. We are unable to allow guests to participate in any aspect of a Backroads trip without a signed release form.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Available
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Private Trip
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F Family Dates - Older Teens & 20s

2020 December

12/28–1/4 - Galapagos Legend

View Private Dates

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from a large selection of dates for your group of 30 or more. Call us for date availability and pricing. If your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.

Private Trip Pricing

10 or more Guests: from $8,699 pp dbl occ

9 Guests: from $9,199 pp dbl occ

8 Guests: from $9,399 pp dbl occ
2-7 Guests: Give us a call or reach out here!

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date

2+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 2 or more guests
8+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

F Family Tours - Older Teens & 20s

2020 December

8+ 12/28–1/4

View Scheduled Dates

Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

View Scheduled Dates
Go Private
Go Custom

Prices

From $8,399 - $11,499 pp dbl. occ.
8 days / 7 nights

Call for single supplement pricing

Internal air: $560

Special Kids Prices

Traveling with Kids

Reviews

Read the Reviews
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Causal Plus Ship

KleinTours Ship

Galápagos Legend (7 nights)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 1-2

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Ecuador

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

Seals - Galápagos Ocean Cruise Family Multi-Adventure Tour

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Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

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.

KleinTours Ship

Galápagos Legend (7 nights)

This intimate yet spacious boutique expedition ship delivers comfort, personalized service and amenities including an outdoor bar, hot tub and star gazing deck. (pool)

View the deck plans. See Dates & Prices for specific ship, stateroom category availability and embarkation/disembarkation details.

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

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 )

Day	Activity	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
		miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1	Other	Flight to Baltra Island (3.5 Hours with layover in Guayaquil)
1	Other	El Chato Reserve Hike (2 Hours)
2	Other	El Barranco Hike (2 Hours)
	Other	Morning Snorkeling & Kayaking (2 Hours)
	Other	Afternoon Snorkeling (1 Hour)
	Other	Darwin Hike (2 Hours)
3	Other	Dragon Hill Hike (2 Hours)
	Other	Santa Cruz Island Snorkeling (1.5 Hours)
	Kayaking	Santa Fe Kayaking or Snorkeling (1 Hour)
	Other	Santa Fe Island Hike (1.5 Hours)
4	Biking	9*	400
	Biking	19	500
	Other	Coffee & Sugarcane Farm Visit (1 Hour)
	Other	Optional North Seymour & Mosquera Scuba Excursion (Full Day)
5	Other	Salt Mine Hike (Half Day)
	Other	Santiago Island Snorkeling (45 Minutes)
	Other	Rábida Island Kayaking & Snorkeling (2 Hours)
	Other	Rábida Trail Hike (1.5 Hours)
6	Other	Urbina Bay Hike (1.5 Hours)
	Other	Urbina Bay Snorkeling (1 Hour)
	Other	Tagus Cove Kayaking & Snorkeling (2 Hours)
	Other	Caleta Tagus Hike (2 Hours)
7	Other	Espinosa Point Hike (1.5 Hours)
	Other	Fernandina Snorkeling (1 Hour)
	Other	Vicente Roca Point Snorkeling & Panga Ride (Half Day)
8	Other	Disembark at Baltra Island; Shuttle to Baltra Airport; Flight to Quito (3.5 Hours with layover in Guayaquil)

Note: The above route options and ports of call vary. Please download a Detailed Itinerary for your departure date to view specific daily route options, or call one of our Trip Consultants at 800-462-2848.

Our Galápagos walking routes are generally easygoing on beach or dirt paths, but some trails require more agility as we hike over dried lava flows or rocky surfaces. The terrain is predominantly flat and rolling with few steep or technical sections. If it rains, the trails can become muddy. Biking in the Galápagos is mainly along paved roads with some bike lanes and some short stretches of dirt road.We take multiple boat rides during this trip including 2 to 3 hour ocean crossings between the different islands in the archipelago. We also spend a good amount of time doing water-related activities such as snorkeling and kayaking in the open ocean. If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend you bring non-drowsy motion sickness medication such as Dramamine (especially in the summer months when water can be a bit rougher).

* Includes shuttle.

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.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Also Included

Expert Backroads Trip Leaders, on ship and on shore
Off-the-beaten path exploration
Access to all ship amenities
Impeccable and personalized service from ship staff and Backroads Leaders
Exclusive activities that amplify your appreciation and understanding of the local culture
Exclusive routes
Gratuities on ship and on shore handled by your Backroads Leaders
Exploring lesser known routes away from busy ports
Easy-to-use route directions so you're free to explore independently
Private walking tours with expert guides
Access to all ship activities and excursions

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Straight Talk

Next: Why Backroads

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. Although our average group size is larger than a typical Backroads tour, our ship-based trips feel smaller and much more intimate than a typical cruise.

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.

Being onboard a ship provides the benefit of being able to take advantage of ship amenities: the fitness room, hot tub and a pool. In addition, there is the opportunity to relax in the inviting common spaces or the privacy of your room. Your Trip Leaders will have information on the array of options to choose from.

If having longer routes or more flexibility to explore is important for you, we recommend choosing one of our River Cruise or Hotel trips. If you love meeting new people and having more time to relax aboard the ship, and enjoy the ease of unpacking once, you'll love our approach to active 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 and less reflective of the region than on Backroads Hotel trips.

Stateroom Categories

In contrast to our Hotel trips, which typically have similar room categories, the Galápagos Legend offers a wide range of stateroom categories to choose from. The top-tier staterooms often fill fast, so book as early as possible if this is important to you.

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

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Ecuador

The Best Leaders in Ecuador

Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Ecuador, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.

Our Cultural Roots Run Deep

Thanks to our extensive connections in Ecuador, Backroads takes you off the beaten track and deep into the region's culture in ways that traditional travel can never hope to do. We know the people and their customs, the legacy of art and architecture, the complex history and politics – and if we're not sure, our amazing local experts can fill in the blanks.

We Speak the Language

If we told you many companies' leaders can't actually speak the language where they lead trips, you'd say incroyable... ridicolo... không the tha thú. At Backroads, fluency in the local language is a given. Find out more on the best leader recruitment, training and development in the business. (And by the way, that was "unforgivable" in Vietnamese.)

Our Superb Bikes Included

A great bike is obviously critical for a great multi-adventure trip; you don't want to gamble on one that's been sourced locally to trim costs. This trip features our acclaimed Backroads Custom Titanium bikes, expertly tuned and fitted, and included in your trip price. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders.

We Stand Behind Our Trips

Most companies' trips in Ecuador are run by local operators. At Backroads we manage our own trips; we would never subcontract your precious vacation to a third party. So as you enjoy the support of your seasoned Trip Leaders, along with our expert local guides and drivers, you have the confidence of knowing we're with you every step of the way.

Quality You Can Measure

Since 1979, Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale has shown that staying #1 means constantly evaluating our performance using the best possible source of information: our guests. As we systematically analyze your feedback on our trip consultants, leaders, hotels, meals and on-trip activities, we never stop working to make a great company even better.

We Know Where We're Going

Tom Hale has been keeping Backroads on track, with one eye on the horizon, since 1979. His passion for active travel, and for ensuring the highest-quality travel experience, is evident in every detail we add to make a guest's trip unforgettable—and the fact he's right there in the office, making it happen. To hear Tom describe his vision, watch our video.

Kids Who Aren't Kids Anymore

Only Backroads offers active trips in Ecuador designed for families with older teens and 20s. These trips are aimed at you and the amazingly grownup members of your clan—whether they're almost high school grads, already in college or further along. Find out more in this blog post.

Previous: Straight Talk

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

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Ecuador Travel Guide

Straight Talk

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.

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