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This will be the twelfth year of the Come to Galapagos Marathon. We will hold the event in the same manner we have the last five years as a private event for international runners, each of whom sponsors a local runner by paying for their entrance fee (included in the tour price) and optionally sending them running gear before or bringing it to them. The event is open to international runners that also participate in the Come to Galapagos Marathon Tour Packages, Aug. 4 through Aug. 13 and Sept. 30 through Oct. 8, 2023

Types of Races

Marathon

Half Marathon

10K

Each marathon runner has a personal caddy. This is someone on a small scooter or truck who drives ahead two kilometers and waits for you to provide you with water, Gatorade or whatever you need. He can take articles of clothing, etc. He will stop where the race changes course, be sure you make the change then drive ahead two kilometers again. Runners love this set up and I like it because I can keep track of where every runner is and how each runner is doing. Also, it gives us some flexibility. For example a family member will want to run a 10k, but they would like to run with their father or daughter who are running the marathon, they can either do it the first or last ten kilometers of the race. Sometimes significant others just ride in the car the whole way. Taking pictures etc.

The people overseeing the event will be the Come to Galapagos family: hotel owners, farm workers, restaurant staff, fishermen, Galapagos Park guides, all the people that will be benefiting from the runner’s arrival. 

Meals on San Cristobal will feature locally caught fish (you may be catching it), locally grown produce and fruits, cheeses and yogurt.

Registration fees for the marathon are included in the package.

When booking your flights

Multiple destination:

-Arriving Guayaquil GYE on Aug. 4 or Sept. 30 (Home airport > GYE)

-Arriving San Cristobal, Galapagos Aug. 5 or Oct. 1 Guayaquil-San Cristobal (GYE-SCY)

-Aug. 12 or Oct. 8 Baltra-Guayaquil (GPS-GYE)

-Aug. 13 or Oct. 9 Guayaquil-returning international flight (GYE > Home airport)

Note, of course “add ons” will have different flights and please run your flights by us to be sure you have this correct before the expiration of your free cancellation period. 

Deposit: Initial deposit is one half of the tour cost. Final payment is due no later than 75 days prior to your tour date. June 1 or July 17, 2023. We can begin making reservations upon receipt of deposits. The travel industry has been changing over the past few years with the introduction of Airbnb et al so that now many operators are requiring deposits, hotel owners, small boat and plane operators, etc. 

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance (it appears likely the country of Ecuador may be requiring this soon). Connecting flights arrive late, people get sick before they travel, all kinds of things. The best insurance to not need travel insurance is to purchase it, reverse Murphy’s law. We have to honor our cancellation policy as it reflects industry standards here for hotels, guides etc.  We highly recommend Travel Insurance Center. You may request a quote directly through this link.

Laundry: Pack light, laundry can be done.

Please check our Terms and Conditions

Arrive from US on flights scheduled by travelers. Wyndham Hotel shuttle receives guests. We like the Wyndham in Guayaquil because it is close to the airport, reliable with its shuttle services and has English speaking help.

Catch an early morning flight to San Cristobal (arranged by travelers: read main description) with beautiful views that few get to experience. Meet your Galapagos National Park guides, marathon coordinators and join everyone for a welcome lunch, orientation, and race registration. There will be a bus tour during the day and the night will end with a traditional pasta dinner.

Accommodation: Seaside Hotel on San Cristobal Island

The Marathon and half marathon have the same start and end point. Race start times will be adjusted for volume of runners and weather. Some years are hotter than others. We want to keep you out of the sun as much as possible, but also have you get as much sleep as possible.  

This is a rural course, you will not be running through throngs of people in city streets. Beware of wild giant tortoises which occasionally can be seen crossing the roads. Some sections have dirt roads are relatively flat. You will be passing farms with pigs and cows. In the parts of the course that run along the coast, beware of sea lions which will occasionally situate themselves in the middle of the road.

Accommodation: Seaside Hotel on San Cristobal Island

Morning: Light walking, recovery day. Morning tour of the far side of the island: Commune with the Giant Tortoises in their reserve, visit the local farms where much of the food provided is grown, bananas, bamboo, papaya, guavas etc. People are often surprised at how entertaining this visit actually is.

We have been pioneering a program with local farmers to purchase produce from them. The town has grown accustomed to purchasing its produce from the continent where the large corporate farms can afford to grow, ship the produce and sell for a price that has made farming here a non profitable enterprise. We know generally months in advance how many people are coming and can go to the farmers and tell them on this date we are going to need X number of tomatoes, lettuce, etc. Many of these crops they can plant and grow knowing they will have a secure market for them.

Afternoon: A trip out with the local fishermen where they’ll explain/discuss how they fished in the past, what’s happened to the fisheries, what’s happening now and then you’ll go catch some fish for the night’s meal which you will have with the fisherman’s family. 

We were pioneers in developing this fishing with locals program with the National Park. The commercial fishermen must give up their commercial fishing license irrevocably to be able to have the license to take visitors out fishing. For the environment this means instead of harvesting thousands of fish a year to survive, they only harvest hundreds, all of which are eaten here thus also reducing the carbon footprint of importing or exporting food. For the fishermen themselves this allows them direct contact with people from outside the Galapagos (one of our “hearts” is sponsoring a fisherman’s son to study in the US) and for our visitors it allows them a glimpse into a different life style and a first hand account of the history of life in the Galapagos.

Accommodation: Seaside Hotel on San Cristobal Island

Chartered boat trip to islets. Snorkeling with rays, turtles, sharks and sea lions. Visit nesting grounds of Frigate Birds, Pelicans, Boobies, Tropical birds, etc. Roam gorgeous, deserted, pristine beaches that could make travel posters cry. 

Accommodation: Seaside Hotel on San Cristobal Island

Early morning flight from San Cristóbal to Isabela Island via twin engine Britten-Norman Islander (approximately 45 minutes). The flight is very scenic and an amazing opportunity few tourists receive to view the Galápagos Islands from the sky. The plane lands in Puerto Villamil, Isabela where you will check into Isabela Beach House. The town fronts a long sand beach where occasionally flamingos can be seen wading in the surf.  

You will be going on a tour of the Tintoreras area and snorkeling where you can see Galápagos penguins and other amazing wildlife.

Accommodation: Drake Inn on Isabela Island

You will start off with a boat trip to Tuneles. This is a really remarkable spot few visitors of the Galápagos get to see - the geologic formations, the wildlife (in and out of the water), and clear waters surrounded by scenic lava formations. It's really one of the greatest hits of the Galápagos. 

Accommodation: Drake Inn on Isabela Island

You will be hiking Sierra Negra. Sierra Negra is the only volcano that visitors are allowed to hike, and it is only accessible with a guide which we will provide for you. Hiking the volcano takes around 5-6 hours from start to finish.

Accommodation: Drake Inn on Isabela Island

Commuter boat Isabela to Baltra airport where you’ll catch your return flight to Guayaquil. Fly from Baltra to Guayaquil (GPS > GYE) via your arranged flights so you can catch your connecting flight back to the US. Hopefully, you will be leaving with lots of photos, memories, and a warm place in your heart for the Galápagos and Ecuador.