ESSENTIAL EVENT INFORMATION

BEFORE ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT

Transit Control Card: All visitors must complete and pay for their Transit Control Card (TCT) online before flying to the Galápagos Islands. This must be done within 48 hours of your flight through the official site: HERE

Once payment of $20 pp is complete, download or print the confirmation and bring it with you (printed or digital) to present at check-in or boarding gates.

Galapagos Biosafety Sworn Declaration: To protect the fragile ecosystems of the Galápagos Islands, all travellers must complete a Galápagos Biosafety Sworn Declaration. Submit this form online at declaracion.abgalapagos.gob.ec within 48 hours prior to your flight. It asks you to declare any biological materials, food items, or equipment that could pose a risk of introducing invasive species.

After you submit the form, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a QR code. When you arrive in the Galápagos, present this QR code to biosecurity officials, either digitally or as a printed copy. If you don’t complete the form in advance, officials may ask you to fill it out at the airport or during your flight. Given that they’re phasing out the paper version, we highly recommend submitting it online beforehand.

AT THE AIRPORT

Transit Control Card: If this has not been done in advance, you may still be able to complete the process at the INGALA (Galápagos Government) counter at the airport, though this option is being phased out.

We strongly recommend completing the process online to avoid delays. You’ll need to present your confirmation (digital or printed) during check-in and when boarding your flight to the islands.

Scan Your Luggage: All luggage, checked and carry-on, must be pre-scanned at the Agrocalidad. It will be checked to make sure you aren’t bringing organic products, foreign species, or anything that could be a threat to the biodiversity of the Galapagos. All bags are passed through the scanner and tagged.

DURING THE FLIGHT

Spray: During the flight to the Galapagos, the plane will be sprayed with passengers on board to kill any species possibly residing in your hand luggage. The spray used is recommended by the World Health Organization.

ARRIVAL IN GALAPAGOS

Arrival: Once you arrive in the Galápagos, follow the airport signs to the correct line: Foreigners, Nationals (Ecuadorians), or Residents (Galápagos Residents).

At this point, you’ll pay the Galápagos National Park entrance fee of $200 per person, payable in cash or by credit card.

Next, present your QR code from the completed Biosafety Declaration Form, and note that any hand luggage will be re-scanned.

Your checked luggage will be offloaded and inspected by trained sniffer dogs before you can collect it. 

• TIME ZONE: GMT -6  
• PHONE CODE: +593
• LANGUAGE: Spanish 
• CURRENCY: USD
• TEMPERATURE: Day Temp Approx 25°C (77°F) / Night Lows Approx 19°C (66°F) / Water Temp Approx 21°C

San Cristobal Airport (SYC) 

There are 3 flights per day landing on the 13th Nov. A transfer vehicle will be allocated to each of these to make sure you are picked up and taken to our event hotel.  

It is a very short 2km transfer to the hotel.  

If you have arrived into San Cristobal pre-itinerary date, please make your way to the hotel after 2pm for check-in. Please do not arrive with your baggage before check-in. It is suggested that you keep your baggage at your prior accommodation before transferring over to Casa De Nelly.  

If you have planned a day out on the 13th that is fine. You can check into the hotel at any point after 2pm that day. Please ensure you return to the hotel for 5pm for registration and event briefing.  

Event Hotel: Casa De Nelly 

The transfer to the airport will be from our hotel to the airport (SYC).  

At the end of the itinerary, we will be arranging transport back to the airport to correspond to the outgoing flights that day.  

If you have extended your stay it is your own responsibility to get to the airport in time for your chosen flight.  

Stay connected throughout your adventure with Holafly eSIM! It's a quick and hassle-free way to get reliable mobile data as soon as you land so you can navigate, keep up to date with the event WhatsApp group (link shared in 1 week to go email) and share your photos during the trip!

You can bag 5% off your Holafly eSIM by using the discount code RATRACE at checkout. Purchase your e-sim HERE.

The event will not be providing satellite data or phone services as standard unless for EMERGENCY USE via satellite phone.

The event is very lucky to have secured the services of Leo Francis as official event photographer. Leo has worked on lots of Rat Race events before. This means not only is he an excellent photographer in his own right but that he really ‘gets’ these types of events.    

Leo will therefore be offering a one-price, advance purchase arrangement. He will shoot you in action and provide an amazingly varied series of shots of you out there doing your stuff, plus a selection of general event photos, provided as a digital album.   

​The price for this service is £125. If you would like to use this service, please make payment via the payment link HERE.

The service is available for participants and crew. The crux here is that he will ONLY shoot those who sign up to the service in advance, ensuring he is concentrating on those who have taken the plunge. This ensures that he can 100% focus on the job in hand for those who wish to purchase and avoids the wastage of hundreds of shots on the edit room floor.  For clarity, Leo is doing this at his own risk and all proceeds of photo sales go to him and not to Rat Race. We believe this is an excellent service, at a very keen price, from a first-class photographer. It is of course not in any way compulsory. 

A word from our local tour partners at Galakiwi.com.

We are offering two options for extending your time in Galapagos, the first is the 4 day extension to Isabela island and the second is a 6 day extension to Isabela and Santa Cruz. These extensions were popular with the 2025 #ratracers. More information on each tour is below as well as details on how to book or how to get in touch directly with Galakiwi.

Option 1 - 4d Isabela Island Rat Race Galapagos Tour Extension Overview

Tour Length:  4 days, 3 nights
Tour Price: $2000 pp
Tour Style: Active
Comfort Level: Standard

Currency: US$

Highlights
Snorkel with sea turtles, playful sea lions, and amazing underwater life
Hike up an active volcano and one of the biggest calderas in the world
Explore Isabela Bay by Kayak in search of the Galapagos Penguin
Sample some traditional Ecuadorian cuisine and meet the local Galapagueños

4-Day Itinerary Summary
Nov 18: Day 1 (Isabela)  Fly San Cristobal Island to Isabela Island, Bay Kayak and bike Wall of tears (L D)
Nov 19: Day 2 (Isabela) Hike Sierra Negra Volcano and the Lava Fields of Volcan Chico (B L D)
Nov 20: Day 3 (Isabela) Snorkel Tour to Los Tuneles, Wetlands walk to Breeding Center (B L D)
Nov 21: Day 4 (/)  Boat to Santa Cruz,  Transfer to the airport, Depart to Quito (B)

Included in Tour Price
3 Nights Standard shared Accommodation
All Land, Air, and Sea Transport in Galapagos
Naturalist Guide Authorized by the GNP
Sea kayaks and Snorkeling Equipment
Tips for hotel staff, boat crew, and drivers
Meals daily as specified in the Itinerary
Drinking Water

Not Included in Tour Price
Galapagos Flight: Round trip from Quito or Guayaquil
National Park Entrance Fee $100 pp, cash only
Ingala Fee $20 pp, cash only
Isabela Pier Tax, $10 pp
Single Supplement
Drinks other than water (Soda, beer, etc.)
Tips for Tour Leader/Naturalist Guide

Accommodation
Below is an example of hotels we usually use, please note that hotels may differ depending on availability;
Isabela - Hotel Cally

*Upgrades are available for an additional cost, please inquire if this is of interest.

Link to full Dossier: 4-day Rat Race Galapagos Tour Extension

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Option 2 - 6-day Rat Race Galapagos Extension Tour Overview

Tour Length:  6 days, 5 nights
Tour Price: $2979 pp
Tour Style: Active
Comfort Level: Standard
Currency: US$

Highlights
Snorkel with sea turtles, playful sea lions and amazing underwater life
Hike up an active volcano and one of the biggest calderas in the world
Stay on the 2 inhabited islands and learn about the rich history and culture
See the famous giant tortoises in their natural habitat

6 Day Itinerary Summary

Nov 18: Day 1 (Santa Cruz) Boat to Santa Cruz Island, Visit Giant Tortoises in their Natural Habitat, explore Lava Tunnels, Kayak Tortuga Bay (L D)
Nov 19: Day 2 (Santa Cruz) Swim at Las Grietas, Free Afternoon, Optional ($) Day tour to an uninhabited island (B L)
Nov 20: Day 3 (Isabela) Boat to Isabela, Bay Kayak, Bike to Wall of Tears (B L D)
Nov 21: Day 4 (Isabela) Hike Sierra Negra Volcano and the Lava Fields of Volcan Chico (B L)
Nov 22: Day 5 (Isabela) Snorkel Tour to Los Tuneles, Wetlands walk to Breeding Center (B L D)
Nov 23: Day 6 (/) Boat to Santa Cruz, Transfer Our (B)

Included in Tour Price
5 Nights Comfortable shared Accommodation
All Land and Sea Transport in Galapagos
All Activity Fees (included activities)
Private Galapagos Guide
Meals daily as specified in Itinerary
Equipment for included activities
Tips for hotel staff, boat crew and drivers

Not Included in Tour Price
Galapagos Flight: Round trip from Quito or Guayaquil
$200 pp National Park Entrance Fee, cash only
$20 pp Ingala Fee: cash only
$10 pp Isabela Tax Fee: Cash only
Optional Tour to an uninhabited island: $300 pp
Drinks other than water (Alcoholic and bottled drinks, etc.)
Meals as per the itinerary
Tips for Tour Leader/Naturalist Guide

Accommodation
Below is an example of the local hotels we usually use, please note that some of these hotels may differ depending on availability;

Santa Cruz - Posada del Mar
Isabela - Hotel Cally

*Upgrades are available for an additional cost, please inquire if this is of interest.

Link to full Dossier: 6-Day Galapagos Rat Race Extension Tour

Get in touch with Galakiwi

If you are interested in either tour, you can get in touch via sales@galakiwi.com and either Laura or Karen will assist you! If you would like to proceed and book a place, you can do so by following the below:

How to Book Your Tour?
• To begin, kindly complete our Online Booking Form. Please ensure that each person fills out a separate form - simply click the link again to fill it out for another person. Following that, please review and agree to our Online Booking Terms and Conditions.

How Do You Make Payment?
• We accept payments in USD via Wire Transfer or credit card.
• A deposit of $500 per passenger is required at the time of booking.
• The remaining balance is due 60 days before the start of your trip.

While taking part in the Galápagos Ultra, there’s a simple way to support the remote island communities you’ll be visiting. ALZARÉ is creating a community library and learning space where children and families can learn, play, create, and connect. Because the islands are so remote, access to quality books, games, art supplies, and learning resources can be limited. A thoughtful donation can be used again and again by many children long after your trip, a small gesture that would be hugely appreciated.

ALZARÉ Intro

ALZARÉ Donation Guide

To facilitate the very best support for you whilst embarked on the event, we have prepared some contact information below that should assist you and loved ones both before departure and then throughout your adventure. Please find a series of phone numbers and email addresses and instructions on which is to be used; and for what. Finally, we have included an action check-list so you may tick off the pre-event jobs arising from this Essential Event Information document. 

1.) For ALL pre-event email correspondence prior to departure:  

• events@ratrace.com - admin / kit / challenge based queries 
• office@trailmed.co.uk  - Medical-based advice or discussion on medical conditions in confidence.

2) For specific arrivals and pre-trip issues in the days immediately prior to arrival in Ecuador -   A WhatsApp group will be set up pre-arrival. This will include numbers of crew members if you need assistance whilst you travel to the event.  

3.) Emergency correspondence from people who need to get in touch with you (i.e. from those who need to contact you) IN EMERGENCY ONLY while you are embarked on the event: events@ratrace.com 

The originator should quote ‘Emergency correspondence for (your name)’ in the email title and they must provide a phone number for return comms. This will be patched through to our crew’s mobile phones, (or satellite messaging platform if we are out of reception) from our office and a satellite phone will be made available for you to return the comms to the originator. We would aim to provide a suitable response period of within 24 hrs for this service to the originator. Please, please, please do tell your family and supporters not to contact us about Tracker Emergencies! 

We travel through 5 climate zones, seeing a variety of landscapes and vegetation. There will be a mixture of terrain and the ground underfoot could be tarmac, cement, paved and dirt roads.  

The route is hilly; it has an elevation profile of over 1600m! It is up from the start line as you head to El Progreso highland town. This town was founded by Manuel J Cobos who was the first person to colonise San Cristobal Island in 1866. There is then a great view from La Capilla church, after which you pass through lots of local farmland and run through banana and papayas plantations. Run around El Junco. A Volcanic Crater filled with fresh water, the only freshwater crater in Galapagos. This is a great place to see frigate birds that come to bathe In the fresh water. Here you can observe Miconia, an endemic plant in danger of extinction.

The climate in El Junco is different and may find it misty, rainy, and muddy but can change very quickly. You can see the vegetation changes as you come down from El Junco and the climate becomes dryer. We will pass by more farmland and enjoy beautiful views of the coast. You will head down to the coast and Puerto Chino Beach where you will have lunch whilst enjoying watching the sea lions and blue footed boobies. On the way back you will head through the coffee farming area. The Galapagos has fantastic coffee! At this point you are homeward bound, heading back down to the coast along the Malecon to the finish line!

Galapagos Unchartered is a substantial undertaking. It is approximately 70km of varying terrains with 1600m to ascent. It is a beautiful place, but it will pack a punch. For the ultramarathon you can run or hike this, if you aim for a pace of an average 3mph/5kph you will have time to finish before the darkness sets fully. If you do plan to hike it, you will need to have trained to power walk and consider how long it takes you to get everything you need at each pit stop.  

Training should now be focusing on running/hiking. Do not avoid hills as hill strength will be the key to success. If you don’t have access to multiple hills, find one hill and do some hills repetitions to strengthen the legs. We understand it is by no means easy for everyone to fit in the training, everyone is different, everyone also has different day-to-day pressures, commitments and equipment available.    

Train with the kit you are planning on wearing. You will then be able to check if it is comfortable and fits correctly. Chuck the bag on that you are planning to be running or hiking with, fill it with some tasty snacks and water, this will help your body to get use to the extra weight on your back. The fitter and more prepared you are for a challenge like this the more you can enjoy each and every moment

We will NOT waymark the route. Unless the route must be diverted due to an obstruction or last-minute change.   

In general, this event is operated with GPS as the main method of route guidance. YOU need to bring a GPS watch and a navigation device and  application on your phone as a backup.  It is imperative that you are well versed in the usage of your own device and that you are confident in their battery life and reliability.   

As stated above, you will get to know your devices intimately on this event. We will also make available route GPX files for you to upload onto your own devices as you see fit. These files will be provided much closer to the commencement of the event, once we are satisfied there are no on the ground changes, and we therefore do not end up with version control issues that are hard to resolve.   

As a back up we suggest having the GPX file also downloaded onto your phone. We suggest the Garmin Explore app for its ease of use and reliability. RideWithGPS or Komoot or any number of other Apps are also totally acceptable. 

We will also make available route GPX files for you to upload onto your own devices as you see fit. These files will be provided much closer to the commencement of the event, once we are satisfied, we have the definitive version to share. Experience has shown that we will never share the file until it is the final, final, final version. Or else we end up with version control issues that are hard to resolve. We do not anticipate major route changes from the route published but never say never.  These files will be issued at the 1-week out email phase.  

This event is not about cut-offs. But, having a ‘cut-off’ and a ‘sweeping’ structure is an important part of our Event Management Plan and Risk Assessment processes. Cut off times are independent of any other factors that occur earlier in the course such as start time, injury, going the wrong way, time taken at Pit Stops, head winds; and whether it is your fault or not. We understand that missing cut offs can be tough to take but please remember this is not the crew member’s fault that breaks the news to you, should it happen to you. Please also remember that if this does happen to you, the Event team’s decision is final.    

If you are cut off, there will be no option to re-start from where you were cut off. (The event only ever moves forwards).  

There are a number of reasons why you may be cut-off or withdrawn from the event. These could be medical, pace, kit, personal or other factors.    

As far as the time available goes to avoid a cut-off, there is no ‘set’ cut off time each day. (ie. Time limit or published time). Instead, we require all participants to be at the finish location before nightfall. If this is looking unlikely you will be ‘swept’ forward. That is the cut-off.   

Above all else, please remember, this event is not about cut-offs. It is about getting the most out of this magical environment. We will not cut you off and sweep you forward unless we really have to. And if we do, it is for your own safety.   

The nature of an adventure is that sometimes, the certain becomes uncertain! That is all part of the adventure. Whilst we will always strive to pull off ‘Plan A,’ it may well be that for any one of several reasons, we cannot do so and we need to wheel out Plan B, C or D. We do line up contingencies for many eventualities of course. But it is worth knowing that the course may change if we deem it prudent for your safety or for other operational or weather-based reasons and we must always reserve the right to do so. Ultimately our skill and judgement in organising such events is part of why you are entering, so we must be able to exercise this on your behalf where we deem it necessary. If we do have to make a route change, we will strive to inform you in good time (if that is possible). Usually, these unforeseen changes simply add to the flavour of proceedings and provide for a good story to tell at day’s end! 

Completing not competing. Rat Race’s ethos has always been about inspiring folk to undertake challenges in awesome outdoor locations. Galapagos Ultramarathon is just that, taken to an epic level. This is not a formal race environment and there are no winners and losers. We do not award prizes for the fastest folk. There will be no splits. Indeed, there will be no timings. Rat Race totally appreciate the incredible commitment of those taking on the challenges we lay down and each participant is as important as the next regardless of how fast you can cover the distance. This is akin far more to an expeditionary undertaking than anything else. 

In delivering this unique challenge we prioritise factors such as safety, camaraderie and environmental concerns. Respecting the wishes of local stakeholders with our route management and litter policies is vital in being able to bring folk together for this unique experience. Safety above all else is paramount, as you will fully appreciate. To reasonably balance all these factors, we emphasise that the event is not a formal race environment, rather it is a challenge in the great outdoors where great folk come together with a common purpose. 

We want to show that this event has exemplary control of littering. Please help us achieve that. Pack your litter into your pack. The best way to do this is to use one of your empty expedition meal sachets as a daily ‘bin’ as they are resealable. No exceptions. Galapagos is a beautiful environment and our absolute commitment is to keep it that way.