Takes in some of the highlights of the three main inhabited islands — from watching giant tortoises to hiking around an active volcanic crater and snorkeling with penguins and sharks.
Galapagos Islands Travel Insights
Best of The Galapagos Islands: Top Places To Visit
The Galapagos Islands are a diverse set of islands off the coast of Ecuador full of distinct wildlife, idyllic beaches, and incomparable visitor sites that offer a range of interesting activities—from hiking, to snorkeling, close-ups with pre-historic looking animals, kayaking and treks across volcanic islands—to name a few of the endless possibilities. This one-of-a-kind destination is a must when visiting Ecuador.
Galápagos Land-Based Tours: Suggested Itineraries
Planning to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and spot the extraordinary wildlife on the Galápagos Islands? A great way to make this journey is on a land-based tour: sleeping in hotels by night and shuttling between the islands by day. In between, you'll have the chance to spot giant tortoises in their native habitat, snorkel with sea lions, hike up an active volcano, and spend time experiencing the culture of these Enchanted Islands.
Galapagos Islands Land-Based Adventure Tour: 6 Days
Land-based tours are a more economical and comfortable alternative to cruising the Galapagos. This 6-day itinerary takes in the highlights of the three main inhabited islands — from watching giant tortoises to hiking around an active volcanic crater and snorkeling with penguins and sharks.
Galápagos Islands Land-Based Adventure Tour: 10 Days
This 10-day trip will take you to the best the Galápagos has to offer. Immerse yourself in the wildlife, culture, and unique ecosystem of the archipelago as you see the sights by bike, by foot, and in the water. This extraordinary tour includes snorkeling with sea lions, tropical fish, and beautiful manta rays. On land, there will be numerous chances to observe giant tortoises and other amazing creatures in this one-of-a-kind destination.
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists
Maria Jose Jaramillo
I grew up in a family with roots in different parts of the country. From a young age, I had the chance to travel and explore the culture, history, and nature of Ecuador and South America. These...
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Jacquie Granda
I am an Ecuadorian woman, born and raised in Quito, deeply proud of my cultural heritage. I was fortunate to grow up in a lush valley surrounded by mountains, snow-capped volcanoes, thermal...
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Alvaro Pereira
Born and raised in the vibrant country of Ecuador, I am the ideal person to craft a unique and unforgettable trip within my homeland. My passion for travel and exploring new and exciting places...
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Paola Vera Feijoo
Born and raised in Ecuador, I´m the second of four sisters. I love to make people´s dream vacations come true. Helping travelers to be the happiest is my big desire and, so far, one of my favorite...
read more...Trip Reviews for Galapagos Islands
A wonderful family trip to Galapagos!Just returning from an incredible 10 day fami...
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Mar 11 - Mar 22, 2026
Our planning for this trip started with Alvaro, who worked tirelessly planning a trip that would appeal to all ages and abilities.
The communication with so many “moving parts” , was outstanding!
A short time before our trip was going to start, Alvaro introduced us to Ibeth, who was our contact person until we touched ground back in Canada. I’m not sure if she actually sleeps, because she responded... Read more
Thank you for another GREAT adventure!
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Feb 28 - Mar 13, 2026
Our guides (Sebastian & Edwin) were absolute ROCKSTARS! We are so grateful for the time that they spent with us. Tamer, once again, helped to create and organize another spectacular experience in Ecuador & The Galápagos Islands. Thank you!
Dear Brooke! Thank you so much for your kind words and positive feedback. It warms my heart to know again that this trip was a success and that you and the group have had a great time. Shoutout indeed to Sebastian and Edwin, I'll make sure to share your comments with them.
Looking forward to planning future amazing trips for the beloved students of Forman School!
Best,
Tamer
We booked our Galapagos trip with Paola throu...
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Feb 22 - Mar 3, 2026
Danny greeted us at the airport in Quito and guided us through the city. He knew exactly what we wanted to see and do.
In Santa Cruz our naturalist guide was full of knowledge on the history of the island, the turtles and the volcanic tunnels. We visited the Charles Darwin Centre and again he... Read more
Hi Sharon, thank you so much for the lovely review! I’m so happy to hear you had such a wonderful time in Quito and the Galápagos and that you enjoyed the itinerary. I’ll be sure to share your kind words with Danny, Diego, Julio, and the rest of the team. And thank you for sharing the beautiful photos — they’re amazing! As a cat lover myself, I especially loved the one from Isabela ;) It was truly a pleasure helping you plan this trip, and I’d love to help again whenever you’re ready for your next adventure. Warmly, Paola & the Authentic Ecuador Team