Tours and Cruises to The Galapagos Islands Discover the unique wildlife of the famous Galapagos islands
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2024
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Adults (18+)
Children (0 - 17)
Out best offers on Galapagos tours and cruises
Discover the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands on a multi-night cruise or opt to island-hop and spend your nights on dry land. With our expert naturalist guide and crew, you'll enjoy two guided excursions to different islands each day as part of your Galapagos package, with ample opportunity to swim, snorkel, and kayak along the way. Our Galapagos trips get you to the heart of this bucket list destination. Discover our current best offers on tours and cruises to the Galapagos!
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About the Galapagos Islands
Join us on one of our Galapagos tours and discover the place made famous for inspiring world-renowned explorer Charles Darwin’s theory of Evolution. The Galapagos Island have been attracting visitors for decades, Made up of dozens of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos boasts an incredible array of endemic species (meaning you cant find them anywhere else on earth!) from the giant tortoise to the marine iguana, these famed islands are a nature lover's paradise. Our Galapagos trips and cruises allow visitors to get up close and personal with the resident wildlife.
Galapagos Island cruises
Our Galapagos cruises all start in Quito, and you'll have a day where you can unwind in the hotel or head out to explore the city independently. On day 2 you fly to the Galapagos, and board your catamaran for an incredible island-hopping adventure. Taking in the marine iguanas, giant tortoises, Galapagos penguins and sea lions alongside the dramatic volcanic scenery, you'll visit several different islands. Each is totally different, from the larger island of Santa Cruz to tiny Espanola. With a large crew to attend to your needs and a qualified naturalist on board to guide you throughout your Galapagos package, you will enjoy at least two excursions per day, helping you get the most you can from a once in a lifetime trip to this incredible destination.
Galapagos Island tour packages
If you want to explore the Galapagos Islands but prefer to spend your nights on dry land, our great value Galapagos Island Hopping tours could be just the ticket. You'll stay in accommodation on the islands and travel around the Galapagos by speed boat, with daily excursions escorted by an expert naturalist guide. If you're keen to see more of South America, we also offer group tours of Peru and mainland Ecuador which conclude with a wonderful four-night Galapagos Island cruise.
Frequently asked questions
What is so special about the Galapagos Islands?
Nearly 1,400 km from the mainland, the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands has evolved in isolation from the rest of the world for millions of years. Hence the weird and wonderful species found here, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and the only penguin species to be found north of the equator. Charles Darwin developed his ground-breaking theory of evolution in the Galapagos Islands by studying finches. Due to the uniqueness of the wildlife, it is heavily protected (97% of the Galapagos Islands), plus a large portion of the surrounding ocean forms part of the Galapagos National Park. The 25,000 human inhabitants live on the other 3%, and eco-tourism is the foundation of the economy.
Are there rules to be aware of in the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands are one of the world's only truly intact ecosystems, and as a result, they are heavily protected. Travellers caught damaging the environment will be heavily fined. It is extremely important that when visiting the Galapagos Islands, you follow these rules: Do not leave any litter on the islands. Do not take anything, even a shell or a pebble. - Do not get too close to wildlife; stay on marked trails; and do not try to feed or touch any animals. As animals here have no or few predators, they can be curious and may come to you; still, make sure not to touch any creature. Smoking is also not permitted within the Galapagos National Park. So if you are a smoker, you may want to bring alternatives with you, such as nicotine patches.
What is the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands on tour?
The dry season from June to December is when we recommend you plan your visit to the Galapagos Islands. Clear skies, warm but not overly hot temperatures dominate, and there is little rainfall, with great visibility for snorkeling and diving. But you can travel to the Galapagos year-round, and there are amazing wildlife experiences to be had at every time of year.
Will I have a tour guide as part of my Galapagos package?
On all included excursions during our Galapagos Islands tours, you will enjoy the services of an expert naturalist guide who will be able to tell you all about the ecology and geography of the archipelago.
Galapagos Island travel guides
Wildlife to spot on our Galapagos tours!
Home to a huge group of endemic species, the main draw for visitors to the Galapagos is the chance to see a host of animals, on land and in the sea, up close and personal. Some of the most iconic species include the giant tortoise, the largest land animal found on the islands; the blue-footed booby with its distinctive colored webbing; and the marine iguana that often congregates on the sun-kissed beaches, with plenty more species to discover for yourself, from sea lions to the Galapagos hawk. Here are some of the best species to see on our Galapagos tours.
Giant tortoises
The celebrity species of the Galapagos: there are actually more than 15 distinct species of giant tortoise in the Galapagos; each island has its own species having had millions of years in which to genetically diverge. Unfortunately, early human settlers decimated the tortoises, with 4 species known to be extinct. But modern conservation, teamed with the long lifespan of the animals, is helping the remaining species to bounce back.
Abundant bird life
Of the 56 bird species to be found in the Galapagos Islands, 45 are endemic, meaning they can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. Iconic species include the Galapagos penguin, flightless cormorant, and Galapagos petrel. Other species include the striking blue-footed booby and thirteen distinct finch species—collectively known as Darwin's finches. It was whilst studying these birds that the naturalist worked on his theory of evolution.
Marine iguanas
There are three species of land iguana in the Galapagos, but the stars are the ones that have developed the unique ability to swim. The only sea-going lizard in the world, this animal lives on land but routinely dives below the waves to feed on seagrass. As a cold-blooded reptile, the marine iguana cannot stay below the waves for long, so you will often see them hauling themselves back out onto land to warm up in the sun.
The Best of our Galapagos Trips
With incredible scenery, pristine nature and wonderful wildlife that cant be found anywhere else, you can't really go wrong with the Galapagos islands. However, these are the four islands we reckon are the best. Book with us today and make them a part of your Galapagos package!
Santa Cruz island
The second largest island in the Galapagos archipelago is home to the Charles Darwin Research Centre, which is well worth a visit. Tortuga Bay is home to marine iguanas, Galapagos crabs and the iconic giant tortoise.
Isabela island
Isabela is the biggest island in the Galapagos, shaped like a seahorse. It is the most diverse island in the archipelago, home to all manner of species, from Galapagos hawks to giant tortoises. The volcanic landscape is great for hiking, and the town of Villamil is home to a decent chunk of the Galapagos human population.
San Cristobal island
San Cristobal is probably the best island for snorkelling, particularly at Kicker Rock, with all manner of marine species to see. It's the most easterly island in the group, and the beaches are home to large colonies of sea lions.
Floreana island
Tiny Floreana is home to the famous Post Office, where whalers used to leave messages in the hope that the next ship along would be able to deliver them. The other notable sight on the island is the green sand beach, tainted by olivine crystals.
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