Ecuador Ecotourism Trips: Galápagos by Land and Sea

Galapagos was a bucket list trip and it did not disappoint. We experienced so many iconic dive locations and saw so many species, it was an amazing experience.

Great ship, diving and staff. Good communication, safety consciousness, and dive site knowledge. Land excursions were amazing too.

We were totally thrilled with our experience. The crew was amazing- they were extremely nice and helpful. (Special shout out to Victor!) The food was excellent. Our guide was first rate. Only a couple of suggestions: have a few more games for families, slightly larger trash cans and washcloths.

The food and service is unmatched. The staff is so incredibly helpful and makes you feel so comfortable. Don't miss the View Point for the sunset. We had a magical time staying here.

This cruise delivered one of the most extraordinary diving experiences of my life. From the moment we boarded at San Cristóbal, the crew made it clear this was going to be a very special trip. If you are a serious, experienced diver looking for world-class big animal encounters, this liveaboard belongs on your bucket list. The staff are simply outstanding. They went out of their way at every turn to ensure your comfort and wellbeing. They helped you put your dive gear on before every dive, cleaned and rinsed your equipment after each one, and remained genuinely attentive to your needs throughout the trip. This level of personal service is rare and made a real difference after long, physically demanding days in the water. The dive masters were exceptionally knowledgeable - about the dive sites, the marine life, the currents, and the conditions. Safety was always top of mind. Dive briefings were well conducted, thorough, and highly informative, giving you everything you needed to know before entering some of the most challenging water in the world. You always felt confident and prepared.

We are all "active seniors" (60-78 years of age). She answered every email, returned my phone calls, and sent timely and detailed information about what I would need for the trip. We stayed in the local hotels and ate the local cuisine. Every single meal was fresh and delicious and amazing! And being with Fabricio (our amazing naturalist tour guide, who knows everyone) made us feel welcome and like family. The hotel accommodations were upscale and lovely. (the Cormorant, right on the beach, was especially delightful). We snorkeled, hiked, swam, kayaked, and of course, did a lot of wildlife viewing. We especially appreciated all of the different snorkeling experiences (off the beach, in the open (Kicker Rock), and through the rocks (Los Tunneles). Swimming at Los Grietas was a favorite. I also like to hike, so enjoyed the "break" from the water with the hike to the Sierra Negra sulfur mines. Also enjoyed excursions to see the wildlife (the reserve, North Seymour, breeding center, interp center). Another "activity" I was not expecting was the eating - omg, best food ever! Exploring all of the local restaurants was so much fun! Fabricio, our naturalist tour guide, was the best - a lot of fun and the perfect guide. He was passionate about his subject and truly loved sharing his beloved Galapagos with us. As a naturalist, he was exceptionally knowledgeable. As a guide, he was patient, kind, caring, organized, approachable, and clear with his communicationsThis was my first "guided tour", and, for me, this trip was wonderful. I loved the great customer service from beginning to end, the high level of activity, the comfort of feeling well-taken care of and safe in a foreign country, staying in local hotels and eating local cuisine, and having a top-notch tour guide!

Wonderful staff, great views, excellent accommodations. I highly recommend to other travelers.

My teen daughter and I did a 7 night cruise. It exceeded all of our expectations. The boat was sparkling clean, comfortable, and well-appointed. Service was top notch, from the food, to the friendly crew with a helping hand every step, to turn-down service with a chocolate every night. More about the food -- buffet breakfast with omelet station, local fruit juices, fresh fruit and cheese platters, cereals, and hot selections changing daily. Lunch and dinner were elegantly plated, included many local specialties, and were absolutely delicious! We received detailed information from the crew and guides every day, and felt well taken care of. Saving the best for last - our guides, Karla and Fernando made the experience magical! Aside from being incredibly knowledgable, they were fun and entertaining, and catered to our interests throughout. The itinerary included a lot of options for the daily activities, so we could adjust the experience to how we felt each day. The whole trip was so well planned, we felt safe and cared for, which enabled us to just enjoy the experience!

We just returned from a Galapagos trip which included three nights at the camp, and I truly wish we had stayed there longer! What a beautiful, peaceful oasis in the Santa Cruz highlands. It truly felt like a luxury experience from the moment we stepped off the plane in Baltra, and every need was anticipated and met. The tents are beautifully appointed, very private and comfortable, and had surprisingly strong Wi-Fi and great water pressure in the shower. We made good use of the infinity pool after our daily excursions, and there were so many special and personal touches. An added bonus is the tortoises roaming freely around the property. And the food! We truly didn't expect a five star food experience in a remote camp in the Galapagos but WOW. Every meal was absolutely delicious and featured traditional Ecuadorian food which we loved. The only thing I would mention I want to mention is that there is a fairly steep, uphill walk from the tents to the lodge, which is doable for anyone who is fairly fit but this would not be a great place for anyone who is struggling with health or mobility issues. I would absolutely stay here again, and hated to leave!

It was fantastic! The agency was very helpful in advance (arranging for an extra hotel night and instructing the shuttle to pick us up). Then, the trip itself was excellent. 11 guests total with one dedicated official guide, Pepo, and one assistant guide, Paolo, the whole time. They were excellent, kind and helpful, and fun to be with. Being land-based with guides who live full time in Galapagos meant we got a good glimpse of life on the islands, even meeting Pepo's parents. The snorkling trips and other excursions were smoothly planned, and the equipment we had for the week was good quality (I didn't use the mask I brought because theirs was better), and the local restaurants we were taken to were fun and tasty.