For guaranteed wildlife up close, there is no match for the Galápagos Islands. Undoubtedly this is one of the world’s best wildlife destinations.

Why travel to the Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands are one of the few places on Earth that genuinely exceed expectations. Scattered across the Pacific Ocean around 1,000 kilometres west of mainland Ecuador, this volcanic archipelago is home to wildlife found nowhere else, where animals have evolved in remarkable isolation and remain famously unafraid of people.

Walking among giant tortoises, watching blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance or encountering marine iguanas basking on black lava rocks are everyday experiences here. Beneath the surface, the waters are equally extraordinary, with opportunities to snorkel alongside playful sea lions, green turtles, reef sharks, penguins and, in the right season, schools of hammerhead sharks.

Every island has its own distinct character. Some are defined by dramatic volcanic landscapes, others by pristine white-sand beaches, towering cactus forests or rich mangrove ecosystems. Expert naturalist guides bring these ever-changing environments to life, revealing the fascinating stories of evolution that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection.

There is no single ‘right’ way to experience the Galápagos. An expedition yacht allows you to visit a wider range of islands, while a carefully planned land-based itinerary offers greater flexibility, more time ashore and access to some outstanding boutique lodges. The best choice depends entirely on how you like to travel, and many visitors find that combining the Galápagos with Ecuador’s Andes, cloud forest or Amazon creates one of South America’s most rewarding journeys.

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KEY FACTS

CURRENCY

US Dollar

LANGUAGE

Spanish

TIME ZONE

GMT -06:00

TIPPING

Service included

PEAK TIME

December - June

USEFUL PHRASES

Hello – Hola
See you later – Hasta luego
Nice to meet you – Encantada/o de conocerte
Thank you so much – Muchas gracias
Please – Por favor
Excuse me – Disculpe
I’m sorry – Lo siento

COLDEST MONTH

June and November
22°C on average

HOTTEST MONTH

January
28°C on average

ITINERARIES

Inspirational trip ideas

These are simply suggestions for the kind of luxury tailor-made holiday you might have. Your bespoke travel itinerary will be
personalised, tweaked and refined until it matches you completely.

Ideal Length: 17 days

A Menu of Rainforests, Volcanoes + the Galápagos Islands

Though smaller than its neighbours, Ecuador offers an immense range of temptations for travellers. For most, nature is the draw, and it’s difficult to deny staying aboard a yacht while sailing through the Galápagos Islands is one of...

From £15,750pp From $19,159pp

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Ideal Length: 11 days

The Galápagos Islands by land

This itinerary is designed primarily with families in mind but it can be adapted for anyone who does not like the idea of being at sea for days at a time. Travelling with a private guide at your own pace means that you can take in...

From £5,750pp From $7,500pp

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Ideal Length: 11 days

Cruise the Enchanted Galápagos Islands

Begin your journey in the capital city of Quito, visiting the city's colonial centre, and exploring historical sites such as Plaza de la Independencia, the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and significant churches from the 16th and 17th centuries.

From £12,000pp From $15,500pp

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SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable Travel

Few places on Earth are as important to protect as the Galápagos Islands. This extraordinary archipelago is home to more than 2,000 endemic species, with new discoveries still being made, and is the spiritual home of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.

Responsible tourism plays a vital role in protecting this remarkable environment. Every licensed yacht and hotel operates under strict environmental regulations, while the partners we work with go even further by supporting projects such as habitat restoration, scientific research, environmental education and wildlife monitoring. By travelling responsibly, you help protect the islands while supporting the local communities that call them home. For more information, see the “Giving Back” section on each of our yachts and hotels.

Our highlights in the Galapagos

Our Destination Expert’s top tip

If you are concerned about sea sickness, there are some specatular hotels on land which also offer private experiences.

Caroline 130
Caroline Maber

Specialises in

Central + South America, Polar regions and The Caribbean
travelling in Galapagos
Local lowdown

Boobie birds of the Galápagos: The Sulidae family of birds was nicknamed bobos – dumb in Spanish – for their clumsy walk on land. An amazing scene is to watch the blue-footed boobies dance their mating ritual or taking plunge dives into the sea as they fish for food.

Celebrate this

Galápagos penguins are endemic to the Galápagos Islands. To survive in a tropical climate, they have adapted  by leaning forward to shade their feet from the sun and they stretch their flippers out to the sides. This stance helps them to keep cool.

Let us plan your perfect trip

YOUR TRIP
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YOUR DETAILS
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What our clients say
Family adventure we will talk about for years. Our 3 week trip through South America taking in the Galapagos, the Amazon, the Caribbean coast in Colombia as well as hiking up to 5000m altitude in the Andes worked flawlessly. I didn't have much time to involve myself in the planning, with a few pointers Caroline put a great trip together, exceeding our expectations. We stayed in fabulous lodges and hotels and ate fantastic food and always felt safe and in very good hands. I am certain if we were to suggest another trip organised by cazenove&loyd all our young adult children would sign up straight away again !
What our clients say
An enormous thank you for the incredible trip that you organised for me to Ecuador. The entire holiday was wonderful, from the pretty Hotel del Parque to the MV Theory to the gorgeous Hacienda Zuleta, which I fell in love with. It's so rare to find places like that anymore – that still reek of history and family, so it was extremely special.
What our clients say
Milly organised every detail of our trip to the Galápagos. We had a knowledgeable guide who showed us hidden gems in Quito. Our cruise around the islands, complemented by the detailed narrative of our naturalist guide and the attentive, friendly crew, made each day an amazing adventure. Flight connections were seamless and we were always well looked after.
What our clients say
It was magical. I had forgotten what a special place the Galápagos Islands is. I was determined to bring my son and he fell in love too. The boat was lovely. The staff was amazing. They never stopped. They were really fantastic – friendly, helpful and super-efficient. Thank you for all your help, answers, suggestions and all.

Chat to an expert to start planning your trip

Get in touch and one of our luxury travel experts will answer any questions you may have and help create your dream tailor-made holiday.

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