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"Kimkim is the perfect solution for independent travelers who are too busy to plan it all themselves" - Gayle R., traveled with kimkim in October 2019

Introducing Galapagos Islands

Travel to the Galapagos Islands
Traveling to the Galapagos Islands is a life-changing experience, whether you visit the islands alone, with your partner, with family or friends. There are several travel options to discover the Galapagos. The best and most popular way is by cruising the islands on board yachts and ships. Another alternative is a hotel-based program from the three main ports in Galapagos.

What makes the Galapagos so unique
These remote and isolated islands are home to endemic and unique species. During the daily excursions, you'll have the opportunity to experience close encounters with amazing wildlife, fearless of human beings. Each island will bring something new to your experience. The Galapagos Islands were also recently declared a marine sanctuary!

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 10 days · 14 days

Galapagos Islands Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Isabela Island, Galapagos
Map of Galapagos Islands Land-Based Adventure Tour: 10 Days
Galapagos Islands Land-Based Adventure Tour: 10 Days

This 10-day trip will take you to the best the Galapagos 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 week 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.

View of Puerto Ayora.
Map of Galapagos Islands Land-Based Adventure Tour: 6 Days
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.

Viewing giant tortoises in their native habitat is a highlight of the Galapagos.
Map of Galapagos Cruise: Wildlife Watching, Snorkeling & Hiking - 11 Days
Galapagos Cruise: Wildlife Watching, Snorkeling & Hiking - 11 Days

Cruising around the Galapagos Islands — viewing extraordinary wildlife and natural sights by day while motoring between islands at night — is one of the best ways to experience these magical islands. On this tour, you'll visit 11 islands in the famed archipelago, observing birdlife, sea lions, marine iguanas, sharks, giant tortoises and an array of other creatures.

Sea Lions Playing Under the Waves
Map of Best of Ecuador: Quito & the Galapagos Islands - 7 Days
Best of Ecuador: Quito & the Galapagos Islands - 7 Days

This whirlwind trip takes you to many of Ecuador's top highlights in a single week. Stroll the colonial streets of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stand on the equator at Mitad del Mundo. Then it's off to the Galapagos Islands for four days of hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and relaxing on the beach. From snow-capped peaks to deep waters filled with sea turtles and penguins, this diverse itinerary has something for everyone.

Best of Peru Tour & Galapagos Cruise - 12 Days
Map of Best of Peru Tour & Galapagos Cruise - 12 Days
Best of Peru Tour & Galapagos Cruise - 12 Days

Discover ancient ruins, colonial architecture, fantastic food, and folk culture in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and iconic Machu Picchu.  Then hop aboard the luxurious Galapagos Legend—the only cruise boat in the Galapagos with an on-deck swimming pool—for a multi-island expedition to observe the birds, iguanas, and sea creatures that make this place so special.

Galapagos Islands Multisport Adventure - 10 Days
Map of Galapagos Islands Multisport Adventure - 10 Days
Galapagos Islands Multisport Adventure - 10 Days

Discover a nature lover's heaven through a wildlife tour that will uncover the most extraordinary sights of the Galapagos Islands. Over a week and a half, you'll discover the local flora and fauna through outdoor activities like kayaking, mountain biking, trekking, and snorkeling. This socially and environmentally responsible itinerary features top-notch guides and immersive educational experiences, in addition to benefitting local communities.

Make the Most of Your Time in Galapagos Islands

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit

Galapagos Islands Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip
Shark in the Galapagos
Ultimate Guide to Diving in the Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands are spectacular in so many ways, but even more so underwater. The seascapes of reefs, ledges, walls and extinct volcanic craters are teeming with wildlife...

Seals in the Galápagos Islands
Family Travel in the Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands comprise one of the world's most extraordinary travel destinations, and the opportunity to observe the famous archipelago's native creatures is especially...

Our Latest Galapagos Islands Content

Bartolomé Island in the Galapagos
Galapagos Island Hopping in Style: Santa Cruz & Isabela - 10 Days

White-sand beaches, secluded lagoons, and a spectacular array of wildlife await on this luxurious 10-day adventure in the Galápagos. It begins in Quito with sightseeing in the colonial center. Then fly to Isabela Island, where you’ll stay in high-end lodgings and enjoy daily hikes, cycling, and snorkeling excursions. The journey continues on Santa Cruz Island, where you'll walk with giant tortoises and visit uninhabited islands. Here you can observe rare wildlife and relax on the beach before heading home.

Pinnacle Rock in the Galápagos Islands
Map of 5 Days in the Galápagos Islands - 4 Unique Itineraries
5 Days in the Galápagos Islands - 4 Unique Itineraries

With five days to spend in the Galapagos Islands, travelers have a variety of options. Choose a land-based tour that takes you to the archipelago's highlights for outdoor adventures and birdwatching, or go on a cruise that focuses on a particular interest area, like nature or wildlife. If you're certified, opt for a diving trip with daily excursions underwater to see reef sharks, sea turtles, seahorses, and more. Whichever itinerary you choose, you're sure to enjoy the natural beauty of this magnificent island chain. Read on to learn more about your options.

White sands and turqouise waters of the Galápagos Islands
How Many Days Should You Spend in the Galápagos Islands?

The best way to see as many of the 19 major islands that comprise the Galápagos is on a two-week tour. However, you can still pack in the best of Darwin's famed isles on a 10-day excursion that includes wildlife spotting and active adventures. Even five days allows for a quick island hop and highlights tour that covers some major sights and makes for an unforgettable experience.

Galapagos Islands Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Galapagos Islands map: 7 Days in the Galapagos Islands - 4 Unique Itineraries
7 Days in the Galapagos Islands - 4 Unique Itineraries
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Galapagos Islands map: 10 Days in the Galapagos Islands - 4 Unique Itineraries
10 Days in the Galapagos Islands - 4 Unique Itineraries
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Galapagos Islands map: 5 Days in the Galápagos Islands - 4 Unique Itineraries
5 Days in the Galápagos Islands - 4 Unique Itineraries
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Galapagos Islands
Travel specialist Daniel Larrea
active 9 hours ago

Daniel Larrea

During my whole life, I have been traveling and adventuring everywhere. This is because my family was always in aviation. One of the first memories in my life are on a plane and traveling, but what...

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Travel specialist Mathias Onisseit
active 9 hours ago

Mathias Onisseit

Originally from Germany, in 2010 I set out to explore South America and soon fell in love with the super-diverse country named Ecuador (and its neat little attachment Galapagos). What fascinates me...

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Travel specialist Linda Schulz
active 11 hours ago

Linda Schulz

Originally from Germany, I have traveled around the world and lived in Australia, Bangladesh, and finally Ecuador. Ecuador is such a diverse and beautiful country, so I soon fell deeply in love...

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Travel specialist Jackeline Valarezo
active 11 hours ago

Jackeline Valarezo

I've always been in love with my country, and when I got the chance to work in this wonderful industry, I knew I belonged here. One of my favorite aspects of my job is interacting with people and...

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Trip Reviews for Galapagos Islands

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim
Ciaran

7 day trip to the Galapagos · Galapagos Islands - Jun 9 - Jun 15, 2022

Traveler: Ciaran C. - Local specialist: Lucia Cazar

Lucia helped us out so much after we had some inconvenience getting into Ecuador, and had to change our flights and plans at such short notice.
The itinerary was amazing, with lots of snorkeling, and day trips, with some free time to explore and do more ourselves.
The only minor inconvenience was that when it said that breakfast was included we were not sure if it was in the hotel or on the tour. It was in the hotel so we missed breakfast our first day
All the guides in the Galapagos were... read more

Lucia helped us out so much after we had some inconvenience getting into Ecuador, and had to change our flights and plans at such short notice.
The itinerary was amazing, with lots of snorkeling, and day trips, with some free time to explore and do more ourselves.
The only minor inconvenience was that when it said that breakfast was included we were not sure if it was in the hotel or on the tour. It was in the hotel so we missed breakfast our first day
All the guides in the Galapagos were very knowledgeable and helpful.

Activity Reviews

Welcome to Galapagos: Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating
Activity Review

Great way to get to know the Galapagos and the local wildlife

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Guides, drivers and staff

Quality of Experience

Morning Bay Tour & Afternoon at leisure in Santa Cruz

Puerto Ayora

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Activity Review

Great snorkeling, some great videos and pictures from this experience, and our guide knew the best places to see turtles and other fish. The hike and swim were also incredible

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Guides, drivers and staff

Quality of Experience

Speedboat to Santa Cruz Island & Kayaking on Tortuga Bay

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating
Activity Review

Our guide Viviana was great but we couldn't see much on the kayaks as the water was quite cloudy and dirty. Tortuga bay is a must visit on Santa Cruz island though!

Transport

Guides, drivers and staff

Quality of Experience

Excursion to Los Tuneles

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating
Activity Review

Incredible snorkeling experiences, guide knew the best spots and was very accomodating to help get pictures and videos using the GoPro. Very knowledgeable on the local wildlife and surrounding area

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Guides, drivers and staff

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Tour to Pinzon island and La Fe

Puerto Ayora

Overall Rating
Activity Review

First snorkel spot was very wavy and tough to see much. Second snorkel spot was so clear as we swam with sea lions, turtles, sharks and more! Definitely worth it for the second snorkel alone. Did some fishing (didn't catch anything unfortunately), got a lovely lunch on the boat, and enjoyed both la fe and pinzon

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Speedboat to Isabela Island & Wildlife on Las Tintoreras Islet

Galapagos Islands

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Transport

Guides, drivers and staff

Quality of Experience

Lucia Cazar profile photo
Lucia Cazar, local specialist, responded to this review:

Hola Chas,

Thank you for your nice words, we will be working to improve those details! We look forward to welcoming you to Ecuador again!

Kind regards,

Lucía.

Amazing Galapagos Adventure · Galapagos Islands - May 21 - May 27, 2022

Traveler: David D. - Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit

A quick note that my family had an amazing trip to the Galapagos. A special thank you to Mathias who helped with the pre-planning, advance trip details and check-ins during the trip to make sure everything went smoothly.
We visited all three islands and had great excursions and experiences on all. Mathias planned just enough snorkeling, hiking and travel with down time to spend with the family. ALL of our guides were top notch and were prompt and very knowledgeable and engaging.
It is... read more

A quick note that my family had an amazing trip to the Galapagos. A special thank you to Mathias who helped with the pre-planning, advance trip details and check-ins during the trip to make sure everything went smoothly.
We visited all three islands and had great excursions and experiences on all. Mathias planned just enough snorkeling, hiking and travel with down time to spend with the family. ALL of our guides were top notch and were prompt and very knowledgeable and engaging.
It is hard to pick favorites as we encountered something special everyday from swimming with playful sea lions to having an hour on our own private beach. Bartolome Island is a must and seeing and snorkeling with the penguins was an added bonus.
It was a once in a lifetime trip for my family and the service we received was A+ - thank you Mathias

Hotel Reviews

Albemarle

Puerto Villamil

Overall Rating
Hotel Review

Services were very good. Staff was very helpful. The hotel had a good courtyard for breakfast and leisure, and we enjoyed the rooftop for evening family social time.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Staff

very helpful. We did our laundry on this portion of the trip with the hotel. Well done and very reasonable.
Authenticity & Character

Location

right on the ocean

Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel

Puerto Ayora

Overall Rating
Hotel Review

Very comfortable rooms and beds. Breakfast was good and location close to but off the strip was ideal for my family.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Activity Reviews

Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating
Activity Review

Enrique was a great guide. He got us all setup with our snorkel gear and wet suits. He gave us a good overview and let us view the interpretation center before going snorkeling. He was a great snorkeling guide. We went further into the cove with him and definitely saw more marine life. The sea lions were great, and this was the first place we swam with the turtles.

Transport

Timely and comfortable
Guides, drivers and staff

Fantastic!
Quality of Experience

Snorkel at Kicker Rock

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating
Activity Review

Great rip- we really enjoyed the beach stop and of course kicker rock. Snorkeling on the beach was fun and then seeing the hammerheads and marine life around kicker rock was amazing.

Food

Transport

Timely. Boat was comfortable.
Guides, drivers and staff

Guide was excellent, boat was very good. They spotted dolphins on the way out and engaged us with them.
Quality of Experience

Exploring Isabela Island by bike

Puerto Villamil

Overall Rating
Activity Review

This was our relaxing day. Bike ride was fun and we stopped at different spots on the ride. We really enjoyed body surfing and swimming on the beautiful beach.

Guides, drivers and staff

picking up the bikes was easy with the service from Emilee
Quality of Experience

Snorkel at Los Túneles

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating
Activity Review

Maximo was excellent - the kids got to see a school of 20+ young sharks. The tunnels and landscape are amazing. We were treated to some great blue footed boobie dances on this trip.

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Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating
Activity Review

This was very close to the hotel and a shorter trip. We saw sea lions, many turtles and snorkeled over the sleeping sharks.

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Guides, drivers and staff

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Excursion to an uninhabited island

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating
Activity Review

This was a very special day and trip. Roughly two hours to get to the island via boat but well worth the time. The hike tour was very information on the volcanic formation. And the view ..... WOW. The lunch was great and the snorkeling with the penguins was something everyone wanted to see.

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Guides, drivers and staff

Guides were very information, engaging.
Quality of Experience

Highlands of Santa Cruz Island

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating
Activity Review

This was a very relaxing day before we left the island. Our guide was simply fantastic! Seeing and learning about the tortoises were great.

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Guides, drivers and staff

Quality of Experience

Galapagos islands · Galapagos Islands - May 13 - May 22, 2022

Traveler: Dhaarica J. - Local specialist: Tamer Obeid

Tamer created us a brilliant trip to the Galápagos Islands which turned out to be the most wonderful experience. Tamer was extremely helpful with all our requests and very quick at responding and assisted us beyond what was required! What we loved were the personal touches including greeting us as Quito airport and checking in with us whilst we were out there, not to mention my generous bday gift! All tours and pickups were smooth with no issues. We had lovely hotels with excellent views,... read more

Tamer created us a brilliant trip to the Galápagos Islands which turned out to be the most wonderful experience. Tamer was extremely helpful with all our requests and very quick at responding and assisted us beyond what was required! What we loved were the personal touches including greeting us as Quito airport and checking in with us whilst we were out there, not to mention my generous bday gift! All tours and pickups were smooth with no issues. We had lovely hotels with excellent views, friendly staff and were all clean. Acacia hotel was our personal favourite. All three islands were beautiful. We would highly recommend the Pinzon snorkelling tour, Kicker rock, the volcano Hike aswell as the trip to Espagnola! Memorable guides include Vivienne from Santa Cruz who took us on the highlands tours to see the amazing giant tortoises and Sol in San Cristobal. We will be forever grateful to Tamer for organising this trip for us who even went out of his way to help my husband plan something nice for my birthday. We would highly recommend!

Hotel Review

Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel

Puerto Ayora

Overall Rating
Hotel Review

Everything from cleanliness and service to breakfast was absolutely brilliant. We couldn't not fault this place!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sparkling clean
Staff

Friendly and helpful
Authenticity & Character

Lovely rooms with good decor
Location

Close proximity to restaurants, pier, shops.
Activity Reviews

Welcome to Galapagos: Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating

Tour to Pinzon island and La Fe

Puerto Ayora

Overall Rating
Activity Review

A successful trip! we saw so much- sea turtles, rays, sharks and played with sea lions. Boat was comfortable and food great too

Sierra Negra volcano - Speedboat to Santa Cruz

Galapagos Islands

Overall Rating
Activity Review

The hike took us about 5 hours and was more challenging than expected but definitely rewarding with stunning views!

Food

Guides, drivers and staff

Tamer Obeid profile photo
Tamer Obeid, local specialist, responded to this review:

Dhaarica & Thaj, it was an exceptional pleasure of mine meeting you and working with you planning this bday trip; you are such a wonderful couple and deserve nothing less than perfect :). To know you have enjoyed every detail of this tour (and I will convey your appreciation to Vivienne and all hotels), and that we were part of creating such memorable moments for you means the world to us! It is what keeps our flare ignited and feeds our passion (in Kimkim and Responsible Travel) to burnish... read more

Dhaarica & Thaj, it was an exceptional pleasure of mine meeting you and working with you planning this bday trip; you are such a wonderful couple and deserve nothing less than perfect :). To know you have enjoyed every detail of this tour (and I will convey your appreciation to Vivienne and all hotels), and that we were part of creating such memorable moments for you means the world to us! It is what keeps our flare ignited and feeds our passion (in Kimkim and Responsible Travel) to burnish our performance and offer more to our precious travelers. I learned so much from Thaj :) and I'm so so happy that everything went as planned ;) Love the photos and the smiles on your faces! I hope to meet you again soon, whether in London (as the invitation was so much appreciated and accepted :)) or one more time here in Ecuador, as this beautiful country, honestly, has a lot more to offer. Thanks a million :)
Yours,
Tamer