Galápagos Islands Holidays
south & central america
Giant tortoises roam many of the islands, whilst the iconic blue-footed boobies and swimming marine iguanas can be found across the archipelago. Beneath the waves reef sharks, penguins and dolphins compete for your attention, whilst playful seals and sea lions swim alongside snorkelers, kayaks and pangas (small motorised dinghy).
On your holiday to the Galápagos Islands you can follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and embark on a Galápagos cruise for a voyage of discovery in a place unlike anywhere else on earth. No day is ever the same on your cruise. Whilst the daily routine is similar for all ships, your wildlife experience will depend on which of the islands you’ll visit and the unique diversity of flora and fauna found on each. Read our short guide as to what to expect.
Easily combinable with a stay in mainland Ecuador, visit the Galápagos Islands and Amazon Rainforest for the ultimate wildlife viewing experience.
Trailfinders offers a range of Galápagos Islands holidays and our expert travel consultants are a mine of information about what to do here, often with first-hand travel experience. Whether you want to explore the islands on board a luxury Celebrity Cruise or a smaller intimate vessel, or as part of a private tour, they are the perfect people to ask.
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HOW TO GET AROUND THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
A Galápagos Cruise is the most popular way to discover this magical archipelago. Cruises allow you to explore multiple islands, visiting different ‘landing sites’, each home to a variety of wildlife. Many cruises also have dedicated family departures, making for a wonderful family holiday. Take a look at the About the Galápagos section below for more information on cruise itineraries.
For those looking for a land based option, our private tours and small group adventure tours offer the option of exploring the islands from the comfort of a hotel. For the ultimate Galápagos experience, add a hotel stay after your cruise make the most of this wonderful destination.
For those looking for a land based option, our private tours and small group adventure tours offer the option of exploring the islands from the comfort of a hotel. For the ultimate Galápagos experience, add a hotel stay after your cruise make the most of this wonderful destination.
OUR HOLIDAYS TO GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
Nobody offers more ways to explore the Galápagos Islands than Trailfinders.
Here's a snapshot of some of our most popular Galápagos holidays. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, click on the link below them to see our complete range of holidays and tours in the destination.
Here's a snapshot of some of our most popular Galápagos holidays. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, click on the link below them to see our complete range of holidays and tours in the destination.
Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands
Peru
Private Tour
15 days / 14 nights
15 days / 14 nights
Combining two of South America’s greatest wonders, this tour takes you from the ruins of Machu Picchu to the enchanting Galápagos Islands for an unforgettable once in a lifetime experience.
Galapagos - Celebrity Cruises
Ecuador
Cruise Holiday
11 days / 10 nights
11 days / 10 nights
Indulge in the beauty of the Galápagos with award-winning Celebrity Cruises.
Northern Ecuador & the Galapagos in Style
Ecuador
Private Tour
15 days / 14 nights
15 days / 14 nights
Explore the stunning scenery of northern Ecuador whilst, staying in some of the country’s most luxurious properties before flying to the Galápagos Islands for an unforgettable adventure.
Ecuadorian Adventure
Ecuador
Private Tour
14 days / 13 nights
14 days / 13 nights
Discover two sides of nature in this small yet diverse country; first exploring the pristine Amazon Rainforest followed by the wonderful Galápagos archipelago.
Galapagos Multisport With Quito
Ecuador
Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
10 days / 9 nights
10 days / 9 nights
The Galápagos Islands will have you spellbound with its captivating scenery and fascinating wildlife.
Best of Galapagos
Ecuador
Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
10 days / 9 nights
10 days / 9 nights
The Galápagos Islands are an adventurer’s playground.
WHERE TO GO IN THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
Each island of the Galápagos boasts unique and varied wildlife. Whilst many species such as the marine iguana, iconic blue-footed booby and colourful frigatebirds can be found across the archipelago, others such as the flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguin and not forgetting the Giant Tortoise are only found in selected locations.
See the tiles below the Galápagos map for a brief overview of the main islands, or for more inspiration give us a call and speak to one of our expert travel consultants?
See the tiles below the Galápagos map for a brief overview of the main islands, or for more inspiration give us a call and speak to one of our expert travel consultants?
Santa Cruz Island
The most populated island in the Galápagos, Santa Cruz is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station and its giant tortoise breeding centre.
Bartolomé and Santiago Islands
Santiago Island offers fantastic snorkelling, stunning volcanic scenery and abundant marine life including sea lions and Galápagos penguins.
North Seymour Island
A small island north of Baltra, North Seymour was formed from uplifted sea bed and is famous for its seabird colonies.
Genovesa Island
This horseshoe shaped island surrounds a dramatic submerged volcanic caldera which forms Darwin Bay.
San Cristóbal Island
This beautiful island is characterised by eroded volcanic peaks in the north and densely vegetated slopes in the south.
Española Island
One of the most beautiful islands in the Galápagos, Española is famous for being home to the only waved albatross colony (Apr - Dec).
Isabela Island
Isabela is the largest island and one of the best places in the Galápagos for whale watching.
Fernandina Island
One of the most volcanically active and pristine islands, visits here are a unique experience even for the Galápagos.
Floreana Island
Best known for its maritime history, Floreana Island is the site of Post Office Bay.
OUR RECOMMENDED BOATS AND HOTELS IN THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
We feature a great range of options in the Galápagos, with something to suit all budgets. Maybe you’re looking for a luxury experience with Celebrity Cruises or a smaller intimate vessel where you really get to know your fellow passengers and crew. Perhaps you want to stay in the comfort of a hotel to experience the archipelago with day excursions to nearby islands or to linger a little longer after your cruise.
What you won’t find here are thousands of options to wade through. We have done the hard work for you and selected the best hotels and cruises in the Galápagos, and our travel consultants are on hand to help, often with first-hand experience.
What you won’t find here are thousands of options to wade through. We have done the hard work for you and selected the best hotels and cruises in the Galápagos, and our travel consultants are on hand to help, often with first-hand experience.
Celebrity Cruises
Galapagos Cruises
Repeatedly rated as one of the world’s best cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises’ offer in depth itineraries that are carefully planned to visit multiple islands, allowing up close viewing of the unafraid wildlife.
La Pinta
Galapagos Cruises
With a maximum of 48 guests, this fantastic mid-sized ship combines the comfort of increased stability with the personalised service of a smaller vessel.
Isabela II
Galapagos Cruises
A stylish, medium-sized ship accommodating a maximum of 40 guests, the Isabela II offers friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere.
Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel
Galapagos
Located on a small beach close to the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, this charming property offers exceptional service and excellent facilities.
Elite
Galapagos Cruises
The sophisticated Elite catamaran features just 9 suites and gracefully combines outstanding service and excellent facilities.
Bonita
Galapagos Cruises
This small, comfortable yacht offers comprehensive itineraries with up to 16 passengers.
ABOUT THE GALÁPAGOS
A guide to help you plan your Galápagos holiday.
Getting There
International flights to Ecuador operate via Europe or the USA and arrive into either Quito or Guayaquil. There are 2 main airports in the Galápagos Islands; one on Baltra Island (just to the north of Santa Cruz) and the other on San Cristóbal Island. The airport you will fly to will be determined by the itinerary of the cruise or your choice of hotel. Flights are approximately 3.5 hours from Quito (including a touchdown in Guayaquil) or 2 hours from Guayaquil.
Climate
The Galápagos Islands are considered a year round destination. Amazing wildlife interactions are possible every month as most species are non-migratory. In general, the climate can be divided into two seasons. The warmer but wetter season from January to June and the cooler and drier season from July to December. Sea conditions can be choppy in August and September when trade winds bring cooler temperatures, however wildlife is often more active and it is pupping season for sea lions.
Boats
The most popular option for a Galápagos holiday. Boats range from small catamarans to larger expedition vessels and even tall sailing ships. On board smaller boats getting to know the crew and other passengers is part of the experience, with meals generally eaten together at one table. Larger vessels such as those offered by Celebrity Cruises benefit from greater stability at sea, more facilities and a greater choice of cabins. Take a look at our guide to what to expect on a Galápagos cruise for more information.
Cruise Itineraries
Each cruise follows a carefully planned itinerary, designed to maximise time in each landing site around the islands. Itineraries range from 3-7 nights in length and each departure will visit a number of islands around the archipelago. It is often possible to combine two or more itineraries on the same vessel for a more comprehensive trip of up to 14 nights.
Excursions
Shore excursions are always conducted in small groups and led by an expert guide. At each site you will either reach the island with a ‘dry landing’ (stepping from the dinghy directly onto land) or a ‘wet landing’ (stepping from the dinghy into shallow water and wading ashore). Snorkelling offers the opportunity to view the world below the water but for those who prefer not to snorkel, many of the larger ships offer glass bottom boat rides.
Hotels
For those who prefer to stay on dry land, a few nights at a hotel on one of the islands offers a great alternative, or even addition, to a cruise itinerary. Depending on your hotel, you can choose to either stay on a board only basis, or book a package which includes daily activities to the surrounding area, returning each evening to the comfort of your own room.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE GALÁPAGOS?
The Galápagos Islands are considered a year round destinations.
Sea temperatures can fluctuate throughout the year, whilst different animals may be more or less active at various times. See the climate section below for more information, or take a look at our guide to the best time to visit the Galápagos Islands.
Sea temperatures can fluctuate throughout the year, whilst different animals may be more or less active at various times. See the climate section below for more information, or take a look at our guide to the best time to visit the Galápagos Islands.
JAN
28
8h
18cm
FEB
30
8h
15cm
MAR
30
8h
17cm
APR
30
8h
16cm
MAY
28
7h
8cm
JUN
27
6h
11cm
JUL
25
6h
12cm
AUG
24
6h
8cm
SEP
24
6h
9cm
OCT
24
6h
7cm
NOV
25
7h
7cm
DEC
26
7h
13cm
Galapagos Islands Top Tips From Our Travel Experts
Beth Ellison
Adventure tours offer both cruising and land based touring options. Land based touring offers fantastic opportunities to see a lot more wildlife and nature walks, whereas cruising offers diving and a lot more marine life viewing opportunities.
Tom Bonavia
Your time in the Galápagos will fly by and it’s worth staying a few additional nights on one of the islands after your cruise. This allows you time to experience the local town, explore at your leisure, or even arrange excursions to some areas your cruise may not have visited.
Elliott Fisher
The Galapagos Islands is a destination like no other. This extraordinary world biosphere reserve gives you the opportunity to experience its fragile ecosystem and unique biodiversity amongst the dramatic volcanic scenery and unspoiled coastline. Walk beside blue footed boobies, marine iguanas and swim with penguins, turtles and sea lions. One of the worlds greatest wonders, the Galapagos is one of the few places left on the planet unspoilt by humanity.
Tales from the Trail
Top tips and travel inspiration from the Trailfinders team
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