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For such a tiny smattering of islands flung far into the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos archipelago has had an outsized impact on humanity and our understanding of ourselves.

Cut off from human contact for millennia and under unique geological conditions, the islands became a petri-dish for mother nature; a place where species could mutate and evolve in isolation, leaving clues for what would become Charles Darwin’s revolutionary theory of natural selection.

The Galapagos today remain an exemplary natural wonder despite centuries of settling, intensive fishing and, more recently, a booming tourism industry. Done right, tourism to the Galapagos can play a key role in their conservation, so plan your trip carefully, tread lightly, and help preserve the Galapagos for generations to come.

Cruising the Galapagos

An essential guide to cruising the Galapagos Islands

Step aside, humans. The protagonists of the Galapagos Islands’ history are the rare and endemic species that populate this far-flung chain of volcanic islands in the Pacific. As Charles Darwin discovered on his famous voyage on the HMS Beagle in 1835, the natural history of these dynamic islands reveals the fits and starts of evolution itself...read more

13 days

Machu Picchu & Galapagos cruise

An epic land and sea voyage of history and nature
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10 days

Galapagos and Amazon basin combined

Explore the highlights of Ecuador
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4 days

Classic Galapagos cruise

See the best of the Galapagos Islands
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5 days

Galapagos eco-lodge exploration

Luxury ecotravel at its finest
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8 days

Galapagos expedition cruise

Luxury-class cruise of the islands
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  • Isla Santa Cruz

    Isla Santa Cruz

    Almost all visitors to the Galapagos Islands will touch down in Isla Santa Cruz at some point...
  • Isla Isabela

    Isla Isabela

    Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos Islands and is made up of five (sometimes) active volcanoes...
  • Isla Genovesa

    Isla Genovesa

    Stay with us – Isla Genovesa is also known as Booby Island due to the sheer number of goofy-looking Nazca and red-footed boobies that live here...
  • Isla Rabida

    Isla Rabida

    Famous for the unique red colour of its beach and cliffs, Isla Rabida is known for the sizeable number of flamingos that feed on shrimp in its lagoon, snorkelling with sea lions and the large number of bird species that live here...
  • Isla Floreana

    Isla Floreana

    To the north of Floreana lies Punta Cormorant, a beautiful white sand beach that runs for 720m and is known as the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos...
  • Isla San Cristóbal

    Isla San Cristóbal

    Sea lions are everywhere in San Cristobal, so head down to any accessible waterfront to see noisy sea lions and furry babies frolicking on the sand and occasionally taking to the water...
  • Isla Española

    Isla Española

    Española is one of the more remote Galapagos Islands, at some 90km southeast of Isla Santa Cruz...
  • Isla Bartolomé

    Isla Bartolomé

    Tiny Bartolomé is most famous for its landscapes and scenery...
  • Isla Fernandina

    Isla Fernandina

    The third largest — and youngest — of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina has a unique environment which makes it a haven for thousands of slowly-moving marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and sea lions...
  • Isla Santiago

    Isla Santiago

    Once a hideout for smugglers and pirates, Isla Santiago is now best-known for Sullivan Bay, where century-old lava has solidified into bubbles and caves, and Puerto Egas, a wet landing where you can see seals, sea lions and sea birds...
  • Isla Darwin

    Isla Darwin

    Tiny Darwin Island, at the remote far north of the archipelago, is one of the world’s premier scuba locations...

Places to go in The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands Tours

Quito, Otavalo, The Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador Mainland

Immersive culture & wildlife experience

11 daysFrom $6,139
Ecuador, Peru

Galapagos Cruise & Machu Picchu

See the two gems of South America

13 daysFrom $4,790
Ecuador, Peru

Machu Picchu & Galapagos 4 Day Cruise

Four days aboard the Galapagos Legend

12 daysFrom $4,079
Ecuador, Peru

Machu Picchu & Galapagos 5 Day Cruise

Five days aboard the Coral I & II

13 daysFrom $4,899
Ecuador, Peru

Galapagos and Machu Picchu 8 Day Cruise

Eight days about the Galapagos Legend

16 daysFrom $6,829
Ecuador, Peru

Galapagos, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca

The scenic gems of South America in one trip

15 daysFrom $4,899

The Galapagos Islands Travel Companies

Central America, South America

Lost World Adventures

Custom tours to Latin America
Central America, South America, Antarctica

South American Vacations

Custom tours to Latin America since 2002
North America, South America, Antarctica

SA Expeditions

Tailor-made guided tours to North and South America
North America, Central America, South America

Intrepid Travel

Small group adventure tours
The Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Safari Camp

Luxury safari camp offering flexible and personalised land sea adventures
South America, South Asia, Southeast Asia

Rainforest Cruises

Exotic Riverboat & Small Ship Cruises
South America

Midland Travel

Experts for Galapagos and Ecuador
Ecuador

Rebecca Adventure Travel

Ecuador's Leading Tour Operator

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Suggested itineraries and routes to help you scratch beneath the surface, avoid the tourist traps, and plan an authentic, responsible and enjoyable journey.

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