Galapagos Holidays

Unique and almost indescribably wonderful wildlife experiences.

Galapagos Holidays

A Galapagos holiday offers wildlife experiences that are uniquely and almost indescribably wonderful. Come face to face with some of the most compelling and unusual species on the planet that are totally unafraid of humans. From playful sea lions to centuries old giant tortoises, to diving marine iguanas, breeding boobies and iconic flightless cormorants to name but a few.

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Company founder and Galapagos expert, Rachel is on hand to help you plan your trip of a lifetime!

01482 887 453

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Galapagos tour ideas

These trips are purely for inspiration. Every Galapagos holiday we create at Think Galapagos is unique and tailored to match your interests, timescale and budget.

Why Travel with Think Galapagos?

We listen to you. We take the time to understand what you want your Galapagos trip of a lifetime to be. We then we use our decades of experience and unrivalled network of local contacts and team of top guides to make it happen. Find out more

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Guest Reviews

WE WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TRIP TO ANYONE
Nigel and Alison Kirkpatrick, November 2024
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A huge thank you for arranging our trip with such care and attention. We felt very confident about it all before we left and indeed we were not disappointed as everything went according to plan and we just had to sit back and enjoy it all. Such a memorable trip. We would recommend this trip with you to anyone interested in this part of the world.
WE'RE STILL WONDERING IF IT WAS ALL AN AMAZING DREAM
Roz and Alison Lobo, October 2024
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Thank you so much for organising an absolutely stunning and fabulously organised holiday. It was just unreal, and we’re still wondering if it was all an amazing dream. The guides were excellent and going round the ancient sites in Peru was something else. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, Galápagos put it all in the shade. When folk say unforgettable holiday… I know now what they mean. So thank you again for everything Rachel, you’re an absolute superstar.
EVERYTHING DURING THE TRIP WAS AS WE WANTED AND HOPED FOR
Vigdis Jonsdottir & Friends, October 2024
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Thank you for all your invaluable assistance in organizing and executing our dream trip to Machu Picchu and Galapagos. Everything during the trip was as we wanted and had hoped for. The guides were very knowledgable and service minded, nothing was too big or small for them to find out of for us. All the hotels were really great, all the tours went as planned, and exceeded our hopes. I will certainly recommend you.
A VERY MEMORABLE TRIP FOR OUR FAMILY
Renee and Matt Gregg and Family, October 2024
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The trip was incredible and we have already recommended Think Galapagos to a friend! Thank you for everything. It was a very memorable trip for our family.
I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE VACATION AND YOUR ADVICE
Martyn and Jane Smith, September 2024
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The holiday was fantastic, the itinerary and recommendations were great and we had a wonderful time. In Galapagos the boat (Angel) and crew were excellent. The Amazon leg was well put together and was well worth adding to the trip. I can’t say enough about the vacation, your advice and recommendations were spot-on for us, and all the local staff were just great adverts for you and Ecuador of course.
GALAPAGOS WAS ANOTHER WORLD, I'M IN AWE!
Vicky Bailey and Family, August 2024
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Everything worked perfectly. All the hotels were brilliant - Americo and Edwin the driver in Peru were just superb. Galapagos was another world really - I’m in awe. I’m struggling to explain how life enhancing it was for us all and just how brilliant the whole trip was - and thank you so much.
EVERYTHING WAS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT
Sara Tailon and family, July 2024
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Everything was absolutely perfect. It was a trip we will remember for the rest of our lives. It was such a fun family adventure. Thank you so much for helping arrange it.
I'M PRETTY SURE I'VE INSPIRED SOME FRIENDS TO TAKE THE SAME TRIP!
J Sung and Family, July 2024
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We loved the trip! We’ve been raving it about it, and I’m pretty sure I’ve inspired some friends to take the same trip. We loved Ecuador, people, culture, history, and the natural beauty. Of course the islands are very special and we feel very thankful that we got to visit. All the guides were incredibly knowledgeable, and everyone we met was friendly and helpful.
WE HAD THE BEST VACATION
Elizabeth Murphy and family, July 2024
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We had the best vacation! We loved our time in the Amazon and the Galapagos. Thank you for all your recommendations and your coordination. Everything ran smoothly, and everyone was extremely accommodating. Thank you again for everything.
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Our GALAPAGOS CRUISES

Our hand-picked selection of the very best Galapagos yachts with top guides and exceptional wildlife encounters. A Galapagos cruise is at the heart of every trip we organise for guests.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GALAPAGOS?

There isn’t really a right answer to this question! Galapagos is a year round destination thanks to its location on the equator. Each month has its own highlights. Hopefully this month by month guide to the climate and the wildlife activity can help you decide the best time for your Galapagos holiday.

GALAPAGOS Weather

Although the weather and temperatures in Galapagos don’t vary hugely, the islands do have two distinct seasons. These seasons are determined by the ocean currents around the Galapagos, principally the cool north-flowing Humbolt and the west-flowing Peruvian Ocean Currents both of which originate in Antartica.

Generally December to April are the warmest months with daily highs of between 26°C–31 °C (79°F –87°F) and the coolest from May through November with daily highs of between 24°C–26 °C (76°F –79°F) with August and September the coolest.

The islands only receive around 25 cm (10 inches) of rain per year, so it is rarely ‘rainy’ although you can expect some rain year round in the highlands of some of the islands.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Daily High
ºC (ºF)
29 (85)
29 (85)
31 (87)
31 (87)
27 (81)
26 (79)
25 (77)
24 (76)
24 (76)
25 (77)
26 (78)
26 (78)
Daily Low
ºC (ºF)
22 (71.6)
24 (76)
24 (76)
24 (76)
22 (71.6)
21 (69.8)
20 (68)
19 (66.2)
19 (66.2)
20 (68)
21 (69.8)
22 (71.6)
Sea Temp
ºC (ºF)
24 (75.2)
25 (77)
25 (77)
25 (77)
24 (75.2)
23 (73.4)
22 (71.6)
21 (69.8)
22 (71.6)
22 (71.6)
23 (73.4)
23 (73.4)
Rainfall
mm (inch)
68.6 (2.7)
91.4 (3.6)
94 (3.7)
71.1 (2.8)
33 (1.3)
22.9 (0.90)
15.2 (0.60)
5.1 (0.20)
5.1 (0.20)
5.1 (0.20)
7.6 (0.30)
30.5 (1.20)

The temperature of the air and water in Galapagos varies depending on the strength of the trade winds. December through March, the winds are at their weakest and the cooling currents subside and temperatures rise. The waters are warmest during this period (65-80F). In April, the trend begins towards stronger winds and cooler air and water temperatures with the strongest trade winds and coolest temperatures usually being in late September. In October the trend reverses and so the cycle begins again with the occasional appearance of the El Nino and La Nina phenomena.

The larger islands with volcanic peaks have a dramatic range of climactic zones (Isabela, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Floreana). Whilst the coastal areas are arid, and covered with plants adapted to desert conditions with very infrequent rain, the highland parts of these Islands receive moisture almost year-round in the form of garua (thick fog, mist or drizzle), which supports a lush forest area where all of the giant tortoises live.

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Galapagos Travel Guide

Be it a birding holiday, a multi-generational family holiday, a honeymoon or a special birthday trip we will use our decades of experience living and working in Ecuador and Galapagos, and unrivalled network of local contacts to create an exceptional holiday for you. Find out how to get to the Galapagos Islands. 

The best way to start planning your Galapagos trip is to give us a call or contact us by email. We are always genuinely delighted to answer any questions and help get you started planning your trip. But in case it is helpful, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about travel to the Galapagos Islands.

IS A CRUISE THE BEST WAY TO SEE GALAPAGOS?

A resounding yes! A cruise is the ultimate way to experience Galapagos. Cruising mostly at night between the islands Galapagos cruises ensure you maximise your wildlife viewing during the day and take you to the best and most pristine islands in the archipelago.

The next decision is then which Galapagos cruise is the right one. There is a huge amount of choice out there and it can be quite overwhelming. Some Galapagos cruises are very slick at marketing (though not always so good at delivering!), other Galapagos cruises don’t have such slick marketing, but are exceptionally good and conservation minded locally run operations that offer outstanding wildlife experiences.

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE BEST GALAPAGOS CRUISE?

Just looking online it is incredibly hard to decipher what actually is the best option for you. This is where Think Galapagos can help. Decades of living and working in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands means using our local knowledge we have handpicked the very best Galapagos cruises across a range of budgets.

All cruises are on small yachts, for 20 guests or less. They work with very good Galapagos National Park guides, have very good itineraries offering a fantastic mix of Galapagos wildlife and scenery and are locally owned operations where possible. We listen to what you want out of your Galapagos tour and then advise on which Galapagos cruises will be best for what you are looking for and find who has spaces around the time you want to travel.

WHICH GALAPAGOS CRUISE ITINERARY IS BEST?

There is no right answer to this question. Both the Eastern and Western parts of Galapagos are equally wonderful in their own way. Usually it comes down to personal preference as to which itinerary appeals most to you or if you have any particular wildlife you want to see one itinerary maybe better for you than another. Again we can help give advice on which itineraries will best suit what you are looking for in your Galapagos trip.

HOW DO I GET TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS?

The Galapagos Islands lie 600 miles (1000 km) off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. Every Galapagos holiday starts and ends in mainland Ecuador. There are no direct international flights to Galapagos, so you need to take a domestic flight either from Quito, Ecuador’s capital city nestled high in the Andes, or Guayaquil, Ecuador’s steamy commercial capital on its coastal planes. There are now several flights each day to Galapagos which take around two and a half hours.

Galapagos has two airports that receive flights from mainland Ecuador, either Baltra islet which is close to Santa Cruz Island in the centre of the archipelago or San Cristobal in the Eastern part of the Galapagos. Once you arrive here and have passed through the Galapagos National Park controls and collected your luggage, your guide and the crew from your cruise will be there to greet you and take you to your yacht, and your Galapagos adventure will begin!

Pre-Trip Information

This downloadable pre-trip information document will help you plan for your Galapagos trip as well as answering some key questions you may have. Despite being quite long it is by no means exhaustive, so please do get in touch with any questions you may have and we would be delighted to help.

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Top Four Reasons Why Galapagos is the Ultimate Wildlife Holiday Destination

We could talk all day about how amazing the wildlife of the Galapagos are, and why they make for such an amazing wildlife holiday! Here we have narrowed down to four key points why we think this group of 127 islands, islets and rocks that emerged from the ocean floor only a few million years ago and are still forming today make for such a special trip.

1. No fear of humans

What makes the Galapagos Islands truly unique is that they have remained isolated from predators (most notably humans) for most of their history. The result is a unique and diverse range of animals that are totally unafraid of humans. From breeding boobies, to flightless cormorants, to iguanas and giant tortoises, the fearlessness of the fauna here is astounding.

2. A living laboratory

Each island is host to its own extraordinary mix of flora and fauna that has been blown or washed across from mainland South America and forced to adapt to survive. From the youngest Island Fernandina which is still being formed, to the oldest island Espanola formed 3.5 million years ago, each has its own unique landscape and set of ecosystems.

3. Pristine natural habitat

97% of the total land surface of Galapagos was declared National Park in 1959 and thanks to ongoing conservation work by the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station, the Galapagos remain largely the way Darwin saw them almost two centuries ago — a pristine natural habitat and an inspiration for anyone with a love of the natural word.

4. Amazing marine life

The Galapagos Marine Reserve is the largest marine reserve of any developing country and second largest in the world. It covers over 133,000 square klm (51,352 square miles) surrounding the archipelago. Sea lions, marine iguanas, rays, flightless cormorants, penguins, whales and dolphins are just some of the amazing underwater life found here with over 2,900 marine species identified according to the Galapagos National Park.