Galapagos Islands Tours & Trips
Discover the unique wildlife and volcanic scenery when you cruise the Galapagos Islands with On The Go Tours
Made up of dozens of volcanic, other-worldly islands in the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos have been attracting visitors from around the world for years. Boasting an incredible array of endemic species from the blue-footed booby to the marine iguana, these famed islands are a nature lover's paradise and cruises around the islands allow visitors to get up close and personal with the resident wildlife.
Discover the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands on a multi-night cruise or opt to island-hop and spend your nights on dry land. With our expert naturalist guide and crew, you'll enjoy two guided excursions to different islands each day, with ample opportunity to swim, snorkel, and kayak along the way. Our Galapagos Islands tours get you to the heart of this bucket list destination.
Galapagos Islands Cruises
Our Galapagos cruises all start in Quito, and you'll have a soft landing day where you can unwind in the hotel or head out to explore the city independently. On day 2 you fly to the Galapagos, and board your catamaran for an incredible island-hopping adventure. Taking in the marine iguanas, giant tortoises, Galapagos penguins and sea lions alongside the dramatic volcanic scenery, you'll visit several different islands. Each is totally different, from the larger island of Santa Cruz to tiny Espanola. With a large crew to attend to your needs and the services of a qualified naturalist guide, you will enjoy at least two excursion per day, helping you get the most you can from a once in a lifetime trip to this incredible destination.
Galapagos Discovered
6 days | FROM €5,215GALAPAGOS CRUISE: Every year the Galapagos Islands tempt throngs of travellers to its shores in search...
Galapagos Encounters
7 days | FROM €6,170GALAPAGOS CRUISE: Boasting an incredible array of endemic species from the blue-footed booby to the...
Ultimate Galapagos
10 days | FROM €9,055GALAPAGOS CRUISE: Encounter sea lion colonies basking on pristine beaches, giant tortoises, iguanas,...
Galapagos Islands Group Tours
If you're on a bit more of a budget, then our Galapagos Island Hopping group tour is a great way to see the Galapagos for less. You'll stay in hotels instead of a catamaran, and will be transferred to excursions on different islands by speed boat. An expert naturalist guide will be able to tell you all about the archipelago's unique flora and fauna.
Galapagos Island Hopping
6 days | FROM €2,545Discover one of the planet’s top wildlife destinations on a 6-day Galapagos island hopping adventure,...
Galapagos Islands Private Tours
Our 16-day Wilds of Ecuador private tour is a comprehensive holiday to mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos archipelago. You will explore Quito and spend three nights in the Amazon Rainforest. Explore the cloud forests of El Cajas National Park before flying to Baltra in the Galapagos for a 4-night island-hopping cruise, staying aboard a luxury yacht. Visiting San Cristobal island, Santa Cruz island, Espanola island and more, you'll experience the best of the archipelago on this trip.
Wilds of Ecuador
16 days | FROM €9,535Embark on an incredible adventure through the wilds of Ecuador from the lush Amazon rainforest to the volcanic...
Frequently asked questions about our touring holidays to the Galapagos Islands
What is so special about the Galapagos Islands?
Nearly 1,400km from the mainland, the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands has evolved in isolation from the rest of the world for millions of years. Hence the weird and wonderful species found here, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas and the only penguin species to be found north of the equator.
Charles Darwin developed his ground-breaking theory of evolution in the Galapagos Islands by studying finches. And this wildlife is heavily protected - 97% of the Galapagos Islands, plus a large portion of the surrounding ocean forms part of the Galapagos National Park. The 25,000 human inhabitants live on the other 3% and eco-tourism is the foundation of the economy.
What is the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands?
The dry season from June to December is when we recommend you plan your visit to the Galapagos Islands. Clear skies, warm but not overly hot temperatures dominate and there is little rainfall, with great visibility for snorkelling and diving. But you can travel to the Galapagos year-round, and there are amazing wildlife experiences to be had at every time of year. Find out more with our guide on when to visit.
Will I have a tour guide?
On all included excursions during our Galapagos Islands tours, you will enjoy the services of an expert naturalist guide who will be able to tell you all about the ecology and geography of the archipelago.
What sort of accommodation do you use?
On our Galapagos Island Hopping group tour, you will stay in a mixture of 3-star hotels, guesthouses and homestays.
What is the currency in Ecuador and the Galapagos?
Are Ecuador and the Galapagos a safe destination for travellers from the LGBTQ+ community?
Same sex marriage is legal, and there are broad constitutional and worker protections in place for people of all sexual orientations. Hate crimes against members of the LGBTQ+ community are criminalized and 26 - 50% of consulted citizens consider Ecuador a good place to live for gay and lesbian people. There are no legal punishments for same sex relations and most trips for LGBTQ+ travellers to Ecuador are trouble-free.
The LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index is designed to provide a good overall picture of attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community in each country and may not reflect the experience of foreign travellers to the country.
Can I drink the tap water?
The tap water on the Galapagos Islands is not safe to drink and you risk making yourself unwell by consuming it. Stick to bottled water on our Galapagos tours - this is readily available in hotels and on cruise boats. Be extremely careful not to litter. Not only does this disturb the pristine Galapagos ecosystem, but there can be heavy fines for anyone caught littering.
Are there rules to be aware of?
The Galapagos Islands are one of the world's only truly intact ecosystems, and as a result, they are heavily protected. Travellers caught damaging the environment will be heavily fined.
It is extremely important that when visiting the Galapagos Islands, you follow these rules:
- Do not leave any litter on the islands.
- Do not take anything, even a shell or a pebble.
- Do not get too close to wildlife - stay on marked trails and do not try to feed or touch any animals. As animals here have no or few predators, they can be curious and may come to you - still make sure not to touch any creature.
- Smoking is also not permitted within the Galapagos National Park. So if you are a smoker, you may want to bring alternative with you, such as nicotine patches.
Following these simple rules helps to protect the environment abnd the unique species that call the Galapagos home.
What is the current travel advice for Ecuador and the Galapagos?
You can see the latest travel advice for your Ecuador / Galapagos trip here.
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THE STARS OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Home to a staggering diversity of endemic species, the main drawcard for visitors to the Galapagos archipelago is the chance to see a host of animals, on land and in the sea, up close and personal. Some of the most iconic species include the giant tortoise, the largest land animal found on the islands, the blue-footed booby with its distinctive coloured webbing and giggle-inducing name, and the marine iguana that often congregate on the sun-kissed beaches, with plenty more species to discover for yourself, from sea lions to the Galapagos hawk. Here are some of the stars of our Galapagos tours.
Giant tortoises
The celebrity species of the Galapagos, there are actually more than 15 distinct species of giant tortoise in the Galapagos - each island has its own species having had millions of years in which to genetically diverge. Unfortunately, early human settlers decimated the tortoises, with 4 species known to be extinct. But modern conservation teamed with the long lifespan of the animals is helping the remaining species to bounce back.
Abundant bird life
Of the 56 bird species to be found in the Galapagos Islands, 45 are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. Iconic species include the Galapagos penguin, flightless cormorant, and Galapagos petrel. Other species include the striking blue-footed booby and thirteen distinct finch species - collectively know as Darwin's finches, it was whilst studying these birds that the naturalist worked on his theory of evolution.
Marine iguanas
There are three species of land iguana in the Galapagos, but the stars are the ones that have developed the unique ability to swim. The only sea-going lizard in the world, this animal lives on land but routinely dives below the waves to feed on seagrass. As a cold-blooded reptile, they cannot stay below the waves for long, so you will often sea them hauling themselves back out onto land to warm up in the sun.
The Best of the Galapagos
With incredible scenery, pristine nature and wonderful wildlife to spot on every Galapagos island, you can't really go wrong. But these are the four islands we reckon are the best!
Santa Cruz island
The second largest island in the Galapagos archipelago is home to the Charles Darwin Research Centre, which is well worth a visit. Tortuga Bay is home to marine iguanas, Galapagos crabs and the iconic giant tortoise.
Isabela island
Isabela is the biggest island in the Galapagos, shaped like a seahorse. It is the most diverse island in the archipelago, home to all manner of species, from Galapagos hawks to giant tortoises. The volcanic landscape is great for hiking, and the town of Villamil is home to a decent chunk of the Galapagos human population.
San Cristobal island
San Cristobal is probably the best island for snorkelling, particularly at Kicker Rock, with all manner of marine species to see. It's the most easterly island in the group, and the beaches are home to large colonies of sea lions.
Floreana island
Tiny Floreana is home to the famous Post Office, where whalers used to leave messages in the hope that the next ship along would be able to deliver them. The other notable sight on the island is the green sand beach, tainted by olivine crystals.
