The Galápagos Islands are unlike anywhere else on Earth — a volcanic archipelago straddling the equator, 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, where wildlife has evolved in such isolation that animals show no fear of humans. It was here, in 1835, that Charles Darwin observed the finches, tortoises, and iguanas that would inspire his theory of evolution by natural selection. Today, as an Ecuadorian province and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Galápagos remain a living laboratory of evolution — a place where you can snorkel alongside penguins at the equator, walk among giant tortoises, and witness nature in its most pristine and extraordinary form.
WILDLIFE · VOLCANIC · UNTAMED
Galapagos Islands
Wildlife Encounters & Volcanic Archipelago
South America
Wildlife Destination
2 holidays available
LIVING LABORATORY
Where evolution walks beside you
The Galápagos sit 1,000 km off the Ecuadorian coast, isolated long enough that the wildlife evolved with no land predators — and therefore no fear of humans. In 1835 Charles Darwin spent five weeks here observing finches, tortoises and iguanas, the field notes that became On the Origin of Species. UNESCO declared the archipelago a World Heritage Site in 1978, and 97% of the land is now national park.
The headline species deliver on the brochure. Giant tortoises — some 400kg, some past 100 years old — graze the highland meadows of Santa Cruz. Marine iguanas, the world's only sea-going lizards, drape over black lava on the coastline between dives to graze algae. Sea lion colonies lounge on the jetties of Puerto Ayora; blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance on the Bartolomé cliffs; and Galápagos penguins — the only penguins on Earth found north of the equator — dart through the snorkel channels.
For UK travellers, the practical magic is the zero distance. Wildlife encounters here aren't a long-lens, wait-quietly-in-a-hide affair — sea lions waddle past your feet on the beach, marine iguanas sneeze salt at arm's reach, and snorkellers regularly drift among sea turtles, hammerheads, and reef sharks within the first hour of any guided swim. Bring a polarising filter and reef-safe sunscreen; the rest is laid on.
ISLAND-HOPPING
Land base or boat base
The Galápagos work in two formats. Land-based tours use Santa Cruz or San Cristóbal as a fixed hotel base, taking day-trips out to nearby islands and back each evening — comfortable, family-friendly, and easier on travellers who don't love nights at sea. Expedition cruises aboard 16- to 100-passenger small ships sail overnight between islands, opening up the outer archipelago — Fernandina, Genovesa, Isabela's western coast — that day-trips can't reach.
Cruise itineraries split into two loops. The Eastern Islands (Española, Floreana, San Cristóbal) deliver waved albatross, the Punta Suárez cliffs, and Post Office Bay's eighteenth-century whalers' postbag. The Western Islands (Isabela, Fernandina) deliver flightless cormorants, the Sierra Negra caldera — one of the world's largest — and the most pristine landscape in the archipelago. Most travellers pick one loop per visit, or combine across an eight-night cruise.
Boat classes range from comfortable tourist to expedition-luxury (Silversea Origin, National Geographic Endeavour, Ecoventura's Origin-class). Travelfab books all categories tailor-made to your dates — single departures, family-friendly cabins, adults-only catamarans, or full charter for groups of eight to twelve.
UNDERWATER WORLD
The currents beneath
The waters surrounding the Galápagos are as extraordinary as the land. Three major ocean currents converge here — the cold Humboldt Current from the south, the warm Panama Current from the north, and the deep Cromwell Current from the west — creating a nutrient-rich upwelling that supports an astonishing diversity of marine life.
Whale sharks, the world's largest fish, visit the northern islands from June to November, particularly around Darwin and Wolf Islands — considered one of the best dive sites on the planet. Manta rays glide through cleaning stations, sea turtles graze on seagrass beds, and vast schools of fish swirl around coral formations. For experienced divers, Gordon Rocks off Santa Cruz offers thrilling encounters with hammerhead sharks circling in the current. Even for snorkellers, the Galápagos delivers — swimming alongside sea lions, marine iguanas, and sea turtles is an everyday occurrence here.
TAILOR-MADE TWIN-CENTRE
Pair the Galápagos with Machu Picchu
For travellers who came for the wildlife, the natural extension south is five nights in Peru. After Santa Cruz tortoises and Bartolomé blue-footed boobies, Cusco's Inca-built lanes, the Sacred Valley's hacienda hotels, and a dawn arrival at Machu Picchu round out a two-country, ten-day itinerary that pairs the world's greatest wildlife archipelago with the world's most photographed archaeological site.
Travelfab's Galápagos & Machu Picchu — Andes Twin-Centre Holiday is a fully tailor-made 10-day trip covering Quito, Santa Cruz, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. From £3,999pp including international flights, internal flights, all transfers, central hotels and guided tours. ATOL protected and tailored to your dates.
Ready when you are.
We'll tailor the itinerary to your dates, pace and budget — no fixed departures, no group-tour compromises.
Practical Information
The same visa rules as mainland Ecuador apply — UK citizens do not need a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days. All visitors to the Galápagos must pay a $100 USD Galápagos National Park entrance fee and a $20 USD Transit Control Card (TCT) — both are handled together on arrival at the Galápagos airport. You must also show proof of accommodation, a return flight, and mandatory travel insurance covering medical expenses. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date.
WHAT TO SEE
Galápagos highlights
Walk among giant tortoises at highland breeding centres and research stations
Snorkel with sea lions and marine iguanas in crystal-clear volcanic waters
Cruise between volcanic islands aboard a small expedition vessel
Spot blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds in their courtship displays
Dive with hammerhead sharks at the legendary Gordon Rocks
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about ongoing conservation
Real reviews
What our customers say
From travellers who visited Galapagos Islands with us
“
The Galápagos was everything we'd hoped for and more. Swimming with sea lions at Kicker Rock, watching blue-footed boobies doing their mating dance on North Seymour, and the giant tortoises on Santa Cruz — it's like stepping into a nature documentary. Our naturalist guide was exceptional and made every landing fascinating. Worth every penny.
Peter & Jane S.
“
The Galapagos exceeded every expectation. Blue-footed boobies dancing right at our feet, snorkelling with sea lions, and giant tortoises just wandering past. A once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Michael & Janet H.
“
Our 8-day expedition cruise was absolutely incredible. The guides were world-class and seeing wildlife so close with no fear of humans is truly humbling. Worth every penny.
Anna S.
Holidays in Galapagos Islands
Expedition Cruises from Galapagos Islands
Tailor-made · ATOL 10898
Plan your tailor-made Galapagos Islands trip
Tell us when you want to travel, who with, and roughly what budget you have in mind. A Latin America specialist replies within one working day with a bespoke proposal.
Plan a tailor-made Galapagos Islands tripPlan Your Galápagos Adventure
Whether you dream of an island-hopping adventure or an expedition cruise through the archipelago, our Galápagos specialists will design the perfect itinerary for you. Every trip is ATOL protected and tailored to your wildlife interests and travel style.
We typically respond within 24 hours