Best Galapagos Tours and Cruises for 2023/2024

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with our Galapagos tours. Discover the unique wildlife and stunning landscapes of this iconic archipelago, where natural selection has led to the evolution of species found nowhere else on Earth. Our Expedition Leaders will take you on unforgettable journeys to observe giant tortoisesblue-footed boobiesmarine iguanas, and other incredible creatures in their natural habitats. Our Galapagos Islands tours offer an immersive and educational experience that will leave you with a deep appreciation for this ecological wonderland.

Best Galapagos Tour Deals for 2023 and 2024

Are you dreaming of a vacation to the mesmerizing Galapagos Islands? If so, then now is the time to start planning your tour. There are many great deals available for those looking for an unforgettable experience in the ecologically-rich archipelago. Discover here the best Galapagos Islands tours for 2023.

MACHU PICCHU & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TOUR PACKAGE

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS AND QUITO TOUR PACKAGE

MASHPI RAINFOREST AND GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TOUR PACKAGE

THE BEST GALAPAGOS FAMILY TOUR

THE ULTIMATE GALAPAGOS CRUISE OFFER

Galapagos Cruises – Yachts & Cruise Ships

Yacht Isabela II

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Yacht La Pinta

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Santa Cruz II Cruise

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Galapagos Hotels & Island Hopping Tours

Pool Finch Bay Spaces
Relaxing In The Finch Bay Pool

Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel

  • Perfect land & sea holiday: Combination of yacht exploration with a land-based hotel stay
  • Puerto Ayora’s sole beachfront property, located in a pedestrian-only zone
  • A perfect combination for families and groups of all ages thanks to numerous activities including hiking, mountain biking, snorkelling, and surfing
  • The best way to explore Galapagos for guests concerned about seasickness
  • Gourmet meals created by a Cordon-Bleu gastronomy director

Galapagos Islands Hopping

  • Daily Yacht Tours: Take a trip to the nearby Islands of Santa Cruz
  • Finch Bay Gastronomy: a Le Cordon Bleu-trained gastronomic director oversees all operations to offer the best-of-the-best culinary experiences in Galapagos.
  • Isabela Island: One of the biggest and most incredible islands, replete with beautiful beaches and one of the world’s biggest craters.
  • A Luxurious Safari “Glamping” Experience
  • Take to the skies and experience Galapagos from a birds-eye perspective
Galapagos Islands Distance View
Amazing Capture Of The Galapagos Islands.

What can you expect from Your Galapagos Tours?

Are you overwhelmed by the number of tour options you’ve seen for the Galapagos? You can’t figure out how to plan your trip to the Galapagos? Are you unsure how to choose the best Galapagos cruises to ensure you have the most fantastic trip? Or perhaps you’re stuck on what it is, exactly, that makes the islands so unique?

Galapagos Islands Trips: Get informed

The Galapagos Islands are a lifetime experience; all you need to do to “prepare” for them is brace yourself for the amazing. With highly unusual wildlife and otherworldly landscapes that aren’t found anywhere else on Earth, the Galapagos dazzles with its vistas. Sunsets will cast a golden spotlight over the surrounding beaches and scenery, all as a delectable gourmet dinner is prepared by our world-class chef. On top of all this, you’ll also get a luxurious and remarkably experience, where every detail has been thought of before you even consider it. Naturalist guides will provide the perfect touch of an insightful narrative to complement your expedition activities throughout the archipelago as you snap hundreds of beautiful pictures. There are often so many different things to see throughout our comprehensive Galapagos itineraries that it is essential to receive the proper advice from a destination expert!

Talking about expertise, be sure to read this blog on Best Galapagos Cruise Hacks (as well as our other one about which types of Galapagos cruises to avoid and get to know all the curiosities about Galapagos)! From a myriad of options, choosing the right one can be challenging – that’s why we’ve narrowed them down for you. Our handy Choose Wisely e-book is also here to make your decision-making easier.

How do you choose the right Galapagos tours for you?

Tips You Should Consider Before Your Galapagos Tours

  • Choose a multi-guided vessel, as this will allow you to choose from a more significant number of different activities.
  • Does your vessel have a doctor on board? It is essential considering that you’re traveling in a remote region.
  • What is the guest-space ratio of your vessel? It should be more than 26 to have plenty of space in public areas.

When Is The Best Time To Travel to Galapagos?

The good thing about the Galapagos Islands is that they are available to visit ALL YEAR LONG! During both hot and dry seasons, the Galapagos weather is excellent, and wildlife is always on display. Choosing a time to go depends on your interests. Make sure you know HOW you want to experience the Galapagos BEFORE you book your trip.

  • Warm Season: December through May. Temperatures are hot and humid, and range anywhere from 26ºC-30ºC (79ºF-85ºF), while the water temperature averages 26ºC (79ºF). An average day is primarily sunny, but may experience a short, sharp tropical storm similar to those that dictate Florida summers. At the height of the warm season (March), the islands begin to develop a lush, tropical look. During this season, the waters that surround the islands are much warmer and clearer, with visibility reaching over 30 feet, and; benefitting those who enjoy a more relaxed swim. This season is also marked by increased numbers of tropical fish, as well as the occasional manta ray.
  • Dry Season: June through November. Sea temperatures drop to 20ºC-23ºC (70ºF-72ºF), cooling the air temperatures to 23ºC-26ºC (72ºF-79ºF). This season is particularly popular among professional divers as the cool waters are also extremely rich in nutrients and attract an astonishing assortment of marine life. The rich waters also provide more food for terrestrial life that depends on the ocean for food, such as sea birds and sea lions, providing an excellent time for breeding and reproduction. Mating rituals are commonly seen among several bird species, not to mention the adorable fluffy chicks that begin appearing on the islands.

IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO START YOUR EXPEDITION!

We offer an unparalleled experience with activities that allow you to explore your destinations and live an adventure surrounded by magical nature. You can only get the best Galapagos Islands tours with Metropolitan Touring. Build unforgettable experiences. Hurry up and invest in your Galapagos trip! Traveling to Galapagos allows you to feel free and break the routine. Fulfill your dreams with the best activities and tours that Metropolitan Touring offers you. Live, feel, explore and relax.
Espanola Galapagos Places Destinos
Sea Lions Posing For The Camera

Trips to Galapagos

Consider these Galapagos Travel FAQS

General tips to Galápagos

The archipelago sits 926 km (575 mi) off the coast of Ecuador and covers an area of almost 8,000 km2 (3,030 mi2). It consists of 19 islands spread out along the equator, 13 of which are major visitor sites and 4 of which are inhabited. Flights to Galapagos from Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador take under 2 hours. Fun fact: As a result of its equatorial location, days in the archipelago are 12-hours long no matter when you go!

No seasons exist in the Galapagos Islands due to fact that they’re along the equator. However, there are two weather patterns that are recognizable every year:
  •  The hot season from December to June when humidity is high and average temperatures are in the 80s F (26°-30° C). There may be occasional showers (downpours), but days are generally hot and sunny.
  •  From June to November, you can expect cool winds, occasionally bringing with them a light misty-type drizzle called “garúa.” Temperatures average in the 70s F (20°-24° C) during the day and lower at night. The islands may resemble a subtropical weather pattern.

It belongs to Ecuador since 1831 and before that it was unclaimed.

Eleven languages are spoken in Ecuador but Spanish and Kichwa are the official languages of the country. Kichwa is mostly spoken by indigenous groups in the Andes region and, to a lesser extent, in the Amazon region. Most tourism-related services/providers have multi-lingual staff, particularly in English with some German, French, and Italian speakers.

The United States Dollar is the official currency of Ecuador.

Galapagos Time is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC): this is 7 hours behind time in the UK, 2 hours behind standard time in New York, and 14 hours behind time in Canberra. The mainland of Ecuador is 5 hours behind UTC.

Locals of the islands are known as galapagueños and the last census, which was carried out in 2010, estimated their population to be at around 25,000. Most of them have come from mainland Ecuador to live on the islands within recent years. The majority of them are part of the Mestizo ethnic group, and as such are descendants of Spanish and indigenous ancestors. A small minority consists of purely European families.

Near the end of the century, members of the ethnic group called the Salasacas started migrating from the mainland to the most populated islands of the archipelago and formed small colonies. They keep mostly to themselves in closed communities, in which they have their own schools and speak only Kichwa. However there are no indigenous groups autochthonous to the Galapagos Islands.

The name Galapagos is said to come from the Galapagos giant tortoises that are endemic to the archipelago. It turns out the Spanish word for a type of saddle is galapago, and it was often used by the Spanish explorers to refer to the giant tortoises that populated the islands with their iconic saddle-like shell.

Galapagos Travel Tips
  •  Hat
  •  Sunglasses
  •  Sandals
  •  Sneakers
  •  Swimsuit
  •  Umbrella (for sun protection during island hikes)
  •  Waterproof Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
  •  Binoculars
  •  Flashlight/head lamp
  •  Water bottle
  •  Dry bags (to keep things from getting wet)
  •  Snorkel and mask (if you wish to use your own instead of the boats’)
  •  Windbreaker jacket
  •  Light sweater
  •  Extra memory cards
  •  Extra batteries

Our naturalist guides always have a pair of binoculars that they will pass around when there is something interesting to see. Do feel free to bring your own if you are really into wildlife viewing.

A good pair of walking shoes, ideally with a good level of traction and grip on the bottom.

Batteries, weatherproof camera bags, and extra memory cards will come in handy. Waterproof housings will be necessary if you wish to take your camera underwater. Tripods are handy too if you want to take pictures of the night sky.

Flash photography is not permitted when taking photos of wildlife. Professional photography and videos recorded for commercial purposes must be authorized by the Galapagos National Park. Drones can only be used with a special permit.

Snorkelling gear will be provided to you on board all of our cruises so that you can enjoy the aquatic beauty throughout the Galapagos. If you have your own snorkelling gear however, definitely feel free to bring it along.

No. Sports fishing is prohibited inside the Marine Reserve. Local fishermen are allowed to fish, however.

Yes. We sell these on our ships and you can find them on the inhabited islands.

Why Travel with Metropolitan Touring?

  • More than seven decades of operations in Ecuador and Galapagos Islands
  • Pioneers of Galapagos Islands cruises and the industry
  • Environmental and Community Responsibility are an important component of our operations
  • Team of experts who know the area like the back of their hand
  • Owners of 3 vessels and 1 hotel in the Galapagos Islands
  • Owners of Mashpi Lodge, a natural reserve in the Rainforest/Cloudforest
  • Owners of the most luxurious hotel in Quito: Casa Gangotena
  • Regional offices in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador allow visitors to combine all three experiences into a seamless South American adventure

TALK TO AN EXPERT THAT'S SAILED ABOARD!

Questions? Need help deciding? Have a chat with our Destination Experts that have enjoyed our Galapagos itineraries!
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Galapagos Peguin Footer

TravelandLeisure.com

Condé Nast Traveler ONLINE

This small, secret rooftop of the restored Casa Gangotena mansion peers over Plaza San Francisco in the center of Quito’s colonial Old Town, the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Order a Cedrón Spritz, a refreshing mix of rum, lemon, sparkling wine, and fresh lemon verbena (cedrón) syrup and leaf, then revel in the mesmerizing, real-time montage of daily life in Ecuador’s capital as it parades past.

National Geographic Traveller

A Font of information, Klaus has spent decades in the field, leading tours in the Amazon, Andes and Galapagos Islands. He hung up his guiding boots a few years back and now creates itineraries for the tour operator, Metropolitan Touring. Adrift in the Pacific Ocean, hundreds of miles from mainland South America, Galapagos is one of the most biodiverse locales on Earth.

Cruise Critic

Santa Cruz II is a replacement for the much-loved Santa Cruz, which plied the waters of the Galapagos for 36 years. It is not a new ship; it was built in 2002 and sailed as Mare Australis under the Australis cruise brand, operating expedition cruises around Cape Horn and to Antarctica. Metropolitan Touring bought the ship in 2015 and completely refurbished it, launching it as Santa Cruz II in October 2015.

Telegraph Ultra Travel: 50 Greatest Hotels in the World

When this modern, minimalist, glass-walled jungle lodge opened in 2012, it changed the accommodation game in South America. Arquitect Alfredo Ribadeneira’s “protective cocoon” would impress in a modern city; in the depths of an Andean cloudforest, it is wild, audacious and beautiful. Though only 70 miles from Quito, Maspi Lodge sits in splendid isolation, perched on a cliff at the end of an unsealed road.

Terms and Conditions

Itinerario de 5 días / 4 noches: Basado en la tarifa regular (4214 USD + impuestos por persona)
Itinerario de 7 días / 6 noches: Basado en la tarifa regular (5672 USD + impuestos por persona)
No reembolsable. Aplica únicamente para residentes ecuatorianos en nuevas reservas directas realizadas, hasta el 30 de junio del 2022, con un ejecutivo de ventas del hotel. Válido para estadías hasta el 31 de agosto de 2022. No puede ser combinada con otros descuentos, promociones u ofertas. El descuento no aplica para otros servicios. El precio no incluye recargo de combustible de $20 por noche de crucero.

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