Island Hopping Adventure in the Galapagos

A memorable time in the Galapagos - swimming with sea lions and sharks, kayaking, biking, trekking, seeing the amazing giant tortoises and watching the marine iguanas. We saw and did so much and our guide Erickita was so much fun, knowledgable and a pleasure to be with each day.

What am amazing trip. The day in Quito was great and then off to the Galapagos. So many animals to see, Ericka was a brilliant guide, so positive and knowledgeable and really good fun to be around. This is a packed itinerary so is full on but we came away feeling that we had not missed out on anything. We saw all the animals we expected to. Would recommend this trip.

Amazing it’s beyond photos and any expectations you may have. The guides are extremely good too

I honestly think this is one of the best things I’ve ever done! The actual islands were spectacular and the wildlife spotting is a once in a lifetime experience. What really made the trip special were our local guides who were knowledgable, friendly, thoughtful, and really tried their best to make our trip as good as it possibly could be! In particular our Galapagos guide Ericka was thoroughly wonderful, full of knowledge, and helped create a fun environment throughout. This trip packs a lot - there is little down time, but you’ll get home feeling like you’ve made the most of every moment! The company had selected a great range of local restaurants and the food was overall great and really varied! I also want to emphasise that I felt really safe throughout the trip - both in Quito and on the islands, which was really important to me as a solo traveler. We had a great group dynamic and I really enjoyed getting to know my fellow travelers! Thank you to everyone who made this happen!!

I think I genuinely had some of the best moments of my life on this trip (e.g. swimming with sharks - not something I ever expected I'd do!?) We were lucky enough to see all the animals and wildlife/nature we could have hoped for, and learn lots too. It was a privilege to witness the respect and harmony in which animals and people are living together in the Galapagos. The guides (Wilson, Edwin, and especially Ericka on the islands) were fantastic: knowledgeable, organised, and fun!

The programme, organisation, and communication were great. It was such a luxury to just turn up and not have to do any of the planning, yet still get a once in a lifetime, incredible experience! It was a little fast-paced at times, but not too much and for me that was a good thing because it meant we got to fit loads in. The food was really good too; we went to some lovely restaurants in beautiful settings and vegetarian options were always available. I love that MBA creates autonomy and custom for local guides, businesses, and families, so you get an exclusive and authentic experience, while supporting local communities.

Everyone we met was so friendly and helpful and it just made the trip even more special. If you're into nature, wildlife, adventure, and generally just living your best life, I can't recommend the Galapagos trip highly enough. This was my first time doing a group tour and my advice to anyone thinking about it is: do it!

This trip was fantastic from start to finish - before departing, Wilson was available to answer any questions and put us in touch with each other. During the trip, Wilson, Edwin and Ericka couldn't have done more to make sure we got the best experience possible - from making sure all dietary requirements were met to managing to make sure the weather and animal spotting ticked every item on our bucket list! The programme was fantastic - there was so much to do every day and everything was perfectly organised. The food was brilliant and we ate really well, stayed in lovely accommodation and generally felt very welcome and well-looked after. I can't thank them enough for everything!

The trip to the Galápagos was incredible. It truly belongs to the animals and we were fortunate enough to share it with them for a short time.

Wilson and Edwin were fantastic and helpful in Quito and before the journey. Our guide in Galápagos was Ericka and she was knowledgeable, organised and added to the trip.

I feel so grateful that I had the opportunity to go. I will never forget swimming with sharks or hanging out with tortoises. Trip of a lifetime.

If you have any hesitations in booking this trip, DO IT. You will not regret it.

Trip of a lifetime - as I had hoped it would be. Absolutely first rate from start (and before start) to finish. Just perfect!

The Galapagos Islands were just so stunningly beautiful, they stole your breadth away...

With famous endemic species in abundance wherever you looked it was an animal and nature lovers dream.

Nature or Pacha Mama as they call it there is more interwoven into peoples daily way of thinking on the Galapagos. It was an amazing thing to see and be a part of for a little bit.

The activities and guides were exceptional! Local native people who took great pride in sharing there passion and love of their country and Pacha Mama with guests. Their knowledge was extensive and they enjoyed answering my every question.

In the Galapagos, our guide was Karla. She was completely brilliant in every way and it was a pleasure swimming with sharks with her! Thank you Karla so much.

I then did the Amazon Rainforest add on with Kayaking and Rafting. This was truly awesome in every way imaginable again! So breathtakingly incredible - The Amazon Rainforest...

Kayaking and rafting were for me exhilaratingly adventurous and so much fun, I know I will be going back to do it again! The guide Bene was the most insanely good kayaker and the nicest guy in the world.

I defiantly recommend adding this on to your Galapagos trip if you can.

Then there was the Legend Guide Wilson who looked after me from start to end and looked after my every need with a big smile on his face. We spent many hours chatting and laughing and I would like to thank him for sharing and showing me his incredible country. I know I will be back soon...

The organization and guides were totally on point. Everything ran very smoothly. Heaps of enthusiasm and love for the special place was evident.

I am absolutely blown away by this adventure, it’s been a bucket list destination for years and this was the perfect way to do it. Our guide Zambo was fantastic, an absolute expert who did a great job making our trip memorable, sharing great knowledge and just being awesome. This was really great value for money, accommodation was good and the food was outstanding everyday and every meal. All the activities were great and there was more included than I had expected. The Galapagos is such a special place, I don’t think there is a better way to visit than this trip.

We knew this tour would be great, but WOW!! It exceeded our expectations.

Quito is a charming, relaxing city, and the equator tour was both informative and fun. Every day on the Galapagos Islands was packed with joy and pleasant surprises. We encountered many animals, learned fascinating facts from our guide, marveled at the stunning landscapes, and enjoyed delicious fresh meals.

The tour had a perfect pace, allowing us to experience a lot without ever feeling rushed. Special thanks to our wonderful guides, Edwin and Zambo. They were knowledgeable, engaging, and attentive to every detail, making our trip truly unforgettable.

A well-organised and varied trip. Our guide, Daniela, was wonderful! Very knowledgeable, personable and caring to our needs. She made us feel welcome and made the trip an enjoyable experience. The trip exceeded our expectations in regards to the animals that we saw: giant tortoises, flamingoes, white tipped sharks, Eagle rays, marine iguanas, penguines, blue footed boobies and, my favourite, the sea lions! The food was excellent, and the options for vegetarians were varied. The hotels were comfortable and in good locations, too. Every detail was considered, from transfers to taxis, to snorkeling equipment etc.

Things to consider:

• buy powerful sea sickness tablets! They were only 70cents!
• the islands are VERY humid, so be prepared!
• you will eat ALOT!

Overall, a fantastic experience! Lin and Hara (London)

I don’t know where to start. What a magical experience. Absolutely loved the Galápagos and highly recommend it. I’ve been on 13/14 MBA trips and this one wins hands down. From the minute I got off the plane I was enthralled by the wildlife and didn’t in my wildest dreams expect to see everything that I did. Snorkelling with sea lions, penguins, sharks, turtles and marine iguanas has to be my highlight but the whole trip was excellent. Can’t praise our guides Wilson and Gorge enough who looked after our every need. A great mix of activities and culture topped off with amazing sunsets and cocktails

This is a fantastic trip and should be one everyone's bucket list. Quito was an unexpected delight, full of Spanish influences, and the islands themselves are a wildlife lovers paradise - laid back and relaxed but with something to draw your attention every step of the way. My personal highlight was the snorkelling - giant turtles, sea lions, reef sharks, rays, marine iguanas and even penguins swimming within a few feet of us in crystal clear, warm Pacific waters. A huge shout out to Wilson and Jorge, our two main guides, plus Edwin who filled in when Wilson travelled to the islands a day early to get things set up for us. They couldn't have been more helpful and attentive and Jorge's knowledge is truly encyclopaedic. Yes, it's remote but then that's the whole point and you can almost see the theory of evolution laid out before your eyes. A great group too. I can't praise this trip highly enough.

Just returned from a wonderful holiday with a great bunch of people. Wilson, our guide, ensured that nothing was too much trouble for him & was by our side all the time. Very well organised, packed full of adventure & sights. Great hotels & fab food. Jorge our Galapagos guide was so knowledgeable & passed on his enthusiasm for his home. Also, what a fab singing voice. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. If the Galapagos islands are on your bucket list, then this is the way to see them.

Wilson and Jorge were exceptional, we loved every minute of it especially the snorkelling and Sierra Negra hike. Excellent group of people, excellent trip - chef’s kiss 🤌

From the moment we landed in Ecuador and were met by Wilson, until the moment we left , we felt extremely safe and wonderfully looked after . Our first day was a trip round Quito with our hugely knowledgeable guide Edwin . Finishing the day with a visit to Middle Earth was great fun ! We chose a land based Galapagos trip which was everything and more than we’d hoped for . As well as having the opportunity to visit the local community , we hiked, cycled, kayaked and snorkelled . The animals , birds and sea life that we saw were simply breathtaking . Sorting out all our photographs will take some time ! All this was enhanced by our fabulous guide Jorge . His knowledge of the wildlife and also the history of the Islands was amazing , and his endless enthusiasm was fantastic . No amount of words can describe how amazing this trip was . We feel hugely privileged to have been able to visit this simply wonderful place !

I had an amazing trip and would highly recommend it! We saw lots of animals, did a variety of activities, and experienced a great deal. Erica, our local guide in the Galapagos, is incredibly knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. Wilson is also a great guide, and always makes sure everyone is taken care of. If you love nature, animals and being active, this is the trip for you!

Animals we saw: sea lions, penguins, two types of reef sharks, flamingos, sea turtles, tortoises, three types of iguanas, lizards, blue footed boobies, stingrays, and lots of other types of birds and fish

Fabulous trip with brilliant guides. Completely met my expectations. The organisation was faultless . I cannot recommend Much Better Adventures too highly. Can’t wait to book my next adventure !

This trip was truly an experience of a lifetime. From the moment I arrived in Ecuador I realised I had booked something very special and any concerns about the volatile situation in the country quickly melted away. The areas visited in the trip were far, far away from the trouble you read about in the media so my recommendation is don't let the state of emergency put you off booking! Our guides on the mainland, Wilson and Edwin, gave our small but mighty group a great flavour of Quito and the surrounding area and nothing was too much trouble for them. Our local guide in the Galapagos, Jorge, was brilliant and had such extensive knowledge of the islands. He made sure we got a full immersion in the Galapagos culture as well as the legendary flora and fauna. The itinerary was jam-packed with a range of enjoyable activities, and though it's hard to pick I'd say my personal highlights were hiking the Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela to see the world's second largest crater, and seeing the clown-like Blue Footed Booby at Tortuga Bay.

There is magic in this place. It is such a gift to lose yourself in the landscapes, in the highlands, in the different microclimates, on the beaches, with the most incredible endemic and native animals unique to this amazing place. Visiting was like playing a role in a David Attenborough documentary but beyond my imagination.

The trip was made so much easier by Much Better Adventures. Getting to and travelling around the Galapagos (& Quito and the Equator) is not easy. Having a translator on tap, having all the accomodation, the buses, planes, water taxis, and activities organised made this holiday so much more enjoyable. It took away the mental load and enabled us to just focus on having a great time.

Wilson (our Much Better Adventures guide) was exceptional. He was not just a guide, but a translator, exceptional organiser, transport manager, financial officer of all our transit and included food costs, additional support for us in the restaurants, hotels and with whatever was needed whenever it was needed, and great travel and activity companion. Wilson did all this with a smile, without any complaints, always on time, with respect for us and the local guides, drivers, waiters, restauranteurs and in service of us all having an exceptional time. The local Galapagos guide, Erica, was excellent and showed the value of a local guide. Together, Wilson and Erica were an impressive team.

As a really sensitive coeliac, I was really worried about whether I would be catered for. Much Better Adventures were clear before I booked that this was possible and Wilson was exceptional at supporting me to safely and deliciously eat with each meal at restaurants, hotels and out and about.

Much Better Adventures are lucky to have Wilson in their team. The small group and the activities made the trip a lot of fun and enabled the environment to be experienced in full. Thanks for a really fabulous trip.

This will be a treasured experience of a lifetime. The Galapagos could possibly be the most magical place on earth.

I had a great time and really enjoyed the group. Wilson was an excellent guide. I also appreciated that he made sure we had good vegetarian options for every meal.

A unforgettable trip to a unique destination full of activities and many close encounters with the remarkable wildlife that call these islands home. We were fortunate to see and learn so much thanks in no small part to our knowledgeable, energetic and engaging guides Wilson and Zambo. The group gelled very quickly, making for a fun filled experience from start to finish. I would have no hesitation in recommending this adventure.

Our trip was truly amazing, met all my expectations. The guides Wilson and Zambo were knowledgeable, friendly, and truly on top of everything. It was wonderful to travel with other adventurous people. We had a great group 10 people from5 countries. I could watch the wildlife for hours, tortoises,sea lions,,iguanas, and beautiful birds. Trip highlights seeing the tortoises, hiking the volcano, and the bike ride to the wall of tears. Snorkeling was also great, we saw turtles, sea lions, sharks, rays, and tons of fish. Highly recommend! One of my favorite trips Ive ever taken.

A truly unforgettable experience for our honeymoon. From the moment we landed our host Wilson was welcoming and enthusiastic for our trip, to show us around his home city of Quito and beautiful Ecuador. Once we got on the islands we brought the good vibes with our fantastic group and were lucky enough to see basically all the one of a kind wildlife Galapagos had to offer. All the activities were undertaken professionally, and with great attention to detail - our highlights were snorkeling and kayaking, but also really enjoyed the hike around the Volcano to burn off a few cervezas! (Ask Wilson to take you to the Breweries) The accommodation was great, the food was amazing! Fresh fish every day! Decent levels of fitness required but none of the activities are hugely strenuous. Would 100% recommend everyone to book this trip, hosting, activities and wildlife were all amazing.

A trip of a lifetime. We travelled to the Galapagos for our honeymoon. We were welcomed to Ecuador by Wilson who told us about the culture and what we can expect from the trip. He was honest and realistic with what we could expect. We spent a lovely day in Quito with Edwin who was kind and knowledgeable. The rest of the trip we spent with Wilson and Zambo. Fantastic guides, extremely knowledgeable and very fun. We all bought the good vibes and were extremely lucky to see all the wildlife we had hoped for! The food was delicious, the accommodation was great. The trip was made even more special by the lovely people we got to experience it with. There was a good balance of free time and activity and we were able to tweak things slightly in the schedule. Wilson, Zambo and Edwin, thank you for all your hard work and for making our honeymoon an unforgettable experience! I highly recommend you visit the Galapagos! It is more than you can ever dream of! (Take sea sickness tablets the boat ride can be rough!)

Magnificent wildlife and scenery to take in on this trip. The itinerary is packed to maximise exposure to various sights and experiences in the Galapagos - it was a real joy and flew by quickly. The activities themselves (biking, hiking, snorkelling and sea kayaking) are accessible and fair to rate the trip as easy. Everything was smoothly overseen by the local host Wilson.

We had a fantastic trip, well organised with very good hotels and food, and the animals were amazing

Excellent tour to the Galapagos. We saw amazing wildlife and our local tour guides were great

We had an amazing adventure in Ecuador and Galapagos. The wildlife was unbelievable and we saw everything we hoped for. Wilson our guide was absolutely brilliant and looked after us even before the trip officially started. Carla our local guide on Galapagos had such knowledge and we learned so much from her. Thank you Much Better we’d definitely book with you again