Galapagos Islands Vacations & Tours

Your perfect Galapagos trip will depend on your flexibility and availability with booking your accommodations or cruise to the islands early. The Galapagos is a popular destination, and the high demand mixed with postponed trips from 2020 may limit the available accommodations, transportation, and guides available.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, we suggested travelers to the Galapagos book their trip approximately six months to one year in advance when traveling during peak season, especially due to the limited space on cruises and around the islands. We currently recommend planning and reserving your trip 12+ months in advance.

Last-minute trip planning is possible, and your Zicasso travel specialist can ensure you have an exceptional experience.

Related: Best Time to Visit - Galapagos

Ecuador and the Galapagos have reopened to travelers from the United States and around the world. It is easy to book your next trip through Zicasso for travel in 2021 or 2022, as well as into 2023. Every new journey can inspire plenty of questions based on unknown circumstances only enhanced with the realities of traveling after Covid-19. A travel specialist can easily answer many of the questions that may stem from your Ecuador and Galapagos trip.

“Do I have to wear a mask on a Galapagos cruise?” “Do I have to wear a mask when walking an island trail?” “How will I travel between islands?” Are domestic flights available?” “Do I need a negative Covid-19 test before returning home, and how can I get one?” Your travel expert can answer these questions and more before you even book your trip. A travel specialist can also help handle possible emergencies that may arise during your trip — from a change in accommodations to an adjustment in transportation.

Related: How to Plan Your Trip in 3 Easy Steps | How to Plan Your Trip Budget

Alongside our Galapagos travel specialists, we have created a list of our favorite highlights of Italy. Below is a short list of the must-see destinations along with the various experiences you can enjoy while traveling through Ecuador.

Quito | Santa Cruz | San Cristobal | Floreana | Isabela Island | Santiago | The Amazon

• Explore the national landmark that stands on the equator and represents the unique variety of cultures
• Revel in the Colonial Old Town as it hums with cafes, galleries, and traditional artisans
• Discover vendors that hide in narrow alleys and help keep the historic ambiance
• Witness the lookout towers above the southside of Quito hosts a luminous statue of the Madonna
• Visit the impressive underground tunnels that represent over half a mile of solidified molten-lava flow
• Enjoy the private wildlife reserve that immerse visitors in the wonders of local biodiversity
• Experience the marvelous landscape of Las Tintoreras Islet as it rises out of the turquoise water

The best time to visit Galapagos is between December to May. The winter and spring provide more pleasant conditions to discover the wildlife with active tours, such as hiking or kayaking. These months also represent better sea conditions for those who want to take a cruise.

The climate may vary depending on the season, but while the temperatures may not change drastically, the season can range from cool and dry to warm and wet.

The best way to see Galapagos is with a combination of cruise and land-based tours.

A Galapagos cruise offers the best opportunity to view the most wildlife and to travel to remote islands, but the land-based option is more adaptable to your expectations. Cruises can be intense with two activities during the day that begin around 7:30 in the morning each day. The combination of cruise and land excursions in the Galapagos can combine the active exploration with a relaxing island experience.

The typical size of cruise ships in the Galapagos range from 16 passengers to 100 passengers.

Your Zicasso travel partner ensures that your logistics are as smooth as possible by including private airport transfers and domestic flights between destinations to create a stress-free Galapagos tour.

When traveling on a Galapagos tour, you must consider certain logistics, such as safety, travel concerns, and accessibility. The following information offers important considerations for exploring the Galapagos to ensure you have a stress-free travel experience.

Galapagos is very safe for travelers. The majority of travelers to the Galapagos are over the age of 60 and are most often in the hands of a great travel planner. The inhabited islands have the feeling of small towns that span the archipelago.

When in Quito, it is important to remember that it is a capital city where normal common sense must be applied. The city and greater country are safe in general terms, but issues, such as petty theft, can occur.

There are no direct flights to the Galapagos. The majority of flights to the Galapagos depart from either Quito or Guayaquil and arrive at San Cristobal Airport (SCY). The Galapagos islands have two airports:

1. San Cristobal Airport (SCY)
2. Seymour Airport Baltra (GPS)

Zicasso Flights is an international air ticketing service that eliminates the stress of finding and booking the right flights for your upcoming vacation. By employing the same personalized service you can expect from planning a trip with Zicasso, our competitive flight pricing, 24x7 service and support, and complimentary consultation of routing versus pricing with an expert flight specialist make finding the perfect flight for your trip effortless.

You’ve booked your dream vacation, now protect it with travel insurance. A wide range of factors can leave your vacation in limbo. Medical emergencies, inclement weather, and unexpected cancellations can cause turmoil for your trip, so in the unlikely event of a disaster, get the travel insurance coverage that provides peace of mind. To get a quote, visit our travel insurance page.