A Fantastic and Unforgettable Trip to Ecuador
Galapagos Islands | Nov 12 - Nov 27, 2022

Michal
Michal G.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on Dec 05, 2022

Alvaro, Daniela, and Daniel did an outstanding job with the planning and execution of our trip to Ecuador (Quito and the Galápagos Islands). They were available (even checking up on us during the trip!) and willing to go above and beyond to make our experience the best it could be.
They connected us with very knowledgeable and passionate guides like Daniel in Quito, Wilson in San Cristobal, and Enrique in Santa Cruz.
I especially enjoyed the hike down to the Quilotoa Lake, the unforgettable and breathtaking views from Bartolomé Island, and the hike to the expansive crater of Volcano Sierra Negra.
We also loved all the animals we found along the way on land and in the water. The trips to los tuneles and las tintoreras allowed us to get extremely close to blue-footed boobies and whitetip reef sharks. We snorkeled as much as we could and were even joined for a swim by a couple of playful sea lions! It was an amazing experience. The free snorkel experience at Concha de Perla on Isabela Island was also well worth it - we saw sea turtles and sting rays!
Our hotel hosts were also very kind and the food provided at breakfast was delicious. Shout outs go to Casa de Nelly in San Cristobal, Hotel La Isla in Santa Cruz, and Casa de Marita on Isabela.
Overall it was a 5/5 star experience in every way. With quick communication, connections and transfers from airports to hotels to boats made easy the trip went as smoothly as possible. Thank you for your hard work and for making this such an amazing experience!

Hotel Reviews
Ikala Quito Hotel
Quito

Great location and delicious food!

Authenticity & Character
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Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa de Nelly
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Very kind host who made us delicious meals and provided towels for snorkeling!

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Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Isla Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Amazing hotel and kind staff and beautiful rooms.

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Staff
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La Casa de Marita
Puerto Villamil

Loved the access to the beach and views from the second floor breakfast area!

Authenticity & Character
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Cleanliness & Comfort
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito

Very nice hotel with a great option of buffet style dinner that is available until late - great for travelers coming in late. Don’t be fooled, the food is amazing!

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Location
Staff
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Activity Reviews
Kayaking Adventure: Exploring Quilotoa Lagoon and Resting in Cotopaxi
Kayaking Adventure: Exploring Quilotoa Lagoon and Resting in Cotopaxi
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to San Cristóbal Island! Visit the Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill, or La Lobería
Welcome to San Cristóbal Island! Visit the Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill, or La Lobería
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Treasure of Galapagos: Scuba Diving at Kicker Rock
The Treasure of Galapagos: Scuba Diving at Kicker Rock
Isla San Cristóbal

Loved the trip to Kicker Rock. Our dive guide Michael was awesome and he showed us how to navigate around the rock and currently safely.

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Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Visit Highlands Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit Highlands Tortoise Reserve & Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sierra Negra volcano - Speedboat to Santa Cruz
Sierra Negra volcano - Speedboat to Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands

Awesome views of Sierra Negra volcano are well worth the strenuous hike. The weather cleared up quite a bit on our hike which made it all that much better.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Excursion to Los Túneles
Excursion to Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands

Awesome way to get up and close and swim with sea turtles and whitetip reef sharks! Let’s not forget the seahorse and penguins!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Puerto Ayora

Really awesome and breathtaking views from Bartolome Island. Highly recommend the snorkeling with hundreds of fish surrounding the area.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Spend the Day like a Local! Leisure Day in Isabela Island
Spend the Day like a Local! Leisure Day in Isabela Island
Puerto Villamil

Snorkeling at Concha de Perla was a great way to spend some free time on Isabela Island.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Wildlife Tour on Isabela Island
Wildlife Tour on Isabela Island
Galapagos Islands

Loved getting up and close with the animals in las Tintoreras.

Quality of Experience
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Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Local specialist: Alvaro Pereira
Alvaro
Alvaro Pereira
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Dec 05, 2022

Hello Michal!

So happy to read your review and thank you so much for trusting us to craft and put together an amazing journey. I will make sure to share with all my local providers your kind words, and I hope that you can come back to the Middle of the World!

Warm hugs from your local friend in Ecuador,
Alvaro