Traveler Testimonials

We came to the Galapagos for our honeymoon and it was the trip of a lifetime. Between the wildlife, the people and the environment it was something you can only experience there. What made our trip the most special was the Galakiwi staff. At every hotel, there was a small gift or note celebrating our honeymoon and the level of service was unlike anything we have ever seen. Pablo was so informative and entertaining as a guide and we left filled with so many memories, knowledge and “Pabloisms” because of him. If we were trapped on an island, our first call would be to Pablo to help us survive.

Then there was Paolo, who demonstrated so much love, passion and care for each of us on the tour. Between staying back with us when we were behind or knowing when we needed a napkin or a bite to eat. It was like he was reading our minds. He and Pablo were so passionate and the energy was fantastic.

This trip was worth every penny and then some and the team at Galakiwi deserves all of the credit for going above and beyond for our experience. The booking process was super easy and seamless and can’t thank Karen enough for making this happen.

Our family of 7, ages 18-82 years old, went on a 9 day land based trip and had an amazing experience! Our planners were great in matching beautiful and clean accommodations and a diversity of activities to our families needs. They were very helpful and prompt on planning. We couldn't have asked for better planners and they gave us everything we needed to feel well prepared.
Our guides were amazing! Another good fit for our family. Very knowledgable, kind, respectful, fun, knew local people on each island, we felt safe, they shared their favorite nature spots, foods, coffee houses etc. They were so good at timing all the drivers, activities, lunches and dinners so that there was very little wasted time. The accommodations were clean, comfortable, safe, close to town to enjoy the local life, friendly and charming, and served breakfasts that were local and delicious.

The trip of a lifetime with Galakiwi. The tour leads were the best and so passionate about the Galapagos. Very well organised and activity packed. Thank you!

Our family of two 50-something parents and two high school age teens was looking for an active trip, and we had a start date that was not on the normal calendar. Galakiwi was able to accommodate our staggered start date, alter our flight plans and hotels in order to align better with our end-trip flights to ensure we minimized any risk of weather-related delays, and created an itinerary that was perfectly suited to the physically vigorous travel we were looking for. Hotels were clean, staff were attentive, meals were delicious, and every detail was thoughtfully planned out. Our pescatarian diets were graciously accounted for in all restaurant meals. Our guide, Pablo, was phenomenal - knowledgable, passionate about sharing his enthusiasm for the islands and their careful stewardship, and modeling the type of behavior he expected from us without ever being preachy. This was truly the trip of a lifetime, customized to our family's needs and abilities in ways we deeply appreciated.

I would very highly recommend Galakiwi. They were reliable, responsive, patient, informative, and attentive. Our tour guide was tremendously knowledgeable and earnest about his love of the Galapagos. Because of his enthusiasm and focus, we saw innumerable gorgeous wildlife and sites. I am extremely happy we chose Galakiwi. We had an outstanding trip we will always cherish.

We recently traveled as a family of five to the incredible islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal — and words can hardly capture how extraordinary our trip was! Every day felt like stepping into a wildlife documentary: we swam with graceful sea turtles, sleek sharks, and gentle stingrays, spotted adorable penguins up close, and watched sea lions lounging casually around town like friendly neighbors. One of the most breathtaking moments? Being surrounded by hundreds of dolphins playfully leaping alongside our boat — pure magic!

The hotels were wonderful, blending comfort with authentic island charm. But what truly elevated our experience was having a dedicated local guide. Their knowledge and passion unlocked hidden, untouched corners of the islands we never could have discovered ourselves — it made the whole journey so much richer and more meaningful.

We’re a family from New York with roots in Quito, so this adventure felt deeply special to us — a perfect blend of exploration and connection. Visiting the Galápagos is something we’ll treasure forever, and we can’t recommend it enough to anyone dreaming of nature, wonder, and memories that last a lifetime! ?✨?

Galakiwi took the time to understand my family's needs for this trip. 3 grown sons, my wife, and I were able to have a magical time in these islands, we did plenty of activities, all the while feeling like we are part of the island's ecosystem. From the moment we were met by an agent at the airport to help us through the additional steps to get to the islands, we already knew we were in great hands. It’s one thing to plan and coordinate our vacation; it’s another to physically guide us through the obstacles that can arise on any travel. We have awesome restaurant recommendations, we’re given the right amount of information on activities and islands alike, and we did not feel like we missed out on anything. An amazing group of people who truly make up an awesome travel agency.

We highly recommend Galakiwi - from the start, we could tell Galakiwi was the right partner - they listened to what and where we wanted go, gave great suggestions, iterated and came up with an amazing itinerary. The trip was amazing in itself- it did not feel like a 'large operation feel' because it was not! It was great to interact with the locals and to see them as part of the crew and to see the intentional support of the local businesses (restaurants we ate at, etc.). Most of all, we had the best guide! Pepo was knowledgeable, passionate and helpful - he knew exactly where to lead us on our snorkeling trips to see so much marine life - hammer heads, reef sharks sleeping, sea turtles and even sea horses. And we learned so much! Accommodations and food were also great - and we felt totally pampered having so much coordinated for us. It felt magical and will be one of our most spectacular and memorable experiences!

Our 8-day Family Tour with Galakiwi was outstanding in every way. The many included activities were well-paced and fun for adults and our 13 year-old son. Our guide Pablo was a wealth of knowledge about the natural history of the Galapagos and encouraged all of us to not only ask tons of questions, but also to observe our surroundings closely. His enthusiasm for and love of the islands was evident. From the lovely hotels (with pools), the delicious included meals, the super efficient transport and everything in between, I can't recommend Galakiwi enough for your next family adventure.

Our trip with Galakiwi was a trip of a lifetime. This was our first family trip outside of North America, and we felt confident that all details were taken care of. With our three children aged 6, 9, and 10, we did a Quito city tour, a 5d/4n Amazon stay, and our own 8-day family Galapagos tour with Pablo as our guide. Every day of the trip was full of memories I'll cherish always. I would recommend this trip to anyone without hesitation. If you're considering adding on the Amazon Sacha Lodge stay, do it! And do it on the first part of the trip so you start with earlier mornings, long days, and harder to find animals. Follow that up with your Galapagos trip that is a bit more laid back, but still very active. My kids did great, but I would probably not go with any younger than 6 unless you are confident in their ability to stick to a busy schedule. We loved spending two free afternoons on the beach on Isabella Island. The kids' favorite thing there was the tide pool where they practiced snorkeling. We loved all of the activities including snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and visiting the giant tortoise breeding centers. Los Tuneles was a highlight for sure. Galakiwi did a great job communicating a few necessary changes and coordinating with us before the trip. All in all, we give this trip a 10 out of 10!

We just returned from an incredible 6-day Galapagos tour with Galakiwi, and it was absolutely AMAZING! The accommodations were beautiful, the food was fantastic, and the wildlife—Wow! We saw everything: sea lions, turtles, penguins, sharks, iguanas, blue-footed boobies—you name it, it was there.

Our guide, Pepo, was outstanding. He shared so much fascinating background information and made the entire experience fun and engaging. He knew exactly where to go to spot all the animals!

Galakiwi was also incredibly responsive and supportive. When my daughter's flight was canceled at the last minute, causing her to arrive a day late, they stepped in immediately. I called Karen, who had organized our trip, and she reassured me not to worry—they adjusted my daughter's itinerary so she could meet up with the group seamlessly. They even sent someone to meet her at the airport to ensure everything went smoothly.

Thanks to Galakiwi, what could have been a stressful situation turned into a seamless experience. They truly saved our trip and helped make it the adventure of a lifetime. It’s no wonder they have so many glowing reviews—they genuinely go above and beyond.

Look no further—highly, highly recommend. What a trip!

Galakiwi is an extraordinary operation that combines professionalism, community and conservation support, deep knowledge of the destination, while also being able to keep it reasonably priced, a rare thing in the Galapagos.