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Green Tour Operator

As green operators, we strive to make decisions that are good for today and tomorrow. Here are just a few of the things we do in our quest for greenness.

We support the locals!

The locals are the stewards of the Galapagos Islands. They have the power to make a profound difference in the future of the islands and they must be the foundation and at the forefront of any and all conservation movements.  They need jobs, they need inspiration, and they need a reason to be the passionate conservationist essential to protecting the Enchanted Isles.

  1. We hire guides who live on the islands.
  2. We stay in local accommodations.  Most are family owned and operated.
  3. We eat in local restaurants that are stocked with fresh caught fish and locally grown fruits and vegetables.
  4. We employ boats and crewmembers that are from the islands.

We minimize our environmental impact

Instead of continually creating the need for carbon off setting, we try to eliminate it. When it can't be eliminated, we reduce.

  1. We run a near paperless operation. All major communication is done via email and our only form of paper advertising is a business card.
  2. We relentlessly encourage all our passengers to bring refillable water bottles, which we fill from reusable 5-gallon bottles.
  3. We use washable food containers, utensils and glasses as much as possible.
  4. Our boats utilize 4 stroke motors as opposed to 2 stroke motors, which reduce smoke, fuel consumption, and pollution.
  5. We recycle at home and at the office.
  6. We walk.  Whenever possible, we walk in lieu of taking a cab. It's great exercise and you usually see more.

We give back

We sponsor projects each year that benefit the animals, the landscape or the people of the islands. From leading invasive species eradication projects, participating in coastal cleanups or organizing supplies for the primary schools, we are always on the lookout for ways to help. If you are interested in bringing supplies to donate on your trip, let's chat.

Our philosophy

Our biggest contribution to being green is our mindset, not our checklists. There are abundant opportunities to live a greener life every day in every country. We operate our business and our lives looking for those opportunities and trying to do the right thing because it is the right thing. If that means picking up somebody else's litter, we do it. If it means walking when we really would rather jump in a cab, we do it.

We realize that little things really do add up, actions always speak louder than words, and we must lead by example.

Join us and let the adventure begin.

  • Krista Whitley - 10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - May 2024
    Pablo (our guide) is the Steve Irwin of Ecuador and Karen at Galakiwi offered 24/7, 365 concierge customer service. Truly an exceptional experience from booking to completion that left our family with new life long friends. I cannot recommend Galakiwi highly enough!
    Krista Whitley
    10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - May 2024
  • Melanie Eustace - 6-day Land Galapagos Tour, January 2024
    A big thank you to the team at Galakiwi for making my holiday in the Galapagos the most incredible experience I could have ever wished for. I thought I had missed out completely when my flight from Miami got canceled but Laura rescheduled everything in Ecuador for me and arranged for me to catch up with my group without missing out at all. Pepo our guide did a superb job and every day was even better than the one before, except the last one when we had to go home ?. From beginning to end every single member of the Galakiwi team was incredible. I couldn't recommend this 6-day Galapagos holiday or Galakiwi highly enough. I will treasure all the wonderful memories of the Galapagos.
    Melanie Eustace
    6-day Land Galapagos Tour, January 2024
  • Murray - Family Tour - 2023
    I would give this trip six stars if I could. This was my second trip with Galakiwi, the first having been with a small group of adults none of whom I knew before the trip. This trip, I requested a custom itinerary for myself, my adult daughter and her husband, and their bright and very active kids aged 7, 10 and 12. The staff did a great job seeking out activities suitable for us, some of which I'd done previously and some I had not. We were even able to book a surfing session. Pablo Valladares was our guide on the first trip and I requested him for this tour because of his outgoing personality, encyclopedic knowledge about the islands, and obvious deep love for the place where he lives. I cannot recommend Galakiwi highly enough. In addition to all the above, Galakiwi offers a land based tour so you sleep in a hotel every night and not on a boat. What could be better?
    Murray
    Family Tour - 2023
  • Michele Lemay - Galapagos Private Customized Tour - Feb 2023
    Galakiwi provided our 7-person group with outstanding, professional services throughout the 13-day customized tour. From the expert advice during the pre-trip planning to the booking experience, the efficient on-site logistics, the exceptional, highly knowledgeable guides, and the excellent family-run quality hotels, everything was perfect. It was the experience of a lifetime that our group had dreamed of. Galakiwi is a superb team all around.
    Michele Lemay
    Galapagos Private Customized Tour - Feb 2023
  • Kurtis Siegle - 10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - May 2023
    I learned so much and had so much fun! It was an adventure I will never forget!
    Kurtis Siegle
    10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - May 2023
  • Alex W - Customized Family Tour 2023
    This was absolutely the trip of a lifetime! We booked a private tour with Galakiwi for our family of 6 - mom, dad, grandma, and three kids ages 7, 10 and 12. From the moment we arrived we were completely taken care of. With three kids we didn't have to worry about getting from one point to another. But more importantly, we were shown the most extraordinary places and wildlife. We hiked a volcano, surfed, and snorkeled with sharks and giant sea turtles and sea lions! Our guide Pablo was so caring and related to everyone in our group so well. He made changes as needed in the itinerary to give us the best experience every day. And he taught us so much. He truly loves these islands and the plants and animals who live there, and his enthusiasm and curiosity were infectious. We felt like we were being let into a secret garden that only Pablo knew about. Our only regret is that we didn't stay longer! There is so much to see and do.
    Alex W
    Customized Family Tour 2023
  • Heidi - 10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - 2023
    Galakiwi is the way to Go-lapagos! Super organized, anticipating every move and connection in a well choreographed professional manner. Great gear was at our disposal, excellent food served by all of their partner restaurants and caterers. Pepo and Paulo were excellent local guides that we all felt lucky to have lead our adventure, They provided clear insight on the fragile ecosystems that are the gems of the Galapagos and explained Ecuador's cautious development of sustainable tourism in the region. Special visits to the Tree House, meeting their moms and Tim's kids on the last day made it a truly special visit.
    Heidi
    10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - 2023
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