When is the Best Time to Go to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu?

We recommend traveling to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu any time from March through December. The most popular months to travel for both destinations is April and May, and trips sell out very far in advance. June, July, & August are the second most popular time to visit both. March, September, October, November, and December […]

Travelers Against Plastic

Detour is a member of Travelers Against Plastic, (TAP, https://www.travelersagainstplastic.org). Single use plastic is a problem everywhere in the world, but it is an especially large problem in major tourism destinations in developing countries, where waste disposal is limited and recycling is virtually nonexistent. We strongly discourage the use of disposable water bottles, even if offered […]

Top 3 Reasons to do a Galapagos Multisport Adventure

A Galapagos Multisport trip is a land-based, island-hopping tour that explores the wildlife and geology of the islands by human-powered means while overnighting in hotels along the way. This means hiking in the highlands, sea kayaking and snorkeling the shorelines, biking to visitor sites, and then retreating to the comfort of a hotel room (vs. […]

Sierra Negra Volcano Eruption – June 2018

  The Galapagos Islands are hailed for endemic wildlife seemingly unaware and uninterested in us humans looking on. Equally as fascinating and quintessential to any Galapagos trip is learning about the geology and the island’s creation. Let’s rephrase that. Ongoing creation. Right now the islands are alive! With volcano activity on both Fernandina (La Cumbre […]

How Much Should I Budget For A Trip To The Galapagos?

The Galapagos is a trip of a lifetime, but you want to make sure that you have the right budget for the type of trip you want to do. How much should you budget for a Naturalist Cruise? Luxury Class boats are very high end. They have spacious cabins with larger king or queen beds, […]

How Far In Advance Should I Book My Trip To The Galapagos?

This depends on a few factors: when you want to travel, how flexible your dates are, how big your group is, and how picky you are about your itinerary & accommodations. When do you want to travel?  The busiest times in the Galapagos are around Christmas and New Years, followed by Easter and Spring Breaks, […]

When Is The Best Time To Go To The Galapagos Islands?

There is never a bad time to visit the Galapagos! The weather varies little at the equator and most of the wildlife does not migrate. The “High Season” and “Low Season” in the Galapagos mostly corresponds with holidays. The Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter Holiday are the busiest times in the Galapagos, and it can be […]

How Long Should I Go to the Galapagos Islands For?

Because it takes time and money to get to the Galapagos Islands and the first and last days of your trip are mostly travel days, we recommend that you spend at least 5 days in the Galapagos. The vast majority of travelers go to the Galapagos for 7 or 8 days. The more days you […]

How Do You Get to the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands are located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in South America. So how do you get there? First you have to get to Ecuador All international flights to Ecuador arrive in Quito or Guayaquil, the two biggest cities in Ecuador. Both of these cities have domestic flights to the Galapagos, so […]

Should I go on a Galapagos Multisport Adventure?

Multisport Adventure trips stay in hotels on one or more of the 4 inhabited islands and explore the wildlife and scenery of the islands while kayaking, biking, hiking, snorkeling and possibly even stand up paddle boarding (SUP). There are a number of different itinerary options for these trips, with differences in the number of islands […]

Should I Go on a Galapagos Naturalist Cruise?

Exploring the islands on a small yacht is the classic way to see the Galapagos, just like Charles Darwin did when he traveled around the Galapagos. What is a typical day like on a cruise?  Cruises are slow paced. You wake up early in the morning, have breakfast, and then head out for your first […]

Inter-Island Flights in the Galapagos

Here’s the nitty gritty on flights within the Galapagos. Emetebe is the airline of the Galapagos and your only choice for flying between islands. Their fleet of Britten Norman Islanders have room for 8 in the main cabin. Because of their low carrying capacity, it is a good idea to pre-arrange your flights prior to […]

Short Galapagos Cruises to the Western Islands of Isabela and Fernandina

on the Ocean Spray Galapagos Cruise

So you’ve done a ton of research, and you know that you want to go to the far western part of at the Galapagos Islands: Isabela and Fernandina Islands. But you’ve run into a problem! Most cruises that go to Isabela and Fernandina Islands are 8 day cruises, and you just don’t have the time […]

Extra Costs for a Galapagos Trip

on the Ocean Spray Galapagos Cruise

You’ve paid for Galapagos trip and booked your hotel in mainland Ecuador, but there are a few more costs you’ll need to plan on paying once in Ecuador for your Galapagos trip.  Below you will find a list of typical extra costs for any Galapagos trip.  Keep in mind that your trip may differ a […]

What is the Difference Between the Classes of Boats in the Galapagos Islands?

There are four classes of boats in the Galapagos Islands: Luxury Class First Class Tourist Superior Class Tourist or Economy Class These classes vary by price, amenities on board, level of comfort, size of the cabins, and sometimes even by the quality of naturalist guide and itinerary. On Luxury Class, First Class, and Tourist Superior […]

Best Videos About Galapagos Wildlife

Daydreaming about your trip to the Galapagos? Here are some of our favorite videos about the amazing wildlife of the Galapagos. Waved Albatross are large, beautiful birds who mate for life and have endearing interactions with each other. Nearly every waved albatross in the world nests on Española Island in the Galapagos. They are on […]

How to Pack For the Galápagos Islands

If you’re like me, it’s the night before you fly to Ecuador, and you’re wasting precious sleeping hours agonizing over what to pack for your trip to the Galápagos Islands and what to leave at home. If you’re like my co-worker Katie, you are super organized and have everything laid out and ready to go […]

Review of the Galapagos Islands Multisport Adventure: Family with 3 Teens

Galapagos Boobie

Wondering if the Galapagos Islands Multisport Adventure trip is right for your family?  Our most recent review of the trip is a great description of the experience and evaluation of the tour.  This family of five traveled with their three teenage kids (ages 12, 14, and 16) in April 2014.  They booked a privately guided […]

Last-Minute Galapagos Deals over Christmas and New Years

The end of December and beginning of January are the absolute busiest times in the Galapagos Islands (aka, the Christmas and New Year’s High Season).  It’s pretty tricky to find an available trip over these dates, but right now, there are actually some discounted options available for those who move fast. ARCHIPELL I CATAMARAN CRUISE […]

Awesome Adventure Trips Without Camping

Love the adrenaline of whitewater rafting, high-altitude trekking, and singletrack mountain biking — but don’t enjoy camping?  These exciting tours all over Latin America bring on the adventure without skimping on creature comforts when it’s time to hit the hay. 1. TORRES DEL PAINE “W” TREK WITH ECOCAMP DOMES By day, you’ll hike the famous […]

Best Time to get a Galapagos Cruise Deal

Dreaming of a Galapagos cruise at a discount price? In the Galapagos, there is a special, little-known time of the year when you can travel on a top-notch boat and during the best weather/wildlife season at a great discount. So when is this magic, sparkly time? The First Few Weeks of December. Do a cruise on […]

Mamun’s Tales of Adventure: The Galapagos Islands Through the Lenses of a Travel Photographer

Traveling is a universal dream – there’s no denying that. A typical travel bucket list comes in many forms – there are those who dream of an extravagant trip through Europe’s most popular capitals such as Paris and Rome. Others wish for a long backpacking experience in Southeast Asia. Some marvel at the pristine beauty of Africa […]

The 7 Most Amazing Animal Encounters In South America

South America, the home of the world’s largest rainforest, is second to none when it comes to the diversity and intricate beauty of its wildlife. The continent has it all – from glaciers to deserts, from white-sandy beaches to pristine forests, and from hot volcanoes, high up in the sky, to the cold and quiet […]

How to Prepare Your Body and Mind for the Galapagos

The Physical Demand Traveling to the Galapagos Islands cannot really be considered a vacation per se. A vacation typically implies a book on the beach or a leisurely brunch. If you want rest, pick another destination – the Galapagos is all about active adventure. There’s simply too much to see and do around here. Hiking up volcanoes, mountain […]

The 3 Best Times of Year to Visit the Galapagos Islands

Land Iguana - San Jose Yacht

While there is no bad time to visit the Galapagos, there are three times of year that are the absolute best for wildlife viewing, weather, and water temperature.  Though the animals active all year round, and the weather doesn’t fluctuate very significantly between seasons, there are some differences from month to month and this may […]

The Must-Pack Gear For Your Galapagos Multisport Adventure

Stand Up Paddling in the Galapagos Islands

It is a common myth that embarking on an adventurous trip to the pristine landscape of an exotic destination is a wonderful experience from start to finish. Whoever said that was lying because packing has to be the travelers’ worst nightmare – a hectic and time-consuming experience. It usually results in either over-doing it, and […]

New 3-Island Galapagos Multisport Adventure: Floreana, Isabela, and Santa Cruz Islands

Can’t decide between a cruise and land-based Galapagos tour?  Detour’s new Galapagos Multisport trip with Floreana, Isabela, and Santa Cruz Islands may be the perfect solution. On these few islands, you get to experience the Galapagos at a completely different pace than those on a cruise but still swim with penguins, hike to see giant […]