Luxury Galapagos Tours and Cruises
Incredible, up-close wildlife encounters in this 'little world within itself'
I can’t imagine a better way to experience this incredible destination than with family. There’s nowhere else quite like it and the wildlife is active year-round, so you’ll always be witness to something special here – whether it’s snorkelling with somersaulting sea lions, spotting frigate birds puffing out their red chest trying to attract a mate, or witnessing newly hatched albatrosses taking their first steps.
Surely one of the most amazing places on Earth, the Galapagos Islands are perhaps the only place in the world where you can see wildlife so close up. The lack of large predators on the island group (which sits 600 miles from the Ecuadorian mainland) means that its iconic wildlife – giant tortoises, vibrant birdlife, inquisitive sea lions and so much more – are fearless of humans. There’s plenty to do on a visit to the islands, such as:
- Snorkelling among the green sea turtles and sea lions
- Hiking around the Sierra Negra Volcano
- Visiting the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre
- Kayaking around Divine Bay
- Diving with gentle sharks
Whether you’re planning a honeymoon aboard an intimate catamaran, want to explore from the base of a luxury lodge or safari style camp, are looking to join an expertly staffed larger ship or embarking on an exclusive adventure on a fully private large charter, we’ll create the perfect trip for you. Our Latin America experts can talk you through the options to make sure you find the yacht or hotel that best suits your needs.
Whatever you want from your Latin America tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Our Top Galapagos Example Trips
If you are looking for VIP, worry-free travel, and incredibly wonderful adventures then Jacada Travel has the team to make your wishes come true.
Jacada Travel was very easy to work with before our trip to mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. They helped us pick destinations that exactly matched our interests and abilities (my 81 year old mother was traveling with us and while she is still very active, there are some things that she just shouldn't try to do anymore). Because everything was so well-prepared for us there was no need to contact them at all during our time in Ecuador. Their local representatives (from Jacada, their partner company Metropolitan Touring, and Haugan Cruises) were always ready for us when we arrived with all details in place. Our local guides and naturalists were all amazing and friendly. I will definitely work with them again the next time I am planning a trip with my family.
The whole trip was well planned, advised and executed. From arrival to final departure, we were well taken care off. All hotels were unique and first class. Guides and drivers were all proffessional and passionate of what they do. An excellent expereince.
The trip was superb!! We were well taken care of and the guides were all expert in their fields and were very passionate. Hotels were also very pleasant and the restaurants were amazing. Would totally recommend Jacada to my friends and family.
Every step of the trip was carefully recommended and planned. A best in class travel experience.
My husband and I finally made it to two of our dream destinations last June - Peru and The Galapagos. Everything turned out perfect, matching all what we imagined and more. The depth of our rich experiences throughout the trip extended beyond the sights - the tales, beautiful people we met and flavours we could have only imagined. Thanks to the superb planning and execution of the entire Jacada team, led by Jess and Berni who designed our whole trip , paying much attention to what we wanted. We felt in every part of our journey, every destination that the entire team had every detail covered. Truly impressive! Thank you Jacada team.
Jacada arranged a fabulous holiday for us in Equador ( Galapagos Islands) and Peru (Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley). Their attention to detail and the ongoing support is exemplary. Jen, our travel designer, worked with us for months prior to the trip to insure everything we wanted to see was included and that the pacing was geared to our needs. Pickups were always on time and with very informative and friendly individuals. All guides were great but Edgar was a particularly good guide, very informative and passionate about his country, Peru. I would recommend Jacada if you are planning a vacation.
Could not have been easier - Jacada listened to us and tailored a once in a lifetime holiday! From the accommodations to the excursions to the guides -all were first class.
From the beginning when we were quoted in Canadian not US funds to the end when the Jacana representative met us at the airport for a 2 minute walk to our shuttle "unexpectedly" the service was perfect. The advice about the boat and size/seasickness was good advise after talking to others on smaller boats & the safari camp was amazing. We felt completely taken care of from start to finish.
Our experience with Jacada Travel was impressive from the start. Jen, our travel design agent for Latin America, worked with us to create a magical itinerary in Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands. We worked together on a time frame, our interests as a family and our budget. Everything was spot on from our accommodations to our adventures. Before departing we were given a detailed itinerary, along with a beautiful picture book highlighting what we could expect on our trip. The people we worked with on the ground couldn't have been more welcoming. Our personal travel guide in Peru, Max, became like family. His love and passion for his country radiated into our experience. We were well looked after at every step of the way. Security, ease and our happiness seemed to be the top priorities. Our tours and travels in both countries, Peru and Ecuador, were smooth and safe. We were greeted with special notes and surprises from Jacada along the way. There were check in calls to make sure everything was going well and that we were pleased with our journey.My family and I would highly recommend working with Jacada Travel in Latin America. I hope that we have the opportunity to book another adventure with them in the future.
Our experience with Jacada was first rate from initial contact throughout our full trip. Our planner, Emily, quickly understood expectations and offered great advice that enabled us to organize the trip efficiently. The quality of hotels, airport transfers and all of our tours and tour guides exceeded our expectations. This was our first time using Jacada but will not be the last. We would recommend this company to anyone.
Jacada Travel planned a perfect vacation to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Both Susann in England and Berni in Santiago took care of every detail for us and all we had to do was "enjoy the ride" as they say. The local transfers, properties and guides they chose for us fitted our group of 7 travelers perfectly. We saw all of the highlights of the Galapagos, Quito and Otavalo. I would highly recommend Jacada Travel to anyone looking to visit this part of the world.
I had been on the search for travel experts. This search spanned over many months but for multiple reasons, it continued on until I came upon Jacada Travel. I was initially drawn in by their website’s aesthetics and its ease of use. Everything was very cohesive, professional in appearance. I was also attracted to the fact that they organize travel to worldwide destinations, whereas most travel agents specialize in one specific region of the world. I decided to submit an inquiry and from there, everything took off. I never looked back. Within a short period of time, Susann Pietschmann contacted me. She was amazing in multiple ways. I never felt pressured to commit to this trip. She was professional, organized. She always followed up and remembered everything I said or suggested. With an 8 hour time difference, she somehow always managed to contact me via phone or email. Did I mention that Susann is amazing? Ha.Anyway, back to the trip. We went to Ecuador/Galapagos. She sent me multiple itineraries, each one tailored more to my preferences. I had done my own research on which cruise vessel I wanted to voyage so she booked it and finalized it for me. She provided suggestions for us based on our timeline. I chose from her recommendations, and they planned everything. All costs were combined and submitted to Jacada Travel, versus multiple vendor for entrance fees, domestic flights, hotels, etc. They tailored our payment plan based on our preferences. Before I got in touch with Jacada Travel, I was attempting to book everything on my own. I’m not sure how Jacada Travel makes their money, but their prices were pretty comparable to the prices when I was organizing it on my own.Closer to our trip date, they reached out via phone and email to ensure we were set. Bernie was our local contact for the trip. She was also very helpful. They also mailed us an information package. I was so impressed with this package! It was nicely bound and super swank. I still have it as a souvenir from my experience with Jacada Travel.All the suggestions I received from Jacada Travel were top notch, great quality. I especially loved our hotel. Our tour guide was very professional and helpful. The private transportation between all our destinations were all luxurious.Jacada Travel made everything super easy. They took the thinking and stress out of everything. I highly recommend them and will be using them for future travels.
We’ve traveled extensively but this was really first class. We were pampered. Every detail attended to. We’re definitely using them again.
Wonderful experience.
We have just returned from travelling to South America ( Galápagos, Santa Cruz Highlands, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Guayaquil, Cuzco, Lima). From the initial contact with Lily to the scheduled follow up call and all the travel between, the experience was beyond expectations. We felt truly cared for and welcomed at every stop with seamless airport pick ups, hotel check ins and guided tours. The accommodations were exceptional, the guides knowledgeable, professional and engaging and the excursions planned excellent and not so rigid that we could not alter them according to our likes or feelings that day. Our trip was completely stress free because of Jacada, allowing us to focus solely on the reason we were there and to return home with memories to cherish. I would not hesitate to recommend Jacada and know we will now use them exclusively for further travel.
Our first time to travel with Jacada. They made the planning easy and we were lucky we used them because there were several travel and health issues (not the fault of Jacada) that occurred and they made adjustments to our schedule to accommodate those issues. We would recommend their services to all!
Susann and Berni planned the best Galapagos/Ecuador vacation for us. The boat was top notch, transportation was superb, and the hotels were some of the nicest in which we have stayed.
Perfection. They took care of every detail and booked us on an amazing trip to the Galapagos.
We could not be any happier with our travel agent. He tailor-made our vacation to fit our specific needs. We had a wonderful adventure that had personal touches, such as handwritten letters from our travel agent, Jacob, all along the way. It is our first time trying Jacada Travel, and we were thrilled with the outcome. We have booked luxury travel vacations for years with other agencies. We will be using Jacada Travel from now on!
Had a great time and everything went smoothly. Ocean Spray was a great boat for the tour. There were 15 guests, 1 guide and 11 crew on board. There was great attention to detail and the needs of passengers.
I needed some late season planning for a Galapagos trip - a destination I was at a loss to know where to begin. George quickly brought me up to speed, educating me as to my options, and then just as quickly put together a wonderful trip. He and his team held our hands throughout, making sure all went as smoothly as possible. Would recommend Jacada for anyone looking for assistance with their vacation travel plans.
Beyond expectations! Work with George and Susann and you will have no worries! My wife and I live in the USA and needed someone to coordinate our trip to The Galapagos Islands, Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu, and an Amazon River Cruise. Our trip was flawless and a guide was holding our hands at every juncture. Go with Jacada for an incredible journey! Thanks for the opportunity to applaud these good folks. James
We just returned from a three-week trip to Peru and Ecuador arranged by Jacada. While we normally schedule our own travels, we wanted to see Machu Picchu, the Amazon rainforest, and the Galapagos and knew we needed help. After reviewing several companies, we decided on Jacada because of its experience, positive reviews, and responsiveness. We found Jacada to be outstanding in all regards, from planning to execution. Our representatives were Emily and Suzann who were very knowledgeable about South America and who provided detailed information on transportation, guides, hotels, restaurants, and excursions. They also were exceptional in helping us determine a budget and offering options that would meet it. For example, we really wanted to stay at the Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu and have a suite for our Galapagos cruise (both pricey) and were perfectly happy to stay at a Marriott or Hilton in other cities at a lower cost. Both Emily and Suzann kept in constant touch during the planning process, responding immediately with emails or phone calls. They even got us restaurant reservations in Lima at Central and Maido (5th and 8th in the world, respectively). The trip turned out to be perfect in every way. Our tours were fantastic, and our drivers and guides were outstanding, always prompt, very friendly, and helpful. This was particularly important during challenging times, such as the 6-hour delay from Machu Picchu due to a landslide on the train tracks; Adrianna and Antonio were there waiting for us and smiling and got us to Cusco at 2am! Emily and Suzann also kept up with us during the trip with small notes at the hotels and a lovely gift of alpaca scarves. Because of the attention to details and overall quality of the trip, we would not hesitate to book with Jacada again and highly recommend it.
Jacada Travel arranged our family holiday in South America , including the Inca Trail and Galápagos Islands. The arrangements were faultless and much exceeded our expectations
We traveled for two weeks in South America. Starting in the lovely historical city of Quito, we knew we were in for a treat. Jacada handled every detail of our travel, pick-up, hotel, touring, restaurant experiences, etc. flawlessly. They transferred us to the next part of our trip, the Galápagos Island cruise without a hitch. We enjoyed five days on the Santa Cruz II, which offered superior service, excellent accommodations, as well as wonderfully prepared food, and well educated, knowledgeable guides. You could not ask for more. Once we retuned to land we were back in Jacada's capable hands as we flew to Peru. We continued to explore the land and history of the Inca people. Everywhere we visited, each hotel we stayed in, each guide who lead us was exceptional. I have traveled extensively in my life but have never felt so worry free on a trip before this time. I would not hesitate to recommend Jacada to any traveler looking for a first class experience, worry free, on their vacation. I would give them 6 stars.
Had a wonderful trip which was well organized by George. The accommodations were first class as were the tours and tour guides. We were so well taken care of by everyone associated with this company. Always felt safe and looked after. Would highly recommend it.
Outstanding vacation! Everything went extremely smoothly, Jacada representatives were with us every step of the way, accommodations were outstanding, and tour guides were superb. This was a vacation with an aggressive itinerary that went flawlessly. All of the tour guides were top notch and Jacada was able to secure reservations at the top places for us. We would not have changed a thing and highly recommend Jacada for complex travel arrangements. No detail was overlooked. We very much enjoyed our two days at Machu Picchu, hiking to the top of Huayna Picchu, and the scenic train ride. We spent a few days aboard the Delfin I in the Amazon and very much enjoyed the intimate small boat setting. Our Galapagos cruise aboard the Santa Cruz II was also amazing. Overall, fantastic trip!!!
We would highly recommend Jacada Travel. They were thorough and thoughtful. We were taken care of from morning until night each and every day of our trip. Attention to detail was exceptional. All of our guides were knowledgeable and kind. We had a fabulous holiday thanks to Jacada Travel's trip designers. Many thanks and cheers to our trip designers, guides and drivers!!
Jacada took the time to ascertain our priorities when it came to designing a package for our trip to Ecuador and the Galapogos Islands. Everything went off without a hitch. The guides were excellent and their choice of accommodations was first-rate.
Lily at Jacada Travel did a wonderful job planning our trip to Peru and Galapagos.
I came across Jacada travel researching a trip to Galapagos Islands and after speaking with a consultant over the phone, they prepared an itinerary suggestion for our trip. From this point on, it really was the attention to detail that set Jacada apart. Rather than a simple itinerary, we were sent a link to a personal website that had our itinerary set up, with photos of the places we'd stay, the things we'd see. It was easy to tweak the itinerary to adjust for our preferences, and the price was competitive with booking each component of the trip myself, without any of the hassle. When we arrived in Ecuador, we were greeted at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The next day, the same guide and driver picked us up at the hotel and took us on a half day city tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, spoke excellent English, and was greeted with hugs and kisses at every site we visited - it felt very much like we were on a VIP tour. At every hotel, there was a hand written note from Jacada, personally addressed and wishing us a pleasant stay. My only criticism is that you can't book bits and pieces through Jacada - it was an all or nothing service. We'd booked accommodation in Mendoza separately and I would have loved to have Jacada organise our local tours whilst we were in the area, but on inquiry, that wasn't an option, which was disappointing. I can understand why they wouldn't want to solely arrange tours as a service, but given we'd spent a considerable amount with Jacada on the Galapogas itinerary, I would have expected them to extend the same level of service to the rest of our itinerary, irrespective of whether the accommodation was booked through Jacada or not. Having said that, we are planning our next vacation and I will definitely see what Jacada can offer for our trip to Europe.
Absolutely incredible! Makes me kick myself for not using Jacada or a travel agent before. Every detail was taken care of, making it incredibly relaxing for my son and me. Jen was very attentive and the special little personal gifts made the trip extra special. International travel can be stressful, especially with children, but private pick-up at the airport and guides handling all the little details is worth gold. This really is a first-rate personal travel service. Thank you Jacada!
Wonderful trip to Galapagos and Quito. I would have liked to have spent more time in Otavalo but had no clue about its charms. The tour guide in Quito did not make much effort in friendliness. Was she not compensated enough? Perhaps Westerners are all similarly treated with some disdain which is entirely understandable. Jacada was always in contact with me during the planning and all expectations were met. I would definitely use Jacada again for my next extraordinary vacation.
I consider myself lucky to have found Jacada to plan our trip to the Galapagos Islands. We could not have been more pleased every step of the way. They exceeded our expectations and I can recommend them highly and will absolutely use them again!
I recommend Jacada highly to anyone - our trip was perfectly planned - all of our guides were great, our hotels were great, the itinerary was well thought out. We will use Jacada again when we next travel abroad. Jen, our agent there, thought of every detail and had the trip highly organized. Thanks to the thoughtful planning, we had an incredible family trip!
I could sense that the Travel Designer (Jennifer) is somehow tracking our every move and always communicating with the people on the ground that on the needs to have her clients be looked after well. Our journey was tight with many early flights to catch (new year's day at 4 am). Assistance to ensure breakfast is available at check out desk at early hours; guide in attendace to ensure assistance on check in in crowded and non english speaking airline ground staff is taken care off are some of the small things that makes the difference in our travel experience. Of course getting the best rooms at the best hotel/resort repeatedly is another crown to Jacada! I think it is not only about money that you paid but the extra effort that you could feel that makes the difference. In my view in areas where they have control, they have done exceptionally well. Highly recomended and thanks to Jennifer!
My family and I have travelled with Jacada Travel twice now to South America - Peru and Ecuador/Galapagos. Both trips have been at the top of our bucket list for years, and Ciara at Jacada made sure that the trip met every one of our high expectations! Ciara and the team at Jacada helped tailor the accommodations and tours to our style, taste and budget, including a luxury camping trip along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, and a wonderful cruise with my 10-year old daughter in Galapagos. Jacada ensures every detail is taken care of, arranges all your transfers and tours, truly allowing you to have a car free vacation. Everything is first class and better than you expected. Jacada and their local guides also helped arrange a flight back from Peru when my grandmother fell ill while we were away. We are working on a trip to South East Asia with Jacada next!
I dragged my husband on a vacation he didn't want to take even though he was the one to arrange it through Ciara in Jacarda Travel. He eventually had to admit that he loved the trip as much as I did. He has always been a keen photographer and the Galapagos' are a photographers dream. I was happy to be his equipment carrying assistant. We had the benefit of meticulous planning by Ciara. We relied heavily on her recommendations and they all turned out perfectly. She was cheerful, efficient and good humoured as well as extremely knowledgable about her specialist area. I think she thought we might end up lost as she kept in touch frequently until we were safely on board the Grand Odyssy and then again afterwards until safely on the plane home. I suppose any complaint would be that we could have stayed longer. The smaller boat, the Grand Odyssy suited us much better than a large ship. The accommodation was surprisingly spacious and comfortable. The captain and crew did their best to make us feel at home and we did. Our Naturalist guide, Jamie ruled our days like a military commander. He was determined we should made the most of our visit but in a gentle and patient way. He gave us enough information without making it seem like a school outing. Our fellow passengers turned out to be an enjoyable crowd and we all got on well together as we shared and laughed about 'wet' and 'dry' landings! Altogether a five star experience and we would not hesitate to travel with them again. I can highly recommend Jacarda Travel. We met other people on our trip who had arranged their vacation with Jacarda and they were as impressed as we were.
When our intention to visit the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu became more concrete, I started to search the internet for travel agencies and stumbled across Jacada. After I sent an e-mail on a Sunday afternoon, neither did I expect to receive a first call only hours later, nor a complete first draft itinerary few days later. What followed were very professional communications with the Jacada representative, great advise and suggestions upon hotels and sight seeing options to get everything we wanted on our schedule, but even more we could imagine. Being a critical customer, after that perfect start with planning, I was very curious how the promises would be turned into delivery, which in my opinion is the only thing that counts. Now after having returned from a 3.5 weeks trip I can confirm: All promises were kept and our high expectations on a luxury travel provider were fully met! Top hotels everywhere, a great cruise through the Galapagos Islands, experienced and knowledgeable guides in Ecuador and Peru, and the feeling of being taken care 100% every day of our tour made the difference for us. Having met other many other travellers with problems with the altitude in Peru, we really appreciated the sequence Jacada put together for us (Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titikaka), so we could enjoy every moment at these places. Personal letters and individualised additional suggestions for visits restaurants etc. at each of our stops just topped all the selections. Honestly, I was a little bit sceptical about travelling with a tour itinerary only and not the usual booklet with a number of tickets and vouchers (which in our case with all the different hotels, transfers and visits would have been rather thick), but everything was prepared optimal; we did not have to care about anything. Well, as a summery: When ever we will be travelling to places Jacada is represented, they will be our only service provider.
Everything turned out as planned and outlined by Jacada. Arrangements for airport pick ups/drop offs, hotel rooms, mini tours and guides were excellent.
everything about the planning and execution of our trip organized by Jacada travel was truly superb! Six of us went and all are of the same opinion that it was wonderful. we highly recommend them for travel plans.
Ciara, our travel consultant at Jacada, was outstanding. She helped create a fabulous itinerary, with great hotels, memorable experiences and excellent logistics and coordination. No detail was missed, and everyone in our family had a great time. It was very clear that much thought had been given to every aspect of the trip.
We used Jacada travel for the first time when we decided to use them to book our honeymoon. Overall, we had a very great experience! Jen (our travel designer) did a really great job of listening and choosing the perfect itinerary for our dream honeymoon to Guayaquil, Galapagos, Quito and Otavalo. Throughout the trip there were extra details that made us feel special. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because I would've liked to have more details up front, such as the exact times we would be meeting up with our guides or the times of our flights to and from the Galapagos. It was my understanding that we would receive a complete packet with this information when we met our first travel guide. As the vacation progressed we would only receive details for the following day the night before. If you are Type A personality my suggestion would be to get more details up front...
Jacada are simply outstanding. From the first call right through to the end of your trip and beyond. The level of customer service is breath-taking. We dealt with Ciara and she could not have been more helpful. Her level of knowledge was excellent leading to a very relaxing, thoroughly enjoyable holiday. On first glance they may appear to be quite expensive, however it soon becomes apparent Jacada are outstanding value for money once you experience the end result. We could not hold them in higher regard nor recommend them enough. We will definitely book our next big trip through them again
Our trip to the Galapagos Islands was one of our top trips that we have taken. Everything was amazing! The boat and service was top notch. Once there everyday life is forgotten and you are in paradise with wildlife that you will not encounter so closely anywhere else. Working to schedule the trip with Jacada was so easy and they had the answers we needed. From beginning to the end of booking our trip, we felt it was going to be one of a lifetime and it certainly was. In the future, we would book another trip through Jacada.
From the very first communication Ciara and Susanne were a delight to work with. Our initial inquiry was for a 3 week trip to Peru and the Galapagos. The proposed program submitted to us was the right length, and it took two revisions to set the quality and standard of accommodation we wanted. The Galapagos offers a variety of ships. Wanting something larger we settled on the Silver Galapagos which offered a range of creature, that met our needs. From our arrival in Lima until our departure from Quito we were met by fantastic guides, and drivers. The knowledge of the guides and service provided everywhere was terrific. Every hotel booked was far better than expected, and the service everywhere was perfect. Little things like receiving a personal note at every hotel from Ciara with personal recommendations of things to see and do, and local restaurants to visit was an added bonus, and a great welcome everywhere we went. Personal service and detail is something Jacada have perfected. Our travel experience was nothing short of amazing. Everyone wants that dream vacation. Dream vacations have, however to be first created. Ciara, Susanne and the Jacada team did that for us. "Brilliant"
We found Jacada Travel to be extremely helpful and accommodating throughout the planning process and booking of our recent holiday to Ecuador and the Galapagos islands. Ciara, who were predominantly dealing with, was always very prompt replying to any queries and answered every question we had, however trivial! we received a lovely travel pack, were expertly handled throughout our various journeys and couldn't fault any part of the service we received. An excellent company to deal with.
Our entire trip was extremely well coordinated, we had many change/transfer points and they well all done timely and by highly professional folks
Our trip was a major outing of our entire 17 member immediate family to the Gallipolis Islands, all arriving from different locations, and with slightly different prior event itineraries. Working with Jacada was a pleasant experience from start to finish. The trip was a smashing success with no missteps or difficulties encountered. What more is there to ask for?
Options for exploring the Galapagos
Need to Know
When to go
Being so close to the equator means temperatures don't vary much throughout the year, making the Galapagos Islands a great year-round destination.
