Island Hopping Adventure in the Galapagos

I had the best of times within a group of 7 like minded solo travellers, all of which had an enthusiam for this fantastic adventure! Wilson an Edwin were just superb for our start in Equador and Belen was absolutely amazing in the Galapagos, with her professional attitude, knowledge, organisational skills and great humour, she really was an integral part of our group. Each day was so well organised, with great activites, very much true to the itinerary, I loved swimming with turtles and sea lions, kayaking, treking and mountain biking. I would suggest that you need a reasonable level of fitness and would put the level at easy/medium. Both the food and accomodation were excellant and I had seen a number of reviews that said "if you are not sure, just do it" and I would agree, you will not be disappointed! Graham

Such a wonderful time in Equador and Galapagos. I will remember it for ever. It was so well planned and everything was so beautiful in the islands. I have some special memories and pictures that will last me for a long time. Well worth every penny . Edwin, Wilson and Belen were amazing hosts , and were always there to help and guide throughout the stay .

Wow, the Galapagos were fantastic. One of the very best holidays I’ve had. We were a group of 7 solo travellers, 5 women and 2 men, a wide range of ages 19-60, English, Dutch, American, all with the same positive mindset. The days were action packed and outdoorsy, a good variety of activities from sea kayaking to off-road bike rides to snorkelling/swimming to farm visits and market tours. You need to be relatively fit but you don’t have to be an athlete - I gave the volcano hike a miss and relaxed in a hammock instead ;) And the wildlife - it was everywhere. We saw sea lions, iguanas, penguins, reef sharks, flamingos, giant tortoises, turtles, blue footed boobies and more. The food and drinks were great. And I must say the guides were brilliant, especially Belén! Thank you MBA and for everyone reading this - do it!!!

Fantastic trip with friendly, knowledgeable guides. Wilson and Edwin did a great job with logistics and showing us Quito. Belen was an exceptional guide in Galapagos with a deep knowledge of the fauna and flora. You couldn't be in better hands. Food and accommodation was great too.

We had a genuine passion for visiting this location, and considering the expenses associated with flights, it was important to make the most of our experience. Observing wildlife in their natural habitat while also helping the local economy by visiting local businesses (like coffee and cacao farms, eateries, wood artisans, etc. ) was very important for us. We wanted to avoid a "touristy" experience that could potentially harm or take advantage of the environment we were exploring. The organization and logistics were superb, including transportation between different sites. The itinerary was packed and quite hectic with little downtime, but every activity included was worthwhile. One of the key components of any tour is the guides; Wilson, the tour leader, and Ericka, the official guide for the Galapagos, were both exceptional. Wilson's brother also assisted with some tours, and he was friendly, informative, and engaging. In fact, I would definitely consider booking another tour if they were involved, as they went above and beyond, had great local insights, were good fun, and provided an engaging atmosphere throughout the often lengthy days. Ericka and Wilson collaborated seamlessly to ensure everything ran smoothly, both giving out such positive energy and taking pride in showcasing their country and the Galapagos Islands. This enthusiasm contributed to the happy atmosphere for the entire journey. However, I would advise that some activities required a decent level of fitness, particularly due to the busy nature of the full days along with the walking, biking, and additional activities involved. I would not categorize this trip as "easy," even though I have experience with hiking and activity-based tours! To make the most and enjoy the experience it is good to be reasonably fit or at least expect some level of activity!

This has been a desire of mine since first learning about the Galápagos in the early nineties, when I worked in the travel industry. To finally fulfil this dream had the potential to disappoint—after all, how could reality possibly live up to decades of anticipation? But the truth is, it was everything I had hoped for and so much more.

Wilson and Erikita brought this dream to life in the most wonderful way. Their passion, knowledge, and care made all the difference. They showed us the best and most unique aspects of these extraordinary islands, weaving in stories of the wildlife, the environment, and the people who call this place home. Meeting local families whose livelihoods depend on sustainable tourism added such richness to the journey.

They managed to give our entire group a deeply personal experience, recognising and honouring each person’s individuality. Nothing was ever too much trouble—they went above and beyond with grace, warmth, and professionalism, making every moment feel special and seamless.

This was not just a trip—it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience made unforgettable by two exceptional guides. If the Galápagos is your dream too, this is the way to live it.

This was the best trip I have ever done and I'd recommend it to anyone. It was incredibly well organised and packed in so many activities. Our guides were extremely good - Wilson is a total legend, always happy to help and go the extra mile for us, even arranging activities for our last day in Quito when the official tour had ended. Erickita, who joined us as guide on the Galapagos knew the answer to every question we asked. It's like she knows EVERYTHING! I can't praise both Wilson and Erickita highly enough. My aim for the trip was to see wildlife I hadn't seen before, and take photographs, and I was able to do both of those things on every day. It surpassed my expectations in every way. If you're considering this trip, do it! You won't regret it.

I joined the 10 day tour from Quito in late March 25. The trip was amazing - the itinerary was packed full to enjoy every part of the Galapagos and the experiences provided by the tour were truly unforgettable. The accommodations were to a good standard (especially Santa Cruz) and food was amazing throughout the tour. It was brilliant to visit many locally owned businesses (restaurants, coffee farm, wood sculptors etc). The organisation and logistics were flawless, including transport between places, using hotel rooms in the afternoon (after check out) to shower after snorkelling and planning/timings for each day. The experience was made especially great by the excellent tour guides, Wilson as the tour leader and Ericka as the official Galapagos guide. Ericka and Wilson worked excellently together to ensure everything came together without issue, they also both provided an infectious energy and were very proud to show us their country and the Galapagos. This created the positive vibes for the whole trip.

This trip was magnificent! The itinerary was busy without being exhausting with lots of variety. It was a wonderful mix of adventure, nature and fun and literally ticked every box I had about Quito and the Galapagos and way more. The trip had so much to offer and kept on giving that it surpassed all my expectations. Our legend of a guide Wilson ensured that our experience and happiness was at the forefront of the trip and he went out of his way for all of us. His boundless energy, knowledge and passion for his country was infectious! Erickita joined Wilson as a guide in the Galapagos and what a gem she was - her limitless knowledge and fun equalled Wilson’s to make them a dynamite team. The logistics and organisation of the trip were seamless, the accommodation and food really good. If you want to see wildlife and nature in their home with us as the guests, this trip is not be missed and I would recommend it to everyone! And last shout out to our group who were all mega fun and helped make this an unforgettable trip 😁

Highly recommend this trip to anyone considering visiting the Galápagos Islands. It’s a jam-packed, carefully curated itinerary to ensure you experience the best the islands and Quito have to offer but always with utmost care and consideration to the needs of the group and partners whose services we were using. Our tour guides Wilson, Ericka and Edwin were all of the highest standard, becoming a part of our group and always poised to answer any questions or help with any personal query. I’ve tried a few organised tour companies (Intrepid/G adventures) and while they’re all good, MBA definitely go that extra mile to ensure each transition is seamless and you are well cared for and for good value too - for example the buses to collect us each day and the food was also excellent and well organised! Furthermore - we had such a fun time as a group, having lots of sociable evenings with a shared group chat for all our photos. We all got to know each other well and this was facilitated and driven by the guides. It’s an amazingly beautiful place with stunning nature and wildlife but actually the Ecuadorean people really stood out to me as incredibly friendly and fun-loving. It was a really enjoyable experience and I know I want to go again someday!

This trip was everything we could have hoped for and more. Amazing animal encounters, amazing culture from local people, great food and accommodation from friendly local businesses. As a veggie I ate better in Galápagos than I have anywhere else in South America (it was mainly vegan food) Our MBA guide Wilson and our local guide Erika were the absolute dream team. Unbelievably organised and knowledgeable as well as lots of fun. I could not recommend this trip more highly and only wish it had been longer as while it was totally action packed there was still so much else we could have done. The rating of “easy “ is fair as long as you have reasonable fitness and some confidence on a mountain bike. Thank you to Wilson, Erika and the whole team for one of the best trips of our life.

We have just returned to Quito having completed our MBA adventure and I’m so very sad that it’s over but so very glad I did it. Our guides Wilson and Erika couldn’t have done more for us, even after we left their formal care they continued to help us on our onward journeys. Wilson even arranged for a days more activities for us whilst waiting for flights. The Quito first day tour was very full and really interesting, much more than I expected. Every single transfer and meal was meticulously planned, drivers and vehicles were all absolutely superb. We packed in so much stuff in such a short space of time it was excellent, not much time for being idle. We were lucky and had a wonderful group of people with us, 14 is the max group size and it worked. Snorkelling, cycling and hiking were all brilliant and the islands themselves are utterly breathtaking. You literally see wildlife everywhere and it never gets boring, even to the guides who have a passion to share their knowledge and love for Ecuador and the islands. I have never done group trips before as typically we prefer our own company, but I can assure you this trip is worth every single penny.

A fantastic week led by Wilson and Erica. Both guides were superbly knowledgeable. Nothing was too much trouble. They both went above and beyond to ensure we had a magical trip.

From arrival to departure this was a perfect trip. Galapogos was always going to be good, but our guides Wilson and Ericka went above and beyond and were so helpful and knowledgable; they created a super family atmosphere. Accommodation was all super, meals and transfers good quality and smooth. Can honestly say (the whole group felt this way) the itinerary and execution was faultless. Highly highly recommend the guides and Alam the extra guide for snorkelling. Would do it all again in a heartbeat.

I’ve not been on an organised trip before but this trip had it all. The guides (Edwin, Erickita and Wilson) were all really passionate and knowledgeable about Equador and the Galapagos- it’s such a lovely place, I can see why! The days were full activities, the food was delicious and we had a great group. Would definitely recommend the trip!!

I don’t have the words to describe how wonderful this holiday to the Galapagos Islands was. Our tour guide, Wilson, is THE BEST! He is so attentive, kind, caring, fun, organized, and understanding. The accommodations were clean and cozy. Note the walls are thin everywhere in Ecuador. The activities were just right! You do need to be in shape to be able to participate - the biking riding was somewhat difficult for me. Everything about this holiday was incredible and I have memories that will last into the next lifetime!

Everything about this trip was phenomenal. Erickita and Wilson were enthusiastic, passionate tour guides who took care of all the complex logistics and even arranged a scuba dive for me. The group was also wonderful to travel with. I couldn't all for a better way to spend Christmas!

This was our first ever trip with Much Better Adventures and what an extraordinary adventure ! The Galapagos archipelago is truly a paradise and the amount of wildlife we’ve seen was extraordinary…. . surrounded by marine & land iguanas, sea lions, tortoises & sea turtles, penguins, hundreds of birds included the famous blue footed booby, sharks, all kinds of fish……number 1 trip for nature & photography lovers. We were a small group of 4 and all got on very well, in fact I really do miss our new friends ! We were looked after very well by our local guides Wilson, Edwin, Erickita and our drivers Eric & Panchito even before reaching Ecuador ! Wilson was always there to answer any of my questions months before travelling. There were different activities each day and I really love that MBA tries to work with locals, whether it is a visit to a local family or local restaurants ! Every single day was filled with new adventure and our guides were extremely passionate to share with us local culture and knowledge. Me and my partner stayed c8 days longer in the Galapagos and although we were no longer with MBA are local guides were always happy to give us hints and help us whenever we needed ! Thank you for making this extraordinary trip so special !

Had the most fantastic time in Quito & the Galapagos. We had wonderful tour guides Edwin & Wilson in Quito & Erickita ❤️ in the Galapagos. Everything was well organised, I felt safe as a solo traveller & the guides are genuinely lovely people who are proud of their respective parts of Ecuador - really knowledgeable & passionate about ensuring you have the best experience. We learned so much about Ecuador & the Galapagos & we saw so many wonderful animals. . sea turtles, about 100 sealions (!), penguins, sharks, iguanas ❤️ . I had issues with my luggage & a cancelled flight home ( to do with the airline not MBA) & Wilson/Edwin went out of their way to help me. Some things to note if you book. . . . bring sun block/clothes to cover as the sun is so strong even on cloudy days. I did nt want to cycle & Erickita was more than happy to organise bus/transport for me so I did nt miss out. I'm a vegetarian & there were options available. Such a wonderful experience - don't hesitate to book if you're considering it! Thanks all X x

What an incredible experience! We were able to snorkel with the sharks, sea turtles and sea lions. Our guides Erika, Wilson and Edwin were so welcoming and full of knowledge. Bring your appetite, because if you’re not off doing an activity, you’re eating something delicious

A memorable time in the Galapagos - swimming with sea lions and sharks, kayaking, biking, trekking, seeing the amazing giant tortoises and watching the marine iguanas. We saw and did so much and our guide Erickita was so much fun, knowledgable and a pleasure to be with each day.

What am amazing trip. The day in Quito was great and then off to the Galapagos. So many animals to see, Ericka was a brilliant guide, so positive and knowledgeable and really good fun to be around. This is a packed itinerary so is full on but we came away feeling that we had not missed out on anything. We saw all the animals we expected to. Would recommend this trip.

Amazing it’s beyond photos and any expectations you may have. The guides are extremely good too

I honestly think this is one of the best things I’ve ever done! The actual islands were spectacular and the wildlife spotting is a once in a lifetime experience. What really made the trip special were our local guides who were knowledgable, friendly, thoughtful, and really tried their best to make our trip as good as it possibly could be! In particular our Galapagos guide Ericka was thoroughly wonderful, full of knowledge, and helped create a fun environment throughout. This trip packs a lot - there is little down time, but you’ll get home feeling like you’ve made the most of every moment! The company had selected a great range of local restaurants and the food was overall great and really varied! I also want to emphasise that I felt really safe throughout the trip - both in Quito and on the islands, which was really important to me as a solo traveler. We had a great group dynamic and I really enjoyed getting to know my fellow travelers! Thank you to everyone who made this happen!!

I think I genuinely had some of the best moments of my life on this trip (e.g. swimming with sharks - not something I ever expected I'd do!?) We were lucky enough to see all the animals and wildlife/nature we could have hoped for, and learn lots too. It was a privilege to witness the respect and harmony in which animals and people are living together in the Galapagos. The guides (Wilson, Edwin, and especially Ericka on the islands) were fantastic: knowledgeable, organised, and fun!

The programme, organisation, and communication were great. It was such a luxury to just turn up and not have to do any of the planning, yet still get a once in a lifetime, incredible experience! It was a little fast-paced at times, but not too much and for me that was a good thing because it meant we got to fit loads in. The food was really good too; we went to some lovely restaurants in beautiful settings and vegetarian options were always available. I love that MBA creates autonomy and custom for local guides, businesses, and families, so you get an exclusive and authentic experience, while supporting local communities.

Everyone we met was so friendly and helpful and it just made the trip even more special. If you're into nature, wildlife, adventure, and generally just living your best life, I can't recommend the Galapagos trip highly enough. This was my first time doing a group tour and my advice to anyone thinking about it is: do it!

This trip was fantastic from start to finish - before departing, Wilson was available to answer any questions and put us in touch with each other. During the trip, Wilson, Edwin and Ericka couldn't have done more to make sure we got the best experience possible - from making sure all dietary requirements were met to managing to make sure the weather and animal spotting ticked every item on our bucket list! The programme was fantastic - there was so much to do every day and everything was perfectly organised. The food was brilliant and we ate really well, stayed in lovely accommodation and generally felt very welcome and well-looked after. I can't thank them enough for everything!

The trip to the Galápagos was incredible. It truly belongs to the animals and we were fortunate enough to share it with them for a short time.

Wilson and Edwin were fantastic and helpful in Quito and before the journey. Our guide in Galápagos was Ericka and she was knowledgeable, organised and added to the trip.

I feel so grateful that I had the opportunity to go. I will never forget swimming with sharks or hanging out with tortoises. Trip of a lifetime.

If you have any hesitations in booking this trip, DO IT. You will not regret it.

Trip of a lifetime - as I had hoped it would be. Absolutely first rate from start (and before start) to finish. Just perfect!

The Galapagos Islands were just so stunningly beautiful, they stole your breadth away...

With famous endemic species in abundance wherever you looked it was an animal and nature lovers dream.

Nature or Pacha Mama as they call it there is more interwoven into peoples daily way of thinking on the Galapagos. It was an amazing thing to see and be a part of for a little bit.

The activities and guides were exceptional! Local native people who took great pride in sharing there passion and love of their country and Pacha Mama with guests. Their knowledge was extensive and they enjoyed answering my every question.

In the Galapagos, our guide was Karla. She was completely brilliant in every way and it was a pleasure swimming with sharks with her! Thank you Karla so much.

I then did the Amazon Rainforest add on with Kayaking and Rafting. This was truly awesome in every way imaginable again! So breathtakingly incredible - The Amazon Rainforest...

Kayaking and rafting were for me exhilaratingly adventurous and so much fun, I know I will be going back to do it again! The guide Bene was the most insanely good kayaker and the nicest guy in the world.

I defiantly recommend adding this on to your Galapagos trip if you can.

Then there was the Legend Guide Wilson who looked after me from start to end and looked after my every need with a big smile on his face. We spent many hours chatting and laughing and I would like to thank him for sharing and showing me his incredible country. I know I will be back soon...

The organization and guides were totally on point. Everything ran very smoothly. Heaps of enthusiasm and love for the special place was evident.

I am absolutely blown away by this adventure, it’s been a bucket list destination for years and this was the perfect way to do it. Our guide Zambo was fantastic, an absolute expert who did a great job making our trip memorable, sharing great knowledge and just being awesome. This was really great value for money, accommodation was good and the food was outstanding everyday and every meal. All the activities were great and there was more included than I had expected. The Galapagos is such a special place, I don’t think there is a better way to visit than this trip.