Island Hopping Adventure in the Galapagos

This was my first MBA trip, and it was genuinely life-changing and an adventure I’ll never forget. From exploring beautiful Quito to experiencing the magic of the Galápagos, every moment felt special. The landscapes, the wildlife, and the sense of adventure were matched only by the amazing people I met along the way.

Several of my fellow travelers were repeat MBA adventurers, and every one of them said this was by far the best MBA trip they’ve ever taken.

Wilson and Edwin were both excellent guides, incredibly knowledgeable, consistently positive, and always willing to share insights about the places we visited. Their enthusiasm and professionalism added so much to the overall experience. Erickita was the real star of the show. Her knowledge is unmatched, her personality is positive and exuberant, and she is incredibly organized. The daily recap texts she sent each evening to remind us what we would need the next day were extremely helpful and made the journey even more enjoyable because we had what we needed, when we needed it.

My only suggestion would be to update the kit list. You don’t need a towel because they were always provided or many long-sleeve shirts. You’ll be in shorts and short sleeves most of the time. One or two UV long-sleeve shirts are perfect for especially hot days in the Galápagos, but otherwise pack light.

I’m so grateful for this experience and will carry these memories with me forever. I can’t recommend this trip enough. 5 stars!!

This was my first MBA holiday and it truly surpassed all my expectations! The itinerary was superb, fitting in lots of activities everyday but it never felt too much. We snorkeled, hiked, biked and kayaked and it was so much fun. We had absolutely superb guides Edwin, Wilson and Erika, who made us feel right at ease, from meeting us at the airport to everything else. They are all so knowledgeable and kind (and great fun!), they truly felt like friends. We saw so many wonderful animals tortoises, turtles (so many!), sharks, blue footed boobys, frigate birds, tropical fish, sea lions, iguanas, it was animal heaven and they are all lounging around, not bothered by people at all. Getting the chance to swim alongside marine iguanas, sea turtles and sea lions will be an experience I will never forget. All the meals were really yummy and they catered well for the veggies in the group. I'm used to organising my own trips, so trusting an organisation to do it for me was a little scary for me but I honestly couldn't have planned it better myself and it was so stress free, all the tickets/domestic flights/hotels/restaurants etc being sorted for us we literally just had to turn up and enjoy the ride! My group also made the experience for me, we all got on so well. I also love so much that they include the local people in experiences and we had the opportunity to visit local people and see the work behind some of the produce, so I know that we were supporting the local economy whilst there.

If you are considering booking this trip, do not hesitate you will not regret it!

I’ve wanted to travel to the Galapagos for a very long time, and I’m so glad I chose MBA to travel with. The organisation was perfect - everything was timed to get the best out of every single day without ever feeling too much. From the tour of Quito through to Galápagos island hopping our guide Wilson made sure we all had everything we needed to have fun, feel safe, and have truly magical experiences from beginning to end. Including handling my suitcase lost in transfer like a pro - Wilson went above and beyond beyond to make sure I was reunited with my clothes as soon as possible and ensure I was sorted in the interim (tip: be better than me and pack hand luggage wisely, especially with a short flight transfer window!!). Our guide for Galápagos, Ericka, was absolutely outstanding - her encyclopaedic knowledge and passion for the islands as well as fun energy and genuine care for us as a group made the trip extra special, and something I will never forget. Great people, great landscape, magical memories and outstanding hospitality across all the team - including local businesses, craftsmen, hotels, and more. Massive thanks to all the team for creating such a fantastic trip, and highly recommend anyone thinking about it to get booking!

This trip will be a forever-memory for me! It was genuinely perfect in every way. To be able to step into a world filled with natural beauty, surrounded by what I consider to be friends: my wonderful guides, Wilson and Erika and my fellow travellers, was a very special experience I will never forget! Thank you so much!

This is my 7th MBA trip and I don’t think it was possible to make this a more well-organised trip, everything was planned meticulously to where we did several different activities each day. The activities we did were varied and well-balanced, with a mixture of hiking, cycling, kayaking and swimming/snorkelling to see the various landscapes and animals the Galapagos has to offer. The amount of wildlife I saw also greatly surpassed any of my expectations, I saw so many sea lions and their babies, iguanas (both marine and land), lizards, geckos, birds (of course many Blue-footed boobys), a hummingbird, many turtles, tropical fish, so many sharks and so forth! The day out in Quito with Edwin and Wilson was also varied, I particularly enjoyed the cathedrals and the equator museum!

In terms of packing, I would definitely recommend packing and using as much as possible sunscreen (our guides were always making sure we did) and long-sleeved tops and thin hiking trousers worked a treat during the kayaking and hiking days. If you have a protection sleeve for your phone or a go-pro then that’ll work a treat for filming underwater.

The accommodation and food was excellent, there was always a selection of options available to choose from for me and I always felt the quality was very good. On Isabela and Santa Cruz islands we went to several different restaurants for lunch and dinner, each with its own style and selection of food which I found exciting and new each time. Speaking on this, I really appreciate the fact that we went to a range of local businesses run by local people, not chains, for our accommodation and food. It added real authenticity to the trip.

I really must praise my guides Wilson, Erika and Edwin once again for their spectacular hosting and care. Wilson stayed with our group throughout the trip and really did pull all the stops to make this an organised, fun and safe trip for us. He is also a really kind person and an absolute pleasure to spend time with and talk to. Erika is extremely knowledgeable about the islands, able to answer any question thrown at her with passion and enthusiasm, I learnt so much from her and had fun in the process!

Thank you to ‘mi familia’, aka my guides and my group, for making this a trip to remember. I wholeheartedly recommend this trip and if you are thinking of booking go for it, you won’t regret it!

Exceeded my expectations on every level! Wilson, Edwin, and Ericka are the most knowledgeable and organized guides I’ve ever had. I never felt in a rush to take pictures and they have every experience you could want on this trip! Local artisans, so many beautiful landscapes, biking, snorkeling and hiking activities keep you moving but not worn out. We saw so many animals and learned so much in a short amount of time. The food was also amazing and great variety. Wilson and Ericka have the most positive and laid back vibes while executing every single meal, activity, and transfer flawlessly. They went above and beyond to accommodate everyone’s needs from lost luggage to food allergies. I could not speak more highly of this trip, if you were hesitant about booking, definitely book it!

This was the trip of a lifetime! The itinerary was excellent and incredibly varied—we saw so much wildlife and really felt like we experienced the best the Galapagos has to offer. ​The staff made the experience 10/10. Ericka and Wilson were amazing guides—their passion for nature is huge and they taught us so much. Our driver, Panchito, was also wonderful and so friendly. The whole team just has such great energy. ​Do not hesitate to book this; it is a very special adventure that you won't regret.

One of the most amazing trips all around. There was much beauty and uniqueness to experience. The guides (Wilson, Edwin and Ericka) were all so very kind and helpful and were so knowledgeable about the area and animals and made sure we were able to really see everything we possibly could, including spending time with local craftsman and farmers. Their joy and happiness made the trip so enjoyable and fun. This is not one to me miss!

This is one of the best trips I've ever had - smoothly organised from start to finish, included so many meals, activities and experiences, and with such fun and kind guides. I will never forget the people on this trip and the sheer wonder of the Galapagos.

Fantastic trip! Wilson and Ericka were outstanding. so well organized fun and knowledgable! We saw and learned so much- live my new family!

Fantastic trip. I enjoyed every minute. . . great group of people, wonderful guides.

Wilson and Stefania were without exception the best and most organised guides I’ve ever been on a trip with. Everything went exceptionally smoothly and done with great care. Stefanias Galapagos knowledge is endless. She knew the answer to every question put to her without fail. The itinerary had trip itself was full of great activities and things to see. Well put together and planned. I would definitely use MBA again.

We had a lovely holiday! The food was amazing, the group was so nice and the guides did a great job. I can highly recommend this adventure!

Loved every minute of this trip. Wilson and our guide Stephanie were brilliant. From walking, wildlife spotting, kaycking and more. Spotting the Marine Iguanas fighting was my favourite memory of this trip with an absolutely brilliant group of people. Being veggie the food was amazing. Wish I was still there!

Wilson and Stefania were amazing! Had a great time on this trip. They made sure everything was taken care of perfectly.

Make sure to pack extra snacks, as it's an active trip and you might want to fuel in between meals!

I just finished the Galapagos tour and honestly cannot describe in words how wonderful it was to experience Ecuador in this way and with such a great bunch of people. The tour is jam packed with lots of activities but all are run seamlessly by Wilson and his team and our guide Stefanie was so knowledgeable that I was able to learn so much on the islands. Thank you to the tour guides and company for creating such a memorable trip, you’re all incredible!

This was our first time doing a longer group adventure and would highly recommend MBA. The itinerary was varied and well paced, with plenty of activities and fun things to do that had we been travelling alone we wouldn't have necessarily sought out but are so glad we experienced!

This itinerary has been really thoughtfully designed to feed back into the local economy and local people of the galapagos and this was something that I hadn't appreciated when booking but really differentiates this trip from others and is excellent.

We saw a huge variety of animals and experienced the magic of the galapagos from land and sea. The activities (hiking, cycling, snorkeling, kayaking) all helped you see more and get involved - I loved seeing the volcanic landscapes with tortoises and iguanas everywhere!

The hotels were clean and comfortable and the food was tasty and plentiful (including multiple vegetarian choices!)

The guide, Wilson is fantastic and took care of all the logistics. He communicated clearly and sorted out everything! He's a lovely guy who has so much passion for his country and this trip. Our other guides Edwin and Stefania were also excellent. Thank you to everyone!

An amazing trip, with incredible wildlife, volcanic landscapes and insights into local culture of the Galapagos islands and Ecuador. Our guide Wilson was fantastic - everything was seamlessly organised, he was always on hand to help with questions or requests and the itinerary was a great balance of trips and social time.

I've just returned from this amazing trip and would highly recommend it. The itinerary is varied, with a mix of local tours in Quito followed by cycling, hiking and snorkelling in the Galapagos whilst always on the lookout for unique wildlife. It's quite a busy trip but you feel like you're making the most of the time in these beautiful places (you can also opt out of activities if you prefer). The food was tasty and plentiful (I'm a vegetarian and there were always lots of options with multiple courses per meal, mainly included in the price of the tour)

A special shout-out to Wilson and the rest of the team (Edwin and Stefania were great guides - very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful - plus all drivers were arranged seamlessly and were also very friendly and helpful). Wilson really went above and beyond both before the trip started and throughout. His organisation and attention to detail were faultless, nothing was too much trouble and he had an enthusiasm and passion for his country which I'm lucky to have been a part of. Thank you to Wilson and MBA for this incredible holiday!

This trip was amazing! Every day was organised perfectly - full of activities, but the pace was perfect and we didn’t feel rushed. The variety is great too, from the Quito city trip to hiking a volcano and snorkelling - we were lucky enough to find sea turtles!

Our guides Wilson, Stefania and Edwin were brilliant - so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Anything you needed or question you had, they were able to help.

It was my first MBA trip and I will definitely book with them again. Everything was straightforward and all you have to do is show up and have a great time!

If you are thinking of booking this trip then do it! What a wonderful experience. The guides were excellent, so knowledgeable and full of energy. Such a brilliant time, would definitely go back!!

This tour was truly extraordinary from start to finish. From tour guide Wilson personally picking me up from the airport at 3:30 in the morning, to his brother Edwin taking us on the most detailed and interesting city tour, and then of course being guided through the incredible Galapagos by Erika - I truly cannot fault this itinerary! The passion and knowledge the guides have for their country is so evident in everything they do, felt so special to be immersed in the local culture and support local businesses in doing so! Erika’s in depth knowledge of all things Galapagos including wildlife, landscapes, politics, flora and fauna, was phenomenal! Not only that, she was incredibly personable. She even went above and beyond constantly taking pictures for us and even getting some underwater footage whilst we snorkelled! If you’re considering coming to Ecuador and the Galapagos - this tour is a must!

I had an absolutely excellent experience on this trip to Ecuador with Much Better Adventures. The itinerary struck the perfect balance between sightseeing, cultural immersion, and staying active—it never felt rushed, but every day was full and meaningful.

Special shout-out to Erickita in the Galápagos Islands—she is simply amazing. She takes the time to get to know her guests so well that she can almost anticipate your food choices before you order. Her deep knowledge of the islands, warmth, and willingness to go the extra mile made the Galápagos portion unforgettable.

In Quito, Wilson and Edwin were equally fantastic. They shared so much insight into the history and culture, and even tried to work in the cable car ride because I kept asking about it—a thoughtful gesture that really showed how much they care about their guests.

The staff at Much Better Adventures clearly love what they do, and it shows in the quality of the experiences they provide. My best advice? Go! You’ll enjoy every minute of it.

Honestly could not recommend this trip enough. The trip was organised so perfectly, jam packed full of amazing adventures. The itinerary is packed full but in the best way. With so many actives including hiking, snorkelling and visiting local businesses. It is definitely something I would not be able to organise alone ! Shoutout to the guides Wilson and Erika who made this trip.

Bucket list location for me and being able to see it through local people and family business made it even more special. Cannot recommend MBA enough and will 100% be booking my next tour !

Incredible trip that wouldn't have been possible without the guides, Wilson and Erica. I feel the itinerary and kit list prepared me properly, and anything else was easily managed along the way with the guides. I met so many amazing people, saw some beautiful sights, and got up close with lots of different animals. This is my second MBA trip, and I will definitely be book again.

Me and my wife chose this trip for our honeymoon and it did not disappoint! All of the guides were incredible and the meticulous planning that went into this trip was perfect. We didn’t have to worry about anything as it was all organised for us to perfection. The trip gave us a really authentic view into Quito and the Galapagos and it was amazing to support the local families which are the backbone of these islands. We made memories that will last a lifetime and we can’t thank our guides Wilson, Edwin and Erika enough. They really made this trip and their knowledge of the regions and the wildlife were flawless. Special shoutout to Wilson who may be the nicest person on the planet and who’s passion for this trip really passed onto the whole group. The positive vibes flowed through the trip without fail!

A great trip with Wilson and the team. The Galapagos is an incredible destination, made even better with the quality of organisation on this trip. Everything ran smoothly and our hosts went out of their way to make us feel welcome and looked after. The activities were great fun, snorkelling with sharks being the highlight for me. I would absolutely consider another holiday with MBA after this great experience.

Truly the trip of a lifetime. Our guide Wilson took it from nice to exceptional - he was fun and friendly but equally professional and attentive at the same time. Logistics were extremely well-organised, you never had to wait. The local guide Ericka was very knowledgeable about the Galápagos, and proud to share their culture with us.

The itinerary is packed but enough so you feel productive not rushed, there is enough time to relax and take everything in. Highlights were hiking up the volcanoes and snorkelling with the turtles and fish (first time for me) - they took great care to make me feel safe.

Beyond my expectations - an unforgettable experience. Thank you Wilson and Ericka!

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!!!