Land based tours of the Galápagos
These Galápagos tours put tourist funds where they’re needed most: into the pockets of local people, the Galapagueños. Staying on land gives visitors a fuller understanding of the islands’ natural habitats as well as delving deeper into the cultural history and the day to day lives of around 30,000 human inhabitants. Land based tours encourage travellers to make the most of the inhabited islands of San Cristóbal, Floreana, Isabela and Santa Cruz, staying in locally owned hotels and guesthouses where you’ll experience the marketplaces, cafes and coastal village restaurants.
Our Galapagos Holidays
Galapagos land based adventure holiday
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater
Galapagos adventure holiday
An active Galapagos Islands adventure holiday
Galapagos activity & wildlife holiday, land based
Tailor-made land-based activity holiday in Galapagos
Classic Galapagos Island hopping
Highlights of the Galapagos, discover the main Islands
Flexible Galapagos Islands tailor made tour
Your choice of four to eight-day land-based adventure
Galapagos multi activity holiday
An amazing adventure Galapagos Multi-sports
Galapagos activity holiday
Trek, bike, kayak and snorkel on this fantastic adventure
Ecuador and Galapagos tour
Explore the Andean landscapes in Ecuador and the Galapagos
Galapagos & Ecuador holiday for families
Active family holiday in Ecuador and Galapagos
Budget Ecuador and Galapagos holiday, 23 days
Experience all of Ecuador for travelers on a budget
Galapagos Islands holiday
Home to many interesting species of endemic wildlife
Galapagos islands conservation volunteering
Help with conservation in the most beautiful place on Earth
Galapagos Islands adventure tour
The original Galapagos Land Based Tour
Tailor made tours Ecuador and Galapagos
Explore Quito, Cloud Forest, Santa Cruz & remote islands
Galapagos & Ecuador tailor made holiday
Discover Ecuador & The Galapgos Islands in this all in trip
Galapagos and Amazon Wildlife holiday
Combining the best wildlife of the Galapagos and the Amazon
Ecuador holiday, Quito & the Galapagos
Experience Quito & the Galapagos Islands
Galapagos family holiday, hotel based
Fantastic Galapagos Islands Family Adventure Holiday
Galapagos island hopping tailor made holiday
Hop between islands on this innovative lodge-based holiday
Galapagos tailor made holidays
An adventure in the Galapagos to see the amazing wildlife
Galapagos tailor made adventure holiday
Explore Galapagos Islands; active tour and cosy hotels
Galapagos tailor made holiday
Discover wildlife upclose & personal, guided by Galapagueños
“Being land based, we got a good chance to absorb the different atmosphere and observe the way of life on the islands. We visited Santa Cruz’s fish market early in the morning, watched pelicans beg for scraps, ate wonderful seafood in local restaurants and bumped into sea lions on the way home from the pub… experiences that you might not get on a liveaboard. All the islands we stayed on were inhabited and we stayed in the ‘main towns’, often with sandy streets and a sleepy feel.”
What are the benefits of a Galápagos land based holiday?
If you're not keen on spending too much time at sea, the benefits of a land based tour are quite apparent. For instance, you don't have to worry as much about sea conditions – which tend to be rougher from June to November. Land based tours are also highly recommended for families, as they alleviate the pressure of being cooped up on a boat. There are also no rigid sailing itineraries, and plenty more freedom for children to run around and explore in their own time. Staying on dry land, as a family, can also make things feel a whole lot more familiar too and settle children, and parents, who may feel they have to keep an eye on younger kids while they are up on deck.Our top Galapagos Holiday
Galapagos land based adventure holiday
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater
Two or three departure dates each week
When is the best time to go on a Galápagos land based tour?
The majority of animals breed and nest during February, March and April, to coincide with spring flowers and insects, perfect for hiking trips, whereas giant tortoises hatch during November and December. Rougher sea conditions, including strong currents, from June to November, often cause sailing ships to batten down their hatches however, for land based travellers, cooler temperatures and a lack of rain signal a good time to go to the Galápagos without the crowds and without the humidity.
“Land based trips on the Galápagos are run throughout the year however, I'd advise avoiding July and August if you're not good with rougher and colder seas. Although it's a land based trip we travel between islands on speed boats which can bump around on heavy seas. There is no 'best time' for wildlife – you can see everything throughout the year.”