About Us
20 Years of Galapagos Adventure Experience
Galakiwi has grown to become the premier land based tour operator in the Galapagos Islands. Founded by Kiwis, we started back in 2004 to meet the demand for adventurous land tours in the Galapagos and our motto was simple: Galapagos Adventure. Kiwi Spirit.
Today, Galakiwi is a respected Galapagos business, with all of our tours supporting the local economy. We are passionate about the Galapagos Islands and sharing it with each and every traveler that joins a Galakiwi tour. Our head office is based on San Cristobal Island, we're not a big international company; we're the local Galapagos experts. We live, play, and work here every day because we believe it is one of the best places on earth.
While we have travelers who have joined us for many Galapagos adventures, we do understand it is usually a special trip of a lifetime when people travel with us. We're excited to have you join us and we love to hear what made you choose to visit the Galapagos. We've learned that everyone has an interesting story! Perhaps you can tell us your story over freshly brewed Galapagos coffee at our office one morning.
Maybe we are slightly obsessed with the Galapagos, but we think that you'll understand once you visit!
Being a green tour company has always been at the heart of what we do, meaning that we're always conscious of the ecological impact of our operations, as well as those of our local business partners. We work closely with everyone involved in our operations to ensure our impact on the Galapagos environment is minimized. This philosophy extends beyond our office to the restaurants you eat at, the hotels you stay at, the farms you visit, and the boats you ride in.
This passion we have for the Galapagos can also be seen with all of our local support staff and amazing guides. We truly believe our guides are the best! They've all been part of our Galakiwi team for many years and have such a huge knowledge of the wildlife and history of the islands. We've seen many of them raise their families in the Galapagos and we consider them all to be part of our family as well.
Yes, we've grown over the years, but the heart of our company remains the same: to offer people an affordable and quality land based adventure to one the most amazing places on the planet.
The Galakiwi Promise
We at Galakiwi understand that visiting the Galapagos Islands is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most and we continually strive to make our tours a truly unforgettable experience. We offer tours that are not only fun, intriguing and challenging but also educational and intellectually stimulating. You will learn about the cultural and environmental uniqueness of the islands and understand what makes them more delicate than any other place on our planet. Our aim is to provide the highest standards of operational safety, program quality and service reliability possible. Simply put, we want to be the best. Our knowledge, experience, and commitment ensure that you will have an unforgettable experience from start to finish.
We are a direct operator
There is no middle man - it's just you and us. That means you will pay less and have a direct line of communication. By working directly with our clients, we are able to keep our cost low and pass that savings on to you. We don't staff an office full of telemarketers, we don't do paper advertising and we have little overhead. And - when we chat - you'll be talking to Laura, Tim or Crystal.
Been there, done that
We've been at this since the start of land-based touring in the Galapagos Islands and have had plenty of time to work out the kinks, build relationships, and anticipate the challenges of working in an archipelago off the coast of a third world country. Our experience and tenacity mean you get an incredible itinerary that runs smoothly and are connected with the some the best guides in the industry.
On the ground support
We live and work in the islands and in Ecuador - not another country. Our office is in the islands. Our house is just up the street. That means someone is nearby if the need arises and we are up to date and on top of things. And unless we are back home visiting family, that someone will be us.
Relationships
Being able to work on the islands on a day to day basis allows us to build and maintain better relationships with the businesses we interact with to make this type of tour possible. We work hard to keep our ties strong to ensure our clients receive the best there is on all counts.
We know
Restaurants go out of business before a guidebook can be published, visitor sites temporarily close, and the sea lions are more playful at 'this' beach. We make it top priority to be privy to all the happenings so we can make any adjustment necessary to ensure you experience the best of Galapagos.
We offer land-based adventures
Being on a land-based tour has a number of advantages - like having a nice stable bed to crawl into each night after the day's activities. It also offers the opportunity to get "off the beaten track" and experience the islands on a more intimate level. Relaxing sunset strolls, a quiet coffee in a local cafe and a refreshing pre-dinner caipirinha at the beach bar are just a few of the benefits.
Sustainable Responsible Ecotourism and all things green...
Whatever you want to call it, we do our part and try to help you do yours. We support the community in which we operate by utilizing local hotels, restaurants, guides, drivers, divers, captains, and crew - you name it. We strive to reduce waste by using reusable containers and refillable water bottles. We support community endeavors and organize volunteer projects. We are always looking for ways to give back and to improve the environment and culture in which we operate.
By joining us on any of our adventure tours you are directly contributing to the people of the Galapagos Islands. In doing so, you are providing the Galapaguenos with a sustainable income reducing the need for illegal fishing and other activities that can be environmentally destructuve. You are providing inspiration for the locals to be the conservationist needed to maintain the delicate ecosystem and you are contributing to the ongoing preservation of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Are you swelling with pride yet? Read more about our Green Operator practices.
How can you help us in this journey?
Don't forget your water bottle.
Turn your air conditioner off when you leave the room.
Save your long, steamy showers for home.
Read about Green Travel - what it is and how you can do it.
And of course, you can always donate money to one of the many available conservation projects or education processes in the islands.
As green operators, we strive to make decisions that are good for today and tomorrow. Here are just a few of the things we do in our quest for greenness.
We support the locals!
The locals are the stewards of the Galapagos Islands. They have the power to make a profound difference in the future
of the islands and they must be the foundation and at the forefront of any and all conservation movements. They need jobs, they need inspiration, and they need a reason to be the passionate conservationist essential to protecting the Enchanted Isles.
- We hire guides who live on the islands.
- We stay in local accommodations. Most are family owned and operated.
- We eat in local restaurants that are stocked with fresh caught fish and locally grown fruits and vegetables.
- We employ boats and crewmembers that are from the islands.
We minimize our environmental impact
Instead of continually creating the need for carbon off setting, we try to eliminate it. When it can't be eliminated, we reduce.
- We run a near paperless operation. All major communication is done via email and our only form of paper advertising is a business card.
- We relentlessly encourage all our passengers to bring refillable water bottles, which we fill from reusable 5-gallon bottles.
- We use washable food containers, utensils and glasses as much as possible.
- Our boats utilize 4 stroke motors as opposed to 2 stroke motors, which reduce smoke, fuel consumption, and pollution.
- We recycle at home and at the office.
- We walk. Whenever possible, we walk in lieu of taking a cab. It's great exercise and you usually see more.
We give back
We sponsor projects each year that benefit the animals, the landscape or the people of the islands. From leading invasive species eradication projects, participating in coastal cleanups or organizing supplies for the primary schools, we are always on the lookout for ways to help. If you are interested in bringing supplies to donate on your trip, let's chat.
Our philosophy
Our biggest contribution to being green is our mindset, not our checklists. There are abundant opportunities to live a greener life every day in every country. We operate our business and our lives looking for those opportunities and trying to do the right thing because it is the right thing. If that means picking up somebody else's litter, we do it. If it means walking when we really would rather jump in a cab, we do it.
We realize that little things really do add up, actions always speak louder than words, and we must lead by example.
Join us and let the adventure begin.