Galakiwi tour agency takes you to spots and places off the beaten track, giving a full and rich Galapagos experience. Possessing ample local knowledge, the four-year young tour company can take you to the places other agencies don’t know about, including deserted beaches, quiet snorkel points and trendy places to eat or drink.

The tour agency bases itself on the principal that you see the islands both on land and at sea, with a more active itinerary. Many travellers believe that the only way that you can enjoy the Galapagos on a cruise ship, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Galakiwi bases the trip on small doses of different activities that are designed to push you to your own capacity. In truth, everyone is capable of doing everything on the trip regardless of age or gender, but the challenging aspect is certainly there.  No activity is compulsory, yet, essentially, the more you do the more value for money you receive.

Snorkeling

Arguably the most exciting aspect of the tour is the snorkeling, where on your private boat you visit some of the truly great sites. Simple but effective, swimming with the Galapagos sea creatures is thrilling and adrenaline provoking. Below the surface of the water is a hidden world of intriguing aquatic wildlife, one that is unique only to the Galapagos Islands.

Perhaps the creature you are most likely to bump into is the Sea Lion. These precious creatures are similar in many ways to an affectionate Labrador. Their movement on land is comparable to a lazy adolescent lying around on a Sunday afternoon, sleeping away and reluctantly poking up their head when they hear something. But their true quality is beneath the water.

Sea Lions offer no warning when they slide up behind or bolt in front of you. It is natural to jump and be fearful, but in reality all they want to do is play. Once your heartbeat begins to drop you can begin to appreciate their playful movement. With just one flip of its tail, a Sea Lion will whisk its way around you, stretching and arching its back in a sharp and accurate manner. You can get close enough to look these wonderful creatures in the eyes and have your moment with a new friend. The more you relax the more comfortable Sea Lions will be with you.

Galakiwi takes you to some of the most isolated spots throughout the Galapagos Islands. The challenges are inspiring, but not impossible. Kicker Rock, a 150-metre high volcano, made thousands of years ago beneath the seabed and just off the coast of San Cristobal, is without doubt one of these challenges. The rock has been split into two parts, leaving a 10 metre wide ‘hallway’ through the middle. The hallway induces swells of up to 30ft and anyone is forgiven for feeling anxious before jumping in, especially when you are told of what you can see. Although harmless, Galapagos Sharks are found in the gap along with Marine Turtles and Manta Rays. The colours of the fish, coral and conches are also remarkable.

During the long journey to San Cristobal and Isabela the tour stops at Floreana for some of the best snorkeling in the Galapagos. Again, this place is away from any well-known tourist location. Being a natural environment there are no guarantees that you will see everything, yet it is more than possible to witness a school of velvet stingrays. On this particular there were 20 or so swimming together peacefully moving between the rocks searching for food.

A lagoon on Isabela is also breathtaking. You are almost certain to see a Marine Turtle and if you are lucky you will be able to swim along side it. Sea creatures are wonderfully gracefully, everything moves in a slow and gentle well-timed manner. Arguably the best example of this is a Tiger Stingray, its' beating wings steady but effective, pushing through the mist of the Pacific seabed in a precise motion.

The hike to Sierra Negra Volcano 

The hike besides the volcano is also breathtaking. The crater is the second largest in the world, measuring a circumference of 25 kilometers. It takes a total of two days to walk the whole way around this magnificient volcano. The volcano is active with the last eruption occuring in 2005, it is said that locals came up to the edge and watched as lava spitted and bubbled out.

Land adventures

Galakiwi tours find peaceful spots away from other tourists, making the whole experience truly special. If there are too many people in one place the Galakiwi team will find another place as, on the whole, they go where other people don’t.

One such place is Carola beach on San Cristobal, one of the first places you visit on the tour that is brilliantly timed introducing you to the Galapagos. There are normally a 100 Sea Lions crashed out on beach and as you look out to sea, with the breeze blowing on face, you think 'now I’ve arrived to the Galapagos'.

Although the Islands are portrayed as hot and barren, at 800m above sea level the climate totally changes to a lush-green and cold environment. It is here, at this altitude, that you find the Giant Tortoise. They have to be seen to be believed. Upon the first sighting your group will shout out in excitement at that huge shell, the paper like skin and the fact that each one weighs the equivalent of two grown men.

In between visits to various museums, including the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you learn how the animals are being protected, you go mountain biking, have fantastic nights out with your group and meet the genuine locals of the islands.

Food and accommodation

It is so easy for tour operators to be complacent and choose the cheaper end of the market for places to stay, or choose the over commercialised hotels and restaurants.  This cuts out any chance of meeting the locals or trying the local cuisine. Galakiwi, on the other hand, pull out all the stocks by booking smart places to eat and stay, which give priority to showing the true Galapagos island life. One of the best nights you have as a group is the beach BBQ at Beto’s Bar on Isabela. It is one of the most perfect spots you could ever imagine to wash down the fresh catch with one of the Island's native drinks.

Atmosphere

Tim Cooney and Nick White are the two faces of Galakiwi that direct proceedings. Both from New Zealand, they always make every effort to include everyone on the trip, even if perhaps there are some activities that are a little out of people’s depth. They are a tremendous team, and by having regular meals and meetings together, they create a very close and friendly atmosphere in their respective groups. By the end of the week you will have experienced the most incredible things with your group that subsequently bonds people together in a truly distinctive way. Both in their early 30’s they are exceptionally fit, meaning they take part in everything you do, meaning that you always feel safe in the water or half way up a volcano.

Socially and environmentally responsible

Galakiwi are aware that they have responsibilities that they must carry out during their tours. The majority of cruise ships sail the islands keeping the passengers for the best part on the boat. Subsequently, this means that tourists spend the majority of their money on the boat. Galakiwi, however, assure that the money remains on the Islands. “We use local restaurants, local hotels, local guides, all local services with the majority of money staying in the islands,” says Nick.

Environmentally Galakiwi are aware that the islands are in danger of over population that could ultimately be the death of the popular tourist destination. “We make it clear that people aren’t allowed to touch the animals,” says Nick. “We just want people to watch and observe the animals in their environment.” Our local naturalist guides and tour leaders ensure this.

Marine Turtles are remarkable in this respect. At one time, there were eight people watching a turtle on the seabed with their cameras roughly 10ft below. The turtle, however, was not scared by the human presence and remained calm.

Although one of the more expensive tours, Galakiwi cannot be faulted for the effort it puts in to fulfilling peoples dreams. “I think the difference between us and other tour agencies is that we care a great deal about our customers,” says Nick. “In the four-years that we’ve been doing the tours we haven’t had a single complaint.”