THINKGALAPAGOS

10/06/2025

📣 In praise of the hummingbird - new blog alert!

I don’t think I will ever forget the first time I saw a hummingbird. With their iridescent feathers, rapid wingbeats, and dazzling aerial acrobatics, hummingbirds are often an unexpected highlight of a trip to Ecuador and feature heavily in the photo albums of our guests. Hummingbirds are quite an assault on the senses, not only a visual treat, but they do also literally hum and if you are lucky enough to get really close you can feel the gentle breeze of their wings as they fly close past you.

In fact in recent weeks anyone who has been following us on Facebook and Instagram will have been treated to some amazing pictures that a couple of our guests have sent us during their stay in the beautiful cloud forest area of Mindo. Just two hours drive from Quito, Mindo is one of my favorite places on the planet. Aside from the beautiful tropical forest dripping with orchids and bromeliads, one of the things I really love about Mindo is the incredible array of hummingbird species you can see.

In fact, Ecuador is one of the best places on Earth to observe these tiny, vibrant birds; the country is home to over 130 species of hummingbird — more than any other country relative to its size.

Read our top 10 hummingbird facts on our latest blog: https://thinkgalapagos.com/amazing-hummingbird-facts-and-the-best-places-to-see-them-in-ecuador/

03/06/2025

Who doesn't love a dolphin? While not endemic to the Galapagos Islands, they are frequent visitors and a delight to those who witness them. Read all about the cetaceans of Galapagos with Galapagos Conservation Trust ☺🐬🌎

The Cromwell current’s upwelling in the western waters of Galapagos draws in many residents and transient marine species including dolphins.

While not native to the Archipelago, three species of dolphin – bottlenose, spinner and common dolphins – pay frequent visits to the Islands and are the most commonly seen cetacean in Galapagos: tinyurl.com/CetaceansofGalapagos

📷 ©️ Jonathan Green

29/05/2025

My year getting close to a Sycamore Tree 🌳...

Sunset walks in the spring and summer are just the best thing. There's a calmness in the evening and the most wonderful light with which to reflect on the day that has just passed. Here's my tree in full leaf (and life) as the sun sets behind it on Beverley Westwood.

27/05/2025

We've just received the most lovely review from a new guest, Victoria Nadel who travelled with us in Ecuador and Galapagos this month. She included stays at Hacienda Zuleta and El Monte Lodge in addition to her Galapagos cruise on the Tip Top II.

Victoria also left us the most detailed and wonderful feedback on Trip Advisor which you can read a snippet of here...

I just got back from my travels in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands which was arranged and organized by the incredible Rachel Dex at Think Galapagos. People talk all the time about a trip of a lifetime, but honestly that is the only way to describe this beautiful, interesting, and absolutely delightful adventure. Before the plans were made, Rachel spent a ton of time in emails and on the phone really getting to know me and what I was hoping for on this trip - and that made all the difference.

I had a wonderful guide and driver who met me at the airport in Quito and showed me around the city the following day. They then traveled with me to drop me off at El Monte, a sustainable lodge in the cloud forest. If you can do it, GO - El Monte is amazing.

From there, my trusty driver Renato, and lovely guide, Anna, picked me up and brought me to my next stop - Hacienda Zuleta, a 16th century working farm (with a condor rescue on site!) in the Andes mountains. It was beautiful (and also very luxurious). After that, one last night in Quito and then I was taken to the airport to head out to the Galapagos.

There are no words for the islands that do them justice - every day I found myself questioning if I was still on the same planet. Animals with no fear of humans to the point that sea lions swim with you by their own choice in the wild, unusual plant life that is different from island to island, albatross mating, red-footed, blue-footed, and nazca boobie birds everywhere, the constant companionship of the majestic frigatebirds, and so much more.

Here's a link to read the full review: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297532-d7267736-Reviews-Think_Galapagos-Santa_Cruz_Galapagos_Islands.html

25/05/2025

What a treat....! Some more wonderful photos from guests currently travelling in Ecuador 😍

These are from our guest Tony who says....

"Hello Rachel - here’s our photo album for Ecuador … so far have just uploaded some bird photos. All of them were photographed in one morning as we visited the Cock-of-the-Rock lek. Local guide George was amazing in his helpfulness and abilities."

See more photos here...
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCdPkW

23/05/2025

This will brighten up your Friday!

These amazing pictures of hummingbirds were taken by our lovely guest Kaye who has been staying this week at in Ecuador's Cloud Forest. This is one of our absolute favourite places to visit in Ecuador and a brilliant place to spot many species of hummingbird as well as lots of other wildlife.

We recommend a stay at El Monte for many of our guests before they travel onto the Galapagos Islands as it's just a few hours drive from Quito but seems a world away from the busy human world.

Have a great weekend everybody 😍

21/05/2025

is a very special place in the heart of Ecuador's Amazon, owned by the local indigenous community. Many of our guests combine a visit here with a trip to the Galapagos for a completely different immersion in wildlife.

Napo lodge enjoys a stunning location by the side of a secluded lake, with an incredible bird list of 568 species, spectacular parrot licks and a network of trails. The lodge itself is beautiful with local architecture, hardwood floors and well considered amenities providing as much luxury as you would ever want in the Amazon. The main dining area, library and bar all have fantastic views across the lake. One of the highlights of your stay will be the 36 meter (120 ft) high Canopy Tower that gives superb access to the forest canopy, where around half of all life in the rainforest lives.

The lodge also offers some wonderful mammal sightings, with upwards of six species of monkey observed from the dining hall tower area in a single afternoon. Giant Otters are also frequently seen and Capybara come into the lodge compound almost every night. One of the things that makes Napo truly special are the small group sizes, groups are no larger than eight, and sometimes as small as two or three and each group is accompanied by a local guide as well as a bilingual naturalist.

We love this place and encourage guests to consider a stay here as part of their Ecuador trip. Why not contact us to find out more?

20/05/2025

Who has seen David Attenborough's film 'Ocean'? He details how vital the oceans are to the health of our planet - and our fight against climate change. We strongly urge you to watch it.

This blog from Galapagos Conservation Trust explains the concept of 'blue carbon' detailed in the film and the role that marine animals play. It's a great read if you have a few minutes ☺

14/05/2025

My year getting close to a Sycamore Tree 🌳...

Sycamore trees hit the global headlines last week due to the conviction of the men who felled the iconic sycamore gap tree in Hadrian's well in the North of England. This mindless vandalism of a natural being really hit a nerve with many people and rightly caused a huge reaction. Many people feel a deep connection to nature and trees. In fact, they love them and are deeply upset when they are damaged and killed. And why not? They are magnificent beings who we have reciprocal relationship with; they breathe out oxygen, we breathe it in. We breathe out carbon dioxide, they breath it in. We are connected in the circle of life and breath.

So here is my local sycamore, in glorious full leaf with a very impressive crown! The leaves are soft and a vivid green, which you can see on the close up picture. It is a thing of beauty and awe.

Remember to notice and love your local trees when you're next out and about! Why not share a pic of your favourite? We'd love to see it!

14/05/2025

A very interesting listen on what's being done to tackle plastic pollution in the Galapagos Islands with the Galapagos Conservation Trust.

12/05/2025

NEW Galapagos Biosafety Sworn Declaration process – all you need to know❗️

The Galapagos Biosafety and Quarantine Control Agency has always required guests to complete a biosafety sworn declaration before entering the Galapagos Islands to protect the Islands from invasive species brought in by visitors. Until now this has been a paper form which guests complete on the flight out to Galapagos. As from the start of December last year, the authorities introduced a new digital process requiring all travellers aged 18 and over to complete and submit an online Sworn Declaration form.

Read our latest blog to find out exactly how to fill in the form ahead of your visit to Galapagos: https://thinkgalapagos.com/the-galapagos-biosafety-sworn-declaration-all-you-need-to-know/

06/05/2025

We just LOVE this review that we received from a very happy guest who travelled to Ecuador with us recently, so thought we would share 😍.

"We really can’t thank you enough for your help and guidance in planning our trip to Ecuador. It was truly a trip of a lifetime and we couldn’t be happier with each place you recommended and how it all turned out.

We loved everything about Sani Lodge, including that it was run by the indigenous Kichwa. The accommodations and food were amazing for being in the middle of the Amazon. We met world-renown scientists while there, which was very cool. We also had no idea that our group of four would have our own dedicated guide, who was fabulous btw. It was an unbelievable experience and the assistance at the airports was so smooth and helpful!

As far as the Angel and our time in the Galapagos, it was spectacular. First class, five star, amazing. It was luxurious to be in a group of 16 (from all over the world and we meshed beautifully). Our guide, Alejandra Camacho was superb, not only in finding and identifying animals, but in gently controlling the group. We loved the crew! When we returned from an excursion, they would great us back on board with a soft towel, a cool cloth or something to drink. We felt very pampered. It was super fun, and extremely well organized. And, of course, the Galapagos islands were amazing. Our itinerary took us to less visited areas and the days were packed with activity. The snorkeling was the best we have ever had.

What a spectacular trip and again, we can't thank you enough for your suggestions and arrangements!"

Thank you David, it means the world to us that you had such a memorable trip