Galapagos Islands Tours for Seniors
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10 best trips for 'over 50s' in Galapagos Islands
Compiled by
NadineGalapagos Islands travel expert at TourRadar
- Independent Galapagos at the Finch Bay Resort
- Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
- Galapagos Ultimate 6 Days Tour
- Galápagos Island Hopping (6 destinations)
- Galapagos Island Hopping Diving Budget Experience 8D/7N
- Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary D)
- Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary A)
- Galapagos Islands Explorer - 7 days
- Galapagos Island Hopping
- Galapagos Experience
The Galápagos unfolds gently from Finch Bay Eco Hotel. Short walks wind through El Manzanillo's tortoise reserve and Charles Darwin Research Station, while yacht trips reveal North Seymour's frigate colonies and South Plaza's iguanas.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Seymour Norte, Santa Cruz Island, Guayaquil Age Range up to 80 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Globus From
- NZ$10,179+$356 upfront costs
Aboard Galápagos Legend, gentle walks lead to North Seymour's seabird colonies. Wildlife viewing comes naturally at San Cristóbal's Giant Tortoise Reserve, with stunning views of Bartolomé's volcanic landscapes.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Seymour Norte, Bartolomé Island, South Plaza Island, San Cristóbal Island, Guayaquil Age Range up to 80 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Shared Operator Globus From
- NZ$8,035+$356 upfront costs
Galapagos Ultimate 6 Days Tour
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had a great time. Covid 19 didn't affect our vacation. All our guides, drivers and the people of Ecuador were doing everything right to avoid covid.”
Sandra, traveled in December
Duration 6 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Leon Dormido, Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Physical Rating Easy Room Type Singles, Shared Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
- NZ$2,310
Galápagos Island Hopping (6 destinations)
41 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic experience. The trip run smoothly and ensure that everyone got what they wanted.”
Rozlyn, traveled in June
The Galápagos reveals itself through moderate walks at Tortuga Bay and Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. Snorkeling opportunities await at Las Grietas and Loberia. Local hotels and community guesthouses serve as bases while naturalist guides share their expertise.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $5,139
35% Off- NZ$3,340You save $1,799
The Galápagos beckons with free days for optional diving. Tijeretas Hill and Charles Darwin Station offer peaceful walking routes. Rest easy in budget accommodations between island boat transfers.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Bamba Travel From
35% Off- NZ$2,145
The Archipel I's sundeck serves as a perfect wildlife observation platform. Peaceful walks at Fausto Llerena Center and Witch Hill beach blend with intimate panga rides at Gardner Bay and Lobos Islet.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Seymour Norte, Genovesa Island, Bartolomé Island, Santiago IslandSee all destinations Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Room Type Shared Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
35% Off- NZ$12,320
The stable Archipel I catamaran makes Black Turtle Cove's wildlife viewing accessible to all. Serene walks at the Interpretation Centre complement the experience, with convenient panga transfers to shore.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, South Plaza Island, Santa Fé Island, Floreana Island, Santa Cruz Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Baltra IslandSee all destinations Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Room Type Shared Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
35% Off- NZ$12,320
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Lobos Island Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Singles, Shared Operator On The Go Tours From
35% Off- NZ$4,805
Galapagos Island Hopping
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Our itinerary was perfect and allowed us a variety of experiences and animal interactions.”
Paula, traveled in June
Naturalist guides introduce La Loberia's snorkeling sites, Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Center, and Charles Darwin Station. Well-situated hotels across San Cristóbal, Floreana, Isabela and Santa Cruz islands serve as ideal bases.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Cristóbal Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,755
30% Off- NZ$2,629+$382 local paymentsYou save $1,126
Galapagos Experience
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Seeing giant iguanas and enormous tortoises is something I shall never forget!”
Travis, traveled in October
Three Galapagos islands offer a mix of activity and leisure. Optional excursions include snorkeling at Concha y Perla or visiting Las Tintoreras. Comfortable hotels serve as bases while exploring Charles Darwin Station and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre at your own pace.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Physical Rating Moderate Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,130
25% Off- NZ$1,598+$382 local paymentsYou save $532
What people love about Galapagos Islands Tours for Seniors
Excellent tour, a great experience of the Galapagos Islands. An action packed week with some great treks and sights, such a beautiful place and experience.
Galápagos Island Hopping (6 destinations)
- Galapagos Island Hopping
I enjoyed the experience of visiting the Galapagos Islands with a group. It was my first experience with a group tour. Genesis our guide was excellent and her local knowledge added a lot to the tour. Her pleasant personality helped to make the tour a success. The accommodations in the hotels were very comfortable, and the meals were good. I enjoyed the snorkeling experiences in the first part of the tour. The short viti to Floreana Island was great as were the three days spent on Isabella Island, where I much enjoyed our visit to the Tortoise breeding centre, our long hike to the volcano , the kayak ride around the bay,to see the blue footed boobies and penguins and our cruiset to Las Tintorerasfor snorkeling. On Santa Cristobal, I would have preferred another location for the first snorkeling experience, the beach chosen was probably not the best. The other experiences there including the trip to Leon Dormido and the visit to the Interpretation Centre and to Frigatebird Hill were very good. On Santa Cruz our last stop the emphasis was on conviviality among the group, with an interesting visit to a coffee finca in the Highlands. The afternoon visit to a beach near Puerto Ayora was a bit of a diappointment however. A long way to walk in blazing heat for a short swim in a shallow bay. I think a another beach location should be chosen for the last day of the trip..
- Best of Galapagos
We just finished a 7-day Galapagos Intrepid Active Tour aboard the motor yacht Daphne. Excellent overall experience. Yacht has 8 cabins, handles 16 passengers. Crew of 6: Captain, First Mate, chef, cabin boy and server, engineer, and deck hand. All went out of their way to be attentive, helpful, and personable. Food was excellent and varied, help was abundant, from getting on and off the zodiacs to putting on and taking off wet suits. Boat was spotlessly clean, and cabin was made up twice daily. Itinerary and activities were excellent and varied, and definitely active. Tour guide, Jacinto, was excellent. Downsides: Hotel in Quito for use night before and night after the tour was crummy: old, very tiny room (#4), small double bed, not heat or air, small bathroom, only one working electrical outlet. We were supposed to have a "box breakfast" provided, b/c we had to leave for the airport at 4:30 AM. It turned out to a plastic bag with two cold pieces of bread, a piece each of cheese and ham, and a small container of yogurt. You also have to pay extra for wet suits: $20 for half week, $40 for full week. I had previously called Intrepid in Australia to enquire about wet suits and cost, and I was told that they were provided for no extra cost. We skipped our final hotel night and booked in a very decent hotel 5 minutes from the original one. Finally, Quito-based Intrepid woman responsible for our pre-trip "briefing", gave us quite a bit of misinformation. Would rate this experience as 4-star out of 5
What our customers ask about Galapagos Islands Tours for Seniors
What's the best time of year for seniors to visit the Galapagos Islands?
December through May provides the most favorable conditions for seniors visiting the Galapagos. The temperatures hover around 80°F and the seas are typically calmer. You'll find better conditions for water activities at spots like Devil's Crown off Floreana Island and Gardner Bay on Española Island. The weather stability makes wet landings and boat transfers easier for older travelers. A TourRadar traveler shared "The waters were generally calm during our December trip making it perfect for our daily excursions and enjoying the sundeck views at the Galapagos Legend."
What type of physical condition do I need to have for Galapagos Islands tours?
You should be able to walk for 1-2 hours on uneven ground and handle stairs between boat decks. Some locations like the Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island and Prince Philip's Steps on Genovesa Island need moderate fitness levels. A TourRadar traveler noted "The walks were far more strenuous than getting in and out of the dinghy. Our guide was very good about rating the walks for difficulty and urging some of us to use walking sticks." Most ships including the Grand Queen Beatriz offer lighter activity options for those who need them.
What type of accommodation is available for seniors in the Galapagos?
The most suitable options for seniors include premium vessels like the EcoGalaxy Catamaran and Galapagos Legend which feature roomy air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms. For land-based stays the Finch Bay Eco Hotel on Santa Cruz Island offers comfortable seaside accommodation with convenient activity access. A TourRadar traveler shared "The Grand Daphne was a very comfortable boat to live on for a week. All the meals were superb and we had a very spacious stateroom." Medical staff and stabilizers come standard on most vessels.
What medical facilities are available for seniors in the Galapagos Islands?
Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island house the main medical facilities with basic hospitals and clinics. Vessels like the Grand Daphne and Galapagos Legend keep medical staff and first aid equipment on board. More serious conditions may require transport to mainland Ecuador. According to one TourRadar traveler "The ship's doctor was available 24/7 and very attentive to everyone's needs during our journey."
How long should seniors plan to stay in the Galapagos Islands?
A 7-10 day trip gives seniors enough time to see key locations at a comfortable pace. This duration lets you visit essential sites like the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz North Seymour Island's bird colonies and Española Island's wildlife without rushing. One TourRadar traveler confirmed "7.5 days on the boat was just about the right amount of time. You do not want to do a shorter trip."
What's the average age range for senior tours in the Galapagos Islands?
Senior-focused tours typically attract travelers between 55-70 years old though visitors of all ages explore the islands. Yacht tours on vessels like the Grand Daphne and Galapagos Legend are especially popular with older travelers thanks to their comfortable settings and well-planned schedules. A TourRadar traveler noted "The boat was comfortable and group size of 16 passengers was perfect. The crew was uniformly helpful especially during transfers and landings." Tours accommodate various fitness levels while ensuring quality wildlife experiences.