WHY US?
Locally Guided, Uniquely Yours: Experience the real Galápagos
As a small, local family business with over 10 years of experience and the profound expertise of a Galápagos-born naturalist guide as the founder of Guiding Galápagos, we infuse our passion for this natural paradise — Galápagos, which we are fortunate to call home — into every aspect of our work.
We understand that your journey here is not just another trip - it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our goal is to exceed your expectations by crafting thoughtfully designed travel packages that highlight the incredible diversity of the archipelago. Each itinerary is tailored specifically to your preferences, ensuring a personal touch and outstanding service throughout your journey. Our dedicated local naturalist guides bring their expertise to every tour, providing insights that enrich your experience.
Our dedication to excellence has earned us Tripadvisor’s Traveler's Choice Awards for nine consecutive years (2016-2024), reflecting our commitment to exceptional service and unforgettable memories.
We also prioritize social responsibility by partnering exclusively with local boat and hotel owners who uphold the highest eco-tourism standards, supporting the sustainable development of our beloved islands.
Let us take you off the beaten path and show you the real Galápagos in all its variety, with the ultimate goal of ensuring you leave saying it was the trip of a lifetime!
WHO WE ARE
Yazmany:
Yazmany is one of the fortunate few naturalist guides born on the Galápagos Islands, where his deep-rooted connection to this unique paradise has shaped him from an early age. Growing up fishing with his father and volunteering for the Galápagos National Park instilled in him a profound respect for the islands‘ diverse ecosystems. With a degree in biology, Yazmany began his career as a naturalist guide in 2001, working with renowned international tour companies and cruise ships for over a decade.
Founding Guiding Galápagos Expeditions allowed him to turn his passion into his profession, offering authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences of his beloved home. His enthusiasm and dedication are evident in every tour as he is committed to providing visitors with the most enriching and memorable experience possible, ensuring everyone gets to see “the real Galapagos” in all its diversity.
His expertise spans both land and sea, with deep knowledge of the Galápagos Marine Reserve, further enhanced by his PADI and Apnea Free Diver certifications.
Stephanie:
Stephanie first visited the Galápagos Islands in 2013 and fell in love with this natural paradise on first sight – and her passion for the islands has only grown since then. While completing her university degrees, she travelled between Europe and Galápagos innumerable times before eventually settling on Santa Cruz Island as her primary home for most of the year. Having visited every part of the archipelago herself, she has a keen understanding of the islands‘ unique offerings. While managing the entire team and carefully selecting partners on the other islands, she devotes herself wholeheartedly to designing the perfect Galápagos itinerary tailored to each customer’s preferences. Her commitment to creating a truly exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime experience for every visitor shines through in every detail of her work, reflecting her deep passion for both the islands and her business.
Omar:
Omar, just like his brother Daniel, is a true “Galapagueño,” born on Santa Cruz Island. He is the heart of our customer care, ensuring that every aspect of your Galápagos experience is seamless and enjoyable. From offering a warm welcome and providing personalized recommendations for restaurants and places to explore on your own, to giving thorough briefings before each tour, Omar is dedicated to making your stay unforgettable. He will ensure you board the right boat each day and will be there to greet you after your tour, making sure everything went perfectly. Omar handles every detail with care, from organizing and meticulously cleaning your snorkel equipment daily to being available 24/7 for any request or concern, ensuring all your needs are met throughout your entire stay.
Daniel:
Daniel not only forms the perfect team with Omar in terms of customer care and daily operations in our main office in Puerto Ayora, but he also manages all the logistics for the three other uninhabited islands where you might spend some nights during your island-hopping adventure. Always ready to assist with a smile, Daniel frequently checks in to ensure your day went perfectly, even while you’re staying on Isabela, San Cristobal or Floreana Island. His commitment goes far beyond operations and logistics; he genuinely cares about ensuring you have a true trip of a lifetime, making him a perfect match for our team.
Flora:
Flora is the good soul of our small family business, primarily in charge of our operational accounting – but her support doesn’t stop there; she steps in wherever an extra hand is needed. She has become an indispensable and highly valued member of the team. Despite the complex logistics and challenges that often arise in tourism, Flora has a knack for finding solutions to any problem with a smile and unwavering positivity. She truly embodies the spirit of our team, making sure everything runs smoothly no matter what comes our way. :-)
Gabriel (Santa Cruz & Island Hopping)
Gabriel is one of our outstanding naturalist guides, leading exclusive land tours on Santa Cruz Island and accompanying our private groups to the other islands as well. Born and raised on the Galápagos Islands, Gabriel’s deep-rooted connection to this extraordinary environment is evident in his passionate and knowledgeable approach to guiding. He takes great pride in sharing the natural beauty and unique ecosystems of his homeland, ensuring every visitor experiences an unforgettable journey through this remarkable paradise.
David (San Cristobal Island)
If you get the opportunity to stay a few days on San Cristobal Island, you’ll be in the best possible hands with David, a true “San Cristobaleño.” Not only does he know his island better than anyone, but as a PADI certified Dive Master, he also knows the surrounding waters like the back of his hand. If you have the chance to snorkel with him during our private „Best of San Cristobal Land Tour,“ he’ll undoubtedly take you to some of his secret spots, making it an experience like no other. David has worked with the most renowned international tourism companies, where he got his high level of proficiency from. He goes above and beyond to ensure that you enjoy your time on his island to the fullest.
Jonathan (Isabela Island)
On Isabela Island, Jonathan is our dedicated representative. Born and raised in Puerto Villamil, he is a true local. Whatever you wish to know or see on Isabela Island, Jonathan will make it possible. He will greet you at the pier or airport upon arrival, ensure you board the right boat for each tour, and assist with anything you might need during your stay. Although he has only recently started studying English, his charming smile and unwavering helpfulness will make you feel right at home.
Xavier (Quito – Ecuador mainland)
If you plan to explore Ecuador’s mainland as an extension of your Galápagos trip with us, Xavier will take excellent care of you, ensuring your safe and comfortable travels around the country while showing you the immense variety that beautiful Ecuador has to offer. As a certified national guide with many years of experience, Xavier has extensive knowledge of Ecuador’s rich culture, history, and nature. Whether you’re exploring Quito, the Middle of the World, Papallacta, Mindo, the volcanoes Cotopaxi or Chimborazo, Quilotoa, Otavalo, or the Amazon, his passionate guiding will undoubtedly make your mainland experience an unforgettable one.
Giulia:
Giulia’s journey with the Galápagos began in 2012, when a one-week stay turned into a year-long exploration of the archipelago.
At the time, the concept of land-based island hopping as a way to explore the Galápagos was uncommon, sparking the idea for customized packages. Giulia played a key role in bringing this vision to life, significantly contributing to the success of Guiding Galápagos Expeditions.
Since then, Giulia has been working remotely from around the world, crafting personalized itineraries, explaining the unique tourism dynamics of the Galápagos National Park, and delivering exceptional pre-travel service.
Alongside her extensive knowledge of the Galápagos, she has also become a travel expert for Africa.
Kelly:
Kelly has been an integral part of the Guiding Galápagos journey since its early days and has truly become part of our family. For nearly a decade, she has been an incredible support, both on the islands and now remotely from Ecuador’s mainland. Her extensive experience in tourism, combined with her professionalism, dedication, and a heart of gold, has been truly invaluable to us. We eagerly await the day she returns to join us once again here on Santa Cruz Island! :-)
