My fiance and I had an amazing experience with Metropolitan Touring.
Starting with the booking process, Maria Emilia, our destination expert, was absolutely delightful to work with as she helped us decide which tour would be best for us and in communicating all the important details as our trip approached.
Then on the boat itself, the entire crew was remarkably attentive, responsive, and generally wonderful to interact with. The facilities were impeccably clean, the food was amazing, and the schedule was perfectly managed to maximize time experiencing nature with just enough time to relax and transition between activities.
And speaking of the activities, the naturalist guides were all easily among the best guides we've had on any tours anywhere. They were super knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, and history of the islands and had incredible communication skills and were generally a delight be around. We were also in awe of how much wildlife we were able to see on land and in the water and how close we were able to be to so many exotic birds, iguanas, land turtles, sea turtles, sea lions, and penguins without seeming to bother any of them.
Overall, we are so grateful we listened to our family who recommended Metropolitan Touring, and we will also be recommending them to anyone who asks about going to the Galapagos.
cecilemV6256XS
31 Jul 2025
My daughter and I had a wonderful trip. We saw unique landscapes and species. You barely disembark before bumping into blue footed boobies, iguanas, sea lions etc. sprawled across your pathway and completely unfazed by the excited humans that are approaching! Highlights included snorkeling with marine turtles, playful sea lions, and a manta ray. I was very impressed by the organization of Metropolitan Tours and the friendliness of everyone on board. The cabins were cleaned multiple times per day, the food was excellent, the panga drivers were skilled, and the naturalists - Kathy, Dries, Indi, and David - were very knowledgeable, kind, and patient. Every evening we could listen to a presentation about the following day's activities including recommendations of what to wear and what to bring. All snorkeling equipment including wet-suits was provided, which allowed us to pack light. I would definitely recommend bringing the items Metropolitan Tours suggest on their packing list - sturdy, waterproof sandals, UV protective long-sleeved shirts, hats etc. You will come back a little tired but that's because you will have made the most of the time you had. Our online trip coordinator Anddy Males was very enthusiastic and quick to assist.
This was an incredible, awe-inspiring tour with beautiful moments in nature with opportunities to get up close to so many amazing and unusual species of animals. I highly recommend this tour and this company. La Pinta staff and guides were superb. It was clear the guides had a real passion for the islands, its history, and its wildlife. Each day, we did at least one morning activity and at least one in the afternoon: hiking, coastal exploration in a "panga" (rubber boat), snorkeling, swimming, or taking a glass-bottom boat. Some people did kayaking as well. There were lots of great opportunities for photos. The sea life was just as beautiful as the life on land. Favorites of both land and sea were the blue-footed boobies, the baby sea lions who swam in the water next to us on the last day, the sea turtles, and the giant tortoises. We even got lucky and saw a whale, and we could see sharks following our ship on the last night. Time on the boat was also great. Good food, fantastic staff, excellent service. There was even a jacuzzi on board. There were lectures in the evening that were very interesting, and one night some entertainers came on board for music and dancing. There were about 48 passengers, and we enjoyed meeting other travelers.
I will say that the trip is challenging physically, especially when walking on some rocky and sometimes slick surfaces, sometimes walking at a fast pace, snorkeling in choppy waters, and even managing getting on and off the boat while the waves are rocking everything. However, the guides help all along the way, and there were options if, for example, the "power hike" was too much, you could do an easier activity.
I want to also recognize Melissa Altamirano for her excellent service and great communication. She was the contact person for me prior to the trip, and she made sure that all the logistics went smoothly, and they did. The hotel pickup, transfer to the airport, domestic flights, arrival at the ship, everything went perfectly and seamlessly. Melissa was also quick to respond to questions and was a great contact. Overall, I highly recommend this trip and this company. It was a great, unforgettable adventure and a wonderful way to see one of the most unique parts of the world.