Ecuador

In the Galapagos, there are no promises of seeing blue-footed boobies or rare finches but what you are guaranteed is a one-of-a kind adventure with nature.

The islands are seen as an ecological paradise where exotic and rare animals roam. Believe me, they have all of this in spades but, what is rarely captured in photos or blog posts is that the locals are their unsung heroes.

You could spend months exploring Ecuador. But if you’re vacation-deprived or short on time, take heart: you can still see a lot in a single week.

The group – along with the trip itinerary – were amazing, but I firmly believe that without our local guide, the trip would not have meant what it did to me.

About 97% of the Galapagos Islands are protected by national park, and within this park there are some important rules that everyone needs to stick to.

Coming right up: giant tortoises and adorable seals, new friends and magical places, and all manners of adventures on both land and sea…