About Me

Hello, my name is Denise and I am The Galápagos Explorer. I am a Travel Advisor and Adventure Creator specialising in tours of the Galápagos Islands and Ecuador.

Travel is my passion and since my first big adventure to Sri Lanka almost 20 years ago, I have been lucky enough to travel to over 35 countries.   In the many trips I have taken I have developed a love of wildlife and nature, from hiking into the mountains to swimming under the sea.  Always keen to explore new cultures and experiences, my travels have led me to learn skills such as speaking Spanish, scuba diving and photography.

In 2016 I took 7 months out of my daily life to just enjoy the experience of travelling. I was lucky enough to spend 3 months in South America and it was during this time that I first visited Ecuador. I was blown away by the experience and completely fell in love with the islands. Galápagos is so unique that many of the creatures cannot be found anywhere else in the world.   The islands are a showcase for biodiversity and remain one of the few places in the world where you can closely interact with wildlife, both above and under the sea.

Galápagos and Ecuador has more to offer than just wildlife, there is something for everyone. There are beautiful beaches to enjoy, historic cities to explore, and awe inspiring scenery ranging from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes. Here are a few of my personal highlights:

  • Snorkeling with hammerhead sharks in the Galápagos
  • Learning Spanish at Montanita Spanish School
  • Hiking Cajas National Park
  • Standing on the Equator at the Cuidad Mitad del Mundo, Quito
  • Hiking to the top of Sierra Negra Volcano, Isla Isabela
  • Paddle boarding through the Churute mangroves
  • Bird watching in the wetlands
  • Visiting the Inca ruins of Ingapirca in the Andres
  • Learning how to make a Panama Hat
  • Exploring the historic old town of Quito
  • Swimming with turtles, penguins and dolphins
  • Learning to Surf, Salsa and Yoga in Montanita
  • Watching the Humpback Whales migration from Isla de Plata
  • Meeting baby Giant Tortoises at the Galápagos breeding program
  • Eating Roast Pork in historic Cuenca

Since my initial visit I have returned many times and also taken the time to explore mainland Ecuador. I love travelling to the Galápagos Islands and Ecuador so much that I want to share my experience and help others to have the best time whilst travelling there. On this site I aim to share my experiences, knowledge, photos and lessons learnt. I am offering a service to plan trips with one of the best travel agencies In Ecuador that also run the best boat tours in Galápagos. Please do not hesitate to contact me, so we can start planning your trip of a lifetime to this fantastic region.