What Sets Us Apart?

In the more than 35 years since our first small group yacht adventure to the Galápagos, we’ve worked extensively to develop and fine-tune our itineraries to offer the most exceptional visit possible for both first-time and repeat travelers to the islands. It is this commitment to excellence that has garnered us the enviable reputation as the experts in Galápagos travel, with more experience than any other company specializing in small groups! 

On a Mountain Travel Sobek adventure, you will be in the very best of hands. From the time you arrive in Quito, our dedicated in-country staff will provide you with the highest quality service and logistics for your stay in Ecuador, from meeting you at the airport and transferring you to and from your hotel, to arranging city tours and assisting you with any other needs that may arise. Then upon your arrival in the islands, you will not only travel exclusively on board the best small yachts in the islands, you will also enjoy the most active Galápagos experience possible. Our carefully crafted itineraries were designed to ensure that our trips include the most of what the islands have to offer, filling each trip with a remarkable range of experiences and options, including nature walks (including hikes in the highlands to look for tortoises!), swimming, snorkeling, and sea kayaking excursions that take you right into the heart of this extraordinary nature paradise.

Of course, we also understand that, ultimately, it is your guide who will make each trip extraordinary. So we’ve taken exceptional care in selecting the trip leaders who will educate, excite, and care for you throughout your entire journey.  In fact, you cannot find a more remarkable group of people to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with!  Each one of our superior naturalist guides has a degree in the biological sciences, speak multiple languages, and have 15-20 years of experience guiding in Galápagos. They are also each certified by the Galápagos National Park Service at Level III (the highest level), and are personally active in conservation. So it is for good reason that these unique men and women are considered the “Top” guides in the Galápagos Islands. Our guides’ passion for the Galápagos is surpassed only by their desire to ensure our travelers have the finest experience possible on this trip of a lifetime, and you can be sure they would like nothing more than to share their love of the islands with you!

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Exclusive Charters on the Best Yachts

We charter only the best auxiliary-powered sailboats and motor yachts in the Galápagos – in fact, we think of them as “floating oases!” Small yet comfortable (only 8-16 passengers max), they provide a superior, intimate experience.  Each features a hospitable, service oriented crew (a 2:1 passenger-to-staff ratio!) and a chef who prepares delicious, healthy and satisfying meals, with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, and pasta dishes, soups, and elegant deserts.  We easily cater to vegetarians, those with special restricted diets, and children!  All cabins are air-conditioned and include private baths and showers, and yachts are well maintained and meet international safety standards.

Chartering our own boats allow us to keep a keen eye on the trip operations and manage an unparalleled top-quality experience: a comprehensive itinerary that allows you to see the best of the islands; superlative naturalist guides; delicious, satisfying cuisine; comfortable accommodations—truly the best Galápagos experience possible!

Learn more about the yachts in our fleet.

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As Active as You Want To Be! The best way to see the world is by enthusiastically participating in it!  And this is very much the case with our Galápagos Islands itineraries, which are carefully crafted to show you the best of what the islands have to offer while also filling your days with a remarkable range of experiences and options so that you can be as active as you want to be. Nature Walks Daily nature walks (usually two per day) take you close to the wildlife and provide an intimate look at evolution in action. (Note to photographers—bring plenty of film or memory cards!) Sea Kayaking All of our boats carry sit-on-top kayaks that allow you to meander up mangrove inlets, paddle right up to penguins and sea turtles, and provide lots of entertaining fun. (Kayaking is optional.) Swimming & Snorkeling You simply won't believe the underwater experience: swim and snorkel with tropical fish, playful sea lions, Galápagos penguins, eagle rays, marine iguanas, green sea turtles, and sometimes even dolphins and whales! Or Simply Savor Life Aboard Ship! Soak up the sun, spot seabirds following in the boat's wake or dolphins riding the bow wave, savor delicious culinary treats prepared by the chef, and enjoy the companionship of fellow travelers.

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The Best Naturalist Guides!

Our personally selected naturalist guides —all of whom have degrees in the biological sciences, 15-20 years guiding in the Galápagos, and are certified by the Galápagos National Park Service at Level III (the highest level)—are gifted educators and experts about all aspects of this unique corner of the world.  They create days filled with opportunities to see, learn, explore, and question—all filled with a sense of adventure and fun. They know where and how to look for unusual up-close experiences, and we know you will thrive under their leadership! Their passion for the Galápagos is surpassed only by their desire to ensure you have the finest experience possible on your trip of a lifetime.

Luis Die Luis Die was born and educated in Spain, has a degree in environmental biology, and is fluent in three languages (Spanish, English and French).  A born teacher, Luis is truly the “guide of guides,” combining enthusiasm, expertise, and an engaging personality with the utmost professionalism and leadership.  In addition to being a professional nature photographer, Luis is working on a Master's Degree in geographical ecology and is active with conservation groups on the mainland.  Luis has now guided in Galápagos for more than a decade and heads up our own team of naturalist guides.  He and his wife, Irene, also run our exclusive land operations on the mainland.

Carlos King Carlos King has an abiding interest in biology and the wildlife of Ecuador. He earned a degree in environmental science from Southeast Missouri University and started guiding in Ecuador's Amazon jungle in 1987. He became a Galápagos naturalist guide in 1988 and has been guiding on the mainland and in the Enchanted Islands ever since. He lives in Quito, participating in conservation in the islands and on the mainland, and guides trips in Peru, Chile and Galapagos throughout the year.

Desiree Cruz Desiree Cruz has been a naturalist guide in Galápagos since 1987.  She is also an advocate for conservation in Galápagos and has served in several capacities for the Galápagos National Park Service, including Deputy Director; and worked with Sea Shepherd, an organization dedicated to protecting the marine reserve from poaching. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, she received her B.S. from the University of Guayaquil in biology with a specialty in botany and is fluent in Spanish, English and German.

Greg Estes With two decades of experience as a naturalist guide in Galápagos, Greg Estes brings an unmatched depth of knowledge to his guiding skills. Born in Hollywood, California, he has a B.S. in biology from the University of London, and specializes in Darwin research, conservation issues, and professional photography. He and his wife, Thalia, are currently working on a book about Darwin and Galápagos and are also doing research on a new nesting colony of blue-footed boobies on Genovesa Island. Greg also works as a consultant for TV nature specials.

Klaus Fielsch Born in Quito to a German-Ecuadorian family, Klaus Fielsch went on to study at Montclair State University in New Jersey and New York State University (becoming trilingual in English, Spanish and German). Pursuing a lifelong interest in nature, Klaus started working as a naturalist guide in Ecuador’s upper Amazon Basin in 1989, was assistant director of a biological research station in Cuyabeno along the Aguarico River in 1991, and has been working full time as a naturalist guide in Galápagos for over a decade.  Klaus is also an avid mountaineer, surfer and diver and recently served as the naturalist guide for the filming of Master and Commander. He is now in much demand as a guide for TV nature specials on Galápagos.

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We Take Care of You from Beginning to End

Our superior naturalist guides are only one part of a larger MTS team committed to making your trip the most relaxing and fun experience possible. Our team of Galápagos experts in the MTS home office look forward to assisting you with your adventure of a lifetime. We encourage you to contact us with any questions you may have about our trips in the islands or for guidance as you determine the departure dates that will best meet your needs. We're always here to help!

Then upon your arrival in Ecuador, our dedicated in-country staff takes over, meeting you at the airport in Quito, transfering you to and from your hotel, arranging city tours, and providing the highest quality service and logistics for the entire length of your trip. In fact, our centrally located local office is just across the street from the Swissôtel to ensure you have all of the assistance you need to make your trip exceptional!

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Family Discounts Are Available!

You couldn’t ask for a better family vacation!  Enjoy a week with your family in the world’s best outdoor classroom, the Galápagos Islands—an experience that is certain to foster your children’s budding interest in the natural world (not to mention the opportunity of spending quality one-on-one time with them!).  We guarantee it’s an experience you’ll all treasure for a lifetime.  Our guides enjoy making children feel welcome and engage them in learning about nature in so many entertaining ways.   Your talented chef will prepare delicious fresh meals and can cater to your child’s tastes—even fussy eaters will be satisfied!

And there’s good news for adventurous families! Get $550 off on our Galápagos adventure for your children 16 and younger! (Applies to regular departures Jan 1-Nov 26.) Children 6 and up are welcome on all regular departures.

Come join us on “The World’s Best Family Vacation!

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