Why the Galápagos Should Be Your Next Big Adventure

I’ll be real—I’m the kind of traveler who packs moisturizer, not mosquito netting. Yet there I was in June 2025, questioning my life choices aboard a Galápagos expedition cruise with HX Expeditions (formerly Hurtigruten). I am not your typical nature queen, my roommate was looking up bird types and mating calls, however by the end of the first full day I could understand how everyone can appreciate the Galapagos.

The Big Surprise: It Wasn’t Rugged. It Was Relaxing

Let’s debunk it: this was not the “bear-grill-y survival of the fittest” Galápagos. Think cozy cabin—not a cabin in the woods with spiders:

• Suite comfort: Plush linens, ambient lighting, big windows framing endless ocean views. I slept like a baby rocked by Pacific breezes.

• Guides = nature nerd BFFs: Our naturalists were the beating heart of the trip. Imagine PhDs with dad-joke energy, who get genuinely giddy when they spot a frigatebird or a blue-footed booby. Watching them geek out over a lava lizard was almost as fun as seeing the lizard itself. Their excitement made every sighting feel like a shared discovery—you couldn’t help but get pulled in.

They didn’t just tell you what you were looking at. They’d connect it to conservation, local lore, evolutionary biology—all in a way that was totally digestible (and never dry). You walk away not just with great pics, but with a deeper respect for the wild beauty of the Galápagos.

And every day offered options: sunrise zodiac rides, calm beach strolls, light hikes… or nothing at all. You call the comfort shots. Even when I opted for the “less active” options, I never felt like I was missing out—because the magic was everywhere.

Our guide Alex in North Seymour Island

Culture Bonus: Quito Was a Whole Vibe

Okay, real talk—I didn’t expect to love Quito as much as I did. It was supposed to be the “before” part of the trip, right? A little layover before we got to the main event. But wow did this city show up and show off.

First of all, the architecture is a whole thing—think pastel buildings, intricate balconies, and cobblestone streets that make you want to twirl in slow motion like you're in a travel commercial. It’s like stepping into a Spanish colonial dream (but with better snacks).

And speaking of snacks—El Cráter. This restaurant is perched on the rim of an actual volcano crater, and we had lunch there with a view that looked fake, like someone green-screened it. But the real star? The house spicy sauce. I don’t know what magic they put in it, but I am not kidding when I say I have dreamed about that sauce. I even asked if they sold bottles. (They don’t. Rude.)

Quito Church

Boobies, Tortoises, and Sharks—Oh My!

Okay, let’s talk about the real stars of the Galápagos: the animals. And let me just say—they did not come to play. I’ve been to zoos, I’ve watched all the nature docs, but nothing—and I mean nothing—prepares you for how close you get to the wildlife out here. It’s wild in the best, most respectful way.

I snorkeled with sea turtles so big and chill they looked like they were on vacation, too. We’re talking inches away, totally unbothered. And then—cue Jaws music—hammerhead sharks. Yes, I saw them. And no, I didn’t freak out. Okay, I freaked out a little—but in that “OMG I can’t believe this is happening” kind of way, not the “get me out of the ocean” kind.

And the sea lions? Absolutely the drama queens of the Galápagos. They’d swim circles around us, blow bubbles, strike poses on the rocks like they knew they were being watched. Iconic behavior.

Giant Tortoise in Santa Cruz Island

We also spotted both red-footed and blue-footed boobies, which yes, are hilarious to say out loud but also absolutely gorgeous up close. And the giant tortoises—my goodness. It was like meeting actual dinosaurs who were just out here living their best life.

And here’s the part I didn’t expect: we did science experiments on the ship. Real, hands-on stuff—like checking water salinity, learning how to read plankton under a microscope, and tracking animal behavior. It made the whole thing feel like a floating classroom, but in a cool, “let’s learn something while drinking coffee on the deck” kind of way. Total bonus for the inner nerd in me I didn’t know I had.

The guides were all in, too. They’d lose their minds (in the most professional way) every time we spotted something rare or cool. Their energy was so contagious—when a marine iguana sneezed out salt water, they’d explain the whole adaptation with so much joy I swear they’d seen it for the first time too.

Let’s Talk If You’re Curious

So, if part of you is going “Oooh, that sounds nice,” and part of you is like, “But I don’t even own hiking boots…”—let’s chat. As the founder of The Poodle Booked It, I help travelers find the right expedition vibe. I’ll tailor it so your first “expedition” feels like a luxury experience with soul.

Because if I—the moisturizer-packer, non-camper extraordinaire—can fall hard for the Galápagos, so can you. And trust me: those turtles are waiting.