From London Southend: 15 Night Trip to Mexico, Galápagos Islands and Ecuador £829.39pp (£1658.79 total) @ Booking.com

Having returned from the Galapagos it should be on everyone's bucket list of places to see. You don't need an expensive cruise or package and it can be done very cheaply. Although I used Avios for my flights to and from the Galapagos from Quito, this trip assumes you don't have any and will have to pay full price for them. This trip is based on catching up a flight to Amsterdam and then onwards to Ecuador as flights from the UK to Galapagos are very expensive. You could if you wanted, spend an extra day in Amsterdam. Flights are with Aeromexico and on the way out have an overnight in Mexico.

For Galapagos, excursions are additional cost and can be booked on arrival with any agent in Puerto Ayora, there are lots of them. Alternatively you can book in advance. I recommend excursions to North Seymour and Bartolme in Puerto Ayora, Los Tunnels and Sierra Negro in Isabella and Espanola in San Cristobel, although in all places there are plenty of free activities too.

I've included some recommended accommodations here. The accommodation in the Galapagos is clean but basic. There aren't big hotels and where there is the occasional more luxury hotel they are big money. The places we all stayed in were basic but with lovely people, clean rooms and facilities, with the occasional bit of dodgy DIY. If you want 5* luxury this isn't the trip for you. All accommodation here has good reviews and are with private bathrooms.

22 January
You'll fly to Amsterdam. For this trip I've used flights from Southend to Amsterdam and only hand luggage as long as you meet the size restrictions there is no weight limit. Personally I've travelled for a number of weeks on Easyjet hand luggage but if you want a case you can add this in. I would strongly recommend trying to take hand luggage only or a rucksack. It makes transport in the Galapagos so much easier as you will have to use the inter Island ferry for travel in between islands and almost everyone we saw, us included had backpacks or holdall style luggage rather than large suitcases. Most regional airports fly to Amsterdam so you can adjust this trip to suit.

You will then check in for your long haul flight to Mexico.

23 January
You will arrive in the early hours of the monrning and I've included a hotel in Mexico City, though you will leave in the early hours of the morning. The hotel included here is the Hotel Cuba right in the historic centre.

24 January - 28 January
You will leave Mexico in the early hours of the morning and arrive into Guayaquil early morning, obtain luggage and fly to Galapagos. You can either get the bus or a taxi after arrival from Baltra airport, there will be plenty around. You'll spend 4 nights in Puerto Ayora at Galapagos Dove. Free activities include the fish market, the pier at night for shark spotting, Charles Darwin walk and the walk to Tortuga Bay.

28 January - 31 January
Take the interisland ferry to Isabela. It will cost $30pp. You can book this with any agent in Puerto Ayora. You will spend 3 nights in Isabela at Hotel Neptuno. I recommend tours to Los Tunnels and kayaking. Also if you are active, biking to the Wall of Tears with various stops makes a nice day. For the more adventurous hiking to Sierra Negro is something I'd definitely recommend.

31 January - 4 Feb
You will again take the inter Island ferry to San Cristobel (you can book this too in Puerto Ayora for $30pp). You will spend 4 nights in San Cristobel. Its a good location to do many free things such as walks to the Interpretation Centre, Frigate Hill and snorkeling. The sealions are very active around San Cristobel so much so they will follow you when snorkeling (La Loberia beach is good for this) and are very tolerant of visitors. It's also a good place to go on a trip to snorkel and see hammerhead sharks. You will spend four nights at Hostel Suiza.

4 Feb
You will fly to Guayaquil and spend overnight there. It's not somewhere that is particularly appealing, once billed Ecuador's most dangerous city, but we spoke to some people that had enjoyed a night there. I can't give my opinion as we only touched down before flying to Quito. You will stay for one night at Villa 64 which is close to the main square and has good reviews.

5 Feb
You will fly from Guayaquil to Amsterdam, with a stop in Mexico City again, which you can leave the airport to explore.

6 Feb
You'll land in Amsterdam and then check in for your flight home.

Details

Flights London SEN to Amsterdam and return easyjet.com £81.96


Long haul flights gotogate.com £706.87



1 night in Mexico £28 booking.com




Flights to and from Galapagos book on Ecuadorian page of LATAM. Flights for two from Guayaquil to Galápagos $259 14 and flights from Galapagos back to Guayaquil $199.72 (total £360.64)






4 nights in Puerto Ayora £109 booking.com




Ferry (book on arrival at any agent in Puerto Ayora) from Puerto Ayora to Isabela (Puerto Villamil) $30pp, total for 2 £47.16

3 nights in Isabela £101 booking.com



Ferry (book on arrival) from Puerto Villamil to San Cristobel $30pp, total for 2 £47.16

4 nights in San Cristobel £140 booking.com



1 night in Guayaquil £37 booking.com




Total £1658.79/£829.39pp

If anyone needs any specific trip recommendations let me know.