Our Story
The team behind Galapagos Travel
Experience matters…
Galapagos Travel has been specializing in the Galápagos islands since 1989. We focus on exposing our guests to as much as possible of what Galapagos is all about – and on helping them better understand the nature of this unique archipelago.
Established by Barry Boyce (author of one of the first comprehensive Galapagos travel guides “Traveler’s Guide to the Galapagos Islands”), the company was later handed over to Mark Grantham, who had been working with Barry for 15 years. Mark stepped down in 2024, and Galapagos Travel is now in the capable hands of Galapagos veterans Heather Blenkiron and her husband, Marc Patry, co-founders of Cultural & Natural Heritage Tours – their sister agency.
Meeet Our Front Office Team
Heather Blenkiron was invited to be TripAdvisor’s Destination Expert for Galapagos in 2008, thanks to her dedication in helping people plan their trips to Galapagos. She spent 4 years in the islands, during which time she was hired by the Charles Darwin Research Station to improve the visitor experience there. Heather has been helping people plan their Galapagos adventures since 2003.
Kelsey Bradley joined the team in 2018, after having spent 8 years in Galapagos (2010-2018). She first volunteered at the San Cristobal hospital and then made her way to Santa Cruz island to work at the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS). She spent her time there closely connected to both the CDRS and the local communities, having lived on both Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands. Kelsey spent the last two years at the Station working with various members of the tourism industry to further bridge the gap between tourism and conservation in Galapagos. This helped her develop a good knowledge of the various hotel and ship representatives we work with.
Daniela Aguirre Schiess is a third generation Galapagueña. She learned to walk on lava fields. Finches, iguanas, giant tortoises and sea lions were her daycare companions. After high school and a year abroad she settled in Ecuador’s main coastal city of Guayaquil city where she obtained her university degree. In 2016 her love for nature brought her back to Puerto Ayora, where she became a certified naturalist guide.
Since then, Daniela has had the chance to experience a wide range of different tourism options available to visitors in Galapagos, acting as a guide on a variety of ships. Given her extensive first-hand experience, she is well-placed to provide excellent advice for those requiring help in planning their Galapagos trip of a lifetime.
Tina Fitter born and raised in England, Tina always had a sense for adventure. Adventure personified made his apparition in 1992, when she met Daniel Fitter, a Galapagos native and veteran naturalist guide. He was in the UK on a mission to see more of the world. Tina and Daniel were married in 1993, and she first set foot in Galapagos in 1995. Tina straight away started working for one of the early tour agencies. She also managed ground arrangements for small expedition cruise ships – assigning naturist guides, ensuring food and supplies were delivered, staff was informed of schedules and more. Over the years, Tina acquired a wide experience and knowledge of how the tours are designed and the kind of ships that are available. She has participated in innumerable expedition cruises and scientific outings, giving her a deep, first-hand understanding of what the islands are all about.
Tina Fitter: Galapagos resident since 1995
Mercedes Mugueytio is a native of Quito. We first got to know Mercedes in about 2010 when she was working as a sales representative in the Quito office of one of the original Galapagos tour companies. She ended up leading the continental land extension portfolio for that company. She travelled extensively in Ecuador, developing an intimate first-knowledge of many of the country’s diverse regions, hotels, attractions and more. In her own words: “When I graduated from high school, I was keen on helping foreigners see the beauty of my country. This led me to enroll in a Tourism Administration program at university. After finishing my studies, I quickly found a job with one of the largest tour companies in Ecuador – giving my first opportunity to work with visitors coming to Ecuador.” Mercedes is your personal concierge – helping plan wonderful discoveries and adventures before or after your time in Galapagos.
Mercedes Murgueytio: Over 25 years helping people plan their travels on the Ecuadorian mainland.
"I enjoyed the cruise SO much. Our guides were amazing. They have so much knowledge about the wildlife in Galapagos and they shared their passion with us. The crew was wonderful. The food and service was great. I would recommend this cruise to anyone".
– Nicola
8 reasons to book with Galapagos Travel
1. We know Galapagos
All of our team members live/have lived and/or worked in the destinations they represent. We retain our hands on the pulse of those places through our long-term connections with our friends and colleagues engaged in the day to day management and conservation there. We are familiar with many of the ships and local service providers and know the owners often on a first name basis. Few travel agencies have access to such a diversity of personal and professional contacts in their destinations.
2. Your trip is carbon neutral
Starting in 2022, all carbon emissions relating to your trip with CNH Tours (all in-country emissions) will be carbon neutral thanks to the purchase of carbon offsets. These are certified by the Gold Standard, a United Nations recognized certifying agency. For more information, please see our detailed explanation here.
3. Emergency medical insurance included
All of Galapagos Travel’s guests are automatically covered with an emergency medical evacuation insurance for a value of up to US$200,000. For full details, click here.
4. Your investment is protected
Your investment will be safeguarded by the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund and Ontario’s consumer protection laws. As an Ontario-based travel company registered under the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), anyone (from anywhere) booking through CNH Tours benefits from the TICO Compensation Fund. The Fund reimburses travelers when travel services are not provided due to our bankruptcy or that of an end supplier airline or cruise line – where a reimbursement has not otherwise been provided. Our registrant number is 50022618.
In addition to the fund, Ontario consumer protection legislation and regulations require that travel companies based here manage their accounts following strict rules. Few jurisdictions in the Americas (North or South) are subjected to such stringent regulatory oversight.
5. We are focused on Galapagos
Galapagos Travel has been specializing in the Galápagos islands, and offering our unique in-depth educationally-oriented programs there since 1990. We contribute to improving the quality of the tourism experience in Galapagos.
We are a Full Member of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) a non-profit association of travel companies , conservation organizations and other groups that seek to improve the overall visitor experience in Galapagos by supporting guide training, conservation projects and community development initiatives, and have been elected to its board.
6. We are recognized as experts in the industry
After having answered thousands of questions from Galapagos-bound people on the TripAdvisor Galapagos forum, this very popular travel information website invited co-owner, Heather Blenkiron to become its first Galapagos “Galapagos Destination Expert” in 2009.
7. Personalized service is our specialty
Our unofficial company saying is: “We may not be big, but we’re small.” We’re very proud of the fact that when you contact Galapagos Travel, you’ll be talking to people who have developed intimate relationship with their destinations over decades. An important part of our reward in this business is our own personal satisfaction in doing all we can to help you see and feel the destination like we did – and that motivates us to go the extra mile. Why not email us now to start a conversation? You may also want to consider asking us to schedule a phone call to help you start exploring cruise options.
8. We give back to the community
Since 2000, we have been organizing non-profit fund-raising cruises in support of worthy initiatives. On occasion, we invite members of the scientific and educational community on a cruise when we have suitable availability. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, with the help of past (and future guests), we raised over US$54,000 – all of which was deposited in equal shares directly into the bank accounts of crew, guides and office staff of one the ships we use regularly – helping put food on the table for several months.