Designed as a contemporary four-bedroom private home, Ilaló Sky House is positioned between Quito’s International Airport and the city’s historic centre. The property overlooks the Cumbayá and Tumbaco valleys and is intended to provide families and small groups with a private base before or after visiting the Galapagos Islands.
The villa offers a different accommodation format from the boutique hotels commonly found in Quito’s historic centre. Complete privacy, shared living spaces and a residential setting allow guests to stay under one roof while maintaining proximity to both the airport and the city. The property is designed for stays of two to four nights and is supported by an on-site bilingual host and the Galapagos Safari Camp team.
The opening extends the company’s travel experience beyond the Galapagos Islands and creates a mainland component that can be combined with itineraries in the archipelago.
Galapagos Safari Camp currently features nine canvas tents and a private three-bedroom family villa. The camp focuses on land-based experiences in the Galapagos, offering personalised itineraries tailored to individual guest interests.
Guests can participate in a range of activities, including day trips to uninhabited islands, diving excursions, photography safaris and guided treks through the highland forests. The land-based model allows travellers to explore the islands while returning each evening to the camp.
Unlike traditional cruise-based experiences, the camp provides accommodation on Santa Cruz Island, enabling guests to combine boat excursions with stays on land. Personalised itineraries are designed around individual preferences and interests.
As part of its 2026 programme, Galapagos Safari Camp will introduce two small-group Wildlife Photography Safaris. The departures are scheduled for October and November and can be combined with stays at Ilaló Sky House.
The six-night, five-day itineraries will be led by Lucas Bustamante, a wildlife photographer and conservation biologist, together with an official Galapagos naturalist guide. Activities will include visits to selected locations across Santa Cruz Island and a boat excursion to an uninhabited island.
Participants will have opportunities to photograph endemic terrestrial wildlife as well as marine species encountered during snorkelling activities. The programme is designed for photographers of varying experience levels and focuses on observing wildlife behaviour, capturing natural environments and developing photography skills in the field.
The first departure will operate from October 5 to October 10, 2026, with bookings closing on July 13, 2026. The second departure will take place from November 17 to November 22, 2026, with a booking deadline of August 14, 2026.
In 2007, Galapagos Safari Camp evolved from the passion of its founders, Michael Mesdag and Stephanie Bonham-Carter, who set out to transform the Galapagos experience by creating the first sustainable, tented camp in Latin America. Set in the secluded highlands of Santa Cruz Island, the independent, family-owned hideaway features nine canvas tents and one private family villa. As a land-based alternative to cruising, guests experience safaris that are flexibly designed to immerse guests in the surrounding environment. Galapagos Safari Camp minimizes environmental impact while embracing warm hospitality, challenging the notions of luxury travel in the archipelago.
Tags: Ecuador Galapagos Safari Camp
