Who are we?
Epicurean Galapagos is run by Cultural and Natural (CNH) Tours - a small and highly experienced Galapagos focused tour operator, owned and operated by Canadian Heather Blenkiron. When you contact CNH Tours, it's Heather you'll be in touch with from beginning to end. Heather gained an intimate knowledge of the islands while working for the Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station, from 1998 to 2002. Heather also served as the Canadian embassy representative for Galapagos during her stay. She maintains very close contacts with key people in the islands and on the mainland, and enjoys the support of a team of site based travel experts in Quito, Guayaquil and Galapagos to ensure that your trip is as seamless as possible.
Why book with us?
Galapagos is our only destination. Few if any operators know Galapagos as well as well do. After having lived and worked in the islands for 4 years, CNH tours has retained its hand on the pulse of Galapagos through its long-term connections with our friends and colleagues who remain in the islands. Today, several of them are senior naturalist guides, or occupy senior positions in local and national governments, at the Park and at the Darwin Station.
We are not distracted by other destinations. While the vast majority of other agencies can sell you a trip to Galapagos, an African safari or a Chinese river cruise, we focus exclusively on Galapagos. This allows us to develop a level of knowledge and expertise that is unparalleled in the travel world. We constantly seek to update and improve our knowledge on the latest developments in the islands so that it is put to use in ensuring your visit is the best it can be. See our very own "news" section for the latest developments, and how these may relate to your visit.
We are not a high volume business. We work with a small number of guests at any one time, giving us the opportunity to deliver highly personalized service.
Others have recognized our Galapagos expertise
After having posted hundreds of helpful recommendations on TripAdvisor Galapagos forum, this very popular travel information website invited Heather to become its first Galapagos "Galapagos Destination Expert" in 2009. Heather continues to provide advice to people considering a Galapagos trip.
In 2012, CNH Tours made it on Mastercard World Elite Concierge's radar screen - recommending us to their clients as a highly reputable, quality and service oriented Galapagos expert.
In 2017, National Public Radio's (NPR) Boston affiliate turned to us help organize their annual fundraising drive. We provided a free trip for 2 as part of our support to their efforts.
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 CNH Tours, it's Heather you'll be dealing with. 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 Galapagos like we did - and that motivates us to go the extra mile.
Why not get in touch with us right now by email? You may also want to consider asking us to schedule a phone call to help you start exploring cruise options.
We give back to the community.
Since 2000, CNH Tours has been organizing non-profit fund-raising cruises in support of worthy initiatives. Past cruises have raised funds for United World Colleges (3 cruises), and Dustin's Greenhouse for underprivileged urban youth (2 cruises). Our latest non-profit, organized with the Canadian Library Association, helped raise funds for the Galapagos Public Library. If you'd like to use a Galapagos cruise as a fundraiser for a special cause, please get in touch with us to explore possibilities.
CNH Tour is 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 a lasting protection of the islands. For more information on why you should travel with an IGTOA member, click here. In 2017, we were elected to the IGTOA board.
