Polipo

I am planning a trip to the Galapagos soon and Ecuador and need advice. In terms of the Galapagos I heard that the boat size, itinerary and food are everything. I may be traveling alone and my research showed that the single cabins usually don’t have windows. I am not into scuba diving but love the sea. Could anyone recommend a boat or tour? Or any tips? Share experiences? What to look for or bring? Also what are the top places to visit on the mainland? I have a list of agents but need to be kick started. Thanks in advance for any help.

Elizabeth_S

Hi - do you have a budget for the boat/trip?

A great place to start when planning a trip to Galapagos is to buy Barry Boyce's book "A Travellers Guide to the Galapagos" - it takes you through all the various kinds of boats/itineraries/etc so you can make an informed choice......very helpful.

Here are some pix from our trip last year - that should get you kick started!

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ard_in_south_/

SusieQQ

Polipo, I went with Lindblad on the Polaris as a single and I had a window. Many people recommend a small boat but I liked the larger one because of the choices. Every morning and afternoon there were mutliple activities at various levels.
http://www.expeditions.com/

Polipo

Dear Elizabeth and SusieQQ

Thank You for your reply. I wrote Safari Ecuador, Enchanted expeditions, Galasam, Andando Tours, Lindbad, Ecuador travel and OARS. Waiting- think they will get back Monday. At first I needed availability information of the August 2007 and November 2007 for Galapagos tours, but it may be too late for August- don’t know. I have researched some boats that look good (have a list of six, mostly motor yachts. As a college professor I am off when the students are, late November, late December and all of January. I am not interested in SCUBA tours but like snorkeling and would combine this with a tour in the Amazon. Thinking of two weeks in total. What do you suggest? Oh, I don’t eat meat. Thank you in advance.

Also I did not know how high the single supplement!! But have a budget of $3500

Regards,

Polipo

micarda

We went with Barry Boyce a few years ago and I would definitely recommend his tour: smaller boat allows flexibility not available on larger ship. Went with our Peace Corp volunteer son (Paraguay) and it was a trip of a lifetime.

Polipo

Hope I am not repeating myself- thought I posted before. Anyway thank you......

Thank you everybody for your help. I just got some replies form my last minute request listed below. (I wrote about eight). Does anyone know these tour groups or boats? I am writing the ones you recommended also. I am tempted to wait till January but first I will wait for the rest of the replies. Thanks again for your advice.

Warm regards,
Polipo

Galapagos Network/ Ecoventura – bad?
7 night from Sept to Dec
on the M/Y Eric, Flamingo I & Letty from Sept to Dec.

Palmazul a Columbus Travel Company
7 nights in August
on the Galaxy, Eden, and Encantada

Surtrek Tour
7 nights in November
on the Eden, Anahi, and Agelito

Enchanted Expeditions- good?
7 nights on Beluga in Nov., Cachalote 1, waitlist August.
They have a land tour also.

I will post the pictures on my website when I get back.

Elizabeth_S

Polipo - if you type the boat name into the search engine I think you'll find reviews for several of the boats you're considering.

We were on the Eclipse and really liked it.

LABruin

Polipo,
I was on the Samba in a "single cabin" which actually had 2 bunk beds. The only difference between my cabin & the doubles was that my bathroom was across the hall instead of inside my cabin. It was perfectly fine. The plumbing needs updating but I remember asking our guide which boats were "good" as he's worked on many of them & the Cachalote was one of them so I would choose that one!

LABruin

p.s. Both my cabin & bathroom had portholes.