fun4all4

Greetings,

Contemplating a Galapagos Cruise for May 2017. Looking at two itineraries (since rotate).
Both start/end Baltra.
Then, roughly, with various ports/landing spots....

Route A - Genovesa, Seymour Norte, Santiago, Rabida, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Espanola

Route B - Bartolome, Isabela, Fernandina, Floreana, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz

I know for travelers with a very specific species "list" or particular interests, it can be critical and is also always personal preference, but we would mostly be looking for a great overall experience and perhaps some recommended "favorites" or must see's. Will need to do more research, but for those of you with a lot of experience or interest in the region...does one or the other route jump out as "better" or more "ideal?" And, time of year is MAY as I know season can matter as well.

Thanks for any advice/guidance!! Happy New Year!

Elizabeth_S

Hi - there are no bad Galapagos itineraries! But I prefer the second - because it goes to the west side of Isabela where you can see the flightless cormorants (which was important to us)

This book is great to figure out which islands might be of greater interest to you

http://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Gala.../dp/1588433897

fun4all4

Thank you! I just ordered the book! Any other opinions on itinerary welcome.

abram

We went in May, 2015.
Because we knew we'd only get to the Galapagos once, we wanted to see all of the wildlife that is unique to a particular island.
We found a 10 night/11 day itinerary that went to many of the islands on both of your itineraries.
It was on the Tip Top IV, through Galapagos Travel.
One of the things we especially liked was that they provided a 2nd guide, which was a fabulous addition.

fun4all4

Thank you, abram! Regrettably, a 7 night is already pushing the time limit so longer will not be possible. And, while I recognize some wildlife will be missed, that is okay as long as we are doing our best to maximize the experience and get a good overall variety and highlights.

mlgb

I chose the first itinerary (or close to it) because I wanted to see the Waved Albatross and Gardner Bay on Española .

Other locations on my itinerary that I felt were special places were Bartolome (the island featured penguins and the landscape in Master and Commander), Genovesa (lots of boobies), N. Seymour (frigatebird colonies), Rabida (red sand and turquoise water landscape), & Santa Fe (snorkeling).

mlgb

BTW May can be a very good month to visit.

Don't wait too long to book. I was cancelled by my original choice and had to scramble to find a replacement.

I went with Cometa Travel on Angelito, on their "A" itinerary.

We had Maja as our guide, and between 12 and 15 people. There was no problem going with a single guide.

Austin_Molly

Elizabeth is right, flightless cormorants only live on Isabela and Fernandina, so you won't see those on itinerary A. But Genovesa has an incredible variety of birds, so you will see lots of interesting birdlife on itinerary A as well.

May is at the tail end of the rainy season, but don't let that deter you. It will only rain for a short period, and at this time of year the water and the air are warmer.

MyBeautyEcuador

The option A is good, I went on Angelito this cruise is great.


Good luck in your trip

WWanderer

Are there months that are *not* good for the Galapagos? We're thinking some time perhaps around February.

mlgb

Yes, but it's complicated by what you want to do. The water is rougher and colder, and the weather overcast and drizzly from roughly July through November with the first and last months transitional. If you get seasick easily, I wouldn't go in August-September. But if you are a diver going for Whale Sharks, that's the best time.

Between December and May is more tropical, warmer water and more chance of thunderstorms.

On top of the weather is the wildlife calendar, so if you want to see the Waved Albatross on Espanola, don't go between January and March!

The Galapagos Conservancy is a good source for what happens each month on each island.