Hello,
I know I've read that it's recommended to take the o7 night vs. the 4 nt cruises to see more of the islands. But, for the sake of economy and to see more of the mainland and Peru, can you still get the essence of the Galapagos in 4 nights? With 7, are you just seeing more of the same wildlife and slight differences in the various islands?
Thanks for any insights!

Part of our group got off after 4 nights and I recall thinking that I would have felt really let down to have been leaving so soon. The only things we saw that were dramatically different were hammerhead sharks and penguins but I was very glad to have been staying for the extra 3 nights.

Thanks Heather49,
What ship were you on and were you happy with the experience?

I think the best way to decide the length of cruise that is best for you is to read Barry Boyce's Book - the Traveler's Guide to the Galapagos (available on Amazon or others)

In our case we really wanted to see the flightless cormorants which meant going to the west side of Isabela - so a 7 night cruise.

We were on the Eclipse - had a great time - here's a link to our blog with tons of pics

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...gos/index.html

Having gone on a 7 night cruise I think if you are actually on 5 islands in 3 1/2 days which some trips can accomplish with 1/2 days on 2 that are close you would get 75% of the 7 night cruise, in my opinion. Also, based on where else you plan to go such as Machu (real trail) and or Amazon ( hot/humid, but so unusual) then the combination would be far better and cost slightly more than the 7 nt. cruise but far more interesting.

StanKase makes a good point: check out the stops on each particular ship, it's the same ship doing 4 nights as the 7, so sometimes the days "overlap" or repeat themselves.

I was lucky, only did a 4 day-and saw quite a bit-would i have loved longer? Yes. Do I feel like I missed something? Not really, i saw plently of what i set out to see-especially the sally lightfoot crabs and the blue footed boobies. In 4 days, we saw all kinds of iguanas, albatross, penguins, flamingos, giant turtles, tons of sea lions, fregetes, so I don't feel like we missed anything that I had wanted to see-if you have 7 days-go for it!!!! If you only have 4-still go for it and don't feel like it's not worth "all or nothing" because it's still worth it.

Thanks for your inputs. I haven't narrowed the ship down yet so don't know what the stops would be. I really want to go on one with about 40-50 passengers, max. I do want to include an Amazon stop in Peru and Lake Titicaca, in addition to MP and Cusco, so do think that would offer more diversity.
Not that you can compare this, but we just did two one-week safaris in Kenya and Tanzania each, three camps in each country...and by the end of the trip I felt like we were repeating ourselves.
The main reason I'd go for the 7 day trip is that it seems like it takes a couple of days to "get into" the trip, and by the time you're into it, you're leaving!

I've done a Kenya safari.
Really, comparing apples to oranges, it's completely different.



Keep in mind, in Galapagos, you have to stay on paths and stay with guides. Not like Africa, were you get off the path, and decide how long to take at each "stop".



It feels completely different. You will see tons of animals ON the paths, and animals you won't see anywhere else. There is no element of danger really, whereas Africa, you always feels like you the possibility to be "attacked". The animals in Galapagos feel basically harmless.


I also combined my trip with Peru-it was a great trip and highly recommended. You're doing different completely different things in your time frame, unlike when you did Africa, it was the same the whole time. (Does that make sense?) ;-)


I loved Africa, I actually loved the safari more than other places, I just feel they are completely different from each other.

Elizabeth S,
Thanks for sharing your blog...fascinating and wonderful photos. Especially loved the sea lion shots. I have to admit I freaked over the mockingbird and the water bottle. I have a bird phobia and this is a primary reason we haven't been to the Galapagos yet..the birds need to be as afraid of me as I am of them! Don't laugh, but is there anything I can do to insure that a bird will not touch me?
The only thing about the Eclipse that turned me off a bit was your comment about the "good but bland" food...as food quality is pretty important to me. Thanks again for sharing...I'm looking forward to reading about your Peru experience next.

Blamona,
I thought I recognized your name from the Africa chat site. What ship did you go on for 4 nights and how did you like it? How did you arrange the Peru section of your trip?
I agree about Africa...it's haunting, lovely and scary!

barefootbeach....

My husband carries a bottle of Tabasco everywhere he goes so our idea of bland might be a little different! Food was fine - sometimes very good.

barefootbeach:

If you have a bird phobia, you may have a tough time in Galapagos-there are tons of Blue footed boobies. I have to tell you, no animals come up and touch you, nor are you allowed to touch them, but you'll see tons of birds. What's umique about Galapagos, is these animals behave as you're not there, and act like they could really care less if you are-it's really a unique experience---and may help get over your phobia!!!! ;-) You don't have the same feeling as Africa, it really feels different, none of the animals seem aggressive, if anything, they are nothing but "show-offs" and the sea lions are playful.



I went on Galapagos Legend, which is bigger than you are seeking-it was a 90 passanger ship-it was a beautiful boat. I did all the bookings of everything, including Peru, myself. It was alot of work, but I love anything travel, so to me worth it. I should have been a travel agent! ;-)

oh, some of the animals we saw in 4 days (and not all of them!!!!):


http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...view=slideshow

Forget the 4 vs. 7 days, it's the bird phobia that is the issue. This could be a nightmare of a trip for you if you are truly frightened of birds.

I doubt a bird will touch you if you do not encourage it, and you definitely are not supposed to encourage it.

Unlike Africa, which you enjoyed and where the birds behave as you stated, "with as much fear of you as you have of them," that is not the case in the Galapagos. In fact, the lack of fear shown by the animals is one of the biggest draws of this place.


To respond to your comment of "getting the essence of the Galapagos," I think you can do that with 4 days. (I'm a fan of Galapagos trips longer than even 7 days, but 4 days packs a lot in.)

When you mention you felt you were repeating sights in Kenya and Tanzania, then 4 nights might be just right to avoid that feeling in the Galapagos.

With 4 nights you might miss: Red Footed Boobies, Galapagos Hawks, Flamingos on a red sand beach, Galapagos penguins, tortoises in the highlands, close up views of reef sharks. Of course it all depends on what animals are where and which islands you get to.

I'd really recommend Barry Boyce's book as well. It's a handy guide while you're there too.

You'll want your shoes on the lava! Though I've seen guides go barefoot. Ouch! That's in reference to your name.

Hi Atravelyn,
It's nice to see your comments again...I've read so many of yours on the Africa talk site.
I think I'll be Ok with the bird thing...I don't mind looking at them...in fact, the blue footed boobies look awfully cute...just don't want to touch one. So, if I miss seeing more birds with a 4 day vs 7 day cruise, it won't devastate me. I'm leaning more toward the 4 day. I do have that book but unfortunately it's "up north" where I'll be in a month...I didn't want to rebuy that book...yet I'm trying to pin down the cruise thing for next April. Already, I'm hearing that ships I was interested in are "booked"...Isabella II and Evolution (both were 7 days)..altho probably by a tour operator that I don't know about.
By the way, I can't walk barefoot on our beach here either...too many seashells!

Blamona,
Thanks for sharing those great photos! I'll be booking the Peru section myself also...should help keep the costs down to pay for the Galapagos portion! As far as birds go, I'm planning to hide behind my husband!

Hi, barefootbeach and others in this thread, one reason I have not wanted to go to the Galapagos is because I am allergic to birds, but usually only only have a problem with caged birds or being in a building where loads of birds are nesting in the attic. Wild birds usually don't affect me. However, I wonder if loads of bird nests (with the associated dander and feathers) would cause a problem. Are there "loads of nests" and feathers flying all about? Are you with birds all the time or just in parts? I don't have a fatal reaction to birds, but it is uncomfortable and I always wonder. BTW we went to Australia and encountered lots of wild birds (just not nests) and even went to an island where there were gull nests and penguin nests around. The wind was blowing so much that I was fine! Any thoughts on this subject? I don't care if a bird touches me, just don't want it to get its dander on me!
Sally in Seattle

HI Sally - based on what I know about your trip to Australia and having been in Galapagos I don't think you'll have any problems. There was only one land trip that was pretty much all focused around birds (boobies) and even then you could avoid closeness to the nests....otherwise the other trips were combos on lizards and some birds.....but again not a problem to avoid close access. Plus the snorkeling was a big part of our trip and it was fantastic.

barefootbeach - Isabella II is often booked up by tour operators - Eclipse is comparable.

Maybe now the Isabella II is booked bytour operators but it was not a couple years ago.

The Isabella II is a Luxury Yacht that is 40 passengers only.. many time sit is less.

When I was on it a couple years ago, ...there were 36 people ,they were in small groups of 2 or 4 or 6 or add numbers like 3 or 5 , that is what all 20 room were used up but only 36 people present.

For example,. there was a group of four ladies from around San Diego.

Two people from England. One person from Quito. two from Dublin Ireland, Four from Canada etc.

It cost more to go on the Isabella II so many the tour companies are now getting a "good deal" if they book all 20 room !?

Percy

Barefootbeach,

April was a good time. Very hot but that made the snorkel less uncomfortable. Still, everyone wore a wet suit. I think the 4-day trip would work well for you.

You'll have a unique perspective for any future Galapagos travelers who are not that fond of getting too personal with the birds. I hope you share your experiences when you get back.