I am planning a 7 day cruise to the islands next year. When is the best time to go? I will be flying in and out of Quito. Should I add a couple of days to spend in the city? Is it safe to venture out while I am in Quito? Any information will be greatly appreciated!!!

You might want to consider picking up a copy of Barry Boyce's book - a Traveler's Guide to the Galapagos - it reviews the various books/itineraries and the pros/cons of traveling at different times of year.

We went on a 7 day cruise in February of this year on the Eclipse - it was hotter than blazes in the Galapagos at that time of year but we really enjoyed it as the snorkeling was great!

Here's a link to our blog - lots of photos of the Eclipse.

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

Elizabeth - I loved reading about your trip and seeing the wonderful pictures. I have scheduled the Galapagos for February - guess I will have really hot temperatures to look forward to.

Thanks Louise - we had such a fun time with the blog. The heat wasn't bad once we were on the Eclipse - and I think you're on the Islander? Just take LOTS of sunscreen and drink LOTS of water - and have a great time!

Are you spending anytime in the Galapagos other than the cruise?

No, Elizabeth, I can't spend any more time than 10 days because of family commitment.

Look in Celebrity Xpeditions which has a 10 day vacation including time in Quito and a 7 day cruise. Fabulous!!!!!

Thanks, Philbill, but I opted for a smaller ship. I just returned from an Antarctic trip on a 100 passenger expediton ship. Although it was fantastic I felt that the impact on the environment and just having that many people landing at once was something I would prefer not to do in the Galapagos. I think that snorkeling would get a bit crowded too. I have read that people were happy with the Xpedition.

Best time to go? Anytime.

Here is a link for weather
http://www.junglephotos.com/galapago.../climate.shtml

Strange as it seems, in the Galapagos usually the rainiest months are also the sunniest. During the rainier months of approx. Dec to June it rains, then clears up. In the "dry season" running from about July to Nov there is often a stagnant mist called garula. So it is misty but the mist does not yield much actual precipitation.

April was really hot at times. August was often cool, requiring a jacket. Both trips were fantastic.

Jan, Feb, Mar are the months when the Waved Albatross are out to sea and not on the islands. That's the only species that leaves, everything else can be found on some of the islands year round.

Safety in Quito--I walked around during the day alone near the hotel and felt fine. I also spent a day at Cotapaxi (spelling might be off), while in Quito. There are wild horses there and Inca ruins. Very interesting and scenic.

Have a wonderful trip!

The naturalists said mid May to mid June and mid November to mid December.!!

Philbill,

Did the naturalists elaborate on why they liked those times? Weather? Animal activity?

I had heard around Thanksgiving is a nice time because there are fewer people and it is good weather.

I got back last week and I must say that the end of May was perfect weather. Cool mornings and 80's in the day. Never got to hot and we hiked a ton. We did not go on a boat, we stayed in P Ayora and took day trips. You have to stay in Quito overnight on your way home to catch the plane anyway. Make it 2 and see the town and walk the equator line. The hotel Eugenia was fantastic, they pick you up and take you to the airport...so easy. pault

Paul, I'd be interested in hearing more about your experience staying on land and not taking the cruise. I am dying to go to Galapagos (and we've been to Ecuador and Quito before), but its the thought of the cruise deterring me...I don't mind boating from island to island during the day (and even might enjoy it) but sleeping on a ship would make me horribly seasick and claustrophobic. Did you feel like you missed out on much by not cruising? How many islands were you able to visit on day trips? Were you able to get to a variety and see a variety of wildlife?

In my opinion a 7 day cruise is 2-3 too many days. You can get a very good insight into the ecosystem of the islands in 4 full days visting 4-5 of the islands. We were bored after 4 days. Jyne is a good travel time. You might want to combine with 4-5 days in Peru.

JC,
The gal I went with had the same concerns as you, so we opted to stay on the island of santa cruz. You can take as many day trips as you like. You can reach almost all the islands except for a few far away. They even have overnight trips to Isabella. There are enough places to see on Santan Cruz to keep you busy along with some other island excursions. If you wish write me at my email and I will tell you everything you need to know to stay there. [email protected]

Weather was a factor certainly as the heat can get oppressive.What we missed in Nov/Dec was some of the vegetation, but we saw hundreds of boobies, fabulous dolphins all around the zodiac etc.. The trees were just beginning to leaf and bud, but there again the animal/bird etc viewing was unbelievable. By the way I get bored quickly, but 7 days cruising was wonderful.