I'm trying to find information on any tours of the Galapagos that involve little walking. My parents have dreamed of going there but my father has a leg injury from an accident that prevents him from walking more than short distances. Anything anyone can recommend? Thank you!

It can be a little tricky getting in and out of the pangas (small boats that take you ashore) as well as walking one shore. If he can walk short distances, rest and walk again, that is exactly how the trips to the islands are done. There is so much to see that you often only walk a few steps at a time. The pace is slow so that you don't step on any animals and because the terrain can be uneven and difficult.

If you alerted the outfitter/cruiseline in advance, maybe an escort could be provided who could lend a shoulder to lean on.

I would start by calling Debby or Barry or one of the other staff members at Galapagos Travel. I’ve taken 2 trips with them and even if their trips are not ideal for your father, I think they could steer you to the right place.
800-969-9014
http://www.galapagostravel.com/

Otherwise, I’d call Celebrity Cruise Lines because I would think they would get frequent questions similar to yours.

Good luck and please post again if the trip takes place.

Celebrity breaks their shore excursions down into three groups: high, medium and low intensity. The low intensity tours are for those who can't or don't want to walk/hike hardly at all. Most of these tours are scenic rides along the coast on the Zodiac boats.

I recall some friends that just returned from a Celebrity cruise to the Galapagos mentioning the different levels. The took the most active trips each day.

Do you see much wildlife in those scenic zodiak trips along shore?

Birds, iguanas?

I wonder if Celebrity would have pictures of what was scene on those least active boat trips. If you see a lot, that would be the way to go.

We always chose the "medium" or "high" intensity trips so I don't know how much wildlife the "low" intensity group saw. Our photos of the Galapagos are posted at www.sceneisle.myphotoalbum.com; bottom of album page 3 and top of album page 4.

I went to the Galapagos with Lindblad on the Polaris...there were multiple levels for all excursions. The Polaris has a glass-bottom boat which was great because I didn't want to snorkle

I did read that someone said they often saw more wildlife from the zodiacs than on some of the land walks. I'm sure there are some exceptions though.