Nortada-Purewest advenytures-Galapagos Islands in Feb 04
 

Message: Thinking of going to the Galapagos Islands in Feb (or Jan)...have a few q's..

1.)Wondered if anyone has chartered a small yacht such as the Nortada for a group??
2.) Anyone been during this time of year ??
3.) Who would you recommend as a booking agent ??
any and all info is appreciated !
Thanks,
Brenda

Hi
I just back backfromthe galapagos last week and the tour company that booked me ( they are in Quito Ecuador)were just absolutely super.)
They are SangayTours, operatd by Martin and Robin Slater.
I cannot say enough good things about the way they treated me and organized my trip.( 4 days in Quito also).
Martin will know all about every Yacht that there is in the Galapagos and which one would be best for you.
Send him an e mail at:
[email protected]
Tell Martin, that I told you to have him look after you the way he did me!!
Martin and I had a nice in person chat while I was in Quito.
I just sent him an e-mail last night.
His web page is www.sangay.com
Percy

I guess it is a good thing I refered you to him, isn't it.

Peg,
Are you familar with the ship I was refering to ?? Or the tour company ??
Thanks,
Brenda

Peg:

Yes, Thanks a lot Peg. Martin and his brother treated me very good and he is a very nice fellow also.
We keep in touch via e mail.

Brenda:
The only problem I would think you might have with a small Yacht is the motion sickness factor. Some people are more prone than others. About 10-12 got sick on the 40 passenger yacht that I took.
I looked up my list of all the yachts that I know that cruise the Galapagos and could not find the Nortada.
However, what I did see when I was at the Galapagos was that some people flying over to Baltra and then taking the ferry to Santa Cruz..and then from the yacht area right by the town of Puerto Ayoro,there were yachts to rent..meaning not everyone was booked up .
But I do not think you want to do this.
Hope you contact Martin..he knows about every yacht in the Galapagos.
Sorry I could not help you more.
Percy

Hi Brenda,

I cannot help you on the ship, but I am familiar with the tour company. I have booked my up and coming trip with them. I did thorough research and decided to go with Sangay. They have a very nice website. www.sangay.com

For the ship, you can maybe try www.igtoa.com. They are the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association. They have information on ships also. Plus tour operators and also a message board that the administrators frequently answer questions on. That might give you some direction.

Brenda,
I just have to jump in since i had such a great time in the Galapagos this past May. I guess there are a lot of good people to book with, as I had a great experience with http://www.ecuadortoursonline.com/, Diego was great, answered eveything via email promptly. Everyone was so friendly there, and for the 1st time, nothing went wrong! I traveled by myself, but had plenty of people to talk to on the ship. I went on the Galapagos Legend, which is a 90 passenger luxury ship. I'm so glad I did! I even stayed an extra day on the island, and had a great time going back to the Darwin Research Center to hang out and pet the Tortoises. Ask anything you like!
Joanne

Hello All,
Thanks so much for all the helpful information. Still trying to decide when to go and what type of yacht. Seasickness is usually not a big issue as we are experienced boaters.
Any other must do's while in Ecuador other than the Islands ??
Happy Traveling,
Brenda

Brenda
I was in Quito for 4 days and toured everyday.
1.I went to the Bellavista Cloud Forest for a full day trip..it is a 2 hour ride and then about 1/2 hour off the main highway on a bumpy gravel/dirt road up the mountain side. There are nice views of the Cloud Forest and I went on a 2 hour hike with a guide.
I had breakfast and lunch there before heading back to Quito.
2. I went to Otavalo for the huge market that they have every day, but their big market is every Saturday.
On the way to Otavalo,take a short side trip to the town of Cotocachi, it is very nice and quaint and they have this tree in the town square covered totally with red flower,NO leaves,just flowers.
Also on your way to Otaval(if you go), have the tour guide stop off at the Original "middle of the world " monument that was erected in 1936. It is a large concrete globe with the map of the world on it, situated in a little fenced in flower garden.
You might as well see these thing along the way.!
3. When in Quito you should see the Mitad del Mundo monument. This the newer version of the equator line.
It is like a little shopping complex there with shops and food places to eat and museums etc.
Be sure to place one foot on each side of the line and have your picture take, while you are standing on both sides of the world.!!!!! cool!
4. I went to Cotopaxi, the world's largest active volcano..
If you go DRESS warm, it is very cold 3 miles up and the raod is rather bumpy at times...however on the way going there to Cotopaxi ,if it is on a Thursday..then ask the tour guide to take you to this quaint little town along the way called SAQUISILI, it has the HUGE market every Thursday,and it will open your eyes... a must see if you are there on Thursday.
5. Finally, take a nice tour of Quito.. go to the Old Town, see the San Francisco Square with the church that ws built in 1535, plus many other very ornate buildings.
Then take the drive all the way up to see the statue high on the hilltop of the "Winged Virgin". The view from here is terrific day or night.

Have a nice time in Quito
Percy