Beginning to plan Galapagos trip
Jul 2nd, 2011, 10:05 AM
#1
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Beginning to plan Galapagos trip
I am just beginning to plan a trip to the Galapagos for next year. I will be traveling alone and am looking for a "luxury" trip (whatever that means these days). I have seen info from the National Geograpnic/Lindblad folks and those look nice. But I would love to hear from others about other options I should consider. Also: what is the very best time of year to go? Thanks!
Jul 3rd, 2011, 01:08 PM
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weather2travel.com Climate Guide Galapagos
when it is best to go depends but for best
most active wildlife I go in the fall when
nutrient dense currents from Antartica predominate.
Best experience if money is no object go with
Sven Linblad on the Islander ...
cruisecritic.com galapagos forums
there is a downside and that is you learn a lot
but you are with a crowd of upscale tourists
not intimate little local contact .
Ecoventura Cruises at discounts are more intimate for me
www.guanguiltagua.com great discounts in the late $2K range
an AWESOME itinerary with quality guides.
CAREFUL with TripAdvertizer "destination experts" they are
agents pay to scam clueless newbies into paying 200-400%
more than you need to on bunk bedded older Motor Sailers
avoid Fragata Eden Samba Archipel seasickness roach issues etc
insuremytrip.com always wise there is periodic civil unrest
they have had like 10 presidents in 10 years so get
cancellation theft strike fraud comp insurance.
Saved my bacon last fall...
Happy Travels be careful many touts scammers!
when it is best to go depends but for best
most active wildlife I go in the fall when
nutrient dense currents from Antartica predominate.
Best experience if money is no object go with
Sven Linblad on the Islander ...
cruisecritic.com galapagos forums
there is a downside and that is you learn a lot
but you are with a crowd of upscale tourists
not intimate little local contact .
Ecoventura Cruises at discounts are more intimate for me
www.guanguiltagua.com great discounts in the late $2K range
an AWESOME itinerary with quality guides.
CAREFUL with TripAdvertizer "destination experts" they are
agents pay to scam clueless newbies into paying 200-400%
more than you need to on bunk bedded older Motor Sailers
avoid Fragata Eden Samba Archipel seasickness roach issues etc
insuremytrip.com always wise there is periodic civil unrest
they have had like 10 presidents in 10 years so get
cancellation theft strike fraud comp insurance.
Saved my bacon last fall...
Happy Travels be careful many touts scammers!
Jul 3rd, 2011, 01:11 PM
#3
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www.lan.com
currently best safest air from US out to Baltra
usually good specials
in the fall sometimes...
currently best safest air from US out to Baltra
usually good specials
in the fall sometimes...
Jul 5th, 2011, 08:48 AM
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The Galapagos are a year round destination, you can't go wrong! There are only slight climate changes with the transition from rainy to dry season so you can choose to go depending on what your interests are (wildlife, diving/snorkeling...)
Read more info here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-Time-...gos&id=5738578
If you're looking for a luxury experience, then a cruise would be the best option. Everything is taken care of and your ship will take you to some of the most famous islands. Check out the Grand Odyssey cruise ship. It's brand new and gorgeous.
It's also one of the best diving destinations in the world if you're intersted in that.
happy planning!
Hortense
Peru For Less
Read more info here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-Time-...gos&id=5738578
If you're looking for a luxury experience, then a cruise would be the best option. Everything is taken care of and your ship will take you to some of the most famous islands. Check out the Grand Odyssey cruise ship. It's brand new and gorgeous.
It's also one of the best diving destinations in the world if you're intersted in that.
happy planning!
Hortense
Peru For Less
Jul 5th, 2011, 08:56 AM
#5
We were on the Eclipse in February of 2006 - it was a great boat/size and has two single rooms which were great for single travelers
http://www.eclipse.com.ec/
http://www.eclipse.com.ec/
Jul 10th, 2011, 11:30 AM
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Jan, Feb, Mar the Waved Albatross are out to sea, flying around, so you won't see them during those months. No time is bad from a climate or wildlife standpoint. I have been told that Christmas cruises have much less of a wildlife focus and more of a party on the boat focus.
Galapagos Travel had a policy of no single supplement if you are willing to share. If a roommate does not materialize, you don't pay more. I ended up with no roommate and no SS, following their rules.
Luxury "whatever that means" is defined by Galapagos Travel trips as fewer people on the boat (16) and maximum time on the land and water excursions. Great food, comfortable air conditioned accommodations, more time in the islands (minimum 11 days).
To help you decide what trip is best, are you interested in seeing as much of the Galapagos as possible or would you prefer to see some of the most popular species such as the iguanas and blue footed boobies on a shorter excursion? Are snorkeling or kayaking activities in between the shore excursions important to you or would you prefer not to partake in those things?
Have a great trip.
Galapagos Travel had a policy of no single supplement if you are willing to share. If a roommate does not materialize, you don't pay more. I ended up with no roommate and no SS, following their rules.
Luxury "whatever that means" is defined by Galapagos Travel trips as fewer people on the boat (16) and maximum time on the land and water excursions. Great food, comfortable air conditioned accommodations, more time in the islands (minimum 11 days).
To help you decide what trip is best, are you interested in seeing as much of the Galapagos as possible or would you prefer to see some of the most popular species such as the iguanas and blue footed boobies on a shorter excursion? Are snorkeling or kayaking activities in between the shore excursions important to you or would you prefer not to partake in those things?
Have a great trip.
Jul 10th, 2011, 06:32 PM
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There´s never a bad time for Galapagos, really! It partially depends on what wildlife you are interested in seeing, as well as your ability to "handle" the heat! Jan. and Feb. are exceptionally warm, in my opinion. ANother key factor you might want to consider is the SIZE of ship you are interested in. Luxury vessels would include luxury service, top notch bilingual (even trilingual sometimes!) guides, more comfortable facilities including a/c, hot water showers, jacuzzies, and tastier food. A good guide can really "make it or break it" when it comes to cruising. The higher end (hence, luxury)ships work with the more qualified and experienced guides.
At the end of the day, you will have a wonderful time in the Galapagos Islands, no matter what you decide!
At the end of the day, you will have a wonderful time in the Galapagos Islands, no matter what you decide!
Jul 13th, 2011, 02:17 PM
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LAN charges about $600 return from Miami to Quinto/Quayaquil return. I thought it was a good price (for November)
We are booked on thye Galapagos Explorer II in November. One of the bigger ships around. DW doesn't like "roughing it" too much and our TA say it is a good compromise.
We are booked on thye Galapagos Explorer II in November. One of the bigger ships around. DW doesn't like "roughing it" too much and our TA say it is a good compromise.
