Ecuador and Galapagos Itinerary Needed
Dec 30th, 2010 | 03:31 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Ecuador and Galapagos Itinerary Needed
My friends and I are planning to visit Ecuador for 3 weeks in early May. We have 8 people in our group, with age ranging from 50 to 60. Since we’ve seen Machu Picchu and other Inca ruins in Sacred Valley in Peru, we want to focus more on the natural beauty of Ecuador. Any suggestion for the 3-week itinerary, with or without Galapagos?
We visited Ballestas Islands (the Poor Man’s Galapagos) in Peru two years ago. We all agreed that the 2-hour boat trip was a truly memorable experience. We are thinking of including Galapagos in our Ecuador itinerary. However, we are not sure if it’s a good idea, as most of us are prone to sea sickness (here I mean very serious nausea, dizziness and vomiting. One of my friends even got nauseous when snorkeling). Gravol and pulse point bracelet didn’t help much according to past experience. Galapagos is expensive. We have to make sure that we won’t regret it.
We’ve thought of hotel based islands tours, but that mean we’ll need to ride on small boat to do excursions. We think the larger cruise ship will be more stable in rough sea. However, sleeping on a rocking ship is a challenge to us.
We are eager to see black iguana, penguins, sea lions, giant tortoises, we a…. Can we get close to abundant wildlife elsewhere in Ecuador? Perhaps 2 tor 3 days with wildlife is already good enough for us. If Galapagos is the only option, which islands should we visit based on the following facts:
We are either very weak swimmers or non-swimmers but we’d love to grab every opportunity to snorkel with a life jacket under safe circumstances.
We are not into bird-watching.
We can do easy to moderate hikes (1-3 hours). Some of us need to use hiking poles.
Please share your experiences and suggestions with us. Thanks.
We visited Ballestas Islands (the Poor Man’s Galapagos) in Peru two years ago. We all agreed that the 2-hour boat trip was a truly memorable experience. We are thinking of including Galapagos in our Ecuador itinerary. However, we are not sure if it’s a good idea, as most of us are prone to sea sickness (here I mean very serious nausea, dizziness and vomiting. One of my friends even got nauseous when snorkeling). Gravol and pulse point bracelet didn’t help much according to past experience. Galapagos is expensive. We have to make sure that we won’t regret it.
We’ve thought of hotel based islands tours, but that mean we’ll need to ride on small boat to do excursions. We think the larger cruise ship will be more stable in rough sea. However, sleeping on a rocking ship is a challenge to us.
We are eager to see black iguana, penguins, sea lions, giant tortoises, we a…. Can we get close to abundant wildlife elsewhere in Ecuador? Perhaps 2 tor 3 days with wildlife is already good enough for us. If Galapagos is the only option, which islands should we visit based on the following facts:
We are either very weak swimmers or non-swimmers but we’d love to grab every opportunity to snorkel with a life jacket under safe circumstances.
We are not into bird-watching.
We can do easy to moderate hikes (1-3 hours). Some of us need to use hiking poles.
Please share your experiences and suggestions with us. Thanks.
Dec 30th, 2010 | 05:40 PM
#2
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
HI Lachat,
The Galapagos are so amazing, that I hope you all can figure out a way to get over here! With regards to sea sickness, the "larger" cruise ships are the most stable options for you and your group, with catamarans next in line, followed by single hull yachts. The largest ship out here holds maximum 100 passengers, so it is still considerably smaller than the Mega ships that cruise in other parts of the world. These larger ships (as well as some of the mid-sized ships) have doctors on board to help out with medical issues or sea sickness if encountered.
May is a good time of year for your group, as the seas are relatively calm that time of year. You are right with regards to island hopping: you will have to take a small speed boat for a 3 hour trip, which I personally find more challenging than the overnight cruises.
Whichever cruise you choose, there are generally 2 hikes a day (approx 2 hours or so), but some of this time will be sent being still watching the wildlife. The guides will explain the level of difficulty (easy to medium) of the hike and the topography before hand so that you can choose to go or not. There is generally a snorkelling opportunity daily, and you can go in a life jacket of snorkel vest.
Even if you are not into bird-watching, you ´ll be amazed by the strange and fascinating birds in the Galapagos islands...they will be all around at every island! You might just get hooked....
As an alternate to Galapagos, you might want to research Isla de la Plata, another "poor man´s galapagos" in Ecuador, although I have never been to it personally.
Hope this is helpful.
The Galapagos are so amazing, that I hope you all can figure out a way to get over here! With regards to sea sickness, the "larger" cruise ships are the most stable options for you and your group, with catamarans next in line, followed by single hull yachts. The largest ship out here holds maximum 100 passengers, so it is still considerably smaller than the Mega ships that cruise in other parts of the world. These larger ships (as well as some of the mid-sized ships) have doctors on board to help out with medical issues or sea sickness if encountered.
May is a good time of year for your group, as the seas are relatively calm that time of year. You are right with regards to island hopping: you will have to take a small speed boat for a 3 hour trip, which I personally find more challenging than the overnight cruises.
Whichever cruise you choose, there are generally 2 hikes a day (approx 2 hours or so), but some of this time will be sent being still watching the wildlife. The guides will explain the level of difficulty (easy to medium) of the hike and the topography before hand so that you can choose to go or not. There is generally a snorkelling opportunity daily, and you can go in a life jacket of snorkel vest.
Even if you are not into bird-watching, you ´ll be amazed by the strange and fascinating birds in the Galapagos islands...they will be all around at every island! You might just get hooked....
As an alternate to Galapagos, you might want to research Isla de la Plata, another "poor man´s galapagos" in Ecuador, although I have never been to it personally.
Hope this is helpful.
Dec 31st, 2010 | 05:20 AM
#3
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Hi LaChat,
Careful many occult foreign expat touts posing as "experts"
Even WORSE over on Tripadvisor so be VERY careful.
Just got back from a nice trip down there with
a GOOD DIRCECT local ecuadorian provider.
www.galapagosXpeditions.com
Galapagos Cruises are #1 scammed on the boards
easy to pay too much to middlemen most sites expat owned.
If you guys are seasickness prone Celbrity Xpedition biggest
your best bet www.cruisecritic.com if you want a cruise.
Beware the many scammers who will try to put you on
smaller "pukeboats" roach infested like Archipel/Fragata/Samba
Small cheap cats are best not great like Nina SeaMan II
from $800 or so offseason for a short cruise.
There are many nice land only options cheaper like
www.sancristobalbb.com best prettiest low tourist island
Nice places on the mainland
www.nuhousehotels.com Quito
www.haciendapinsaqui.com
www.bellavisacloudforest.com
www.hosteriamandala.info
Cuenca Banos for jungle
www.huaorani.com is amazing if time for deep jungle.
got good discounts recently with www.guanguiltagua.com Eva
on these and good driver/guides are best from $50/half day
Do careful research go LOCAL to save
always www.insuremytrip.com
Happy Journey,
Careful many occult foreign expat touts posing as "experts"
Even WORSE over on Tripadvisor so be VERY careful.
Just got back from a nice trip down there with
a GOOD DIRCECT local ecuadorian provider.
www.galapagosXpeditions.com
Galapagos Cruises are #1 scammed on the boards
easy to pay too much to middlemen most sites expat owned.
If you guys are seasickness prone Celbrity Xpedition biggest
your best bet www.cruisecritic.com if you want a cruise.
Beware the many scammers who will try to put you on
smaller "pukeboats" roach infested like Archipel/Fragata/Samba
Small cheap cats are best not great like Nina SeaMan II
from $800 or so offseason for a short cruise.
There are many nice land only options cheaper like
www.sancristobalbb.com best prettiest low tourist island
Nice places on the mainland
www.nuhousehotels.com Quito
www.haciendapinsaqui.com
www.bellavisacloudforest.com
www.hosteriamandala.info
Cuenca Banos for jungle
www.huaorani.com is amazing if time for deep jungle.
got good discounts recently with www.guanguiltagua.com Eva
on these and good driver/guides are best from $50/half day
Do careful research go LOCAL to save
always www.insuremytrip.com
Happy Journey,
Dec 31st, 2010 | 05:56 AM
#4
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
HI Qwovadis
Glad you had a nice trip down here. I would just like to comment to you that you always advise about "occult foreign expat touts posing as "experts" ", and I don´t particularly feel this is fair, as my user name is GalapagosExpert and I am not a "middlemen, scammer" or any of the above. I also use Trip Advisor and have not found such things on there either. It is a great idea to go local, and there are many ships and tour operators that are local. Celebrity Xpedition is not local, as it is owned by Royal Caribean and Celebrity cruises that work around the world, and I believe are based in the US.
Everyone on here (and Trip Advisor for that matter) are offering (what I feel) is helpful hints and tips about making the best out of their Galapagos Exerience.
Thanks in advance for your understanding.
Glad you had a nice trip down here. I would just like to comment to you that you always advise about "occult foreign expat touts posing as "experts" ", and I don´t particularly feel this is fair, as my user name is GalapagosExpert and I am not a "middlemen, scammer" or any of the above. I also use Trip Advisor and have not found such things on there either. It is a great idea to go local, and there are many ships and tour operators that are local. Celebrity Xpedition is not local, as it is owned by Royal Caribean and Celebrity cruises that work around the world, and I believe are based in the US.
Everyone on here (and Trip Advisor for that matter) are offering (what I feel) is helpful hints and tips about making the best out of their Galapagos Exerience.
Thanks in advance for your understanding.
Dec 31st, 2010 | 01:33 PM
#5
Original Poster
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Thanks guys for all the advice. We really want to go local. Unfortunately Celebrity Xpedition is not local and it's a dilemma for us. We'll keep searching on the net for more update info. We'll use a local travel agent to handle our trip. Would appreciate any recommendation. Thanks.
Dec 31st, 2010 | 04:15 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Bassett wrote an interesting book entitled "Galapagos at the crossroads." In the appendix, she wrote this:
Following are some tour companies that knowledgeable Galápagos residents recommend: Aggressor I & II Fleet, Andando Cruises, Columbus Travel, Deep Blue Galápagos, Ecoventura, Enchanted Expeditions, Integrity Galápagos Yacht, Kensington Tours, Latin Tour, Lindblad Expeditions, Metropolitan Touring, Ninfa Tour, Scuba Iguana, Tip Top Cruises, Xpedition Cruises, Yacht Daphne, Yacht Darwin, and Yacht Eden. (p. 293)
Her emphasis wasn't necessarily on local operators, but rather those that were acting responsibly toward the environment. But I know a number on the list are locals. (We can highly recommend the Tip Top Fleet, which is also local--run by Rolf Wittmer Turismo, family of one of the earliest settlers on Floreana.)
Just one person's list, but it might give you some ideas.
Tina
trip report at http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/
Following are some tour companies that knowledgeable Galápagos residents recommend: Aggressor I & II Fleet, Andando Cruises, Columbus Travel, Deep Blue Galápagos, Ecoventura, Enchanted Expeditions, Integrity Galápagos Yacht, Kensington Tours, Latin Tour, Lindblad Expeditions, Metropolitan Touring, Ninfa Tour, Scuba Iguana, Tip Top Cruises, Xpedition Cruises, Yacht Daphne, Yacht Darwin, and Yacht Eden. (p. 293)
Her emphasis wasn't necessarily on local operators, but rather those that were acting responsibly toward the environment. But I know a number on the list are locals. (We can highly recommend the Tip Top Fleet, which is also local--run by Rolf Wittmer Turismo, family of one of the earliest settlers on Floreana.)
Just one person's list, but it might give you some ideas.
Tina
trip report at http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/
Dec 31st, 2010 | 04:32 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Addressing another of your issues--using hiking poles--that should be no problem. I was having major lower back problems during our cruise in Sept., 2009 and I took a hiking pole on every landing except for those that were on a beach. The paths are generally wide and easy to traverse, so a pole is not problem. (And you are not allowed to wander from the paths, by Park regulation.) A few times, we had to negotiate some small boulders, but nothing major at all.
I second GE's comment about birding. "Bird watching" in the archipelago is unlike bird watching anywhere else in the world. In reality, they watch you as much as you watch them, especially the myriad sea birds. They are unbelievably close and undisturbed by humanity--the paths go right through breeding colonies and you're eye to eye with huge nestlings and their parents. And you don't have to worry about crazed birders holding things up while they try to run down that extremely rare Twittering Tweety Bird, as long as you're not on a birding cruise. (I'm a birder and I know just how annoying the truly obsessed birder can be.) Chasing after birds is neither permitted nor necessary. You stand amidst them while they're living their lives, just as if you weren't there. It's astounding. So don't write off the birds too quickly! (Plus, don't forget that penguins are birds too. So see--you're already a enjoyer of birds! The 3 species of boobies and the 2 species of frigatebirds will win your heart too. And the Waved Albatross--a thing of pure beauty and majesty with feathers.)
Tina
trip report at http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/
I second GE's comment about birding. "Bird watching" in the archipelago is unlike bird watching anywhere else in the world. In reality, they watch you as much as you watch them, especially the myriad sea birds. They are unbelievably close and undisturbed by humanity--the paths go right through breeding colonies and you're eye to eye with huge nestlings and their parents. And you don't have to worry about crazed birders holding things up while they try to run down that extremely rare Twittering Tweety Bird, as long as you're not on a birding cruise. (I'm a birder and I know just how annoying the truly obsessed birder can be.) Chasing after birds is neither permitted nor necessary. You stand amidst them while they're living their lives, just as if you weren't there. It's astounding. So don't write off the birds too quickly! (Plus, don't forget that penguins are birds too. So see--you're already a enjoyer of birds! The 3 species of boobies and the 2 species of frigatebirds will win your heart too. And the Waved Albatross--a thing of pure beauty and majesty with feathers.)
Tina
trip report at http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/
Trending Topics
Jan 1st, 2011 | 02:02 PM
#8
Original Poster
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
I checked the Celebrity website and the Xpedition is fullyed booked in May 2011. Spaces are available in April and June, though. Have anyone tried the Galapagos legend or Explorer II? Where can I find bargain for Galapagos crusie? Some of my friends are hesitate to spend that large sum of money on a voyage and they prefer land-based island hopping. However, I found the land-based options not cheaper either.
Jan 5th, 2011 | 08:14 AM
#9
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Hi Lachat,
The Galapagos islands are generally a "get what you pay for" kind of place. The larger the sum of money you invest, the higher the standard of service, guides, etc. (for land hopping as well as cruises). The bargains can be found on line, sometimes last minute, or well in advance. The best "bargain" will truly be purchasing a cruise/trip that you and your friends will be (more than!) satisfied with purchasing and a company that will offer a safe, profesional and amazing experience.
Both the large ships you mentioned have great reports and reputations. I did see recently a complaint about the Legend using some Level 1 guides rather than Level 3, but the Level-correspondence is not necessarily a cut and dry guideline to go by.
You might want to look into a smaller cruise option, or narrow down the sea sickness issue by deciding what will be more comfortable: sleeping on board, or traveling daily by speedboat.
The Galapagos islands are generally a "get what you pay for" kind of place. The larger the sum of money you invest, the higher the standard of service, guides, etc. (for land hopping as well as cruises). The bargains can be found on line, sometimes last minute, or well in advance. The best "bargain" will truly be purchasing a cruise/trip that you and your friends will be (more than!) satisfied with purchasing and a company that will offer a safe, profesional and amazing experience.
Both the large ships you mentioned have great reports and reputations. I did see recently a complaint about the Legend using some Level 1 guides rather than Level 3, but the Level-correspondence is not necessarily a cut and dry guideline to go by.
You might want to look into a smaller cruise option, or narrow down the sea sickness issue by deciding what will be more comfortable: sleeping on board, or traveling daily by speedboat.
Jan 5th, 2011 | 12:48 PM
#10
Original Poster
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
GalapagosExpert
Thanks for your advice. 8 friends have shown interest in this trip but everyone has his/her own preference and concerns. Seasickness is the common issue, though. I found it very difficult to get everyone compromised. I've requested quotes and itinerary suggestion from three tour operators highly recommended in Fodor forum. Only one has responded but with a very expensive quote...far more expensvie than what they posted on their website. I am thinking of doing a 8-day cruise or 5-day hotel-based tours in Galapagos. Then spend 10 days to visit the Ecuador mainland. Most of my friends are not wildlife enthusiasts and they think a 8-day cruise are too much for them. However, based on what I read, the inter-island boat trips in rough sea should not be overlooked. I'll keep watching for more new info online and crossing my fingers that I can eventually set foot on the enchanted islands.
Thanks for your advice. 8 friends have shown interest in this trip but everyone has his/her own preference and concerns. Seasickness is the common issue, though. I found it very difficult to get everyone compromised. I've requested quotes and itinerary suggestion from three tour operators highly recommended in Fodor forum. Only one has responded but with a very expensive quote...far more expensvie than what they posted on their website. I am thinking of doing a 8-day cruise or 5-day hotel-based tours in Galapagos. Then spend 10 days to visit the Ecuador mainland. Most of my friends are not wildlife enthusiasts and they think a 8-day cruise are too much for them. However, based on what I read, the inter-island boat trips in rough sea should not be overlooked. I'll keep watching for more new info online and crossing my fingers that I can eventually set foot on the enchanted islands.
