We are hoping to spend some time in Ecuador/Columbia later this year. A number of people have recommended a side trip to the Galapagos islands. It does sound attractive but it seems very expensive. I would love to hear comments from anyone who has been and any suggestions for operators etc.

No Argentina?

Hi crellston - your trip reports were so helpful when I was planning our NW Argentina itinerary, I hope I can return the favour.

We spent a month in Galapagos in February 2006 and took a 7 night cruise during that time.

Seeing wildlife is very important to us when we travel (in our arbitrary way we rank it art and architecture followed closely by wildlife and then scenery) Is seeing animals/wildlife as important for you?

We found the Galapagos wildlife experience second to none. You read (and see pictures) about how nonplussed the wildlife is by your physical presence but until you are standing inches away it's hard to fully believe! And the physical sights are very beautiful as well and the snorkeling is terrific.

Another thing to consider is how many nights and which destinations. Barry Boyce's book (Travelers Guide to the Galapagos) is a must read I think as it reviews the various types of boats/classes, itineraries (important because if you want to see something specific it may only be in one location) and length of cruise.

http://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Gala...1658493&sr=1-1

And here's a link to our blog which includes the cruise

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...th_/galapagos/

Regarding cost - because we were there we were able to pick up a last minute cruise deal (2 for 1). You could try for a last minute deal (there are some good websites listing deals....)

http://www.galapagoslastminute.net/
http://www.galapagoscruiselinks.com/

Also the Land Based tours can be much more reasonable than the boat tours (although you don't see quite as much wildlife) and we loved the little towns

http://www.naturegalapagos.com/codig...ela/index.html

This is the travel agent in Puerto Ayora we used to book our cruise - Jenny is the owner

http://www.galapagosmoonrise.com/

And here's a link to a family owned boat - we met them while we were living in Puerto Ayora. The boat is reasonably priced (comparatively) and spotless and well run. We didn't take it due to the bunk beds and my husband's back but otherwise would have.

http://yatefloreana.com/index-1.html

Hope this helps - happy to answer any questions!

Best

Liz

Are the Galapagos worth it..........YES!!!!!!!!!!

As you know they are an expensive travel destination, but nothing compares to the Galapagos when it comes to wildlife viewing. The animals are tame, you're never threatened by them and they are just "there" as in you don't have to go looking for them like you would on an African Safari.

There are pros and cons of taking a land based trip and an adventure cruise. It is very important to know which islands you'd like to visit, some islands won't be accessible if you choose a land based trip and as you can only travel to them by sea.

We'd been on an expedition cruise. The program each day was to wake up super early (we hated this but understand why it's necessary) have breakfast, go on an excursion (in a zodiac) return to the ship, have lunch, siesta (yes, really.......you're so tired from getting up early and it's too hot to do anything else), wake up, go on an afternoon excursion, return to the ship for snacks, attend a lecture with information on the following days activites just before dinner. It's not a relaxing way to see the Galapagos - we'd debated between a one week cruise and a five day cruise we're so glad we choose the later. Five days of this rigid sightseeing itinerary was plenty. The itinerary is not the fault of the cruise line, the number of ships on any island is regulated and therefore each cruise line must stick to their ridgid sightseeing schedule to be able to provide two excursions each day.

If you choose an expedition cruise, make sure you plan some R&R time after the cruise.

Whatever you decide, don't miss the Galapagos, they are well worth the effort to visit and the costs involved.

A Galapagos trip is a unique experience, I'm very pleased that I visited in 2010 but its not a return destination for me. I did a 7 day cruise and have discovered that the routine of ship board life, filling in time between landings and the ship's timetable are not for me.

I'd suggest investigating the land-based itineraries because they offer a great deal of what is covered in the cruises together with better accommodation, freedom to choose from a range of eating places and opportunities to mix wildlife viewing with observing the island life. We enjoyed a day tour that was booked through our accommodation in San Cristobal.

The land-based tours do not provide access to the outer Tower and Espanola Islands for red boobies and waved albatross respectively. I could have been tempted by the Red Mangrove Inn land-based itinerary that offers packages visiting Santa Cruz, Isabela and Floreana - http://www.redmangrove.com/about/why...-programs.html but only discovered this option after I returned home.

Here are some links for other land-based operators, I've not used any of these:

http://www.naturegalapagos.com/codig...ela/index.html

The Galapagos Safsari Camp offers am experience similar to an African safari, http://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/

Semilla Verde http://www.gps.ec/About%20Semilla%20Verde.html


Happy planning,


Pol

If you like wildlife and nature it is worth it. The wildlife you will likely see from within a few feet are interesting birds like the blue footed boobie, several types of iguanas, and tortoises. Also sea lions. Perhaps even Galapagos Penguins.

Many trips also offer snorkeling and provide all equipment for views of turtles swimming and other marine life.

It is a destination unique in the world and well worth a visit, even if just a short cruise or land stay.

Twice I used Galapagos Travel in Aptos, California but they do 11 days in the islands, which was great, but might be longer than you want. Barry Boyce (mentioned above) used to own that company then sold it to the employees.

To really answer if it is worth it, knowing what you want from the excursion would be helpful.

Great photo ops? Yes

Lounging on beaches? Not very much, maybe a beach snorkel

Independent wandering? No, to preserve the islands you stay on paths and with your group

Easy to see wildlife? Heck yeah

Educational? Yes, most trips do evening lectures and presentations on the flora/fauna

Strenuous? No, slow walking but terrain can be rough lava that is difficult to navigate.

Relaxing? Not the trips I took because I did every activity, which sometimes was 2 land visits and 2 snorkels. But you don't have to do the water activities.

Good and bad times to visit? No, anytime is fine but Dec-Mar the waved albatross are out to sea.

If you can possibly find a trip that fits your budget and you have enough days, then go.

Many, many thanks for the comments, information and links which will keep me busy for some time! (I love your blog Liz). It seems like the answer is; yes, it is definitely worth it!!

The only question remaining is whether to go land or boat based. We are both keen divers so the opportunity to dive with all sorts of weird creatures is a strong pull and boats obviously make this easier but I do like the look of some of the land based tours (plus they seem a lot cheaper). I don't get seasick so that is not a problem but I have found it difficult to sleep on board on previous dive trips. Some people find the movement relaxing but I find it a complete PITA.

We are planning a long stay in Ecuador so we will have the advantage of being able to research and negotiate with tour operators whilst there.

PS Avrooster - I am afraid no Argentina this time. A combination of expense (i.e. Argentina seems to have gotten very expensive by comparison with other SA countries of late) and wanting to explore other SA countries as we are very concious that during our 5 month in SA in 2008 we only visited 3 countries. - So many places, so little time!!

crellston - glad it's on the list!

A comment re diving - we are also divers but were advised against diving in Galapagos unless you are used to cold water, poor visibility and strong currents. We dive every other year or so in warm water. We took this person's advice (who is the owner of the leading dive shop in Puerto Ayora and somebody we were going to give money to!) and snorkeled instead, which we loved. BTW you can dive from Puerto Ayora (and get quite far afield) not just on a cruise ... here's a link to Mathias' shop

http://www.scubaiguana.com/html/about_us.html

The boat link I gave above (Floreana) also runs some diving cruises - the owners were all trained at Scuba Iguana and are highly accomplished dive boat operators.

If you have the time you could easily put your own land package together. When we were staying in Puerto Ayora (which was great fun BTW) there were lots of day trip operators doing trips on/around the island. Plus you can take a slow or fast boat (or fly) to the island of Isabela (strongly recommended) and stay in the charming town of Villamil - from there you can do other day trips (as you'll see on the blog - I'm just merrily recreating the blog!)

There's another agent in Guayaquil that gets good last minute deals - Percy recommends him. Here's the contact info

Martin Slater
E-mail Address
[email protected]

I noticed you were considering this area and thought you may want to see this thread, as we were looking into Ecuador before we decided on Thailand for our next trip. http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...ould-we-go.cfm
Good luck.

Elizabeth - thanks for the heads up on the diving. Although we are both experienced divers, most of our diving has been done in tropical waters and, whilst strong currents don't bother me (in fact I really liked the drift dives we have done), diving in the cold water is not my idea of fun so we may do as you suggest and stick to snorkelling.

Virginia - thanks for the link - all useful stuff. just about to post on your Thailand thread..