GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

12 days from GBP3,199 to GBP3,639 including flights+ Galapagos taxes US$110 paid locally
Tripcode: AAG

Countries Visited: Ecuador

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 19 reviews.

Joyce Andrews

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Written January 2012
This trip is absolutely amazing - if you have the opportunity to go the Galapagos grab it with both hands, you'll have a ball.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There are so many to choose from - seeing your first tortoise, sea turtle, shark, iguana, blue footied boobie. Nothing, however, can prepare you for your first underwater encounter with a sea lion. The sheer beauty, gentleness and playfulness of these creatures has to be experienced to be believed. Arriving on the first day we took a drive into the highlands of Santa Cruz and we saw so many giant tortoises we were all speechless. If the trip had ended there I would have been happy, but every day was filled to the brim with amazing moments like that. I loved the silence of paddling a Panga around the mangroves of Punta Moreno on Isabela Island - and hearing the snoring of the sea lions who were asleep up a tree!
What did you think of your group leader?
Gloria was our leader on mainland Ecuador - she was so helpful and really brought the history of Quito alive.
Silvia was our guide throughout the Galapagos. She was absolutely amazing and led a mixed group through the rough terrain with unfailing good humour and endless knowledge. She was so informative on a wealth of subjects and was always willing to answer questions. She clearly lives and breathes the Galapagos Islands and her enthusiasm was soon passed on to all 15 of the people in our group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go to the Galapagos as soon as you can. It's a wonderful place and each day was full of new wildlife encounters and amazing scenery. Do take strong sun screen - I had been in the Caribbean for 2 weeks, but even so I could not go below factor 30. If you suffer with sea-sickness then do take something for it. I was OK but we had one night of rough seas and some people suffered for it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We were on board The Cachalote - the Captain and Crew were absolutely amazing and looked after us very well. I have to spare a moment to mention Pedro the chef - I don't know how he managed to conjure up the amazing meals that he did within the confines of that galley. The food was absolutely amazing every day, and all dietary requests were easily catered for. On one occasion a chocolate birthday cake appeared from the galley - top that!
Mike Langstaff

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Written January 2012
A long journey to get from UK to the Galapagos but absolutely worth it. Trying to describe our experience on the islands is a bit like trying to tell someone what a beautiful piece of music is like - you have just got to experience it yourself.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Having never snorkelled in my life before I had a go from fantastic beach on the island of China Hat. I was joined by two sea lions who clearly just wanted to play.
Travelling by panga propelled by paddle through the mangroves enjoying the silence and being surrounded by birdlife. Watching the frantic activity of a shoal of fish as a heron flew low overhead. Seeing and above all hearing two sea lions sleeping and snoting in the branches of the mangroves - just unreal and truly wonderful.
Photographing Galapagos hawks, and iguanas really close up and seeing a Galapagos flycatcher sitting inside a friends lens cover.
What did you think of your group leader?
In Quito Gloria was quietly efficient. Our half day city was interesting but a bit indigestible with just too much info to take in.
Sylvia our naturalist and guide on the islands was first class; patient and knowledgeable she shared her enthusiasm freely and with great good humour.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Travel as light as you can, the cabins on boeard are small with little storeage space. We used factor 50 sunscreen and still managed to get burned. Forget about late nights and parties, by 8.30pm you'll just be so tired bed is the only real option.
Be prepared for early mornings and every moment filled with stimulating activity.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We found the hotel Sierra Madre in Quito a bit cold and damp. Tha staff were great but overall service was poor. Quito is an exciting city; use taxis at night and make sure that you have the full name and address of the hotel with you- our taxi driver got lost so we had an evening tour of the city for $5.00 for the four of us.
If you're thinking about going to the Galapagos Islands do it asap as tourism is increasing apace.
jeannie dunlop

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Written January 2012
The time on the boat was fantastic. There was a full programme every day with usually two trips to islands and two snorking opportunities. Pierre provided us with three large, tasty and varied meals a day plus snacks in between. The time spent, particularly on the smaller islands, was exciting and such a joy to watch the wildlife all around us. The only downside was that we never had enough time to sit down and just relax and watch. It is a photographer's paradise.In Quito go to Revolution Square for 11am on the Monday and watch the changing of the guard. It has a band and horses parading and the President may come out onto the balcony to watch. The Archaelogical Museum is also excellent and will take about two hours. Unfortunately they had no guides in English.Due to a problem in the Sierra Madre Hotel we spent the first three nights in the Hotel Quito and the breakfasts were wonderful. Lots of fruit and a lovely restaurant on the seventh floor with wonderful views of the city. Pity its directly under the flight path to the airport.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Being up close to the birds and animals and watching them behave as if we were not even there. North Seymour island, on the last morning, was perfect. Frolicking sea lion pups as we landed and crimson breasted frigate birds and blue footed boobies all around us.
What did you think of your group leader?
Sylvia was a very hardworking, experienced and considerate guide. Myself and another passenger had a fear of water which she understood as she patiently helped us get from boat to panga to shore several times every day.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are concerned about being seasick as your doctor for motion sickness patches. Two will cover the trip and they do work.
Early January seems to be a perfect time to go. The seas were calm, the sun shone and the Continental flight on the way home was not full so I was able to lie down and get some sleep.
Go soon. The time spent on the islands is already restricted because of the number of visitors and this can only get worse.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't let the fact that you can't swim put you off. I do feel I missed out because I didn't go snorking but it was still worth it.
Sarah Carter

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Written January 2012
This trip was meant to be the trip of a lifetime - and totally fulfilled my expectations
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
So many, but especially Española - blue footed boobies nesting colony, with eggs and hatchlings - unperturbed by us. Entertaining sea lions. Iguanas by the thousand. Waved albatross. South Plaza - the surreal lanscape of red creepers and giant opuntia cactuses. Santiago - walk across astonishing lave field with petrified ropes and bubbles. Etc etc
What did you think of your group leader?
Darwin was superb. Very knowledgeable, charming, solicitous and entertaining. Can also do fantasic somersaults
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Quito was cold and wet when we were there. Be prpared for this. You can leave luggage in the hotel - worth doing as conditions in the cabins is, of course, rather cramped.
Read your Darwin! The Voyage of the Beagle, and also one (or both) of the excellent biographies (Desmond and Moore or Janet Brown)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We ended our trip with the Napo extension. Excellent and a complete contrast. Starts with a filght to Coca, follwed by a 2 hour trip down the Napo river in a motorised canoe, then 2 hours down a creek in a paddle canoe. Stayed at the Napo lodge, wonderful accommodation, and had two intensive days exploring the rain forest by canoe and on foot with an English speaking and a local (Spanish-speaking) guide. Fascinating - we are so used to seeing animals performing on David Attenborough programmes that it is a good corrective to realise that the wildlife is, in fact, elusive and you can only see it with the astonishing expertise of indigenous people. Well worth the extra!
Philippa Hine

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Written October 2011
Better than fantastic. All that was advertised and more. Thoroughly enjoyable, with a knowledgeable guide, a wonderful supporting crew and the once in a lifetime chance to get up and close to some spectacular wildlife.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too many to choose from.
The sheer disbelief that one could be so close to the wildlife; that all the creatures are so unafraid of us and are almost as curious of us as we are of them (for example coming face to face with a sealion whilst snorkeling)
Swimming with turtles... nothing quite like it, as if they are flying in slow motion.
Walking on lava that is only about 100 years old, the way it chinks together as you walk on it, like china or glass. Although, it does look a little like a giant, slightly rusty, cowpat.
What did you think of your group leader?
Incredibly knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm. There didn't seem to be any question to which he didn't know the answer. The spontaneous guitar and singing entertainment in the evening also went down a treat.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't question it, just go! You won't regret it.
David Nunn

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Written September 2011
Have you swum with penguins (and cormorants, iguanas, turtles, sting rays, sharks etc etc)?
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The wildlife on this trip is absolutely first rate. One snorkelling session I played with two sealions and swam with cormorants, marine iguanas and turtles. The cormorant even gave me a gentle bite on the leg. Another snorkelling session was spent swimming besides a penguin. On the equator of all places! That was shortly after swimming along with a diamond sting ray. The wildlife on land is also wonderfully unique. The blue footed boobies doing their dancing was a delight. Walking round a corner and literally tripping over a pair of Galapagos Hawks or a sealion.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader (Monica) was very knowledgable and did a good job. The crew on board the boat also made us very welcome. Gloria, was our main guide in Quito and she was also very nice.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It has been said before, but take plenty of memory cards. I took 4,000 photos and half an hour of video. I always find 2 DSLRs to be a good combination. Despite the wildlife being close, I was glad I took my 50-500mm lens. The sun in Quito is very strong and also on the boat. I also took an underwater camera, it was a good investment. Of the 4 of us on board, I was the only one not to suffer from the rough seas. You will eat very well on board the boat.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Whilst in Quito I would recommend a day trip to Mindo to see the cloud forest and humming birds. The cable car is also worth a trip along with the Foudacion Guayasamin and the Castilla del Hombre. The old town is also fascinating and included in the itinerary. Quito restaurants worth a try are La Canoa, Mama Clorinda and Mare Nostrum (all walking distance from the hotel) and Hasta la Vuenta, Señor in the old town (ask Gloria for directions). All serve local food. I had such a good time I will probably return in April. This trip was the western islands. My photos can be found at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidnunn/collections/72157627697973450/
Michael Luff

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Written July 2011
As ever with Exodus we got what it said on the tin,nothing missing and all up to expectations.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing an Albatross land and fly within arms length on to its nest and a seal touching my face mask when swimming.
What did you think of your group leader?
Good and was more than aware of the enviroment.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do everything on offer even if you are tired.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I hope Exodus can top this trip.