Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...
Although I had seen the photographs of the Galapagos Islands in the brouchure and in magazines what I ended up experiencing far outstripped my expectations. When I watched the BBC's 'Galapagos' DVD series after my trip I was amazed to find that pretty much everything which was shown in the documentary I had experienced during my trip - absolutely fantastic experience which I will never forget!
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
One of the most amazing moments of the trip was on the first morning at the Islands when we arrived early in the morning and I went up to the top deck of the boat before sunrise and saw a pristine island in front of me with a golden sand beach with dozens of seals lying in the surf and swimmng in the shallows - I felt as though I was the only person in the world at that moment who was experiencing such an amazing place and seeing the animals completly at ease in their environment - I felt unbelievably privilaged to be experiencing such a magical and peaceful moment.
What did you think of your group leader?
The groups leader was excellent and etremely warm and freindly - she was always happy to chat and paid particular attention to the groups and its behaviour so as not to adversly harm or frighten the wildlife or the local environment.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Put on sun-tan lotion and don't wear shorts!
Pauline Doan
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Written
I didn't have any expectations when it came to Ecuador & the Galapagos but if I did this trip has exceeded them all! The itinerary was fabulous, there was a lot to do but there was plenty of time to relax as well. The food, the crew, the wildlife, the sea, everything just stole my heart. It is a destination you cannot miss.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Can the whole trip be one long drawn out inspiration? My heart sank when I had to leave. I was on one intense high. I found I was often inspired by the purity of the place. I definitely loved the snorkeling because I felt like I merged and was a part of the islands. You are so close to the animals, who are not bothered by your presence, that you feel so connected with the water and everything around you.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader Juan made these islands special with his humor, knowledge and personality! He was the most precious and valued specimen of them all!! He made sure to time our walks or start at a different end of the path so we could dodge the crowd of people and it often felt like we were the only ones on the island.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Wear sunblock!!! And wear more sunblock!!! Pack light because your cabin won't be that big. Take your sea sickness tablet! The food is incredible but try to practice self control at least for the first meal because you will set sail that afternoon and it could be rocky. If you aren't used to being on a boat you could feel really sick! Keep it simple, respect the area and soak as much as you can in! So much time and moments can be missed if you're always taking pictures so be cool and share your pictures with each other.
Exceptional wildlife, unique environments, life aboard the Cachalote and all shared with a great bunch of like-minded, enthusiastic travellers - a perfect Galapagos experience!
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
watching a sealion nursing her pup and being close enough to hear it suckling
snorkelling with a turtle and catching its eye as we surfaced side by side
seeing a pair of penguins dart past as I snorkelled
sadly witnessing the last struggles of a waterlogged juvenile albatross that had fledged too soon
watching the GPS on the bridge go through 00.00 degress as we crossed the equator aboard the Cachalote
What did you think of your group leader?
Christina has a great personality and she was always full of enthusiasm and eager to please. Her briefings were well prepared and accurate but as her English skills were rather basic we didn't get the level of specialist knowledge we'd expected on shore.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Cachalote is a small boat and the experience was more special and personal for that but there are a few disadvantages. Even if you're not prone to sea-sickness, it's worth taking some tablets with you just in case. We were glad we did as the sea was unsually rough and you do feel the motion more in a smaller boat. Space is very tight in the cabins. Most have two bunks with just enough floor room beside them to stand and dress/undress etc. There are a couple of wide storage shelves and a few hooks and that's it. There may be some space under the bottom bunk if you're lucky. Bear this in mind when deciding what bag/s to take onboard with you (you can leave luggage safely at the hotel in Quito). The good news is the 'ensuite' facilities seem big in comparison and the showers are very efficient and hot and the loos flush easily and effectively. Eco-friendly liquid soap and shampoo is provided which you're requested to use. Take something to protect your camera gear in the pangas - there's a lot of spray and it can get very wet if the panga catches a bad wave!
Karen Wilson
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Written
What a special place! A well planned trip around the Galapagos Islands. Nice to take a different route mostly avoiding the masses of tourists.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Being so close to reptiles and birds that really were not bothered by our presence. Swimming with sea lions and sea turtles. Getting to visit islands that only a few boats go to. Seeing tortoises in the wild. Going over the equator twice in one night, I could go on and on ..... it was an amazing experience.
What did you think of your group leader?
The Exodus group leader is only with you in Quito, on the yacht you have a naturalist guide. Both guides were very helpful, informative and good at managing the group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
In Quito you have a good amount of free time, so ensure you have looked up a few things to do (and checked opening days of museums).
Storage space on the yacht in really limited, the cabins are small but different sizes, you may get the cabins with a wardrobe or you may just get a shelf & some hooks.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Not a cheap trip, but it is such an amazing experience, money well spent!
Graham Parker
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Written
Great trip - great crew - unfortunately accomodation on board very very cramped
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
swimming with turtles
What did you think of your group leader?
very knowledgeable - good communicator
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
some people were very seasick - be careful when you book
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Exodus - please please please - when i tell you that i am vegetarian - its no use just telling the tour companies if you dont book the meals on the airline !!! - not impressed - called you to comment apparently you don't - why??? - If you ask people then I expect you to do it for me otherwise you should be explicit at time of booking - all the way to equador with not much too eat
Peter Robson
Every Landing was different.
Written
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Snorkelling with sea lions and sea turtles; walking through colonies of blue footed boobies and albatross; sitting on deck at 6pm every evening watching the spectacular sunset.
The Galapagos trip is slghtly different to other Exodus trips I've been on, as there are 6 of you in Quito to start with then you are part of a larger group on the boat. So there isn't a tour guide in the traditional Exodus sense, but there is an official Galapagos guide with you on the boat who runs teh shore trips. Our guide was excellent, with fantastic knowledge of both the wildlife and the geology of the islands.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take snorkelling gear & try to pick a time to go when the water is reasonably calm and warm.
Don't take much luggage - the cabins are very small with no real storage space and the less you have the better- only take soft holdall type bags not hard suitcases.
There are some long sea journeys (mainly at night) and even if it's not too rough most people on our boat had some form of sea sickness so pack tablets for it.
Take binoculars.
Getting from the boat to the shore is by dinghy so you need to be reasonably agile - especially when it is a wet landing.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It was good being on a smaller boat- there are only 16 on the one Exodus use and that was ideal. The reason I chose the Exodus trip was that it was one of the few where you got to the islands in the west on a small boat. It is amazing (or was to me!) how far apart the islands are and how different they are, even though they are all volcanic.
There was lots more to the trip than just the wild life you hear about - the scenery is stunning too.
It gets better as you get to the more outlying islands- the first trip is to the main island where the Darwin research centre is and that feels quiet commercialised and not what I was expecting- but when we got to the more outlying islands there were probably only 2 or 3 boats there.
from 29 reviews.
Login above to retrieve a previously saved list or 
Click on 'Add to wishlist' to pin trips here.
