Galapagos & Amazon

Our Clients’ Reviews

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...

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  Michael hawkins

  GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

  

  Written April 2013

  We found this trip to be well planned with a full and interesting itinerary. we particularly enjoyed the activities from the cruise section of the holiday.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The various snorkelling activities - each swim was a completely different experience with regard to the variety of marine life seen. 

  The varied wildlife on each Galapagos Island - close encounters cannot be avoided as wildlife at times is almost underfoot.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Within the tour are two separate parts - each part we were allocated a guide, in particular we found Juan, our Galapagos guide really enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Ensure you take/consider

  - anti bug spray for rainforest

  - ear plugs to reduce engine noise whilst sleeping on boat

  - we found hiring a wet suit on board the boat was necessary in order to snorkel for extended periods

  - take a spare bag so that you can leave luggage in Quito and travel lighter to Amazon and Galapagos

  - be vigilant with personal security when out and about in Quito

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  To enable you to get the most out of your time, be prepared for early starts and pretty full schedules.

   
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  Katherine Criswick

  GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

  

  Written April 2013

  A holiday of contrasts – the dust, hustle and bustle of Quito, the tranquillity of the Amazon and then the abundant wildlife of the Galapagos.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Snorkelling with turtles, sea lions and the most enormous shoals of dinner plate sized fish. The sea lions in particular were great fun – swimming towards you at the speed of a torpedo, you think a collision is inevitable and then at the last minute they dive underneath you. I’m sure they loved the look of panic on our faces! The turtles were completely unbothered by our presence and in some places were so plentiful you had to be careful you didn’t kick them in the face.
  Another memorable occasion was watching the seals at night chasing fish round the boat – the speed at which they can change direction is quite amazing.
  And I can’t fail to mention the famous Blue Footed Boobies – truly as stupid as their reputation.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We had two group leaders – Danny in the Amazon and Juan in the Galapagos. Both were excellent. Juan in particular was very entertaining – we knew he was a bit of a joker from the moment he pretended to mistake a rock for a giant tortoise.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Amazon
  Don’t expect to see much wildlife in the Amazon – there are too many trees in the way! It is an experience that I enjoyed but I was expecting to see far more than we actually did. Most exotic birds were viewed through binoculars and the giant otters proved frustratingly elusive – although another group did see them. However, gently gliding along creeks listening to the call of the howler monkeys was still special.
  It’s a good idea to take a small fold up bag so that you can leave some of your Galapagos clothes at the hotel when you go to the Amazon. You won’t need them in the Amazon and it will save them getting damp in the humid conditions.
  You will need to wear long sleeved shirts and long trousers every day in the Amazon – although the bugs weren’t annoying.
  
  Galapagos
  On the boat you will be barefoot most of the time while aboard – so the only footwear you really need is a pair of walking sandals and a pair of walking shoes.
  They will give you a swimming towel for the week, so there is no need to take one (but a small trek towel to take ashore to brush the sand off your feet is a good idea).
  The water is pretty chilly, even at the ‘warm’ time of year so I found a wetsuit essential.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  If the planned Exodus flights are with Iberia, try to arrange your own flights. A truly awful airline! Unfortunately our flights were changed to Iberia at the last minute because United changed their schedule.

   
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  Mark Barnes

  GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

  

  Written November 2012

  A very full holiday that combined the museums and architecture of colonial Quito with an extraordinary variety  of wildlife and habitat. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  watching the giant otters in the Anangu creek, and snorkelling in the 'turtle garden' at Fernandina Island.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  All good.  The leader in Napo (the Amazon basin) was outstanding. The leader in Quito was a mine of interesting local chat on political and social subjects.  

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The schedule is focussed on the Amazon basin and the Galapagos, but Quito itself is also a treat.  It has a charming colonial old town, some wonderfully over-decorated baroque churches, as well as some good museums (the Museo Casa del Alabado is not the most famous, but should not be overlooked).  The local guide organised a morning tour of Quito, which was good, but is very brief.  Bear in mind that Quito is high (>2,800 m, and >4,000 m at the top of the cable car), so take it easy and allow a day or two extra.   Get up early to visit; the best weather seems to last no more than the morning. Rain and thunderstorms punctuated every afternoon.  

  It is also worth considering the optional excursion to the cloud forest, if only for the variety of humming birds, although there is much more to be seen -  provided it is not too cloudy.  This is normally a day tour, and slightly unsatisfactory as it is a 2.5 h drive each way, and one arrives too late for the best of the weather and the bird-spotting.  One couple solved this by arranging to spend the night there in the interval between the Napo valley and the Galapagos.  A number of us thought that Exodus is missing a trick by not offering this as an extra.

   
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  Nicola Josephs

  GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

  

  Written October 2012

  This is a truly memorable trip. The Amazon and Galapagos so very different but both providing opportunities to see a variety of wildlife and at a proximity you never believed possible. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Snorkelling with sealions and hammerhead sharks!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  It's worth noting for exodus veterans, that there is no group leader. Whilst someone meets you at Quito and you have guides in the Amazon and the Galapagos, these guides are simply responsible for that component of the trip. In that respect it doesn't feel like an Exodus trip. Our guide Lena in the Amazon was outstanding but Sylvia on the Catchalote was rude and unhelpful.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  People said time and time again to take it easy in Quito but really do! My friends and I (all fit and healthy) all struggled with the altitude.

  It's not included in the trip, but when in Quito take the opportunity to visit the cloud forest. Another opportunity to see a different part of the place and more and different wildlife.

  When asking Exodus staff before leaving whether there was room for full luggage on the Catchalote, I was assured that there was. There is...but only just. The rooms are tiny (which isn't a problem when there as you spend so little time in your cabin) but if possible enable yourself to take only what you need.

  Be careful in Quito - a member of our group had her bag slashed on a bus. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  It might be expensive but it's worth it

   
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  Patricia Robinson

  GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

  

  Written October 2012

  A fantastic holiday, well organized.We had a major problem on the last day and the local Agent was brillient. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The trip to the rain forest was majical from the moment we set foot on the moterised canoe - but seeing the Napo Centre from under our rain ponchoes was amaizing . The atmosaphire, accommodation and people at the Centre were all inspirational.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Group leader in the Rain Forest was so enthustatic it was infectious, nothing was too much for her and she was always on the look out for us, made sure everyone saw what she saw!!

  The Leader in the Galapados was good but lacked the enthusiam.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go

  It is not as warm as you might expect in the Galapagos

  The trip to the Cloud Forest was worth going on.

  Take a safety belt for money especially in Quito.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Great Holiday but pity about the 11 flights we seem to have spent a lot of time at  Guayaquil airport!!                            

   Don't take Tavellers Cheques - NO ONE acceps them.

  The market in Quito is great especially if you enjoy bargening.- get most of your presents to take home there.

   
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  Hugh Nolan

  GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

  

  Written May 2012

  An excellent trip to two different environments (plus Quito), seeing lots of wildlife and visiting wild places, new experiences (snorkelling and being at the highest altitude that I've been to). The itineraries at Napo and in the Galapagos Islands are busy but there's also time to relax and just enjoy the sights and sounds. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Getting comfortable with snorkelling which gave me the opportunity to snorkel with penguins, a white tipped shark, turtles and a multitude of fish. Hearing howler monkeys in the rainforest (we got to see them too on  the canoe trips), seeing the colourful birds at the clay lick. Seeing a large pod of dolphins hunting just before sunset, seeing whale sharks right next to our boat and seeing just how unconcerned the Galapagos wildlife is about the presence of humans. Taking the cable car in Quito up to 4100m and not having any major problems with the altitude, which opened up a number of trip destinations for me.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Estoban (Quito), Patti (Napo), Juan (Galapagos Islands) were all excellent, well organised and enthusiastic.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take it easy the first few days in Quito, it can take a while to get used to the altitude, I felt lightheaded on a couple of occasions but nothing that some slow deep breathes couldn't fix.
  
  Take plenty of $1 and $5 bills for taxis and small purchases as getting change might be a problem with higher denomination notes.

  Use plenty of sun block when snorkelling, especially on your legs.
  
  Our flights back from Napo and the Galapagos Islands all ran to time so there was plenty of time to go on some of the optional excursions, allow for this in your budget.
  
  The cabins on the Cachalote are quite small so try and avoid taking huge bags/cases, you can always leave items in storage at the hotel in Quito. You can also get laundry done at Napo and at the hotel in Quito.

  Take more camera memory than you think you'll need, you wouldn't want to run out! It's also worth taking a second camera in case anything happens to the first one.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A lot of early mornings but you can always catch up on sleep when you get home!

   
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  Linda Farrant

  GALAPAGOS & AMAZON

  

  Written December 2011

  A holiday of 2 different locations both equal in enjoyment. Napo lodge in the Amazon was a stunning location on the edge of a lagoon deep inside the rainforest run under true eco friendly community ideas. The array of birds & mammals seen was exceptional with loads of information from the excellent naturalist guide. But not to be beaten, the Cachalote, crew & guide Efrain showed us the amazing prolific & unique wildlife of the Galapagos with a full programme of island landings, snorkelling & forays along the coast in the dinghy. Even knowing beforehand how unperturbed the wildlife & birds are supposed to be did not prepare us for the reality of it. This really is a 'close encounters' trip. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Snorkelling with sea lions coming over to investigate & 'play' with these strangely inflexible wetsuited humans. With penguins cormorants & sea turtles all swimming past completely unconcerned.

  A feeding frienzy all around the dinghy with Pelicans & Blue footed Boobies dive bombing into the shoals of fish & Noddy's waiting for the small fry to spill out of the Pelicans pouch, all unconcerned with our presence. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  As there is no overall leader for this trip, I would consider the guides in the 2 locations to be the leaders & both were excellent

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The trip notes should make it clearer that providing flights are on time there is time to have 2 separate full days of optional activities in the Quito area as well as 2 half days. So time for Cotopaxi, cloud forest, Equator, City tour & cable car. Who wants to sit in a hotel room!!

   

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