Most Inspirational Moment
The islands and seeing animals in their natural habitat both on land and in the sea.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Mauricio was great - very knowledgeable and friendly.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Amazing Trip
An absolutely amazing trip!! The islands were beyond words – truly amazing. All other aspects where great – from the Mauricio (the tour guide), the crew on the boat and the boat.
Everything was first class but the boat
We toured the Galápagos Islands for 7 days. We saw so many unique animals. The trip really made me realize how completely special the Galápagos Islands are. Riss, our guide, was a Galapaguano and was proud of his heritage. He had excellent knowledge of the wildlife we saw, the history of Darwin and the researchers who came after him and the forces which brought the islands into being.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the sea turtles and the white tipped reef shark. Also walking on the recently-140 year old lava. Watching the mating rituals of the frigate birds and the boobies.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Please see the summary. He was excellent in every way, Knowledgeable, patient, flexible, excellent English.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Apply sun screen 15 minutes before leaving, use zinc oxide sunscreen as it is less damaging to the wildlife.
Reply from Exodus
We would like to thank Cassy for her feedback. We are pleased that she enjoyed her trip overall, but we are sorry that she was disappointed with the Astrea, which replaced the original vessel, the M/Y Cachalote, after it suffered irreparable damage prior to this trip. Following the feedback we have received, I can confirm that we will not be using the Astrea for any future departures.
Sarah Ahern – Product Manager for the Galapagos
Galapagos Islands
We travelled on the “A” itinerary. An excellent holiday, above our expectations. The boat (Cachalote), guide and the crew were superb. The chef was innovative and produced fantastic meals. The wildlife was extremely varied and very accessible on the walks and snorkeling sessions. All in all a very professional and well organised trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Snorkeling close up with sea lions, turtles and rays. Turquoise seas and deserted beaches. Wildlife round every corner - iguanas, giant tortoises, albatross, boobies, frigate birds and pelicans. Walking on the most recent lava flows. Travelling with the sails up.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Billy' was a very personable guide. His knowledge was encyclopedic. He lives on the Islands, knows them very well, is very willing to share his information, answer questions, and seems to know how to avoid the few other tourist groups we came across. We could not fault him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Travel light. You don't need much on the boat. It's warm/hot and T shirts/shorts are the order of the day. The coldest bit was the air conditioning on board! The sun is almost overhead so hat and long sleeves are a good idea. Good firm soled walking shoes/boots are essential due to the rough nature of the lava terrain.
Galapagos - March 2016
The wildlife was amazing,especially the snorkelling where we got to see penguins,white tipped reef sharks,green turtles,eagle rays and numerous colourful fish and rays.
The crew of the cachalote and guide Christina were all very good and the food was great
The only gripe i have,is that exodus flew us to quito on the return journey where we had anight in quito and flew home the next day.we left the ship early and our return flight from galapagos stopped at guayaquil before going on to quito. most passengers got out at guayaquil and connected to flights home that day, but we went on to quito,only to board a plane the next day that stopped at guayaquil,where we had to get off the plane for an hour and then fly back in the direction quito for amsterdam! this resulted in at least one days wasted holiday day,extra flight time and the price of meals and accommodation at quito.Suggest in future,passengers fly into quito at start hol and then fly home via guayaquil.
Most Inspirational Moment
snorkelling with apenguin chasing fish next to me. the penguin then swam under my legs
Thoughts on Group Leader
group leader was very good
Advice for Potential Travellers
take a neckerchief and sun hat,the sun is very hot. wear t shirt snorkelling so don't burn Mke sure you know how to stop the flash going off on your camera,since use flash is not allowed
Reply from Exodus
We are glad that Deborah found the wildlife to be amazing during her trip, but we are sorry that she was disappointed with the flight arrangements during her inbound journey. We appreciate that there is a significant amount of travel involved in getting to and from the Galapagos Islands and we endeavour to forewarn clients of this in our trip notes. We start and end our Galapagos tours in Quito as this gives more airline options to clients booking their own flights and gives all clients greater flexibility in terms of accommodation choices, extensions and onward travel plans. It can also be cheaper and easier to book international flights which fly into and out of the same destination (i.e. flying in and out of Quito rather than flying into Quito and out of Guayaquil), but we appreciate that touching down in Guayaquil on numerous occasions can be frustrating. It is a situation we are aware of and are considering all of the available options, but at the moment we do not feel there is a clear solution which could be implemented across the board to improve all our clients’ experiences.
Vicky Boughton – product manager for the Galapagos
Galapagos Wildlife
Well, what can I say? Everyone will tell you how you get to the animals and birds in the Galapagos; but you really do! Watch your feet or you could trip over sea lions or iguanas. Not to mention stepping on the gulls or boobies. One of our party had a red footed boobie land on her hand. Another had a sea lion sniff his toes! Everywhere you look there is another creature. Mockingbirds insisting that they have their picture taken. Sea birds swooping low overhead. A truly AMAZING place. And snorkelling; so close to the wonderful aquatic life. Feeling like sea lions yourself due to the wet suits.
Most Inspirational Moment
Swimming above a turtle; the penguin that swam back and forth in front of me, then under my belly; the fur sea lion that I swam with on my last snorkel experience. All WOW factors. Watching the frigate birds swooping down to steal fish from the other birds and sea lions.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Juan was a truly wonderful, inspirational leader. Flora and fauna, lava flows, topography; he knew it all and imparted his knowledge with a lovely sense of humour too. Always encouraging, always helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I would say you need a good level of fitness; some of the walks are a little "challenging", either tough going or steep drops at times. And getting in and out of the panga could be interesting when the sea is rough. There was a supply of sea sickness tablets available on board; they worked very well, apparently. Cabins are small but adequate. Don't take too many clothes; no one dresses up and you can wash what you take. And the wet suits are well worth hiring. Recharging points available, but take lots of memory on your cards as you will need it. We only had one chance to shop, on San Cristobal, for around half hour. Otherwise, it's Baltra Airport.
Galapagos trip
The Cachelote sail boat and crew were magnificent! Our guide Juan was incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The itinerary is excellent as it really takes in the diversity of each of the islands and the amazing wildlife. The hotel in Quito (Hotel Vieja Cuba) and the staff were also excellent.
Most Inspirational Moment
Experiencing such close encounters with the wildlife - really thrilling!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gloria was our group leader on the mainland and Juan was our leader on the islands. Both were helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. Couldn't ask for more.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take plenty of SD cards, sunscreen, insect repellent. If you have your own snorkelling gear, take that too. After dark, take taxis in Quito - the hotel staff will help you do this.
Galapagos on the Cachalote
We spent two weeks on the Cachalote exploring the many islands of the Galapagos. Overall, the trip was very good with a couple of exceptions.
1. We had one afternoon in a town with nothing to do except sit in a bar – we were told we could swim in the sea, but it was very rough. (According to the trip notes, we could have visited a Giant tortoise breeding centre, but we were not given that option).
2. On the changeover day (between itineraries) we had to waste a few hours in Puerta Ayora. However, we did expect this.
Most Inspirational Moment
The wildlife! Getting so close to the birds and reptiles was amazing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Juan was excellent - his knowledge was extensive. The chef was also excellent, producing good quality food despite the tiny kitchen. The rest of the crew on the boat were not so good - very little English was spoken and they were more interested in watching football (we were there when the Copa America was on) than attending to the needs of the guests
Advice for Potential Travellers
When taking into account the advice to pack light for the Cachalote, put out everything you think you need and then leave most of it at home. The rooms are **VERY** compact. We had a small amount of space under the bunk beds, a couple of small shelves and a few hangers on the back of the door. Also be prepared to leave everything on the floor if the sea is rough (only occasionally) as everything ends up there anyway.
Galapagos Cachalote tour
The reality of this tour far exceeded my expectations. I elected to fly with KLM from UK. No great shakes but it was OK. The representatives who dealt with my Quito arrangements were helpful, knowledgeable and on time, greeting me on arrival and handling all arrangements of my transfer to the hotel and eventually to the Galapagos. Monserrat even obtained my TAME boarding pass for me. Gloria was a mine of information on my visit to Quito which I extended by one day. The new road from airport to hotel allows a 45 minute transfer time.
The hotel Viejacuba was quaint and clean. Helpful staff always on hand, however, the promised early breakfast on the morning of my Galapagos departure did not materialise.
Christina, my guide met me at Baltra airport. What a gem. At 24yrs she was an encyclopedia of local knowledge on all aspects. Fauna, flora, geology. Couple this with her customer care and enthusiasm, take my tip, tip her well.
The Cachalote although not luxury, is first class. Helpful crew and good wholesome and plentiful food.(How did Pedro, the chef, perform so well?) The cabins are miniscule and, although I was lucky enough not to share, two people sharing would have to be very considerate to one another and arrange a dressing, washing and toiletry rota. Again, the crew were well worth a generous tip.
The weather was hot without being unpleasantly so and, apart from a T shirt to protect from the sun, only shorts were required to swim in.
Now, about the wildlife. Well, this is why I went. It is so fearless you have to take great not to bump into it, tread on it or disturb it. It is in abundance and Christina’s information was boundless. Resist the temptation to touch.
I came home tired but feeling totally satisfied that what I had done could not be bettered.
Most Inspirational Moment
It had to be the wildlife, after all, that is why I went but was all the more appreciated by the knowledge and information our guide imparted.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Words fail me. Christina was superb.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Mulling it over ? Just get up and go.
Galapagos trip
If you enjoy watching wildlife – go!
Most Inspirational Moment
I cannot swim so snorkelling was something I thought I would never do - wrong!! The group leader guided me, for which I was really grateful. Never thought I would be able to say I had snorkelled with Penguins, sea lions, turtles, iguanas, sting rays, gorgeous fish and sharks!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent - his knowledge was superb it really enhanced the trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go - do not worry, easy walking and brilliant once in a lifetime experience (unless decide to go again!)
Galápagos Islands aboard the Cachalote yacht
This is a most amazing trip for wildlife enthusiasts. I had never been so close to wildlife that was so indifferent to our presence. We were merely another non threatening species and as such were not to be feared or shunned, simply accepted. To see the bird and animal life living and behaving so naturally was a real privilege.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were so many highlights it would be difficult to choose; the blue footed boobies' mating rituals, the waved albatross sheltering its chick on a nest, the frigate birds v. red billed tropic birds in aerial combat, the suckling sea lions, the iguanas piled high as if tipped out of a bag onto the rocks and ....... I could go on for a long time. Snorkelling as incredible, the sharks, turtles, rays and fish almost within touching distance-so were the rocks and sea bed but great fun and help at hand at all times.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader David was very knowledgeable about the Islands and the wildlife and a good 'people person' who interacted well with all of us with humour and care.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The trip notes were good but perhaps it should be mentioned that the Cachalote is a very small boat and the ocean is a very big one! As a result the boat was noisy and when sailing the engine was even noisier and appeared to be behind the wall in every cabin. The sailing could be very rough at times and sleep didn't always come easily. Things had to be battened down carefully one night as we were tossed around a lot. Having said that, it didn't bother me as it was all part of the experience but this is no smooth ocean going liner and some fellow passengers hadn't expected this. Don't let this put you off, it is only a week and actually a fun challenge to those of us with a warped sense of humour like me!