Galapagos: In Darwin's Footsteps

Most Inspirational Moment

Snorkelling with turtles and sharks

Thoughts on Group Leader

Katty is a great leader, she is very passionate and knowledgeable about Galapagos and is fantastic at spotting and identifying all the flora and fauna. She made some excellent changes to the itinerary which meant we could see the sulphur mines and also have time to visit a tortoise breeding centre and a local brewery without compromising the visit to the mines as the walk would have been similar to the previous day and a lot of it would be Misty. We still walked back from the tortoise breeding centre so still got lots of exercise.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Taking a wetsuit is a good option as the water is cold and it helps with floating . You can buy for under £30 and if you hire them it is approx £10 a day. Take lots of sun lotion as sun is very intense. No need to apply for the Galapagos tourist card as the local operator will have sorted it for you. A waterproof camera or go pro camera for underwater as lots to photograph. If you have time go to the Napo wildlife centre, totally different but equally enthralling Insect repellent is recommended for Isabela.

Suggestions

A unique trip with almost tame wildlife in spectacular scenery. We had very little free time but were never exhausted and had lots of interesting experiences Quite a few boat trips including 3 inter island crossings which could potentially be choppy but we were lucky. Take meds if you suffer seasickness.

Most Inspirational Moment

Really enjoyed snorkeling Kicker rock and the volcano days.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was very informative, very knowledgeable and made sure we were ready for the day ahead. Always took into account the mix of personalities within the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Best to take a long wet suit if you are planning to take your own.

Suggestions

Definately worth the money, best if you enjoy snorkeling or are a keen photographer with the camera to match.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the wildlife up so close and personal

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pablo was an amazing group leader in every sense of the word. Everything well organised, always on hand to help . Very good communicator, with a fabulous sense of humour...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the trip says leisurely/ moderate due to the humidity when we travelled some may find the walking harder than they expected.. never underestimate the strength of the sun ( as Pablo would say)

Suggestions

Go for it !!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy the trip

Suggestions

An enjoyable trip

Most Inspirational Moment

There were quite a few inspirational moments, snorkelling with rays, sharks, turtles and sea lions, dolphins swimming at the side of the boat, but for me seeing a huge manta ray jump completely out of the water right in front of our boat was the moment I shall never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pablo was a great guide, he was very keen to share his huge knowledge with us all, had a passion for all the wildlife and was extremely proud of his country. He even managed to smile through our incessant barrage of stupid questions, ie ‘will there be a toilet?’ ‘Do we get changed now?’ ‘Do we need fins?’ ‘Do we need to take everything with us?’

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be very aware of the sun whilst snorkelling, a few in our group did get sun burnt. When there are such fantastic things to see it is so easy to forget that you are sometimes in the water for an hour or more and even the best sun creams struggle in these salt water conditions. My advice would be at the very least to take a rash vest or rash suit. One or two in our group after being burnt even snorkelled in their pyjamas! They worked perfectly. Others in our group hired wetsuits, our guide, Pablo always wore one. I took my own very lightweight 1mm wetsuit and was so glad I did, not only did I not have to worry at all about the sun, it also protected me from the biting flies when we were above water listening to our guide. For the hiking, I managed mostly in shorts but long trousers were a good call when we descended into the volcano to view the fumaroles, the path was very overgrown with thorny bushes.

Suggestions

If you are reading this review then you are obviously considering doing the trip yourself ~ stop dithering, just do it, it’s amazing and you won’t regret it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Inspirational moments were bountiful, but particular highlights were: swimming with many Galapágos sharks and a hammerhead at Kicker Rock (San Cristóbal) seeing Galapágos penguins, manta rays, dancing blue-footed boobies and swimming marine iguanas around Las Tintoreras (Isabela) snorkelling with many Pacific green turtles, sleeping white-tipped reef sharks and a sea horse at Los Túneles (Isabela) trekking up to the rim and around the impressive caldera of Volcán Sierra Negra to see many lava formations, steaming fumaroles and mineral deposits (Isabela)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Tour Leader was Pablo Montalvo from Ecuador. He is a very friendly and caring person and was very passionate about his role as a leader, giving time to everyone in the group. He worked hard to keep the trip running smoothly, coordinating with the numerous local people that assisted us. Pablo's knowledge and passion for Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands was exceptional. He explained in impressive detail about the marine life, plants, geography, history and culture in superb English, whilst joyfully helping a few of us hablar Español! Pablo went above and beyond to make the trip an enriching and unforgettable experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was great to have your own snorkelling gear (mask, snorkel, fins) for comfort in knowing they fit well and how to use them. Snorkel gear was readily available for hire on most islands. A rash vest and/or wet suit was a good idea for sun protection and to be warmer when snorkelling (45+ minutes in the water can be cold at certain times of the year). Cotton scarf/ sarong and secure, wide-brimmed hat were very useful on boats when you might be more exposed to wind and water spray and the sun. Waterproof jacket/ poncho and non-waterproof ‘wet’ shoes were useful in tropical downpours and wet-landings and walking on the islands. Take a good camera and underwater camera, with a lot of memory and rechargeable batteries. Take a good wildlife guide to help identify the many amazing animal and bird species. Take plenty of high factor sun cream as it is expensive to buy locally. Read the book ‘Floreana’ by M. Wittmer before visiting Floreana for the fascinating history of island life.

Suggestions

For the March 2019 trip, the 2-day camping trek to Volcán Sierra Negra on Isabela was modified into two one-day treks due to recent volcanic activity (Exodus had fully informed us of this before the trip). The second day was a longer trek of 24 km and some members of the group chose to do local activities and relax around Puerto Villamil instead. For those of us that joined the trek, it was an exciting chance to see many lava formations, steaming fumaroles and sulphur deposits, and enjoy a good physical challenge! The modified itinerary allowed for an additional snorkelling trip to Los Túneles, a series of interesting lava formations and the chance to see many marine species. Whilst I would have loved the chance to wild camp on the volcano, the alternative activity was a fantastic experience and became one of the highlights of my trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Each island and activity on this trip was well worth doing. Snorkling with sea lions, sea turtles, the many colourful fish and underwater landscape - especially Kicker Rock and La Loberia beach. Strolling along the beach in Isabella seeing blue footed boobies and pelicans diving to feed on a shoal of fish was one of many highlights. The panorama walk along the volcano crater on Isabella.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pablo looked after us well and made sure everything ran smoothly. He had good knowledge of all the areas visited and ensured the best local operators were used for boat trips etc. In addition we used local guides as required by the National Park.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of sun cream - it's very expensive to buy in Ecuador. The weather in October is mild to hot (20-30degC) and remains warm overnight (~20degC) but if you go on the wild camping trip on Isabella then overnight is likely to be much colder! If you don't want to buy a wet suit investing in a rash vest is a good idea as this gives you your own clothes under wet suit and makes taking it on/off easier + you will be warmer. You will spend ~1 hour snorkling at a time and being cold is not much fun. Depending where you sit you can get quite wet on some of the boat trips.

Suggestions

On our trip the 2-day wild camping trip to Sierra Negra Vulcano, Isabella was replaced with doing same trek on one day due to volcanic activity (Exodus had notified us before the trip) - this is a much longer walk. Having walked along the crater the previous day I opted out and appreciated having free time in Puerto Villamil. On the other day we had a boat trip to Tunneles - which are volcanic rock bridges followed by snorkling. Everyone in our group agreed the alternative itinerary did not take away from the overall experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Dawn over Sierra Negra volcano.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pablo was excellent, organised our own tents for all solo travellers which was a bonus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I found it easier to bring all my own snorkelling gear including flippers. You can't hire on Floreana and also you know your own is of good quality. The water was not cold at that time of year, long sleeve rash vest with some insulation was enough. Gaiters are useful for dense wet vegetation near second camp on the trek. I found a 45L packable duffel fine for the trek. Poncho and non-waterproof boots and walking shoes are cooler options compared to jackets and lined footwear. There are frequent heavy tropical downpours.

Suggestions

The storage of valuables in the safe at The Wooden House needs improving. Had an a anxious few hours after other travellers took my Exodus document wallet with passport by mistake as identical to theirs. Should be sealed in an envelope and you should sign in and out.

Most Inspirational Moment

This is easy for me it has to be going up Sierra Negra, a real live volcano, awesom power from the very heart of the earth.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pablo, the leader for our trip was the best his knowledge of the islands was amazing and with the help of the local guides including Joceleyn (not sure of the spelling there) we could not have been looked after better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare to be amazed at the beauty of this amazing place.

Suggestions

I would like to add my thanks to all at Exodus for allowing us the chance to visit these marvellous places wherever in the world they are.

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlights for me were Floreana (especially meeting the Wittmer family), camping and walking up Sierra Negra, and swimming with turtles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabian was excellent! He pulled a very diverse group of people together and made sure no-one was left out. His knowledge of the islands and the wildlife was great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the book "Floreana" by Wittmer before you visit the Island of Floreana. It is a fascinating story and you will look at the island in a different light! Buy a wildlife guide book before you go. I expected there to be a wider choice of guides on the islands, but there is in fact very little choice.