Travel Answers

Galápagos Islands

What is the possibility of a 15 year old boy in highschool whos knowledge on the Galalpagos tortoise is vast working/ volunteering at this reearch center for just 1 week?

hi, we are in the early stages of planning a holiday to take in Australia and from there we would like to visit the Galapagos Islands.
Can anyone advise on the best way to get from Australia ( probably Brisbane or Sydney ) to these islands.
Also what is the best time to visit.
Many thanks
Poepat

I am headed to the Ecuador in June next year and already have booked a 10 day dive trip and a stay in a rainforest lodge. Before we get our dive boat we are spending a couple of days in San Cristobal just to chill after the journey. We would however like to get out and about on the island for some of the time on either day or half day trips, particularly to see some of the wildlife. Can anyone advise on who provides such a service and ideally also what are the places that one would want to visit?
Many thanks.
Dave

We are planning on visiting the Galapagos and will probably fly into Baltra. Then we would like to explore Isabela and the national park. Are there ferries that take people from island to island or are they only accessible by cruise boats? Thank you,

Hi,

My girlfriend and me are planning to travel to Ecuador and Galapagos Islands in December this year. Does anybody knows if a special permission is required to travel to Galapagos Islands and to stay there for a couple of days? Many thanks for your help!

Thomas

Hello, I will stay in San Cristobal for few days in July. Can you tell me if there is a day tour (boat) to Espanola from St. Cristobal?
Thanks,

Hi, I'm looking to visit the Galápagos Islands and wondered what other people suggest for tours.

I was thinking of going with Red Mangrove (www.redmangrove.com) with their land tours. Has anyone used them? And what do they think?

Or would a cruise be better?

Or even another company?

I'm also thinking of doing the Amazon right after. Any advice and/or suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Hi, my fiance and I would like to visit the Galapagos, but aren't sure which tour operators would be the best choice. There are a few out there but I saw one called Galakiwi tours and their itinerary seems pretty ok. Has anyone gone with any tour operators that are reasonably priced and who have knowledgable guides and are safe?

Hello. I'm having a lot of difficulty deciding between two similar 4 night cruises on good catamarans in the Galapagos late December (4 nights due to time constraints, unfortunately). The two catamarans are Treasure of the Galapagos and Queen of Galapagos. Here are the two itineraries: Queen of Galapagos: Thu. AM Baltra Airport PM Santa Cruz: Highlands-Twin Hills(Gemelos) Fri. AM Floreana: Punta Cormorant/ Champion PM Floreana: Post Office Bay/ Mirador Baronesa/Devils Crown Sat. AM Española: Punta Suarez PM Espalola: Gardner Bay/ Islote Osborn Sun. AM Cerro Brujo PM León Dormido Mon. AM Interpretation Center PM San Cristóbal Airport Treasure of Galapagos: Transfer in/CHARLES DARWIN * SEYMOUR N./BARTOLOME * TORTUGA BAY/SANTA FE * PUNTA SUAREZ/BAHIA GARDNER-ISLOTE GARDNER-ISLOTE OSBORN * CERRO COLORADO/transf out Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! - Mike

Hi, We are planning a South American holiday to include the Galapagos Islands asthe main purpose of the visit. It is my partners dream location. I need advice on ANYTHING and EVERYTHING please!! lol I know the flights from Ecudor are around the350/$400 mark. Accom is fair price and easy. My concern is gettting aroun the islands without being on a sail boat cruise etc. My questions are: How long will we need to see most/all of the Galapagos? What time of year is the low season? Are there local tour guides that can help us navigate the islands? Can you suggest the best way t navigate the islands baring in mind cost and time? Our budget is not fied yet as we are prepared to pay for the sail cruise if we have to. But we prefer to be independant travelers.

Are there any direct fights to the islands from anywhere else in South America other than Ecuador? Thanks, Joe

Hi I am looking into land based tour on the Galapagos because sea sickness is a major concern. I have tickets to the islands between end of Dec 2012 and 5th Jan 2013. Its High High season I know, but I wonder, from people who's been there, what are the chances that we join some land based tours (we are 2 people, we can squeeze in, right?) after we have arrived there? I can live with seeing less of the islands, I can live with seeing only sites close to Santa Cruz island (which is where I am going to). What do you all think? Will I end up not joining any tour because they are all fully booked when I get there? What about cost, nobody (OK, I wasn't reading carefully) ever mention costs of those land based tours, anybody have any idea? I know they varies, but will they be cheaper than cruises in general anybody knows? Thanks so much!

Hello, In mid Sept I will fly in Santa Cruz Island and have 1.5 days before I board a week long cruise boat for Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Stn and Turtle Bay), N. Seymour/Bartholome/Santa Fe/Espanola/San Cristobal. A few questions: 1. Which island would you recommend me to visit during my 1.5 days free time, that will be not too similar and redundant of my upcoming cruise tour? I am more interested in seeing different wildlife and snorkeling than historical sites. 2. Do I have to join a day-tour instead of finding a ferry and go on my own for more freedom? Do you think I can easily find a tour or ferry upon arrival at airport or go into town center? Or do I need to book one beforehand through some agency? I can't find any ferry schedules online. I am debating between Isabela and Floreana.... 3. The budget lodging in Puerto Ayora - I heard about "Espana" but unable to find any website or contact info to book it. Any other recommendations on budget lodging? Will it be fairly easy to find one upon arrival without reservation? Thank you very much in advance.

Hello all Travelers, I am planning on a trip to Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)from Dec 27 - Jan 5. It is not final yet, I am researching to see what is the best month to go. For that I need your help, If anyone has gone, would you please tell me what is the best month to visit Galapagos, so I can see good wildlife and scenery there? And which Islands you can recommend ? Also how many days is enough? Thank you so much in advance, any information is super helpful. Cheers :)

Hey, I have been to the Galapagos twice now and I am about to go for the third time. I can either just visit a bunch of small island on a 8 day tour (what most ships do) but there is alo the option to do an 8 day tour on a ship just focused around isabela, fernaninda, y rabida. So, can anyone tell me how the wildlife on isabel is, especially concerning the abundance and diversity of wildlife during snorkeling???, I suppose it will be great as well but perhaps someone with enough knowledge of the galapagos could compare isabela island to the other smaller islands (which I do know°. Thanks a lot, appreciate it. Christophe

Hey, I have been to the Galapagos twice now and I am about to go for the third time. I can either just visit a bunch of small island on a 8 day tour (what most ships do) but there is alo the option to do an 8 day tour on a ship just focused around isabela, fernaninda, y rabida. So, can anyone tell me how the wildlife on isabel is, especially concerning the abundance and diversity of wildlife during snorkeling???, I suppose it will be great as well but perhaps someone with enough knowledge of the galapagos could compare isabela island to the other smaller islands (which I do know°. Thanks a lot, appreciate it. Christophe

Going to Galapagos beginning May with Red Mangrove Tours. We will be diving every day...... is a 7mm wetsuit sufice or should I bring my drysuit?? Does anyone know how cold you may get on the boats after diving?? TY!!

Hey everyone! I'm a college student and I'm on a college budget, but in May/June I'm going on a Semester at Sea cruise. One of our port stops is in Manta, Ecuador. They have all kinds of field programs through SAS, and one goes to the Galapagos, but they are far too expensive for my wallet. So I'm trying to plan my own trip, with some others in SAS as well. So far, I've managed to discover that for a flight it will be around350 (US), plus the100 park entrance fee. We are all going for as cheap as possible (backpacker style), so we plan to either couch surf (stay in someone's home) or stay in a hostel. I'm mostly concerned with transportation now. We will only be able to stay in the Galapagos for a maximum of 3 nights (but more likely 2) because of the nature of our cruise. How can we get from the airport on Isla Baltra to our hostel/home stay? And do you know how much it would cost? Additionally, a few of us would like to dive at least once (or at least snorkel if diving is too expensive!) while there. Most of the dive places I've been researching only sell multi-day dive cruises, which I cannot afford, nor will we have time for them. Are there shore dives, or dive tours which we can schedule when we get there? Any help would be great! Thank you! Meghan W. >

Hey guys, newby here! To make a long story short, I've just recently chosen to visit the Galapagos Islands and/or a bit of the Amazon as well, from April 17/18 - May 5, as a getaway from my recently called-off wedding (I know, TMI, but there you have it). I'm going solo, and I've looked at multiple websites to see what the best itinerary is without asking anybody online, but I'm having a difficult time making an itinerary on my own without some input from people who have travelled there. Having said that, am I better off just going to Ecuador and book trips there, since I'm planning to leave in 3 weeks? I'm from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and it looks like it's about CAD1000 for flights from here to Quito, and to book a 10-day tour with Row Adventures (top-rated tour, apparently) would escalate my cost to CAD5000, and they haven't gotten back at me re: what's included in the tour, if there are enough people to make the tour happen, what I need, etc. Now, I could maybe just take the plunge and just go and see what happens - I want a mix of activities (I went to New Zealand a couple years back and pretty much did EVERYTHING the country could offer me in terms of activities, and I want to do the same in the Galapagos). 1. Is there a way to cap my costs at CAD5000? I.e. Don't do ROW tours, do a shorter cruise instead, fly from Guayaquil, forget about the Amazon, etc. 2. If I had ~18-20 days to spend down there, what's a good plan to divide my time? I apologize if this is a very vague question, this is just my second day planning! Feel free to ask many questions, cuz I don't even know what questions are good to ask! 3. Is it safe to travel on my own? I'm a healthcare professional in my mid-twenties, thinks I'm world savvy enough to do a trip on my own (I hope), petite (under 90 lbs, I know, I'm from Southeast Asia originally, I'm tiny!). 4. I know I want to do these things: - spend some time in Quito and visit Mitad del Mundo - see a lot of wildlife via hiking (I've managed to do a 19km alpine crossing in NZ, hungover), canoe/kayak (tiny girl so I'm a bit iffy about this, managed to do this in NZ but afraid to get lost/behind the group), snorkelling and scuba diving (don't have a diving license and is a poor swimmer, tends to panic in the first 5 mins or so, but I have done many aquatic activities incl. snorkelling in various places, scuba dived once, swimming in a pool/tank with nurse sharks in Mexico without a life vest, and managed not to drown so far). - balance activities with some down time where I can just think about the meaning of life while surrounded by nature's beauty (perfect place to think and ponder about life, anybody?) - really want to see the Amazon just so I can see more wildlife and say I've trekked through the jungle and communed with nature (hehe) - want something life-changing (but not dangerous!) 5. What's a realistic budget for 15-19 days wherein I can actually EAT and DO things? How do I even calculate this budget? I apologize for my lack of knowledge but I'm feeling the time crunch (I usually plan my trips a year in advance) and am desperate for information! Anybody who can help me plan this, I'm forever thankful!) Sorry for the insane length, I do carry on sometimes :) Thanks for any information you can give me!!!

I'm planning a Galapagos cruise and have 2 options for a 4 day cruise: Northern Islands- Bachas Beach, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fe, South Plaza Central Islands- Dragon Hill, Highlands, North Seymour, Santa Cruz Island, Santiago Anyone have any recommendations on the best choice, and why it might be the best choice? Thanks.

A friend and i want to go to the Galapagos Islands this fall, either Sept or Oct. I would like to know which travel companies anyone has traveled with to the Islands. Who would you recommend, and who would you not. We would like to stay on one or two or the islands and cruise the rest of the time. Is this a good idea? I are thinking about 6- 9 days, is too much or too little? I would appreciate any help. Thanks!! MathisFun@vtmail.com

Hi, I'm planning a honeymoon trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos in late April, early May. Then I happened across and offer for the Beluga at this time.3200. airline ticket from mainland Ecuador toGalapagos included The itinerary: Pick Up / Drop Off : Baltra / Baltra Day 1 : Baltra (start) / Dragon Hill Day 2 : San Fe / Plazas Day 3 : San Cristobal: Witch Hill, Kicker Rock & Pto Baquerizo Moreno Day 4 : Hood: Gardner Bay, Islote Garnder, Islote Osborn & Pta Suarez Day 5 : Baltra (start) / Santa Cruz: highlands & Charles Darwin Station Day 6 : Sombrero Chino / James: Sullivan Bay Day 7 : Tower: Darwin Bay & Prince Phillips Steps Day 8 : Turtle Cove / Baltra (end) Has anyone been on the Beluga? How does this itinerary sound to you? What of the price? Thanks, G.

We (2 p) are planning a trip to Galapagos islands in february 2012. I visited the islands in '82. I flew into Baltra and found accomodation in Puerto Ayora. Local agents offered round trips (4-7 days) to different island at that time. It was easy to find 12 to 15 travellers to get the tour started. I wonder, if this is still common to do. All I read, is about pre-booked cruises and packages. Has anybody travelled to the island recently without any pre-bookings? Any experiences with overnights on Floreana island? I know there is a Red Mangrove Hotel, but than again there is the question about transfer boats. I really appreciate any comment on this. Thank you Reinhard Brandt

I'm looking to go to the Galapagos Islands during Christmas time (Dec 24-Jan 1). I have always wanted to go, I'm very much into nature, life, and the sort. (I love watching Planet Earth and Discovery Channel type shows). I'm in excellent shape and very active, so hiking and walking is no problem. I have no issues with sea sickness. I would very much like to Scuba dive (that would be a requirement of my trip). I've been on several cruises, and it's very nice to be able to arrive to your destination early in the morning, and take just what you need with you, then in the evening go to the next destination. I'm thinking that would be the preferred option, as I may have a better chance of being able to dive. What cruises go to the islands, how much should I expect to pay? I'll be traveling from Los Angeles. How is the weather condition and water condition during this time?

We are hoping to do a Galapagos cruise next year, and I reckon our budget will stretch to a 7 night one, but no longer. With the changes being introduced over there, it will be impossible it seems to see all of the recommended "best" islands. I am looking at a couple of different possible routes and wondered if anyone could offer views on what looks the best of these? Option one: Baltra, North Seymour, Bartolome, Santiago, Genovese, Rabida, Santa Cruz, Espanola, Plazas, Santa Fe Option two: San Cristobal, North Seymour, Mosquera, Santiago, Bartolome, Santa Cruz, Rabida, Floreana, Espanola Option three: Baltra, Genovese, Santiago, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Daphne Are there any islands we would want to see that aren't on any of these lists?

Next February i'm travelling to Ecuador to do research for my masters degree. One of the aspects is migration to the Galapagos Islands and that's why I need to stay on the Islands a couple of weeks to get the proper data by interviewing certain institutions and local governments. Is there a possibility for me to travel to the Islands individually or will I need to be accompanied by a certain travel agency? Is it possible for me to stay in hostels or hotels or will I need to sleep on a boat? Thank you in advance.

After our Galapagos cruise we will need to return to Santiago, Chile for our flight back to Australia. Although it doesn't appear to be a long flight (by Australian standards) I am having trouble finding one that is a direct flight. We are looking at July 2012. Would we fly from Guayaquil to Santiago or should I be looking to fly from somewhere else?

I want to fly to the Galapagos either from Madrid, London or even better from Auckland New Zealand where I will be next year. I do not want more than 2 stop overs. I cannot seem to find find much information about what airlines fly into Quito or Guayaquil and then onto the Galapagos. Any info, experiences gratefully received. thanks

Ciao, I will go to the Galàpagos end of december, my cruise starts on Dec 24th until Jan 1st. I already own a 2mm shortie wetsuit and wondering whether this is enough for snorkeling during that period of the year. Can anyone give me feedback on this? thanks! Mary

Hey All, I have two options for touring Galapagos. 5 day cruise on Odyssey followed by 3 days at Finch Bay Hotel in Santa Cruz or to take a 7 day cruise on Eric, Flamingo and Letty. Is one preferred over the other? Thanks, Bijal