Galápagos Islands Travel Forum

As usual, we are a month away from an upcoming vacation period and still trying to figure out where to go. One though that we had was to fly to Quito, spend a few days exploring the Andes scenery, and then fly to the galapagos for the rest of the the vacation. A few basic questions:

1. I have read that you can only tour the Galapagos Islands with a guided trip. Does anyone have a recommendation regarding a service to use? We will be two adults and a child.

2. Is it possible to book trips to the Galapagos Islands on short notice? Is there any sort of permit process or anything else that would force you to meet certain deadlines in advance of going there?

3. How many days should we spend on the islands to get a good flavor for them?

4. Is it easy to get there from Quito, or do you have to get to the coast first?

Hi!

I'm planning a 2 1/2 month trip to South America with my friend, we just graduated and are trying to keep it low budget. But obviously I want to have the best experience! We're first flying to Quito. We were thinking that maybe we wouldn't do the Galapagos, mainly because of the high cost, but now I'm starting to doubt that decision (I am bio major after all, I learned about that place! :)) I just wanted to hear back from travelers who have been there, is it definitely worth it? We will be in Ecuador second week of July. If I should go, how long should I spend there to make it worth it? Thanks so much!

~Kara

How much is the round trip fare from Guayaquil To the island?
One's I get there how much should I pay for cruising the islands for a week?
I'm planning to go to the islands the second week of October, is this a good time to go there? and for last How much is average cost for a hotel? I would appreciate this information. Thanks so much......jfgfedez

Okay, im a seasoned travellor, yet finally feelign the need to visit the Galapagos's. Hate crowds, hate volume tourism and hate "package deals".

i plan to head over for 10 days early Novembner, plan to do some scuba diving, and plan to avoid the madding crowds.

Hence i need advice?? where best to fly into? where best to base myself from? how best to travel around? who best to contact? what should i plan and what should i wing when i get there? and how can i avoid the crowds and see some of ecuador at the same time????

Neil

Hi guys,

My husband and I are looking into traveling to Peru, Ecuador & Galapagos next year. Can you recommend some good travel agency we should work with to plan our trip?

One that we found and liked is responsibletravel.com, but they seem to be just an intermediary between the end customer and the travel agency that really oranizes the trips.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, I will arrive in Quito next Sunday and I'm searching for a good travel agency in Quito to arrage a trip to the Galápagos Islands. I'd really appreciate any helpful advice - thanks in advance :-)

Has anyone been on the Encantada for a Galapagos boat trip? All feedback is welcome.

We are taking an OAT trip to the Galapagos in April/May. I read that sandals and hiking shoes are good. Is it just a matter of preference or do you have some firm suggestions? What do you wear on the boat?
Also, in lieu of a wetsuit, would a rashguard shirt help0 at all with the cool water?
Any advice for the trip is appreciated.
Sandy

Hi,
Has anyone travelled to the Galapagos Islands carrying surf boards? I am flying in to Quito 2nd March and hope to fly on to the Galapagos within a week. Will I be allowed to bring my own surf board to the islands? What is the surf like?

Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks

The airport in San Cristobal isn't going to be open in time for my upcoming visit, but I already paid $280 for a room for 4 nights on the island. I'm not going to be able to use it in the next 6 months, but evidently I can "transfer" the credit to someone else who may want to visit. (Based on the email below). I don't check this site every day, but if you're interested just reply and we'll see what needs to be done. I honestly just dont want that much money to go to waste. No ill intentions here, I promise -- I just got unlucky. The airport is supposed to open on the 24th of December 2007, and my visit is from the 16th-20th. Bummer.

Amy,
This is quite sad to hear that you’ve decided to stay in Santa Cruz island due to San Cristóbal Airport’s closure.

Once you´ve taken the decision to stay in Port Ayora instead of moving to San Cristóbal, our booking policies allow you to use or even endorse the length of the nights already paid ($280) 6 months counting after Dec.16th. If you think someone would be using your reservation under your name, we will be happy to honor that to whom you indicate us. I am afraid we have to discard a partial reimbursement in this case beyond our liability and reach.



Best regards,

Galahost Mgr.

Does anyone know if the constuction at the San Cristobal airport is complete?

Hi all,
Just wanted to know if anyone has been onboard the Nemo I Catamaran, and what experience they had.
We are looking for a short 3-4 night cruise around the islands, on a small, intimate, but reliable vessel, and the Cats look really nice - what do you think?
We want to supplement this with a short 2 night stay on Santa Cruz - the Hotel Mainao looks really quaint... is it easy to book day trips once you're there?
Going to be going around Feb 08.
Cheers,
Cat

I just got off the phone with someone from GalapagosTours.net (1-800 #) and I was shocked to hear that you're not longer allowed to book one day dives. Additionally, the only way to can dive in Galapagos is be a part of a Scuba-only cruise (starting at $2k US)!

Can someone please let me know if this is indeed the case and if there's anything I can do?

Assuming the worst, is there a way that I can dive without having to pay some exorbitant cost?

Thanks in advance.

Hi - We have booked on one of Ecoventura's yachts Eric, Flamingo & Letty. Does anyone have any experiences with these yachts or the company? Thanks.

Has anyone been on a recent trip on the Angelito. I'm thinking of booking an 8-day tour in December with Zenith Travel and would appreciate any feedback. Also, has anyone been to the Galapagos in early December? What is the weather and conditions like then? Thanks.

Dear all,

Im on business in Guayaquil for a week and thought id take advantage and go to the Galapagos for a one or two days after work flying out from guayaquil
Is this really feasible, as every one seems to do long boat cruises, (I only want to get a flavour of the islands and see some wildlife), and is it possible to get one/two days excursions on the island.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
David

Hello to all VT members,
I intend cruise Galapagos Islands on the April 2008, somebody that sailed on Samba yacht how it was your impression.
And second whether you have experience with Canadian travel agency Inti Travel
is it reliable company?
Many Thanks

Hi all
one question on the Galapagos Islands,

does anyone have a list of airlines which are flying there, no matter from which origin airport (even that i would prefer to fly from Lima or Quito)

thanks a lot
greetz
Philipp

Hello,

I'm interested in diving in the galapagos for a 8-day-cruise, just dont know (after lots of research) which is the best live-aboard diving yacht. Any recommendations... and on which ones I shouldnt go?!

PS. Is there any that eco-friendly is (besides the basic requirements by the N. Park) ?

Any info is welcome !! :)

I am planning a trip to the Galapagos and Ecuador, needing advice and booking information. At first I needed availability information of the August 2007 for Galapagos tours, but it may be too late for August- don’t know. I sent emails to
Safari Ecuador, Enchanted expeditions, Galasam, Andando Tours, Lindbad, Ecuador travel and OARS- waiting for reply. I have researched some boats that look good- ( Athala, Sagitta, Beluga, Diamante, Isabell 2, etc.) mostly motor yachts. As a college professor I am off when the students are, late November, late December and all of January. So if August fails, then I will try for January. Am I on the right track? I am not interested in SCUBA tours but like snorkeling and would combine this with a tour in the Amazon. I love ancient sites. Also if I don’t get a friend to travel with me, I will be hit with the deadly single supplement. ( is there a ay around this?) Thinking of two weeks in total. What do you suggest? Oh, I don’t eat meat. Thank you in advance. For any advice.

Regards,

Polipo

We're going to be in Peru in August and are entertaining the idea of diving out on the GI. Are there boats that do Peru - GI or do we need to fly?

Hi Galapa Fans,

1)
I'm travelling to the Galapagos Isl. in September this year.
Can anybody tell me how is the Weather in that time there?
I know thats from Dec-Jun hot/raining and in Jul-Nov. cold,cloudy and not so raining.
I need information a bit specific!!

2)
Who is the best travel agency for the Galapagos Isl. e.g. :
http://www.zenithecuador.com/
http://www.metropolitan-touring.com/
http://www.steppestravel.co.uk/galapagos-page541.aspx
http://www.enchantedexpeditions.com/
or some other Agenc.

Many Thanks,
Sasch

Hi everyone,

I just found a news clip from Reuters on the web from earlier this week, where they are talking about a possible suspension of tourism permits to the islands:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKN1044366820070411

Does anyone have any further information on this?

Thank you!

Birgit

Hi all,

We have enough airline miles to fly to Ecuador next year. I'm wondering which airport would be best to fly into in order to explore the Galapagos Islands?

We'll be able to pick up a tour of the islands starting on the islands and not Quito, right? I'm looking for the best starting point and then I'll go from there for a tour operator OR do I even need a tour operator, can these islands be toured w/o once we're there?

Any and all advice would be SO helpful. :)

Happy Travels!!!

Does anybody have advice on which tour operator I should choose to go to Galapagos? I am a graduate student and I am planning to go to Galapagos next year during winter break. I would stay at least a week, though possibly longer. There is also a good chance that I will be traveling alone which sometimes complicates accommodation arrangements. Did anybody have an awesome trip and have a tour operator they would recommend? Did anybody have a horrible trip and have tour operators I should stay away from? Are there places that I should avoid if I am a lone gal traveling? I have traveled to about 15 countries all by myself, including Mexico, Costa Rica and Venezuela, so I am not a novice, but I still like to check things out before I go. Thank you.

What is considered high season on the Galapagos islands? I am considering going in march. Is that a good time to visit? I'm hoping that it is not high season and I can get some discounts. I'm also hoping that I can wing-it if it's not high season. I just prefer to travel that way, and I have the time to hang around.

We will be touring the Galapagos in April. Unfortunately, I'm not in as good of shape as I would have liked to be. How strenuous are the hikes on the islands, particularly on Espanola, which I understand is a longer hike. I'm getting nervous rather than excited!! I appreciate your feedback.

I'm hoping to spend 3 months in the Galapagos as a volunteer teacher from this April. I have the choice of spending my time on either San Cristabel or Isabela, and I'm not sure where to choose. Isabela sounds beautiful and less tourists, but also less to do....What would you recommend??! Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

Can anyone tell me what the weather is like on the islands between October and December? Is it still relatively warm?

Thanks!

Hi I am going to the ecuador for one month in the summer with my girlfriend and we very interested in travelling to the galapagos islands for a week trip. However i am unsure if i need to book the trip before i leave? I believe it would possibly be cheaper booking in ecuador (i'm a student) as all trips seem to include hotels before the trip etc that i would not need as i would already be there. But i guess if i don't book in advance could all places on boats be fully booked as it is high season? Any help would be appreciated. Sean