Galapagos Islands...
Discussion
Anyone got any skinny on holidaying there? Anyone been, what did you do, how did you it, tips, best ppl to do it with, etc, etc. Oh and cost. Its a bit of a mega holiday next yr, the wife wants Michu something or other aswell in Peru. I said Michu was in Swansea these days but she wasnt having it. And something about a lake with floating tits. Anyway, the Peru bit Ill let the wife handle, its her bag and frankly its the bribe I had to promise to get the Aston permission, so whatever. I however, have always wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands, so seems a decent time to tack em on and throw a bit of dosh at it to make it happen.
So gimme some knowledge and experiences ppl.
So gimme some knowledge and experiences ppl.
I can't offer anything on the Galapagos but did travel around Peru a couple of years back and really enjoyed it.
Highlights were Machu Picchu, Nazca lines, Colca Canyon and the Amazon rainforest. Lake Titicaca and the floating islands was OK but a bit touristy. Pics below if you're inerested.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcross/sets/721576242...
Highlights were Machu Picchu, Nazca lines, Colca Canyon and the Amazon rainforest. Lake Titicaca and the floating islands was OK but a bit touristy. Pics below if you're inerested.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcross/sets/721576242...
Engineer1 said:
Book on the smallest boat you can the big ones anchor a good distance out the smaller ones can get close in shore.
The big boats seem a little impersonal and looks like you just get 'processed'. All visitors must be accompanied by a certified guide, ours was a chap called David Davies who was fantastic but almost ate us out of house and home.My visit was on a private 220ft Motoryacht with a specialized diveroom, a very rare honour from the Ecuadorian Govt, the Boss had to take the Ambassador to dinner at the Connaught to get the OK.
My brother went on a dive trip there, first night on a big Schooner & the thing hit some some rocks, it started sinking! Luckily there was another boat an hour or so away that got to them in time. They lost load a load of gear in the process.
I think they saw 50 plus whale sharks, he said it was an epic trip in the end
I think they saw 50 plus whale sharks, he said it was an epic trip in the end
If you are an experienced scuba diver then the Galapagos is arguably the best destination in the world to see big sharks, rays, and other pelagics. I went in 2008 to dive and video both Darwin and Wolf and will go back again sometime soon. However if you are not a diver it is a very expensive trip to make to be herded about to see animals that can, in the main be seen elsewere at much lower cost. The islands that can be visited are restricted and the guides do not take visitors to any islands or areas of islands that have the rare animals.
That said it is a unique experiance to board your boat having to step over a sleeping seal on the quay steps. Equador mainland offers some great explorative trips and the people are warm and friendly.
That said it is a unique experiance to board your boat having to step over a sleeping seal on the quay steps. Equador mainland offers some great explorative trips and the people are warm and friendly.
Wife and I went at the end of 08. Flew to Miami for a couple of nights, then to Quito for another couple. Week trip around the Galapagos on the Sagitta, then back to Quito for a few days before flying home via Miami.
I wouldn't give you tuppence for a trip to Miami but Ecuador is great and the Galapogos something special, especially if you are into wildlife and/or photography. Watching albatross going through their greeting ritual from 10 metres away makes a great memory as does swimming off a beach with the beach master and his family! Many other recollections, an amazing place.
As said, avoid the big ships. I would highly recommend the Sagitta if you could get it, lots of info on the web. 8 or 9 nice cabins, group of 16 on our trip, very sociable and a great few and guide.
Remember that the water is colder but calmer in the latter half of the year, warmer but rougher in the first half. We went in November and although the water did strike cold, it was easily bearable with a wet suit, we were snorkelling most days.
You've just brought back some great memories for me, must get the photos out!!
I wouldn't give you tuppence for a trip to Miami but Ecuador is great and the Galapogos something special, especially if you are into wildlife and/or photography. Watching albatross going through their greeting ritual from 10 metres away makes a great memory as does swimming off a beach with the beach master and his family! Many other recollections, an amazing place.
As said, avoid the big ships. I would highly recommend the Sagitta if you could get it, lots of info on the web. 8 or 9 nice cabins, group of 16 on our trip, very sociable and a great few and guide.
Remember that the water is colder but calmer in the latter half of the year, warmer but rougher in the first half. We went in November and although the water did strike cold, it was easily bearable with a wet suit, we were snorkelling most days.
You've just brought back some great memories for me, must get the photos out!!
Here's the trip we took with prices. Accommodation was pretty basic throughout but it gives you an idea of what can be done.
http://www.explore.co.uk/holidays/details/sacred-l...
Machu Picchu itself is only around $20 including bus journey from the town.
Nazca flights are around $110 per person but choose your airline carefully as they can be a bit crashy.
http://www.explore.co.uk/holidays/details/sacred-l...
Machu Picchu itself is only around $20 including bus journey from the town.
Nazca flights are around $110 per person but choose your airline carefully as they can be a bit crashy.
DJRC said:
Can we define crashy?
More to the point who are the most crashy and who are the least crashy?
More to the point who are the most crashy and who are the least crashy?
you get the picture. Seriously you're probably safer in the plane than you are in the coach going there. Just do the homework on safety records as there are many companies offering flights. Cheaper isn't necessarily the best option. We just bit the bullet and went with the suggested company by the guide and I don't remember which it was.
DJRC said:
Cost folks? What does this Sagitta thingy cost? And this Macho Pingu place with the Nascar lines ?
We paid about £3.2k each in 08. Flew to the archipelago with TAME, Ecuador's state airline, no problems at all, new plane, perfectly well organised and flown.That price included the Miami break and a couple of guided trips around Quito and somewhere else, the second involving a stop on the equator to see an egg stood on its narrow end......
You can check out the cost of the Sagitta easily enough by googling it.
Another memory is sailing northwards on the eastern side of Isabella, the biggest island, overnight. Followed a couple of whales for a while, had a lesson on the southern hemisphere night sky and stood at the stern being mesmerised by the phosphorescence as we crossed the equator.
Do it, you won't regret it.
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