Galapagos +

[Applesaarenttheonlyfruit]

We are looking at going to the Galapagos and wondering about tours, timing, length of visit. DC will be 17 & 15

Anyone have any views and or insights. Land or boat. 3, 5, 7+ days.

Thanks

I'd recommend going at Easter, the sea is warmer and calm and as it's the end of the rainy season everything is relatively green.

In the summer it's rougher, the sea is cooler and everything is browner!

We did both sea and land, the boat was great, you get to visit islands which as inaccessible without a long daytime boat trip and it's easy to snorkle and you get better guides than the land based hotels do. It's more expensive though and also very structured, you're getting up early and it's all on someone else's schedule.

We did a couple of nights on land after the boat to relax.

We also stayed here on the mainland. Which is one of the best hotel experiences we've ever had.

https://www.mashpilodge.com/

The whole trip though cost a fortune......

Brilliant thank you.

We are also thinking of the mainland too, but wanted to build it around the islands first. Easter is a bit of a pain with exams though. I'll reflect on that. Don't want to spend a fortune and then feel sick the whole time!

It's a long time since I went, but I think I would recommend a couple of days on land before spending a week on a boat. Also, if you are flying from the UK, you'd probably want to go somewhere else before e.g. Quito.

Lucky you! Hands down the best holiday I ever had was 8 days on a small boat around the Galapagos. We went on the Beluga, which was fabulous. Wonderful guides, excellent food, really well looked after. Would be very spendy for a family though.

We didn't stay anywhere in the islands, but had a few nights in Quito. Though it has some wonderful things to see, I'm not sure it would be worth the time if you only had 3 days, given the need to acclimatise to the altitude. Don't do as I did and take a volcano tour the day after arrival and end up with altitude sickness. |Also bear in mind that Quito is not safe after dark, or even during the day in many areas.

As the flight is so expensive it’s worth spending time on the mainland which is relatively inexpensive (or was 17 years ago when I went).

I did an Explore tour as it didn’t seem to be much cheaper to attempt it independently once you factor in the 7 night Galapagos boat trip. If you’re going all that way I totally recommend 7 nights. We went over Christmas flying back on New Years Eve. Started in Quito, went up the Andes, down into cloud forest then rainforest, then over to the Pacific coast. Was fabulous.

Sitting in Quito airport at this very moment, 05.51 ! Will replyr when we get back from the Galapagos.

Wow! Well you’ll have UTD knowledge for sure. I hope you’ve had a great trip!

We did 7nights on a boat and a few days at end on main island - was a bit pointless after the amazing boat trip. Second the Easter timing - we had escorted snorkels twice a day and even then the water isn't warm!

We did a week in Ecuador first which we also loved. Thinkgalapagos.com sorted all ours out and Rachel was brilliant at advising and knew all the boats. We did Beagle2 which is smalll - 12 people - and basic but loved it!

I went last October (on my own and joined a tour with Intrepid). Absolutely fantastic, my trip was land based over 3 different islands. Personally much preferred that as I get very seasick (would definitely recommend the seasickness patches!), and liked being able to walk around and soak everything up when not on the boat.
I had 7 days in the Galapagos and a couple of days in Quito at the start, so was away 12 days in total with travel. I think all in it cost about £4K with flights etc which seemed pretty reasonable considering the experience- but obviously will cost a lot more for 4!
Absolutely loved it, such a unique part of the world.

It's probably too late for this Easter anyway. Things book up far in advance.

You also do need a stop in Quito before every leg. So it's fly out to Quito via Madrid, the overnight Quito. Pick up for Mashpi - 3 nights, then stay over night again in quito, before a flight to the Galapagos, then another night in Quito before flying home. You can't do that at Easter, if they're doing GCSE's this year, but could be one for next year.

I am planning to do this solo in 2025. Reading all your tips. Jerp them.coming.

I more meant going to various sites in Ecuador, with the mainland. I'd 'like' to do closer to 3 weeks, but it's hard for my DH to take that all in one go. The Galapagos are the main reason for the visit, so that's where I want to place my focus.

Easter is messed up for us for about 4 years due to exams, it's a real pain!

May I ask who did you book with and where did you stay.
I think I want to do a cruise but also up for doing a couple if nights on land.

Sorry @pastahat just saw you went with Intepid.
My budget I think is up to 10k. It is a big birthday!
I was looking at one of the Hurtiguren cruises but it is mega ££. If I can get it done for a more reasonable cost I would be very happy.

Not sure I would spend that amount of money with teens that age? Mine really didn't appreciate the expensive holidays we took them on at the time, although they do look back more fondly.

There's a lot to do in Ecuador so you could tick a lot of boxes in 3 weeks. We went to Baños, the Amazon basin for a few says, hiked a volcano, stood on the equator and visited lake Quilatoa. I can't really advise on Galapagos as we booked it last minute when already in Quito (we were travelling South America) We did a basic boat tour and saw plenty so I imagine the more fancy tours are incredible. Highlight was snorkeling with loads of sharks and rays

This was 10 years ago and Quito was sketchy then, can't be any better now with the drugs issues Ecuador is having.

I know what you mean, but for me it’s about what I want to do and they get to go even without full appreciation. I’ve had some terrible things happen to friends and I’m not waiting to do my bucket list.

Sounds great and just up our street! Thanks

I did 2 separate tours. 5 nights on a boat and then 10 days doing the Inca trail and staying in the Amazon. I was sick with altitude and sea sickness but it was the most amazing trip. Bring loads of immodium!

@Applesaarenttheonlyfruit
We had an add-on to a Peru/Ecuador tour, & decided to stay land-based @ Puerto Ayora. ( Got home on Wed.)

No-one tells you that the Galapagos is very hard work !
And it's very difficult for anyone who is not fit & agile.

Getting in & out of a Zodiac & boat, then landing on a pile of slippery rocks (no jetties) is very difficult with a walking stick.

I was unable to do some of the trips. Having said that, it was still a unique experience. Leaving the airport building, passengers had to snake around an iguana. - 20,000 USD fine for killing one. Sea lions were occupying benches on the promenade. Pelicans were attending the fish market .

I loved the place, & I'd recommend the Galapagos to anyone. Just go whilst you're still fit !

@Georgyporky thanks for the update!

What size boat were you on?

The day-boat I was on carried 10-12 passengers + crew.