Anyone be on a tour of the Galapagos Islands?
Im hoping to fly into Ecuador from Miami or overland from Peru, where I am planning to block a flight to the Galapagos Islands.
I have looked at some tours online although Im not really sure if they are any honest or not. I'm on a backpacking budget so I would be looking for a tour on the cheaper end of the mount (but not completely basic!)
Thanks
Answers: We be in the Galapagos Islands contained by April. Wonderful trip. You have to budge with a tour company as not a soul is allowed on the islands without a guide. I'm not sure exactly what it is that you want and you own to be very watchful when booking because there are some unscrupulous captains/boats out nearby. Try GAP tours or the one we went beside .Explorers Corner. We lived on a catamaran for a week...kayaked, snorkled and hiked every day. Food be top notch as be the tour guide and naturalist guide. It may cost you a bit more but certainly worth it.
Also, the best time to be in motion is between December & May. The currents coming up from the Antarctic make the river temperatures intensely cold and the water rough from June to November. Being marine sick from the rough ocean would clearly ruin the trip & some tour companies won't even run tours during that time. You should really plan your trip around that as swimming with the marine lion pups and the penguins was undeniably one of the highlights. The water heat in April be around 73 degrees. It's space heater January - March.
Quito isn't the safest of cities either (although Quayaquil is worse) so be intensely careful. Never get all your money and passport in duplicate pocket & if you are mugged they will take your shoes so not a angelic hiding place for baptism. Make sure you go to the Otavalo bazaar when you are there. It's in the region of 2 hours by bus from Quito.
Anyway, you can email me for more information if you want...
I have not be there but own seen numerous documentaries on it. Quite an amazing place and would dive at the chance of visit there. I hope that you will know how to get to see it.
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