Would like to do Galapagos as well as the Amazon experience in Feb of 2013
Replies: 5 - Last Post: Nov 3, 2012 7:01 AM Last Post By: SmithsinSaudi
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Would like to do Galapagos as well as the Amazon experience in Feb of 2013
Wife and I are looking into heading to Ecuador to do a four day cruise through the Galapagos Islands, then stay on the islands a few days and if possible head to do a boat ride/lodge experience on the Amazon (OK I know it is not really the Amazon yet but the upper basin tributaries). We plan to just fly in to Quito and negotiate any packages we might get. This will be in Feb of 2013.Questions: Is Quito would be the right place to base for our trip ? (Not Guayaquil).
How easy would it be to get housing on the islands after or before our boat trip in Feb?
Any tips on the Amazon trip from people who have been there before? My wife and I are in fairly good shape, can stay in hostels or a bit more upscale hotels. We love animals and water. Would like a place where we can head on the water ourselves if need be.
From what I have read on this forum you can save quite a bit of money by being in Ecuador and buying your trips there. So we can either do the land version of the Galapagos first then the boat or even the Amazon one first. Any tips? Restaurants?
Again thanks for your time and effort we are amazed at the knowledge and kindness on Lonely Planet!
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That sounds like an awesome trip! I visited Ecuador in May... didn't make it to the Galapagos, but I think that Quito is the best place to start your trip from. THere's lots of places you can book a trip to the Galapagos from and you will save lotsof $$... look in Mariscal (the gringo area) to find a trip.I did go on a trip to the Amazon - I went to the Cuyabeno Reserve and stayed at the Somona Lodge. You will probably have to take a bus from Quito to Lago Agrio, where you will meet with your tour group and head into the jungle from there. I enjoyed the jungle trip, however be prepared to see lots of snakes.... Our tour guide would park our little boat not even a meter away from huge snakes and take pictures of them for all 8 people in the boat. Also, there will be taracnhilas and snakes on the ceiling of the dining hall and the hut that you sleep in ... just a fair warning! Enjoy your travels!!
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We just got back from a month in Ecuador in Sept. We did a 8-day cruise on the Angelito and loved it. Not one of the pricier boats but great staff and itinerary. We booked through Suretrek in Quito. We stayed 7 nights after the cruise in the islands, 3 nights in Santa Cruz and 4 nights in Isabella. We booked these ourselves pretty easily but Suretrek can also help with these. If you can only do land or cruise, go woth the cruise. Additionally, they booked our Amazon trip to Napo Wildlife Center which, while excellent, did not compete with the Galapagos experience. We should have done NWC first! We also had a great visit to Santa Lucia Cloud Forest Eco Lodge outside of Quito 2-3 hours in the Nanegal area.We booked everything in advance but there were only 9 people on the boat. Some people did some last minute bookings but their saving was minimal if any. The piece of mind was worth it to me to book in advance.
