I'm trying to plan a holiday to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands at the end of the year before I commit to about six more years of study. I'm trying to work out several things (other than the level of my sanity):
1. Is it even realistic to see the Galapagos Islands towards the end of November 2007 and then dovetail straight into a tour of Antarctica in December. I can get about four or five weeks off to do this. Nothing in my internet/forum surfing suggests it ISN'T do-able, but I can't find anyone who has actually done it. The idea is that because I live in Australia, and the best adventures to Antarctica appear to depart from Argentina (as opposed to Hobart), I'll pay one expensive airfare over to South America and kill two birds with one stone.
2. Is it better to go with one group (e.g. Peregrine tours) that does both, or go with two separate tour group companies that each specialise in one of the destinations?
3. If it is better to do the former (in point 2), has anyone tried it and can anyone recommend an operator? Obviously I'm not a bottomless pit of money (especially if I'm going to study again). I'm not into high-end tours - something fairly comfortable that lets me get off the boat and walk around and possible kayak.
4. Are their any "shoddy" operators I should be aware of (e.g. more unenvironmentally friendly than other groups, everyone ends up with food poisoning, etc)?
Thanks!
1.- best tours departs from ushuaia in tierra del fuego - argentina, i also thing the peninsula is nicer
2.- peregrine to antarctica sounds great to me
3.- i dont think you can have better than peregrine to antarctica
check just in case, quark, gap just to compare
4.- havent heard of any bad, only good things about all, anyway i think you get what you pay for
happy travels : )
I did Gap Adventures tour to Antarctica, out of Ushuaia, they were excellent, i heard Peregrine may be for older travellers. At the time you could also risk turning up for last minute deals for about half the prce but i heard they were maybe stopping this. Secember is penguin chick hatching time i think.
Not sure re Nov/Dec for galapagos but just did it in May, again fantastic, been travelling 6 months and both these trips are my highlight so far. Scuba iguana is a good place to enuire, based on Santa Cruz, so cuts out the middleman. Very nice english grl called Jude works there who will give you honest advice / email judeat *no sign on this computer!(scubaiguana.com. good luck!
Thanks to everyone who replied. I've decided to do the Gecko Complete Galapagos and the Adventure Associate's Crossing the Circle. Given that I'm going in the peak season, I didn't want to miss out so pre-booked all the tours.
I couldn't get the Peregrine tours to fit in with the Complete Galapagos as I was hoping to cross the circle. Although I didn't end up going with them (for the simple reason that they are in the USA and AA is in Australia), I found the Shelley at ExpeditionTrips to be MOST helpful and prompt in her replies.
I'll let you know how it goes!
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