Hello, I am currently in Quito and looking at booking a Galapagas tour for this weekend or Monday - I will only have max 5 days in total. I have looked at various options, both land based and boat based. Essentially I have narrowed it down to:
- a land based tour 4 nights, 5 days with hotels in both santa cruz and isabella and a day tour to Floerna. Cost is 535 ticket (350 + 100) entrance = almost 1000 usd.
- a boat based tour 3 nights 4 days, for about 1000 usd all up tourist class, or
- a superior tourist class for 5 days 4 night for about 1500 usd (friendship), or 940 usd (tour + 350 (air) 100 entrance for superior, Eden boat.
I would appreciate any suggestions as to the following:
- has anyone done both land and sea based tours - which is better. I have heard different opinions from the travel agencies and it seems I may see more of the islands I visit on the land based tours, but more islands on the boat based. On land I will miss out on an island that has penguins, however I have seen them before so that is not a big one. They also said it is nicer to experience ´´boat time´´ which is no a big one for me having been on many cruises. On the land based one I will also get to for sure be in the water with the hammerheads (on Santa cruz) which is something the agencies have said i wont be able to do on the shorte cruises.
- Is there a big difference between boats - Is tourist class sufficient. I dont want to go really cheap ie slumming it, but dont really need first class food and beds etc either.
- Do these prices seem reasonable?
- Is 4 to 5 days enough? I come to sth america often so if it is that much better for more days can visit anothe time?
I appreciate any help or comments on the above or other things that may be relevant.
regards
IF YOU GO TO SOUTH AMERICA OFTEN, MAYBE DO A LITTLE MORE PRE-ARRANGING AND DO IT NEXT TIME. I DID A 8 DAY CRUISE IN JUNE ON THE SPONDYLUS,TOURIST SUPERIOR, AND ENJOYED SEEING A WIDE VARIETY OF THE ISLANDS. THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS. BIRD & MARINE LIFE, TOPOGRAPHY. I FEEL IF I HAD NOT DONE THE LONGER CRUISE I WOULD HAVE MISSED OUT ON SOMETHING SPECIAL. THE NORTH ISLANDS AND THE SOUTH ISLANDS OFFER DIFFERENT HIGHLIGHTS. IF YOU GO TO SANTA CRUZ A FEW DAYS EARLY BEFORE YOUR CRUISE ,YOU CAN TAKE A SIDE TRIP TO ISABELLA AND ALSO EXPLORE SANTA CRUZ BETTER. FOR MOST PEOPLE THE GALAPAGOS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME TRIP. THINGS ARE CHANGING RAPIDLY EVERYWHERE INCLUDING THE GALAPAGOS. IF YOU CHECK HOW EXPENSIVE THE GALAPAGOS HAVE BECOME IN THE LAST 4-5 YEARS PLUS THE ADDED RESTRICTIONS IT MAY BE BEST FOR YOU TO DO IT AT A LATER TIME WHEN YOU CAN DO IT MORE THROUGHILY. ECUADOR HAS PLENTY TO KEEP YOU BUSY. MAYBE GO TO THE COAST AND DO THE POOR MANS GALAPAGOS FROM PUERTO LOPEZ.
Thanks for the advice. I am still deciding, but will have to make a decision soon. regards
I concur wiht # 3. If you have time to wait and it's realistic to return in a year or so. Wait for the longer tour. Otherwise, better than nothing. Check happygringo for comparison but $940 including air and entrance seems like a standard price. Tourist superior is fine.
Regards
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