Hello everyone:
Just starting to try to gather some info about the galapagos islands. My husband and I are just thinking about planning a trip there in the spring while its still quite cool.
The airfares from vancouver are relatively cheap, can anyone recommend a reputable tour group that we can go through; how much time is needed there, and is it safe to travel around ecuador?
Any and all infor would be greatly appreciated.
willmore
1
dianeinny
Actually, it is still quite warm in the spring. The currents coming up from Antarctica change during the summer and the cooler time to go is the fall. We are going in September.
I have two recommendations for you for tour operators. On the low-price end is Gap Adventures. I've been with them to Costa Rica and were very satisfied and will be using them for our Galapagos trip. On an upper-scale end is Wildland Adventures. I've never used them but have read excellent things about them.
Be sure to book a trip that allows you a full week in the islands. So plan 10 days min. I think the Wildland trip is 11 days.
As for safety, the same rules apply for anywhere you might travel: keep your important documents and money in a hidden money pouch, always be aware of what is going on around you, don't flash 'wealth' (leave the jewelry home), etc. Quito, as far as I read, is pretty safe.
2
willmore
Thanks for all your info. Gap adventures looks great and they're canadian to boot!
Looks like we will be going in the fall as well. Air Canada has a direct flight toronto - lima return which is relatively inexpensive, and the round trip to quito =lima return isnt bad.
Im wondering if anyone has any recommedations for travel guide, maps, books about the galapagos. Ive done some searching on the internet and it seems that most of the books are out-of-date. Is there a speciality travel shop that would sell current books, etc?
Thanks.
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