Many people wonder
what is the best way to visit the Galapagos Islands. It may be tempting
to just fly there and see what Galapagos
tours can be arranged on the spot, but we don't recommend
it unless you have lots of time on your hands. Many Galapagos
tours, especially the superior and luxury, will probably
be fully-booked. The high quality and service tours are usually booked
many months in advance.
Getting to the
Galapagos isn't easy, and this may be your only chance. We highly
recommend that you spend a lot of time thinking about what islands
you want to visit and animals you want to see. This might help you
determine the best cruise or tour for you!
Many people wonder what is the best way to visit the Galapagos Islands. It may be tempting to just fly there and see what Galapagos tours can be arranged on the spot, but we don't recommend it unless you have lots of time on your hands. Many Galapagos tours, especially the superior and luxury, will probably be fully-booked. The high quality and service tours are usually booked many months in advance.
Getting to the Galapagos isn't easy, and this may be your only chance. We highly recommend that you spend a lot of time thinking about what islands you want to visit and animals you want to see. This might help you determine the best cruise or tour for you!
A Galapagos
tour involves the following:-
You'll have to make your decisions according to the following:
a.
Land-based tour or live-aboard boat
b. Type of tour
c. Length of tour
d .Time of year you can (or want to) travel
e .A charter cruise or tour with others
A:Land-based
Galapagos tours
or live-aboard boat ?
1 ) Hotel and day tours by boat
If you do not want to sepend all you time in a boat, this will be
your best option. Althoug, you may consider tht some islands are too
far away for land-based tours (Espanola or Genovesa), and always you
need to spend some time in the boat.
This type are the best for those that do not like very much the boats
or do not have so much money to spend in a Cruise,
but really want to see the islands.
Some boats do the daily tours but overnight in different Hotels in different islands, this option is very good to see more sleeping in a Hotel bed.
2 ) Live-aboard boat
This is the best way to get the most out of your Galapagos
tour. You sleep on the boat that tours from island to island
overnight. This enables you to see more islands, further away. The
only disadvantage is if you get seasick, though there are good ways
to deal with it.
B:Type
of cruise
1) Smaller yachts, larger cruise ships
There are three categories of Galapagos boats: large cruise ships
(80-100 passengers), medium (40-50 passengers), and small (up to 20
passengers). The only boats allowed to tour from island to island
are licenced Galapagos Boats.
The larger cruise ships usually have more comfortable facilities and power to get to islands further away from Santa Cruz (like the west side of Isabela and Fernandina). Because of the number of passengers, there are more activities planned, and they are more regimented. On the other hand, smaller boats are more intimate, and there is a lot more flexibility in terms of how long the passengers want to snorkel or tour the islands. The smaller boats are, naturally, more cramped and sensitive to the conditions of the ocean. Look carefully at the pictures and descriptions of the boats before you make your decisions.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISES RECOMMENDATIONS
2) Quality
& price
There
are several categories of boats: Luxury,
First
Class, Tourist
Superior, Tourist,
and Economy.
The price of your Galapagos
tour depends on the type of cruise you choose. The most
economical boats are usually smaller, have a less experienced guide,
and not as great facilities. They, however, are more intimate tours
that facilitate a better relationship with your fellow passengers
and crew. More expensive tours count on better boats with more power,
sometimes diving and kayaking possibilities, and a more experienced
guide. Be sure to investigate thoroughly before making any decisions.
The cost of a Galapagos
cruise ranges greatly, anywhere from $120.00/night per person
to $1,000.00/night per person! Certainly price and quality go together;
however, a good time on the islands depends greatly on your guide,
the crew, and fellow passengers.
C: Length
of cruise
3 nights, 4 nights, 7 nights, or longer?
The standard Galapagos trip time is 3 nights or 7 nights. If you are
budgeting hard or have little time, a 3-night trip is a good choice.
It gives you a good taste of the islands. Ideally, though, you need
a week or longer. People might think, "Well, what's another island?
One's just like another, right?" NOT SO!! Each island has a unique
ecosystem, scenery, flora, and fauna. For a naturalist, birdwatcher,
diver or photographer, a week is really a minimum.
Somel Galapagos tours have 3/4 night and others 7 night itineraries. This means that maybe at mid-tour, you're going to have to return to Baltra to pick up new passengers.
D:
WHEN Low or high season, rainy or dry
season?
Check out our page on "When
to go." to help you decide the right time
for you!
E:
OWN GROUP OR WITH OTHERS Individual
booking or charter?
Don't let the price of a charter fool you. They may look more expensive,
but can be more economical if you have a large group to share in the
cost. It's actually cheaper to charter if you can fill 80% of the
boat! The best thing about it is that you: have the boat to yourselves,
you can choose your own itinerary and adjust it (with advance notice),
and you can specifically choose a guide. Park authorities need to
authorize any changes in schedules or itineraries.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS DAY TOURS RECOMMENDATIONS
For more information and reservations
contact us
Telephone: +57 1 7456019
Our Low-Price Guarantee Policy
If you find any on-line price for less than what we have to offer, service-for-service, we will match that price, unconditionally.
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