Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Galapagos cruises, independent reviews
 Reviewed 27 Feb 2006 by Caroline Hoke |  |
This was truly the vacation of a lifetime - to be cliche. My husband and I had the most marvellous time - exploring the (mostly) pristine islands and seeing the fantastic biodiversity up close was just amazing. The scenery on the boat and on the islands is simply breathtaking - and the wildlife - which is so unafraid of humans you must take care not to step on some species - is spectacular. Snorkelling among schools of huge, brilliantly colored tropical fish, penguins, and with sea lions playing along side us - or playing tag with us - were probably the most memorable moments.
The guides were very knowledgeable and took the responsibility of minising our impact as tourists very seriously as well as educating us to the challenges faced by those trying to maintain and preserve the islands. The crew was delightful and the food out of this world. The crew were all originally from the Galapagos and hopefully are those who benefit from our expenditures - however probably our financial "impact" on the local populations of the Galapagos is not the same as with vacations to the mainland of Ecuador. I simply cannot say enough about what a fantastic time we had and what an enriching experience this trip has been.
As far as tips to other travellers - some of our boatmates didn't seem to have read much (or anything) and were very unprepared for the rugged terrain, heat, and sun! A pair of open-toed, sturdy sandals (such as Tiva's) AND a pair of sturdy tennis shoes are a must!! Be prepared for walking and balancing on volcanic rock - the point of the vacation is to be somewhere where there are no sidewalks or escalators!! And the intensity of the sun cannot be overemphasized (especially if you spend a day or two in Quito first!) you cannot wear enough sunscreen and I snorkelled mostly in long-sleeved tee-shirts and scrub pants for sufficient protection.
We had a fantastic time and I will certainly use your website to look for our next adventure!!
The guides were very knowledgeable and took the responsibility of minising our impact as tourists very seriously as well as educating us to the challenges faced by those trying to maintain and preserve the islands. The crew was delightful and the food out of this world. The crew were all originally from the Galapagos and hopefully are those who benefit from our expenditures - however probably our financial "impact" on the local populations of the Galapagos is not the same as with vacations to the mainland of Ecuador. I simply cannot say enough about what a fantastic time we had and what an enriching experience this trip has been.
As far as tips to other travellers - some of our boatmates didn't seem to have read much (or anything) and were very unprepared for the rugged terrain, heat, and sun! A pair of open-toed, sturdy sandals (such as Tiva's) AND a pair of sturdy tennis shoes are a must!! Be prepared for walking and balancing on volcanic rock - the point of the vacation is to be somewhere where there are no sidewalks or escalators!! And the intensity of the sun cannot be overemphasized (especially if you spend a day or two in Quito first!) you cannot wear enough sunscreen and I snorkelled mostly in long-sleeved tee-shirts and scrub pants for sufficient protection.
We had a fantastic time and I will certainly use your website to look for our next adventure!!
| Reviewed 4 Jun 2007 by Richard Mayon-White | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Swimming with Sea Lions!!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Worth doing a bit of background reading into Galapagos before travelling (or on the flight!). The guides are brilliant, but there is so much information, it helps to have a bit of prior knowledge!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Interesting question! The Galapagos Islands are definitely suffering from the environmental impact of the volume of tourists visiting and the infrastructure necessary to support this industry. In addition, the obvious economic benefits to the local population are creating migration to the Islands from the mainland, which ironically is placing additional pressure on the environment. In summary, our holiday was economically beneficial to the local people. However I am less sure about the benefits in the longer term to both local people and the environment!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The Galapagos cruise was a fantastic experience and a great end to our honeymoon in Ecuador. As such, it was a truly special holiday and justifies 5 stars! It did, however, tangibly demonstrate the continuing conflict between tourism and environment and without diminishing our enjoyment, was a bit sobering!
Read the operator's response here:
The Galapagos Islands have recently been placed on the World Heritage endangered list. We as an operator fully support this move and any additional restrictions that will be placed on immigration to the islands and the further development of tourism.| Reviewed 4 Jun 2007 by Jakki Berry | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was all fantastic - The feeling of elation on completing the Inca trail, Machu Pichu as the clouds lifted, sunset in the Galapagos Islands.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I would wholeheartedly recommend both the Inca Trail and Galapagos Islands. Excellent combination. My tips to other travellers would be to make sure you get fit for the Inca Trail. It is hard work. Also make sure to take bacterial hand wipes. The toilets are not great!!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, I felt that the local population benefited from money spent by tourists. Emphasis was put on minimising the impact of tourism on both Inca Trail and Galapagos.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Definitely the best holiday I have had. The operators were fantastic. Everything was very well organised, with a named contact in each country as well as mobile phone numbers for. I would recommend them to anyone.
| Reviewed 30 Sep 2006 by Robert Mash | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
No part of our holiday stands out as most memorable or exciting, simply because it was all on such a high plane; perhaps it would be accurate to say that no part was not memorable or exciting.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It didn't affect me, but some of the party would have benefited from earplugs (noisy boat engine) and/or seasickness antidote (Pacific swell); for my part, the engine noise and boat's motion lulled me to a full night's sleep every time. A lot of snorkelling was available, and the water was not that warm: bring a wet suit if convenient. If not, one was provided, at a price.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The impact on the environment was pretty minimum: we were kept to official tracks, cleaned our footwear on returning to the boat and reminded, where appropriate, of our (minor) transgressions. There's no doubt that our trips provided local people with income and work.
4. Any other comments?
***** is our rating: every aspect of the trip was flawless: being transferred from airport to hotel, and vice versa; attractive and friendly hotel with friendly and attractive staff; tour with outstanding and sympathetic guides; yacht with excellent cuisine, friendly and helpful crew and excellent guide. Thank you.
| Reviewed 26 Nov 2006 by Tina Suttle-Smith | |
Our holiday consisted of 5 days aboard the Aida Maria travelling the Southern Galapagos Islands including Santa Fe, South Plazas, Espanola, Floreana, Santa Cruz. The boat was of a high calibre, food was excellent, all staff very friendly and guide was exceptional. There was a nice mix between hikes, snorkelling and some spare time. Galapagos islands were beautiful and the snorkelling was out of this world. We then travelled by ourselves to Isabella Island for 2 nights, which was nice to take some time out to be by ourselves. From there back to Santa Cruz with its beautiful Tortuga Bay and then onto Napo Wildlife Center - fantastic lodge, amazing location on the lake and an excellent range of activities. Most mornings you are up at 05:00 but there is flexibility to do your own thing if you do not want to do this.
The most memorable part of the trip was the snorkelling with sea lions, penguins, turtles and sharks.
Tips for other holiday makers is pack sea sickness tablets as the boats can get quite rocky and be of a good level of fitness.
I was initially slightly concerned that we would be 1 of a number of boats at each island and whilst there were on occasion 3 others, everything was staggered so that you did not feel swamped. Do be careful how you pick your boat as some of them looked rather rusty! I feel in all areas the local environment and people were considered at all times.
I would give this holiday 4 stars - Some stories to tell the grandchildren, I would not hesitate to recommend it to a friend but only because I have been very fortunate to have previously visited some exceptional places in this world. I can certainly see that if I had not been previously it would have been a 5 star holiday. Finally I would recommend this operator, specifically Tom as he could not do enough to make sure this holiday was perfect.
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable part of the trip was the snorkelling with sea lions, penguins, turtles and sharks.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Tips for other holiday makers is pack sea sickness tablets as the boats can get quite rocky and be of a good level of fitness.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I was initially slightly concerned that we would be 1 of a number of boats at each island and whilst there were on occasion 3 others, everything was staggered so that you did not feel swamped. Do be careful how you pick your boat as some of them looked rather rusty! I feel in all areas the local environment and people were considered at all times.
4. Any other comments?
I would give this holiday 4 stars - Some stories to tell the grandchildren, I would not hesitate to recommend it to a friend but only because I have been very fortunate to have previously visited some exceptional places in this world. I can certainly see that if I had not been previously it would have been a 5 star holiday. Finally I would recommend this operator, specifically Tom as he could not do enough to make sure this holiday was perfect.
| Reviewed 16 Nov 2006 by Linda Johnstone | |
Napo Wildlife Centre, Ecuador - 5 stars
The most exciting part of the holiday was getting into the dug-out canoe at dawn each morning not knowing what we were going to see that day. We saw fantastic wildlife and our guides (we have both a naturalist and a native guide) were excellent spotters and very informative. My most memorable part of this holiday was gliding through the rainforest in our canoe as it got dark and hearing the many sounds of the rainforest, including the spooky sound of the howler monkey.
Take lots of film or memory cards as you will always take more photos than you think. Take a little notebook to write down your spottings - I am not a twitcher but you cannot help becoming interested and noting the birds and animals down is infectious as it allows you to learn even more back at the lodge.
Half the profits from the trip go the Anangu community and some members of the community also work within the lodge. We had both a native and naturalist guide (who was Ecuadorian) and it we great to see how they learned from each other as well as us learning from them. The lodge has a set up of a Quechua house rather than promote visiting the nearby village to minimise the impact of the lodge on the community. Our guides respected the environment and were enthusiastic above showing the rainforest for what it is.
Galapagos 8 day trip on Encantada - 4 stars
Snorkelling with sea lions and watching three sea lion pups play together on the shore. The wildlife was fantastic and it was amazing to see how inquisitive birds and animals can be without humans feeding them.
The Galapagos islands are on the equator and so can be really hot and sunny so pack lots of sun protection and some long sleeve shirts, sunglasses and a hat, there is no shade on most of the islands so a parasol may be an idea if you are going to be out in the open for any length of time. A snorkelling vest or wetsuit is a good idea too. Read up as much as you can before you go as it will enhance your trip. An underwater camera (you can get disposable ones) is a must.
Our guide was born on the Galapagos so it was good to see local people receiving training and employment. Our crew was also Ecuadorian. The guide was very careful to ensure we understood the rules of visiting the islands and ensure we understood how they helped us minimise our impact. The Galapagos landscape and wildlife is so unspoilt that it is an inspiration of how we can live and all our group left determined to care for our environment and wildlife better.
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most exciting part of the holiday was getting into the dug-out canoe at dawn each morning not knowing what we were going to see that day. We saw fantastic wildlife and our guides (we have both a naturalist and a native guide) were excellent spotters and very informative. My most memorable part of this holiday was gliding through the rainforest in our canoe as it got dark and hearing the many sounds of the rainforest, including the spooky sound of the howler monkey.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take lots of film or memory cards as you will always take more photos than you think. Take a little notebook to write down your spottings - I am not a twitcher but you cannot help becoming interested and noting the birds and animals down is infectious as it allows you to learn even more back at the lodge.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Half the profits from the trip go the Anangu community and some members of the community also work within the lodge. We had both a native and naturalist guide (who was Ecuadorian) and it we great to see how they learned from each other as well as us learning from them. The lodge has a set up of a Quechua house rather than promote visiting the nearby village to minimise the impact of the lodge on the community. Our guides respected the environment and were enthusiastic above showing the rainforest for what it is.
Galapagos 8 day trip on Encantada - 4 stars
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Snorkelling with sea lions and watching three sea lion pups play together on the shore. The wildlife was fantastic and it was amazing to see how inquisitive birds and animals can be without humans feeding them.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The Galapagos islands are on the equator and so can be really hot and sunny so pack lots of sun protection and some long sleeve shirts, sunglasses and a hat, there is no shade on most of the islands so a parasol may be an idea if you are going to be out in the open for any length of time. A snorkelling vest or wetsuit is a good idea too. Read up as much as you can before you go as it will enhance your trip. An underwater camera (you can get disposable ones) is a must.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Our guide was born on the Galapagos so it was good to see local people receiving training and employment. Our crew was also Ecuadorian. The guide was very careful to ensure we understood the rules of visiting the islands and ensure we understood how they helped us minimise our impact. The Galapagos landscape and wildlife is so unspoilt that it is an inspiration of how we can live and all our group left determined to care for our environment and wildlife better.