Has Anyone Been To..............

[islasmum]

The Galapagos Islands? We are thinking about going somewhere a bit special next winter as it will be our 20th anniversary together. I've looked at various holidays online but have never heard of anyone visiting these islands, so would be interested to know if anyone has actually been on holiday there, and what it's like, what to expect etc.

[EcclesCake]

You can't stay on the Galapagos it is all done by boat and is strictly controlled. Visiting the Galapagos is part of a larger itinerary in most cases.

What is it you are interested in?

I haven't done it but many friends have.

[jeffa]

Try to combine it with Machu Picchu.

[mightymouse]

Went on an inclusive (very expensive) deal a few years ago. 4 days on a 1st class ship, and 4 days in Ecuador. The islands are simply amazing, nowhere else like them for the wonderful wild-life. The boat was small, superb in every way, and no dressing up, completely casual. We had 2 nights in Quito, a beautiful city, and 2 nights at a hacienda, where a trip was organised to the unmissable Otavalo market. Forget the cost, you only live once!

[jno]

I thought that, but it looks as if there are hotels

http://www.galapagosislands.com/galapagos-hotels/hotels-galapagos.html

I can't help but friends who've been say it was wonderful.

This page gives advice on when to go

http://www.llamatravel.com/galapagos-holidays.aspx?gclid=CNbevLie3boCFceWtAod4CgApw

[auntie-bertie]

Yes, we took a fabulous cruise with Celebrity Xpedition - really the only way to do it. Lovely ship only 96 people, and the usual excellent service as you would expect from Celebrity Cruises. A once in a lifetime experience - highly recommended; we only wish we had added the Macchu Pichu extension to our trip.

[auntie-bertie]

To add: if you take their 10n package you get 2n in Quito at the Marriot which is an excellent hotel, city tours, taken to the Equatorial line, then on the Sunday they fly you over to the islands for the 7n cruise - all food and drink and trips included, then back to Quito for one more night.

[thugulike]

I stayed on an island in Galapagos. I was disappointed. I had previously visited Costa Rica and consider that destination to be far superior as a wildlife destination. Galapagos Islands are dry and fairly featureless. There is wildlife you can only see there but unless you particularly want to see some of those creatures i would give it a miss. Many people get sick on the islands, not sure why but it happens. You can combine with mainland Equador which is interesting. Never heard of anyone offering Machu Pichu and Galapagos, they are quite a long way apart. If you want somewhere special go for Costa Rica.

[travelagm]

Machu Picchu and the Galapagos aren't all that close, but there are quite a few different companies who will help you combine the two. This is one: http://www.realworldholidays.co.uk/multi/perugalapagos.aspx but there are certainly others out there as well. You just need to allow for at least an overnight stop in mainland Ecuador in-between the two, that's all. To be honest, though, I agree on the comment above about the wildlife - the Galapagos is very interesting, but I think perhaps really if you're a birder/diver? For the rest of us there's a lot of travel for (dare I say it) not all that much?

[travelagm]

Machu Picchu and the Galapagos aren't all that close, but there are quite a few different companies who will help you combine the two. This is one: http://www.realworldholidays.co.uk/multi/perugalapagos.aspx but there are certainly others out there as well. You just need to allow for at least an overnight stop in mainland Ecuador in-between the two, that's all. To be honest, though, I agree on the comment above about the wildlife - the Galapagos is very interesting, but I think perhaps really if you're a birder/diver? For the rest of us there's a lot of travel for (dare I say it) not all that much?