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[mrjoe]

I'm hoping to visit the Galapagos islands in about a month - if i can afford it. I've talked to lots of people and no one seems to agree on how much it costs. Answers seems to range from 600 to 3000 dollars.
Anyone got an idea how much it is for a week there?
Also, do I just turn up in Quito and search for a deal or do I need to book?

[lucky]

MrJoe, It sounds like we are on the same path. We are in Mancora today and will be going to the Galapagos in 30 days.

We booked ours about 2 months back to make sure we had a spot.

It wasnt cheap either, aprox 2k each! It seems that it´s tough to go on the cheap in high season for 8 days.

We hear that you can just show up and try your luck with the agencies but you may not find something which you like. If you have the time to wait it out, that would be your cheapest option though.

[mrjoe]

Thanks.

It sounds a bit pricey but I'm prepared to wait for a cheaper deal.
Perhaps I'll run into you on my way up there.

[john]

i was just there in Jan. Galapagos if you go through a travel agency is very expensive, my suggestion would be to book it all when you are there. There are boats leaving all the time and these things are never booked, even durig high season. I paid about $100/day for a tourist class boat but if i were to do it again i'd go to something a little better, so then it would be about $200/day. if you have any questions you can email me at johnny9467@yahoo.com.

I'm hoping to visit the Galapagos islands in about a month - if i can afford it. I've talked to lots of people and no one seems to agree on how much it costs. Answers seems to range from 600 to 3000 dollars.
Anyone got an idea how much it is for a week there?
Also, do I just turn up in Quito and search for a deal or do I need to book?

[andrea]

We are paying 2k for 8 days on a superior tourist boat (right in the middle of the ranking). I searched a lot when we were booking and to be honest, I didn´t find much too much cheaper. I would say $1500 was the cheapest for an 8 day. You can find cheaper cruises if you only want to go for three days, but from what I hear it is not really worth it!

Good luck!

Andrea

[joanna_2006]

We are paying 2k for 8 days on a superior tourist boat (right in the middle of the ranking). I searched a lot when we were booking and to be honest, I didn´t find much too much cheaper. I would say $1500 was the cheapest for an 8 day. You can find cheaper cruises if you only want to go for three days, but from what I hear it is not really worth it!

Good luck!

Andrea

Hi
I'm planning to go to Galapagos in Mar 07, but when I'm searching for tours, they seem to get booked so quickly. Since I cannot have time to wait for cheap deal (as I have limited time), I guess I have to book in advance. So, about USD2K for 8 days should be a fair price, right?

One thing worried me a lot, is about motion sickness. Is the sea very rough in Galapagos?? Anyone can share their experience?

[SlipperyCoconut]

Hi
I'm planning to go to Galapagos in Mar 07, but when I'm searching for tours, they seem to get booked so quickly. Since I cannot have time to wait for cheap deal (as I have limited time), I guess I have to book in advance. So, about USD2K for 8 days should be a fair price, right?

One thing worried me a lot, is about motion sickness. Is the sea very rough in Galapagos?? Anyone can share their experience?

Hi Joanna,
I was there in March 2004. We did not book in advance. As soon as we arrived in Quito, we shopped around the different travel agencies in the backpacker's district. There are dozens of discount travel agencies and they usually cover the same boats - so it's good to shop & compare. We ended up getting a really good deal on a last minute trip. 7 nights on a luxury or superior boat for $1700. Other passengers paid $2500+. The boat departed 10 days after week booked it. The boat was La Sagitta, run by Angermeyer Cruises. Their website also lists special rates. But you'll have more leverage for negotiation if you book it in Quito or the Galapagos.

You should include in your budget the following things that aren't included in the boat price: Tip for Crew & Guide (15-20%?) , Airfare ($200-$400?), Entrance to the Park - mandatory ($100?).

I would also suggest giving yourself a few days before and/or after the boat to just hang out on the islands itself, like Puerto Ayora. It has a neat little vibe. There's plenty of accomodation availability ($10 to $300 per night).

Regarding seasickness -- if you are prone, you will definitely get sick. Of the 12 passengers on our boat, about 6-7 of them were sick. But they only got sick on one night - a very long stretch between Puerto Ayora and Isla Isabela. Bring dramamine or those patch things. We didn't get sick, luckily.

Have a great trip & be sure to bring your camera & snorkel gear!

Cheers - Kay

[joanna_2006]

Kay, thanks a lot for your detailed advice. I only have a limited time to spend in Ecuador and I'm too nervous about not being able to get a booking while I'm actually there, as I also heard some stories that people cannot get a tour and eventually have to give up.
I have to fly 30+ hours all the way from HK, so, I think I may still decide to book in advance just to secure my trip!
The price I get now includs the return flight from Quito to the island, + 2 nights in a 3* hotel before and after the trip, and the price is 2.1k. So, I think it may not be too far off. That is a tourist superior class yacht (but I really have no idea what these "classes" really mean).
I saw some recommendations on the La Sagitta as well, so I have looked at their website, the listed price goes up to 2.7K now, but maybe its the ship that differs, it looks like that Sagitta is a bit biger and nicer.

As for snorkelling gears, can I rent it or do I have to bring my own? I really hesitate to bring them all the way from home.

[SlipperyCoconut]

As for snorkelling gears, can I rent it or do I have to bring my own? I really hesitate to bring them all the way from home.

Hi Joanna,

Sounds like a pretty good deal - US $2.1K - for the whole package!

Regarding the snorkel gear -- each boat is different. Some have it onboard, some don't. Some charge, and some provide it free. Suggest you call the tour operator or boat company to find out.

Also, the water can be chilly. We wore regular bathing suits and were fine, but many people on the boat brought their own wetsuits (long and short). Bring a t-shirt that you don't mind getting wet, because the sun is so strong you'll want to protect your back as you snorkel. And bring lots of sunscreen! (We went through 2.5 bottles in a week - and we don't usually burn).

You'll have a blast! Please post pictures when you return!

[troispistoles]

I'll be in Quito at the end of May! So should I book my trip to the Galapagos now or what?

I am there only 18 days total... so my time is short!!

[ericthered]

I'll be in Quito at the end of May! So should I book my trip to the Galapagos now or what?

I am there only 18 days total... so my time is short!!

You can go to Quito and take a chance at finding a good deal with a tour company. You can also find deals online from home. Check the tour operators Specials pages for deals. I went with Quasar Expeditions luxury tours to the Galapagos Islands earlier this year and booked in advance so I could be sure to get all the amenities I wanted. It was more expensive for the small boat experience, but man was it worth it.

[andrea]

Price varies depending on your boat... We booked in advance and went aboard the "Angelique" - a middle of the road boat that I would recommend.

[uwec_star]

HEY! roughly for galapagos its gonna cost..for foreingers the flight to galapagos is arond 350 and the entrance to the park is 110, so you are going to have to pay that no matter what you choose. As far as once you get there for the cruise it will depend on what class of boat you go on.. economic class ..i didnt want to it because basicly your risking the boat breaking. Tourist class is what i idid and basicly its a small boat but no mechanical problems! haha the tourist superior boats are a little bigger.. and if you want comfort and a guide that knows alot go for first class..
I booked beforehand because i was afraid since the demand is so high i'd be stuck booking a first class boat which really isnt necessary for me. So it depends what you are looking for. My boat was the Merak which was about 1200 for 8 days.. so i spent approx 1700 total which i think is the minimum to budget for an 8 day cruise.

Basically your best best is to ask the boats themselves how much it is..I booked though Dreamkapture travel and just did it online http://www.galapagos-cruises.ca/ the best way to find out is just tostart asking them questions. I got a good deal and we loved our boat. it was small but nice and cute. Good luck!

[troispistoles]

I was on the Merak too... extremely small!!! My roomie and I brought our big bags, big mistake, we didn't have much space in the room. (bunk beds by the way).

The food was really good though.

The only problem was our guide, but I think they rotate. His name was Cesar, he was a little bit too old for the job, and couldn't speak really good English.

So if you don't have super high standards, I would recommend it anyway. But like I said: REALLY SMALL!

[troispistoles]

Oh yeah, I got really sick the day before I jumped on the boat! So sometimes I really hated the fact it was so small...

So for 4-5 days, I was sick, didn't eat a lot and everything... that was really bad!

But still the place was so nice, I don't regret it at all...

[sarce]

For future reference: did you know that 2/3 of Peru is Amazon/Jungle?

For all those who are interested in nature and/or adventure experiences, I had one of my best travelling experiences last year when I visited the Tambopata National Reserve in Madre de Dios department (30-min flight from Cusco, south of Peru). You can check the following links for more detail:

1. Amazon Rainforest

2. Rainforest Experience

You get to see pink dolphins, giant outers, capibaras, different bird species, macaws and parrots, etc ... I also climed a 30-meter tree, went mountain bike riding and kayaking in the Tambopata River.

For those interested in Manu, this company works with the best lodge and tour operators in the Manu National Reserve, also located in Madre de Dios.

You should not miss this experience!!

[jeremystravels]

Has anyone tried doing the Galapagos on their own? It seems like there are daily boats between the big three islands and hostels are very, very cheap. The rest of the expenses would be day trips out to other islands or scuba costs, etc. I am curious how this would compare to a fully laid out boat tour.

[ericthered]

At the very least, you must stop in Ecuador and spend some time there before continue on to the Galapagos. I booked my Galapagos travel ahead of time, but still made sure to see Quito on the way there. In Old Town, see the Plaza Grande. Just be very mindful about your safety and that of your wallet.