Perfect vacation of not young couple in Galapagos and Ecuador.
Galapagos Islands | Oct 18 - Oct 27, 2024

Tanya
Tanya G.
Israel | Reviewed on Nov 03, 2024

We are not young couple, that decided to visit Galapagos islands and Ecuador for our annual vacation.
I want to thank our local specialist, Isabel, for the perfect organization of this vacation. The positive experience started from a mutual planning of the trip, half a year before the vacation: Isabel was sensitive to every word and wish and we changed and adjusted the plan a number of times, until we were absolutely pleased.
In our case, I preferred to book the hotels and flights by myself, however, most of the hotels were selected according to Isabel's recommendation and they answered our expectation and even, in two locations (in Isabella Island and in Quito), exceeded them.
The trip was organized in a way that we were followed by a guide or a driver most of the time. So, we could feel relaxed and enjoy the scheduled activities. Everything worked according to the plan, on time and without unpleasant surprises. It happened that by mistake, we took a wrong car to the airport and had to pay for it. Although it was our mistake, the agency returned us the price of this trip that was pre-paid.
The ongoing communication with Isabel continued by WhatsApp during the entire trip, which was very comfortable. However, the internet in Galapagos is poor in some places and not always the connection was possible.
The English of local guides in Galapagos was not always clear, sometimes it required effort to understand, but they were patient, and we normally repeated the question and understood the answer.
In Galapagos we selected the option to stay in hotels rather than at yacht, and it was a good choice for us, because we were free to go around the island anytime and performed snorkeling, kayaking and hiking to the extend we wanted. The only detail that was not properly addressed was the size of the wet suit for my husband: he is unusually big person, so, in one place we could not get a suit for him. I would recommend addressing this information in advance.
In continental Ecuador we were accompanied by a local guide, Rodrigo, who took us to Banos, Cotopaxi and Quito. Rodrigo was a very informal, calm and knowledgeable guide, and we learned a lot about the country, its history and nature, both are fields of our interest. The country is amazing and rich in resources and nature!
Although, we encountered, unexpectedly, the electricity shutdowns in the continental Ecuador (I hope, temporary), the vacation could not be better!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Las Plazas
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Guayaquil Airport
Guayaquil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Cally Galapagos
Puerto Villamil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Isla de Baños
Baños
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Transfer to Guayaquil Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer to Guayaquil Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

We visited there at the end of the long day and were tired. The guide was hard to understand and sometimes we gave up.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

The trip was amazing and interesting, all the explanations were clear. We went to Bartolome Island; the landscape is breathtaking. Recommended!

Quality of Experience
Food
Unbelievable, but the food prepared on the ship was tasteful and of good quality!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide (Martin) was very good, we had amazing discussion.
Transport
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

Kayaking-the waves because higher during kayaking and at the end we were a bit nervous, but the guide was very professional , so we did it! My husband did not snorkel that time, because there was no XXXL wetsuit to rent in this company.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
For snorkeling the guide trained us in detail, because we had no experience, and then hold my hand most of the time to cause me to feel secure. It was very helpful, because next day I was able to snorkel much better.
Transport
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands

Waw! the sharks were my highlights! :) And they had XXXL wetsuit, so we both could snorkel. At the end the photos of the underwater animals and fish were available, made by the guide-the places we sow by our eyes.

Quality of Experience
Food
the food was simple.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was perfect, he took care of everything and everyone.
Transport
Biking to Pailón del Diablo
Biking to Pailón del Diablo
Baños

Waw again! So beautiful views of Ands! The guide for the biking (Roberto) was energetic and enthusiastic. Our main guide, Rodrigo, followed us with the car, which contributed to the secure biking, since part of the road passes on the side of the local highway. We also visited with Rodrigo the Casa del Arbol, the swings, which was amazing experience. For the launch Rodrigo took us to the restaurant of the artist, the food was good and also the place is very interesting, with paintings and a studio and the green was everywhere!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Cotopaxi National Park
Explore Cotopaxi National Park
Galapagos Islands

We hiked around the lake with birds and received explanations about the volcano and the park. There is a small visiting center before approaching the hiking routes. The volcano resembled Fugi in Japan :) The route is situated at about 4000m, we tolerated the altitude rather well, however, we had to move slowly to breath normally.

Quality of Experience
Food
After the hiking in the park, on our way to Quito, the guide, Rodrigo, brought us to the restaurant located in the former Markise palace, the portions were very-very good!!! Unfortunately, I do not remember the name :(
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
My husband requested to drive, so he did it in the park, which was also interesting experience. To drive you need an international license.
Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Galapagos Islands

Quito guided tour and artisan market. The city tour included churches, general explanations, city viewpoint on the hill, vising of artisan chocolate shop (recommended!) and - at the end, the market where we purchased souvenirs and presents for the family. Rodrigo, the guide, accompanied us in every activity, so the shopping was easy and pleasant. Before the market, we visited, per our request a leather shop in the historical part of Quito and bought bags of beautiful local design. In order to maximize the potential of this tour (we had only half a day in Quito before the flight), Rodrigo brought a driver, so we were free to go with him by foot and by car, as needed, without interrupting the tour for parking and waiting for pickup.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Isabel Pérez
Isabel
Isabel Pérez
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Nov 12, 2024

Tanya, thank you so much for your kind words! It’s wonderful to hear about your experience in Ecuador and the Galapagos. I’m so glad that together, we created a trip that met all your expectations.

I love to hear that Rodrigo’s guidance enriched your time on the mainland and that, despite the outages, your vacation was everything you hoped for. It was a pleasure to be a part of your journey, and I hope to welcome you back soon to explore even more of our beautiful country!

Best,
Isabel