People who have been to the Galapagos -- itinerary feedback?

[Deleted]

I think we've narrowed it down and we're set on dates and company for our cruise.  Problem is -- we have two (comparable) boat options, with two different itineraries.  Can I please get your feedback on which itinerary you'd prefer?  This will be in January.  I love all animals so I'm happy to see any and all of them doing any and all of their animal behaviors!  (Note: swimming with penguins would be a huge bonus, but I am not getting my hopes up just in case).

Our options are:

Itinerary A: 

SAT am. Baltra Island Airport: Arrival and Transfer to the boat

pm: Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach  

SUN am. Bartholomew Island: Pinnacle Rock  
pm: Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay 

MON am. South Plazas Island 
pm: Santa Fe Island  

TUE am. San Cristobal Island: Witch Hill  
pm: San Cristobal Island: Pitt Point  

WED am. San Cristobal: Lobos Island  
pm: San Cristobal: Kicker Rock  

THU am. Espanola Island: Suarez Point  
pm: Espanola Island: Gardner / Osborn Islet  

FRI am. Floreana Island: Cormorant Point / Champion Islet  

pm: Floreana Island: Post Office Bay or
Baroness Viewing Point 

SAT am: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station 
Transfer to the Airport

Itinerary B:

SAT am: San Cristobal: Arrival and transfer to boat

pm: San Cristobal: Lobos Island / Kicker Rock 

SUN am: San Cristobal: Pitt Point  
pm: San Cristobal: Witch Hill  

MON am: Floreana: Post Office Bay 
pm: Floreana: Cormorant Point / Devil's Crown  

TUE am: Santa Cruz: Black Turtle Cove  
pm: Bartholomew Island: Pinnacle Rock 

WED am: Genovesa: Darwin Bay  
pm: Genovesa: El Barranco  

THU am: Santiago: Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove 
pm: Santiago: Egas Port  

FRI am: North Seymour Island 
pm: Santa Cruz: Highlands  

SAT am: Mosquera Islet 
Transfer to the Airport


Any feedback on which you'd prefer?  I'm overwhelmed and definitely overthinking  Thanks!

[Alyssa]

I think it's great that you're missing the mainland. My FIL went to the Galapagos Islands about 2 years ago and was drugged, abducted and left in a ditch when he was staying in Guayaquil. He's 6'7 and weighs about 240lbs and woke up about 40 miles out of town. He eventually made it to the islands and had a great time, but he almost didn't make it.

[Deleted]

We plan to stay a night in Guayaquil before the cruise -- but just as a place to sleep between flights.  We aren't looking to explore.

Those who went to the Galapagos, is that what you did?

[Deleted]

@sfgal530 -- I would love a link if you don't mind sharing!

[Norticprincess]

We went in 2010 before the park changed the visitation schedules.
We flew from the US to Quito. We had a tour (Celebrity Xpedition) that covered everything from the min we cleared customs in Quito. Two nights in Quito. Flight to Baltra -did have a stop in Guayaquil to refuel, the new plane they have doing that route now goes direct. Reverse going back with another night in Quito

I have to go look up our stop order
Baltra -North Seymour


Eta for some reason shutterfly has the stops out of order - our stops are here
Http

boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1504555 has info on the current X ports

[Deleted]

Warning: I'm going to have about 900 questions about To Quito or not to Quito when we start thinking about booking flights

[underwaterrhymes]

Jun 11, 2014 9:01:41 GMT -5 v said:

Warning: I'm going to have about 900 questions about To Quito or not to Quito when we start thinking about booking flights

Thanks for tagging me @stpete.

My sister and her husband and daughter live in the Galapagos and run a dive shop there. If you PM me the specifics I can run it by her and let you know what she thinks. She's familiar with a lot of the tour operators.

[Deleted]

Thanks so much underwaterrhymes. I sent you a PM!

[CloudBee]

@misoangry

[wanderlustfoodie]

Just saw this. Heading out to dinner but will report back on itinerary.

[wanderlustfoodie]

v

Ok, we went to these islands, in this order:

North Seymour: a fave for hiking, such diversity of wildlife

Bartolome (is this the same as Bartholomew? if so, our snorkeling wasn't that great there)

Santiago

Santa Cruz: the research station was interesting but far more interesting was driving deeper into the island to see the tortoises in the wild. so awesome - one of my favorite memories. But this was one of the least active days since we spent time in the car getting to the forest to see the tortoises.

Isabela (northern and southern): best of the 3 sites where we snorkeled - am I missing something in your itineraries that neither goes here? It's the largest island so that's surprising.

Fernandina: a fave for hiking, tons of wildlife

Champion Island

Floreana

Espanola: great for the albatross, which was important to me to see. also good for snorkeling and kayaking (another highlight)

The entire thing was nice, but the notes above were designed to indicate the real highlights.

We had a day in Guayaquil on the return. During the day we did a guided tour through Lindblad which was nice because we could hit all the major attractions seamlessly without having to wander around since we were crunched for time. I really found it to be a fascinating city. My dad and I took a taxi by ourselves to a restaurant for dinner (which was great) and we were fine.

[wanderlustfoodie]

Also I went in December so animals will be somewhat similar to when you're going.