Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

Trying to decide which itinerary to choose...can anyone who's been to both tell me the difference? Or are they about the same? We are much more interested in seeing wildlife than people or geological structures. :) Is one less busy with ships than the other? Thanks for any guidance you can give.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I was there several years ago, but I don't know the difference between the itinerary's you mention. Perhaps a brief discussion of each my help with answers.

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

I don't know the differences either...that's what I'm asking. :)

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Well, then I guess I can't help. The Galapagos is a trip of a lifetime, so I would pick a vendor (and spend the money) to get a full blown tour. And considering you are posting the question on a photography blog, I would assume your trip will be focused on photo opportunities. I would choose a guide that provides that focus and not even think about limiting yourself to a different itinerary. The trip I went on was 14 days. I think we stopped at almost every island available.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

We were there for both itineraries. We figured for what we were spending just to go that we may as well pay for both. We were able to walk around Puerto Ayora, see the museums, have a wonderful lunch on the bay and do some shopping while the boat crew did the turn-around for the second week, but that was fine with us. We could stroll and enjoy the day while our luggage stayed aboard.
You will see many amazing sights on either but will miss much if doing only one. There’s a different species on every island, some the same and others not. Some have tortoises and others don’t, but you will see them no matter what you choose. There are other islands with creatures that can be seen no where else in those islands. You may wish you could do them both when you realize it’s your last day. Even after the three + weeks we spent in Ecuador and the Galápagos, we wanted more time.

But one caution, brush up on your hiking, snorkeling and kayaking skills before going. We had two hikes, two snorkels and one kayaking expedition every day. Joked about it being Galápagos Boot Camp. It was worth every minute.

Vince F-stop

Pmorin's advice is perfect. I was there in 2018. It's a bucket list trip for travelers and photographers. I sailed and toured with Silver Seas for a seven day trip. I've cruised many times with many carriers and give SS very high marks as a cruise line. The itinerary was "Eastern" and they managed and guided the excursions extremely well!

capmike Loc: New Bern, NC

There are tours, and there are photography tours. On a photography tour you will be ashore at 0600 every day, sun up. Mid day will be moving to another location. Afternoon tours from 1500 til sun down at 1800. Each island is different. How many boats, 3 at most, at any one spot controlled by the government. How many ashore, ditto. You will be ashore only with your group, 16 max plus guide and naturalist. It was a wonderful place. Two distinct seasons, wet and dry, both lovely.

daldds Loc: NYC

I took a western one week cruise in May 2019 on a very small ship, which seemed to avoid the crowds and big ships; never saw other people except in town. Other months might have different exposure to the fauna, but I think we saw practically everything. I came home satisfied with over 5000 images to examine and edit.
You might say you're not interested in the geography; I hadn't even thought about it until I got there. I ended up shooting quite a bit of it, because it is stunning.

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Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

Thank you. :)

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

Thank you Nalu. :)

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

Thanks. We don't have enough time to do both...so trying to choose. I'm sure either will be fantastic!

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

Thank you Vince! I've heard great things about Silver Seas. We are going with Natural Habitat this time. :)

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

Thanks for your input Mike. I see you're from New Bern...I have lots of relatives in that area and have visited there often. My mother was from Maysville. :)

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

I guess I shouldn't say we're totally uninterested, but lava flows don't excite me as much as the wildlife does. :) That first photo is dramatic! Wow! Thanks for sharing! But we do like the idea of avoiding as many people as possible.

mrtaxi Loc: Old Westbury NY, Fort Lauderdale, FL

I just returned from the Galapagos last week. We did the Westin in Galapagos. I recommend doing the west first. That is what I was told from several of the naturalists. It was amazingly unforgettable, the trip of a lifetime. We were on the Silverseas Origin. They were the best we had 10 naturalists that were all extremely knowledgeable. Every day we did snorkeling and explored the islands to see the most amazing animals. First we flew to Quito in Ecuador for two nights then we flew to the Galapagos and spend seven days board the ship and then we flew the Guayaquil and then back to Miami. We were on the ship for 7 days and we were up very early 6:30, breakfast at 7 am off the ship at 7:45. Most mornings we did snorkeling or kayaking and always walks on difficult Terrain. The two hour walk on the island with the lava flow was worth it but extremely difficult terrain. Getting on and off the zodiacs on days when we had a surge was especially fun and potentially dangerous but the crew made it easy with their assistance. I suggest brushing up on some of exercises to gain abilities that require strength and stamina. Bring really good hiking shoes. I brought four cameras and four lenses. Don’t bother with the tripod. They give you a backpack but I used a camera backpack. One mistake that I made was not buying the underwater housing for my Sony RX 1000 VII. I bought a Kodak underwater camera that was awful, a piece of junk with terrible lens. Other than that I had the right gear. Primary camera was my Canon 5D mark IV with normally a canon 24-70 2.8L and my Canon 5DS. For add lenses I brought a Canon 70-200 2.8L III, a Canon 100mm L macro, and Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6L also a 1.4x converter. I used a Blackrapid two camera shoulder harness at times that I highly recommend. Most important is to bring a hat or two to protect you from the sun that covers the back of your neck as well. You must bring a super lightweight windbreaker to protect you from sun and the rain at times. But Sun protections must. During the one week vacation on the beautiful ship we crossed the equator four times! I am still processing about 2000 pictures. I intend to post a an album shortly on Adobe Portfolio. This will be a new app for me to use.