Galapagos Photo Tour: The Galapagos Islands are one of many places on my bucket list. I have done a bit of searching on photo tours there and see that it is quite expensive. Can anyone...

DRG777 Loc: Metro Detroit

The Galapagos Islands are one of many places on my bucket list. I have done a bit of searching on photo tours there and see that it is quite expensive. Can anyone recommend a tour operator that has the best bang for the buck?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

DRG777 wrote:

The Galapagos Islands are one of many places on my bucket list. I have done a bit of searching on photo tours there and see that it is quite expensive. Can anyone recommend a tour operator that has the best bang for the buck?

Galapagos Travel. They have 3 yachts the newest one is 125' called the TipTop IV. It's yacht #4 but the #1 yacht has been retired. I did a 15 day trip with them. They take care of everything. They even made our flight reservations. 16 paid passengers only so the groups are small.

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

Is there a 'best time of the year' to photograph in the Galapagos?

Goober Loc: Southeastern PA

I did the Galapagos last October with Nat/Geo Lindblad Expeditions. Also used them for Alaska last June. in my opinion they are a class act and my wife and I were very happy with them.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

just came back from Galapagosin April

http://www.galapagosisland.net/cruises/fragata-first-class/index.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwja_JBRD8idHpxaz0t3wSJAB4rXW5xSArIFGrAa_orFgFXGCmc1HGVh_4cCVcxD_RWzsVshoCeATw_wcB

great crew, small boat, 16 people; good food, great guide; 28-300 pretty much took care of everything; trip was everything I wanted, expected, hoped for

can give you the contact info for the cruise operator - really took care of things !

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

no question their reputation is well-founded, but, above the budgets for many; pay your money take your choice

just came back in April, went on this tour:

http://www.galapagosisland.net/cruises/fragata-first-class/index.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwja_JBRD8idHpxaz0t3wSJAB4rXW5xSArIFGrAa_orFgFXGCmc1HGVh_4cCVcxD_RWzsVshoCeATw_wcB

fantastic

genesampson

I did two Galapagos Travel tours on Tip Top IV, once in 2011 and again 2016 on the same 15 day tour. The boat is getting a bit shoddy, especially down below and the places they go have been reduced so we did a lot of the same thing day after day. I was thrilled in 2011 and disappointed in 2016. Just my impressions.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

genesampson wrote:

I did two Galapagos Travel tours on Tip Top IV, once in 2011 and again 2016 on the same 15 day tour. The boat is getting a bit shoddy, especially down below and the places they go have been reduced so we did a lot of the same thing day after day. I was thrilled in 2011 and disappointed in 2016. Just my impressions.

Is the deck inside the boat still bulging up just as you enter the great room on the starboard side of the boat?

I went on TipTop IV in 14 and we did something different every day. Sometimes we even got underway at lunch time and went to the other side of an island. I went for 15 days and think 10 days would have been enough only because it was very hard work to keep going for that long.

ramblinmen Loc: Manassas, VA

I looked on Google for the best time of year to go to the Galapagos and came up with Feb-Mar and Sept-Oct as those are the breeding seasons. You might want to confirm that but we went Feb-Mar and saw an explosion of newborn sea lion pups and nesting birds. If you are going to snorkel the water is warmer at that time but the currents change, water is colder as a result and, oddly, there is more prolific water life later in the year (Sep-Oct). We went on the Celebrity Expedition and they outfitted us with snorkel equipment, including wet suits, the first day. Their tour included several days accommodations in Quito pre and post tour, all transportation to/from Quito and the islands and pretty much everything in-between except liquor bill (other than wine and beer with meals).

4bcsmith Loc: Portland, Oregon

If you have the money, National Geographic has several cruise ships. Their premier line goes to the Galapagos Islands. A trip I daydream about, lol!

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

you know, weather.com said 80 deg and rain every day; Accuweather said 70 deg and rain every day; neither one is worth a s__t ( they were way off on Italy, too ); went April 7 - 14, during the rainy season; it was 9o deg or so every day, bright sunshine 905 % of the time. One morning, it was cloud, and some slight rain showers that lasted off and on for about an hour (>); in the afternoon, slight shower. No problem

JeffR Loc: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

We went on the Celebrity Expedition in mid-May 2009. Ship held 96 passengers plus crew. The accommodations were excellent and all-inclusive. Multiple tours daily and the naturalist guides were amazing. While not specifically photographer oriented, I felt I had sufficient time and opportunity to take all the shots I wanted. I would definitely recommend Celebrity to anyone.

ricardo16

Just returned. Don't pay ANY attention to weather reports.....period. All of the naturalists say that and my experience reinforced that sentiment. Might want to check out a GAdventure tours. They lease four boats, their tours are active, and affordable.

For tBragg Guy Loc: Fort Bragg Ca

I did the trip recently with an all inclusive company. The also included air fare. One important thing to consider other than the listed price is what is included. My trip on the Silver Galapagos had everything included including the bar tab. By time you pay the tipping, crew gratuities, and other charges the trips can cost more than the all inclusive so be sure to add up all expected expenses before deciding. I found this out on a trip to Cuba with another company. I found that the little extra cost of a first class cruise was well worth it with them keeping wine, soft drinks and juices in my room and open bar and snacks at all hours. As to the weather, I considered the months of the year when the waters were warmer and the mating season was in full swing.

Bellisari Loc: Long Island, NY

DRG777 wrote:

The Galapagos Islands are one of many places on my bucket list. I have done a bit of searching on photo tours there and see that it is quite expensive. Can anyone recommend a tour operator that has the best bang for the buck?

The best is Lindblad Expeditions, they have their own boat, holds 96 passengers and is 300 ft long also a crew of 65.