Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
Best time to visit Galapagos and Machu Picchu
Page 1 of 2 next>
Jun 23, 2018 07:15:04   #
wbauknight Loc: Buda, TX
 
My wife and I are planning to visit Galapagos and Machu Picchu for our 50th wedding anniversary. What time of year do other Hedgehogs think is the best time to visit?

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 06:05:48   #
capmike Loc: New Bern, NC
 
We went last October. Dry season. 15 days on a yacht, 2 drizzly days. Beautiful any time, but the dry season is cooler water time, so if you plan on snorkeling, be aware wet suits are required. And it is cool and windy every day. Hats and buffs are a must for the full sun.



Reply
Jun 24, 2018 07:12:35   #
wbauknight Loc: Buda, TX
 
Thank you for your reply. Were their plentiful opportunities for animal photos? Is there green vegetation for background during the dry season?

Reply
 
 
Jun 24, 2018 07:23:03   #
capmike Loc: New Bern, NC
 
There are many ways people see the Galapagos. The only way to really see them is on a boat that goes out for 7 to 15 days. These are relatively expensive, but if you are going, and want to see them, that’s the only way. They are spread out, different critters on different islands. Different climates on different islands. Some are desolate, some are green. You will see wildlife on each and every one. Usually quite close.

The Galapagos, and the sea they set in, are completely in a National Park. Very tightly controlled access, enforced rigorously. That’s why it’s pricey, many people want what is being rationed, and it will only get worse with every passing year.

If you want to see my pics, send me your email address.





Reply
Jun 24, 2018 08:13:22   #
SkipGWV
 
We were there in January with Nat Geo. Good weather, lots of bird/animal sightings, great light most times. The big advantage is that the wildlife is fearless and not spooked by all of us. You won’t need a supertelephoto. I used my 18-300 almost all of the time.

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 09:36:08   #
AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!
 
I just got back from the Galapagos. It was grey skies most of the time (not so good), but little rain (which was good). We did laugh that occasionally someone turned on the faucet for a few minutes, then turned it off! I've been to Machu Picchu twice - once in January, again in March. Less rain, more blue sky in March. Unless you're very young and move very fast, don't do one of the 1-day tours! I still haven't seen it all. I'm told that summer tours to the Galapagos are harder to get, so make your plans early.

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 10:39:18   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
wbauknight wrote:
My wife and I are planning to visit Galapagos and Machu Picchu for our 50th wedding anniversary. What time of year do other Hedgehogs think is the best time to visit?


I went in November and the weather was perfect. I don't really think the time of year is as important as whether or not it's and El Nino year. You do NOT want to go on an El Nino year because that warm water from the south causes much of the wildlife to starve to death. Avoid going during an El Nino year.

Reply
 
 
Jun 24, 2018 10:42:28   #
genesampson
 
What do you want to see.....mating rituals or babies? As mentioned about temps of the water, even with a wet suit (I used a shorty) I was still uncomfortable in the water in the cooler season, but under sea life is really nice. Can't recall the months I went (twice but different season) so maybe others can help or check with the tour company. Don't go for less than a week. The Charles Darwin Research Station has really deteriorated over the years.

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 11:23:02   #
AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!
 
genesampson wrote:
What do you want to see.....mating rituals or babies? As mentioned about temps of the water, even with a wet suit (I used a shorty) I was still uncomfortable in the water in the cooler season, but under sea life is really nice. Can't recall the months I went (twice but different season) so maybe others can help or check with the tour company. Don't go for less than a week. The Charles Darwin Research Station has really deteriorated over the years.


The people in our group simply wore bathing suits to snorkle. Never heard anyone say there was any "requirement" for a wet suit. We did four days. I wouldn't want to stay longer. We had lots of "down" time. Maybe if you were on a cruise boat it would be different, but we did day tours. Pretty much saw everything.

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 11:42:41   #
capmike Loc: New Bern, NC
 
As stated previously, there are many ways to “See” the Galapagos. If you don’t get out on a boat that tours the out islands, you won’t begin to see Everything. You certainly can see everything to be seen where you are, but you certainly won’t see what never comes to that location. It all depends on what you are after. For us, it was a one time trip, we won’t be returning, saw and photographed 58 of the 60 some bird species, and had a most wonderful visit. We diddled for 3 years before finally pulling the trigger. We booked a photo tour in December for the following October, and of 16 spots, after we booked there were 3 left.
It’s only money, and you can’t take it with you.



Reply
Jun 24, 2018 12:34:31   #
wbauknight Loc: Buda, TX
 
Would love to see your photos. Photography, as you might presume, is my main reason for visiting!

Email: wbauknight@aol.com

Reply
 
 
Jun 24, 2018 15:05:02   #
genesampson
 
Went twice in different seasons. Needed a wet suit in cold season and was still uncomfortable. Not necessary, tho I used it in the warm season too. Check to see what you can rent or is included on your boat. Take a waterproof bag for your camera for when getting on and off the zodiacs.

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 15:09:25   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
I went in November of 2014
We went on a 15 day adventure on a yacht called the Tip Top IV
We went snorkeling every morning and every afternoon.
We went on an island every morning and every afternoon. Usually a different island or the same island but on the other side of the same island.
As someone pointed out, there's something to see on all the islands, but one island, can't remember what it's name is, was mostly volcanic and only had Lava Lizards and a few other bugs and critters. Not much. One of the islands is very high. It's one of the populated islands and we took a bus to the top where the caldera is and it's very misty up there. I believe November is considered the wet season even though we never saw any rain, but we saw that it was very misty up at that caldera. We saw a lot of different tortoise' and birds called Vermilion Flycatchers on that island. There were a lot of Finches there too. Different Finches.

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 16:23:18   #
cattleman
 
My wife and I visited both in November a coupla years ago. This journey probably falls in the "trip of a lifetime" column and we've done a LOT of travel! Don't shortchange yourself with a short trip. We did 11-day Galapagos and wouldn't want to do less. Galapagos Travel was supurb as my wife has bad knees and the crew was very mindful with advice as to whether she should or shouldn't do a particular landing. Weather was fabulous except for the rainy day at Machu Picchu.


Take your time, you probably won't be that way again. Galapagos - any lens will work because the critters are so unafraid. Machu Picchu - zoom lens desirable

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 21:16:09   #
genesampson
 
The Tip Top IV can be booked thru Galapagos Travel in Aptos CA for 15 days. I've taken two trips with them and the one in 2011 was great and the one in 2016 not so good. They lost many of the great stops they did and you spend a lot of time doing the same things over and over. I will not do another trip with them nor recommend their trip. Earlier yes, now no!

Reply
Page 1 of 2 next>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.