Ecuador & the Galapagos Traveller Reviews

14 night cruise around Galapagos + 2 nights in Quito either end. It was a massive privilege to walk through nesting colonies of frigates and boobies, find some late-leaving albatrosses, be constantly escorted at sea by flocks of petrels and phalaropes and pause until sea lions, iguanas or tortoises decided to move off the path. The guide was fantastic, the boat crew a total delight.

I chose Naturetrek because they were one of the few companies offering a 14 night cruise and for their specialism in environmentally friendly holidays. The pre-departure information and general organization were all very good.

We had the full Galapagos experience of giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies, landing in surf and walking on lava, sweating in the sun and gazing at clear starry night skies. Being in a small group was essential, and I have made some good friends.

We were met at every stage of the journey, and complex luggage requirements were dealt with to everyone's satisfaction.

My two week cruise around the Galapagos Islands was amazing. All the expected wildlife, time to appreciate it and everything so close it was easy to get superb photographs. The excursions either side of the cruise, to Quito old town, the botanic gardens in Quito and to the Antisana Volcano reserve were also well run and fascinating. To round things off, a three-day extension to the Amazon rainforest at Sacha Lodge. Truly a trip of a lifetime.

Naturetrek were helpful and informative from start to finish. All the literature by both email and post arrived promptly and the whole trip ran like clockwork. We were superbly looked after from start to finish in excellent accommodation and with friendly and informative guides at every point.

My 2 week trip to the Galápagos Islands was without doubt one of the highlights of my 4 month tour of Bolivia and Ecuador. I had dreamt of visiting these islands since I was a child and the tour still managed to exceed my expectations. In the 2 weeks we were able to cover the entire archipelago and land on every island where it is possible. Each day brought us something new and the views of the wildlife could hardly have been better. We had the opportunity to explore by land and to take to the water. Snorkelling was offered most days and we also took boat trips close to the shore. This enabled us to get very close to the birds, mammals, iguanas, tortoises, lizards and fish which live there. It was also interesting to consider the geology of the region and note the impact that volcanic activity has on the islands. We even witnessed a volcanic event when a cloud of gas vented off from a fissure close to where we were moored. Our guide, Juan, with 30 years of experience was full of knowledge and this was coupled with his great enthusiasm which was infectious. He ensured that we saw the most that was possible during our stay.

My 2 week trip to the Galápagos Islands completed a 4 month tour of South America. It was the only part of my trip which I booked before leaving the UK. Having wanted to visit these islands since I was a child, it was important to me that my trip was well organised by a company whose focus is wildlife. I decided to go with Naturetrek as I wanted to be in a small group of like minded people. And I wanted to travel on a small boat which was dedicated to this group. It was also very important to me that I have a knowledgeable, naturalist guide. And having used Naturetrek before, I knew that the guides they use are always excellent. I wasn’t disappointed on any of these counts. The itinerary and the guide couldn’t have been any better. There was a major incident prior to our departure where the boat we were intending to use sank while routine maintenance was being carried out. However a replacement was found which gave us the exact same itinerary. Given how popular these islands are, this task can’t have been easy. The pre-departure information and advice I received from Naturetrek was prompt and helpful. I would have no hesitation in using them again.

A well organised trip with plenty of time on land and in the water to see the varied flora and fauna of the area. the guides both on the mainland and the islands were excellent. I learnt a lot!

tour was well organised and the company ready to answer any questions beforehand. The trip went smoothly with all connections seamlessly organised. I would certainly use them again.

A well organised trip with plenty of time on land and in the water to see the varied flora and fauna of the area. the guides both on the mainland and the islands were excellent. I learnt a lot!

tour was well organised and the company ready to answer any questions beforehand. The trip went smoothly with all connections seamlessly organised. I would certainly use them again.

WE spent three weeks - two in the Galapagos with a few days in Quito in Ecuador and an add on extension in the Ecuador Amazon rain forest. There was so much of interest and the guide used by our tour operator in the Galapagos was extremely knowledgeable - not just about wildlife but also geology, flora and fauna, evolution of the plants and wildlife ,development of the islands and the sea life. The Amazon extension and the days in Quito were a good contrast to the Galapagos but still with a focus on the natural world.

We have now had two holidays with Naturetrek and in our experience they use agents and guides who will do their utmost to maximise the experience for people interested in the world around them.

This holiday exceeded my expectations; two weeks cruising between the beautiful Galápagos Islands, crisis-crossing the equator, snorkeling with hammerhead sharks, sea lions, turtles and too many beautiful fish to list. The Rain Forest has to be experienced to be believed. I found the humidity challenging but will not forget walking across the high tree canopy walkway looking down on monkeys and so many beautiful birds. Truly a trip of a lifetime.

As an older person who travels alone I greatly appreciate the care and excellent organization offered by Naturetrek. I always have confidence that the itinerary they put together will be manageable as they provide considerable pre-booking information, including extensive reports of previous trips on their website.

This was just over 2 weeks and Nature Trek packed in so much adventure into that short time. We swam with sea lions after a boat trip out of Lima. Next we travelled over 100 miles up the Tambopata river to spend 3 nights in the rainforest. It was hot and humid but the lodge was amazing with good food and a pair of Macaws that raided rooms and cupboards for food. Nature Trek took us out every morning and evening on foot or by canoe to see the Macaws and other wildlife in the area. Next it was back down the river and a flight to Cusco which is a picturesque town at approximately 3400 metres. We left here to walk the Inca Trail over 5 days and 4 nights. This was hard with 3 days of steep climbs and descents at altitude. However, as we arrived at the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu someone asked me "How far is it that way?" It takes 4 days I replied - and that made us all feel special. The tour was busy but it ran like clockwork. All the guides, drivers, porters were friendly and helpful and they seemed delighted to show us their country from the wildlife to contemporary Peru and the Inca civilization. I am still going through the 5000 photos we took. Thanks Nature trek for a special experience.

Nature Trek has a great website but they are always available by email and phone to answer queries. The staff are unfailingly helpful, friendly and polite. We have been on 4 holidays with them and we will be going again. They are well organised and they provide good information in advance to allow you to prepare. The holidays we have been on have been very busy. They are wildlife holidays so the emphasis is on getting out early to see the birds and the Nature Trek guides and the local guides have worked hard to ensure we saw many different species but they were also good at showing us reptiles, butterflies and flowers. The Gambia trip was more relaxed as a one center holiday and allowed us time in the middle of the day to use the hotel facilities. They are not the cheapest tour operator of this type but I have found them very good value.

Now in our early seventies, my husband and I share a vision see as much of the world whilst both still physically and mentally fit. Ecuador and The Galapagos has been one of those "must do" destinations so this February we left behind the dark grey skies and relentless rain of England to embark on a holiday of a lifetime. We did our homework before leaving so we would hit the ground running on arrival in Quito but no amount of reading would have given us the "in-depth" knowledge of our local guides who were quite exceptional. Punctual, articulate,friendly and extremely patient wherever we went : nothing was too much trouble. The Cachelote was our home for a fourteen day passage around most of the thirteen islands of the Galapagos and during that time we became good friends with all the Crew who looked after us so well. Everyday was packed, with visits ashore under the tutelage of our Naturalist Guide, James, who himself is passionate about the National Park and it's well-being. No day disappointed, the wildlife was amazing, skies cloudless, waters calm and the people we met so genuine in their welcome. We can scarcely believe that it is only two weeks ago we were swimming and snorkelling with hammer-head Sharks, manta-Rays, sea lions, penguins, turtles, marine iguanas and shoals and shoals of stunning fish: a photographer's paradise in every respect. The highlights? For me, kayaking in the Pacific whilst blue-footed boobies dived majestically around me, affording a freedom and peace of mind that erased the everyday stresses of life we left behind in England. For my husband , snorkelling with a Go-Pro and capturing no fewer than six large hammer-heads as they swam beneath him. If you haven't yet visited start saving now! A holiday of a lifetime awaits!

This was our second long distance holiday with Naturetrek, the first being to The Arctic last summer. In addition we have enjoyed one week European visits to Spain/Portugal. All have been excellent. We are fortunate to live near Naturetrek HQ so have seized the opportunity to visit their base to speak directly to the Tour Managers. Their advice has been invaluable as has all the prompt paper work which they send out in a timely manner. Nothing is left to chance; their sole aim is they offer the very best holiday experience they can to all their clients. Their Guides are so well informed and their patience seemingly unending! On our recent trip to the Galapagos we had a day and a half based in Quito, either side of travellingThe programme organised for us to cover this period was outstanding, making the most of our brief time on mainland Ecuador. On our penultimate day we visited Otivalo and it's famous markets before having lunch in the Hosteria Hacienda Pinsaqui, a Three hundred year-old ranch. It was a stunning venue,serving beautiful Ecuadorian food whilst musicians entertained us with local folk music. It was VERY special and greatly appreciated by us all. We already have our next holiday with Naturetrek booked!