We have a combo Peru-Galapagos trip scheduled for next September. Roughly the itinerary is flying to Lima for a couple of days, then a day in the Sacred Valley (via a flight to Cusco, of course), train to MP with an overnight in Aguas Caliente, train back to Cusco and a day in Cusco, train to Puno (Lake Titicaca) day on Lake then fly back to Lima for an overnight at Airport Hotel prior to flight to Quito for connection to 7 day Galapagos cruise.

If you find a list clearer:

Two nights in Lima
One night Sacred Valley
One Night Machu Picchu
Two nights Cusco
One Night Lake Titicaca
One night Lima (arrive late leave early)
One night Quito
Seven day Galapagos Cruise
One night Guayaquil on way home

I know we're not spending enough time in any one place to really do it justice. Also, have been along Peru's coast on a South American cruise (spent two whole days in Lima).

Thoughts? Suggestions? Hints?

Thanks,
Greg

I don't have suggestions, as I haven't been to that part of the world yet. The Galapagos are on my short list, maybe the end of 2016. I was wondering if you chose that itinerary over the others for some reason? Trying to decipher which one is best.

Thanks,

Kimmi

Regarding the cruise itinerary; we looked at our availability plus this link:

http://www.ecuadortravelsite.org/galapagos_wildlife_activity.html


and the below extract from SS and chose Northern on 26 Sept. Wrapped the land around that.

Western Itinerary
7 Feb & 12 Dec
Day 1 — Baltra
Embark Silver Galapagos and depart on your exciting Silversea Expedition – Western Galápagos. After settling in and setting sail, you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and enjoy the first of many memorable meals on board.
Day 2 — Bartolomé
Playa Espumilla, Santiago
Some of the most spectacular landscapes in the islands come into view. Just off the coast of Santiago, Bartolomé boasts some of the most magnificent landscapes in the islands including the famous Pinnacle Rock, a towering obelisk at the edge of the ocean. Go snorkelling or take a walk along the beach to look for the playful Galápagos Penguin, perched on a rock or zooming underwater.

Beautiful Espumilla Beach is an important nesting site for the East Pacific Green Sea Turtle. We’ll walk through the arid vegetation zone of the interior where we’ll see the largest Palo Santo trees in the Galápagos, the perfect habitat for several species of Darwin’s finches.

At times of year when conditions aren’t ideal at Espumilla, you’ll enjoy a visit to Buccaneer’s Cove. This protected cove once served as a safe harbour for pirates as they repaired their ships and replenished their stores. Today, it offers a wealth of water-based activities, including snorkelling with a kaleidoscopic array of tropical fish, whitetip sharks, fur seals and even eagle rays. You can embark on a kayak or Zodiac tour and spy some of the beautiful geologic features of the area—red cliffs, natural caves and unique rock formations—while perhaps spotting native sea birds (like the Brown Noddy Tern) that nest in the cliffs.

Day 3 — Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela
Punta Espinoza, Fernandina
Five (originally six) majestic shield volcanoes up to half-a-million years old pierce the arid landscape of Isabela, the largest and youngest island in the Galápagos. Snorkelling is probably the best (and coldest) in the islands at Punta Vicente Roca, located at the base of Ecuador Volcano (North-West Isabela). Half of this volcano collapsed about 100,000 years ago—meaning that visitors now get a spectacular cutaway view of the caldera. Aboard a Zodiac, we’ll look for an array of seabirds including Flightless Cormorants and penguins.

The largest colony of marine iguanas in the Galápagos can be seen sunning on the black lava shores of Punta Espinoza at the north-eastern corner of Fernandina. One of the most pristine islands in the world, Fernandina hosts an impressive array of wildlife including sea lions, colourful Sally Light-Foot Crabs and the rare endemic Flightless Cormorant.

Day 4 — Caleta Tagus, Isabela
Bahía Elizabeth, Isabela
A short cruise across the Bolivar Strait brings us to Tagus Cove on Isabela Island. Yellow Warblers and Galápagos Mockingbirds may escort our hike between Palo Santos and Yellow Cordias, passing the briny Darwin’s Crater Lake along the way. Join the snorkelling tour to look for penguins, cormorants and the shy Brown Noddy Tern along the sheltered cliffs. You may also explore the area on a kayak.

The tallest red mangrove trees in the Galápagos are found in Elizabeth Bay, an idyllic mangrove lagoon and a fascinating place to observe marine life. We’ll take a Zodiac through the mangroves where sea turtles swim close to the surface, and pelicans and herons stalk for fish or crab. Sea lions and penguins are also prevalent in this marine sanctuary. (No landings permitted.)

Day 5 — Post Office Bay, Floreana
Punta Cormorant; or Corona del Diablo; or Champion, Floreana
Floreana has been luring visitors since the 18th century when whalers hunted the island for tortoises and pirates sought shelter in its caves. Sailors established a rustic mailing system here: a barrel nailed to a pole where they would drop letters hoping they would be delivered by other mariners sailing home. You can continue the tradition if you choose. Then take a walk along the lovely beach, or go snorkelling in an underwater world as colourful as Floreana’s history.

You'll have an opportunity to get to know the flora and fauna of this island. On the northern coast (between Punta Cormorant and Post Office Bay), a sea lion rockery has developed. Amid lava rocks that are dotted with Prickly Pear Cacti and Sesuvium, a small colony of the creatures thrives. Pups are particularly curious when visitors arrive—they love to go in the water and investigate Zodiacs as they pass through their waters.

As you travel along the coast, you may find many other creatures that shelter amid the red and white mangroves: eagle rays, marine turtles, Brown Pelicans and resting Cattle Egrets. Kayaking through the turquoise waters here is a true pleasure, inviting a sense of peaceful solitude and an invigorating feeling of connection to nature. Even if you prefer not to go into lava tunnels, there is so much to explore in Floreana.

Where in the world can you see an olivine beach, deciduous vegetation and pink flamingos all in one place? Only at Punta Cormorant, one of the most interesting sites in the islands. We’ll learn about the formation of beaches as we land on the olive-green sand and walk to Flour Beach, a favourite nesting site for Green Sea Turtles. Floreana also offers some of the best snorkelling sites in the Galápagos.

Day 6 — Galapaguera Cerro Colorado, San Cristóbal
Wizard Hill, San Cristóbal
The most emblematic animal in the archipelago is the Galápagos Giant Tortoise. Over-hunting and competition with introduced animals has left its numbers close to extinction. Nonetheless, since the late 1950s, the tenacious work of the Galápagos National Park Service park rangers and the scientists of the Charles Darwin Research Station has been bringing those numbers back. We’ll see these ancient reptiles and their babies, and learn more about current conservation efforts at the Galapaguera Cerro Colorado. Breeding and rearing endemic animals in captivity is part of a much broader conservation programme aimed at restoring and protecting the Galapagos Islands' natural biodiversity.

This afternoon you can swim, snorkel or kayak with sea lions and marine iguanas right from Cerro Brujo, a breathtaking white coral beach. It’s a haven for birdwatching, too.

Day 7 — Los Gemelos, Santa Cruz
Puerto Ayora and the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, Santa Cruz
The second largest island in the archipelago is home to both the largest human settlement and the second largest wild tortoise population. We’ll visit Los Gemelos, two pit craters (similar to sink holes) in the midst of a forest of tall Scalesia trees that look like giant daisies and are endemic to the Galápagos. Here there’s a good chance to spot land birds, especially one of the rare and endemic Galápagos Martins.

If instead of going by bus to see tortoises in the wild you want some exercise, you have an array of options in the highlands of Santa Cruz: you can reach the farm where Giant Tortoises roam around free by mountain bike accompanied by one of our naturalists on the farm trails or side roads.

If you are not into biking you can visit “Trapiche”, a local farm with a coffee and sugar plantations to experience the social side of the islands. Here you can taste all the different forms of sugar and there will be an explanation of how alcohol is produced –you can even try some if you want. You will be offered fresh roasted coffee produced on this farm.

For those who would like to walk to enjoy an ecological reserve with the best view of the entire island and search for the second species of Giant Tortoise found in Santa Cruz you can visit Cerro Meza. The sink hole there can be accessed by both bus and walking.
After everyone has visited their main point of interest we will all meet for lunch at one of the local farms.

Tortoises in the Galápagos occur in two different morphotypes: dome-shaped and saddle-backed. The smaller saddle-back tortoise was hunted virtually to extinction and just a handful of survivors remain. The Fausto Llerena Breeding Center gives us the opportunity to see both the domed tortoise and the iconic saddleback tortoise after which the islands were named.

Day 8 — Baltra
Following breakfast, disembark Silver Galapagos for your return flight from Baltra Airport.

Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and conditions. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change or cancellation.

Northern Itinerary
28 Feb, 23 May,26 Sep, & 24 Oct,
Day 1 — Baltra
Embark Silver Galapagos and depart on your exciting Silversea Expedition – North Central Galápagos. After settling in and setting sail, you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and enjoy the first of many memorable meals onboard.

Day 2 — Bahía Darwin, Genovesa Island
El Barranco, Prince Philip Steps, Genovesa Island
Genovesa (“Tower “in English) is dubbed “Bird Island”, a name it lives up to in a spectacular way. Huge colonies of seabirds create a birdwatcher’s paradise. Take a walk on the sandy beach of Darwin Bay, home to one of the world’s largest Red-footed Booby nesting colonies. Yellow-crowned Night Herons feed near tidal lagoons, while hundreds of Swallow-tailed Gulls nest in the cliffs. Climb the “steps”, a steep path named after the Duke of Edinburgh who visited the island in 1965, and you will be well rewarded: a remarkable spectacle of Nazca Boobies nesting on the ground, Great Frigatebirds with their fiery red sacs, and, if you are lucky, you might see the elusive Short-eared Owl on a daytime hunt for Storm Petrels, a favourite prey. After a morning walk, we will have a chance to enjoy our first snorkelling excursion and experience the diverse, underwater wonderland that surrounds the island. We will also have the opportunity to kayak around Darwin Bay—which is actually a flooded caldera—and admire the island’s craggy landscape.

Day 3 — North Seymour
Sullivan Bay, Santiago
North Seymour is a small up-lifted island close to Baltra filled with a spectacular profusion of wildlife — above and below the sea. Two species of frigatebirds nest here; one of which, the Magnificent Frigatebird, is an opportunistic breeder. At any month of the year we may see males displaying their bright-red gular pouch to attract females. Galápagos Sea Lions snooze in the sand. Blue-footed Boobies perform their courtship dance called “sky-pointing”. Marine iguanas and Galapagos land iguanas patrol the beach, while Brown Pelicans and Brown Noddy Terns look for food in the shallow coastal waters. We will walk through this spectacular landscape, and afterwards have an opportunity to go snorkelling—perhaps even spotting the impressive whitetip shark.

Coming ashore on the east coast of Santiago Island, we will witness the marks Nature has left on the islands through its geological forces.

Our landing will be on a white sandy beach or directly onto lava –depending on the conditions. In either case we will see the lava flows that are not much older than a hundred years –dating back to 1897. Here the very high temperature of the molten material, as well as its gas content, had caused the surface to be quite smooth. The appearance this lava has is almost like frail rope and the technical term for it is pahoehoe (a Hawaiian name that supposedly suggests the swirls left behind by a paddle (=hoe) in the water). Since the lava has not moved equally in all places, the “design” of the surface texture induces one to see different objects and images in the lava. As the sun heats up the lava during the day, at the time of our visit the temperatures will have you back at the sandy beach and getting ready for snorkelling in due time. While we will look for shelter from the heat at the beach, be aware that animals like beaches, too. Apart from rays, turtles are quite fond of the beaches and come there to lay their eggs.

Day 4 — Rabida and Bahia Ballena – Eden, Santa Cruz
Rabida and Bahia Ballena
Rabida is a small picturesque island with red rock cliffs and maroon sand. Here we can see Darwin’s finches, lava lizards and Galápagos Mockingbirds. Take a walk along the cliffs where the red rocks, green Palo Santo trees and the blue turquoise sea create landscapes of stunning contrast, while an underwater world teeming with colourful tropical species and vibrant submarine landscapes is equally amazing. After a short but rewarding hike, we will have the opportunity to swim or simply stroll along the beach and admire the sea lions snoozing along the shore. You can also go for a stunning snorkel-excursion with sea lions, reef sharks, marine iguanas, colourful anemones and parrotfish, or kayak along the picturesque Rabida cliffs.

Bahia Ballena or Eden islet
Depending on the landing conditions, the Expedition Leader and Captain will decide whether we can go for a walk at Bahia Ballena where whalers left behind some of their pottery, or sail to Eden Islet for snorkelling, kayaking and Zodiac rides. Eden is a small, eroded tuff cone and an excellent example of the unique geology of the Galápagos. It is home to Great Blue Herons, sea lions, and Blue-footed Boobies, while the small tidal areas can be a resting place for reef sharks, eagle rays and green turtles, and make an excellent spot for kayaking as well.

Day 5 — La Galapaguera & Punta Pitt, San Cristobal
The most emblematic animal in the archipelago is the Galápagos Giant Tortoise. Over-hunting and competition with introduced animals has left its numbers close to extinction. Nonetheless, since the late 1950s, the tenacious work of the Galápagos National Park Service park rangers and the scientists of the Charles Darwin Research Station has been bringing those numbers back. We’ll see these ancient reptiles and their babies, and learn more about current conservation efforts at the Galapaguera Cerro Colorado. Breeding and rearing endemic animals in captivity is part of a much broader conservation programme aimed at restoring and protecting the Galapagos Islands' natural biodiversity.

San Cristóbal is one of the oldest islands in Galápagos and the well-eroded landscape of Punta Pitt creates a dramatic landscape. We may see all three species of boobies here: Red-footed, Blue-footed and Nazca, as well as both the Great and Magnificent Frigatebird. After a wet landing on an olivine beach where sea lions doze, we’ll climb up a ravine to view one of the most scenic panoramas in the archipelago. San Cristóbal or Chatham Lava Lizards guide our way, while Red-footed Boobies and Nazca Boobies fly overhead.

Day 6 — Bahía Gardner; or Islote Gardner, Española
Punta Suárez, Española
Don’t miss a chance to swim with sea lions from the gorgeous beach at Gardner Bay. Relax on the white sands of this idyllic beach as the water laps gently in front of you. You may even spy some iguanas on the shore. Further out you can snorkel with large schools of colourful tropical fish and an occasional manta ray, while a whitetip shark naps on the bottom. You may wish to experience this from a kayak: paddling through crystal-clear waters while marvelling at the natural wonders all around you.

In the afternoon we will visit Punta Suárez at the western point of Española, the oldest island in the Galápagos. Sheer cliffs provide superb thermals for seabirds. Swallow-tailed Gulls, Nazca Boobies and Blue-footed Boobies can easily be seen. The largest seabird to nest in the Islands, the Waved Galápagos Albatross, may be seen seasonally from April through December, and has made Española its home. Mockingbirds, doves, and occasional Galápagos Hawks can also be found, as well as sea lions and colourful marine iguanas.

Day 7 — The Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and Puerto Ayora Town Visit, Santa Cruz
Plazas Sur
We will cruise overnight to Santa Cruz, an island in the central part of the archipelago with the largest human population. The headquarters of the Galápagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station are located in the small town of Puerto Ayora. The Station is the operative branch of the Charles Darwin Foundation, an organisation established in 1959 to provide conservation counsel to the Ecuadorian government. Its flagship program is the restoration of Galápagos Giant Tortoises.

At the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, we will get to see tortoises of both morphotypes: dome-shaped and saddle-backed, as well as baby Giant Tortoises up to 5 years old that are waiting to be returned to their home island. There is also an exhibit on Galápagos land iguanas; their numbers were once diminished due to introduced animals such as dogs and cats, but they have had a comeback thanks to the efforts of the National Park Service and Research Station. Towards the end of the morning, there will be time to do some sightseeing and shopping
in town.

If instead you want to see the Giant Tortoises in the wild, a bus will take you to a farm where they are roaming free in the highlands of Santa Cruz.

You could also visit “Trapiche”, a local farm with a coffee and sugar plantations to experience the social side of the islands. You will be taken by bus to the farm and there you can taste all the different forms of sugar and there will be an explanation of how alcohol is produced –you can even try some if you want. You will be offered fresh roasted coffee produced on this farm.
If you take these options, there will be no time to do sightseeing or shopping in town.

South Plaza is a neat little island located close to the eastern coast of Santa Cruz. Its main attraction is a colony of Galápagos land iguanas, but the setting is also a highlight — Giant Prickly Pear Cactus, the reddish Sesuvium plant, a mat-like ground cover, and a large nesting colony of Swallow-tailed Gulls make this small island an excellent stop. Marine iguanas and Galápagos Sea Lions are also around.

Day 8 — Baltra
Following breakfast, disembark Silver Galapagos for your return flight from Baltra Airport.

Hi Kimmi - long time since I heard from you. Hope you are both well.

Just FYI I am considering doing a Galapagos escorted trip last quarter of 2016. I am in the process now of finalizing that decision.

I have done a lot of research on the two different itineraries trying to determine which is the best. The result is they are both great and even those who have done both cannot chose one over the other.

I should have a decision later this week and will select a date and itinerary by then and will let you know.

Ngaire, is it easy to add on Machu Picchu to a Galapagos itinerary?

Extremely easy and most people combine the Galapagos cruise with Machu Picchu.

I will use Silver Galapagos it is now getting rave reviews and Silversea offers a trip to Machu Picchu.

If I do this and there are enough who want to go to Machu PIcchu I may set up a private tour through Ker & Downey and spend a couple of nights in the Sacred Valley. A neat place and a shame to miss when you go this far, plus a way to adjust to the climate as it is the lowest elevation. If we do that Ken and I will go of course.

Ballpark elevations

Sacred Valley - 8000 feet
Machu Picchu - 9000 feet
Cusco - 11,200 feet

Should know for sure next week if this is going to happen.

Darn! Once again we seem to be out of synch. We've been on several of Ngaire's escorted itineraries but always the year before or the year after. We keep hoping to synch up one of these years.
Greg

Sorry about that Greg would have been nice to see you both again.

I am definitely doing this now on November 5, 2016 the Eastern Itinerary.
Hard decision I did go back and forth but all things considered I decided on the Eastern/Northern option.

Leslie and Brad did this itinerary last year and loved it and as much as they have traveled I do trust their judgement on any itinerary issue.

So I will announce this officially sometime this week there is a special currently being offered for $199 for return coach airfare from the USA, along with all the internal flights, hotels and transfers. Cannot beat that deal! Kind of excited about going back been a long time since I have been and it was on a "not so great" boat happy the Silver Galapagos is now in the Galapagos.

Hi Greg! Are you guys going to be able to do any diving in the Galapagos?

Hmm, Ngaire you are tempting me

No diving. I'll be snorkeling hoping to get photos of a whale shark. Anything you'd like me to look into though, let me know. I do know there are other pax on board who will be diving.
Greg

Good luck on finding the whale sharks, Greg! That would be spectacular! I'm looking to do the trip Ngaire is putting together for next year. I talked to Silversea and they said the only way to get any dives in is to book independently. We probably won't do it, but I was curious if you had looked into it. Wish you and Dena could wait a year! ha!

Unless you arrive early and stay at a hotel in Puerto Ayora, I think that if you want to organize a diving excursion you will probably have to contract for a dive operator to meet you at a specific spot where the Silver Galapagos anchors for their morning or afternoon excursion.

Or else, maybe you can book something on a private dive boat while they are anchored off of Santa Cruz or San Cristobal during the turtle breeding center of highlands excursions.

We are signed up for this, Donna. Hope to see you and Alan there.

Rachel, Jerry and I are signed up as well. Would love to see you and Alan again Donna!
---------------
Helen

Awesome, Helen!

Leslie- Thanks for the suggestions. Good to have your input. Great ideas, but I think it might be more complicated than we want to deal with. We will probably just stick with snorkeling. But I'll keep in mind what you said.

Kim - there are tons of regulations and rules in the Galapagos. especially about who can be where when - very complicated!

Leslie, you and Brad should come along and keep us out of trouble!
-----------------------
Helen

How fun for you all. At least you will get to see the Frigatebird, which we missed on the Western Itinerary.

Thank you, Greg:) I have been looking at both itineraries. And of course, Machu Picchu.
Ngaire, we miss you guys! Yes, my #1 is Antartica, but everytime I think of it, it's overwhelming:( I'll get there. Maybe you're doing 2018? I saw the 2016, really wish we could be on that one. So, next would be Galapagos. I got your email & also the SS offers. Talking to John about it now. We did a crossing (finally) and are still in Europe for a few more weeks.

We just got on the SS Galapagos today doing the itinerary above. Will give a full review. So far very nice. Spent 2 days in Quito...could have done 3. Hired our own private guide...Lincoln Jambra who was very good. We found him via tripadvisor. One day went to all the villages and the equator. The equator tour was really interesting and I recommend it. The little villages are filled with different specialties.. One village was all weavers, another furniture making and wood working, rose growing, Guinean pig raising, leatherwork...the roses are incredible here.. Dozen huge long stemmed roses are 2.00. The other day we went to the cloud forest and visited a chocolate factory, butterfly garden, orchid garden and hummingbird garden. Both evenings we ate in old town. One night at the Vista Hermosa. Average food but incredible view. Had hot chocolate with cheese in it! The other night we ate at the theatrum. Highly recommend it. Delicious food. I would have liked one more day to visit the old city and recuperate from altitude sickness. Give yourself some time in case you get hit with it.

The hotel was a typical Marriott. Not much around the hotel but it had a jacuzzi and pool. The room was quiet, views nice, breakfast good, bed was very comfortable and bathroom fully appointed. Hotel rooms were a bit run down, (wallpaper peeling). Loads of traffic, so it took awhile to get anywhere.

Today was a travel day. Got on the bus at 7:30 and arrived around 2. Saw a swimming marine iguana, a couple of sea lions, a pelican and huge crabs on the zodiac ride to the ship. Had a nice lunch, unpacked, went to a welcome lecture, the safety drill, and a discussion of tomorrow's events...about 3 hours of lectures and a cocktail sail away. Got a nice surprise of free internet. 1680 hrs each for a week. No laundry on board and it is very expensive. Reviews on cruise critic said AC was weak. It wasn't working when we arrived, but is now fine. We have the second to largest class of rooms which is much smaller than Regent. Maybe like PG? It's fine but no place to put suitcases, so a bit cramped. Balcony like Regent's. Only a shower but not a bad size bath. Couch, table, chair, fridge, desk adequate outlets.

Heard from folks that the SS pre trip to Machu Picchu was not well run. Folks only got 31/2 hours there due to poor transportation planning. Transportation for us was excellent. Once on board Lunch was very good with very tasty tuna ceviche and lobster. Some folks wanted to change all on board activities to suit themselves and didn't seem it fully understand cruising.. Other folks wore little zodiac vests instead of yellow vests to lifeboat drill lol. Got fitted for wet suits and snorkel gear. Very few folks showed up for dinner tonight. Tomorrow an early day beginning at 7:30..two hikes...easy hike, hard hike, snorkeling, kayaking...quite a full day!

Looking forward to your reports, Andi! Hope you have a great trip!

Andi, Hoping you and Doug have a marvelous trip. It sounds like some folks weren't informed that this is an expedition ship.

If Javier is one of your naturalists, he is the best. So full of knowledge and enthusiastic.

Glad you're on board and enjoyed your day trips from Quito - can't wait to hear more as your cruise progresses. You probably know this, but your butler can take your suitcases and store them away.

I second Beth's recommendation of Javier - the expedition staff were all great, but he was really a stand out.

Hi, Andi. Hope you and Doug have a great trip. Can't wait to hear all about it.

So good to hear from you! Have a great trip and we'll see you soon! Keep those reports coming!

Doug, Andi-

What's the quality of the wetsuits, masks, and snorkel gear? We assumed we'd be bringing our own, but if Silversea provides good stuff, maybe we don't have to. This would be especially good since there's no laundry, so we'd need to pack more clothes. How thick are the wetsuits? 3mm? 5mm? I hope not 7mm! Since we'd just be on the surface, I'm hoping 3mm. Do they issue fins or are they not needed? Might need booties, though?

Hope you're having a great time!
Thank you!

Hi ya'all. It's nice to get free internet but it's really hard to get on. The gear is fine. Wetsuits are shorties...sleeveless. I have a long sleeve snorkeling top so wore that underneath. Fins are good. Important to have enough shoes. I broke my sandals already. Hiking sneakers, flip flops for zodiac snorkeling trips, a couple pairs of sandals. Leslie, didn't know about suitcase. I will ask this afternoon. I love having a deck here. They have kept us really busy. Nature walk this morning was great...sea lions, crabs, frigates, gulls, boobys, iguanas. Came back, had a half hour to change for snorkeling .. Either shore or deep sea. I did deep water and saw hammerhead and a tortoise and all sorts of nice fish. Water was warmish. Glad to have wet suit. Fun, fun. I do wish the room were larger... I don't think Javier is on this one. More later

Thanks, Andi! Excellent info. It sounds so awesome! I can't believe you saw a hammerhead while snorkeling! The two times Alice and I have seen one we were at about 90 ft. in Cayman! Thanks for taking the time to post. Very much looking forward to more if you can!

Great to hear about your trip Andi! So glad you had a positive experience in Quito. You and Doug have a great trip! Looking forward to hearing more updates as your trip progresses.
Greg

It's 12:15 on Monday April 27, our days are full here. So far today, we've had a walk from 7:30-9:15 and a snorkel from 10:30-noon. I'm pooped but happy. Doug's down at lunch and I'm snacking on grapes...the largest grapes I've ever seen. They're the size of golf balls..red with seeds.

Most folks on board are from USA or Australia, with a few Brits and Canadians and South Africans thrown in for good measure. There are a couple of kids on board.one precocious 7 year old girl from Australia with her mum and a lovely12 year old boy with his dad. Loads of age ranges with most folks over 50.hikes are hot and somewhat precarious because of footing,but not too hard...yet. This afternoon, Doug went on another hike and I went snorkeling again. Food is fresh and tasty. Dinners are just okay. Not gourmet but things you have at home. There are lots of veggies and fruit and fresh fish and meat.I find the service levels very good.

One of our hall mates had a birthday today. We were all served champagne at dinner and they were serenaded when they returned to their room, which was decorated with lights, a towel penguin, a card, champagne, balloons and chocolate with strawberries.

While Doug has made breakfast for the past two days, I haven't. But, I have enjoyed the ceviche each lunch time. The first day was tuna, yesterday was octopus and today, crab. Last night, I had a great steak at the grill. Each day, they bring a fresh fruit bowl with pears, apples, bananas and red grapes, which are wonderful. They stock your fridge with whatever you want to drink. There are also great chocolates left each night and plantains and sweet potato chips.

We've seen two types of frigate, giant birds-who puff up their bright red chests to attract females, and three types of boobys. Birds are everywhere and you can observe many species doing many things. We've seen marine and land iguanas in abundance. It's adorable to see the chicks, booby fishing, and mating rituals. The blue footed booby does a very cute little mating dance hopping from foot to foot to show one another that they are blue footed booby.

Saw a couple of sting rays swimming and schools of fish this morning, but nothing else too exciting. Fun, nevertheless. This afternoon, Doug had a volcanic walk...not his favorite, but I chose to go snorkeling. My group had a special treat of penguins as well, but sadly we missed the penguin sex. Evidently, after the two did the deed, another two joined them and they all went into their rock cave together. I guess they were having a ménage a quadruple. The fish were lovely...huge schools of them...with a big blue star fish and silver dollars about 2 feet wide. There are loads of giant fish. The water is not terribly warm. You really need a wet suit, surprising since it's so hot, but it's probably due to the Antarctic currents.

You're always wet..either sweaty or from sea water.. So it's really nice to have a balcony to dry out your things. While the Jimmy Choos aren't required, I'd recommend bringing multiple sandals, thongs, hiking shoes, sneakers. The ship is nice about drying your things as well as fixing broken sandals. My pair was delivered back this morning.

While Quito required layers, it is just hot here. No outerwear required except for lots of sun tan lotion, bug spray, hats, long sleeved shirts for sun protection, swim suits, shorts for day and a sun dress or slacks for evening. You really need to bring two sets of shorts and two tops per day. I shower at least twice per day.

Some side notes...Love watching the water go straight down the drain. There's no swirling here at the equator and you see constellations from both the northern and Southern Hemisphere.

Tuesday will be a bit less busy. We have an 8 am kayak trip for an hour. I hope Doug and I are in synch and we just don't paddle in circles. Then, were going snorkeling at 9:30 til noon. We have a 90 minute zodiac cruise at 3:30. Dinner tomorrow is back in the grill. Yea

Thanks for all the details, Andi! Sounds like a fun trip. We signed up to go with Ngaire next year so are happy to hear you are enjoying. Regards to Doug!
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Helen

Andi,
Sounds like you're having a great trip. Really neat about the water going straight down the drain! I'm looking forward to seeing that. Can you recommend a dinner place near the hotel in Quito? What about the Volcano walk wasn't to Doug's liking? How long are the shortie wetsuits? The ones Gretchen and Cheryl had in NZ came down to the top of the knees; I've had some in the past that only came to the top of the thigh.
I appreciate your assessments of the food, excursions and such.

Greg

Hi Helen, I guess you and Jerry will be in Africa shortly. Have a great time. Greg, the views at Vista Hermosa made up for the pedestrian food. Not bad, but not inspired. We loved Theatrum restaurant in Old Town. They have free pick up and delivery. Food was lovely and well priced. Doug only saw one thing...a mockingbird. Hot and boring. The expedition staff is just okay..quite uneven and you never know who you'll get. The guest lecturer has no personality. The wetsuit fit Doug fine. Everything is long on me. Lol. Make sure you wear a T-shirt or something underneath to prevent sunburn. I'll write more about today later. We will sign up for the other leg of the Galapagos trip as well as the Amazon river cruise. We are having a great time. Maybe we can go together next year?

Hi, Andi, we are going to Africa with Jerry and Helen and to the galapagos again next year. Enjoying your posts immensely. Food sounds better than on colored, which is a relief. What wine do they have? I suspect all South American which is fine as long as it is good South American.

Mostly Chilean. Doug says palatable. You are going to have to put a GPS on George for the snorkeling and walks!

Tuesday was a more relaxing day. When we got up at 6:30, it was already 80 degrees.We were given the option of starting the day with a walk at 7:30 or a kayak trip at 8 or snorkeling until noon. We opted for the kayak trip and then some snorkeling. We hadn't kayaked for years but joined in with 3 other couples to meander along the coastline for an hour. A few sea lions darted around our kayaks along the way and we got to see a Galapagos hawk. We then returned to the ship to take a zodiac to the beach for snorkeling. It wasn't a terribly inviting beach, filled with insects, but once you maneuvered over the rocky, red beach, the snorkeling was excellent. There were loads of schools of fish and a sea lion opted to swim with us. Doug also pointed out a white tipped shark cruising along the bottom. We were back on board by 11am and it felt like we'd been gone for hours. Some folks saw turtles and others rays. A good morning!

Folks who were on the western route last week said each experience is quite different. The northern route has the boobys, beach snorkeling, albatross, frigates. The other route has whales, penguins, dolphins and no beach snorkeling..only deep water snorkeling. There is some overlap, but not too much.

The afternoon was a zodiac ride beginning at 3 for one group and 4:30-6 for our group. We sailed along the coastline looking at fishing birds, swimming sea lions, some rays, marine iguanas.

Evening brought a wine tasting followed by the briefing and then we went to deck 5 for the hot rocks dinner. Oh, and lunch today was a fish soup, lobster, vegetarian ceviche. Very tasty!

Tomorrow, we have a choice of a city tour or a turtle sanctuary in the morning and a death march or snorkeling in the pm. We've been told our streak of no rain may be over tomorrow. We will see.

During the afternoon, I explored deck 6. Deck 6 houses the 4 largest suites, an outdoor deck with 4 lounges, the spa and fitness center and a hot tub. I spent the better part of the afternoon up there. Deck 5 houses the outdoor grill area which is open for lunch and dinner. Deck 4 has the piano bar and an outside covered lounge area which is really nice. Deck 3 is reception, the library, the meeting room, the swim gear area outside and where we depart from. Deck 2 is the indoor restaurant, the medical center. The ship is small, with only 74 passengers on our voyage. Hope this helps you select where you'd rather be. There is no store. Things to buy are scattered in display cases around the ship and I guess you ask someone if you want something.

Folks really seem to be enjoying their Go Pros, so you may want to consider getting one. I'm kind of sorry that I didn't.

Well, that's all for today.

Correction, Andi, I need a toddler leash for George!
(For those who don't know, Andi and I lost George snorkeling in the Mariana Islands. I was getting ready to collect life insurance money when he finally turned up.)

How does one make vegetarian ceviche?

Yeah, Rachel... vegetarian ceviche sounds like salsa to me! haha
I have the same challenge with Alice that you have with George! Probably will be a good idea to keep the two of them separate! Very much looking forward to meeting you in just about 1 week now! woo hoo!!

Andi -
Thanks so much for all the details. I'm loving the snorkeling reports. I really had no idea when we booked Ngaire's trip next year that there would be so many opportunities to snorkel! We've already been chastised by our now retired local dive shop owner for not going on a live aboard dive boat (we still see him at a monthly poker game). I have no desire to dive cold water for a week with 7 mil wetsuits, hooded vest, and gloves. That's why we don't dive in New England regularly ---- only when needed for certifications.

I think your weather is the at the end of the "warm season". For us in November it will be the "dry season"... so maybe not so hot, but cooler water temps. But I did cringe at the thought of going through 4 outfits and 2 showers a day! Way too hot and humid for this New Englander. Give me 9 feet of snow over that any day. Going to go for season total ski day 43 on Saturday --- closing down the resort in Maine. Then off to Cape Town on Wednesday.

I've loving the reports! Thanks so much for taking the time and making the effort! It's great knowing that when we come back from ZEBRA we will have another awesome trip to look forward to.

Good one Doug on spotting the white tip! That's how I almost lost Alice snorkeling in Key West. She just kept following the shark. Everyone was back on the boat. She says she didn't hear the horn blowing, blowing, blowing. sigh