I loved the Delfin II. There must have been a food stylist on board, as every meal was elegantly presented. Fernando Sanchez, Photo Instructor on the Delfin II, was so helpful. Another guest and I requested help with camera settings. He'd give us a lesson each day, send us out to hone the skill, and give a lesson the next day.  I came home a better photographer.  If it weren't for ExpeditionTrips, I would NOT have known about the Nazca Lines trip that I added on. Paracas and the Nazca Lines were amazing. Thank you ExpeditionTrips — 9.99! All materials were received in a timely fashion and were perfectly clear. Jennifer and Joy were most helpful finding the perfect boats and trips for us.

I have found ExpeditionTrips to be first class.  You have always handled all requests professionally and personally and assisted greatly in trip planning before we finalize our final plans.  The best indicator of our satisfaction is that we are coming back for our third trip within 18 months booked through ExpeditionTrips.

The trip surpassed my expectations, and we were very happy with the Isabella II. The staff was extremely accommodating and the naturalists were very knowledgeable. The lead guide provided us with a debriefing power point each evening, which gave us a clear expectation of the following day’s activities.

The advice I was given on staying in the old part of the city on our way to the Galápagos and in the newer part on our way out was excellent as well. I would definitely book future trips with you. I can't think of any improvements at this time. Everything was great; my daughter until now had always stayed in resorts when she traveled, so this was a first for her, and she enjoyed almost every minute of it (the exception being the second evening when we were on a long run in open water and it was a bit rough and she became seasick).

I have wanted to visit the Galápagos Islands for at least 40 years. When my husband offered our daughter a trip anywhere with me to celebrate graduation from nursing school she chose the Galápagos. The most memorable part was probably our first encounter with marine iguanas on Genovesa Island on the second day. There were thousands of them sprawled around on the rocks. It was awesome! But then snorkeling with hammerhead sharks was pretty outstanding as well. And the sunrises and sunsets were nice. It was all good. 

My daughter and I are gluten-intolerant and had notified the ship through ExpeditionTrips. The chefs were creative and diligent in seeing that our food remained gluten-free. In addition to preparing our entrees w/o gravies or sauces or preparing a totally different entree if necessary, they provided us with beautiful and generous plates of fruit for snacks and desserts when others were having pastries and sandwiches.  We also much enjoyed the folded towel "origami" on our bunks every day; we had taken along a large ugly stuffed Bill the Cat doll as our trip mascot, and some days when we returned to our cabin we found he had several towel companions, one of which was usually wearing my reading glasses! 

The staff, guides and crew of the National Geographic Endeavour was way past expectations. The Expedition Leader was extraordinary. She seems so sweet and casual, but she ran the tour like Patton going through France. She packed so much into so little time. There was something for everyone, even the wimps who wanted to take the easy tours. The food was extraordinary. The cooks and food staff did a great job of providing interesting and well-displayed food. I am going to search out an Ecuadorian cookbook after the trip.

The guides were both passionate and dedicated to the sustainability of the Galapagos. Their love of the place was evident in everything they did and they loved sharing it all with us.  The ship was fantastic—perfect for us. Great service, very clean, good food and very friendly staff. Everyone seemed to really enjoy their jobs and were fun to be around.  I would very definitely recommend this ship to anyone.

The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. One of the reasons I was thrilled to get onboard La Pinta was because it goes to so many of the islands. I am not a huge fan of cruises because I would rather be on land exploring than spending most of my time on a ship. However, there were enough land excursions and water activities that I really feel as though I got to see most of what the islands had to offer. The scenery and wildlife were some of the best I've seen. I really enjoyed being able to get so close to the wildlife. Swimming with wild sea lions was both terrifying and fun.

And, in Quito, Hotel Patio Andaluz was great! I really cannot think of any way that the trip could be improved.

It was indeed a great pleasure to have them to answer my questions and truly deal with even the most minute detail. The trip was phenomenal in every way. The Delfin II is a first class act with their service, food, excursions and knowledge of guides and staff.  They always wanted to provide the very best service. The crew was phenomenal. EVERY guide was highly knowledgeable, friendly, and superb. Our waiter was very amiable and kind, and aimed to please!!

The housekeeping staff was phenomenal. The guides were so informative and the wait staff were as pleasant and helpful as they could be. They were the hardest-working people I've ever encountered! And always with smiles on their faces!

From the gal who met us at the airport to the chef on board to every single naturalist, we experienced nothing but perfection. The ship and crew were marvelous, the food was delicious and the animals are indescribable. Talk about perfect!  To insure perfection was even more perfect, the organizational ability of those who meet us at the airports, hotels, Zodiacs, ship and plane was top drawer. There were two guides who were particularly outstanding (although all of them were excellent). One took three of us deep water snorkeling even though we were the only ones who wanted to go again. She was in the water the whole time explaining every fish, rock formation and penguin encounter and she taught my granddaughter how to dive down with snorkeling equipment on to get better pictures.  Another guide made every hike a joy. He was very informative and made us laugh all the time.

I don't think you could improve on this trip. We would definitely seek ExpeditionTrips’ advice before travelling, especially to unusual places.

The cabins were larger and nicer than expected and extremely clean. The food was exceptional (far exceeding expectations) and the dining room staff was pleasant and attentive. One of the younger naturalist guides was especially congenial in talking and spending time with my teenage son. Although the incidents were minor (e.g. daughter with minor 12-hour lower intestinal bug, son with toes scraped on coral, etc), it was comforting to me as a parent to have a medical doctor on board.

There were many memorable parts to the expedition—certainly seeing the unique species of animals. I will never forget snorkeling with sea turtles, sea lions and penguins. 

The Galapagos destination was selected by my son as his high school graduation gift. He was attracted by the exotic location, a sense of adventure, and a love for snorkeling. I agreed to the destination, in part, because if its educational value—a way for my kids to better understand and appreciate nature and natural science.

I would definitely recommend ExpeditionTrips to others.

The trip met my expectations in every way, and in many ways it exceeded my expectations. The vessel, La Pinta, was great. It was relatively new, spacious, and clean. The crew was fantastic: professional, helpful, and pleasant. Most of all, I appreciated the size of my room; it was larger than many hotel rooms. And the room was cleaned almost within minutes of my leaving for breakfast. The hotel manager was a particular standout. She was knowledgeable, professional, accommodating, and always pleasant. She seemed to really care about our comfort and wellbeing. The food was very good too. My compliments to the chef. In fact, everything about La Pinta was 5 out of 5. (Note: part of this is attributable to the fact there were only 22 guests on board this trip. However, I suspect the service would have been just as good had ship been full.)  I only wish there had been more of an opportunity for outdoor dining.

Hands down, swimming with sea lions was by far the most memorable part of the trip. It was a religious experience. I thought I had made a unique, very deep, and very personal connection with these beautiful creatures (until I looked through the fog of my mask only to see that they were playing with everyone else in my group as well.  My deeply religious experience turned deeply humbling).

The trip exceeded my expectations. I can’t really think of any suggestions for improvement. The staff, guides and crew exceeded my expectations. They were excited, informative, fun and extremely passionate about their work, making sure we had the best expedition trip.

I had always wanted to see the Galapagos from when I was a child watching National Geographic programs. The hiking trips on the different islands was my favorite part—the naturalists were extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

The most special person we encountered was the Naturalist for our group who took a special interest in our grandson. The naturalist is a very knowledgeable young man and interacted well with the tourists. He took our grandson snorkeling in depths where I was not confortable, got him to lead the group down the next path, and generally paid special attention to him. He was interacting with everyone in the group so this was not an exclusive thing. I doubt he fully understands the positive impact this has had on our grandson, who will remember the "cool guide" his entire life.

The room service that decorated our towels was a huge laugh at the end of the day. And the professional photographer is a keeper. She was very accommodating, had a sweet and friendly personality and helped us take superb photos.

The flight problems in Miami got us off to a challenging start to our trip, but the representative from the shipping company who was with us at the Miami airport was exceptional every moment. I cannot say enough words of praise about her.

The staff on the ship, as well as the naturalists were excellent relating to my grandson. Each of them made sure the scope was low enough for Hayden to see whatever we were looking at. They made sure he had food he liked. They were quick to answer his questions and listened to the information he had to share. He was so proud when he was able to point out a bird, lizard or monkey he located and they praised his knowledge of the names he knew. He is so excited about the trip. This is the fourth trip I have taken with this company and each of them have been very special in their own way, as was this trip.

We have been on a few cruises and by far, this is our best one ever! One area worth highlighting is the team spirit of all the crew members that we encountered. They work very well together and seem to truly care for the Galapagos as well as the comfort of the guests. We also have the impression that they are proud to be part of the Explorer II family. 

We had wanted to do this trip for years, but the costs have been quite prohibitive. This year, we realized we are not getting any younger. Tomorrow may never come. We do not want to regret not visiting the Galapagos while we can. The most memorable part of the trip is seeing the animals in their natural habitat with no fear of us humans.  

Our experience working with ExpeditionTrips has been a uniformly positive one. Lori and Emily are prompt with information. We have come to rely on their suggestions and observations. Packets are complete and anticipate questions and concerns. I have no suggestions for how to improve. You are doing everything right.

The fellow travelers were also exceptional, always ready on time and excited for the adventure ahead. Nice mix of ages too. I thought the morale on the boat was unusually high at all levels - staff, guides, kitchen staff, and other crew. The Expedition Leader ran a tight ship with everything running smoothly, and with humor and clear rules. He was a wonderful communicator and seemed very accessible to all. In the kitchen, our regular waiter gave us great personal service, remembering our names and what coffee or other item we liked. The food was uniformly great and our cabin was well maintained. When we visited the bridge, the crew was informative and welcoming. I think the snorkeling the last day with over forty sea turtles, a shark, manta rays and schools of colorful fish in a pristine, spectacular setting may have been one of the most memorable parts of the expedition. Having said that, I miss the head butting of the marine iguanas, the knowing looks of the tortoise, the boobies, penguins and other birds.  

The trip definitely met our expectations. I could not recommend the ship and the staff more highly. The ship was comfortable, the crew was very hospitable and the guides were excellent. The naturalists were bright, informative and engaging on many topics. They did more than just inform us about the plants, terrain and animals. The crew was exceptional. Our favorite waiter remembered what our kids would not eat and made sure to provide us with options. Everyone on board was thoughtful, helpful, considerate and warm. Even the weather cooperated!  It was well organized and interesting every day.  We saw no lapses or faults to improve upon.

We had wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands for several years now.  We love natural environments and adventure tourism and after visiting Africa and Cost Rica this was next on the list of must-see locations. The varied wildlife definitely made the trip memorable for us. Incredibly, the animals are not shy and they have no fear of humans so you get unbelievable opportunities to observe them in their natural habitats.

But diving is not enough, and living on board Galapagos Sky as well as visiting the islands was the best way to experience such dives. Being helped, assisted, and served in every single need by a real professional crew, always smiling and making you feel like you were in a second home has left a special flavour to the memories of the days spent on board.

We loved seeing the wild animals both on the islands and in the water.

The staff and crew were wonderful. The doctor was especially helpful. I have an injury to my foot and had to be extra careful on uneven surfaces. He was always attentive.  He was also very helpful with a nasty cough I developed on the cruise.

We also loved the hotel in Quito, Relicario del Carmen.

The trip went way beyond my expectations. The guides and staff of the Eric, Flamingo and Letty were amazing! I don't think there was any way of fitting any more activities in, so I really felt like I made the most of my trip. Beyond that, they organized a salsa party for us and we danced under the stars while anchored in Bartholome. Afterwards, the captain turned off all the lights so we could star gaze. I was lucky enough that the other passengers on my boat were in my age group and we all got along really well and experienced memorable things together. The guides were excellent and planned a lot of excursions.  We were able to have some rare sightings of animals, so that was really special. The only downside is that this trip will be hard to top!

I have already told many of my friends to consider your company not only for the Galapagos but any other place too. The trip met all of my expectations. I really cannot think of anything I would change. Everyone was superb! The guides were very knowledgeable and attentive to our needs and care. I can say the same for all the staff of the ship. The doctor was always available and the captain came out and talked to us, greeted us, and just made us feel welcome and at ease. The celebration for crossing the equator was absolutely wonderful!! Our head guide was so friendly and caring. While deep sea snorkeling we actually came upon a manta ray swimming near our panga while we were going to the deep water. He excitedly pointed it out to us and urged us into the water to see this wonder. Of course, it was swimming away and some of us were hurrying to get into the water. But we got in as fast as we could and I heard the guide asking each person "Did you see it? It is over here! Come over here!" He so wanted everyone to see it. I thought that was because he really cared. Not just as an employee, but he was genuinely excited and wanted us all to share the experience.

I love Charles Darwin and have been a big fan of his for years.  I have read many of his works and love to read about the continuing evidence for and literature surrounding the theory of evolution. For this reason I so wanted to go to the Galapagos.  The most memorable part of my trip, and there were many, was the deep sea snorkeling.  But by far the best part of the trip for me was walking the path Darwin must have walked on around Lake Darwin and the research center and seeing Lonesome George.

I was very pleased with the excellent, efficient and courteous customer service and I felt very comfortable speaking with any one of your representatives. The trip exceeded my expectations: I expected it should be wonderful, but it was most wonderful! I could not possibly think of any way to improve something that was so perfect.

The Galapagos Islands have been on my "dream list" for a very long time. However, I only began planning on going there sometime last winter, when during dinner at my house, my friend and I were having a conversation about traveling, and I decided that I wanted to go to the Galapagos Islands with her in 2010. I decided that it's about time to start living my life.

I did a lot of research, read everything I could get my hands on, and picked out the islands that we should visit, and the time of the year when to go there.  It took a lot of phone calls to find a ship which had the exact itinerary that I wanted: Isabela II.

If she didn't know the answer immediately, she always sent us a note to say that and told us when she thought she would have the requested information.

We were met at the airport in Quito and taken to our hotel and back to the airport etc by very nice guides in a very efficient manner. The staff, guides and crew on La Pinta were wonderful and went out of their way to be helpful.  One woman on the trip had a bad experience walking on the uneven lava and was nervous of going out again; so the next time out the guides took her on a panga ride by herself so she wasn't just left on the ship. One panga boat ride we took through the mangroves was spectacular and we saw many different species, including a flightless cormorant we saw catch and eat an eel as big as itself!  We also thoroughly enjoyed watching the sea lions and their young pups! One day we had lunch up on the sundeck (under a big canopy) which featured Ecuadorian food.  It was delicious and gave us the chance to try different foods.  In my view it was the best meal of the entire trip.

As for the ship’s staff and guides, what more can I say?  Everyone tried 120% to please us, to make us happy, and to care for our health and safety. It was a perfect blend. The superb service on the National Geographic Endeavour was surprising beyond words and just added to the wonders of the trip. It was way beyond my expectations. I could not even dream of how to improve it.

The trip exceeded every expectation I had. And believe me, I've been dreaming about this trip my whole life so I had very high expectations! The guides on the ship were excellent. It was very evident how proud of the islands they were, not to mention how passionate one of the naturalists was about evolution and the role the islands played in formulating Darwin's theories on evolution and the origin of the species. Every day was remarkable and wonderful.

All of the ship’s staff was professional and pleasant. We both loved the experience of having a floating hotel. I was especially pleased with the cabins of La Pinta. They were roomy and the window large enough to sit in one’s own cabin and enjoy watching the wildlife. It was all wonderful. I always wanted to see the animals of the Galapagos and they were the best part.

The guides were knowledgeable and friendly; the cruise director was outstanding.

In Peru, the hotels were great--I could never have imagined how beautiful the Inca Terra or Sol y Luna grounds would be. The people who picked us up at the airport and at the hotels were totally punctual EVERY TIME! The hacienda we had lunch at the first day in the Sacred Valley was amazing and Mrs. Nilda's weaving place was fascinating. When I bought a modest table runner, they brought the lady who had woven it to meet me. She was so proud; it nearly brought tears to my eyes!

It made planning the trip very easy and trouble free. I don't think I've planned a trip so quickly. The Grace was stunning with beautifully appointed cabin rooms and common areas...

I loved the hot tub, especially after snorkeling. Rafa, the naturalist was very knowledgeable about all things Galapagos and he imparted his knowledge in a way that everyone could understand. He was a joy to be around. The crew was extremely helpful and friendly. The captain would blow the whistle to alert us to sea life sightings (e.g. dolphins). The food was plentiful and good, the equipment (e.g. wet suits, snorkel gear) looked new and worked great.

I wanted a warm place to go in December, to a place I've never been before. I didnt have a lot of time to plan. This was the perfect vacation. The clincher was the two for one price. The most memorable part was traveling around a beautiful pristine place with a fabulous naturalist and sharing with 15 other curious, interesting people.

Side Note: I thought the Hotel Patio Andaluz in Quito was just okay. The location was good, as was the breakfast but I wasn't thrilled with the rooms.

I believe that we were fortunate in that we had two excellent guides (with very different styles) and a total group size of 20. The ships crew demonstrated pride in what they did the ship was impeccably maintained and the food was superb.

The guides were knowledgeable, informative, and committed to preservation of the Galapagos and there wasnt an elitist among the crew. They all seemed to pitch in wherever needed. The itinerary was packed full but I think that those folks who didnt snorkel might have felt they had some extra down time. I was totally unaware of the amount of snorkel time. I loved it, but my husband doesnt snorkel. He was fine with that but there werent too many alternative activities for those who didnt snorkel.

The Galapagos was on our short list of places to visit but we were motivated to immediate action by the special rate that was being offered. The most memorable part is that the Galapagos are so ruggedly primitive and so unchanged; took us back to our human roots.

We were inspired to take this trip because this was our chance, with the kids out and before we were too advanced in years, to take a long trip that included physical exertion and adventure. All was memorable!

The Galapagos was amazing, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu were awe-inspiring, and the Amazon was for me (Howard) perhaps the most fascinating part, probably because I read several books on the subject before we left.

The scheduling was just right. We took too much luggage and would stress the need to travel light. It didn't matter for the Islander, as they handled everything. It mattered after that. Also, the difficulty getting anything to dry in the Amazon cannot be overemphasized. Another tip would be, at the Lima airport, to be sure to stay inside the terminal building to meet your transfer driver.

It was pleasure to work with Shelley and Emily and we will certainly consider booking other expedition-type trips with you. Everyone went out of their way to make our expedition a wonderful experience.

The Amazon was even better; so many animals and the bugs weren't so bad. The Napo Wildlife Center, in the Amazon, exceeded all of my expectations; superb service on the things that mattered, phenomenal national and local naturalists (one of the guides, Mauro, was outstanding); extremely comfortable room and what a great mosquito net! I always dreamed of visiting the Amazon and Galapagos; it was well worth it!!

One of the highlights of the trip for us was watching the blue-footed boobies fishing. We really enjoyed this trip, as well as the Antarctic Peninsula cruise that you helped us with, and we are giving thought to heading way, way South once again (this time we will include South Georgia)!

Shelley was wonderful to work with and send oodles of questions to. Everything from questions about luggage to money, to clothing to side trips—she was knowledgeable and helpful.  Her service was key to my trip's success. Emily was helpful with details about our tours.

Choosing a larger boat worked out well. We met lots of people who were very interesting and my 16 year old had a good number of other teens to "hang with.” There were always options for each activity and that worked well. If you didn't want to hike you could snorkel or hang on the beach. The crew did a good job of monitoring people, moving them from activity to activity or location to location so that people could "do it all" if they wanted to.

The Expedition Leader ran a great program. Her staff worked well together. I was impressed with the knowledge the naturalists shared. They were friendly and helpful, too. I have to sing the praises of the Zodiac drivers. They did a fab job handling the boats, even taking us to see dolphins on our way back to the ship. They are masters at what they do! The ship's crew did a great job maintaining the ship, doing what needed to be done and always with a smile on!

We joked that there must be a crew member hiding under the bed, as we never saw anyone in our room, yet it was always kept in tip top shape! Another example of the exceptional service was the day trip to Otavalo; the guide was both pleasant and knowledgeable.

We especially liked how they divided the passengers up among the three boats (Flamingo, Letty and Eric).  It seems like this flexibility allowed for us to be paired with travelers with similar needs/expectations. I don’t think other companies can do this. We loved the other passengers on the Flamingo and have been corresponding with them all since the trip. We love trips that combine adventure and education and the animals in the Galapagos were probably the most memorable.  It is amazing how both land and sea animals will interact with humans.

Special mention to Shelley, Emily and Amanda for their always rapid responses and communications. I have absolutely no reservations in recommending ExpeditionTrips as a first class agency, and it became apparent from talking to others on board that they feel the same way. I think one way you excel is that you manage to make the customer your first priority- a query to another service company (ie: software) usually results in a lengthy wait for a response. With ExpeditionTrips you never feel you are just a client number. I cannot think of any ways to improve.

The ship was very well maintained and run, with a crew that handled all aspects of their jobs very well. We observed the landing of zodiacs from other ships and everyone noted that ours were much safer and professional. Special mention to the hotel manager and his management of the 'hotel' part of the ship. Food was plentiful and very good, with an imaginative variety and well presented. Cabin maintenance was rapid and totally unobtrusive. Our naturalist guides were exceptional. Each had their own individual style, and was eager to accept questions and tell stories. Our expectations were met on every level. We saw no areas that could or should be improved.

My most memorable part of the trip was the complete disregard of the wildlife to the humans moving around them. The mating/re-connection dance of the boobies was especially memorable. For my wife, the best moment was the opportunity to swim with sea lions and Galapagos penguins.

The guides were wonderful at fostering a team atmosphere. Introducing themselves and the crew the first day was a good idea. The small number of people helped a lot to foster a group feeling but I especially liked the fact that the guides switched between the canoes but the people stayed the same eight each day. It’s always awkward the first time a group meets so their ideas were very effective and didn't seem forced. I think actually seeing the three-toed sloth in the wild was one of the memorable experiences for me but there were many so it’s difficult to single out just one.

The Santa Cruz was great. Our guide Vanessa was very knowledgeable and Lupe and Pillar were great. I have no complaints at all. The buses were all new and clean and everyone was so organized and helpful, which was a huge help as we were traveling with a 9 year old and a 79 year old. The ship was not full, only 58 passengers, so we had a lot of room. The service was outstanding, the food was great - it really could not have been better.

It would have been awesome if we could have snorkeled at noon when the marine iguanas were entering the water for their lunch. However, many of the areas where we were with the largest groups of marine iguanas were not areas where we were permitted to snorkel.

The shining stars onboard the ship for us were: Octavio, our head maître d, John our bartender and dancer extraordinaire, Hernan, Adrien, Jessica, Cesar and Billy were our favorite and most fun guides. These 7 absolutely made it the fun-filled trip of a lifetime! It was hard to come home!

Everything was taken care of, and all the background and travel information was extremely helpful. The trip far surpassed my expectations. I honestly can't think of any ways to improve the trip. The ship was beautiful, the food was great, and everyone was super friendly...

The staff, guide, and crew of Sagitta were awesome. Every day the crewmember who cleaned our cabins would leave us fresh towels in a different towel-origami assortment: volcanoes, swans, you name it! Also, for our farewell dinner, the chef made all sorts of decorations out of food...a melon tortoise, pine-apple puffer fish, and a watermelon and yuca palm tree to name a few. It was quite a sight!

The wildlife was active we even saw the blue-footed booby mating dance! At times it seemed as if the animals were putting on a show for the tourists, and we couldnt get over how completely oblivious of our presence they appeared to be. We were also very impressed with how well-run the Galapagos park system is, to ensure minimal damage to the environment.

Onboard, we had excellent guides 4 for 41 passengers, so were never in a large group. The guides were very well-trained and all spoke excellent English. The crew was equally pleasant and efficient. Our cabin was first class, the food was excellent and abundant and there were all the amenities we could need. Snorkeling equipment was provided and there was a helpful briefing each evening about the following days activities. There was a variety of fellow passengers, from young children to seniors (I guess were in the latter category!) and we got on well with all of them.
She is a lovely ship, a perfect size we would say, and extremely well-maintained (far more so than some of the other cruise ships we saw). As for the Galapagos themselves, I probably dont need to tell you what a mind-altering experience it is to witness evolution still in progress.

We cannot say enough positive things about your land agent who provided our drivers & guides in Quito. When we exited the Quito Airport at the beginning of our trip, someone was there with a sign and all our anxieties after a rough day vanished. We were told exactly when we would be picked up prior to our flight to Galapagos, and when it was discovered that the Galapagos plane was delayed they arranged for us to wait in the VIP lounge. For our excursion to the Mindo cloud forest, we had a guide, a driver & an SUV to ourselves and had a fabulous day. The guide was Richard (Ricardo) and the driver was Carlos. I would request them again if we ever go back. In hindsight, an extra day in Quito to take a tour of the city itself would have been nice. Several of our fellow travelers had done this and greatly enjoyed it.

It was fascinating to see the different state of each island, from lava deserts to mangrove forests to cultivated farmland and the way the flora and fauna have adapted to local conditions is astounding. We saw all the wildlife we expected to see, even orcas which we followed in our panga (zodiac), which was considered very fortunate. The Charles Darwin Research Station was extremely informative and fascinating, and the town of Puerto Ayora satisfied our tourist shopping needs!

We decided to take a special trip in 2009 as this is the year we both turn 60 and also our 20th wedding anniversary and this trip met, even exceeded, our expectations!

All documentation was in order and you assured us we would have no issues with local contacts and accommodations. Everything did in fact go like clockwork.

We did a lot of reading of reviews and books before we left and we had very high expectations. The entire trip far exceeded our expectations. We had hoped to see some of the things we read about. We did and we did and we did. It seems we saw it all. We believe selecting a small ship and being on the ship for seven nights helped in this regard. The smaller ships could go places where the larger ships could not and the seven nights/eight days allowed us to visit the western most islands to the eastern most islands. Our ship had 20 passengers and 2 naturalists. We can’t think of any specific item that could be improved.

The service by the local guides and ship’s staff was excellent. What impressed us most was the fantastic treatment by the local tour company. They were there on time every time and the service provided by them at the airports was way beyond expectations. They took our check-in bags and processed them for us at the airport, arranged and got our tickets and all other required documents. Essentially we just needed to get to the airport by their private coach and they did everything else. The ship crew was also excellent. Our two naturalists actually lived in the Islands and they were fantastic. They explained every detail and answered every question. Their personalities were great and they took pride in what they did and in their Islands which they call Paradise in a humorous manner but also really meaning it.

The most memorable part of the trip was the first island we visited. We landed on a beach and did a short hike on the island. We were blown away by the beauty of the wildlife and how close you could come to the animals. The birds were spectacular and the water crystal clear with manta rays swimming in the shallows. The entire trip was memorable but our first taste will always be remembered because of the initial awe.

Our server met us as we reboarded from every excursion with fresh juice or sodas and usually a small snack; it was wonderful. Also, I have to mention that our fellow boat passengers helped make the trip. People who go to the Galapagos have a sense of adventure and interest in history and the natural world, so you almost certainly will feel like you're in a group of people with similar interests! Seeing the wildlife up so close (both land and marine) and learning so much about natural history, geology and evolution/Darwin all in one trip were some of the most memorable parts of the expedition. Not to mention the weather and beaches are fantastic!

I always wanted the opportunity to travel and explore the Galapagos. I think the choice of a smaller group and motor yacht, the Flamingo I, was the right move. I had very high expectations and it exceeded my expectations. The tours, the meals and the itinerary were well thought out. The crew of the Flamingo was very professional, entertaining, and knowledgeable. I felt as if I made very good friends with the captain and the crew. The naturalist and tour guides were the best that I have experienced. I learned a tremendous amount. I have a presentation to make of this trip to my company. With the amazing photos I took and the vast information provided by the guides, I will be able to make a well versed slideshow. I could not think of any needed improvement.

We were so incredibly fortunate to have had two guides and only 11 passengers! The crew of the Sagitta was marvelous. The boat was kept impeccably clean.

One of the guides was an intern on her last week of training, the other was the President of the Galapagos Guides Association! They knew so much about this special place. They could answer questions and tell stories about the wildlife, history, geology, sea currents. They were both absolutely fantastic--so smart, patient and kind, too.

The crew of the Sagitta was marvelous. The boat was kept impeccably clean. Our cabins were cleaned and made up first thing. They even left "towel sculptures" in our cabins depicting various birds, animals and fish of the Galapagos. The crew was always so friendly, watchful and helpful. They immediately took our snorkel gear and wet suits and rinsed them when we came on board, they cleaned off our shoes and stacked them away. They were great.

The food was excellent--tons of fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and meat. I mean TONS! Fresh squeezed juices at breakfast and lunch. Breakfast always included eggs, pancakes or French toast, ham, cheese, bread, cereal, fruit, milk, juice... Lunch usually was soup, three to four different fresh salads, grilled or sauced fish or chicken, fresh French fries or other potatoes and another huge platter of fruit. Dinners included wonderful chicken, beef or fish main courses, three different kinds of vegetables and salads, rice or pasta and dessert. There were even two nights when they made fresh birthday cakes, one for my father-in-law! And finally, when we returned from our various excursions, we were frequently met by a crew member or the chef who would offer us ice cold fresh juice, or in the afternoons, fresh hot snacks like empanadas or chicken wings.

The snorkeling was the most incredible we have ever done. There was more wildlife than we could possibly have imagined. We saw Orcas, dolphins, manta rays, golden rays, eagle rays, sting rays, sharks, millions of fish, sea turtles, sea horses, and sea lions galore! We saw Galapagos hawks, tortoises, blue footed boobies, albatross, frigate birds, pelicans, penguins, tropic birds, lava herons, and I can't even remember the rest.

I am sure that our individual needs and concerns were often demanding but you always responded helpfully and dealt with us with great patience as we tried to make up our minds and get ourselves organized.

I give high praise for the quality and level of service onboard the ship. The crew was friendly, helpful and efficient. Cabins were small but exceptionally well designed and outfitted. The food was good - nothing spectacular but extremely well prepared with plenty of fresh fruit and fish. We particularly appreciated being greeted every time we returned from snorkeling or a land excursion with attractive snacks and iced drinks. This was one of the smaller boats (20 passengers) but it did not feel crowded. One of the benefits of the smaller boat was that we were able to get into the smaller landings and were often the only boat there. The guides were good, particularly on the topics of local flora and fauna, and were very approachable. The trip exceeded expectations that were very high. There was an excellent balance between encountering wildlife ashore through landings and opportunities for snorkeling (deep water and from the beach). The usual routine was an early morning activity and back onboard for a leisurely lunch then a mid-afternoon excursion or snorkeling. There was plenty of time to relax and no pressure to go on excursions or swim if you preferred to stay onboard and read or sunbathe. I am hard pressed to think how the experience could be improved. I would highly recommend this itinerary which took us to Genovesa and then tracked the geological history of the islands from the youngest and still volcanically active (Fernandina) to the oldest and allowed us to see and explore a wide range of habitats and islands. Each island provides a different experience and I would not have wanted to eliminate any one from the itinerary.

I have been imagining, planning and thinking about this trip for many years and simply decided that it was now or never. It would be hard to select one single event or memory as being the most memorable. Each day and island seemed to bring a new experience or sighting from Red-Footed Boobies on Genovesa to flightless Cormorants on Fernandina. We also saw Fur Seals, Albatross, Penguins, Giant Tortoises, Turtles and Manta Rays. The final evening, when sailing back to San Cristobal from Espanola, we encountered a large pod of Bryde's Whales which surfaced all around the Flamingo. It's one thing to read about the wildlife and even see the spectacular nature films, but the actual experience is vivid, intense and far exceeds expectations. 

Never having been to the galapagos inspired our trip, the most memorable part were the type of animals/reptiles/birds found nowhere else in the world along with the passengers and workers on the ship. The staff and crew exceeded my expectations, I've been on bigger more luxurious trips and this crew was amazing, almost like family.

EVERYONE WAS FRIENDLY, HELPFUL, COURTEOUS AND EXTREMELY WELL INFORMED. The guides were very knowledgeable and very proud of 'their Galapagos'.

Everybody on the yacht, staff, guides and the crew were very helpful and offered great service!

It was a comfort to know that all arrangements would be handled here and abroad, that we would be met at our hotels and airports by courteous individuals who knew our itineraries and needs. I have wanted to visit the Galapagos since I was young and seeing all the wildlife was so thrilling--it was the trip of a lifetime.

Special thanks to Shelley for her patience towards my many-many questions and for all the good hints she gave to us.

We need to express special thanks to your partner, Metropolitan. They helped us even when we faced airline baggage delivery problems (Actually my husband got back his pack after Galapagos. He had a ten-minute shopping time in Baltra -- so no wonder he has most of our Galapagos T-shirts and shorts in his 'portfolio' now...) Thanks again for your help. Hope to travel with you again in the future.

Hot chocolate waited on the ship and the chocolates in our cabin nightly was a nice treat.

The most memorable part was snorkeling with penguins and sea lions, learning so much from the naturalists, seeing our son so engaged in the hiking and the wildlife and feeling so at home on the National Geographic Islander.

Every person on the Nat'l Geo. Islander provided much more than what we anticipated. Their energy, their kindliness, their excitement at sharing their wisdom was outstanding. Every crew member wanted us to feel at home. Their encouragement and friendliness led to our son making friends with the crew as well as the other children on board. They can combine a relaxed atmosphere with unsurpassed service. Their organizational abilities were incredible. We were cared for from the moment we reached the gate in Miami to our last stop in Quito. Transportation was a breeze because of their assistance.

We also really appreciated the different activity options each day and how the guides would let us know if the landing was to be a dry or wet one. The ship doctor helped me out when my leg was painful (from an injury from before the trip) and fresh ice was always available when I needed to ice my leg. One day we were lucky enough to have a pod of bottle nosed dolphins riding beneath us and alongside us. To have the crew and staff join us in our excitement and joy made that experience even better! And when some people were snorkeling and a manta ray was spotted, to have one guide yell, 'Manta Ray!' loud enough so those on the ship could hear it, it's a testament to their commitment to the archipelago. This one truly is a trip of a lifetime!

I dont know if a bigger ship would help that, or what the tradeoffs would be. All the ship and land based operations were terrific. The guides on the ship were great, especially Pablo. The most memorable part is very hard the island hikes were the best for us. We and other passengers found the breakfast and lunch buffets to be excellent. We all wished there were more dinner choices.

She was able to arrange all of our transfers and air arrangements. We counted 10 airplane landings!!!! The Polaris cabins and wait staff were so attentive. The cabins and dining room were spotless. The Zodiac drivers are amazing. All of the Naturalists were fabulous. Knowledgable and so nice and friendly. No question was silly. They knew all the answers.

Shelley also suggested Patio Andaluz in Quito and it was darling and the food was great. The wait staff were so friendly and helpful. We even got complimentary drinks and appetizers with our dinner. Also, my daughters were so happy with the free internet access. The ground agent in Quito was also great. They were always on time and the guide for the city tour was great. Also, thanks to you for the hats and the complimentary expedition DVD's.

It was an all around great experience, but the animals were the greatest. The destination was as expected from all of the DVD's and books we researched. I can't think of anything that needed to be improved on.

They were also helpful with physical assistance. I had a ligament problem in my ankle and they were always there to help me transfer and to suggest using the great walking sticks available on the ship. We used the glass bottom boat on each offering and it was a great alternative to snorkeling for us who do not 'do water'. The girls kayaked and snorkeled, though. We found that the cabins that we had, 102 and 104 were great. They are the lowest and therefore, seemed to sway the least. There was some rocking of the boat! They were also just as large, if not larger than the other level cabins. We also enjoyed the Polaris size as there is a great mix of people and everyone changed eating arrangements so that we were able to mingle with just about everyone.

We loved Napo. It is a little slice of heaven. The people are wonderful. All of the staff was so knowledgeable and personable. The cabanas were homey and comfortable. The showers were always warm and powerful. I cannot say enough good things. We were told that the fame is spreading quickly and they are booked through January, so you may have trouble getting people in there now. I would highly recommend the entire experience!! It is so great that they are doing so well and that it is all community run now.

For us, the 4 days was good. We didn't know what to expect and it turned out ok. One has to be able-bodied to go here. The canoe trips are great, but after 2 and a half hours our knees and backs were grumbling. The walk to the tower was long and a little hard as I had recently torn a ligament in my ankle. The stairs were many also. The girls were fine with it. My husband and I were ok, but were on the slower side with the guides splitting up for us to accommodate our slower pace. The clay lick was great. We did not go to the farther one. The tower attached to the dining room was also great. We saw much wildlife from up there.

The only downside, which was under no one's control, was the very wet motorized canoe ride. It was pouring rain the whole morning. Our flight was delayed as the airport was closed from the storm. We got there and then it started to pour again. They give everyone ponchos for the ride and plastic bags for the luggage and bags. Even gave us a Napo napsack with our lunch inside.

Also, we were glad that we left some of our luggage in Quito as Napo is very damp. All and all, I would certainly recommend this trip to anyone who is in the least bit interested. I have to admit that I was a little nervous about it, but it turned out wonderful. We want to thank you for all of your help with our trip!

It is a very special place on Earth and we wanted to visit it as a family. Snorkeling right next to the amazing sea life was the most amazing. We felt welcomed, pampered and respected. Everyone was very professional. We travelled with children, and were so pleased to find that they had the entire safety and snorkeling gear in their sizes on board.

The Quito city and Otavalo Market guides were very knowledgeable, fun and very courteous. The ship was much nicer than I expected. We loved our room with a balcony. The first time we've ever had a balcony on a cruise.

The first day they took us to a barren island and we saw three iguanas. My husband and I both thought, hmmm, surely this trip offers more than this. The second day we climbed the 360 steps and saw a couple of birds. Again we thought, beautiful scenery but where are the animals. That afternoon the cruise tours redeemed themselves!!! Wow, sea lions, iguanas, blue-footed boobies, etc.

Again, thank you for all your help. I will highly recommend Expeditiontrips.com to those awaiting this same experience.

They only had one naturalist but that was all they needed since most of the people were apparently there to shop. Yuck!! It was great to be with like-minded folk.

I assumed the food would be good but it was even better than I imagined. I loved how there were always options so even my elderly father-in-law could enjoy the scenery and animals. Every day was an adventure and always a lot of fun AND educational.

I was very impressed with all the guides. They really knew their stuff and if there was something they weren't sure about they would look it up and tell you the correct answer. Always patient. More than once I had a guide tell me - when I would apologize for asking yet again what something was - 'Don't worry about asking me to repeat. That just shows that you really want to learn and understand. The only question I don't like is 'when's lunch?''

We've always dreamed of seeing the Galapagos - but never thought we would get the opportunity - and then my father-in-law offered to pay half!

Our room on the Flamingo - Iguana deck room #10 was one of the two largest on the yacht. The other rooms are quite small. One note, I do not know if there is anything one can do to mitigate the altitude issue in Quito. If you know of anything, you might pass it along. Of course, coming from Florida and sea level, it was quite an adjustment. We would certainly love to travel with you again and would be happy to recommend you.

There was not a question they couldn’t answer. One guide in particular was really superior. He has been doing this for years and his enthusiasm and knowledge was outstanding. They also did an excellent job of placing groups of people on the three ships. Everyone got along great and we made lifelong friends. Swimming with sea lions, sea turtles, and penguins; walking with giant land tortoises; personally witnessing the Albatross’ mating dance and Blue Footed Boobies’ sky pointing up close were some of the most memorable parts of my expedition.

I liked that they let us be on our own and didn't treat us like children. They gave you free reign while keeping safety intact. I really felt like they were there for us, that is was 'our' trip. The staff, crew and everyone in between far exceeded my expectations of service. I could go on and on about every single staff member right down to the singing pastry chef to the bartender.

Tyrone, the hotel manager in particular was above and beyond. We met him on the flight over to the islands and he spent the whole time talking to us and answering all of our questions. He gave us restaurants and ideas for when we returned to Guayaquil afterwards. He was there on a moment's notice on board and even helped me try to recover my lost photos. He is a gem that should be noticed. Ernesto was a fantastic guide, friendly, funny, knowledgeable, and very safety orientated. Celso was also one of a kind, he made the trip very professional, yet light and fun.

There were so many memorable moments like snorkeling with the sea turtles, sitting on the black lava cliffs on Punta Suarez with the surf pounding below and 100's of waved albatross flying overhead. Climbing Cotopaxi volcano in a thunder snowstorm and sitting in a dugout canoe with troops of squirrel and capuchin monkeys crossing right overhead. I could list many more!

The staff, guides, and crew were ALL excellent (at Napo where we were treated like honored guests), in Quito and especially on the Islander. Also, the food was wonderful on the Islander, far superior to all other expedition cruises we've taken (the food was great in Quito and Napo as well).

Tourists are treated so well in Ecuador. I have never been to a country where I felt so welcome.

All flights were on time or early and no luggage was lost!

The trip was very nice and very well organized.

On one particular afternoon, during lunch, I spotted a school of dolphins following the boat; I shouted 'DOLPHINS' and everyone jumped to their feet and left the table. We shuffled up to the top of the boat and the staff encouraged us to lean over the railing where the dolphins were swimming alongside the boat. This was amazing and very exciting - I'm sure I'd seen this on National Geographic TV but never thought I would ever experience this up close - I think I even cried at the site.

One more moment that must be mentioned; a whale was found beached on another island. The guide explained the details and asked if we wanted to see it and also cautioned us as to what we might see. It was a very somber site to see this massive animal - silence for a few seconds, almost as a collective respect, as we moved closer to see the size of this beautiful creature. Hard to find the right words to describe that experience.

This trip surpassed my expectations; I didn't expect the Islander to be as beautiful as it is. This being my first 'adventure cruise', I was expecting the boat to be minimal in its accommodations. And one side note about our name tags which were extremely helpful. On the AeroGal flight to Beltran, we could easily see who was part of our group. I overheard another tour group commenting on our name tags and that their tour group was too cheap to provide them.

The kids will probably most fondly remember the friends they made on the ship while my wife and I will remember the natural beauty of the islands.

The ship's service was outstanding throughout the whole cruise; the naturalists were knowledgeable; there were activities available for everyone depending on their capabilities; the food was served elegantly, but every fish dish we had at dinner tasted the same....the food could have had more seasoning and flavor. We liked the small ship concept. It gave us a chance to meet almost everyone and make some nice shipboard friends. And yet there were enough people aboard to pick and choose among to find people who were interesting to us and shared common interests. I wouldn't hesitate to take another Lindblad expedition.

My group all commented on the excellent service. We had contact with the waiters in the dining room three times a day, and they went out of their way to be available for whatever our wants were. The 'Panga' drivers were also very helpful, courteous, and always close by while we were snorkeling which was very reassuring. Cindy Manning, the Expedition Leader, was outstanding! I don't know when she slept, she was always available and on the job.

This was a dream trip I've had for years when my 8 grandchildren were at the middle and high school age.. Many things interfered with doing this trip with them and their parents over the years, but some of my family never forgot the idea. Two daughters, and one college aged grand-daughter accompanied me on this trip....which turn out to be a perfect combination of interested companions. Sharing the wonders of Galapagos with people I love!

When we got to the airport, the arrangements had already been made for us by you, ExpeditionTrips. Thank you for salvaging what could have been a mess - several people from Posadas Amazonas were not able to get onto the Lima flight that day- and we would have missed our connection if you hadn't been on the 'qui vive'. We were particularly impressed with the 'Islander' staff and crew. Everyone was very polite and considerate and really knew their stuff.

I am an animal lover and have wanted to see the Galapagos for years. (I was unable to travel for many years because of my aged and infirm parents.)We really had a fabulous time and were very happy with all of the arrangements. The guides were terrific. All the transfers were simple and everyone took great care of us - It took all the angst out of traveling. Highlight of the trip was playing 'chicken' with sealions.

It might have been helpful to have all the paperwork a bit earlier - at each step of the way we were handed some additional written instructions and in some cases verbal instructions about what time or train station etc. which should have been written down.

I am a vegetarian and the accommodations were made for my special diet with little fuss and fanfare - but I was always well taken care of on the 'Islander'. (Box lunch day in the Sacred Valley was chicken - so I just ate the fruit. The return trip with Lan did not have vegetarian meals.) Actually the food everywhere was wonderful.

Lynn Fowler was always upbeat and helpful and managed to corral everyone and move people with a minimum of hassle and we really felt like we were maximizing every minute of the trip.

The hotel in Lima (Hotel del Bosque) had a nice lobby and the breakfast was good - the staff very helpful - but the rooms need updating - grungy carpet and the kitchen was a nice touch, but there were no plates, glasses, cutlery, etc - so it wasn't terribly useful.

Casa Andina -private collection in Cusco = common areas were lovely and the restaurant was excellent - but the rooms are a bit small and don't give an impression of cleaness.

Sol y Luna was gorgeous all around as was Pueblo Hotel in Aguas Calientes = 5 star

Casa Andina in Lima was really grungy down to the grey bath towels that had once been white - but we were grateful to be there and not trapped in Cusco by the strike.

The wait staff, bartender and cabin crew were all extremely friendly and polite and always in clean uniforms. They were hard working with a great sense of humor. This attitude and approach to customer service is hard to maintain over time and the general policy of 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off (or at least breaks from long times on board) shows up in "excellent service".

The ship was very well prepared. The first briefing was short but that was appreciated after some long travel hours. The welcome cocktail party was great. The night passage through the Gatun Locks is magic--this is a solid marketing point.

Zodiac instructions were good. There was a strong focus on safety in all operations. The stern platform works very well in these ocean conditions; The drivers were well trained and were as excited as the pax to spot wildlife. The open bridge policy worked well, as usual. The Captain and all the officers were most friendly and helpful and interested in speaking with the pax. It would have been nice to have had more information on the ship (i.e. water system, solid waste disposal, wastewater disposal, propulsion, history, etc.). Perhaps some tips on what to do in rough weather could be added--but this is certainly not UK weather or the Bay of Biscay.

Our 10 year-old daughter had a wonderful time and was treated like a princess. The Expedition Leader checked every morning for a special menu for lunch and dinner, and the bartender made her special frozen fruit drinks. The expedition staff went out of their way to do little things for her and tell her about their families back home. By day 2 the entire crew and the pax knew Claire. At disembarkation she came on the PA system and wished everyone a safe trip home and told them she would miss them "very much". This was quite an education and now we will see what imprints.

The Erics staff, guides and crew were excellent. The captain, Pablo, and his crew of 9, must see these sights day after day - but they still got excited for us, and with us, when we saw wildlife or something memorable happened. Christine spent her 65th birthday on the Eric and, as we carved a path through the warm waters, a group of Dolphins chose to ride the bow wave. All 20 of us were up on the bow and we thought it was a great present for my wife so we sang 'Happy Birthday' to her as we hung over the sides watching the show.

1. We saw a BBC video about the Galapagos early last year and that piqued our interest. I received a brochure in the mail from National Geographic about their various tours and saw they had one to the Galapagos. That got me going. I did some further searching on the net and found you - and decided I could use some help picking a vessel as I have sleep apnea and wanted to get the right tour vessel. You recommended Eric/Letty/Flamingo and I was never sure which boat we were going to be on. I assumed one would take us and the other two would be someplace else or unused. We found out, when we got there that all three travel together and I believe they assigned us at the last minute and did so according to language and age. We were all middle aged and up on the Eric - and all of us had English as a primary language - 4 US, 2 Canadian and 14 from the UK. I had booked Dolphin Two on the ship - the one with the double bed - but we ended up in Dolphin Three with twin beds. Don''t know how that happened but it was OK - the cabins are smaller than they appear on the website and we each enjoyed having our own bed. Most memorable was the great opportunity to view the wildlife up close - and I got some great photos. Christine and I are bird watchers and conservationists - I hunt and fish a great deal and was formerly on the national board of Ducks Unlimited.

2. Trip was just as I imagined it. The food was just terrific. I have been on a couple of other cruises with acres of desserts etc. and this food was perfect for our constant swimming, exercising and walking in hot weather. Mostly buffet style meals with a plethora of delicious salads. I didn't know they could make that many different salads. Plenty of chicken, fish, fresh vegetables and fruits. I never left the table groaning like after a holiday feast. Light desserts or fruit after a meal.

3. The guides, Adriano and Lolly, spoke passable English and were passionate about their topics and very knowledgeable. They helped to reinforce the stringent rules the Ecuadorean government has put in place to preserve the islands and did so in a friendly manner. (No food to go ashore, no touching any wildlife, no bathroom breaks on any island etc.) We were usually in two groups of 10 with a guide for each group - and sometimes in a loose group of 20 in an open area. On one day I spent some time relaxing in a panga as Christine and other guests did some deep water snorkeling around us. A young sea lion began swimming all around the snorkelers and then came up to the panga and kept playing at the sides and looking up and trying to see over into the panga. Eventually he stuck his head through the swim ladder and rolled over on his back and lay there in the clear water. I brushed his belly with the tips of my fingers and got a friendly rejoinder from our guide about not touching the wildlife - it was so tempting I just forgot. On another occasion a Galapagos Flycatcher on the ground saw his reflection in my lens, as I focused on him, and he flew right up to my camera twice. The second time I crooked my finger out in front of my lens and he landed and admired himself in my lens for a minute. The guides held a nightly briefing session before dinner each night to outline the next days activities. I have hunted, fished and been wildllife watching in the western US, western Canada, the Maritimes, South America, Central America and Africa and this trip helped me add many species of wildlife to my 'life list'.

4. For people going to these vessels: (1) I took a couple of colorful, cowboy style bandanas in addition to a Bahamas style bonefishing hat with a neck cape (excellent). The bandanas were very useful on island treks as we were there in a hot and muggy time and I could mop my face and head and also wipe any sun screen away from my eyes. When not used for that purpose they tied around my neck. Also I could wipe off my camera and lens if they got smudged with insect repellent or sun screen or perspiration. (2) Pack light!! I know they tell you to do so - but do it. We could rinse out T shirts and shorts in the shower and dry them on the sun deck. There was laundry service one day as well. There is not much room to store suitcases in the cabin so take a soft sided bag if you can - it can be folded up and tucked in a corner or an overhead shelf. (3) I''m an old destroyer sailor so I had no trouble with the gentle swells - but some people did and having appropriate meds can help until you get acclimated. The swells were really gentle and rocked me to sleep. (4) Quito is at 9,200 feet and can give you shortness of breath and headaches until you acclimate - the key is to drink plenty of water. (5) The Quito Marriott was one of the best I have ever stayed in. Very friendly staff.

All aspects of the trip were handled with a monk's attention to detail and the timeliness of German trains. The food never disappointed and the boat staff was of the highest caliber. The naturalists were phenomenal and always there for you.

My wife enjoyed the deep water snorkeling the best - I loved all aspects the trip.

This trip was all we imagined, with fantastic accommodations, GUIDES, sites and just so much more!

We were free to make our own travel arrangements, etc., and Shelley was always available with suggestions or help if we needed it. I gave her some time frames and an approximate budget and she came up with a trip that fit both.

The crew/guides/service on Galapagos Explorer II were all exceptional. They really took care of you, explained what would happen the next day and how to be prepared for each day's activities. After the activities it was nice to come back to our clean, spacious cabin, take a hot shower and enjoy a delicious meal. On the first night I was really sick, and the Dr. gave me a shot, some medicine and also came to my cabin later to check on me. The head of dining service even brought chicken broth to my cabin that night. The next day I was ready for adventure! I would say they all did a good job.

Another plus was that we met some really interesting fellow passengers and our 16 year old daughter made friends with other teens. I think that a location like the Galapagos attracts people from all over the world who have seen many places and have lots of travel experience.

We have traveled extensively but the Galapagos was one part of the world we have not yet seen and it has been on our must-do list for a long time. Swimming with sea lions was the most memorable part. The actual landscape was less attractive than we had anticipated since there are so many animals there. However, we understand that this is exactly what has attracted these unique life forms. The trip was everything we expected.

The hotels were incredible; I have never been in hotels with this much character! I thought the guides went above and beyond, especially the guide in Lima. It was Independence Day in Lima and all of the tourist sites were closed. However, by talking to the policeman, she was able to get us in to get a view of the main square which was only filled with soldiers in dress uniform and members of their Congress. The guide in Cusco was very friendly and very knowledgeable. I couldn't have been more pleased!

Our Program Manager at ExpeditionTrips did a great job. I gave her our window of opportunity for Peru and she continued to work on it until she was able to get me into the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. We met people who had waited two years to get into that hotel, so we felt lucky.

The only improvement, which is not your fault, was the white water rafting could have been more intense. Since you stated that it would be level II and III rapids, it did meet that. I just thought there would be more of them. There were only two III rapids. Since I have significant experience on rapids, this could have been better.

Our trip exceeded our expectations. We didn't expect it to equal our trip to Antarctica, but it did.

Our naturalist guides in the Galapagos were exceptional. Most memorable was so much immersion in wildlife every day, all day! Swimming with sea lions was awesome.

My friend and I were going on a 12 day birding tour of Ecuador and thought that since we were so close to the Galapagos we should add it on to our trip.

Once again, the service was much more than expected and they could not have given us more service. They all went way beyond any requirements to take care of us and make our visit the best. Any problems that passengers had they all were happy to take care of for us. Even when there was a problem with electricity one afternoon, they were able to get the food cooked and out on the tables before it went out again. It was off another couple of hours and the crew immediately got us lights for the table to finish eating, got out guitars and played and sang for us it was great. Most of us went up on top after dinner and enjoyed the night air until they were able to fix the problem.

We had a passenger that had had double knee surgery and it was very difficult for her to get in and out of the pangas and walking and they made sure she was on every hike and beach she wanted to go on.

The staff, guides and crew seemed to be as excited about the trip as we were. The guides were so good we learned so much each day about the geology, flora and fauna, and of course the animals of each island and the waters around. Also about the people who live in the Galapagos.

One guide in particular had a pleasant and friendly approach and he was always helpful to me when asked to identify different bird species. When our ship's electrical motor broke down for an evening, the crew turned the mishap into a romantic event.  They brought out little lights for each of our dinner tables and they brought out guitars and serenaded us.  It was a true adventure.  It couldn't have been more fun if it had been planned.

Everyone exceeded our expectations in all cases. One of our fellow passengers was lactose intolerant, and she was given special meals when needed.  The crew was very willing to please. The guides were well informed, knowledgeable and very personable.  They freely shared information and their experiences.  The captain and the crew were very friendly and helpful.  We liked having the two guides; they provided different perspectives on the islands and the animals.  The smaller groups onshore, 10 of us in each group, were more personalized. The most memorable part?  We just can't pin it down to one thing, the animals, the guides, our fellow passengers, the whole experience.  Some of our group was from England, Scotland, Australia and Canada as well as the US.  We had a great time just talking to them.

For example, every time we left our cabin the bed was made and the towels were arranged into unusual animal shapes. I had deliberately booked a top-of-the-range cruise for our honeymoon, but was still pleasantly surprised with the level of professional service we received. Various television and printed documentaries first got me interested in visiting the Galapagos. The most memorable part of the trip was the inquisitive wildlife. We were snorkeling one day with sea-lions, penguins, turtles and flightless cormorants all simultaneously.

The Galapagos trip exceeded expectations. The ship was actually a little more 'luxurious' than I had envisioned and, of course, the main reason for choosing this tripthe naturalistswere wonderful. They made the trip complete. I felt the pace of the trip was easy, the various choices and opportunities in activities were great, and the number of voyagers was good.

This was my dream trip. I have attended every seminar, etc. at the Smithsonian & National Geographic here in DC and so when I turned 40 this year, I decided now or never. Most memorable...kayaking. Espanola Island was my favorite with all the sea lion pups and the courtship of the blue footed boobies, albatross, etc. We also watched a young hawk standing guard over the nests of two blue footed boobies. It was an interesting test of wills with a 'happy' outcome for the boobies. Because the schedule was so open ended, we were able to observe this for about a half hour or more until the hawk moved on.

I especially appreciated how open ended the itinerary was. If the naturalist/guide noticed something that he/she thought would be of interest, we would break away from the planned itinerary and move on to investigate. I was able to see some pretty interesting things that way. I am very sorry that I was not on the Zodiac that saw the Orca although we were notified on ship where to look and saw it all from afar. I also got to see a sea lion trying to eat his tuna with a huge flock of boobies, etc. fighting him for it. It was very interesting.

This shipping company is more casual and more focused on nature, conservation, and education, and the staff is wonderful.

When doing my trip research, I contacted ExpeditionTrips.com and spoke to a Program Manager. I said I was interested in going to the Galapagos, but needed some help deciding which cruise line I should use, since I saw several cruise lines listed. I described what I like in a cruise (knowing perfectly well that I was stacking the deck in the shipping company's favorsince I had traveled with them previouslybut wanting to see what she said). As I expected, she suggested the Polaris.

There were so many highlights: The level of activity, the incredible wildlife that you could get up close and personal with, the incredible scenery, the great naturalists, all the new friends I made... I could go on and on.

It was more physically active than my previous Vancouver trip. I found I really enjoyed that. But it wasn't too strenuous for the most partI just skipped a few things I didn't want to tackle. I felt a little rushed on a couple of the walks, where I would have liked to slow down a little and take some more pictures, but not everyone is into that, so you have to strike a balance. I still managed to take an extraordinary number!

When there were cocktail hours, there is a reason for them: the daily recap. Now that makes sense. I could be there and not drink and not chat unless I felt like it (although with all we did, there was plenty to chat about!) and still feel comfortable. There were things to listen to, so I didn't feel obligated to talk unless I wanted to. And I didn't have to dress up for ANYTHING!

My husband and I were having some trouble on a few of the hikes--steepness and unevenness of terrain. The staff immediately picked up on this and tactfully offered other options like taking a panga cruise along the coast and shorter, less challenging walks. I cannot praise their attention to and concern for the passengers too highly. The cabins were comfortable, meals were abundant and on-board activities appropriately low-key.

My interest in Darwin, evolution, and seeing at least a shadow of primeval nature inspired me to take this trip. Most memorable: the opportunity to see the animals, plants and terrain so close and at some leisure. The creatures are remarkable in their ability to live with each other and with the tourists.

This trip met our expectations and beyond. We felt like we were seeing things that other people had never seen because of the intimacy of the groups and the opportunity to get so close to the animals. One drawback: guides were knowledgeable, but not always fluent in English so they were not always able to communicate their knowledge. The on-board lectures also suffered because of this.

Their attention to detail in ensuring that the guests had a memorable experience was highly commendable.

The guides on my land portion extensions on the Chiva Express and the Otavalo tour were extremely knowledgeable, cordial and helped to enhance my experience. I have always had an interest in visiting the Galapagos Islandsone of many on my extensive travel wish list. There were too many memorable events to cite only one!

Staff, guides, crew were all truly wonderful...The knowledge of our guide Natalie in Cusco was extraordinary, she made everything come alive. Edison, our guide on the cruise ship was also very knowledgeable and great fun. We were well looked after and felt safe.

This trip was a special celebration 30-year anniversary, shared with friends and this was the trip we all wanted to do.

The strong ecological bent of the company is very important to me. I cant think of a thing that could have been improved.

The whole staff gave the impression of wanting to share their magical islands with us. They accommodated every level of abilitywe had a couple of 86 and 87 years old who were so included. They decided they could do one activity per day; when there was something else they should see, well out came the zodiac to get them there. The staff was friendly and kind and even funny at all times, and no exasperation ever showed. The naturalists had a lot of knowledge at hand, and were always willing to share.

Swimming with sea turtles, watching blue-footed boobies doing courtship rituals, seeing giant Galapagos tortoisesit was magical.

We can't even think of one improvement to recommend. The level of service was fantastic, both in organization and in services provided. We will definitely contact you again to help us plan our next adventure/cultural trip, probably in another location in South America.

For years, we have wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands and mainland Ecuador. The most memorable part of our expedition was the people we met. The Ecuadorians were so hospitable and open. We also loved all our guides.

After years of working with various travel agents, we have never found such eager and well informed travel professionals. We're thrilled to have found you!

The staff was wonderful--it was amazing how patient they all were with one particularly difficult passenger. The naturalists were all very knowledgeable, even if a subject wasn't in the area of their expertise. The dining room staff was very attentive and anticipated all our wants.

This trip has been on our list of places to see for a long time. We had many memorable parts to this trip. Having to step over the sea lions on the gangway to get to the zodiac was a great way to start the trip. We saw a whale breaching the very first afternoon. Snorkeling amongst sea lions and giant turtles will be unforgettable, and the sunsets were unbelievable. The trip surpassed our expectations. Would love to have more time to swim and snorkel!

We were especially impressed with the 4 field guides...their passion for the Galapagos and the in-depth knowledge of the environment. The trip was memorable for our whole family.

Although we did not specifically book a family Galapagos trip, there was a nice mix of families and non families on our trip. Each day we learned more and more about the Galapagos from our extremely knowledgeable and personable guides.

The natural setting of the Galapagos and its multitude of marine, land, geological lifewow!! Its tough to say what the most memorable part of our trip was, but it was probably being able to observe nature so up close. It was also great to have a contrast between the Inca culture of Peru and the natural wonders in Ecuador.

We felt more prepared and better taken care of than others we met on the trip who had a few problems with some of their arrangements. We would not hesitate to book future trips with you! Each detail of our trip was well planned and executed. You guys are awesome. Many thanks for making this the trip of a lifetime for our family!

Our trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos couldn't have been better. Everything about our experience with ExpeditionTrips was positive and exceeded our expectations. All transfers and tours went without a hitch. The hotels you recommended were excellent and the tour guides were exceptional.

The most memorable part was probably swimming with sea lions and penguins. It was also amazing to be so close to the birds and animals without having them being afraid of us.

The staff, guides and crew were all exceptional and provided us with a level of service that exceeded our expectations. We were impressed with the knowledge of every guide we encountered and the efficiency of how our travel arrangements were handled. Every transfer was perfectly timed and executed. We truly experienced a trip free of any inconvenience or aggravation. The ground operator should be commended for their staff's punctuality and professionalism. They were impressive. We also loved our naturalist and the people in our group which made the expedition even more fun.

My wife was disabled and everyone from the captain to the panga diver to the guides to the waiters all put out 100% and 100% of the time to ensure she got the most out of the trip as she could not walk.

Someone would stay on the beach to talk to her, or arrange a solo panga to see some of the things I was walking on the island to see. They were always there to help. The room cleaning staff were never intrusive, but kept everything shipshape. The towel figurines were the object of anticipation each evening.

I best liked the panga ride when there were pelicans, penguins, and blue footed boobies all diving quite close into a large school of fish, but there were many great and unforgettable encounters. My second was following a mother and newborn humpback whale for about an hour. Mary loved the herd of sea lions and watching the beach boss and his harem and the babies suckling, not 15 feet away.

The daily visits to the islands were unbelievable. I snorkeled next to sea lions and amongst thousands of magnificent fish and sharks. Incredible!

Elga, our guide in Peru for three days was extraordinary. She was warm, caring, knowledgeable and even managed to arrange for us to have the front two seats on the train to Machu Picchu. All the hotels were first class and the connections worked out like clockwork.

We were planning a trip to Alaska, but after seeing all of the photos of the Galapagos, we couldnt resist. I also wanted an opportunity to travel in South America and learn Spanish.

The crew on the boat was exceptional in every way. They went above and beyond to make all of the guests feel comfortable. Some of my best memories involve talking with them. Each naturalist had his/her unique style. Though some of the guests had difficulties with certain guides, it was more a matter of personal style than competence.

We were inspired to take this trip by a lifelong interest in the Galapagos. Our most memorable experience was our close encounters with many species of shore birds and other animals.

All staff and guides and crew were great and very helpful and knowledgeable. My wife has some difficulty walking and they helped her when necessary without making a fuss.

My mother and I had often thought of going to the Galapagos together, and she was really the guiding force behind the trip. It far exceeded our expectations, which were pretty high to begin with. I can't imagine any way it could have been improved.

The staff, naturalists and crew were all incredible -- wonderful with the children and with us, and great with all the little touches that make a voyage special -- hot chocolate after snorkeling, fruit juice after hiking, special activities for the kids, and constant kindness and attention.

Overall, we felt the 'Galapagos Experience' was very good but not as spectacular as we had anticipated. Granted we had very high expectations. More specifically, during the first 2 days we weren't sure that we were going to enjoy the trip. The excursions seemed uninteresting and the animals not that plentiful. However as the trip progressed we became increasingly engaged, saw an abundance of animals and found the itinerary improved as we went along.
We actually wish we had had more opportunities to snorkel, as they were our favorite experiences by far.

The ship actually exceeded our expectations. The four of us are very seasoned travelers, having been numerous places around the world. We were pleasantly surprised at the level of comfort and care of the ship and were particularly surprised at the quality of the food. Our cruise director, Christian, did an outstanding job of managing expectations and solving problems.

We were very pleased with the Eclipse and glad we chose it. 48 people is just the right size in terms of getting people on and off the pangas and finding enough interesting fellow travelers to share the experience with. We were able to get to know just about everyone on board and yet not feel crowded.

The staff was excellent...everyone from the cruise director to the waiters to the chef. They all went out of their way to make sure we were happy, safe and had fun. All four guides were excellent in terms of knowledge, but we liked the guides who were less programmed and more flexible to the desires of the travelers. I think the accommodations and the food truly made our trip special and again we were very happy with our guides in terms of their knowledge and likeability.

I think it would be wise to give people a better description of what to pack. You really need numerous changes of clothing, as you get dirty and/or wet on every excursion, twice a day. You really need both sturdy walking shoes for the more aggressive land hikes and good water shoes for the wet landings.

I can think of nothing that could have been improved upon!

The guide was extraordinary. He was a Level II, but he knew absolutely everything we inquired about and he spoke flawless English. The chef was amazing. We had more food than we could eat at every meal and everything was very fresh and healthy and delicious.

The rest of the crew was incredible as well. It was obvious that every one of them was determined to help each of us on the trip have the best trip we possibly could. One example was when the captain pointed out the Milky Way, the llama in the sky and the Southern Cross to my friends and I on just one of the many star-filled evenings.

The most memorable part of my Galapagos trip was definitely seeing the waved albatrosses on Espaola Island doing their mating ritual dance just a few feet in front of us.

Yes, I would book future trips with you. I can't think of anything to improve the service you provided.

The Galapagos Islands have been on my list of things to do before I die for a long time, maybe since I was a child. We finally had the money and the vacation time to go.

How can I pick just one memorable thing? One of the things is the tameness of all the creatures. I saw several sea lion mothers nursing their babies. I could actually hear the sucking sound. The mothers didn't mind that I was taking pictures of the precious moment.

The expedition surpassed our expectations. Everyone was friendly and willing to do anything to make us happy and content. I enjoyed my massage and stretching sessions with Hilda. I really didn't expect such a competent therapist. I was pleased to meet Juan, who was raised on the Islands. It was a treat to actually talk to a native. The guides are real professionals. You can tell they love their jobs and enjoy sharing their knowledge with others.

The trip surpassed our expectations; everything was wonderful. I wish somehow I could give my body extra energy to do everything there was to do. I missed a few excursions, darn it!

The Galapagos is certainly an amazing place and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it really did seem to be quite remote in that we rarely encountered other parties except in the more populated areas.

I really wanted to see the landscape and particularly the wildlife on the Galapagos, which I had read so much about over the years. I think the most memorable aspects were almost total indifference of the animals and birds in particular, to our presence. The most stunning single experience was probably walking close by the Wave Albatross nesting colony.

The trip lived up to expectations pretty well; the ship was comfortable and the organization of the shore excursions was excellent. The food was good and interesting and the accommodation and service was exceptionally good. The deck officers and crew were very friendly and happy to answer questions and the Zodiac drivers in particular were both expert and patient! The locally based guides were excellent in the field and had encyclopedic knowledge of the various creatures and where to find them.

Safety drill was given by Juan on the bow of the ship. Food was good home-style cooking and plentiful. For anyone who wants one, lower level cabin #2 (our cabin) has a large bathroom with toilet, 2 sinks, huge soaker tub (as well as the shower of course). Please continue reading to see my very detailed accounts about PERU, ECUADOR, MACHU PICCHU and hotels.

The only short coming, if it can be called that, was the fact that when we were planning our Galapagos / Machu Picchu trip, Lori had not yet been to Machu Picchu, so would not be able to give us first hand answers to any questions we might have about specific accommodation, or other aspects of that trip. Now we realize that it is not possible for everyone in your firm to have been to all the places you advertise, but it is too bad that there is not some way that a client can pick the brain of someone in your firm, who has actually stayed in the specific hotel to which you are sending us, or can answer specific questions about the trip. Maybe, whomever we are contacting in your firm can suggest that if we have specific questions about this trip, I can put you in touch with so and so in the firm. In this manner one could receive advice concerning specific hotel noise issues, etc. I am not suggesting that we be handed off to someone else in your firm, as given workloads, this is not always possible. Just a thought for future consideration.

ECUADOR:
Hotel Patio Andulaz in Quito (April 17 to 20): At $95- per night was best value of any hotel of the trip. Location very near old town was perfect. Staff friendly and helpful. Setting in Old Colonial style building with 2 interior courtyards was very pretty. Rooms were of generous size, and well appointed. Breakfast had many choices and was more than adequate. Thoughts: All rooms face into one of two interior courtyards. We are fairly sensitive to noise, and suggest that anyone staying here ask for an upper rear courtyard room. Front courtyard contains hotel restaurant and noise from same (some persons are eating at 5 am for early flights) would bother many trying to sleep. Rear courtyard is passive in nature and much quieter. Lower rooms in rear courtyard (our first room was here) are subject to very noticeable noise from a hotel water pump cycling on and off. Hotel should correct this problem, as it sounds as if the pump bearings are worn.

We had arranged our own transfers to/from Quito airport, so first contact we had with your contractors was trying to meet the Enchanted Expedition staff at the very chaotic domestic departure area, on our morning flight from Quito to Baltra (April 20).

Quito airport flight to Baltra: There were huge line ups and people milling about everywhere at this very crowded airport, and Enchanted staff were nowhere to be found. Were it not for our Grey- Line English speaking airport transfer person, we would have had great difficulty finding the 2 Enchanted Expedition people, who as it turns out, were standing at the front of a very long line, speaking to airport personnel. Only when our transfer agent located them at the beginning of this line, did the younger male Enchanted person hold up a sign which said Enchanted Expeditions. He had been holding the sign down by his side all the time we were trying to locate this firm. Suggestion: Enchanted staff need to hold their sign high in the air at all times.
However, from this point on, airline trip to/from Baltra and Enchanted trip aboard the Beluga went seamlessly. Naturalist guide (Juan) had 20 years experience, was friendly, helpful, huge knowledge of the islands, and a commanding knowledge of the English language. However, as we discovered, the guides for the most part, work under contract to ships, and Juan was only to be on the Beluga for 2 or 3 trips, so you really cannot know ahead of time who your guide will be.

Engine Noise: We were prepared for it from past experience on smaller ships, but you might tell prospective clients that smaller ships tend to have a fair amount of propeller shaft and engine noise evident when traveling at night (especially the lower level cabins).

Camera ruined: Also please tell clients to always pack their cameras in water tight plastic bags when transferring from / to ship on the pangas, as rogue waves at the beach during wet landings or departures can come over the gunnel of the panga, and if your camera is soaked (as was mine) its ruined. Luckily memory card was ok and we had a second camera for rest of trip.

Baltra to Quito (April 28): Seemless transfer from Beluga to airport to Quito to Veija Cuba Hotel.

Veija Cuba Hotel (April 28): We could not get reservation at Patio Andulaz upon our return, so you suggested this hotel instead for our one evening stay. Pleasant clean hotel, very small room, adequate breakfast. Area not as interesting as Patio Andulaz Hotel location, but made a nice change when we walked to huge local park and saw how the locals spent their Sunday. Also visited huge American style shopping centre, adjacent to park. No complaints considering we paid only $75- per night. However, had we only stayed at this hotel in Quito, we would have had a much different impression of the city.

SUMMARY: The Galapagos trip with your Enchanted Expeditions contractor and your Quito Hotels choices were great and met or exceeded our expectations.

PERU:
Arrived Lima April 29 from Quito about 8:30 pm and found Rainforest Travel personnel awaiting our arrival.
Could have missed our flight: When we first arrived in Lima, Rainforest Travel person mentioned that they would pick us up for our 9 am flight next morning to Cusco. I mentioned that we were booked on a 7 am flight to Cusco and pick up would need to be much earlier. Plans were changed on the spot to accommodate our earlier flight (thank goodness for cell phones). She apologized for the misunderstanding but said that they were using flight information supplied by Expedition Travel?

Hotel El Sonesta Bolivar April 29 (8 hr stay): Fanciest Hotel of our stay in South America. American style hotel with huge rooms with every amenity imaginable, including A/C of course. Situated in Embassy area of Lima. On our return to Lima May 06, we occupied a day room here and we walked from this hotel to the ocean in about hour, passing through lovely city neighbourhood areas.

Lima to Cusco: In Lima, Rainforest person picked us up from hotel at appointed time and then accompanied us through all airport procedures, right up to passengers only area of airport. Lima has large modern airport.
Cusco to Sacred Valley: Rainforest person was waiting for us at Cusco Airport. She accompanied us on day trip of Sacred Valley and was friendly and very knowledgeable. Fancy lunch buffet at what once was an old mansion, was most enjoyable.

Wilka Tikka Lodge: Wonderful accommodation, located on huge extensively landscaped grounds. Vegetarian meals (thats all they serve) were a nice change.

River rafting on the Urubamba river: River guide telephoned Wilka Tikka lodge evening before to confirm our reservations for the next day, and then followed through with pick up at appointed time. We were the only 2 persons in his raft, but we did go down river with 2 other rafts at the same time, for safety. All equipment needed was provided, including wet suits and jackets, life vests, and safety helmets. Both safety and how to instructions were given, prior to setting out on the river. Nice hot lunch at tiny Peruvian Village was provided at end of trip. For us it was a first time experience and most exhilarating. Only concern after the fact, was the realization that this river seems to be very polluted, as many toilet facilities seem to empty directly into it.
Train trip to Machu Picchu. The evening before, the Wilka Tikka Lodge staff did not confirm at what time they would take us to the train station the next day for our trip to Machu Picchu. We did finally obtain this information when we asked about 8 pm, prior to retiring f

The trip was for a 50th Birthday and therefore needed to be something special. The Galapagos was somewhere we have always talked about going and it proved to be a good time of the year for this part of the globe.

The trip exceeded our expectations in all respects except perhaps the verandah/enclosed deck space which was narrower than we had anticipated from the plan and subject to a continuous noisy a/c. We would have sat out there on more occasions, but still had lots of private deck time elsewhere on the boat. We had difficulty understanding the hotel manager; we believe she thinks her English is better than it actually is, but she was very charming.

It is almost impossible to pull out one single memory as the whole trip was amazing, but standing at the top of Bartolome and watching the sun rise over the different bays and the light on the surrounding landscape was wonderful, especially as it was our first land excursion. On the same day we had our first underwater (snorkel) trip which was equally as wonderful.

If all the [cruise companys] expeditions are of this standard we would not hesitate to be drawn to their program again, in particular Alaska and Antarctica. We are open to suggestions on other organizations that operate at this level.

They answered all the questions no matter how small. They seemed to go out of their way to make our trip the perfect expedition.

We had wanted to take this trip for some time, but it was a matter of taking the time away. The most memorable part for me was being so close to the animals in their natural state.

The service on the boat was wonderful. Some of the guides were better than others. I liked that we had the same people each day, such as our waiter and the person cleaning our cabin. We liked the size of the ship -- big enough to have the extras, but small enough to not be overwhelmed.

We had wonderful accommodations. We had many different flights, but each one went off without a problem. Everyone we met was very helpful and efficient.

Lori recommended the Machu Picchu extension and placed us in the very capable hands of their partner company in Peru. She booked us into fine establishments before, after and during our two week vacation....all giving us a flavor of the region and the people.

We wanted to visit one of the wonders of the world at Machu Picchu and to explore the land and sea wonders of the Galapagos. Our guide Melbin and our driver Hector in Peru treated us as family as did the establishments we stayed in. Who'd have thought we'd have five star hotels and gourmet food everywhere we went? THEN, once we arrived in the Galapagos Islands and saw our ship the Explorer II we were again very pleased. Once on board we were not disappointed. The staff and guides were highly professional and accommodating. Everything from the pleasant wake-up call each morning to the last sip of good wine before retiring was enjoyable. All the activities to and from and around the islands were organized perfectly to make the best use of time and opportunity to get a close up and personal look at the enchanted islands.

They even offered to have a group of interested people go to swim with the dolphins. This wasn't a planned activity but an example of how the crew/guides tried to enhance the experience.

My daughter chose this destination and I supported her because it has always been a dream of mine to go to the Galapagos. This trip exceeded all my expectations! The only things that could have been improved were the air conditioning on the boat (the lowest floor cabins had poor air quality in my view) and sometimes the freshwater source on the boat seemed 'salty'. The food, guides, crew, and the family atmosphere were truly excellent.
The expedition exceeded all my expectations. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly and the staff were also wonderful. The waiter who served our meals had a wonderful sense of humor and made us all laugh. The food includes lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and lots of fish.

Our two guides on the Lammer Law were as good as it gets. They helped make the trip the great success that it turned out to be.

This trip met every expectation that we had, and in some respects exceeded our expectations. Hotel Patio Andaluz was marvelous, with great ambience, beautifully decorated rooms, and terrific Ecuadorian cuisine.

Our two guides on the Lammer Law were as good as it gets. Robert Grimstone, from the UK, and now a permanent resident of Santa Cruz, Galapagos, and William, the dive guide, were extremely knowledgeable, informative and helpful. They helped make the trip the great success that it turned out to be.

I had always dreamed about visiting the Galapagos, as photography, videography, and the study of nature have always been at the top of my interests. The most memorable part of the trip was the opportunity to snorkel with and videotape underwater the Galapagos Marine Iguana, Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Sea Lions, including huge bulls, and numerous Blacktip Reef Sharks.

I wish it had been longer with more time on the islands, but understand that the National Park controls itineraries. I expected the Naturalists to be more specific and have more specialized educations, such as Marine Biologist or Underwater specialist. Several of our Naturalists were extraordinary, Dora and Antonio were excellent. The Expedition leader, Paula was the best.

Our experience was more than positive and if health and finance create no problem I would certainly consider using ExpeditionTrips in the future.

The trip exceeded all expectations possibly because the presentation of every aspect of the expedition was so enthusiastically received and enjoyed by our grandchildren, ages 8 to 12.

The only thing that can be improved upon (everything else was excellent) was a better command of the English language by the guides.

My wife and I have been traveling for almost 30 years and have visited most of the world's exotic places. We made the same trip twenty years ago on the Santa Cruz. We thought it would make a great present to our sons, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren and to instill in them the love of adventure travel.

It was great our guide was fantastic, and Sebastian in Quito was wonderful. The Galapagos Islands and the people on the Explorer II were excellent truly an adventure! Thank you for everything!

I especially like the casual atmosphere, emphasis on learning, and appreciation of and respect for the environment. My girlfriend Suzanne has embarked on a second career, and just graduated with her degree in Biology from University of Illinois, Chicago. This was her graduation/birthday gift.

Most memorable was the beach on Fernandina, teeming with life -- nesting cormorants, iguanas, sea lions, pelicans, frigates. Another was the very kind birthday party the crew threw for Suzanne.

The enthusiasm of the naturalist guides, and Samuel Quiroz in particular, added to our appreciation. The attention the entire staff gave Suzanne on her birthday, the Latin dance lessons, in particular, were very gracious and unexpected. She refers to it as 'the best birthday of my life.'

One minor issue -- we had cabin 306 on the Islander, which is apparently next to the toilet system. Every flush from the top deck created a rumble in our room. This is the ONLY imperfection I can conjure up about this wonderful adventure.

Everything was handled in a pleasant, professional, and timely manner. We were VERY pleased! We're looking forward to more great trips!

The 2 for 1 offer is what inspired us to take the trip. It was all very memorable, and we have already recommended this trip to several of our friends and had them sign up on your website.

The staff, guides and crew were absolutely WONDERFUL!!!! They went above and beyond in all aspects. All the naturalists were well-informed and fun, especially Lenin, Carlos, and Christina. The food was great, and the service personnel went out of their way to be courteous, fun, and friendly --- all the while providing excellent food and service. We enjoyed the crews' musical performance! Our cabin steward was excellent, as well. In addition to keeping the cabin clean and furnished with fresh towels, etc, he also took the time to make soft sculpture figures out of the towels -- something we looked forward to and found amusing.

The trip was even better than we expected!! Recommendations: Later flight back to mainland with more activities on the last day.

The one disappointment was after the Galapagos trip we were to take a 1 day Otavalo excursion. The trip, however, was cancelled due to a strike of some kind.

The expedition was wonderful. The naturalists were great and all the staff seemed to want their guests to have the best possible experience. The Zodiac drivers were so skilled. There was one quite elderly couple on the trip (I believe David was 89) and they were so well taken care of. (Not that they needed it, really, because they put us 'youngsters' to shame.) And the most fun was the last evening when we were entertained by all staff members. I believe it was the pastry chef who sang beautifully and the stewardess also sang so beautifully. I haven't transferred the video to DVD yet, and I hope it comes out OK. The lights were dimmed in the dining room and flashlights were used for disco-style lighting. What a riot. It was great fun.

The trip was even better than I could have imagined. Being with a multi-age group was very good. The people were compatible, helpful and so much fun to be with. Melbin from Rainforest Expeditions was also a very good guide and helped so much with walking through Macchu Picchu.

Posada Amazonas/TRC - We were so lucky to have Jesus Duran as our guide. His specialty is birding and that is what we were interested in. He was such a pleasure and made sure to show us everything. We saw over 84 species of birds, 6 species on monkeys, and assorted other wildlife. He was a perfect guide for us and his English was excellent. At first we were a little disappointed that a NEW TRC was in the process of being built and was far away from the river. The erosion on the shoreline had literally forced them to move quickly in November. Their old lodge was going to be eroded into the water if they hadn't moved. It worked out just fine, however. The excursions were unbelievable.

Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu - WE LOVED Willka Tika! Carol and her staff were the best of anywhere we stayed. Our room was great, the food was exceptional... We loved every minute of our stay there. Carol is expanding, adding several additional rooms that will be luxury rooms. Her plans look outstanding and should be finished in a couple of months. Her expansion won't make it too big...but will provide the deluxe/luxury some are looking for. We were just fine with our standard room!

Erika, our guide for Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu was very nice and did a great job. Our driver Hector was also excellent. We loved Machu Picchu and due to the rail strike that occurred just after we arrived, we virtually got Machu Picchu to ourselves for 2 days. We climbed Huayna Picchu -- absolutely awesome!

Mario, our driver and guide in Lima was outstanding. He is very sophisticated and was perfect for us.

Thanks again for all your help!

[Our naturalist] did a great job of getting us to the best places at the best times, usually in advance of any other boats that were in the area. He was excellent at giving us time to simply stop and take it in and we never felt rushed along. He demonstrated genuine concern, compassion and initiative when one of the passengers became ill.

He was knowledgeable and related a great deal of information without getting in the way of the experience. The trip was further enhanced by the fact that we had only 11 passengers versus the capacity of 20 and we were moved into one of the more spacious and vacant cabins without even asking. The only possible exception to the best possible experience was that a few of the meals, especially later in the voyage, were a bit disappointing.

My favorite memories The stark beauty of the Galapagos, the incredible amount of wildlife that you walk among as though in a crowd at the local mall, and riding on top of a boxcar on the trip to Cotopaxi.

[One of the reasons for wanting to go the Galapagos was because] my daughter had wanted to go 10 years ago at about age 12, and had signed up for a student trip that was cancelled. I was unable to take her then, but it has always been on our back burner, so this trip was the culmination of a long held desire.

The Quito and environs portion of the trip was also terrific. Quito is very interesting and the countryside is beautiful. The trip to Otavalo allowed us to see the countryside and the market was OK, though you get a bit tired of seeing pretty much these same things in so many stalls. The most interesting part of that was walking through the market where the locals buy their every day items and seeing the people who live there. The hotels we stayed in were very clean and nice, but were not as quiet as I imagine the larger, more expensive, worldwide chain hotels to be.

Food was very good with great variety and beautifully presented. Everything worked out just as promised. The staff was very well organized, knowledgeable and helpful. The daily program was vigorous, but one could always opt out of activities. The next day's schedule was thoroughly explained the night before so each person would know what to expect. If anything, I felt they were over cautious in some of their explanations as to difficulty, especially as to the snorkeling. One should be comfortable in the water, but the pangas were always close by if an assist was needed, as it was for a number of us when we hit an unexpectedly strong surge. We were towed beyond it and continued with our snorkeling. Most of the naturalists, and especially the panga drivers, accompanying each group kept a close eye out for anyone having problems. We had heard a lot about the trip beforehand, but seeing things for yourself is always more exciting than hearing about it. You want to be able to participate in as many activities as possible, especially snorkeling. Anyone who doesn't take advantage of the snorkeling outings misses half the wonder. Snorkeling and swimming with sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, rays and a multitude of colorful fish was amazing, but I was also very excited to see the penguins.

Everything was outstanding... scenery, the customer service on the ship, the naturalist guides, the wildlife, the other passengers. The ship and crew were outstanding. The ship was the perfect size, not too big and not too small. I was amazed at the ratio of crew members to passengers. The customer service was outstanding. The crew was constantly doing little 'extras' to make the trip more special. The ship and crew greatly exceeded our expectations and we would recommend to anyone going to the Galapagos to travel on the Eclipse. The only way the ship could have improved would be to have had more wet suits available for rental. There were not enough wet suits to accommodate the passengers.

The whole trip was just so wonderful. If I had to pick just one thing to be the highlight, it was one of our snorkel excursions, where we saw bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, stingrays, and the sea lions tried to play with us and were nipping at our fins!

Thank you, and thanks to your entire staff!

The ship could not have been nicer. The large rooms were comfortable and the crew provided great service. The ship also had a good shower! The guides were a high point. They were well informed, spoke English well, and were a lot of fun.

There were more opportunities for wildlife viewing than I expected, and the weather was better. The wildlife was spectacular, especially the birds. We saw plenty of monkeys, sloths, snakes and other critters. Also we visited a couple villages and met all the people--or at least all the kids. We also had a shaman ceremony that seemed pretty authentic. Just being on the Amazon and getting a sense of the huge scale of everything was also a high point.

I think we would have ended up on a larger ship & been very unhappy had it not been for Ashton!

We just loved the Galapagos Islands and the Eclipse was a PERFECT yacht selection (the ship was a perfect size, passenger-wise, & the staterooms were nice & roomy, very clean and excellent service!). We also met many nice people onboard. There were only 31 people on it. La Mirage & the Swiss Hotel were also excellent, as was Metropolitan Touring!

The trip was a great way to celebrate our 30th Anniversary! Ashton, thank you for helping us plan such a GREAT TRIP to Ecuador!

Also, the materials you sent to us before the trip were excellent.

This trip exceeded our expectations! In our case, we wanted to do something a little different for our 40th wedding anniversary. An Amazon cruise sounded good to us, especially because it's a part of the world we had never visited.

The ship 'La Turquesa' was better than we expected. The vessel is not a typical cruise ship, but rather, it is designed to replicate the type of passenger vessels that cruised the Amazon in the days of the rubber boom early in the last century. The ship only has 18 cabins, so it feels more like a large private yacht than a cruise ship. Although 'La Turquesa' is fairly new, it is constructed using lumber from the local area. The cabins and dining room are constructed using beautiful local hardwood parquet floors and trim. The cabins are small but comfortable, and the dining room has a wonderful panoramic view of the scenery as the boat cruises along. The upper observation deck is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery. In spite of the heat, the observation deck was always breezy and comfortable.

The staff and crew were incredible. Because the ship is small, there's almost a family relationship between the passengers and crew. Most of the crew was local Peruvians who were hired and trained by the tour company. We could go on and on about the service. I don't know how they do it, with a new group of passengers every week, but they treated us as if we were the first and best passengers they had ever served. Here are some examples: Greeted at Iquitos airport; ushered to VIP lounge; served welcome drinks; (Pisco Sours) and snacks; lemon scented cold towels to freshen up; Boots washed after every hike; Cold towels after hikes and small boat trips; Guides knew us all by name after the 1st day of cruise; Rotating dining room tables so we met every passenger on the boat; Guides with incredible knowledge of rainforest flora and fauna; Guides and crew looking after passengers who weren't feeling well; Cool drinks on observation deck before dinner; The band (cabin boys and guides) who entertained us every night; The careful planning of excursions to avoid the heat and sun of the Amazon: They took us on excursions either before the sun was high in the morning, or later in the afternoon or evening when the shadows of the rainforest protected us; Varied excursions: Flora and Fauna, native villages, piranha fishing, jungle walks; Spotless cabins, straightened several times a day; Laundry done whenever needed; Captain who piloted ship for six days without the need for charts or GPS; Symbiotic relationship between tour company and the local people and their environment; helping village schools with supplies; hiring and training local river people, etc. Goodbye reception in VIP lounge at Iquitos airport; Pisco Sours, lunch, cold towels and hugs!

We have given your company's name to many of our friends and colleagues encouraging them to experience one of your many adventures. We will certainly book with you in the future. We all felt the details were well thought out and the accommodations were exceptional. The people we came in contact with were truly ambassadors for Ecuador and the Galapagos. I just wanted you to know what a wonderful trip we had.

The crew and staff of the MV Explorer II, our naturalist guide, Ramiro, the itinerary, everything exceeded our expectations. The staff was exceptional--friendly, outgoing, extremely accommodating and helpful. The ship was clean-always. There were little things the staff did for us to make us feel special--origami towels on our beds, coffee waiting for us at breakfast, wine at dinner. Our excursions with Ramiro--we all learned so much and feel so compelled to be conservation minded and more active in helping to preserve our worldwide heritage sites.

Our children (aged 11 and 14) enjoyed feeling 'special' aboard the ship. They also experienced unparalleled opportunities to connect with the various birds and animals we came in contact with on our excursions. My daughter, age 11, sat on this remote outcropping of rocks just observing a juvenile seal. Suddenly, the seal lion approached her. My daughter sat perfectly still. The sea lion got closer, sniffing her leg and ultimately resting her head upon my daughter's leg. It was a moment she will never forget. This was just one of the many truly extraordinary experiences we encountered on this trip. My son, an experienced and certified scuba diver, was snorkeling when suddenly three juvenile seal lions appeared under him in the water. They were curious and approached him. My son did a spin under water. Two of the sea lions mimicked him. They all continued to interact for several minutes before disappearing into the depths. My children connected with many of the humans they came in contact with as well. Our group included several 'mature' individuals. My children befriended several of these adults and on several instances observed these individuals 'push their limits' and accomplish things that were particularly difficult for them. A great lesson. We all learned things about ourselves, discovered new things about others and became very conservation-minded as a result of our trip to the Galapagos Islands. The Islands are truly a global treasure that benefit all the peoples of the world.

Thank you for all your help answering our questions and booking everything. It was absolutely amazing!

The ship was like a 4-star hotel on water! The service was fantastic, our room was always clean, and things were extremely organized. Staff was extremely friendly and eager to help/please however they could. There was always a good selection to choose from at every meal, and I somehow managed to lose 5 lbs while stuffing myself at every meal. We were greeted by the bartender with a new fruit juice every time we got back from an excursion. This was a wonderful and unexpected touch.

Overall, the trip was incredible. The crew was fantastic, the naturalists extremely knowledgeable, and I liked having the onboard library so we could go look up more details about wildlife we had just seen (i.e. trying to identify fish we saw snorkeling). Of course, the wildlife was the main highlight. I probably could have had the worst boat conditions and still loved this trip, but staying on such a nice boat was an added bonus.

As a biologist, I have wanted to go to the Galapagos since age 8. I wrote a paper about Lonesome George, realized how few tortoises were left, and wanted to see them. Had I made this visit 5 years ago, I would probably be applying for job opportunities at the Charles Darwin Research Station right now!

Other highlights were: Seeing blue footed boobies doing their mating dance right in front of us; seeing young sea lions nursing right in front of use; snorkeling with the sea lions; tide pools on Fernandina (or was it Isabela??); and my favorite... a small (6 months or younger?) sea lion pup left his comfy spot in a tidal pool cave, 'walked' over to where I was standing, and flopped down to sleep about 3 inches from my feet!

I knew that seeing the animals would be a great experience, but I didn't expect the islands to be as beautiful as they are.

The staff and crew were very polite and friendly. The housekeeping staff was very impressive. They cleaned the room twice/day and brought us clean towels to replace those we used while swimming. They would leave them on the beds origami style, folded in shapes of animals and maritime motifs. This may not sound like much but it was a delightful surprise every day. Service in the dining room could have been quicker but the waiters were friendly and very helpful. AND THE GUIDES were absolutely wonderful -- so smart and friendly. Even though they've probably done these trips hundreds (if not thousands) of times, they made it feel so fresh.

The ship was fine. It was compact and so after a very short time began to feel like home. The fact that it was small made it easier for me to let my 11-year-old daughter have more freedom. There weren't too many places for her to get lost. The rooms were more than adequate and while not huge, they were bigger than some hotel rooms I've stayed in.

I have traveled to many places in the world and I was looking for something different for my 11-year-old daughter and me. I am always trying to find ways to educate her without her knowing it and didn't want to just go to another beautiful island that was lacking in culture or anything to distinguish it. Believe me, I have nothing against beautiful islands, but I was thinking about something a little bit different and have known people that have gone to the Galapagos before. Everyone raves about the Galapagos Islands.

The most memorable part of the trip was walking on to a new island and the vista just opening up to the wonderful creatures that live there. It's hard to describe the feeling of knowing that you have entered onto their turf and that they were there long before you arrived and will, hopefully, be there for a long time after. You never want to visit a zoo again.

One thing I wish we had more time to just hang out with the animals. They are so friendly, that you can really develop 'relationships' with them. Unfortunately, after sitting with a bird or a seal for 5 minutes we had to continue on the walk. I really wanted to savor my time with them. But then again, there was so much to see.

The Mansion Del Angel in Quito was perfect! It was very charming and the service was excellent, the staff very friendly and helpful. We loved the location as well. The Galapagos were magical. The itinerary and the tours on the islands were beyond anything we imagined. The ship was beautiful. They were extremely safety conscious which impressed us and calmed any fears we had. The guides were excellent. Of the entire week, we only had one suggestion for improvement. On the last day, they took those who were departing to a beach on San Cristobal. It was a buggy beach with not much wildlife to see. It would have been much better if we had gone up the mountain with the rest of the groups from our ship. This is a very, very minor suggestion. The trip was 99.9% perfect!

We also met Richard and Sue Collette who booked with your company. They were very nice people and we ended up spending the entire week together with them.

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again for a wonderful trip to Galapagos and I look forward to working with you on a Peru trip.

We knew so little about the Islands and now we are an 'authority' on birds, land and sea animals in the Galapagos Islands... and after only 6 days! And, we had a gracious staff - always most helpful.

My most memorable part was when we got on the wrong panga and were taken to the wrong boat on our first island visit. Our guide mistakenly told us to get on a certain panga and when we did we went to the Eric rather than the Flamingo. No problem, however, they just invited us to join them but finally we were taken to the Flamingo.

I was drawn to Antarctica by my love for wildlife and adventure. I've traveled in more that 40 countries and this was among the best yet. When my husband was asked why he was there he said, 'Because Winnie made me come'. However, he will never forget it and enjoyed it as much as I did.

Suggestions: Need a little more information from the boat crew regarding the departure from the ship and how and when. We were the only couple who left after 5 days so we had trouble understanding just how it was all to take place. Incidentally, it took us two buses, 5 planes and 30 hours to return home. Quite a trip for old folks but we would do it again in a second.

It was a relaxing and educational trip, one in which you learned not only of the plant and wildlife, but also of the history, customs, and geology of the Galapagos. We went in not sure what we were going to experience, but left with the fond memories of swimming with penguins, doing water ballet with sea turtles, and diving and playing with sea lions. Not only did we have great underwater memories, but being able to get so close to the birds and other land animals without them showing fear was awe-inspiring.

The ship exceeded my expectations. It was very clean, everywhere was easily accessible and it was just the right size--not too big and not too small to where you get a lot of rocking. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

From the moment we got on board till we said goodbye the expedition leader made sure that we learned as much as we could about all aspects of the Galapagos, answering any and all questions we had and seeing to it that people's needs were met.

The naturalists did a great job; though they had their individual specialties, they each had a potpourri of knowledge on the Galapagos. You could ask them just about anything and they would have the answer for you. They went slow enough on the hikes so that you could take pictures, or listen to the birds, and were there either in the water or not too far off in the Zodiacs while you were snorkeling in case you had a question about a sea turtle or one of the many thousands of tropical fish. The best part about the naturalists having so many specialties was that with each one you would get different background knowledge about one particular aspect of the Galapagos.

The Zodiac drivers were also really amazing -- they stayed right with you as you snorkeled, and pointed out both dangers and underwater wildlife that were right there in front of you. They also did an amazing job at finding land wildlife and getting you as close as they could in the Zodiacs.

The most memorable aspect of my trip was playing with the sea lions. It was so much fun getting to dive down and have them follow you -- I loved how they encouraged you to play with them by biting your flippers. There is nothing in our every day lives that could come close to equaling the amazement you have as they follow you around and invite you to experience their world.

All in all, the cruise was wonderful and I would sail on the Isabela II again! The cruise was really great, with excellent organization and not a minute that went by without an activity. The ship's crew met us when they said they would, got us where we needed to go, and were very helpful. Juice and munchies upon return from excursions, drink services on the sundeck, chocolates on your pillow - the staff were just the best! The lectures were pretty good as well - those guys all work their tails off and always with a smile on their faces!

The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Rooms were cleaned immediately, the guys that ran the pangas were very helpful - they did all but carry me around while I was there. When snorkeling, you always had a guy looking out for you (and the environment, I'm sure). The one thing in service I would note is that of seating in the dining area. Since we came in the middle of the cruise, many people had 'staked' their claim on tables. And, being a party of 3 sitting together was sometimes a problem for us, but in the end we were happy to meet new people.

We also loved taking pictures with the iguanas - they are so cute! And the sound of the tortoises as they pull into their shells when you walked by - I felt a little bad about making them do that and tried to keep my distance but it was so fascinating.

Overall, the trip exceeded my expectations. Snorkeling with the penguins and the sea lions was a definite trip highlight.

We will certainly think of ExpedtionTrips.com when we are next ready for an adventure such as this.

We returned home tired, somewhat bruised, and totally exhilarated by the trip. The three very different and unique environments were totally worth doing. It was somewhat of a challenge going from sea level to 9,000 feet in Quito as many times as we did, but we suffered no real effects other than a little lightheadedness and puffing in our Swissotel room each arrival evening.

The Amazon rainforest and a visit to an Achuar village and home gave us insight into a culture much different than our own. The Galapagos Islands are an awesomely beautiful place and a photographer's heaven.

Parranda and its crew were wonderful! With only 14 passengers and a small crew, we all bonded quickly and everyone helped out when it was needed. We loved coming back from shore excursions to find popcorn and other snacks waiting to give us an energy boost. The meals were great, too. We loved Parranda and now realize how fortunate we were to have her available.

They kept us busy and we enjoyed the options of snorkeling, swimming, trekking or just sitting. The land portion was cool, the jungle lodge was a lot of fun.

The only complaint at all was that at times there were diesel fumes in the cabins on the boat. It wasn't a concern when we were on deck, but at anchor you could smell the fumes. I think part of it is the size of the Parranda and I am not sure there is anything that could be done.

I know with the problems on the other boat canceling this wasn't easy to pull off, but I thought it all went great.

The Ecuadorian lunch was a special treat -- above all, the desserts, oh my!! The staff and crew all exceeded my expectations as well, especially in their exceptional and detailed knowledge. These folks are not just guides; they are all professionals pursuing the scientific knowledge as they work.

The expedition leader, Cindy Manning, was always and in every way accommodating, helpful, and tireless (including helping me with my Spanish). Most importantly, she is dedicated to the Galapagos, and was willing to say "no!" to guests who wanted to do things that could have been harmful to the environment there.

The most memorable part of the trip was the close encounters with the exotic wildlife (tame life?). To be only inches from a Blue-Footed Booby, a Giant Tortoise, or a Galapagos Hawk was truly exciting. Not to mention those beautiful (?) Marine Iguanas!! I also had the most fun climbing around Machu Picchu and enjoying the spectacular scenery of the high Andes.

I would definitely book with you again. You all have always had everything lined up like clockwork, and have always been wonderful to work with.

Diving was amazing, playing with sea lions, schools of hammerheads, schools of fish as big as a 'million.' I saw a few Orca killer whales feeding frenzy, dolphins, penguins, etc. While the trip the week before us had 40 some odd whale shark sightings we were at least fortunate to see one. The land excursions were great, but it was definitely the right decision to go to Darwin/Wolf for diving as it is much better there.

Thanks again for your detailed advice and handling of our trip. We will certainly let any of our friends that consider future trips to Galapagos know to contact you.

All questions were answered and all wishes (some even not verbalized yet) were fulfilled.

Juan the headwaiter took very good care of me with my dietary restrictions. At every meal he waited for me and explained all the food. Sofia helped me with snorkeling (I am claustrophobic). Willy even printed a recipe for me and had a T-Shirt laundered for me that I had stained on ships equipment. The only improvement would be dinner one hour earlier. Most days we finished eating at 8:30-8:45 and being tired from the day's activities we went to bed at 9:30.

The most memorable part of this expedition was definitely the wildlife!

We learned to be flexible when our flight was unable to land in Quito, and having never traveled to a South American country, we were so impressed with the service that was afforded us. Again, my thanks for all your help and recommendations. You had three very happy travelers!

And ... just sitting on the beach can be an adventure with mockingbirds, sea lions, and hermit crabs! For me (Karen), the most memorable part of the trip were the wonderful birds that would just walk up to (or over) you and show no fear. I'm a bird-person, and this was really special for me. For Todd, I think he enjoyed the whole thing!

We have recommended this trip to others many times. And, wait until we get our pictures! We'll be insufferable!

The cruise was totally organized and everyone on the ship was so helpful, friendly and informative. The guides were great and the crew was very well trained.

The food was also very well done with light choices and not excessive overeating portions. I have been on cruises in the past where it seems like their mission is to overindulge the travelers. The day in Quito was fun. I took a city tour. If I were organized better in advance I would have liked to take the trip to Cotopaxi volcano.

We felt that the experience on the Polaris was great for our children and us. The guides were interested and attentive, the service was both professional and friendly, the excursions were perfectly planned and everything ran smoothly.

This trip exceeded our expectations... I don't think that the reading in brochures and travel books can fully convey just what an amazing place the Galapagos really is! The ship was what we expected, although a few more lounge chairs on the decks would have been great. The cushions on the decks chairs were also a bit dirty. The cabins, however, were very clean and the staff was extremely accommodating. The ship had an intimate feeling, even though there were 75 guests aboard.

The waiters in the dining room were always courteous, efficient and friendly. All of the crewmembers seemed to go out of their way to make the trip enjoyable for us. The Expedition Leader took time to reassure my son about snorkeling with sharks and she also taught my 7 year-old how to snorkel. We felt that the boat had tremendous range and the itinerary was designed to give us a real feeling for the Galapagos.

Our favorite part of the voyage was probably the boat detour, because they spotted a whale. It turned out to be an Orca whale, which is a rare sighting in the Galapagos. The adventure started as we were crossing the equator and the Expedition Leader's enthusiasm, fascination and outright joy over this sighting was so contagious... it was a party out there at 7:30 a.m.! The beauty of the island we were anchoring next to was breathtaking... (Fernandina) It was an absolutely amazing way to start a day!

The only way to improve on this trip is do it again! We were only disappointed when we went to the highlands and saw the turtles on the farm. We felt that was a bit contrived.

I cant think of any other place that we could have had such a unique vacation.

The whole adventure was memorable, but probably the best part was the Discovery Dive that we were able to do. My son (age 12), daughter (age 15) and I were introduced to the world of scuba diving. We were accompanied by the dive instructor and had sea lions, sting rays and fish all around us.

The staff and crew were extremely helpful and always careful during the transfers between the ship and Zodiacs. The naturalist guides were knowledgeable and friendly and went above and beyond their duty when taking us around the Galapagos Islands.

I would definitely recommend this trip to others!

The highlight of the trip was having Lynn Fowler, the head naturalist, and the other Ecuadorian naturalists, onboard. Their knowledge and love of this special place was extraordinary, and their enthusiasm infectious. I have traveled with many tour companies and have never been treated so well!

If you receive any other requests from birders, please recommend Carlos as a guide. He knew all the birds by call, and we were able to identify about 150 species in Manu. We will definitely book through you in the future. Thanks for everything!

The group on the Eric was very diverse -- kids, young professionals, middle age people and a few older people. I think it is always more interesting to talk to people of all ages. Everyone got along very well and really gelled after a while. Also, the guides were great -- they were knowledgeable and funny and we could learn as much or as little as we wanted to from them. The La Mirage Spa (on mainland Ecuador) was also outstanding!

I am so glad you received our little gift - our way to say a big thank you for helping us to realise a dream - and what a way to go! The trip could not have been more perfect if we had tried for a million years.

John had absolutely no idea where he was going - he seemed to favour the Bahamas (boring!), but never in his wildest dreams did he think of the Amazon. In fact, three days before we left, we were out to dinner and he mentioned, jokingly, that with all the injections, etc. (although he never knew what the jabs were! - I swore EVERYONE to secrecy!), and the fact that I had asked him to pack a torch, that he might as well be going up the Amazon!!!! I nearly swallowed my teeth, but managed to show no sign of hysteria. He said after he knew where we were going that he only said that as it was the last place on earth he expected to be visiting. I packaged up a parcel for him with all the information you had sent me and gave this to him in the plane flying from Amsterdam to Miami. He could not believe his eyes when he read that we were actually going to the Amazon!

The trip was amazing - wonderful vessel, brilliant crew, extremely knowledgeable tour guides and wonderful fellow passengers - weren't we lucky! Even the flights weren't too bad - I hate flying!

We saw 110 different species of birds during our trip, my favourite being the Black-tailed Trogon - we have only one trogon in South Africa and it is very elusive - have never seen one there so this was a highlight. Having said that, ALL the birds were wonderful and I personally fulfilled a dream of watching macaws flying overhead in the Amazon! The trees were also incredible and I'm pleased we were there when the river was still quite high. The sunsets were spectacular and John managed to get one exceptional picture where even the river looks as though it is molten gold!

We saw both river and pink dolphins and John managed to get some really good pics of both - very difficult as one doesn't know where they are going to pop up! Lots of sloths, tamarins, saki monkeys, squirrel monkeys, red howler monkeys, and a very good and unusual sighting of a night monkey peeping out of his/her hole in the tree! Caymans, iguanas, bats, the odd snake, but another highlight for me was seeing the capybara - quite a large group at the edge of a creek we were meandering along! Got caught in a good old Amazonian downpour - I have no idea how the driver of the skiff saw where he was going, but he got us back to the Amatista safely. All in all a wonderful time was had by John and myself and we will treasure the memories of this trip forever. Everyone (including all the passengers on the boat) want to know how he is going to top this trip with one for me when I turn 60!!! Speaking of his birthday, the chef baked him a special cake, the crew played their music for us in the dining room, and, most specially, we visited a village that morning and Roland (one of the guides) lined up all the little children and got them to sing Happy Birthday to John (of course, in Spanish) - the tears were flowing!!!

So, as you can see, it was an amazing adventure - everyone we have spoken to are very envious of our experience and think it was a fantastic idea of mine!! I am also interested to see what John comes up for me - I am sure it will be just as good, if not better (although that will be extremely difficult to accomplish) than our Amazon Adventure.

The ship MV Polaris was just the right size and was very comfortable. Stairwells were steep though, so be prepared. There are a few overnight crossings with the potential for some open water motion but most of the time the ship is in protected waters. The day trips in zodiacs (known as Pangas in these waters) are a real treat.

The staff and crew could not have been better. My wife and I have limited diets and the kitchen worked around them flawlessly. The naturalists are experienced and knowledgeable, but best of all, enthusiastic. The ship also usually has a video chronicler on board who spends the waking hours documenting the people, activities and sightings during the trip.

My favorite, most memorable part of the adventure was swimming with sea lions! We traveled in November, so the waters are colder than in the summer, but this also means that the Penguins are in residence. We thought that was a fair trade and we're native Floridians and hate cold. But, this is the top of a long list of wildlife encounters and interactions that will leave you wanting more. This trip will spoil wildlife photographers.

If you are prone to seasickness, try the electronic Relief Band. It was first developed to help Chemotherapy patients deal with the nausea of treatment. It works wonderfully for seasickness and has made cruising possible for me. I easily slept through those overnight open water crossings. This is a lot better than drugs, which leave you tired and dry mouthed.

We were impressed with the choice of field trips, including the weavers at Chinchero, the orchids and birds at the Macchu Picchu Pueblo. Cusco was lovely, and there was a great balance of guided and free time.