Best Galapagos Islands Tour Companies
21 Travel Providers meet your criteria (Providers 1 to 20 shown)
Premier
Exodus Travels
View Profile
Total Trips 615 Trips
Average Price
$ 312 per day
Size Global Operator
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Exodus cycling tour to Sardinia - you won’t be disappointed
Exodus cycling tour to Sardinia was a faultless experience. Great cycling destination; great food, drink and accommodation; great office admin support
Walking the Prosecco Hills...WOW
Walking the Prosecco Hills was an absolutely wonderful.
Everything from Local Small Town Italian Living to San Marco Square Venice.
Exodus Travel far exceeded my travel company expectations.
The amazing Tour De Mont Blanc
My 3rd trip with Exodus gave the same excellent service I’ve come to expect.
The Tour De Mont Blanc 8 day trip was absolutely fabulous. Hris, our guide, was brilliant and led us up and down the challenging trails. Please read all Exodus trip notes carefully as they are accurate and tell you exactly what to expect.
A truly memorable trip.
Well done Exodus!
With over 47 years of experience with small group adventure travel, Exodus specializes in active cultural, walking & trekking, cycling and responsible wildlife tours. They offer more than 600 itineraries across more than 100 countries.
Adventure can take the form of serious and active adventures -- which may involve adrenaline-producing, off-the-beaten-path roughing-it trips to the most remote areas of the world -- or food and wine, premium (five-star), family, or cultural adventures to iconic destinations, which involve more comforts and amenities.
What Makes Exodus Stand Out?
Booking flexibility
Award Winning
Tailor made adventures
Responsible tourism
Expert guides with extensive past experience
Exodus understands that new difficulty that comes with traveling during the coronavirus. They are dedicated to offering flexible services so travelers can book with confidence. Travelers can feel safe when planning their next trip with Exodus’s promised refund guarantee, Covid-19 refund commitment and 21-day no fee flexibility.
The refund guarantee means that travelers will be refunded if they have to cancel for any reason. This also includes cancellations due to the coronavirus. Travelers can also transfer their trip for free up to 21 days before departure.
Creating great and adventurous trips is the top priority for Exodus. They offer many pre-planned tours, but they also work with travelers to add or change existing itineraries or even create one from scratch. This allows travelers to create the perfect trip that fits their travel style, schedule and budget.
Exodus is also dedicated to responsible travel in all of their tours. They strive to improve life for the planet, places and people they visit. Instead of meeting the base guidelines for eco-friendly travel, Exodus seeks more ways to leave a positive impact with their trips. This includes economic empowerment for local communities, reducing waste wherever possible and making lower carbon choices for their adventures.
Each trip is led by a knowledgeable guide who has extensive past experience which adds benefits to any trip. Before working with Exodus, many guides were professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists as well as mountain bike gurus.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Exodus?
All ages
Active travelers
Outdoor and nature enthusiasts
Exodus travelers are a diverse bunch, and average between 35-65 years of age. However, any age traveler is welcome. Exodus creates great packages and tours for families as well as fully customized trips created from scratch.
The Exodus traveler is very active, loves being adventurous, and will be less invested in luxury accommodations or a lot of museum time. You are game for anything, love the travel experience of getting to know a new destination through outdoor adventure, and learning about the culture from local guides and experts.
These trips are great for those who already have a base level of physical fitness, and enjoy meeting new physical challenges. Exodus provides physical fitness guides to show how much training you should expect to do prior to departure.
Top Destinations
Exodus leads 600 + trips spanning all seven continents. From African safaris, to walking and wine in Italy and France to the sun-drenched Croatian coast, to trekking Patagonia, wildlife cruises in the Galapagos and cycling in Vietnam, Exodus has built out their global presence and has active adventures in nearly any destination a traveler could desire.
Exodus Travel Style
Exodus tours are designed for the active and adventurous traveler. This means that most tours include activities such as walking, cycling and safaris. However, for travelers who enjoy cultural and culinary, there are tours and activities for you as well. Exodus offers cultural trips based around food, festivals or family to name a few.
These active adventures vary by way of difficulty from level 1-10, attracting casual cyclists and hikers as well as enthusiasts looking to really push their physical limits.
Travelers can choose from guided groups, private groups, self guided tours or solo traveling. Within each travel style, Exodus offers all the same activities from cycling to wildlife and provides the top itineraries for that specific style to help travelers find what’s best for them.
Most accommodations are charming and locally run with 2-3 star ratings. There are some premium departures available as well as unique accommodation experiences whenever possible. Exodus travelers don’t mind the lower level of luxury as the experience and destination is the highest priority.
Why Choose a Tour With Exodus?
If you love experiencing a new destination whether that’s through the culture, unique wildlife or beautiful outdoors through active and adventurous activities, then Exodus is perfect for you. You love that sense of discovery, of challenging yourself and want to travel responsibly.
Exodus offers great tours already fully packaged, but for the traveler that likes more control over their perfect trip, they offer customizable trips. Travelers get to choose not only the destination but each activity they will partake in to perfectly match their travel style and budget.
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Premier
Intrepid Travel
#13 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 1,053 Trips
Average Price
$ 314 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 9 – 30 days
Trip Prices $ 2,574 – $ 8,405
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
Trips in Galapagos Islands
10 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Sardines in a can
Love adventures but the size of the cabins on our trip to the Cyclades Islands are extremely cramped . We have three mature adults in one cabin with no space to move and no space to hang or store anything ( including wet towels ).
If any of us had been physically inflexible or overweight we could not have coped with the sleeping arrangements . It is impossible to sit on the top bunk and even turning over in bed requires considerable planning .
An adventure does not mean cutting back on basic essentials …
In our view there were too many people in too small a space .
Two complete strangers were also asked to sleep together in an extremely small double bed , which meant that one of them decided to sleep on deck or in the living space .
The only redeeming factor was our Skipper who is professional, friendly , informative and skilled .
I would recommend this trip if the numbers were reduced .
Ecuador guide Eitel made the tour…
Our Ecuador guide Eitel made the tour exceptional! He has encyclopedic knowledge of Ecuador and Latin America. Because he has traveled the world, Eitel placed this information within contexts that we could appreciate. That says a lot because we were a diverse group of travelers. The experience deepened my appreciation for the country's marvelous people, history, cultures, and resources.
Experience local culture
With Intrepid you experience so much of local culture. My recent Best of Morocco tour took us to riding camels in the Sahara and spending a night in a desert camp under the stars. We met local people, ate some meals in family homes and truly experienced their beautiful culture. Guest houses were usually family run. Intrepid support locals wherever they can. If you want an adventure this tour is for you
Peru & Galapagos Explorer
Trip Style: Small group tour
Best of Peru & Galapagos
Trip Style: Small group tour
Intrepid Travel - Quick Facts
Founded in 1989
No Single Supplement (rare exceptions)
Small Groups: max 16 on most trips (10 max during Covid-19)
Average Age: 48
Travel Style: Cultural immersion, adventure, overland, sustainable, and active
Accommodation Style: Camping, Hostels, 3 /4 star hotels, locally owned
Average Tour Price: $2,377
Top Regions: Asia, Africa, Europe, South America
Other Brands: Peregrine
Commonly compared with G Adventures »
Intrepid Travel is all about ‘real life experiences.’ With a name meaning fearless and adventurous, Intrepid offers nothing less than big travel adventures -- such as an 11-day hike through Papua New Guinea. However, Intrepid is broad-based enough to offer varied experiences such as food tours in Greece, complete with a visit to a Kalamata olive grove.
What Makes Intrepid Travel Stand Out?
Responsible travel
Industry experts
Authentic experiences
Small groups
Intrepid believes that with great travel experiences comes great responsibility. They are focused on responsible tourism which includes not only treading lightly but also making a positive impact on the destinations they send travelers to. As a Certified B Corp since 2018, Intrepid donates to grass root projects around the world, are a carbon-neutral business and are committed to animal welfare.
Travelers can rest assured when they travel with Intrepid because they will be in the hands of industry experts. Intrepid partners with local leaders to be guides for travelers. This gives travelers first hand experiences from someone who knows the area well.
Above all else, Intrepid strives to get its travelers off the beaten path and under the surface of the local culture. To accomplish this, group sizes are small, maximum of 16 on most trips. This allows for more use of local transportation and lodging, along with fostering cultural immersion. Intrepid also employs local English-speaking leaders who act more as a resource for local exploration than do typical ‘guides,’ shepherding groups from one place to another.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Intrepid Travel?
All ages
All types of travelers
Cultural enthusiasts
Intrepid is one of the early pioneers of the “adventure”-style guided trip. Despite its informal beginnings and emphasis on younger, highly adventurous travelers, Intrepid has expanded to a global company with a broad range of trips to fit all ages.
Intrepid divides its small-group trips into three separate styles of travel, all priced accordingly. “Basix,” for budget travelers, keep inclusions to a minimum and offer plenty of free time. “Original” journeys offer more included activities and hotels, while “Comfort” trips offer luxury experiences that include the highest level of included activities and standards of accommodation, as well as roomier vehicles. No matter what kind of traveler you are, there is a style right for your specific desires.
The age range on Intrepid tours varies widely from tour to tour, and they are welcoming to all ages. The only exception to this are their 18-29 themed tours which are specifically for that age group.
Intrepid travelers have a real sense of adventure - whether this means hard adventure, or simply going deeper off the beaten path. Interacting with locals is an important factor when you travel, as is gaining a unique cultural perspective. A sense of fun is also essential, whether it means going out at night with your tour mates, trying new foods, or exploring the local markets.
Which is better? Intrepid Travel or G Adventures?
Commonly compared, both G Adventures and Intrepid Travel specialize in culturally immersive and off-the-beaten-path experiences. They are top companies to consider if you enjoy local & authetic travel and value having lots of free time during the itinerary. See our ultimate guide to decide which is right for you: Intrepid vs G Adventures, full comparison »
Top Destinations
Originally focused on small group adventure tours to Asia, Intrepid has expanded rapidly over the years, while maintaining its classic, adventurous, and immersive style. Today Intrepid Travel offers more than 1,000 different experiences in over 100 countries, on all seven continents. Regions with the most trips include Asia, South America, Africa, and Europe.
Does Intrepid Travel include flights?
While all your internal transportation is taken care of, often utilizing traditiona local methods such as tuk-tuks in Thailand, international flights to and from your home and the tour destination are not included. Their travel specialists can recommend where to look for flights however.
Intrepid Travel Style
Intrepid enjoys using local, unique forms of transportation. You might find yourself traveling by felucca in Egypt or in a tuk-tuk on the best Thailand tour of your life.
Accommodations, which could range from guesthouses to home stays, are also locally owned, allowing a more authentic taste of the region while contributing to the local economy.
There are a few broad travel styles to choose from when deciding on an Intrepid tour:
1. Basix - Budget travelers who don’t mind, and in fact prefer, simple accommodations - camping and homestays with basic amenities, and crave a lot of free time for exploring independently will love these tours. Public transportation is used exclusively so pack light! These trips often attract a younger crowd who love the idea of throwing a backpack on, keep plenty of room for the unexpected in their schedule, and allocate their travel funds towards spontaneous bus tickets and street food instead of museum tours and 5 star restaurants.
2. Original - These trips take the backpacker spirit of local immersion, incorporating all the benefits that come with going with a planned itinerary. This style is called “Original” because it’s the type of travel that put Intrepid on the map...pun intended. Accommodations are still simple and budget minded - often homestays are used to give you a true sense of place, personality, and culture. Mostly public transportation is used.
3. Comfort - Intrepid is known for the active adventure style of travel and these trips keep that mentality, with a few more creature comforts thrown into the mix. You can expect higher luxury accommodations that include a wider variety of included amenities, transportation is mostly private, though you can still expect to use some public transport, as is the Intrepid way. More meals are included in the trip price, and more group activities - which means a bit less free time to explore on your own.
Why Choose a Tour With Intrepid Travel?
Intrepid is a good tour company if you don’t mind foregoing some creature comforts for a truly authentic, local experience. If you enjoy meeting locals when traveling, sampling new and exciting foods, and traveling in mixed-aged groups of 10-16 people, Intrepid could be a good fit for you.
It’s important to note, sometimes “ample free time” can be a blessing and a curse. It sounds great on paper, but if you’re looking to maximize your dollar and your vacation time, be sure you understand the implications of having a lot of free time during your itinerary.
For some travelers this is an absolute requirement, but for others it can be tough to branch off and explore independently - you also need to make sure you allocate enough travel money for independent meals.
The tour leaders are great resources of information for how to spend your free time, but if you like having a full day scheduled from breakfast to dinner, Intrepid may not be the best company for you.
Lastly, if sustainable and responsible travel is important to you, Intrepid has poured millions of dollars into local economies, and has a very strong emphasis on responsible travel. So you can feel good knowing that your money helps support some of the innkeepers, vendors, and communities that you’ll meet along the way.
Is Intrepid Travel Safe?
Yes, Intrepid is a very safe company to travel with and they take the safety of their tour goers very seriously.
In response to Covid-19, Intrepid has reduced their group size to an average of 10 people. Their guides have been fully trained on new sanitation requirements and Covid-19 health and safety guidelines.
They have also implemented flexible booking options.
General Covid-19 Travel News
Some countries are beginning to reopen to international visitors, with entry restrictions, while others have remained closed.
Keep checking back regularly to keep up to date with the frequently changing situation of the coronavirus.
Want more information about travel safety and the coronavirus? Read about where it's safe to travel to in 2020 >>
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Contiki
#29 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 330 Trips
Average Price
$ 192 per day
Size Global Operator
Service Level Budget
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
Trips in Galapagos Islands
1 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Anonymous
Laura and Luis were incredible, they kept us safe and happy and gave so much valuable advice! The trip was super fast paced which is reflected in the trips name European “highlights”.
European Highlights
The trip was incredible. Laura our trip manager was exceptional and made sure we got to see absolutely everything in what little time we had. The itinerary was very fast paced, and sometimes you only had a few hours to explore a place, it would have been nice if it was a 16/17 day tour to allow a couple less “one night” places as these were often STUNNING towns/cities. I would recommend this trip to anyone, especially anyone solo travelling.
Anonymous
Good people skills
Since 1962, Contiki has been a leader in providing exceptional global experiences for 18-35 year olds.
What Makes Contiki Stand Out?
Contiki offers tours curated by travel experts and specifically designed for 18-35 year old travelers. They pride themselves on creating lifelong memories among international groups of like-minded travelers. They offer a comprehensive selection of trips, over 300 of them, all over the world including transport, accommodation, included activities and free time.
Their product range spans three different styles based on the pace of the trip: Discovery Plus, In-Depth Explorer, and Easy Pace. Make sure to read the details of each trip and choose the right one for your travel style.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Contiki?
Is Contiki only for 18-35?
Yes, Contiki is specifically for travelers between the ages of 18-35.Sociable, spontaneous, and easy-going travelers who are between the ages of 18-35 will definitely love the Contiki travel experience. These are trips for those young people who travel for the sheer joy of meeting locals, experiencing the nightlife, relaxing in the sun, and pounding the pavement for the next unique local gem.
Having a good time, being active, and spending less time in museums is something to expect on a Contiki tour. If you’re the kind of young person who likes meeting a lot of new people, are excited to try new things, Contiki could be a good choice.
Contiki trips are very much about being young and having fun - so you might miss a particular cultural attraction in favor of a group decision to instead explore a local market or neighborhood not in the guidebooks. Contiki tends to attract partiers more than bookworms.
The guides and groups are generally warm and welcoming.
Top Destinations
Contiki offers 300+ trips in over 50 countries. They are especially popular for young travelers looking to explore Europe and Asia. Other top regions include Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Contiki Travel Style
Contiki trips keep budget very much in mind when designing their trips. Expect a mix of 2 to 3-star hotels, guesthouses, and hostels on most trips. Contiki uses a mix of private coaches and public transportation to get around.
The Contiki travel style is designed to allow for spontaneity - appreciate and get to know the culture through immersive activities, outdoors adventures, and local gems, off the tourist path.
Contiki trips can be found across a variety of travel themes and styles:
Active: specially designed to get the adrenaline pumping
Beach Vacations: get ready for a tropical getaway
Christmas Tours: experience European Christmas Markets
Detour Mini Adventures: immersive getaways with incredible local hosts.
Hiking & Trekking: work up a sweat in some of the most beautiful locations in the world
Island Hopping: glide from paradise isle to paradise isle
New Year’s Eve Tours: Ring in the new year abroad
Pride Trips: Go all out for Pride in some of Europe’s most out-and-proud cities
Safari: There’s nothing on earth quite like an African wildlife safari
Short Breaks: Trips under 7 days
Ski Holidays & Snowboarding Trips: Our ski trips are a perfect mix of thrills and serenity.
Small Group Tours: the perfect balance between social travel and small groups
Solo Travel: 70% of our travelers join our trips solo, so you'll travel with like-minded young people who want to make friends, experience new things and create lifelong memories
Why Choose a Tour With Contiki?
Contiki is a great choice for younger travelers looking to socialize with others during their trip. All of their travelers are between the ages of 18-35, and creating memories and becoming a part of something together are the primary reasons for traveling with Contiki.
Groups are a mix of people from around the world including US, Canada, Australia, and the U.K. They have over 60 years of experience leading cultural tours in different parts of the world and have a wide range of options to choose from.
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Peregrine Adventures
#21 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 13 Trips
Average Price
$ 396 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 6 – 10 days
Trip Prices $ 6,063 – $ 10,838
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Trips in Galapagos Islands
17 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Expect I'm not the only one
they are 'fair weather friends'
I did not receive so much as an email advising of changes in the cancellation policy, discovered when I contacted them to cancel.
I now receive automated emails/msgs as I attempt to work through this.
The email states I may contact them on 31 July to discuss the matter!....4 months away.
I'm absolutely stunned by how shoddy this outfit is....who knew?!
Out of pocket $4000.
Expect I'm not the only one.
Highly Recommended
Currently experiencing “Cruising the Thai Islands” with Peregrine and I am loving everything! The local knowledge and immersive experiences are second to none and our guides are extraordinary
Highly Recommended
Currently experiencing “Cruising the Thai Islands” with Peregrine and I am loving everything! The local knowledge and immersive experiences are second to none and our guides are extraordinary
Classic Galapagos: Central Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Trip Style: Small group tour
Galapagos Explorer: Central Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Trip Style: Small group tour
With Peregrine Adventures, ‘anywhere is possible.’ Based in Australia, Peregrine has led small-group, ‘soft’ adventure-style trips worldwide for over 30 years. It was one of the first operators to employ local leaders, a practice that is now widespread in guided travel.
What Makes Them Stand Out?
While considering itself an adventure travel company, Peregrine promises to “smooth down the bumps and rough edges.” In short, it’s more about soft adventure with added comforts than roughing it. Group sizes are kept small, with no more than 16 travelers per trip. Its philosophy is that while “seeing the famous sites is a must, it’s those memories of wandering through a little village or sharing dinner with a local family that leave a lasting impression.” The small-group aspect allows for more time to absorb the nature of the places visited, and to make a minimal environmental impact on them as well.
Who Travels With Them?
While Peregrine is a global company, many of its travelers originate from Australia and New Zealand. However, their groups can be geographically diverse, with most travelers 50+ years of age.
Where Do They Operate? Peregrine offers a wide variety of exciting global destinations, with 200 trips across 80 countries -- spanning from Egypt to Turkey to Canada trips! The company is perhaps best known for its Himalayan trekking excursions to far-flung destinations including Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. It was a pioneer in high-altitude trekking and these trips remain among their most popular today.
How Does it Work?
Most travel is by private, air-conditioned minibus, but you might find yourself on a houseboat in Kerala, India, a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, or a mountain lift on the best Switzerland tour you've ever experienced. Lodging and dining is at smaller, locally run hotels and restaurants. You might also dine with locals from time to time, and stay with local families or at campsites as well.
Why Travel With Them?
Peregrine is a good choice if you’re looking for a bit of a softer landing with respect to transportation and accommodations but still crave an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience. If you’re looking for more individual travel, Peregrine will craft independent journeys, arrange self-guided walking and cycling tours, or arrange private group and tailor-made trips. It’s your choice. Peregrine also helps support various community and conservation projects via its ties with the Intrepid Foundation.
Tweets by PeregrineSpirit
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Quark Expeditions
#25 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 14 Trips
Average Price
$ 745 per day
Size Local Specialist
Tour Length 10 – 10 days
Trip Prices $ 5,998 – $ 5,998
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Small Ship & Expedition Cruise Line
Trips in Galapagos Islands
1 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Run! Scam! Worst cruise company ever!
I had the unfortunate experience of booking a cruise with Quark Expeditions, and I must say it was one of the most disappointing and frustrating experiences I've ever had. The entire process from start to finish left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Firstly, Quark Expeditions cancelled our cruise without any prior warning or communication. I understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, but the complete lack of transparency and consideration for their customers was unacceptable. We had already made travel arrangements, taken time off work, and were eagerly looking forward to our trip, only to have it snatched away without any explanation.
To make matters even worse, the communication from Quark Expeditions during this ordeal was abysmal. There was no attempt made to keep us informed of the cancellation, and we were left scrambling to find out what had happened ourselves. It was an infuriating and anxiety-inducing experience, as we were left in the dark with no information about alternative options or compensation.
To add insult to injury, Quark Expeditions then decided to hold us captive in an airport hotel for three days, with no clear reasoning or explanation. We were effectively trapped, unable to leave the hotel or explore the area while we waited for further instruction. This was not only a waste of our time and money, but it also left us feeling like prisoners in a foreign country.
Perhaps the most frustrating part of this entire situation is the fact that Quark Expeditions informed us that it would take a whopping 60 days to process our refund. Sixty days! This long wait is completely unreasonable and demonstrates a complete disregard for their customers' financial well-being. It's as if they have no understanding or respect for the fact that people have budgets, bills to pay, and other responsibilities to fulfill.
Overall, my experience with Quark Expeditions was truly disappointing. The cancelled cruise, lack of communication, being held captive in an airport hotel, and the exorbitant wait time for a refund have left me with a sour impression of this company. I would strongly advise others to think twice before booking a trip with Quark Expeditions, as their lack of professionalism and customer care is completely unacceptable.
Lifetime Experience
It was an epic personal voyage, but also a learning experience and unforgettable journey to meet wonderful people and a great team (both crew and Qaurk team members) who looked fabulously after each and everyone.
Thank you for all
Thomas
Company is a scam
This company cancelled our trip 3 times due to COVID. The most recent cancellation was less than 10 days notice. When we tried to re-book this time for a later date (our fourth reservation with them), they charged us over $10,000 more for the EXACT same itinerary even after their 100% guarantee says they have a voyage-for-voyage exchange on cancelled trips and we would be able to exchange the trip for the same itinerary. Now they've changed their rules to say they only have 1 date available that's approved for "exchanges." So our original booking, which was the week of Christmas, now has to be some random week when conditions are not as good and we won't even see Antarctica in the season we wanted. For the EXACT same itinerary as we already booked and paid for (and they kept the money for over 2 years for, while continuing to cancel our trips) they want 10k+ more to book. This is a scam and these people have kept our money for going on 3 years now with absolutely no intent to honor their "guarantee." This company has been a nightmare from the beginning and I highly recommend you book with someone else.
Galápagos Expedition: Darwin’s Playground, Central and North
Trip Style: Small ship cruise
Founded in 1991, Quark specializes in polar expedition cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica.
What Makes Quark Expeditions Stand Out?
Adventurous and off the beaten path destinations
Knowledgeable and expert guides
Small groups
Strong commitment to sustainable travel
If you'd like to follow in the wake of some of the great Arctic and Antarctic explorers, this company will provide you the opportunity. Passengers often board Zodiacs to get out on the water or make landings in remote locations.
Quark was in fact the first company to lead cruises for tourism through the Northwest Passage; adventure and pushing boundaries is in their blood and their destinations and itineraries reflect this.
Quark has been a leader in expedition-style cruising for nearly a quarter century, specializing in the polar regions. You can travel in an icebreaker -- including one that's nuclear-powered and goes to the North Pole -- or in smaller, more mobile ships, all of which hold fewer than 200 passengers.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Quark?
Adventurous travelers
History buffs
Ages 45-65
Wildlife lovers
Photographers
Travelers who choose Quark will be adventurous minded, seeking a cruise not for the luxury aspect but for the types of destinations only accessible by this mode of travel. Be ready for lots of winter weather and challenging but rewarding shore excursions.
Quark cruises are all about functionality first - designed to be able to travel to remote corners of the globe.
This is not to say that the accommodations are bare bones - but travelers who love the mechanics of expedition cruises and are interested in the style of these ships will most enjoy traveling with Quark among other expedition cruising enthusiasts.
Because these ships are quite small, the stateroom space allotted for their limited passenger numbers is spacious and comfortable.
Top Destinations
Quark is known for traversing the polar regions - the rugged Arctic and expansive Antarctic. Their ships are designed specifically to cut through icy waters and navigate remote byways.
Quark Expeditions Travel Style
The Quark cruise style is comfortable but not excessive. Think packing hiking boots and thermal layers instead of a cocktail dress or dinner jacket. Accommodations are comfortable but basic and the style aboard ship is informal.
For Quark the travel experience is about what’s on shore rather than on board - though the on board amenities are certainly not non-existent. Travelers used to luxury cruises may find the Quark on board experience a bit jarring.
Why Choose a Cruise with Quark?
If you are seeking a true adventure on board state of the art vessels designed to visit remote polar destinations than Quark is for you.
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Great Value Vacations
View Profile
Total Trips 909 Trips
Size Global Operator
Service Level Budget
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Trips in Galapagos Islands
1 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Good travel experience overall. Hotels could have been more centrally located.
Overall are experience was good. We really enjoyed Venice then Florence then Rome. The scheduled rail transportation was easy and convenient with our hotels closely located in Venice and Florence. We did not experience any issues with airfare either. Just note airfare will be overnight. If we were to offer any constructive criticism it would be our last hotel location in Rome (hotel Pineta Place). It was 30-45 minutes ( not including traffic) outside of central Rome rail station by Taxi ($40-$50 each way cost) where the hop off hop on city bus tours are located and 10 minutes away by vehicle to Bus lines (taxi $10). The hotel offered transportation to the bus lines but their schedule was limited and did not work around our tour times (early morning). We also learned airport taxi was to be another $100 one way. We ended up not staying at the outside hotel the last night in Rome because it cost too much to get back-and-forth with taxis to downtown and airport. The hotel was nice it was just the location. We actually scheduled another hotel downtown for our last night. I researched other central hotel locations and many were cheaper than where Pineta hotel was located outside of the city. Other than that location issue, the other city hotels were convenient, Although, we wish that us would’ve actually been in actual Venice island and not Mestre (outside Venice) to save on transportation costs. Florence location was perfect. Other city hotel locations locations were fine and not as big of an issue, when compared to Rome.
Most fraudulent survey entity asking vital national id with demographic data to continue survey account
Valued Opinion is asking govt id. and personal documents with eye scanning demographic data to share with them after 1 year I created account and as I urged that I cannot share this crucial data and it can easily be misused by a third party out of my country ,they blocked my account on which I had 1700 points left .
My suggestion to all that please keep in distance from this fraud survey entity who asks your personal national ids to continue survey account only.
Hotel was great
Hotel was great! I would go back and stay again!
Great Value Vacations provides pre-packaged, competitively priced vacation itineraries suitable to all traveler types. They are owned by DH Enterprise and Associates, Inc.
What Makes Great Value Vacations Stand Out?
Professionally planned itineraries
Flight & car rental available
Local insights
Budget minded
Unlike traditional guided tours, Great Value Vacations provides professionally planned packages for independent travelers booking a vacation. Everything from flights to car rental is available through the Great Value Vacations booking process.
Itineraries are designed by locals, so you can get a true sense of local authentic living while on your vacation.
Their packages are competitively priced, and designed by an extensive network of travel experts. You can choose from among several types of trip and their reviews speak for themselves in customer satisfaction.
Accommodations and activities are hand selected by their local experts or the “feet on the street” as they call it. They choose only the highest quality places to send you and your travel companions.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Great Value Vacations?
Independent planners
Budget travelers
All ages
Travelers who want a fully vetted itinerary and the peace of mind that comes with having all components taken care of will love the experience of a Great Value Vacations package. Because of the great variety they have available, families, older travelers, and young professionals can all find something suitable on Great Value Vacations.
It’s important to note that these trips are not a traditional group tour or private tour, with a guide. If you are looking for a different kind of packaged pre-set itinerary with a fellow group of travelers, we recommend checking out a few different group tour companies first.
These packages are great for independent minded travelers who still like the idea of a professionally planned itinerary, with unique experiences and activities, but plenty of free time. Great Value Vacations is also great for having all services in one place - including visa information, flight booking, hotel booking, and car rental.
Great Value Vacations is also a great options for budget travelers. They partner with various deals sites like Groupon to provide ongoing deals and specials (although the voucher system might be a bit complicated).
Top Destinations
Great Value Vacations operates tours in Africa, Asia, Europe, and The Caribbean. Travel styles include everything from all inclusive resort experiences, to quaint Bed & Breakfasts, to fully escorted tours, to rail journeys.
Great Value Vacations Ireland trips are quite popular, particularly now as Ireland has remained open to travelers during the Coronavirus pandemic. You can find several different affordable independent and self drive Ireland packages through Great Value Vacations.
Similarly, many American travelers are considering domestic travel for the next vacation. Great Value Vacations United States trips are a great choice for keeping the budget low and finding fun unique ways to explore your own backyard.
Great Value Vacations Travel Style
Adventurous
Local culture
Active
Flexible
Driving
The Great Value Vacations travel style is about convenience coupled with confidence - for an unforgettable adventure. Most of their packages involve driving, and their rental car availability is comprehensive as well as a big part of the value when using a Great Value Vacations package.
Itineraries include detailed directions, all your hotel information, and other important documents are available within 30 days of your booking. You are required to print all necessary documents provided to you via their Traveler Portal.
Most packages include a few guided day tours and several activities ranging from cultural to active.
There are several vacation types and themes to choose from that are available through Great Value Vacations. These include everything from Luxury to Self Drive Vacations (which is one of their most popular).
Why Choose a Tour with Great Value Vacations?
For the ease of booking a package all in one place, Great Value Vacations is a top choice. Their packages have the propensity to be a bit standard, however given that they are created by local experts - all itineraries bring a little something special to the itinerary. You’ll definitely see the important sites, as well as get some locally immersive hidden gems.
They bring all facets of planning travel into one place, at a competitive price, taking care of all the factors that can make planning travel stressful. They have an easy to use online booking system, eliminating the need for you to take any extra steps.
It's important to note that some travelers may find the Great Value Vacations booking model a bit convaluted. They are very much geared toward budget travelers which means you can may see them listed on sites like Groupon or other deals aggregators.
Great Value Vacations Covid-19 Travel Update
In response to the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, Great Value Vacations is currently postponing all bookings, based on the travel date, current news, and country travel policies.
This precaution is in place at least until November 2020 and will likely be extended beyond that. At this time any current bookings with Great Value Vacations remain non-refundable.
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Tauck
#31 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 834 Trips
Average Price
$ 675 per day
Size Global Operator
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
Trips in Galapagos Islands
1 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Nine Tours and Done
Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour.
5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds.
She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for.
Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers.
Still Spellbound by the Grandeur of Alaska
Focused on the amazing wildness of Alaska without worrying about the mundane details. Expert, low-key tour director made everything look easy. Excursions enhanced appreciation for the history, terrain, wildlife, peoples, boom and bust cycles that make Alaska so unique. Clear view of Denali, great weather, days 'at sea' with binoculars in hand!
Most Memorable Moment:
Flightseeing, Tundra Wilderness tour (clear Denali, rare wolf sighting and grizzlies in distance), crossing Prince William Sound (sea-otters, orcas, stellar sea-lions, and more), Hubbard Glacier calving, Glacier Bay entire day, Whale Watching out of Juneau, and bald eagles everywhere!
Tauck/Aon terrible travel insurance
Tauck partners with Aon for travel insurance. We bought this insurance through Tauck specifically to cover us in case of a positive for test for Covid and could not go on the cruise. Three days before the trip, one of us tested positive with very mild symptoms. We contacted Tauck and they agreed to refund 1/2 of the tour cost and the insurance would pay for the other half. When we called the insurance they said they required a PCF test. The test was taken and came back positive. Two months later they denied the claim because we didn’t go to a doctor. That was not necessary or practical. We had proof of Covid. Tauck is not willing to help. This was the insurance they recommended and sold to customers. We have now read many reviews of terrible service from Aon. Why is Tauck a partner to this company and not willing to help their clients? BEWARE. Terrible customer service.
Founded in 1925 by Arthur Tauck, the company has blossomed from a New England motor coach tour agency to offering trips throughout the world -- by land (including rail), sea, and sometimes by air (private air charters, helicopters). But it remains a Tauck family-run business, now in its fourth generation.
Quick Facts
Founded in 1925
Luxury travel with a friendly touch
Small groups, large groups, river cruises
Solo friendly
Average tour price is around $6,000 p/p
Unique partnerships: BBC Earth, offering science themed nature tours, Ken Burns journeys in the US
What Makes Tauck Stand Out
Long legacy
Classic destinations
Several types of itinerary, from cruises to family trips
All inclusive pricing
Themed trips
“No grouches or pessimists” was the plea in a 1920s newspaper ad for a small tour group. From that small automobile taking curious, adventurous New Yorkers along dusty roads through beautiful New England, Tauck has come a long way, now offering guided tours throughout the world.
They look upon their legacy with immense pride, as well they should. Arthur Tauck was an immigrant who pulled himself up by bootstraps and engenuity, and his name represents a supreme, classic and classy tour experience.
Tauck is a long-established high-quality tour operator with a strong reputation as one of the top companies offering upper-mid-range to luxury group travel and river cruises for the 50+ crowd. While its staple has been European and North American land tours, Tauck has been increasingly expanding into special family trips, exotic locations, and recent award-winning European river cruising.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Tauck?
Families
50+
River cruisers
History buffs
Pricing is virtually all-inclusive -- no additional options that can run up costs are offered during the trips, yet this is not a place for the true budget traveler. Though they offer several different types of tours, from family vacations to river cruising, attracting and serving a diverse customer group, the legacy of tradition and comfortability appeals largely to older and middle aged travelers.
Solo travelers are very welcome on Tauck trips, and pay a low single supplement. Numerous specifically solo friendly tours are offered. You’ll meet romantic singles, or simply independent minded travelers, of all ages.
Large family or friend groups could find a great fit at Tauck. Particularly because if your group is 11 people, the 11th travels for free! Because of Tauck’s impressively wide reaching themes and styles for families, having several different ages will be easier to entertain than they might be with other companies.
They even have dedicated “family river cruises”. So if you’re considering a multi-gen family reunion or have a large group of friends with various ages, Tauck could be a good choice.
Top Destinations
Tauck destinations include all seven continents -- so whether you're trying to plan an Iceland vacation or looking to take a trip to Canada, consider Tauck!
Special themes may include food and wine, North American national parks, fall foliage, solo travel, African safaris, “Culturious” travel (for culturally curious baby boomers), “Bridges” (for families), and “Events,” which are considered once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences.
These may feature a trip to the Kentucky Derby or journeys based around themes of Ken Burns films, with a chance to meet Burns himself.
Tauck Travel Style
Tauck’s travel style is all about seeing destinations in comfort, yet with a strong sense of adventure and desire to see different sides of the destination - from local life to culturally immersive activities.
Land tours are where they began, and they offer hundreds of different tours of various lengths around the world. Typically accommodations are in comfortable 3, 4, and occasionally 5 star hotels.
Tauck has an award winning river cruise line, covering a variety of European rivers. They strive to create an intimate setting, where customer service is not compromised. Small ship cruises use 40- to 264-passenger-size yachts and expeditionary vessels that can visit small islands and other locations that big ships cannot. The staff is known for its attentiveness and individualized service.
Among Tauck’s unique partnerships is a special connection with the BBC Earth, through which they offer what they call “Earth Journeys”. These explore the natural world with emphasis on being outdoors learning the fascinating earth science behind stunning nature and wildlife.
Tauck is a luxury minded brand, and their prices do tend to sit in the upper budget range. Think an average price between $5,000 and $7,000 per person. That said, they strive to reflect a friendliness and openness, and steer away from any kind of “stuffy” feeling. Their trips are comprehensive and full of enriching cultural activities, while also appreciating the value behind enjoying a cocktail hour before heading into dinner.
Why Choose a Tour or River Cruise With Tauck?
Tauck has an impressive array of travel styles and tours, suitable to numerous types of travelers. They are especially popular with large family groups and corporate groups, as well as very friendly to solo / single travelers.
A renowned, award winning, and well established company, they seamlessly marry innovation with legacy - sticking to their roots while continuing to create unique offerings. Some of its biggest growth has come on water, where Tauck operates a fleet of seven European river boats and a number of small ship cruises. Their customer service, attentive and knowledgeable guides are definitely a key component to their popularity.
Tauck offers something for just about everyone.
Covid-19 Updates
Tauck has an internal "Global Response Team" that is poised and ready for responding to the unexpected, from extreme weather events to outbreaks.
They have implemented stringent safety requirements for their trips going forward, training guides on enhanced protocols and health screening practices. Guests will be required to wear face coverings on all outings.
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Premier
Collette
#7 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 551 Trips
Average Price
$ 289 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 14 – 14 days
Trip Prices $ 6,349 – $ 7,179
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Trips in Galapagos Islands
8 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Customer support/service/care whatever name they use, failed me. In addition there were Zero toilets available on all coach buses.
When I needed their customer service or support or care team, a fancy name, for an awful service, they failed me. In addition when I was stranded at the airport the tour guide couldnt find the phone number for the above Collette service. It was an absolute nightmare. I will never travel with them again, and I am a seasoned traveller. In addition, although they advertised there air conditioned coaches contain toilet facilities, they did not. This was on all 5 or 6 different coach buses, not One had a toilet facility we could use. Anyway, there are Much better tour companies out there with a better value. In closing, I dont want to hear the words "beef or fish" ever again. Poor food selection on included meals. Youve been warned.
is so unprecedented
During this coronavirus we had a trip to Italy my mom is 89 and we unfortunately didn’t take out the insurance and they have said they can only give us only 30% on the land and zero on air fare back and I just think it’s poor business in a situation that is so unprecedented
It was a wonderful trip and experience!
It was a wonderful trip and experience! We are still sorting all the pictures and memories about it, and some of them I would like to share with you - read my diary about this trip!
My Diary about our trip to South Dakota
shorturl.at/efoX1
Machu Picchu & Galapagos Wonders featuring a 4-Night Cruise - 2022
Trip Style: Group tour
Machu Picchu & the Galapagos Islands featuring a 3-Night Cruise & 1-Night Island Stay - 2021
Trip Style: Group tour
With a history that goes back to 1918, their experience speaks for itself. They provide comprehensive, well-managed guided tours for travelers seeking an exploratory, comfortable travel experience.
Collette - Quick Facts
Founded in 1918
Group size: It varies. Collette offers private and customizable tours, as well as small groups of between 14-24 guests
Typical age range: 45+
Average tour price: $2,996
Accommodation style: 4 star and above hotels and unique locations
Top regions: USA & Canada, Europe & UK
Commonly compared with Tauck and Trafalgar
What Makes Collette Tours Stand Out?
Flexibility & personalization
Expert tour managers
Easy booking process
Private & Customizable tours
Balances iconic must-sees with immersive cultural experiences
A long history in guided tourism means Collette knows every inch of guided travel. Take care of all the details like it’s second nature, and even though it's old hat every traveler is new and they dig into that. Collette recognizes that no two traveler is the same and approach each planning experience from a perspective of flexibility and personalization.
Their goal is to ease the hardship of planning and organizing for the traveler so you can fully enjoy the experience without worry or stress. At Collette, they know guided travel and have been successfully leading tours around the world to a growing, devoted customer base for nearly 100 years.
Collette tours are about letting you, the traveler, experience unbelievable, classic, and unique moments around the world.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Collette?
Travelers aged 45+
Moderately active travelers
Upper budget range
Do you love the ease of mind that comes with having every detail taken care of when you travel? Details that allow you to relax and enjoy the special little moments of discovering the world; learning about new cultures, awe inspiring wildlife encounters, and leisurely meals highlighting local cuisine? Then you are ideally suited to Collette tours.
The Collette traveler is typically older, in the 50+ range. Travelers who enjoy the finer things, value a premium to luxury style of accommodation and transportation, yet have an adventurous spirit will love traveling with Collette.
Recent retirees and active seniors who are game for anything are the kind of traveler who relish a tour with Collette - check out this group in Costa Rica - taking part in Costa Rica's famous ziplines!
If you don't want to be encouraged to jump in and push your comfort zone a bit, you may find yourself out of step on a majority of Collette tours. They have several offerings though, so don't let that discourage you.
Collette is ideal for active travelers who enjoy a comprehensive guided tour, with a lot of activity, and local experiences. These tours can involve extensive walking, sometimes over uneven surfaces, so a certain basic level of physical fitness is required.
Tours with Collette are classified by 5 basic physical levels, to help you find one best suited to you:
Level 1 - Mostly flat services and minimal walking. You should be comfortabe with climbing a few stairs, plus getting in and out of the coach
Level 2 - Average physical ability is required such as long stairs and walks of a few hours. Some walks may be over uneven ground.
Level 3 - Slightly longer distances and more frequent walks can be expected. Expect stairs and some uneven surfaces such as cobblestones or nature trails.
Level 4 - Expect to be on your feet longer, including periods of standing and more extensive walking periods. These tours may also feature nighttime activities, so you'll be active for a longer period of time.
Level 5 - Very active travel. Expect adventure experiences and activities, early mornings and late nights. You can also expect to experience the elements so be ready for rain, wind, dust, what have you.
Free days are included in most Collette tours, giving travelers time to relax, take walks on the beach, or maybe do some shopping.
If you’re the kind of traveler for whom the a glass of champagne out in the blazing sun of the Australian outback, gazing at Uluru, sounds idyllic - then Collette would be perfect for you.
Top Destinations
Collette tours travel all around the world, to all 7 continents including Antarctica. They are well known for Central and South America, Australia, and Africa. They also offer an impressive variety of North America tours including several in the United States and Canada.
Travel styles include everything from river cruises to family tours to faith based tours.
Collette Travel Style
Collette promises the “trip of a lifetime” through exclusive outings, luxury touches, and appreciating the moments of anticipation before the world reveals itself. Their travel style is about discovering new cultures, embracing the explorer within -- in time for a cocktail at the end of the day.
They have 6 broad classifications for travel style: Classic, Explorations, Spotlights, River Cruise, Faith, and Impact Travel:
1. Classic Collette Tours - This is what they call their Flagship collection, group tours that make the postcard come to life. Visit all the must see sites, enjoy cultural experiences, all with a professional and knowledgeable guide, there to help make your travel as seamless as possible. Groups are on the larger side
2. Explorations - These tours are about going deeper, meeting locals, and getting off the beaten path. “Authenticity” is a big word for Collette Explorations. You’ll experience the destination in a smaller group, an average of 18 people, allowing for access to more local experiences not available to larger groups. Classic sites will also be included in your itinerary, but the focus is mostly on unique experiences.
3. Spotlights - Have a shorter amount of time and don’t want to miss anything? Collette Spotlight tours are designed to maximize your city stay or short getaway experience. These are primarily walking tours, packed with sightseeing, historical and cultural information, but with some downtime as well. Typically these tours are between 5-9 days.
4. River Cruise - A very popular mode of travel, particularly for 50+ travelers, river cruising is ideal for those seeking a leisurely vacation, unpacking only once, enjoying gliding by beautiful sites and participating in various guided shore excursions. Collette river cruises go around the world, including China, Egypt, and Europe.
5. Faith - For those travelers interested in visiting religious sites, Collette has a group of tours dedicated to faith based travel. Visit world famous icons and learn their ancient histories.
Collette Faith tours visit everything from grand churches to the humble beginnings of the three major world religions in the Holy Land. Tours are history based with an emphasis on finding deeper spiritual significance and meaning. They also have trips to the Oberammergau Passion Play.
6. Impact Travel - Being a responsible traveler is an important component on all Collette tours, however if you’re seeking to do more to give back, their Impact Tours are a great way to do so. Sightsee with a purpose as you assist with local initiatives, volunteering among the community, helping in classrooms, and protecting local wildlife.
Why Choose a Tour with Collette?
Flexibility in planning
Extensions available pre or post tour date
Private airport transfer
Expert planners
If you are looking for an entertaining, fully escorted, active tour to explore new cultures, and enjoy unique experiences, Collette could be for you. They provide a dedicated guide, and handle all the details throughout the tour.
Free time is available on some days, but for the most part expect fairly full itineraries and a good amount of walking on their group tours. Some optional excursions are offered during the tour, so you can tailor your experience to a certain extent.
This is a great opportunity for meeting fellow travelers in a similar age range. Collette tours are open to everyone, but the majority of people on your tour will be older - in the 50+ range. Collette tours are ideal for travelers who want to have fun, enjoy the outdoors, and are open to new experiences.
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Preferred
Abercrombie & Kent
#44 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 372 Trips
Average Price
$ 763 per day
Size Global Operator
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Trips in Galapagos Islands
3 Tours in Galapagos Islands
High Fees with Low Quality Experience
Recently traveled throughout Japan coordinated by A & K. Two couples, paid $4k per day for excursions alone (hotel not included). Experience FAR below what one would expect for this fee. Lunch at a food court in a mall. Nothing unique or helpful to elevate the experience. Booking the activities ourself would have cost less than half the total fee we paid. Guides were pleasant but certainly not insightful or highly knowledgable. Called A & K and spoke with Julie Skrei, director of sales, to explain our experience. She was highly defensive and rude. I would caution you strongly about using this company for any travel. Looked online and they actually rank 1.8 out of 5 stars on Yelp with similar experiences described there. Wish I had read those before agreeing to using their service.
COMPANY IS IN REAL FINACIAL TROUBLE
THIS COMPANY HELD ME FINACIALLY HOSTAGE FOR A AFRICAN MAY 2021 SAFARI. I HAD TO CANCELL THE SEPTEMBER 2021 TRIP BECAUSE THEY BASCIALLY STEALLING MONEY FROM ME. DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM.
Best tour; from the guides to the hotels to the sites - absolutely top notch
We did a private tour of Peru with A&K for our 30th wedding anniversary. It was truly remarkable. The attention to detail, sites we visited, hotels we stayed at and meals were absolutely fantastic. From the moment we arrived at the airport to the moment dropped off at the end of our tour we were made to feel special. Fantastic guide who told us the history and showed us the parts other tours miss. Highly recommended
Co-founded by current CEO Geoffrey Kent in 1962, Abercrombie & Kent started out in modest fashion as an African safari operator, but quickly grew into one of the world's premiere luxury travel brands. Today they cover the globe, with 50 offices worldwide.
What Makes Abercrombie & Kent Stand Out?
Award-winning luxury tour operator
Insider-access opportunities
Focus on culture, wildlife, and history
Abercrombie & Kent is one of the world’s leading luxury travel companies. The emphasis is very much on luxury here -- whether it’s small-group travel (limit of 18 per group), tailor-made journeys, expedition cruises, train travel, African safaris, European barge cruises, or any of its many other offerings, just about everything A&K arranges is top of the line.
They are specific in their travel style, promising superior and attentive service, comfort, and cultural exploration. While this may seem exclusionary - and the prices are quite a barrier to entry.
Luxury travel might have a reputation for being swanky and even perhaps a bit dull, particularly for those who travel for adventure, the image being a glass of champagne all day long, moving from meal to meal, sitting on the private deck of a cruise ship. This perspective is a misnomer however, as there is quite a bit of action available on tours with Abercrombie & Kent.
Enjoy invigorating walks, hikes, get outdoors to remote locations, meeting local people and learning about their cultures; experience the thrill of getting up close to waterfalls, and poise your camera for the perfect shot on a safari. Then retire to your room for a cocktail before dinner.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Abercrombie & Kent?
Ages 65-75
Luxury travelers
Abercrombie & Kent travelers embody an adventurous spirit, but enjoy the finer things as well. “Elegant exploration” is one way to put it. These travelers appreciate a slow pace and personalized attentive service. The age range tends to be older - baby boomers and seniors looking for a relaxing experience, with many cultural touch-points, but not overly “immersive” as their children and grandchildren might prefer.
This is upper crest travel at its finest - though Abercrombie & Kent makes a concerted effort to be worldly and inviting, your experience is definitely a luxury version of any given destination. This is a travel company that offers Private Jet trips, some of which offering the chance to meet an Abercrombie & Kent family member.
Think private after hours tours, exclusive outings with artisans, chefs, and winemakers; spectacular meals and accommodations that go a touch beyond comfortable. Imagine the civilized world of cocktail hour and dressing for dinner, but in the context of exploration. Perhaps you’re sipping your negroni on the deck of your private suite in Kenya, gazing out across the savannah with elephants silhouetted in the distance, against the dusty yellow sunlight of dusk. This is the wonderful travel world waiting for you with Abercrombie & Kent.
The majority of A&K’s guests come from North America or Britain. A&K trips are definitely not for the budget traveler, but they offer deluxe lodgings and transport and exceptionally attentive service, which their customers value highly.
Top Destinations
Abercrombie & Kent made its name offering luxury small group and private safaris in Africa. Today they go around the world, but with the same luxurious approach.
Luxury doesn’t mean same-old, same-old or unadventurous though. Groups head off on Antarctic expeditions or Uganda gorilla safaris, visit Tibet or Machu Picchu, join a European or Nile river cruise, or travel to India’s Pushkar Fair.
You can ride deluxe trains or fly across Africa by private jet with Abercrombie & Kent. Or you can outline your own tailor-made journey under the guidance of an A&K consultant, then be accompanied by their guides throughout.
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Style
There could be a tendency to view Abercrombie & Kent as old fashioned when it comes to travel style. However there is a difference between old fashioned and appreciating a traditional travel style. Those who travel with Abercrombie & Kent do expect a certain kind of experience. From luggage handling to having the salad fork in the correct order, from short or non-existent lines to special assistance when needed. These expectations have become the blueprint for an Abercrombie & Kent travel experience.
Transportation on an Abercrombie & Kent tour is almost always private and chartered. Exceptions would of course be rail journeys, but here you would have a private car and access to first class dining and viewing. Your journey may involve anything from helicopters, private jets, luxury coaches, and yachts. Walking is a common part of most guided tours, but you can expect simple and easy distances during your A&K itinerary. (Unless of course you are on a Gorilla Trek!).
Accommodation follows a similar pattern. Luxury hotels, safari lodges, villas, you name it and it’s probably available.
Why Choose a Tour With Abercrombie & Kent?
Abercrombie & Kent promises to deliver an authentic, “insider” travel experience, such as seeing Machu Picchu under the guidance of its former resident archaeologist. You can even ride an elegant train to get there. In Tanzania, A&K runs its own luxury safari camps.
From the time they first meet you at the airport until trip end, Abercrombie & Kent promises that your trip will go as smoothly as possible -- and that their entire global organization will be dedicated toward that goal.
It may strike some as contradictory to see certain parts of the world in luxury. Some countries have luxury homes, but they are only available to tourists and travelers because the locals simply occupy a different social sphere. There is a unique dependency on tourism in much of the world. Abercrombie & Kent takes this seriously, doing their philanthropic part wherever possible, giving back to the local communities.
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Cosmos
#36 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 144 Trips
Average Price
$ 175 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 17 – 30 days
Trip Prices $ 4,609 – $ 7,219
Service Level Budget
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Trips in Galapagos Islands
5 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Cosmos? No
We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good.
-During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-hotel transfers
-The whispers (listening devices) didn't work from the get-go, so no whispers were used during the 13 day trip.
- Porters are no longer hired to bring your luggage to and from your room. (Very elderly had to handle their own luggage. Our friends had to help many of them.)
-A few days into the trip one couple left. At the end of the trip we found out they had covid. Cosmos did not let us know; a few people weren't feeling well and two of our friends then tested positive.
-One hotel was awful and not even up to "budget" standards
-Many of the stops had castles, churches... but were not included, so be sure to count that in when pricing.
don't plan to use Cosmos ever again. Gate1 is the best in my opinion. When my husband's passport was stolen, they assigned someone to go with him to the embassy, translate, etc...It was above and beyond what we expected

Terrible
Expectations were fairly high and they were still exceeded. We considered this the best trip we have ever taken and my wife and I have zero complaints.
Excellent Experience and Excellent Guide
I would highly recommend this company and some trips to Scandinavia and Baltic. The countries are amazing, the service and our guide Ausra Paukste was really the best ever. If you wish to visit this region consider Cosmos company.
Ultimate South America with Galapagos Cruise
Trip Style: Small group tour
Cosmos promises to “turn your travel dreams into reality” by offering affordable tours in several parts of the world. Part of the Globus group of travel brands, Cosmos has been running escorted tours for five decades since the 1960s. It touts its clout with hotels and other travel providers as a way of keeping down costs, with savings passed on to their customers. Most expenses are included in the tours, though you may be on your own for some meals and optional excursions.
Cosmos started out offering value-priced European coach tours for budget-minded travelers, and now has added North American, South American, and some Middle East and North African destinations as well. Religious-themed tours of southern Europe and Israel as well as holiday season tours are all part of the mix.
The company emphasizes that when you tour Europe, for example, you’ll stay like Europeans do, eat like Europeans do, and “share the European view of Europe.” That generally means comfortable but not luxury hotels, well-chosen neighborhood restaurants, varied means of transportation, and guided sightseeing of all the “must-see” sites, with extended stays in key cities. Cosmos also offers plenty of free time to explore on your own, a way of personalizing your group tour a bit.
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Lindblad Expeditions
#41 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 86 Trips
Average Price
$ 827 per day
Size Global Operator
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Small Ship & Expedition Cruise Line
Trips in Galapagos Islands
1 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Never made the trip, have not been reimbursed by travel insurance
I had to withdraw from a trip due to pneumonia. Six months later, after my submission was long approved, I still am unable to receive reimbursement from TripMate, the travel insurance company. I will never use Nat Geo or Lindblad for another trip, though I had planned to. That they would work with such a untenable partner company is incomprehensible.
That money wasn't meant for them
They could improve by RETURNING the $6.6 million in CARES ACT money they took, that was SUPPOSED to go to SMALL business so they could keep folks on the payroll during the 'rona shut down.
They are a publicly traded company with a Market value of $264 million.
That money wasn't meant for them.
They are scum.
UnCruise is an amazing dream!!
UnCruise is an amazing dream!! The crew, the sales team, the office team, all go out of their way to make sure your experience is unforgettable. We were on the August 1, 2020 cruise. Even tho things didn’t go quite the way we planned, UnCruise was unbelievable. We will be back. UnCruise was my first ever cruise. They will be the only company we ever cruise with.
Lindblad Expeditions is an expedition cruise specialist with almost 50 years experience. The company was founded by Antarctic explorer, Lars-Eric Lindblad in 1969, who pioneered leisure travel expedition cruises to places like Antarctica and the Galapagos.
What Makes Them Stand Out?
Lindblad is one of the most well-known adventure travel brands in the world, with a rich history of exploring the far corners of the earth. All of their trips have an element of education, such as lectures from naturalists and photographers. In fact, Lindblad has long partnered with National Geographic to provide this enriching, educational aspect to their tours. Although you are on board with a large group, sometimes 100+ people, this is not your typical group tour. Travelers have flexibility and can choose their daily activities based on personal interest. In places like Antarctica, smaller groups form to make landings via a zodiac boat.
Who Travels With Them?
Lindblad attracts a curious, well-educated traveler - someone who wants to truly immerse themselves in nature and their surroundings, versus a more passive traveler. Lindblad travelers have diverse backgrounds such as professional photographers, artists, teachers, and scientists. You can expect your expedition group to be of all ages, although many passengers are 40+.
Where Do They Operate?
Lindblad offers a wide range of tours to classic expedition cruise destinations like the Galapagos, Alaska, and Antarctica as well as non-traditional places like Costa Rica, Panama, and the British Isles. Their fleet of ships numbers 10 in total.
Why Travel With Them?
If you’ve always wanted to explore distant places like Antarctica or tough-to-reach lands like the Galapagos, then Lindblad could be your best bet. They have many years experience fine tuning their hands-on, but comfortable, expeditions to provide a fun, educational experience. This certainly isn’t your classic cruise experience.
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National Geographic Expeditions
#6 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 63 Trips
Average Price
$ 714 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 10 – 17 days
Trip Prices $ 6,290 – $ 12,580
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
Trips in Galapagos Islands
3 Tours in Galapagos Islands
How to Ruin a Trip to Norway
My husband and I took the Norway "Trains and Fjords" tour because neither of wanted to drive the twisty roads to see the majestic areas and wanted to avoid a cruise ship. The main problem was that our guide was seriously sick -- coughing and hacking and barely able to talk. This was in Norway, where people can take sick leave! Did Nat Geo not have any backup plan? At one stop, the guide left us to go to a pharmacy. There was a sick passenger, too, and instead of protecting the rest of the passengers from getting infected, the guide seated the sick passenger in tight quarters with the rest of us. Neither of them did anything to cover their coughs or avoid exposing the other tour members. My husband and I both got sick, and had to leave the tour early and we had a few thousand dollars extra in travel expenses because of that, on top of the ridiculous cost of the trip.
Highly recommend! It was a trip of a lifetime!
We had not had the pleasure of traveling with National Geographic and was not sure what to expect. The trip went beyond what we could have possibly imagined! The staff were attentive and the guides were knowledgeable. There was not a time that we felt unsafe or that our needs were not being met. The trip was very fast paced which allowed us to experience each destination. Their timing was perfect with scheduled excursions and meals. We took the trip in October 2019 and then COVID entered our world and brought our trips to a stand still. I am now planning some trips for this year with hopes of a healthier world to travel!
Cancel my trip but no refund
This company canceled my trip due to COVID but failed to refund all money so I am out $1500 for Lindblad portion, and will never travel with NatGeo again. They have lost my trust as a company that puts travelers best interests first.
Galápagos Photo Expedition
Trip Style: Small ship cruise
Epic Galápagos Photography Expedition
Trip Style: Small ship cruise
Galápagos Family Odyssey
Trip Style: Small ship cruise
In 1999, National Geographic launched their own tour company component: National Geographic Expeditions. Since then they have expanded to offer trips on all 7 continents in over 60 destinations. Recently they partnered with G Adventures to provide even more variety to their devoted customers.
What Makes National Geographic Expeditions Stand Out?
Multiple modes of travel
Expert guides and photographers
After hours and special access to sites
With National Geographic, you can travel by small, expedition-style ships; classic train journeys; land tours; active adventures; photo tours; family-oriented trips; or private, independent expeditions based on your desires and budget.
Wherever you go with National Geographic, which has been in the tour business for 15 years, you can expect doors to open: entry to research sites, archaeological digs, private homes or special events.
Many expeditions are accompanied by a National Geographic expert or expert team who share their knowledge and passion for a region and help make each experience enriching and unforgettable.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling With National Geographic Expeditions?
Photography enthusiasts
All ages
Adventurous minded
Nature lovers
History buffs
Life long learners
National Geographic is one of those special brands that has managed to successfully straddle the line between “your grandfather loves them” and “your eighteen year old sister loves them”. They cover a wide range of topics, themes, and travel styles, with the educational aspect always prevalent yet not overbearing.
If you love feeling like an explorer and an adventurer when you travel, and love learning about the world from experts in a variety of fields, National Geographic is the perfect place for you. This is a company for those who want to dig deeper, like getting the inside story from multiple perspectives - historical, cultural, political, economic, scientific and more.
National Geographic trips are great for families, and you can choose a private tour or a family friendly group, where hands on activities will widen your children’s worldview in innumerable special ways.
National Geographic trips are also extremely popular with photographers - novice photographers will enjoy their photography-centric tours, while many dedicated hobbyists can be found on their other trip styles as well.
If you’re the kind of traveler who sacrifices the space for a pair of shoes in your suitcase for another lens or photography accessory...you’ll be right at home on a trip with National Geographic Expeditions.
In the same way that National Geographic magazine has always inspired and furthered conversation and discourse, so too do their trips. The spirit of learning about the world is intertwined in every itinerary, so if you consider yourself a lifelong student, you should definitely consider traveling with National Geographic Expeditions.
Top Destinations
National Geographic Expeditions go all around the world, and cover almost every travel style imaginable. One might think they have a favoring of the more “exotic” locations but an impressive number of United States and European tours are offered as well as farther reaching destinations. National Geographic Expeditions in the Galapagos are especially popular.
Regardless of where you travel, you will be sure to get off the beaten path and discover unique cultural landmarks, meet interesting people, and enjoy a sense of adventure.
Small-ship expeditions, done in conjunction with Lindblad Expeditions, can take you to Antarctica, the Galapagos and points beyond. Classic train journeys include the Trans-Siberian and trains through India, Spain, and Switzerland. Active adventures might take you hiking in Bhutan or meeting Berbers in Morocco. Land tours could take you to Tanzania, Peru or the Grand Canyon.
National Geographic Expeditions Travel Style
The travel style with National Geographic Expeditions has an aura of old fashioned exploration with a modern twist.
National Geographic Expeditions is a family friendly outfit, offering a wide range of prices and trip styles. Trips vary from mid range budget to higher. Physical level is usually light to moderate.
By virtue of their longstanding presence in the world, National Geographic has a wide reaching global network to lean on for incredibly unique and authentic lodging options, knowledgeable guides, and VIP access to historical and archaeological sites.
They have several broad travel styles you can choose from:
Land Trips - National Geographic Land Trips are immersive explorations, often covering nature and wilderness points of interest such as national parks. They also dive into ancient cities and cultures, with trips exploring everything from monks in Burmese mountainside temples to the lives of nomadic Mongolian peoples. Most trips are around 11 days and physical level is between light and moderate, with some trips featuring moderately challenging hikes in various altitudes.
River Cruises - a relatively new addition, Nat Geo now offers around 7 river cruises in Europe covering the Danube, Rhine, and Douro. Currently they also have 1 river cruise in Asia, along the Irrawaddy. These trips are typically between 7 - 11 days and feature wine tasting, history tours, and very light physical activity.
Private Expeditions - If you and your family, significant other, or a few close friends are looking for a more intimate travel experience than a group of strangers, Private Expeditions are a great way to travel. These trips are customizable, and can be crafted to perfectly suit your interests and dates.
Photography Trips - National Geographic has consistently featured award winning travel photography. They run regular contests for those inspired by the thousands of groundbreaking and historic photographs taken by journalists and travel photographers around the world. On National Geographic photography trips you can actually learn tricks of the trade from real-world photographers and improve your skills.
Train Trips - Travel was revolutionized with the implementation of the railroad, allowing people to travel in what was then a rapid pace from destination to destination. Today this ideal has been flipped on its head, and train travel is a leisurely paced excursion allowing time to relax and appreciate the slower meandering through beautiful countrysides. National Geographic train trips cover the classics, such as the Trans-Siberian railway and the Rocky Mountain railroad. Accommodations are comfortable, around a premium level, with options to upgrade.
Active Expeditions - For those who enjoy a bit more of an adrenaline pumping and active travel experience, National Geographic also has trips for you. These trips feature multiple active outings, such as kayaking, hiking, and caving. Expect to explore the outdoors covering unique natural phenomena and gaining insight into how and why the landscape has been shaped the way it has. These trips also feature cultural insights, just to a lesser extent.
Family Expeditions - National Geographic is the perfect company to travel with when you have curious and adventurous youngsters eager to see the world. They will learn about other cultures, people, food, nature and wildlife from experts with “cool jobs” that might even inspire lifelong interests and perhaps influence a career. These trips are specifically designed to be hands on, allowing everyone to get involved and learn about how things work.
Private Jet Trips - For a luxurious and more lengthy travel experience, nothing beats a Private Jet tour. A dedicated team will be with you, and you’ll experience all the best that National Geographic has to offer from local guides to premiere accommodation. These trips are in a very high budget range, but if it’s in your wheelhouse - it’s a superb way to travel and cover a lot of ground.
Journeys - Part of a partnership with G Adventures, these trips are adventurous and immersive small group excursions imbued with the spirit of National Geographic. The best of two top travel worlds!
Why Choose a Tour With National Geographic Expeditions?
When you travel with National Geographic you are participating in and contributing to a spectacular legacy. Over the years National Geographic has cultivated a reputation for being about cultural exploration, scientific advancement, and broadening perspectives.
Their travel experiences are perfect for anyone wishing to get back to the roots of what adventurous, experiential travel really means and enjoy discovering the world from multiple angles.
Really one of the best parts about traveling on a tour with National Geographic Expeditions is the sheer breadth of knowledge, personal and professional experience their guides bring to the table. They help provide richly detailed context, historical information, and dive into the details of local life, by showing and doing as well as explaining. You the traveler will have the true experience of getting to know a place from the inside out.
If that wasn’t enough of a reason, proceeds from your trip price go towards supporting National Geographic’s ongoing nonprofit work in conservation, exploration, education, and cultural preservation.
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Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. Tours)
#45 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 19 Trips
Average Price
$ 290 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 16 – 16 days
Trip Prices $ 5,095 – $ 5,095
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
Trips in Galapagos Islands
1 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Trip of a Lifetime
Our recent Tanzanian Safari was indeed the trip of a lifetime. Saw the big 5, met the wonderful locals and spent 5 days in the Serengeti. Saw many lions, zebras, giraffes and other wonderful animals. Spent time with local school children who were so welcoming. Put this trip on your bucket list!
My favorite OAT adventure
I went to this adventure with my sister-in-law and we had the absolute best time! Our guide were all amazing and our trip leader Martin was exceptional! My sister-i-law had a fall the day we were to meet our group and Martin helped us navigate the urgent care, got her stitched up and stayed by our side until she was tucked into our room. What a waRead more about review stating My favorite OAT adventurey to meet your trip leader but also we knew we were set up with a caring and kind man from the start! This was a truly unique adventure with large cities and also the most serene scenery on earth!
I write this in the mist of the recent pandemic and hope that as soon as this all settles down we can take another trip with OAT. It will be hard to match this trip but we will try!
Be careful
Booked for July and gave them $12,000. They talked us into early arrival and then come back to us a two months later saying we can't offer. We have to keep our airlines a day early and now need to find transfer and hotel on our own. Would cancel but would lose $2,000 trip insurance. They talked us into us to arrive early and now cancelling and saying you are on your own. Can't imagine what else will go wrong.
Machu Picchu & the Galápagos
Trip Style: Small ship cruise
Founded in 1978, Overseas Adventure Travel specializes in small group and small ship adventure tours. Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) is now part of the Boston-based Grand Circle Corporation, which also includes Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line.
Quick Facts
Founded in 1978
Very welcome to solo travelers - Free or low single supplement
Average Tour Price - $4,538
Average Tour Duration - 15 Days
Small Groups - between 10 and 16 travelers, max of 24 on small ship cruises
Travel Style - Culturally immersive and local experiences. Walking between 3-6 miles a day
Age Range - Primarily 50+
What Makes Overseas Adventure Travel Stand Out?
Solo traveler friendly
Cultural immersion
Grand Circle Foundation
Overseas Adventure Travel is solo traveler friendly. They offer free or low single supplements. OAT understands that solo travelers desire to follow their own schedule, desires and needs. They help handle all the details to make sure your trip is affordable, easy and enjoyable.
A major focus of OAT is cultural immersion. Travelers can expect to visit local schools, churches, and homes (where you might be treated to a home-cooked meal). Experienced guides -- all fluent in English -- lead groups off the beaten path when possible.
OAT strives to give back to the world they send travelers around. A portion of all proceeds goes to the Grand Circle Foundation, which supports cultural and educational programs in the countries visited.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Overseas Adventure Travel?
Ages 50+
Solo travelers
Cultural enthusiasts
OAT specializes in small group tours around the world serving Americans aged 50 and older. They appeal to the old fashioned - the fact that they still offer a physical catalogue is testament - and their travel style reflects an appreciation of the classics coupled with an adventurous spirit to explore each destination deeper and from a local perspective.
Overall, prices fall into the moderate range, and are especially a bargain for solo travelers, who can save substantially by not having to pay for single supplements. Accommodations are designed to be both comfortable as well as unique and in keeping with the local spirit of the destination. If your hostelling days are over but you feel too adventurous for a standard hotel, OAT will be a great company to travel with.
OAT travelers are those with a passion for culture. They don’t just want to see a destination, they want to experience it. For these travelers, spending a day in a Maasai village in Kenya, eating dinner with a local family in Chile's oasis town and interacting with local musicians at the bustling Libertad Plaza in San Salvador, Belize is a welcomed adventure.
Top Destinations
OAT operates tours all over the world, specializing in remote, off the beaten path destinations. African safaris are an especially popular offering, though you can also travel to Japan, India, Peru, Iceland, Vietnam, Albania, or Morocco, to name just a few of its far-flung destinations. OAT also runs small-ship cruises through the Galapagos, on the Amazon, and along the Turkish coast.
OAT Travel Style
With Overseas Adventure Travel you’ll find a combination of transportation and accommodation styles, but all with an element of comfort. Groups are small, with a max of 16 (24 on small ship cruises).
Accommodations vary, but generally favor being local and non-traditional over a basic centrally located hotel. Their exact words are “emphasis on authenticity, rather than amenities”.
Their style is all about unique and meaningful cultural interaction. While you’ll learn the history and see the famous sights, their true focus is about people and connections. This means you’ll enjoy meals with local families, like you’re just a friend over for dinner; visit schools and see the amazing work being done in small communities. The visceral understanding and perspective that comes from learning to cook traditional meals and make traditional crafts is what you’ll find on an OAT tour.
Why Choose a Tour with OAT?
OAT offers a unique up close and personal experience, guaranteeing that its groups will never exceed more than 10-16 travelers. A spirit of spontaneity is part of what makes traveling with OAT special, as they strive to take advantage of every interesting opportunity during a trip.
Traveling with Overseas Adventure Travel allows for an in depth cultural travel experience in comfort. Many opportunities exist for travelers to find deals, and it’s a great way to meet new friends in a similar age range.
If you traveled extensively in your youth and are not ready to slow down, but perhaps are looking for a few more logistical ducks to be taken care of for you, OAT could be the perfect fit. They offer a variety of options for more independent minded travelers, as well as ample free time to explore and plan your own adventure during cruise port stops and on their group tours.
Alternatively, if this is your first travel experience, OAT will be a great starting point. You’ll gain cultural insights, meet locals, as well as hit on all the best tourist sites that provide cultural and historical context to your destination.
Overseas Adventure Travel Covid Safety Precautions
Through December 31st 2020, Overseas Adventure Travel is offering Risk Free booking. You can transfer your departure with all change fees waived.
Some countries are beginning to reopen to international visitors with entry restrictions while others have remained closed. Stay up to date and see a full list of which countries are open »
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Monograms
#30 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 0 Trip
Average Price
$ 231 per day
Size Global Operator
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
We had great tour guides
We had great tour guides. And we saw lots of monkeys.
Our hotels in La Fortuna and Monteverde were not good as I would have expected from Monogram. The Magic Mountain was a very nice property. But breakfast was average at best. Our room wasn't checked before we arrived. We had to change rooms. The safe box didn't work and the toilet seat was broken.
Our room at the Monteverde Country Lodge had no hot water the first night. And the rooms don't have heaters. So they were very cold.
Won’t refund my money …
I booked a trip to Australia and New Zealand for my husband and me for October 1, 2022. A month before the trip, Monograms cancelled the trip. Now they won’t refund my money so I can book the trip with another agency. There’s not even a way to call people in finance to see what the problem is. I can’t pay $16,000 for a trip and turn right around and pay $16,000 more. Why should it take six weeks to send me a refund? It sure didn’t take six weeks to process when I had to pay the money. I’ll never book anything with these folks again. They’re impossible to get on the phone. There’s lots better companies in which to book. Don’t use these folks.
Good xperienceTour guide was very knowledgeable and…
Tour guide was very knowledgeable and very pleasant and helful.9
Monograms, one of the Globus family of brands, offers classic vacation packages to many of the world’s most popular destinations. The company has many years of experience creating packaged tours and is based in Colorado, USA.
What Makes Monograms Stand Out?
It can be difficult to find a company that successfully marries two seemingly disparate ways of travel: independant or self guided and classic group travel. But at Monograms this is exactly the task they have set for themselves, and their positive reviews and large variety of products would seem to say they do a solid job.
With Monograms there is no need to choose between self guided or group travel. You can personalize your experience as well - an important element for many of today’s travelers. Themes include Family travel, Food & Wine, Cruises, and Active.
Monograms prides themselves on the all-inclusive nature of travel planning, pre-organizing everything from your airport transfer to your activities and meals. They also provide a Local Hosts program, which is basically like an in-destination concierge.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Monograms?
Monograms is ideal for travelers who don’t love group travel but also highly dislike the stress of arriving in a destination and having to plan everything themselves. It’s for the traveler who wants the freedom of a private couple or family getaway and the comfort of a local guide who can assist with everything from restaurant recommendations to skipping the line at major attractions.
Monograms is Globus’ mid-tier brand in terms of pricing and thus travelers span across many different age groups. Many couples choose Monograms for a romantic trip to places like Italy and France, although they also offer specialized packages for families.
Most Monograms packages are a mix of group sightseeing tours and independent exploration. This can result in some very large touring groups when visiting popular tourist attractions like the Louvre in Paris, for example. However, most of their trips still afford some level of flexibility to explore a destination on your own terms.
Top Destinations
You can travel with Monograms to many different locations in Europe, Australia, Asia, South/Central America, and Africa. Perhaps their most well-known destination is Italy, and they also offer some unique trips to Australia, specifically to areas other similar tour companies don’t operate.
Monograms Travel Style
At Monograms, their travel style is about providing you with a no hassle private vacation, catered to your interests. Everything from honeymoon vacations to family vacations are available through Monograms.
When you use Monograms, you can elect to have the help of a travel agent, or book a pre-planned package.
Why Choose a Monograms Tour?
For a well rounded trip, designed for you, and with an attentive local host there to make your journey as seamless and stress free as possible, Monograms is the perfect company.
These tips are mostly private, so ideal for families, couples, and honeymooners - though during some days on the itinerary you will join up with a larger group for guided day tours
Monograms is all about providing personal touches, and arranging a trip for you that matches your travel style. Providing some personal input and likes / dislikes / must sees is going to take your Monograms tour from “ordinary” to extraordinary, so these trips are best suited to travelers who like to be involved with planning the itinerary.
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Gate 1 Travel
#28 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 779 Trips
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 14 – 14 days
Trip Prices $ 5,989 – $ 5,989
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Trips in Galapagos Islands
2 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Our trip to Morocco from 8/31/2023…
Our trip to Morocco from 8/31/2023-9/7/2023 was a pleasant surprise. I will give our trip a 5 star rating. Our guide Mohammed and his team made our trip so easy and wonderful. When we reached Casablanca we were greeted by Mohammed and his team outside the airport arrival doors. Throughout the trip, Mohammed and his team were on top of everything. They really cared for us. Mohammed is an excellent guide. We traveled to Rabbat, Fez, Marrakesch, and Casablanca in a private air conditioned Gate1travel bus. All the hotels were very good with the exception of Rabbat Hotel which was average but it had the best breakfast and location. Our return to the Casablanca airport was great. Mohammed boarded us on the bus. When we reached the airport there were several people to help us. There was a very nice gentleman who helped us with our luggage and all the way to the ticket counter. For the price and service provided by Gate1, we give our trip a 5 * rating. We cannot praise enough Mohammed and his team making our trip a pleasure. Mohammed and his team is a great asset to Gate1 Travel in Morroco!
VERY BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE
Booked a tour online but we wanted to speak with someone - not just click buttons on a computer. This was all too hard for gate1 consultants who were tardy at responding to emails. Whilst waiting for a response about how to make the payment (because it was in USD), our booking fell over (even though we'd emailed the consultant to ask her to hold the booking because we were in the Northern Territory outback without mobile range for 2 days) and then the tour was booked out. We'd already booked our fares from Australia. The consultant called Nicole was most unhelpful throughout the process and is totally unsuited to that type of job. I'd never look at any of their tours because I see the reviews are very negative and I can see why. They need to pull their socks up before they go broke......
Fantastic tour with that intimate family feeling
My partner Rosemarie and I just completed an Eastern Canada tour hosted by Marc Ramus. What an experience. From the get go we were treated to an unforgettable holiday. The tour itself was fantastic: just enough group sessions and free time: amazing itinerary: 2 night stops: lots of information without being overloaded. Marc was fantastic: everyone bonded with him: like a big family. And he was so helpful, informative and friendly. This was our first Gate 1 tour but won’t be our last. Highly recommend this company to anyone seeking an honest friendly and enjoyable tour with great itineraries and well located hotels. Bravo gate 1.
14 Day Galapagos Islands & Ecuador
Trip Style: Group tour
Founded in 1981 with three employees and based in suburban Philadelphia, Gate 1 now employs more than 200 people worldwide with offices in 20 countries, ranging from Hungary to Cambodia, Argentina to Israel.
What Makes Gate 1 Stand Out?
Escorted tours & river cruises
Good value
High quality guides
Gate 1 offers a variety of tour packages and river cruises around the world, promising to provide exceptional value for the price. They focus on North American travelers who seek “high quality, yet affordable” guided trips, with accommodations ranging from superior tourist to moderate deluxe class.
They have a lot of different choices when it comes to destinations, durations, and inclusions. Most tours have additional offerings for meals, activities, and excursions available for additional fees.
Traveler reviews for Gate 1 oscillate between 5 star and 1 star experiences. Those that have had an excellent time cite the tour pacing, guides, and extensive sightseeing opportunities as positives.
Those for whom these same factors contributed to a negative experience may have had higher expectations than is available or offered for the competitive budget prices that Gate 1 is known for.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Gate 1?
All ages
Low to mid budget travelers
Those open to simple accommodation and meal plans
Gate 1 is the perfect travel choice for families, couples, and friend groups seeking a cost efficient journey. As Gate 1 is a strictly budget minded brand, it’s important to be fully aware of the trade-off when you choose to travel with them.
You will see a lot, and be out and about visiting several sites - however keeping costs low is one of their main priorities. This means hotels will be basic, meals won’t be 5 star, and your coach will have fewer amenities. In addition tours with Gate 1 feature several optional add ons and sightseeing tours, not included in the base price. Average tour price is around $2,000, often less.
If you’re flexible, open minded, and are interested in maximizing your sightseeing above all else, Gate 1 could be for you. Knowing what to expect is key for enjoying the trip to the fullest.
Top Destinations
Gate 1 trips cover much of the world, including destinations in North, Central, and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Itineraries focus on the top sights, historical attractions, and national parks.
Gate 1 Travel Style
In a nutshell, the Gate 1 travel style is “see a lot for a little”. Hotels and accommodations are usually 3 star hotels. Expect basic comforts, with fewer amenities available. However if you’re the kind of traveler for whom a bed and some coffee in the morning is a fine trade-off for busy days outside and tons of sightseeing, the trade-off will be worth it.
You will be met on the ground with a dedicated tour leader, available to assist throughout your travel experience.
Escorted group bus tours are a big part of their business - between 24-42 people. These coaches are again, more utility focused than amenity focused, but you will be comfortable. And in general bus tours take frequent stops to allow for stretching legs and using of facilities.
Gate 1 also offers small group tours (with a maximum of 22 people), river cruises on two continents, independent city stays and fly and drive packages, rail packages, customized vacations, and combination bus/cruise tours -- something for almost everyone interested in a budget vacation.
Why Choose a Tour With Gate 1?
For the budget traveler, Gate 1 is a fantastic choice. They offer several types of trip package to choose from, including rail, river cruise, and small group tours, at competitive rates. Their escorted tours are extremely popular, and customers repeat trips with them regularly.
While Gate 1 is the primary brand, and they are all about giving a positive and packed international travel experience on a budget, other brands associated with Gate 1 are more premium focused. These include the Signature collection, offering luxury tour options and smaller groups.
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Globus
#33 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 272 Trips
Average Price
$ 319 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 7 – 26 days
Trip Prices $ 4,319 – $ 9,359
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
Trips in Galapagos Islands
11 Tours in Galapagos Islands
The driver and the tour director were…
The driver and the tour director were absolutely into providing the best trip possible and they did. They were very dedicated to their work and their company.Both provided an excellent opportunity for each of us to enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable time. I highly recommend both for an amazing experience in Norway.
Everything about this trip was amazing
Everything about this trip was amazing, The only thing I was very disappointed in was that we didn't get enough time to see Pisa. Miracle square was on my list of places to visit and was only there for a very short time.
Globus customer service is nonexistent
Globus customer service is nonexistent. Booking was easy but the follow-up was horrible. Our tour included air travel. After multiple connection changes which were impossible to make, I requested an airline change. I was told there would be a substantial increase in the tour price to change the air part of the trip. I cancelled the air part of the trip and booked our own air travel with non-stop flights.
From day one I waited on hold for rediculous times trying to talk to customer service about issues with our trip. No returned phone calls or replies to emails. The GlobusGo app they spoke so highly about is useless. It continued to give incorrect information about our cancelled flights including boarding times etc. all the way to the end of our trip. So confusing!!!
The tour part of our trip was fine but I will never book a tour directly with Globus again. I'll let a travel agent deal with them. Such a black eye on a company that used to have such a good repetition.
Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
Trip Style: Group tour
Independent Galapagos at the Finch Bay Resort & Peru
Trip Style: Group tour
Legacy of the Incas with Peru's Amazon & Galápagos Cruise
Trip Style: Small group tour
Avalon Waterways
#34 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 66 Trips
Average Price
$ 378 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 8 – 18 days
Trip Prices $ 5,279 – $ 9,679
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
River Cruise Line
Trips in Galapagos Islands
3 Tours in Galapagos Islands
1st river cruise exceeded expectations
My wife and I were looking to do something special for our 50th anniversary so we booked a weeklong cruise on the Rhone. We had done many ocean cruises but this was our first river cruise and it was wonderful. The food, the entire staff, and the excursions were all first rate. We made many new friends during the cruise and I suspect we'll be back on a 2nd river cruise with Avalon in the not too distant future.
The staff was very wonderful.
The staff was very wonderful.
My wife and I received an offer of free…
My wife and I received an offer of free cruise and air tickets in return for attending their promotional in the Detroit area. We attended on July 12, 2023, Conf. # TS181. Upon leaving we were told that we did not qualify because we arrived late, were older than 72 years of age, and did not meet the income requirements. None of these requirements were stated on the invitation. If this is the way the company works, I certainly cannot recommend it.
Discover the Galápagos & Peru
Trip Style: River cruise
Ecuador & Its Galápagos Islands
Trip Style: River cruise
From the Inca Empire to the Peruvian Amazon with Galápagos Cruise
Trip Style: River cruise
Go Ahead Tours
#63 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 17 Trips
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 10 – 10 days
Service Level Standard
Operator Type
Group Tour Operator
Trips in Galapagos Islands
1 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Stay Away - Class Action lawsuit for ripping off children
This greedy and unethical company is being sued for keeping money from school children and their parents after the company canceled trips due to Coronavirus. They have a pattern of canceling trips and keeping your money and you get nothing! They only care about money and not earning it.
I took every additional tour and the tour guides were excellent!
Go Ahead Tours was selected for their attention to detail, and this tour did not disappoint! I must give credit to our wonderful tour director, Alessandra, who has over 25 years of experience, and we were the beneficiaries of her compassionate regard for our tour's wellbeing. She was attentive and even gave us souvenir momentos from each city we visited. I took every additional tour and the tour guides were excellent! I especially liked our guides for the Colosseum, in Rome, a mature woman who was Greek, and thus, she was very personable. Also, Katia, our tour guide for the Vatican and the Catacombs was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The last night was fun in our send off dinner consisted of a dinner theater billed as four tenors and featured an opera troup serenading us during our three-course meal. Great fun and the perfect meal to conclude our action packed 7-day tour of three Italian Cities boasting magnificent art and history!
Wouldn't Refund Full Payment of Tour They Cancelled
Our trip was to be in May 2020 and was cancelled by Go Ahead due to the Coronavirus after we had paid the full cost of the trip for two. When contacted about a refund, the only way we would NOT lose our deposit of $600 was if we allowed them to keep the entire amount paid until the trip was rescheduled or changed to another tour. We asked them to refund everything EXCEPT the deposit and carry the deposit until another trip could be scheduled. They refused to consider carrying our deposit. The only was to get our $6000 payment back was to lose our $600 deposit. After several wonderful tours, Go Ahead proved themselves to be unconcerned about our financial loss or hardships caused by their inflexibility.
The Galápagos Islands & Ecuador
Trip Style: Group tour
Go Ahead Quick Facts
Age Range: All ages
Average Tour Price: $2,000-$4,000
Average Tour Duration: 8-18 days
Travel Style: Cultural immersion and education with active experiences.
The world’s largest private education travel company, Go Ahead tours are designed for curious, adventurous travelers. Their itineraries balance planned activities and free time to quench your curiosity and specific interests.
What Makes Go Ahead Stand Out?
Dedicated tour directors
Local guides
Flexibility
Go Ahead has dedicated tour directors that you can trust to help you have the best travel experience. They have years of experience and regional knowledge of culture and history that they are eager to share. These travel directors will be with you every step of the way, a friend to show you around one of their favorite destinations. Sit back and enjoy your trip, they’ll handle all the logistics.
Local guides are also a big part of Go Ahead. These guides will join you and your tour director to provide an even deeper knowledge of the region. They will help immerse you in cities, rustic villages, countrysides and cultural hot spots. Go ahead wants the right people to help you learn and explore the world.
Go Ahead tours are designed to be authentic, providing unique local experiences, and a certain amount of flexibility for travelers who like some independence during the tour. Typically, tours are run in small groups with a max of 38, which means your small group may not always be extemely intimate as 38 is still a lot of people.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Go Ahead?
Cultural enthusiasts
Adventure travelers
Wildlife lovers
Go Ahead travelers love sightseeing but they greatly enjoy traveling off the beaten path. These travelers are curious about the world and are eager to learn about the local culture, cuisine and people. Go Ahead is perfect for the traveler who wants to really get to the heart of a destination.
Adventure is a big part of curiosity. Go Ahead travelers aren’t afraid to venture off a typical tourist sightseeing plan. They enjoy the freedom to explore on their own as well as picking the brain of their local guides to learn incite into the cities, rustic villages and countrysides they are visiting. These travelers enjoy seeing the destination through cultural immersion and active experiences.
Witnessing wildlife is a big part of Go Ahead tours. Travelers will get the opportunity to witness and learn about the luscious natural landscapes and the creatures that inhabit it. Seeing the Big Five and going on a safari through the plains of Africa is on the bucket lists of Go Ahead travelers.
Top Destinations
Go Ahead tours send travelers all over the world with trips going to Europe, US, Canada, Central America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Asia and Antarctica.
Go Ahead Travel Style
Go Ahead is greatly focused on personalization and small group experiences. Each traveler will get the opportunity to personalize their trips when their itineraries are being crafted. There are additional excursions, tour extensions and any number of days that travelers can add to their trip.
Groups remain small, capped at 14 to 38 travelers. This small group experience allows travelers to really immerse themselves in the culture of a destination. Their experiences will be intimate both with their local guides and the local people.
Hotels are selected based on your comfort desires and location. You can rest assured that you’ll be staying in a safe, comfortable accommodation as the Go Ahead team personally goes to each property on the ground.
Go Ahead, due to their relationship with EF network, are able to offer a wide range of flight options. Once in your destination, they will also handle all internal travel from motor coaches to additional flights. Go Ahead takes care of all the stressful logistics so you don’t have to.
Why Go Ahead?
If you are eager to explore and learn about the world through cultural immersion, wildlife watching and active experiences, Go Ahead is for you. No matter your luxury level whether it be high luxury or budget or what your interests are, Go Ahead can help personalize your experience to create the perfect trip for you.
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Adventures by Disney
#64 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 14 Trips
Average Price
$ 600 per day
Size Global Operator
Tour Length 12 – 12 days
Trip Prices $ 8,119 – $ 8,119
Service Level Luxury
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
Trips in Galapagos Islands
1 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Great trip! Kudos to Adventures by Disney for a really well done trip!
I went on this trip with some misgivings, as my only other experience with this type of tour was a winter Tauck Family Bridges tour of Italy, that was not a good experience. Well, I am SO glad I went, as my daughter and I had a marvelous time. Disney did an amazing job of organizing this trip - I still can't believe how much they managed to fit into essentially 8 days. I also can't believe how much fun it all was! The guides were tremendous. First of all, unlike Tauck (where we traveled with one tour manager), here we had two guides with us the entire time - one a licensed guide in Greece (i.e., a native, very knowledgeable about the country and able to really take us through the historical and archaeological sites) and the other an American who has been guiding in Greece for years. The interaction between the guides was very warm, as was their way of relating to the guests. This was a complete contrast with Tauck. Here people really got to know each other, the young people had a great time with each other, and, of course, Greece itself is just magnificent. I will certainly travel with Disney again!
Ecuador: Amazon and Galapagos Islands
Trip Style: Group tour
Family friendly and culturally immersive travel from the imaginative minds at Disney.
What Makes Adventures by Disney Stand Out?
A majority of tour companies cater to young adults and 50+ travelers. Very few are dedicated specifically to families, and those that are often have a minimum age of 12 - with rare exceptions. Adventures by Disney is a perfect option for parents with young children seeking exciting, educational, and culturally rich vacations, with an high level of comfort.
These tours are not heavy on the Disney characters or films either, so if you’re dreading an all-Disney all-the-time experience, rest easy. These trips are active, often with an outdoor component, and introduce young minds to the world through interactive cultural presentations, up-close wildlife experiences, and other fun surprises.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Adventures by Disney?
It goes without saying that these trips are geared toward young families. You and your young ones will enjoy a trip with Adventures by Disney if learning through travel is a high priority, and a certain amount of physical activity is ok.
Adventures by Disney trips are on the higher end when it comes to price per person. But it’s important to note that almost everything is included - freeing you up to enjoy the trip with no stress about where the next activity should be, or finding a restaurant that is suitable for your families needs.
On most trips with Adventures by Disney the minimum age requirement is 4 years old.
Top Destinations
Adventures by Disney operates their specialized family friendly itineraries all around the world. Europe and North America offer the most extensive list of trips. Select Central America and South America tours are available as well as limited tour options in Australia, China, South Africa, and Japan.
Adventures by Disney Travel Style
There are many trip styles to choose from through Adventures by Disney, including river cruises and large ship cruises. The travel approach with Adventures by Disney is very hands on - perfect for young minds learning about the world!
You and your children will also gain exclusive insider access to some of the most incredible sights around the world. Private tours and “backstage access” are a key part of the Adventures by Disney experience.
Most Adventures by Disney tours feature varying degrees of physical activity. Some are more active than others, but you should expect to be outside, enjoying nature in some capacity during your trip. Whether this means a day of kayaking trip along the Gold Coast, a hike through a magical European forest, or cycling along rivers and lakes your trip will provide plenty of time in the fresh air.
All admissions to exhibits, tours, and activities are included in your package. Adventures by Disney is very focused on making sure your trip is hassle free. All transportation and accommodation during the tour are also taken care of.
Why Choose a Tour with Adventures by Disney?
If you’ve been having a hard time finding a kid-friendly tour that provides a well rounded itinerary and plenty of support, Adventures by Disney is a great place to look.
Don’t let the Disney name deter you from exploring these trips - it’s not all floating hotel cruises. In fact most itineraries with Adventures by Disney are private - just you and your family, allowing for ample time to explore and learn about the history and culture of each destination.
Every Adventures by Disney trip is accompanied by two professional, and of course kid-friendly, adventure guides and specialists. They are there to enrich your journey as well as make sure everything goes smoothly.
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Preferred
SmarTours
#43 Pick of 98 Galapagos Islands Tour Companies View Profile
Total Trips 1 Trip
Average Price
$ 259 per day
Size Global Operator
Service Level Budget
Operator Type
Mixed Land & Cruise
Trips in Galapagos Islands
4 Tours in Galapagos Islands
Epic Journey to Africa with SmarTours
Epic Journey to Africa with SmarTours
Smartours was amazing in Africa. We had a great tour guide. 5 Star hotels and transportation.
We embarked on many safari adventures across Africa. We had the incredible opportunity to witness the magnificent "Big Five" animals, including lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. We even had the thrilling experience of walking alongside wild lions and riding an elephant named Coco, accompanied by guides armed with rifles and shotguns for our safety, protecting us from lions, leopards, and poachers. Enchanting us with its grandeur, the mesmerizing Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia, known as the "Smoke that Thunders," captivated our admiration as the largest waterfall in the world. Embarking on a journey along the Zambezi River proved to be a thrilling adventure, as we came across the majestic hippos that call its waters home.
Additionally, we were fortunate to behold the majestic Table Mountain in South Africa and set out to daringly swim with sharks.
On our Journey to ALL 7 Continents, our travel experiences have taken us to incredible places all around the world. It is a matter of great pride for us to declare that we have traveled to every single Continent on Earth, placing us among a select group of fewer than 500,000 individuals throughout the entire span of human existence who have accomplished this feat.
During our extraordinary journey spanning all seven continents, we had the incredible opportunity to visit remarkable destinations:
- The majestic Grand Canyon. Flying over an active volcano in a helicopter and embraced the thrill of skydiving. Niagara Falls
- We explored the historic remnants of the Berlin Wall and immersed ourselves in the charming atmosphere of Nyhavn and visiting The Little Mermaid.
- In China, we marveled at the vastness of Tienamen Square and were in awe of the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China. We had the opportunity to visit the Shanghai Tower, which is the second tallest building in the world, and experience its impressive height firsthand.
- Down in the Land Down Under, we indulged in the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and enjoyed a memorable hot air balloon ride over the picturesque outback, where we even caught sight of kangaroos. We even partook in Cane Toad races.
- We embarked on a journey to the mystical Machu Picchu, ventured deep into the enchanting Amazon Jungle, cruised along the mighty Amazon River, and admired the iconic Christ The Redeemer statue.
We were fortunate to witness the breathtaking Iguazu Falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinean perspectives. Renowned as the second largest waterfall globally, Iguazu Falls captivated us with its sheer magnitude and natural splendor.
- We braved the extreme elements of the coldest, driest, and windiest place on Earth—the untouched Frozen Tundra of Antarctica.
We conquered the treacherous Drake Passage twice, braving the notorious Drake Shake and its towering 21-foot waves. It is renowned as one of the world's most perilous waterways.
Exploring Antarctica provided us an opportunity to witness first hand the breathtaking ice formations, observe penguins, seals, whales and birds in their natural habitat.
On March 17, 2023, at 3:45 pm, we achieved a significant milestone by officially landing at Orne Harbour in Antarctica, thus completing our mission to set foot on all seven continents. We had a heart-stopping thrill when our Arch-Nemesis, an Antarctic Fur Seal, nearly attacked us.
Just Say No!
Jan 2020, three of us booked the Enchanting Peru trip for Sep 2020. The trip was cancelled due to the pandemic and the bankruptcy of SmarTours. They were the only tour company that I did business with that went bankrupt.
On Feb 3, 2021 SmarTours sent me an email confirming my $300 credit for future travel. For three people that’s a total of $900. On May 15, 2023, Theresa Meyer, Co-President emailed me to use my credit and “to invite me to travel with us again.”
I responded to the invitation and offered a creative, Win Win solution, please use our $900 to book a day tour for us with one of their business partners. Theresa ultimately responded, “Unfortunately this is not something we can do. All of our partners are B2B and do not directly work with customers on individual day tours or excursions. It sounds like the best bet would be to transfer your credits to someone who is interested in going on one of our full trips. You may all transfer your credits to anyone you like. If they book their own airfare independently, we have several trips that come in under $2000 per person, inclusive of guide, entrance fees, hotels and transportation, covering anywhere from 7 to 13 days. Which is an incredible value. We do not offer any tours for only $300 or $900.”
Well I thought SmarTours was a business that used business partners which is B2B. In the time she took to craft that response she could have gone on Viator, GetYourGuide, or TripAdvisor to book a day tour for us.
I do not recommend using this tour company.
Egypt tour was great
The tour was geat, great accomodations, tour gides very helpful and ,hotels great cruise ship excellent , everthing was great
Founded in 1996, smarTours promises its customers the “Best Travel Bargains” by offering mostly all-inclusive guided tours throughout much of the world.
What Makes SmarTours Stand Out?
Airfare included
Affordable trips
Numerous ways to save
Local guides
Destinations around the world
SmarTours offers affordable tours along with great itineraries. Included in the price of all their tours is international airfare from the U.S., first-class hotels, sightseeing excursions, and English-speaking local guides.
SmarTours draws a large repeat business, taking travelers to such far-flung destinations as Thailand, Morocco, Japan, Peru, Patagonia, India, and Australia.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with SmarTours?
Budget travelers
Social travelers
History and culture lovers
Travelers who love traveling and care about experiencing the destination above all else - tourist sites, history, and culture - will love the feel of a SmarTours trip.
These tours are definitely for the budget minded - SmarTours offers numerous deals and specials throughout the year, and provides many other ways you can save money as well, including referring your friends and being a repeat SmarTours traveler.
Trips are comfortable and well guided, if not luxury or especially unique in tone. Airfare is included, which is a major selling point for SmarTours travelers.
SmarTours is perfect for the traveler who wants to get the most out of their travel experience, in terms of inclusions and time spent exploring the sites, both with a guide and with free time. If you are looking for a more cultivated, personalized experience, the SmarTours focus on keeping costs low doesn’t always allow for this. That said, this is budget travel that strives to appeal to a wider range.
SmarTours caters to all ages that are looking for good prices. They are largely popular amongst middle aged, 50+ travelers, and families.
Top Destinations
SmarTours travels all over the world, including Africa, Asia, South America and Cuba, Western and Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean. Diverse itineraries are available in each destination.
SmarTours Travel Style
Large coaches
River and small ship cruises
Except for its cruise offerings -- primarily river cruises as well as Greek Island and Galapagos cruises -- transportation is generally by bus. Group sizes can reach 40 and beyond, but may also be smaller depending on the popularity of the trip. SmarTours will design custom trips for groups with at least 25-30 travelers.
Accommodations are between value and premium, comfortable with a step above basic amenities. You won’t spend much time in your hotel, as SmarTours makes the focus about the travel experiences on the ground. They care about ensuring that you have as much time as possible to explore with the guide and on your own.
Why Choose a Tour With SmarTours?
SmarTours is a complete bargain package for budget minded travelers. If you are looking for an unbeatable value, don’t mind a large group and want tours focused on exotic destinations, then SmarTours is a perfect choice for you.
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Reviews Write a Review
The Island Hopping on the Galapagos Islands was an excellent trip.
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
c
carol
March 2020
The Island Hopping on the Galapagos Islands was an excellent trip.
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smarTours...I can't say enough about the outstanding time we had touring Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands...outstanding guides, service, accommodations and plenty of time to enjoy the wonders of these 2 outstanding locations. Thanks again. We will be back!
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
R
Rich
March 2020
smarTours...I can't say enough about the outstanding time we had touring Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands...outstanding guides, service, accommodations and plenty of time to enjoy the wonders of these 2 outstanding locations. Thanks again. We will be back!
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We enjoyed the trip very much. Being a smart traveler lets us enjoy special upgrades. Thank you. Looking forward to upcoming trip to India and Nepal
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
D
Daniel
March 2020
We enjoyed the trip very much. Being a smart traveler lets us enjoy special upgrades. Thank you. Looking forward to upcoming trip to India and Nepal
Read More
This was a memorable trip, very well organised, with all the flights (8 in
total) on time, all the local guides outstanding, and the itinerary
dovetailed together excellently.
Every day was equally great, but perhaps the Inca Trail Day 4 (the final day
of the trek - we just did this one day) was superb, ending with the panoramic
viewpoint of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.
The Galapagos islands and wildlife were also very inspirational.
The Group Leader in Peru/Cusco - Fabrizzio was truly outstanding. As there
was just 2 of us in his group in Peru, he devoted much more time - including
our 'free day' - to showing us around in his personal time - than he actually
was scheduled to do. His knowledge of history, culture, geography and his
enthusiasm was great. A special thanks to Fabrizzio!
Our guides in Quito and the Galapagos were also excellent.
Yes. This trip is classified as 'easy/leisurely'. We both felt this
understates the demanding nature of the trip. Whilst there were no
technically difficult or dangerous elements, the itinerary was hugely
demanding (8 flights, many 4.30 -5.30 am starts, an arduous trek, and quite
demanding snorkelling in the Galapagos). Whilst we were both well able to
handle all this (we are both experienced walkers), many people might be
misled by the classification into thinking that it was a leisurely trip, and
might find it difficult.
Secondly, the flight schedule is dangerously tight in one place: the flight
from Cusco to Quito, with one stop in Lima only allowed for 1hr 5 mins gap at
Lima to transfer flights. Fortunately our Cusco flight landed on time, but
even so WE ONLY JUST MADE THE CONNECTION. Had our flight been just 10 mins
late from Cusco, we would definitely have missed the connection. This caused
us unnecessary stress at the time, and concerns that our luggage would not
make the transfer even if we as passengers did, in such a short time window.
Additionally it is IMPORTANT to flag to Exodus some misleading info
concerning baggage at Lima airport. You state in the trip notes that bags
must be collected in Lima, even though we have connecting flights thru to
Quito. This is NOT CORRECT. We checked most carefully with our guide, and
with the airline, who confirmed that the flight from Cusco to Quito via Lima
MUST have luggage booked through the whole trip. In fact, if we had collected
our bags in Lima and then gone thru all the re-booking of bags again for the
onward leg to Quito WE WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE MISSED THE CONNECTION. We
strongly recommend that a more secure flight connection (ie a longer gap) is
used on this leg of the trip in future.
Nemo II was a great boat for our Galapagos part of the trip. The crew were
amazing, the food outstanding, the standard of cleanliness and service
superb, and the naturalist Gabriel very well informed.
Our sincere thanks to Exodus and everone involved for a memorable trip!
John Farrington
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
A
Anonymous
August 2018
This was a memorable trip, very well organised, with all the flights (8 in
total) on time, all the local guides outstanding, and the itinerary
dovetailed together excellently.
Every day was equally great, but perhaps the Inca Trail Day 4 (the final day
of the trek - we just did this one day) was superb, ending with the panoramic
viewpoint of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.
The Galapagos islands and wildlife were also very inspirational.
The Group Leader in Peru/Cusco - Fabrizzio was truly outstanding. As there
was just 2 of us in his group in Peru, he devoted much more time - including
our 'free day' - to showing us around in his personal time - than he actually
was scheduled to do. His knowledge of history, culture, geography and his
enthusiasm was great. A special thanks to Fabrizzio!
Our guides in Quito and the Galapagos were also excellent.
Yes. This trip is classified as 'easy/leisurely'. We both felt this
understates the demanding nature of the trip. Whilst there were no
technically difficult or dangerous elements, the itinerary was hugely
demanding (8 flights, many 4.30 -5.30 am starts, an arduous trek, and quite
demanding snorkelling in the Galapagos). Whilst we were both well able to
handle all this (we are both experienced walkers), many people might be
misled by the classification into thinking that it was a leisurely trip, and
might find it difficult.
Secondly, the flight schedule is dangerously tight in one place: the flight
from Cusco to Quito, with one stop in Lima only allowed for 1hr 5 mins gap at
Lima to transfer flights. Fortunately our Cusco flight landed on time, but
even so WE ONLY JUST MADE THE CONNECTION. Had our flight been just 10 mins
late from Cusco, we would definitely have missed the connection. This caused
us unnecessary stress at the time, and concerns that our luggage would not
make the transfer even if we as passengers did, in such a short time window.
Additionally it is IMPORTANT to flag to Exodus some misleading info
concerning baggage at Lima airport. You state in the trip notes that bags
must be collected in Lima, even though we have connecting flights thru to
Quito. This is NOT CORRECT. We checked most carefully with our guide, and
with the airline, who confirmed that the flight from Cusco to Quito via Lima
MUST have luggage booked through the whole trip. In fact, if we had collected
our bags in Lima and then gone thru all the re-booking of bags again for the
onward leg to Quito WE WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE MISSED THE CONNECTION. We
strongly recommend that a more secure flight connection (ie a longer gap) is
used on this leg of the trip in future.
Nemo II was a great boat for our Galapagos part of the trip. The crew were
amazing, the food outstanding, the standard of cleanliness and service
superb, and the naturalist Gabriel very well informed.
Our sincere thanks to Exodus and everone involved for a memorable trip!
John Farrington
Read More
total) on time, all the local guides outstanding, and the itinerary
dovetailed together excellently.
Every day was equally great, but perhaps the Inca Trail Day 4 (the final day
of the trek - we just did this one day) was superb, ending with the panoramic
viewpoint of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.
The Galapagos islands and wildlife were also very inspirational.
The Group Leader in Peru/Cusco - Fabrizzio was truly outstanding. As there
was just 2 of us in his group in Peru, he devoted much more time - including
our 'free day' - to showing us around in his personal time - than he actually
was scheduled to do. His knowledge of history, culture, geography and his
enthusiasm was great. A special thanks to Fabrizzio!
Our guides in Quito and the Galapagos were also excellent.
Yes. This trip is classified as 'easy/leisurely'. We both felt this
understates the demanding nature of the trip. Whilst there were no
technically difficult or dangerous elements, the itinerary was hugely
demanding (8 flights, many 4.30 -5.30 am starts, an arduous trek, and quite
demanding snorkelling in the Galapagos). Whilst we were both well able to
handle all this (we are both experienced walkers), many people might be
misled by the classification into thinking that it was a leisurely trip, and
might find it difficult.
Secondly, the flight schedule is dangerously tight in one place: the flight
from Cusco to Quito, with one stop in Lima only allowed for 1hr 5 mins gap at
Lima to transfer flights. Fortunately our Cusco flight landed on time, but
even so WE ONLY JUST MADE THE CONNECTION. Had our flight been just 10 mins
late from Cusco, we would definitely have missed the connection. This caused
us unnecessary stress at the time, and concerns that our luggage would not
make the transfer even if we as passengers did, in such a short time window.
Additionally it is IMPORTANT to flag to Exodus some misleading info
concerning baggage at Lima airport. You state in the trip notes that bags
must be collected in Lima, even though we have connecting flights thru to
Quito. This is NOT CORRECT. We checked most carefully with our guide, and
with the airline, who confirmed that the flight from Cusco to Quito via Lima
MUST have luggage booked through the whole trip. In fact, if we had collected
our bags in Lima and then gone thru all the re-booking of bags again for the
onward leg to Quito WE WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE MISSED THE CONNECTION. We
strongly recommend that a more secure flight connection (ie a longer gap) is
used on this leg of the trip in future.
Nemo II was a great boat for our Galapagos part of the trip. The crew were
amazing, the food outstanding, the standard of cleanliness and service
superb, and the naturalist Gabriel very well informed.
Our sincere thanks to Exodus and everone involved for a memorable trip!
John Farrington
We toured the Galápagos Islands for 7 days. We saw so many unique animals.
The trip really made me realize how completely special the Galápagos Islands
are. Riss, our guide, was a Galapaguano and was proud of his heritage. He
had excellent knowledge of the wildlife we saw, the history of Darwin and the
researchers who came after him and the forces which brought the islands into
being.
Seeing the sea turtles and the white tipped reef shark. Also walking on the
recently-140 year old lava. Watching the mating rituals of the frigate birds
and the boobies.
Please see the summary. He was excellent in every way, Knowledgeable,
patient, flexible, excellent English.
Apply sun screen 15 minutes before leaving, use zinc oxide sunscreen as it is
less damaging to the wildlife.
Our crew and the food were first class. The ship was not. It was a
replacement for a ship which was sunk in dry dock and was noisy with diesel
fumes. I realize Exodus offered us a chance to rebook but we had made our
air arrangements by then. Exodus does not offer airfare from the US. I
think we should be offered some compensation for the inferior ship. As noted
in my evaluation, I found a roach in the bathroom. Our toilet leaked and
required emergency repairs.
Details
Value4.0
Guide4.0
Activities4.0
Lodging4.0
Transportation4.0
Meals4.0
A
Anonymous
August 2018
We toured the Galápagos Islands for 7 days. We saw so many unique animals.
The trip really made me realize how completely special the Galápagos Islands
are. Riss, our guide, was a Galapaguano and was proud of his heritage. He
had excellent knowledge of the wildlife we saw, the history of Darwin and the
researchers who came after him and the forces which brought the islands into
being.
Seeing the sea turtles and the white tipped reef shark. Also walking on the
recently-140 year old lava. Watching the mating rituals of the frigate birds
and the boobies.
Please see the summary. He was excellent in every way, Knowledgeable,
patient, flexible, excellent English.
Apply sun screen 15 minutes before leaving, use zinc oxide sunscreen as it is
less damaging to the wildlife.
Our crew and the food were first class. The ship was not. It was a
replacement for a ship which was sunk in dry dock and was noisy with diesel
fumes. I realize Exodus offered us a chance to rebook but we had made our
air arrangements by then. Exodus does not offer airfare from the US. I
think we should be offered some compensation for the inferior ship. As noted
in my evaluation, I found a roach in the bathroom. Our toilet leaked and
required emergency repairs.
Read More
The trip really made me realize how completely special the Galápagos Islands
are. Riss, our guide, was a Galapaguano and was proud of his heritage. He
had excellent knowledge of the wildlife we saw, the history of Darwin and the
researchers who came after him and the forces which brought the islands into
being.
Seeing the sea turtles and the white tipped reef shark. Also walking on the
recently-140 year old lava. Watching the mating rituals of the frigate birds
and the boobies.
Please see the summary. He was excellent in every way, Knowledgeable,
patient, flexible, excellent English.
Apply sun screen 15 minutes before leaving, use zinc oxide sunscreen as it is
less damaging to the wildlife.
Our crew and the food were first class. The ship was not. It was a
replacement for a ship which was sunk in dry dock and was noisy with diesel
fumes. I realize Exodus offered us a chance to rebook but we had made our
air arrangements by then. Exodus does not offer airfare from the US. I
think we should be offered some compensation for the inferior ship. As noted
in my evaluation, I found a roach in the bathroom. Our toilet leaked and
required emergency repairs.
The two-week wildlife cruise was the holiday of a lifetime. We both enjoy
science and wildlife, we are also sailors and have our own boat. Most days
the itinerary was full on and wonderful, and we were delighted with the
amazing wildlife both on land and in the sea. The crew were very friendly
and worked amazingly hard. There was a generous amount of good food for
every meal, including much fruit, vegetables and salads. Unfortunately
several of us had stomach upsets for 1 or 2 days.
The boat was the main cause for concern. The A/C in the dining room failed
for a couple of days, and dripped water on the seating so we had several wet
seats for a few days. The Dining room ceiling also dripped water on several
occasions. Our A/C also dripped on the carpet, or anything that was on the
carpet nearby, and also on the shelves under it. Many things were wet or
smelled musty. We had room 1 and our toilet was often malfunctioning from
the start, and then blocked completely for a whole day (happily the crew
worked very hard and managed to repair it by bedtime). There were no other
toilets except the ones in other guests cabins.
Exodus gave us only 24 hours to decide whether to abort the holiday as the
original boat the Cachalot was out of commission but we were told that the
substitute boat was also a “first class boat”. We now discover that
according to Galapagos Islands.com the ‘Astrea’ or ‘Pinguino
Explorer’ is down as a “mid-priced boat” and costs 650 dollars per week
less that the ‘Catchalot’ did, so we are not amused as no refund was
offered for this cheaper accommodation.
Exodus were unable to give us useful information regarding laundry (they said
there was none) or the ability to wash things ourselves and hang them out.
Also, they were unable to answer queries about the flight from Quito to the
islands or the baggage allowance for that flight. We therefore took far too
much luggage!
We were only told about the need for US dollars to pay the bar bill within
the last week when we had already ordered and collected our dollars.
So hard to decide as most days exceeded our expectations. I loved the seals,
so amusing and entertaining, as were the Penguins but the Hammerhead sharks
took my breath away. We saw about 100 Mola mola (sunfish) I also was blown
away by the Siera Negra Volcano – so huge.
Very knowledgeable about so many things, but not easy to get a straight
answer from, and also rather creepy.
Find out who the local agent is and check their website, it answered many of
our outstanding questions. You can wash for yourself, a plug is useful, and
hang out clothes on the rail outside.
Details
Value4.0
Guide4.0
Activities4.0
Lodging4.0
Transportation4.0
Meals4.0
A
Anonymous
August 2018
The two-week wildlife cruise was the holiday of a lifetime. We both enjoy
science and wildlife, we are also sailors and have our own boat. Most days
the itinerary was full on and wonderful, and we were delighted with the
amazing wildlife both on land and in the sea. The crew were very friendly
and worked amazingly hard. There was a generous amount of good food for
every meal, including much fruit, vegetables and salads. Unfortunately
several of us had stomach upsets for 1 or 2 days.
The boat was the main cause for concern. The A/C in the dining room failed
for a couple of days, and dripped water on the seating so we had several wet
seats for a few days. The Dining room ceiling also dripped water on several
occasions. Our A/C also dripped on the carpet, or anything that was on the
carpet nearby, and also on the shelves under it. Many things were wet or
smelled musty. We had room 1 and our toilet was often malfunctioning from
the start, and then blocked completely for a whole day (happily the crew
worked very hard and managed to repair it by bedtime). There were no other
toilets except the ones in other guests cabins.
Exodus gave us only 24 hours to decide whether to abort the holiday as the
original boat the Cachalot was out of commission but we were told that the
substitute boat was also a “first class boat”. We now discover that
according to Galapagos Islands.com the ‘Astrea’ or ‘Pinguino
Explorer’ is down as a “mid-priced boat” and costs 650 dollars per week
less that the ‘Catchalot’ did, so we are not amused as no refund was
offered for this cheaper accommodation.
Exodus were unable to give us useful information regarding laundry (they said
there was none) or the ability to wash things ourselves and hang them out.
Also, they were unable to answer queries about the flight from Quito to the
islands or the baggage allowance for that flight. We therefore took far too
much luggage!
We were only told about the need for US dollars to pay the bar bill within
the last week when we had already ordered and collected our dollars.
So hard to decide as most days exceeded our expectations. I loved the seals,
so amusing and entertaining, as were the Penguins but the Hammerhead sharks
took my breath away. We saw about 100 Mola mola (sunfish) I also was blown
away by the Siera Negra Volcano – so huge.
Very knowledgeable about so many things, but not easy to get a straight
answer from, and also rather creepy.
Find out who the local agent is and check their website, it answered many of
our outstanding questions. You can wash for yourself, a plug is useful, and
hang out clothes on the rail outside.
Read More
science and wildlife, we are also sailors and have our own boat. Most days
the itinerary was full on and wonderful, and we were delighted with the
amazing wildlife both on land and in the sea. The crew were very friendly
and worked amazingly hard. There was a generous amount of good food for
every meal, including much fruit, vegetables and salads. Unfortunately
several of us had stomach upsets for 1 or 2 days.
The boat was the main cause for concern. The A/C in the dining room failed
for a couple of days, and dripped water on the seating so we had several wet
seats for a few days. The Dining room ceiling also dripped water on several
occasions. Our A/C also dripped on the carpet, or anything that was on the
carpet nearby, and also on the shelves under it. Many things were wet or
smelled musty. We had room 1 and our toilet was often malfunctioning from
the start, and then blocked completely for a whole day (happily the crew
worked very hard and managed to repair it by bedtime). There were no other
toilets except the ones in other guests cabins.
Exodus gave us only 24 hours to decide whether to abort the holiday as the
original boat the Cachalot was out of commission but we were told that the
substitute boat was also a “first class boat”. We now discover that
according to Galapagos Islands.com the ‘Astrea’ or ‘Pinguino
Explorer’ is down as a “mid-priced boat” and costs 650 dollars per week
less that the ‘Catchalot’ did, so we are not amused as no refund was
offered for this cheaper accommodation.
Exodus were unable to give us useful information regarding laundry (they said
there was none) or the ability to wash things ourselves and hang them out.
Also, they were unable to answer queries about the flight from Quito to the
islands or the baggage allowance for that flight. We therefore took far too
much luggage!
We were only told about the need for US dollars to pay the bar bill within
the last week when we had already ordered and collected our dollars.
So hard to decide as most days exceeded our expectations. I loved the seals,
so amusing and entertaining, as were the Penguins but the Hammerhead sharks
took my breath away. We saw about 100 Mola mola (sunfish) I also was blown
away by the Siera Negra Volcano – so huge.
Very knowledgeable about so many things, but not easy to get a straight
answer from, and also rather creepy.
Find out who the local agent is and check their website, it answered many of
our outstanding questions. You can wash for yourself, a plug is useful, and
hang out clothes on the rail outside.
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