Anyone been on a tour of the Galapagos Islands?

Im hoping to fly into Ecuador from Miami or overland from Peru, where I am planning to catch a flight to the Galapagos Islands.

I have looked at some tours online although Im not really sure if they are any good or not. I'm on a backpacking budget so I would be looking for a tour on the cheaper end of the scale (but not completely basic!)

Thanks

We were in the Galapagos Islands in April. Wonderful trip. You have to go with a tour company as no one is allowed on the islands without a guide. I'm not sure exactly what it is that you want and you have to be very careful when booking because there are some unscrupulous captains/boats out there. Try GAP tours or the one we went with ....Explorers Corner. We lived on a catamaran for a week......kayaked, snorkled and hiked every day. Food was top notch as was the tour guide and naturalist guide. It may cost you a bit more but certainly worth it.

Also, the best time to go is between December & May. The currents coming up from the Antarctic make the water temperatures very cold and the water rough from June to November. Being sea sick from the rough ocean would certainly ruin the trip & some tour companies won't even run tours during that time. You should really plan your trip around that as swimming with the sea lion pups and the penguins was certainly one of the highlights. The water temperature in April was around 73 degrees. It's warmer January - March.

Quito isn't the safest of cities either (although Quayaquil is worse) so be very careful. Never carry all your money and identification in the same pocket & if you are mugged they will take your shoes so not a good hiding place for identification. Make sure you go to the Otavalo market when you are there. It's about 2 hours by bus from Quito.

Anyway, you can email me for more information if you want...

I have not been there but have seen numerous documentaries on it. Quite an amazing place and would jump at the chance of visiting there. I hope that you will be able to get to see it.