Travellers' Reports for Ecuador

Galapagos

Hiking

Kapawi Jungle Lodge

Yacuma Jungle Lodge

Volcano Avenue

Hiking

Mike from the UK - Antisana trek & Guagua Pinchicha trek 09/2004
Hi Dany
Overall the trip went really well. The weather in the mountains could have been kinder - there was a lot of cloud covering the higher peaks and it rained on our trek - but we still appreciated the wonderful scenery and saw most of the volcanoes, albeit briefly in some cases.
The day we spent up Gua Gua Pichincha was disappointing in that the volcano was covered in cloud at the very top. Of course that's just the way it goes and our guide was very friendly and helpful.
During the trek it rained for the first 2 days and was fine thereafter. Our guide and cook were both excellent and the equipment was fine. I'm glad we took good sleeping bags because when the weather eventually cleared the night time temperatures dropped well below freezing.
There are two things which were less positive
- our trek lasted 4 days after which we were driven to Papallacta. On the fourth day at 8.30am we were picked up from the place where we'd camped the previous night and driven to Papallacta where we arrived in plenty of time for lunch. I no longer have our itinerary but I had assumed that on the fourth day we would do some trekking, perhaps until lunchtime and then go to Papallacta in the afternoon. As it was we paid for a fourth day - and extra for the travel to Papallacta - but received little in return. By midday we had said our goodbyes to the trekking team
- before we left you told us that Cotopaxi was too unstable for Tim (our youngest) to climb and that we could not go up as a family. Once there we found no one who could substantiate the view that Cotopaxi was unstable (no more than usual) and the feedback was that Tim would be able to get up so long as he ate enough food / stayed strong enough. By then it was too late to arrange anything and I was disappointed at the missed opportunity
All that said we're not upset or anything. As I said the trekking team were great and I don't have any complaints about them.
I don't know if we'll go back - there are so many places in the world - but we'd very much like to.

Monica from the US - Antisana trek 05/2004
We loved the trek (although I found the altitude a little tough to live with) and all the organization was excellent. We have to giver much credit to our guide Patricio for making the local experience really wonderful. Thanks for all you help at Condor.

Galapagos

Robert from the UK - Cruise aboard Galapagos Legend 06/2004
You asked for feedback on our visit to the Galapagos Islands and I must apologise that it has taken so long to get back to you.
All the arrangements you booked for us went very well. We were met at Quito airport by Bonnie, the guide, who (with her husband who did the driving), took us to our hotel and helped to check us in. They were also our guides for the local tours the following day and transported us back to the airport for the flight to Baltra. The personal service they provided was excellent in all respects and could not be faulted.
The 'Galapagos Legend' proved to be a comfortable and very well run boat and the whole crew, from the Cruise Director downwards, did everythihng they could to make our time on board and the island excursions a memorable and very enjoyable experience. The only suggestions that we made when completing the questionnaire about the standards of comfort, food and service, was that improved control of the cabin air-conditioning should be provided and postage stamps should be available on board for post cards. We were particularly impressed with our naturalist guide, Julian, who went out of his way to explain everything to our group and was very personable and helpful in every way.
We really enjoyed our trip and would like to thank you for making all the necessary bookings and arrangements.

Monique, New Caledonia - Diving cruise aboard Sky dancer, Galapagos 09/2004
Bonjour Gilles,
Nous sommes rentrés en bonne forme depuis quelques jours. Notre périple s'est déroulé à merveille, sans fausse note.
Nous avons vu des requins-baleines presque à chaque plongée, 14 en tout, des bancs de requins-marteaux, et plongé et joué avec des otaries sans compter tout le reste...
Au Pérou, c'était le "Pérou"! Villes coloniales espagnoles magnifiques, sites Incas impressionnants, danses et musiques indiennes et pour finir une nuit à Buenos Ayres avec un spectacle de tango formidable.
Nous joignons quelques photos. Cordialement,

Martine, France - Adventure tour into the Galapagos 15/07/2002
Dear Gilles, Dear Danielle,
Our trip to the Galapagos was fantastic. Unforgettable. Vicente is a wonderful person and did everything to allow us to discover the marvels of the islands in such a short time. We even had the nice surprise to be able to spend a night in Floreana and see the highlands because we could join a scuba diving group. We did everything that was on the program and even more. Our guides were very nice.
Thank you very much, we will highly recommend the tour.
Martine

Éliane, Canada- Galapagos cruise aboard the Pulsar 15/03/2003
In the Galapagos islands, the cruise was fine, although I was seasick at one time. The people who accompanied us were fine. Patrick, the owner of the boat, was our guide for the first part of the cruise and we enjoyed being able to speak a little bit of French with him. He is very nice and we could understand his English better that the ecuadorian guide that replace him for the last part of the cruise.
The hotel Fuente de Piedra was very quiet and nice. We stayed there for five nights.
We visited Riobamba and Otovalo during the thrid week.
In all, this was a good travel and we have seen a lot of Ecuador. We are happy to be back safe. One incident : Roger's camera was stolen in the bus on our way back from Tena to Quito. Please advise your customers not to put any luggage in the luggage rack in busses. Thank you for your services.

Joanna from the US - Galapagos cruise aboard Darwin Explorer- 09/2004
Danielle We wished to thank you for all your assistance with our cruise. The tickets were ready for our collection on arrival as promised and the boat turned out great - I did not get seasick at all aided by the size and stability of the boat. The crew were excellent and the food too!
A friend is interested in doing the same trip but without the diving and so I have passed on your details.

Luc from Québec - Galapagos cruise aboard Darwin Explorer, Kapawi Jungle Lodge and Volcano Avenue - 08/08/2002
Bonjour Gilles
Le voyage a été extraordinaire !
Tout a été sur des roulettes ! Nous avons définitivement fait un bon choix en travaillant avec vous !
Kapawi est super ! A conseiller a tous vos clients. Le personnel et particulièrement la guide Paulina ont vraiment été génials avec nous et avec les enfants. NB : Pamir ne nous attendait pas à l’aéroport au retour de Kapawi. Il semblait qu’ils pensaient que nos transferts n’étaient pas inclus. J’ai du les appeler et insister un peu avant qu’ils viennent nous chercher.
La vallée des volcans s’est très bien passé aussi ! Le guide Alfredo Carrera s’est vraiment révélé être très à notre écoute. Nous avons facilement pu modifier et aménager le programme pour mieux fonctionner avec les enfants. L’hacienda d’El Ciénega est un endroit extraordinaire. A recommander à vos clients. Un séjour de 2 jours à cet endroit serait très apprécié. Une seule remarque, l’hôtel à Ottovalo mériterait d’être changé. C’était plutôt sale et mal entretenu par rapport aux autres endroits que nous avons vu.
Finalement les Iles Galapagos étaient bien sûr superbes bien que le guide que nous avions n’était pas super dans ce cas là. Il se bornait à énumérer les noms des animaux que nous voyons sans plus. [ Les guides sont affectés à chaque bateau par le parc national des Galapagos...c'est la roulette russe, mais en général ils sont bons; voir autres commentaires ci-dessous] Nous avions été groupé avec d’autres familles qui avaient des enfants sur le bateau, ce qui s’est révélé très bien pour permettre aux enfants de s’amuser. Le Darwin Explorer est très bien mais ses toilettes pourraient être nettoyées plus souvent.
Donc c’était super !
Il me fera plaisir de faire des références si certains de vos clients en demandent.

Michelle, US - Galapagos cruise aboard Galapagos Explorer II and Kapawi Jungle Lodge 01/04/2002
Hello Danielle, We had an absolutely fantastic time in the Galapagos and an even BETTER time (if you can belieive it) in Kapawi. They were very different. The Galapagos has fewer species of wildlife but they are in abundance, and you can readily see them on hikes and snorkelling. Although the Amazon has more species, they are in smaller numbers and are extremely camera shy. I am sure, even with my super 600mm camera lens, the birds are going to appear as we specs on film! That is, if you can spot them in the foliage of the trees. The Kapawi group was smaller and we got to know the very knowledgeable guides better. In addition, the activities in Kapawi were more diverse and did not involve being on rocky seas!
Anyway, I'll send my travel update top family and friends about the Galapagos to you for a laugh. Emma is writing one on our Amazon experience tomorrow.
Hear from you soon,
Michelle

Elke, US - Galapagos cruise aboard Galapagos Explorer II and Kapawi Jungle Lodge 01/07/2002
Hi Danielle!
Comments on your services: outstanding, couldn't have worked out any better. I believe the trickiest part in our case was to fit both of our wishes in such a tight timeframe, visiting the Galapagos and Kapawi in less than two weeks, and it all worked out perfectly.
Comments on the boat. Well, we are happy go easy kind of people, especially when on vacation. Nevertheless, we talked to one passanger about the form we were requested to fill in after the trip, and he said, he had written 7 (or was it 8?) pages with recommendations of how to improve the service. He said, since the cruise is quite high priced, he would have expected better attention. As to us, yes, the guide wasn't that great, either, but I can't remember his name, and we didn't leave a big tip for him. Our waiter, Juan, was very nice, polite, and extremely helpful, and we left him the biggest tip. We also left a tip to the crew, but just like you, we considered leaving as much as they asked for was ridiculous. We would have ended up paying
$ 700 just for tips, so we decided to rather give the individuals that pleased us a personal tip, than tipping as a lumpsum. We also left a tip to the people who cleaned the rooms, because they also did a nice job, always on time, always invisible. The biggest disappointment for us was at the end, I believe we told you. The boat had troubles with the electricity and we were quite late to get back to San Cristobal. We had to sit around and wait, the cabins were already cleared, so nobody had a place to go, it was hot (no A/C), and even when one of the passengers suggested to the Captain, to provide free drinks to everyone who wanted one, he declined. At the time we were about 70 passengers, take half of them wanted a dring, multiply this by $5, that would have been an expense of approx. $175, we are still shocked that the captain felt, he couldn't do that. Overall we enjoyed the cruise, but again, putting price and service provided in relationship, it was probably not that great.
Kapawi was a totally different deal. We'd like to go back there rather today than tomorrow. Everything was just so great! Yes, we do like pictures of scenery and wildlife, actually that are mostly the pictures John takes. We are very much looking forward to receiving the CD! Thanks so much!
Best regards from John and the kids!

John, UK - Galapagos cruise and diving aboard Darwin Explorer aboard the Darwin Explorer 19/10/2001 After an initial hiccup in Lima when we found that our original flight reservations to Quito had been cancelled, we have had an excellent time in Ecuador and the Galapagos. The hotels, boat and guides have been excellent. Just to let you know that there was no problem with paying for the diving and Annabelle at Pamir was very apologetic for the misunderstanding. I should also say that Annabelle was extremely helpful in taking us to the hospital with Theresa - Theresa was fine but she had fallen and hit her head on our last night in the Galapagos and the local hospital said that she should have x-rays in Quito just to be sure. Annabelle drove us straight to the hospital from the airport and stayed for over an hour acting as translator. We were very appreciative. I must also say that the cruise in the Galapagos, and our time in Quito, was excellent. In the end our only complaint was that we had to come home! The boat was comfortable and the guide and crew extremely friendly and helpful, and of course the Galapagos themselves, both in and out of the water are just amazing! I think that a return visit is definitely on the cards. So, thank you again Gilles for all your help in putting the trip together and ensuring that it all went so smoothly. We certainly will not hesitate in recommending your services to anybody who is thinking of going to South America, and hopefully we will be giving you another call ourselves sometime next year!

Claire, UK - Galapagos cruise aboard Darwin Explorer 19/10/2001 We had such a fantastic time, that I am hoping to return for another visit. I would very specifically be looking to go on the Darwin Explorer again and wonder whether you could advise the following:

Catherine, UK - Galapagos cruise aboard Darwin Explorer 22/11/2000
Hello Gilles and Danielle
Just a quick word to let you know that we had a fantastic trip on the Darwin explorer in the Galapagos islands. When we arrived in Quito we found our tickets waiting for us. We almost had a problem with a flight to the Galapagos because although we arrived at the airport one hour before the flight they didn't check us in at the check in desk. So when we turned up at the gate a little less than half an hour before they said we had lost our seats. Eventually they found some for us. We were lucky it was not high season, but could you warn people that they aren't actually checked in until they arrive at the gate in Quito domestic airport. There were no more problems though. The guide Walter was fun and very knowledgeable. He was born in the Galapagos so was interested in the conservation of the islands. The islands were stunning and the animals fantasic. Actually it was amazing how quickly you got used to being approached by sea lions and how comfortable the animals and birds were with human presence. We noticed this all the more on day five when six new people joined the boat and we watched their first reactions - the same ones we had had five days earlier.
The boat was cosy! Cabins were very small but you have hot water to shower all the time. Meals were excellent. We are vegetarians and they still managed to provide something delicious most nights . The deserts were not so good but after such a good main course no one really cared. We had no problem finding a hotel in Puerto Ayora. We stayed in a room with a hot shower for $15 per night for the room for two people. There is a lot of construction going on there at the moment so I think hotels will be even easier to find in the future. Transfer to the airport is a bus that leaves from the plaza about three hours before the flight leaves. Buy tickets in advance at the ticket office, also on the plaza. Any way thanks for booking the trip. It was probably one of my best ever and I've been to lots of places! A great hassle free holiday.
Thanks

Helen, US - Galapagos cruise aboard Darwin Explorer 01/09/2001 hi danielle,
Sorry i took so long getting back. i live and work dowtown close to ground zero and just trying to catch up and get things back into the groove.
the trip to the galapagos was great. our ship was simple, but very comfortable. the food was very good, the chef always had a snack and the meals were hearty and creative. being a vegaterian isn't always easy when away; however, the chef catered to everyone's needs.
the crew was the best part. very friendly, helpful and the crew had a ship band, so every night we would all gather on deck and sing and dance. they were very good musicians and it put such a nice touch on the trip. they were very proud and sweet about playing and fulfilling their responsibilities. there was a cute little bar where evryone would gather after the day and converse. i also felt very safe on the ship. the crew were professional and knowledgable about the sea, islands and equipment. we even went diving. wow!! hammerhead sharks, sting rays, schooooooools of fish, sea tutles, marine lizards, sea lions. you must have a certified diver's card with you. on certain dives it was a bit dangerous, the currents down there are real fast in parts. the guide took us down.
the only complaints about the trip would be when lodging on the ship a heavy smell of gasoline was filling the cabins below (unfortunately that's were we were) it gave headaches and some of the guests slept on couches in the dining room or on lounge chairs on decks. they also had a little roach problem in the cabins. when booking future guests i would make sure their cabins were on deck to avoid these problems. the cabins on deck were smaller but had the fresh sea air and no roach problems.
the islands were beautiful. we were swimming with sea lions and up close to blue footed boobies. walter our guide was *****! spoke very good english, was very knowledgable about the islands and animal life, patient and a great sense of humor. I highly suggest him as a guide. the four days allowed us to see plenty and get a good sense of the galapagos. it is an amazing place full of history and spectacular beauty, i learned a lot.
i would also advise guest that there is a 10% tip to the crew at the end. the crew really work their butts off to accommodate everyone and it is disappointing to them and in general how people can be so unappreciative and cheap. we were told some guests only gave a couple of dollars to the crew. i understand some foreigners are not acustom to tipping; however, it should be explained that the last day of the trip 2 envelopes will be given to each cabin and 10% tip to be given and a tip to the guide in the other.
i belive it is practice like this that can affect service and attitude in the future for better or worse.
if you have any other questions, please feel free to e-mail me.
thanks again for arranging the trip. best regards,

Éliane, Canada- Yacuma Jungle Lodge 15/03/2003
Everything all right! We had a good time with everybody at the Yacuma Lodge where we were the only guest. Everybody at our service. We walked three hours in the forest, had good explanations of the use of herbs and plants by the quechua guide, we were very happy with our guide Alfredo who accompanied us from Quito to Yacuma and return. We arrive late, night, in yacuma because the road in construction was blocked for two hours, but the boat wa waiting for us and it was a bit mysterious to arrive at the lodge at dark. We have seen nixe morphea butterflies in the forets but this was about the only animals we have seen there, plus a caïman.
The hotel Fuente de Piedra was very quiet and nice. We stayed there for five nights.
We visited Riobamba and Otovalo during the thrid week.
In all, this was a good travel and we have seen a lot of Ecuador. We are happy to be back safe. One incident : Roger's camera was stolen in the bus on our way back from Tena to Quito. Please advise your customers not to put any luggage in the luggage rack in busses.
Thank you for your services.