Anyone been to Galapagos, Ecuador, or Peru

[rodent]

Mike has been talking about going to Machu Picchu in Peru. Machu Picchu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

I just realized today that the Galapagos Islands are off the coast of Ecuador which is north of Peru. So now I'm thinking this might be an amazing trip to put together. It will be 2011-2013, but I like planning early to start learning about an area & just have fun thinking about a future trip.

 

I always thought a trip to the Galapagos was incredibly expensive & took a ton of travel time. But, from my little research today it looks much more realistic.

 

For those that have been to this area, did the altitude make it really hard to enjoy yourself? I'd hate to go on a big trip and be too out of breath to enjoy it.

[EDRBride2009]

Hi there

I was in Peru one year ago, and it was unbelievably wonderful. The only bad part about my trip was that I was only there for a week.

The altitude was something I was worried about before I left. The day I got there I had a few dizzy spells, but other than that, I was fine. My mom it affected alittle more. Regardless of your level of physical fitness, you will huff and puff more than usual.

We went to Machu Picchu towards the end of my trip so that we would have a few days to acclimatize to the altitude if necessary. Altitude or not, it will take your breath away!

If you are worried about it, give yourself a few extra days, or talk to your doctor. I know my mom brought along a prescription that is suppose to help with the altitude. Or you can partake of the local cure - mate de coca.

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me and I will help you out if I can!

[rodent]

thanks jamie!

 

did you hike Machu Picchu or ride?

[ACDCDCAC]

morg, my aunt lives in ecuador, for the last 25 years! let me know if you'd like any specific info and i can ask her for you

 

the few things i do know:

~its eternal spring weather, 70 and mild all year round.

~they eat guinea pigs. tastes like greasy chicken. really. its very common, with rice. so be careful if you order something with chicken in a rural area. unless you are into that sort of thing.

 

but i have a feeling niblets would be upset with you

[EDRBride2009]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan thanks jamie! did you hike Machu Picchu or ride?

We did the train ride to Machu Picchu. We took the Vistadome there and the Backpacker on the way back. If you can splurge for the Vistadome both ways, do it. To say the Backpacker was cozy would be putting it nicely.

Originally I wanted to do the Inca trail, but couldn't because of time. I spoke with a lady who climbed the trail with her daughter and she said that she wasn't very impressed.

If you can, travel to Aguas Calientes the day before, that way you can get to MP bright and early!

[rodent]

thanks. I am starting a folder to save trip info. I just copied your advice.

[Dmitri_Markine]

I have Equador on my list for early next year. I have a lot of friends from there and it's a beautiful place. Galapagos is another jewel. You can take a boat or fly there.

[*Heather*]

Hey Morgan,

 

One of FI's good friends has lived in Ecuador (Galapagos) for a few years - I can get some info from him if you want! He always tries to get us to go there for a visit but it's just never worked out. He loves living there, and actually met and married his wife there.

[rodent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Heather* Hey Morgan, One of FI's good friends has lived in Ecuador (Galapagos) for a few years - I can get some info from him if you want! He always tries to get us to go there for a visit but it's just never worked out. He loves living there, and actually met and married his wife there.

he lives in the galapagos? or on the mainland?

I'd love to hear what he recommends.

after a little research I don't think we'd do Galapagos & Machu Picchu on the same trip. Atleast not any time soon. It would take too many days & we usually can't take much longer then 7 days off at a time. No point in going & rushing it.

So I imagine we'd do Peru first & then on a later trip go to the galapagos. By then we can probably splurge a little more on a nicer cruise.

I found a flight to ecuador, one night stay, flight to and from Galapagos, 4 day cruise, plus all meals would run about $2,500 each. I always thought it was more like $8,000. Still it would be nicer to go when we could do an 8 day cruise.

[*Heather*]

I think he lives on the mainland, because his wife is a popular tv personality. He's a surfer though so he goes all over the place (it's why he went to Ecuador in the first place, and he's just never come home).