The Galapagos trip on the Tip Top III was terrific (great crew). I really enjoyed the small group/small boat experience. It helped to make the experience personal and highly pleasurable. We were lucky to have a great group of energetic people who were like minded and ready to explore and participate in all of the activities. Our guide, Edgar, told us we were a "hard core" Road Scholar group! The trip confirmed my belief that we as a society must conserve and maintain our natural resources so that beautiful natural sites remain that way! I highly recommend this adventure.

My tenth RS trip and one of the very best. The one day touring Quito and standing on the equator was a great way to start the adventure. The guides, Gonzalo and Solange were well informed and engaging and the crew of the Tip Top III were wonderful. We saw every one of the animals and birds we went there to see and had fabulous snorkeling nearly every day to boot! I recommend that those contemplating a trip to the Galapagos go sooner than later because with a new airport on the islands it loooks like tourism might explode.

This was my ninth trip with RS(my first outside North America)and it was a dilly! Our guide Gonzalo, our naturalist Solange, and the crew of Tip Top III were personable, knowledgeable, and professional ... simply top-notch, all of them. They shared their pride of place and their stories, which added immeasurably to the experience. It was interesting to learn, for instance, that Solange's family has lived in the Galapagos Islands for more than 100 years! I saw all the wildlife I had hoped to see, including, of course, marine iguanas and land iguanas, but also giant land tortoises IN THE WILD. The variety and number of birds was astounding, and Solange's expertise allowed us to distinguish even among all the various Darwin's finches. The snorkeling was wonderful too; I swam with rays and green sea turtles and penguins and flightless cormorants and many, many, many colorful fish. I explored several options for touring the Galapagos before I chose Road Scholar, and I cannot imagine anything else would have been better!

Just returned (Mar 16th) after a wonderful trip. Animal and bird life exceeded expectations. Tip Top III and crew are top notch. Gonzolo was with us for the whole trip, he did a wonderful job and was fun to be with. Solange was our park guide. She takes great pride in her islands. The snorkeling was fantastic. Face to face encounters with sea lions and sea turtles are memorable moments. We even saw the Mola Mola - a brief blur. Weather was good, not too hot or wet. Sea turtles, marine iguana, frigate birds and boobies(blue footed, red footed & Nazca) were breeding which made for some spectacular displays - especially the frigate birds. Interesting visit to the tortoise breeding station.

Just back from a month of travels...last segment of trip was the Galapagos program and it was the highlight. It was active, interesting, informative and fun -- loved being on Tip Top III with capacity of 16 guests + guides and crew. Our guide, Ruly, was excellent--positive, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and fun. A great experience. Walt and Barbara Gruber, Healdsburg CA

Enthusiastic and knowledgeable Galapagos leader and engaging participants made the trip especially memorable. We saw penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, dolphins, many types of birds--and a life-time supply of marine iguanas!

I highly recommend this program, with its helpful and knowledgeable guides, attentive and safety-conscious boat crew, excellent meals, and incredible scenery and wildlife. The other participants were great, too. Be sure to take a good camera, dramamine, and a rain jacket or poncho, just in case.

Fabulous trip that was seamlessly organized and which attracted interesting, educated and engaging participants.

I was impressed with how different each stop was from the others; I didn't get a sense we had seen sights at a destination before. The proximity of wildlife was truly remarkable! I'm used to destinations where wildlife is not close—and critters move away ASAP at our arrival. Here, we had to keep from stepping on them!

This was a physically demanding program but the guide and boat crew were very good about helping us in and out of the Zodiacs and over lava rocks. Bring an ample supply of medicines (like Immodium and Dramamine) and firsf aid items. We were rarely in a town. Many of or group came down with a flu-like illness.

Early May is an excellent time to take this trip, with great weather and usually warm water. Important!: bring shoes or slippers for wearing just on the boat. Water shoes and shoes worn on the beach and on lava are not permitted to be worn on the boat. We are encouraged to minimize our clothing but laundry is not permitted on the boat, so clothing is worn for several sweaty days. Clothing with insect repellent is very nice to have. Hats with wide brims are highly suggested.

Want to experience a world that you never imagined? Want to swim and/or snorkel with marine life large and small? Join the Road Scholar Galapagos Cultural and Natural History Tour and sail on a tour you will never forget!

I will never forget the beauty and wonders of the Galapagos having seen them very "up-close and personal" with friendly, supportive and knowledgeable staff. I enjoyed the company of guests like me who are curious about our world and value the treasures it offers. I am still floating on air days after my return home. --Susan Montauk

Our naturalist Carlos was wonderful, can't imagine a better guide. The crew of the TipTop also was great.

This was a well organized & well run trip to what must be one of the most extraordinary places on earth. I was very happy that wet suits were available for rent as the snorkeling was a special feature of the trip. It is one thing to see the turtles (and penquins and cormorants & fish) swimming around one's boat and quite another to be swimming among them. It is a good idea to do some preparation at home, especially if one is interested in evolutionary science as I am. The lecture portions of the trip were not of the same quality as on other trips I have taken with Road Scholar BUT, as far as the geological history and the description of the flora & fauna of the islands, our guide Carlos (the Avatar) was really wonderful. There was a touch of mysticism in him that did not serve his scientific credibility well but he really knew the plants, animals, fish & birds which is no mean feat. Plus he is passionately commited to the preservations of the Islands. I am not sure that there is time to add "lectures" of greater depth to the schedule. I would not have traded snorkeling or exploring time for lectures. The compact cabins were kept spotless & there was always hot water in the showers. The food was quite good altho they have not yet gotten the knack of accommodating lacto-ovo vegetarians much less vegans. This could be easily done as vegetables & fruits (including potatos, beans & quinoa) are an integral part of the Ecuadorian diet. I am a street photographer but brought only 2 little point & shoots, so my photo capacity was severely limited. Despite this I got some fine photos. Since the fauna do not fear humans at all, one can get very close.

Our guide in Galapagos, Carlos, may be one of the most engaging and intelligent human beings I've ever encountered. His knowledge of plants, birds, animals, geology, and history was astounding.

The islands are an amazing place and MUST be preserved. If you want to see evolution right before your eyes, go to Galapagos.

A well organized, exciting, educational program with only 15 people (perfect #).
Guides were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, helpful.
We saw local points of interest, as well as many indigenous species of
plants and animals.
An outstanding trip. Recommend it to anyone with plenty of energy and
strong leg muscles.