The Galápagos: Natural and Cultural History

This was a great program. I learned a lot. The accommodations on the TipTopV catamaran were fantastic.

An excellent experience for many reasons. Peter Tejada is a passionate advocate for the Galapagos and because of him I came to realize how much more there is than the delightful animals we saw - I so appreciate its geology, climate, plant life and entire ecosystem. After one outing when I had only my zoom lens (still thinking "unusual animals") I learned to keep my iphone with me to capture all the other amazing features. The boat crew was marvelous - we were in safe, capable hands especially getting in and out of the zodiacs. Meals were delicious and beautifully presented. The rented shortie wet suit with my rash guard tops and bottoms and a newly purchased kid's underwater camera were perfect for snorkeling, though I hadn't done it in decades and found it a bit more challenging than the calm, warm Caribbean waters I recalled. The boat's walking sticks were very handy for some hikes. I saw the National Geographic Islander moored near Baltra our last morning and thanked myself for deciding NOT to sign up for it a few years back. It looked enormous next to our wonderful, intimate Tip Top V yacht. Go while you are still feeling physically fit.

The trip was amazing, all personnel were friendly and beyond great service. Returning from Galapagos, we missed our midnight connection Quito to Atlanta. Many of us tried calling the travel numbers for help rebooking. I spoke to a person once who was going to pass me on to someone else, never heard back. Next morning I connected with a person who rebooked for another midnight flight. Barbara Jacobs

The destinations of Quito and the Galápagos Islands were the best part of this trip, supported by the native guides at each destination. Quito is an interesting colonial town with a unique history, as is Ecuador itself. The Galápagos Islands were a whole additional level of fascinating with its fearless wildlife and stark volcanic scenery in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Our naturalist Galapagos guide was a native of the islands and his enthusiasm and love of his native islands were infectious, and he generously shared his knowledge of the flora and fauna of each destination we visited. We got to hike lava fields, view native and endemic plant and animal species in their nesting and non-nesting habitats, and observed life in all the various contexts both on land and in the water. The snorkeling, when the waves permitted it, was divine, and so was the kayaking. The weather on our visit was excellent, with day time temps were in the mid 70F range and we fortunately had no rain during our one week boat trip in the Galapagos; we did have wind and a lot of rocking on the boat as we transited the islands (which did not bother me as I don't apparently get sea sick, but did affect some others on our tour) westerly and then back easterly. This was a truly unique trip and it is highly recommended. This was a tour of the western islands of Santiago, Isabela, Fernandina, Santa Cruz, and associated islets.

This trip was amazing! The food, the friends, the guides, the animals...everything! I recommend this trip as a once in a lifetime opportunity and to learn the importance of taking care of our planet so more animals do not become extinct like Lonesome George's tortoise family.

This was the trip of a lifetime! One of the reviews we read suggested doing this program while still young. I am 68 and I'm so glad I didn't wait until "later" to enjoy this experience.

Fantastic trip. Both guides were excellent, though a special thanks to Harry for easing me back into the water when I had a panic attack about snorkeling. He guided me on my first two snorkels, then encouraged me to safely go on my own. The staff on the TipTop V was great, both on the boat and getting us in and out of the dinghies. The food and drinks and snacks were plentiful and very good. I highly recommend this trip. I learned so much and experienced one of the most unique places on earth.

Truly an experience of a lifetime. Our Galapagos guide Xavier was an experienced, knowledgeable and caring person, we were always safe in his hands. That meant a lot.

A trip of a lifetime. Visiting the Galapagos was on my bucket list, and this trip delivered more than I ever imagined. It was chock full of very active learning experiences and amazing sights.

AMAZING!!! We have traveled the world and this trip to the Galapagos Islands on the Tip Top V with knowledgable Fernando and to Quito with charming Eduardo was absolutely wonderful. Having a balcony in our cabin was a great way to star watch at night. The snorkeling was great and a wetsuit is highly recommended. The scope and breadth of the wildlife in the islands and the history in Quito was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Out of 10, this trip easily scores an 11 for both of us. Ending the trip at a lovely hacienda-like hotel in Puembo was icing on the cake. And I finally got to see blue-footed boobies in the wild. Kudos Road Scholar!!

The food and care on the Cruise was great. The room accomodations were very small for 2 people. The Quito guide was nice. We ran out of time and spent only 30 minutes at the Quito Botanical Gardens. I would have like at least 2-3 hours there. Maybe see more sites and another day there is acclimate. Also, another day in Quito to rest before the long trip home. Do not reduce the number of days in the Galapagos, just make the trip 2 days longer. The Galapagos guide was very informative, and waited for us to wipe feet with provided cloths after landing on the islands before starting the hikes. The hotel rooms in Quito were nice. I would have liked a layover in Quito before and after the Galapagos portion of the trip. It was difficult arriving at the Quito hotel about 12:00 midnight and then being ready for pick-up by 6:15 am. The same is true of the return trip got to bed in Quito at 8:30 pm to get-up and be ready to leave by 3:30 am. Arrived at my home in Lexington, Ky at 1:00 am the next day. I will make my own arrangements in the future, rather than using Roadscholar.

Fernando is THE guide to have for a trip to the Galapagos Islands; very knowledgeable and relatable. The timing for this trip was close to perfect, as a couple of the islands/stops that had been closed for some time (avian flu) had just recently been made accessible again. (Fernando even said this was his first visit to these particular places.) While in Quito, before leaving for the islands, everybody listed on a slip of paper what they were hoping to see on the islands. Our guide did his best to be sure we saw just about everything we wanted to see. It is definitely an active tour, on the go early for most of the day (except for a short 'siesta' break after lunch). Tip Top V provided good accommodations with a friendly, helpful crew. Another highlight of this trip was our tour group as a whole. I was blessed with 15 fellow travelers who all looked out for each other, assisted those who needed help, encouraged each other, etc. A perfect ensemble with which to experience the wonders of the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos is like no other place. The Road Scholar trip really helped us understand and experience Galapagos. I would especially like to highlight our naturalist Fernando Gil. He was knowledgeable, passionate, helpful, funny, and we could see that he was living his dream guiding these trips. His leadership and enthusiasm were infective and the entire group got totally engaged in the Islands. We enjoyed the program so much that we were in tears as we departed. On the last night, we got together and sang Bonnie Rait's Your Sweet and Shiny Eyes (In my sweet dreams we are in a bar and it's my birthday And we're having our picture taken with Fernando) to thank Fernando.

This was an amazing program. We had many questions beforehand, and we were able to speak to someone named Nicole from Holbrook travel who was always accessible. The trip was carefully organized and although it was non-stop activities, I found that I could do things I never thought I could...like jumping into the water and snorkeling from a panga. Even getting in and out of the pangas. The catamaran was beautiful and the food was great. Huge cabin with big bathroom. That was all a surprise. And the leader was exceptionally knowledgeable about the Galapapgos. He was born there! He know everything about the flora and fauna. We got to see wave albatross do a mating dance, and great frigate birds puffed up with red throats to attract females...along with so much else. And I never felt pushed to do an activity. If I was too exhausted or whatever, it was never a problem to stay on the boat. For one difficult, rocky walk on Espanola, the Leader Edgar gave us the option to stop half way and have a crew member from the ship bring a panga and walk half way to accompany us back. I would highly recommend this Road Scholar trip.

My three word recommendation re: this Galapagos trip is GO FOR IT!! I always wanted to see the Galápagos Islands but realized as soon as we arrived that I had very little idea of what to expect, which turned out to be a great thing because it meant that much of the trip fell into the category of "beautiful surprise". The entire experience blew me away. We saw SO MANY animals -- on land and in the water -- and our guide was outstanding. I'm so grateful that I made this trip.

Trip was everything we hoped for. Andres and Fatima were very knowledgeable naturalists. Coral I was very comfortable with terrific food. Jorge was great in Quito. We enjoyed the city much more than we expected. The itinerary was well balanced. Wished we could have seen the western islands (and penguins) but that would have been too much for the time we had. It was our first time over seas in 40 years so we appreciated Road Scholar holding our hands all the way. Thanks

Fantastic trip! We saw an amazing abundance of marine wildlife on our trip. Joelito, our naturalist guide in the Galapagos, was knowledgable about not only the wildlife, but he was equally knowledgable about the volcanology of the islands. During our week in the Galapagos, we saw Galapagos penguins, sea lions, sharks, iguanas, giant tortoises, sea turtles, cormorants, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and best of all, a migration of a hundred or more bottlenose dolphins. We also walked on recent and old lava flows on some of the islands. We had a great group on the tour and the Tip Top V was very comfortable with a competent and helpful crew. Be sure to have good water shoes for the wet landings and good hiking shoes for the walking on the lava flows. Hiking poles were also helpful on some of the island hikes. Binoculars are useful for viewing sea life while cruising. We brought our own snorkeling gear and wet suits, except for fins. We used our wet suits but others went without. The water wasn't that cold in March. A rash guide would be sufficient for snorkeling. All and all a fabulous trip!

I highly recommend Road Scholar! The logistics for the trip to the Galapagos were seamless, enabling us to enjoy the marvelous wildlife of the islands without a care. The accommodations were five star, as were the excursions. I was especially pleased with the multiple opportunities to snorkel among the sea lions, tropical fish, sea turtles, and rays. I would recommend that if you need glasses that you order a prescription snorkeling mask before going in order to fully appreciate the experience.

I highly recommend the Cultural and Natural History Tour of the Galapagos. It was a fantastic experience! Top notch crew and guides, amazing scenery and wildlife, and very well organized.

What a great trip to see the Galapagos and all the animals that make that home. We were able to get very close to many of them, the small group size is a must for this area. I highly recommend this trip if you want to go to the Galapagos, walks on the islands, kayaking and panga rides along the shore to spot animals and birds and fantastic snorkeling

Our trip to the Galapagos was fantastic. The Tip Top V was excellent for moving around the islands and facilitating our exploring by zodiac at the various anchorages. Excellent program led by Joel Marino, who was a great guide. Patricia, our guide in Quito was also wonderful. I can't think of anything that would have made it a better trip.

A once in a lifetime trip

I highly recommend this program for traveling in Quito and the Galapagos Islands! While in the islands I snorkeled almost each day, which enriched the experience. There is so much wildlife under the water; abundant fish, rays, sea lions, and turtles are thrilling to see! Watching and observing the behavior of marine birds, iguanas and giant tortoises in their natural environments was a dream come true. Our guides, Eduardo and Juan Carlos were helpful and enthusiastic. Each day was more meaningful because of them.

MAGICAL

This was an amazing, unique and altogether superb trip!

The Galápagos Islands with Road Scholar was a great adventure and learning experience. They were primordial and beautiful. This was not a sit down vacation and we enjoyed it very much.

Our Galapagos trip was amazing - educational and fun! The staff on the Coral II (our boat) were so helpful and courteous - at all times. The food was excellent and the chef very kindly avoided severe food allergens for members of our group.

Would recommend waterproof wetbag with straps for the wet landings/hikes. Used probiotic pills and had zero health issues. My husband didn’t use probiotic pills and had no health issues. The Road Scholar neck bags you sent are perfect for holding a cell phone during the hikes. My water bottle leaked in my pack. My phone was in there in that pouch and never got wet.

My recent Galapagos tour by boat far exceeded all of my expectations and left me with a great respect for the islands, the animals and the people who live and work there. Our boat and crew were absolutely "top notch".

If you've ever wanted to visit the Galapagos, this is the trip to take. I'm still overwhelmed by just how amazing the whole thing was.

This Road Scholar program to the Galapagos Islands and Quito, Ecuador was an excellent way to experience the ecological and human uniqueness of these very unique and special places. You could not ask for a more well-rounded, comfortable, and passionately led learning and discovering adventure!

This was a fantastic trip of a lifetime - thank you for a wonderful, safe, organized, educational experience!

An outstanding program. All arrangements were top-class and accommodation, food and service on the Galaxy were far above our expectations. The program was also extremely interesting, with an excellent guide. We enjoyed and learned a lot!

The best trip! The location, the boat, the leaders, the education and the crew all made this a fascinating experience and our number 1 RS tour so far!

Going to the Galapagos was a trip of a lifetime. Staying on a ship and traveling to each island is the way to see the most wildlife, plants and volcanic geology. I especially liked the land tortoises, sea lions and blue-footed boobies. When snorkeling you could see beautiful fish, sea turtles, sharks, rays and sea lions swimming playfully with you. The Ecuadorian food served on the ship was excellent, so many choices.

Our Galapagos trip was spectacular! Our guide, Joel was exceptional, and the GalaxyII crew was second to none. Joel helped us spot all the creatures we were hoping to see - and more. I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to keep up, but anyone with reasonable fitness and mobility can do this trip, and it is easy to opt out of any hike or water activity that doesn't seem right for you. A fantastic experience all around!

The trip to the Galapagos exceeded my expectations each day. Wonderful guides, great accommodations, and magical islands!

Absolutely outstanding! The accommodations, food, and crew of the Tip Top V were superb. Our cabins were spacious and were serviced several times a day. Our tour leader Fernando Gil was exceptional, with a tremendous breadth and depth of knowledge of geology, animals, birds, plants, history, weather patterns. Excellent organizational and people management skills. He and the crew made us feel like their best friends throughout our time on the boat.

Try something completely different. Journey back in time with all of today's conveniences/ Keep an open mind and it will be filled with the joys of the Galapagos experience.

The Galapagos Islands are like nowhere else on the planet and our yachting is great fun. The whole crew was terrific. You never know what might pop up We got to see Pilot Whales ad bottle nose Dolphins

The Galapagos are everything I expected - tortoises, boobies, turtles, frigates, penguins, and so many more. It is a truly unique experience to spend time on the islands and in their waters. The TipTop V is a perfect vehicle for exploration, relaxing, and eating. (The chef is amazing!) Our guide, Lourdes (Lulu) was awesome to be with - intelligent, knowledgeable, and really funny and fun. A multi-generational native, she loves her islands and her career as a guide. It really shows. The trip can be strenuous for those not in top shape, but accommodations are easily made if you aren't up to hiking 1000+ feet up a volcanic cone. Take your hiking pole. There were at least 4 activies each day alternating hiking, snorkeling, zodiac rides.

My trip to the Galapagos Islands was FANTASTIC! We toured the eastern islands and I'm hoping for a trip to the western islands.

Fantastic value for the price. Above and beyond service from guides and staff. Superb knowledge of flora, fauna, history and culture. Excellent food and presentation. This was the trip of a lifetime!

The trip was excellent. Very smooth travel, with no glitches. Well informed guides in Quito and on the islands. The Galaxy had good snorkel equipment, very attentive staff and nice cabins. The chef was excellent with large variety of choices considering such a small group to feed. I would recommend that guests bring their own hiking poles, since many used the ones provided by the Galaxy which were old and often broken. Many of the walks on lava required at least one pole for most of the travelers. The guide Joel was very safety conscious, however, on some of those walks the hikers became rather spread out and one women fell and cut her hand on lava when he was fairly far ahead on most of the group and had to go back quickly to help her. All in all, a very special and perfect trip.

Wonderful trip= from our guide Eduardo, hotel, and tour of Quito to our islands' guide Diego, the beautiful catamaran and crew, and all the amazing flora and fauna of the Galapagos. Every day was a wonderful adventure with gorgeous vistas, amazing animals of all sorts, delicious food, and a great company of travelers. I enjoyed every minute of this trip and am grateful for the stewardship of the Ecuadoran people who have preserved the Galapagos for the world.

There's no place like the Galapagos on earth. It is a must see especially if you love wildlife and nature. I never imagined I would snorkel with sea lions, penguins, sharks, sea turtles, a snake and countless fish and you do on the Galapagos Natural and Cultural History program. I want to go back.

The Galapagos Adventrue was amazing in every way. We loved it.

Jam-packed with information and activities, this program provided an excellent introduction and overview of the natural history of the Galapagos. The dynamic of the group added greatly to the overall experience.

Our trip to the Galapagos Islands was fantastic! We could not have been more pleased with our guides and experience we had. Our guide LuLu was very knowledgeable, professional, interesting and funny. We toured in March, which was supposed to be the rainy season, but the weather was great, the islands were verdant, and we saw from close distance numerous animal species mating.

My wife and I have done 21 RS trips. This one was among the top 3-4. Wonderful sights, sounds information. But try to do it when you are a bit younger - it it VERY active.

My Galapagos experience was the trip of a lifetime. So much to see and learn. Such wonderful guides who were knowledgeable and allowed us a glance into a magnificent world I had only read about.

This program was outstanding! We loved everything about it. The leaders were great, the accommodations were comfortable, the nature was incredible, and the other participants were fun and added to the overall experience. The guides kept us active from early morning to late afternoon, and the food was phenomenal!

I cannot say enough about this wonderful trip; it far exceeded my expectations, and I confess I expected quite a bit. I simply could not ask for a better trip.

This Galapagos trip was out of this world and I loved every moment of it. Bravo, Road scholar!

Everything you've heard about the Galapagos Islands is true. It is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Surely one of our top 5 travel experiences. The wildlife is amazing, especially as it is so approachable. Lulu, our national park certified guide was simply brilliant, and as amusing as a flock of blue-footed boobies! Ask for her! Patricia, the mainland guide is over the top - extremely knowledgeable and super helpful. We were onboard the TipTop V where the staff made all the difference. Hats off to all of the crew; they were extremely welcoming. Victor was charming. Mario the chef's next job will be at the Presidential Palace - the food was amazingly yummy & nutritious. The zodiac captains were highly accommodating and kept us all safe. The crew kept the rooms spotless - the entire boat was gorgeous. The cabins were surprisingly roomy and very comfortable. And one night when the current was hitting our beam the captain kept us on an even keel. Life is short - go to the Galapagos.

This program allowed me to fulfill a bucket list goal, that is to see the animals of the Galapagos, and specifically to go snorkeling in the Galapagos. This was a great experience, and the staff were so helpful and accommodating! Highly recommend it!

An Excellent Trip!! This one exceeded expectations! Our group leaders were very knowledgeable and personable. The stay on the Coral II was excellent with a competent and helpful crew. The chef was professional and the food was great and included a wide variety. We were a small group of only 14 and it was fun to meld into a group of friends exploring the Galapagos. We hiked and snorkeled each day and the activity level was good for most in the group. We saw all the necessary wildlife and got a charge out of swimming with the sea lions. We also kayaked - so the trip was a complete set of adventures. I would do this trip again and recommend it highly to my adventurous friends! Quito was a lovely city and we had a wonderful guide there, as well. We were well taken care of and I trust Road Scholar to get us where we want to be when we want to be there!

We enjoyed hikes and snorkeling as great ways to see the incredible and diverse wildlife. The guide was wonderful and informative.

This was my first ever organised tour, and what an amazing experience it turned out to be. The Tip Top V was a perfect base, well run, excellent food with an Ecuadorian slant, but the trip was really made by our excellent Galapagoan guide, Lulu, and her counterpart, Patricia, who ran our short but very special time in Quito. Each trip only covers half of the Galapagos and ours was the Eastern side, but it was fantastic and we saw everything that one expects to see here, and more. Now I'd like to go back to see the Western islands, and I would do it with Road Scholar.

This was a fabulous trip. Everything was top notch on this trip.It does involve a lot of traveling but it is worth it. The Galapagos Island’s scenery and animals were just amazing. Do be prepared to walk on lots of rocks. The walking is slow so very doable for most . The water was colder then I thought for the snorkeling so rent the wet suit. Loved the trip.

Both Patricia and Lourdes (Lulu) were top notch. I cannot imagine how either of them could have been better at their jobs. Our time with Lulu was longer, so I can probably add to my reflection in regards to her, that she is a ROCK STAR! She was so caring, sensitive to the needs of the group, able to handle all that came her way, excellent communicator, super organized and directed, so informative and then, as a bonus-- personality PLUS. She was so much fun to be around, and our group basically fell in love with her. Both of our guides long personal and family history in the geographical area, along with their dedication to their country and education in their subject matter made them our perfect hosts. Thank you Road Scholar!

The Galapagos are sanctuaries for a number of species non afraid of the Humans

This was a big bucket list trip of a lifetime and did not disappoint in any way. For anyone interested in going to the Galapagos, I highly recommend this trip. The accommodations, food, guides, ship and crew, were all top notch. I took this trip as a solo and enjoyed the people in our group. They, as well as the program, made this trip amazing. Road Scholar obviously takes great care in development of its programs. I always check Road Scholar when planning group travel and if the program meets my interests, I will book with them over all other providers.

Our Galapagos trip was a fantastic experience and went above and beyond my expectations. I highly recommend this trip.

Once in a lifetime experience! Outstanding in every respect.

I had heard this trip (Galapagos/Ecuador) was life-changing and it was. I have grown and feel inspired to rethink my priorities, making sure I'm on the right path for me at this stage in my life. Since I live alone, it was a great experience for me to "live with" the other program participants for 9 days & nights. I practiced listening well and being less judgmental. I enjoyed the variety of backgrounds and experiences of my colleagues.

Wow! This is one of our all time favorite Road Scholar tours. The guides- Patricia and Lulu were the best of the best! We learned so much from them. Lulu got us going every day with snorkeling, hiking and adventures we didn't know were possible. What am I doing- snorkeling in the ocean at almost 70 years old? It was a challenging trip but nothing short of a wonderful dream. Swimming with pelicans, blue footed boobies, iguanas, cormorants, sea lions, giant tortoises, sharks and many beautiful fish. We enjoyed being off of the grid with no cell phones or WIFI for most of the time. The food in Quito, Ecuador was wonderful and on the ship too. Our crew on the ship could not have been more professional, accommodating, fun and helpful. Someone planning to go should be in pretty good shape, able to swim and snorkel, and up to a lot of difficult exercise such as hiking on slick rocks. We had to jump off the zodiacs into the ocean and crawl back up the ladder after an hour of snorkeling most every day. Full body wet suits saved the day with cold water temperatures. We came home exhausted, but completely thrilled with this adventure of a lifetime.

What a wonderful, life affirming experience! I cannot say enough great things about this program! Everything and everyone involved was top notch and the absolute best in their field. This trip fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine to travel to the Galapagos and experience its wonders up close! I will be back!!

The Galapagos trip was our first Road Scholar trip. The trip exceeded our expectations in all ways. Excellent guides, accommodations, food, educational experiences and cohesive group all added to our enjoyment. Visiting the Galapagos has been on our bucket list for quite awhile and we were amazed. Loved it.

The trip exceeded my expectations on so many fronts. Tip Top V was spacious and comfortable, the crew was exceptional in providing service (they truly went above and beyond - from the chef to the dinghy drivers). Our guide was wonderful, getting to know each of us individually and thus personalizing our experience as much as possible to our specific interests - the benefits of being with such a small group. And of course the Galapagos itself -- how in the world can you top swimming with sea lions, penguins and sea turtles and having up-close encounters with giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and Galapagos hawks? While many of my fellow travelers didn’t take advantage of the snorkeling, it was one of the highlights of the trip for me. Rent a wetsuit, though – the water is cold! One caution about this trip – many of the shore excursions, while not long or strenuous, do require good balance since they are on rocky and uneven volcanic surfaces.

Great trip! Lourdes and Jorge were terrific leaders and I feel like I learned a lot. Those considering this trip should be sure and bring seasickness medication because several of us suffered from it on this trip.

I can't think of a more perfect way to explore the Galapagos Islands. Traveling with Road Scholar I knew I was taken care of from excellent communication leading up to the trip to physically being helped on and off the Zodiac during the trip. The naturalist guide was a native of the Islands and shared his passion and knowledge in a way that made me feel like a native too. It was hard to leave.

9 out of 11 travelers contracted COVID on this trip. All of the staff tested negative. There were 2 gentlemen who were coughing/hacking from the first day and not wearing masks most of the time. Road Scholar states "when you arrive, Group leaders will conduct a verbal health screening for any symptoms of illness , and then remain vigilant for signs of illness throughout your program". This never happened. A couple of days later people started falling ill and with our own Covid tests, tested positive. Each day more people tested positive using our own tests we brought from home. Everyone tested themselves except the 2 hacking/coughing men who refused to test themselves, and the group leader stated she couldn't make them test or wear masks! After several days Road Scholar transported the 7 people who tested positive off the ship to the shore. The 5 remaining people, 3 of us who tested negative and the 2 hacking/coughing men continued the 2 remaining days together. It was surreal being in the front of a a small van with our masks on with these 2 men sitting along with us hacking/coughing with no masks on. When we arrived at Quito we all had to test due to US rules to return to US. The 2 men and I tested positive for Covid. We were told to go to our rooms and that we couldn't leave until we tested negative. On the way to my room, I saw one of the men who just tested positive for COVID go to the bar and order a beer. I wrote a letter to the president of Road Scholar regarding their safety failures and received a letter from the office that was reassuring about future training and apologetic. I wrote the letter in hopes that future Road Scholar travelers will be better protected.

"Let's Go" is a great description of this trip. I felt we were always seeing new things and packing a LOT of learning and fun into the time we were there. The cabin on the boat was huge and the food was fresh and abundant. I was learning and having a blast.

One of the best programs ever.

Trip great.. Other participants good. The local “tour” leaders were excellent. Shore hikes, etc on the Islands were great. Learned a lot and saw animals, birds, etc that I will probably never see anywhere else. I would recommend the following: Good hiking shoes. I do not think that just sturdy athletic shoes are enough, particularly for some of the hiking on lava that was occasionally slippery and pretty rough. Insect repellent and sunscreen definitely needed. Found that we needed light waterproof windbreaker on occasion. However, the biggest thing I would recommend is good camera equipment. Do not come with your old phone or you may find yourself disappointed. A phone with at least a 15x zoom needed. My brother had a Samsung S22 with a 30x zoom and it took absolutely beautiful photos, even from a distance. A lot of people were disappointed with the photos they captured because they came with older phones only or fancy camera equipment they didn’t know how to use. Also, if you are into snorkeling, a good underwater camera if you want pictures. You might also want to bring a pair of binoculars. The only two things I would say that could be negatives are: 1) If you are a light sleeper, the boat could be a problem for you. A lot of cruising at night and the engines are really noisy. Almost everyone complained about it. So if you have any sleeping disorders, this might not be the trip for you. 2) The sea can be rough. If you are prone to any sort of sea sickness, you should pass on this trip. I agree with Road Scholar’s assessment of the physical requirements for this trip. You need to be able to handle wet landings from a zodiac, getting out of the zodiac on lava rock (with help) and able to walk well. If you have serious balance issues, this probably is not the trip for you. I can highly recommend Road Scholar. All of the arrangements were well organized and everything came off without a hitch.

This particular trip to Galapagos- people need to be able to walk 30”-1 hour on volcanic rock, be able to snorkel off a zodiac & have the strength to get back on.My husband had altitude issues first night couldn’t breathe but recovered at the boat with 9,000 feet less. Beautiful sea turtles, sea lions, Blue footed boobies, Giant Tortis, take a few days & explore Quito among the friendly people.

A trip of a lifetime. My second covid-era trip. The Galápagos Islands is an amazing adventure into one of the most beautiful corners of the world. The flora was beautiful and the fauna were awe-inspiring. Lots of day hikes of moderate lengths. A few opportunities for sea kayaking (a must do!) and snorkeling (for you snorkelers). The first few days were in "breath-taking" (very high elevation) Quito. Long drive to and from the Quito airport. Quito is a beautiful city and our Group Leader Eduardo was a pleasure to be with. We met our Galápagos Group Leader, Fabián, at the airport on Baltra Island, and quickly were on the Tip Top V catamaran. What a great ship and a helpful captain and crew! Great food with tons of variety, though we almost ran out of wine. Some scholars though the lower deck was too loud -- we usually needed to re-locate the ship during night voyages. They preferred the upstairs suites. I slept downstairs -- and probably snored louder than the engines. Sea turtles, Giant tortoises, blue footed boobies, penguins, land iguanas, sea iguanas, pelicans, flamingos, porpoise, and all sorts of fishies. Volcanoes, too, and pahoehoe and aa. Dry landings and wet landings! And Fabián is a treasure of a group leader. This is a must do trip for any road scholar interested in the natural environment!

This was our 4th RS trip and like the others was wonderful. Five stars. We traveled in early May on the Tip Top V’s Eastern Islands Route. The weather was fine, with mixed sun and clouds and no rain. It was great to have a group leader and guide who was born and raised on the Islands. I’m prone to sea-sickness and popped a bonine pill each day, which did the job. The equatorial sun is unforgiving; bring high-SPF sunscreen. I used up 6-ounces of a ‘reef-friendly’ formulation. Carried bug spray but didn’t use it. The Tip Top V is a brand new catamaran with a friendly, accommodating crew and plenty of good food and snacks. Most of the trails were very rocky and required good balance and sturdy, closed-toed footwear. A few of us with knee problems had trouble getting into and out of the dinghy rafts; NSAID’s and helpful crew saved the day. Wet landings were on sandy beaches into knee-deep water. Snorkeling was fabulous – offered twice most days. As a first-timer, I was awed to be swimming among sea-lions and sea turtles. Wow!

Road Scholar’s Galápagos Island tour is a fantastic opportunity to see these enchanted islands and the myriad of unique lifeforms that live on them. From the museums and sites of Quito, to encounters with Giant Tortoises on the island of Santa Cruz, this program keeps you moving at a quick but rewarding pace. In addition to learning about both the natural wonders of the Galápagos Islands and the culture of Ecuador, you are also served one delicious meal after another of authentic Ecuadorian cuisine. The guides and other staff are very friendly and professional, and provide plenty of information on each day’s subject. Altogether an excellent experience.

My visit to Quito and to the Galapagos Islands was truly a "once in a lifetime" adventure. Patricia, our guide in Quito, gave us an excellent introduction to her city and is knowledgeable and very personable. The guidance provided by Fernando Gil as our group leader in the Galapagos was superb. He is knowledgeable about the natural history and geology, and conveys his love of the Islands with passion, excitement and humor. He is also a nurturing leader and was sensitive to the participants' individual needs and requests. The itinerary is action packed and physically demanding, so my recommendation is to be in very good physical shape for the dry and wet landings as well as hikes on uneven terrain. But you will be rewarded with seeing and experiencing many animals and plants that live nowhere else. The crew of the Tip Top V was exceptional and made everyone's experience as rich as possible. Five stars!

This was an absolutely wonderful experience to the Galapagos. The guides were excellent, and we had many close-up encounters with wildlife. The Tip Top V is very comfortable. Without hesitation I highly recommend this program. Be aware when selecting a program date that there are two different week-long itineraries on the Galapagos, one to the East and one to the West, visiting different islands and seeing different wildlife. There is a good deal of walking, much of it on volcanic rocks, so bring sturdy shoes. Getting to and from the islands on the pangas can also be challenging for those not physically fit. This was by far the most physically demanding of any of the four Road Scholar trips that I have experienced. And it was well worth the effort!

My trip to the Galapagos Islands fulfilled a long-held dream to make this trip. It fulfilled all my expectations of learning about the islands and the plants and wildlife that make the islands unique

A complete and first class experience from beginning to end. As a veteran domestic and international traveler I highly recommend it.

My husband and I really enjoyed our trip to Quito and the Galapagos islands. We spent two nights in Quito and were able to spend a day touring the city with our guide George and the 14 other travelers in our group. From there, we flew to the Galapagos islands and boarded the Tip Top V yacht for our adventures. The Galapagos are unlike any other place we had ever been - unspoiled and undeveloped. Many animals are unique to the islands. This is a very active trip. We spent every day exploring the various islands, which involved a lot of walking, sometimes on difficult terrain. We also had the opportunity to snorkel at least once, and often twice, a day. Our naturalist guide, Fernando, did an excellent job educating our group about the uniqueness of the islands. The crew of the Tip Top V couldn't be nicer and more efficient. They kept everything running smoothly. The fact that our group of travelers included only 16 people, including us, meant that it was easy to get to know each other, and there was a real feeling of camaraderie. We got to see all of the things that the Galapagos is famous for and had a wonderful time.

Very demanding physically with extended hiking over uneven and rocky surfaces, especially sharp lava rocks.

This was a trip of a lifetime! There were fascinating and unafraid wildlife, strange lava-scapes, snorkeling with sea turtles, penguins, sea lions, and a gazillion brightly colored fish. Each island had different walks, views, and scenery, and we had frigate birds, storm petrels, and dolphins for company on the journey between islands!

One of the most enjoyable trips of my life. A great mixture of nature, hiking, snorkeling, learning - all led by a passionate and excellent guide. It was similar to a safari but where one walked close to the animals (who had a total indifference to us.) My fellow trip members were all curious, adventuresome, and like-minded. The Tip Top V boat was fabulous - spacious, comfortable, clean, safe; the crew was friendly and very safety conscious. If you are looking for a trip to the Galapagos - this is the one for you.

I have always wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands after reading Charles Darwin's book 'Origin of the Species' and 'Voyage of the Beagle'. But this experience exceeded my expectations and was a once in a lifetime experience. Now I want to visit the islands we didn't get to!

We chose this RS trip because we wanted a return trip to the Galapagos and we are recreational sailors of a multihull boat (the TipTopV is a catamaran multihull). Our itinerary overlapped only a little with our earlier trip taken eight years ago, and it was just as magical and lovely the second time around--we got to see different islands, biology, phenomena. Our trip leaders were both superb, Raul in Quito and Edgar in the Galapagos, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, and attentive and responsive to helping participants safely navigate the potential physical demands of the trip. Staff of the TipTopV was splendid. Our compatriot-participants were an enthusiastic and congenial group, added much to our trip's experience.Beyond grateful to all for our lovely experience. Highly recommended.

Everything was top notch on my trip to the Galápagos Islands. This was my first trip with Road Scholar, but it won’t be my last.

Do no miss it!

This was an incredible trip. Anyone interested in exploring wildlife should consider a trip to the Galapagos. The wildlife there has been studied and discussed by scientists for over a century. It is truly a world treasure!

This program was the trip of a lifetime. The yacht was beautiful and the accommodations much better and bigger than I even hoped. The meals were seemingly straight from 4 star restaurants. Best of all, though, the shore excursions and activities were great. The program carefully picked locations for excursion where we had the best chance to see certain flora & fauna. The snorkeling was excellent. We snorkeled with big turtles, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas & many beautiful and memorable fish. Loved all of it.

The Galapagos was a bucket list trip and Road Scholar exceeded our expectations. Everything was great!! The itinerary, the ship, our cabin, our guides, the crew, the food and, last but not least, the other folks on the trip with us.

Seeing all the animals in person was like having a personalized nature documentary. Exceeded my expectations in every way.

An excellent tour. Nice first day touring Quito sites then a well organized, engaging visit to the islands with a small group and a knowledgeable guide. Plus kayaking lots of snorkeling. Beautiful shipboard accommodations (Tiptop V), attentive crew and great food. Highly recommended with no reservations.

This trip was perfect! Our trip to the Galapagos was truly one for the "Bucket List". Thank you, Road Scholar!

I highly recommend this program for people interested in the Galápagos. The 16 passenger yacht was a great way to go. We selected this trip over the 100 passenger National Geographic ship, and were very happy we did! We are glad we did not have to wait for 100 people to disembark several times per day. The crew, the food, and the guide on the Tip Top V were great!

This was a great trip - not to be missed if it fits your interests and abilities. We were there for a week and it is hard to believe what Darwin accomplished in only five weeks. And the proximity to the wildlife, and their variety, is incredible.

Before leaving on the trip, so many friends echoed our feelings about the upcoming adventure - "the trip of a lifetime." YES! It was!

Our trip to the Galapagos was way above our expectations. The small group allowed all the participants to interact and become friends. The expertise and preparation of the tour guide and the on board naturalist was excellent. The on board accommodation was spacious and the service excellent.

This was a trip for the lifetime— a trip that should be on your bucket list— you’ll be glad you made it to the Galapagos

Our Galapagos trip with Road Scholar exceeded our expectations. The guides, boat (Galaxy II), food and company were all excellent, and the Galápagos Islands were amazing. Could not recommend it more.

The Galapagos Islands were everything and more!! As usual Roads Scholar made sure we saw everything were were supposed to see and more. the guides were exceptional.

This was one of my all-time favorite trips. My wife had it on her Bucket List and I thought it might be interesting but it completely exceeded my expectations. If you have a chance - go!

The trip to the Galapagos was a life-long dream fully fulfilled and much, much more. Seeing wildlife so close and unafraid on our short hikes in the rich beauty of the Galapagos unique geologic and ecologic habitats was overwhelming. The underwater world flourished in color and abundance when snorkeling in the secluded bays and along the reefs. The crew of the Tip Top III were so welcoming and hospitable. The food was delicious and much was of Ecuadorian cuisine. And the rooms were nice and clean. Our Group Leader and guide was excellent. Our group learned so much from him, and he made it so much fun. In Quito, our Group Leader also provided an excellent learning experience of the historic churches and museums. I highly recommend this trip.

The trip to the Galapagos was incredible. Having a small group on a small boat made this like a trip with friends- although we knew none of the others before we started. The walks/hikes, snorkeling and dinghy trips to see the amazing wildlife above and on the land, and on and in the ocean was beyond my reading, viewing online and expectations. The naturalist and the ship crew made it happen. Having traveled since I was 17(50 years!), this is truly the trip of a lifetime.

Another "bucket list" trip completed and it was wonderful. I highly recommend seeing the Galapagos Islands through Road Scholar.

Seeing the Galapagos Islands was a dream of a lifetime! We saw every bird and reptile and mammal that we had hoped to see-- blue-footed boobies, giant land tortoises, frigate birds, sea lions, sea turtles, penguins, etc. The ship was very comfortable but did rock quite a bit even though the sea appeared calm. Definitely bring along prescription patches for seasickness. Also, be aware that the trip is a bit strenuous. You must be able to walk on top of volcanic rocks, climb inside and out of a bouncing rubber raft, go up and down the ladders in the ship to get between floors, and most strenuous of all, climb up a short rope ladder into the rubber dinghy after snorkeling. It takes quite a bit of upper body strength! Renting a wet suit is a good idea, but I wish I hadn't rented a full (long) one-- it was SO hard to put on! The staff on the ship are wonderful in every way, and our guide, Renny, seemed to know everything about the animals and birds on the islands. This trip was really a dream come true!

This trip was perfect from beginning to end!! I didn’t have to worry about a thing and had total confidence in tour guides. They were friendly, easy to understand and very knowledgeable!! Accommodations were beautiful, cleaned and had everything I needed. Food was wonderful!! I saw and learned far more on this trip than I ever imagined. I would definitely book another trip through Road Scholar. Thank you for an amazing experience!!!

The Galápagos were magical! The guides were friendly, knowledgeable, patient and caring. The staff on the yacht were friendly and helpful. Amazing, well-planned trip!

Amazing wildlife, beautiful clear blue water, extremely knowledgeable guides, excellent accommodations and food (both in Quito and on board ship), and fabulous crew on Galaxy II - all made for a wonderful trip!

BEST TRIP EVER!!!!

The Galapagos trip is well planed,good people good food and loads of fun

This Ecuador and Galapagos program was well done and enjoyable. Be prepared to protect cameras during for daily open boat (zodiac) rides. The ship, Galaxy II, is best in class and crew was great.

Fantastic trip! To add to recent reviews already posted: WETSUITS - we were told they were optional as it is the hot season but went ahead and rented them and glad we did, water was quite cool, and also they protect from sharp rocks and jellyfish. They are a pain to get into/out of, and folks who did without were fine as well, so personal choice. SUNSCREEN - we bought 'Reef Safe' off the internet, and it totally IS NOT REEF SAFE, contains oxybenzone and and octinoxate, which are two major reef toxins. The truly reef safe products are zinc oxide based and will make you look like a ghost as they don't rub in. Also these are not required by anybody, but are recommended to protect the environment. So read labels and reviews before you buy! CLOTHING -Land treks will get very hot and mosquitoes are very bad. What worked best for me was wetting a 'wicking' lightweight long sleeved shirt and 'buff', which I wrapped around my neck, and dampening both as they dried out. If you wear short sleeves and pants you will need lots of sunscreen and DEET. WALKING - we all used sticks as the ground is very rocky and uneven. Sneakers or well-soled walking shoes are fine, no heavy duty hikers required. SHOES - besides good walking shoes, something for the wet landings (like Teva's), as well as flip flops or slippers to just walk around the boat, or you can go barefoot or wear socks. (The shoes you wear for hiking and boating, they keep outside at all times). DRYING CLOTHES - there is a clothesline in the shower and a heated towel rack in the bathroom, but best was just laying out the wet clothes on the sun deck on the astro-turf for 2 hours in the middle of the day. Take clothespins for the line or to secure clothes to the deck chairs to dry. WASH CLOTH - they don't supply these but give you towels, take one if you need it. WATER BOTTLE - they give you one but it will leak so take your own. GENERAL- the food is great, our guide Lulu and the crew were wonderful, the trip of a lifetime!!

Put this trip on your bucket list! Seeing all the wildlife up close, was amazing, and we took hundreds of photos. Our leader, Wilo, was a great naturalist...not only was he full of knowledge, but he was lots of fun. Parts of the program were challenging, so make sure and take a hiking stick for stability on the hikes on uneven ground. There are no medical facilities close by, so also bring medicine for colds, seasickness, and bandaids for cuts, just in case.

Fabulous trip! The species inhabiting the Galapagos Islands truly provide a model to all of us as to how the rest of the world could/should be living!

I was expecting this trip to be great and it was far better than I expected. Our fellow participants were fabulous, the boat crew could not have been better, and Victor Mendia (our naturalist/guide) was absolutely top notch.

Very educational, fun and great itinerary aboard the Galaxy 2. Would recommend for a trip of your life!! The-key is a great Naturalist, accommodations and itinerary!!!!

This trip is amazing!! If you love the beach, go to the Caribbean. If you want to learn about new species and see them in the wild, enjoy this adventure.

This was a delightful trip. We enjoyed the short time in Quito, with our excellent group leader Javier, but the week in the Galapagos was the trip of a lifetime. It is hard to describe the magic of being in such close contact with the birds, reptiles and marine creatures that make the islands so unique. Our guide Renny, an exceptional naturalist and brilliant photographer, made it even more special with his knowledge and engaging personality. It was fun to be with an interesting group of like-minded people, who were open to every experience. And the Galaxy II was a great ship from which to enjoy the trip - comfortable and spacious, with a wonderful and attentive crew, and excellent food. Could not ask for anything more!

Wonderful, we’ll organized trip with like minded people interesting in conservation and nature.

The only negative about the trip was a mysterious illness most of us contracted. I have been very sick for a week and am unable to eat solid food. Not a good way to end a trip. My doctor thinks it was caused by a virus but no one knows. We didn't all get sick at the same time, so I don't think it came from the food. The ship seemed very clean.

It was a beautiful trip lead by Lulu in the Galapagos and a fantastic crew from the captain down to our our boat crew. Everyone had many roles and helped to make all the hikes, snorkeling, panga rides, meals and lectures a wonderful experience. But at day eight the health of many took a turn. Three of us got what we thought was diarrhea, but each day others fell ill. When we returned to our last hotel to fly home a Dr had to be called for two couples and their trip home was delayed. On my flight home I had a fellow RS on our trip who had to use a wheelchair all the way to NY. Now that we are home many are still fighting the stomach problems and weakness that is taking a long time to go away. Luckily, this didn't come until day 8 so that most of the trip was fantastic. It was something that attacked all of about 2 of us us and really attacked our systems - diarrhea, head aches, exhaustion, sick to stomach, and an extreme weakness. Health problems can happen on trips and I will always continue to take RS trips. Dana Bolstad

Everything from the hotels in Quito to the yacht in the Galapagos was first class. Special accolades to our fabulous naturalist, tour guide and director, Lulu(Lourdes). She performed all her functions with knowledge and good humor. We had a terrific group of fourteen fellow scholars on board, and were wonderfully catered to by a very attentive staff of nine. The chef prepared food was delicious. The shore excursions and snorkeling were great. Be sure to reserve a wet suit in advance and bring an underwater camera. Hiking sticks are recommended, as are hiking boots. Our short time in Quito was well handled by our knowledgeable and friendly leader, Jorge. I would suggest a day or two of additional time on your own in Quito which has lots to offer. The double decker red bus which stops only a block from the hotel in Quito offers good on and off tours in English and Spanish for only $15/7.50 seniors. A big HOWEVER, though. At least 11 out of the total 14 passengers were sickened with severe gastrointestinal disease about two thirds into the trip. A week later, most are still suffering. Some have had multiple visits to the ER. Hopefully this is a freak occurance and not common on these trips.

Our trip to the Galapagos was excellent. A great group of people, fellow travelers, guides and crew, It as very well organized with no hitches.

Road Scholar describes this trip as active and challenging. It was! And I'm glad I had my very fit husband to help me along on some of the more challenging hikes. As I am not comfortable in the water, I was able to delete the water activities--that he was able to enjoy with plenty of company from our delightful fellow travelers. A real A++++ adventure.

An incredible trip unlike anything I had done before. Staying on a small boat was amazing. If you are a nature lover who wants to be pampered take this trip.

The trip to the Galapagos could not have been any better! I have seen so much wildlife that I had only read about. It was a great mix of learning and physical activity. It expanded my view of the world.