|
You’ve always
wanted to come to the Galapagos.
|
It’s
time to make Charles Darwin proud! |
The Most Ecological Galapagos Travel Option
Locally owned and operated (Come To Galapagos CIA.LTDA, ruc#1792072298001), licensed and insured in the US (Come To Galapagos, LLC, CST#2083876-40), promoting sustainable economic practices within the Galapagos. With the exception of insurance, air flight and a very small sales budget every one of your tourist dollars ends up in the hands of the inhabitants, the true custodians of these islands. We are unlike the majority of other companies offering Galapagos tours where less than 5% of the visitor generated income touches the hands of the inhabitants. Every effort is made to purchase locally grown produce, goods and services and to promote “best practices” with regard to farming, fishing, water use and disposal of wastes etc. We are with your help actually changing things for the better. Make a difference, travel responsibly! Why Choose land based tours over cruise tours?
The Richest Galapagos Experience
The animals and weather do not adhere to tight schedules and large groups of people do not facilitate appreciation of flora and fauna. Spending time with other tourists does not increase one’s understanding of local ideas/realities. Small groups, customized itineraries and flexibility of tours led by Native Galapagos National Park guides, interaction with local fishermen, farmers and families will facilitate richer flora and fauna experiences and a greater understanding of the many facets of the Galapagos World Heritage Site.
Simply The Best
Guests stay in the finest hotels available on these islands; however these tours are oriented more toward a Galapagos experience of adventure and exploration than one of fine dining and shopping. Our clients sleep well in clean, comfortable three star hotels run by five star people who are attentive and knowledgeable about the degree of service to which our clients are accustomed. Food is prepared by award winning chefs with an emphasis on using local produce, meats and cheeses. Menus can be customized for preferences and allergies. Land based tours augmented with day boat trips and led by local Galapagos National Park guides offer possibilities the people on the cruise ship don’t even know to dream of.
It is entirely possible to snorkel every dawn and sunset with the sea life and your guide. Keep in mind, the tours are flexible and there are far too many options to list them all; however our guides are aware of them and will make suggestions based on the group’s proclivities, energy level and physical fitness. Many of you will be flying on small plane flights between islands, a chance few people have to see the Galapagos from the air. We are anxious to welcome you to The Galapagos, our home.
On this site, aside from the information about traveling with our company in the coming days you will find information from the National Park Service (galapagospark.org), The Charles Darwin Foundation (darwinfoundation.org) and The Galapagos Conservation Trust (gct.org). Their own web sites have far more extensive libraries of information. We have included items we felt directly pertinent to your travel. There are two movie clips for your amusement. Michael D’Orso, author of Plundering Paradise, a non-fiction narrative about the Galapagos published in 2002 has allowed us to excerpt several sections. We have our monthly Friends and Family letters archived, a novel I wrote in it’s entirety about beginning our lives here titled, Usually They Kill Themselves (don’t let the titles of these book fool you) and our weekly commentary on news coming out of the US regarding the Galapagos and our commentary on the news here in Galapagos and Ecuador are also archived. It is important if not critical to a world wide understanding of the challenges we face here, that the people of the world also have a local perspective.
|
 |
 |
Fully Guided - Tours are guided from the
moment they set foot in Ecuador until they
depart. Guides are bi-lingual natives of the
Galapagos.
Customized - This is your tour. Pick
your dates. Emphasis is on your group’s
particular proclivities. Don’t get stuck in
someone else’s itinerary.
Affordable - For less than the average
price of cruise tours, your tour includes a
personal guide and a comprehensive
travel/emergency medical/trip cancellation
insurance policy. Economy options are also
available.
Land Based Tours Augmented By Single
Day Boat Trips - The nicest hotels, with
gorgeous views and the ability to enjoy whatever
activity crosses your mind to do at whatever
hour you wish. Land tours are far more relaxing
than cruise tours. There’s no need to take sea
sickness pills or support fossil fuel gulping,
bilge pumping barges, loaded with fellow
tourists. You will have a decent sized bathroom
and a flexible itinerary. You won’t be saying,
“If it’s Tuesday this must be…”
Eco-friendly - With the exception of
insurance, air flight and a very small sales
budget every one of your tourist dollars ends up
in the hands of the inhabitants, the true
custodians of these islands. We are unlike the
majority of other Galapagos tours where less
than 5% of the visitor generated income touches
the hands of the inhabitants. Every effort is
made to purchase locally grown produce, goods
and services and to promote “best practices”
with regard to farming, fishing, water use and
disposal of wastes etc.
Culturally Rich - Rather than spending
your time in the company of tourist strangers,
you and your group will be welcomed into the
community, into the culture of the “Colonial
Permanentes” descendants of the original
colonists and again, the true custodians of
these islands.
Sample Tour price: 10 nights (7 in Galapagos, 3
in Quito to allow for a day exploring the
wonderful city.) per person double occupancy group of
six $2,399. Excludes air to and from Ecuador. For
more details see
On-Island Pricing and Bookings.
The Galapagos Islands today
are very much like what the Hawaiian Islands were 200 years
ago, except in Spanish and with a few other worldly
characters thrown in.
150 years ago, Charles Darwin
arrived here in The Galapagos, actually here on this island
of San Cristobal and his experience changed his perception
of life, history and the universe. This is that kind of
place; dream like for naturalists, sportifs, honeymooners
and especially families.
Its all here, the animals and
birds unique to these islands, the history, exhibits, warm,
unbelievable clear water, beaches, coves and bays, the
swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, bike and mountain treks,
world class surfing, diving and open ocean fishing and
there's a staff of professional, multi-lingual guides ready to
show/escort you to it all personally.
"Our Goal Is To Be Sure You
Have The Time Of Your Life!"
Come taste the Bienvenidos
(Welcome) of San Cristobal. Wild horses, pigs and tortoises
roam the highlands. In the pueblo the church bells ring for
weddings, to call people to mass, for emergencies and for
deaths. The sea lions bellow on the beach, the sea turtles
take a breath, the Boobies (blue footed) a pause. At night
the seals curl up on the doorstep of the bank.
There is one road that crosses the island, rutted and slow
going, but from there the wild horses and giant tortoises
can be seen, the coffee and bamboo farms toured and the
views from the highlands of these pristine islands can bring
a moments peace to troubled hearts. In the warm, clear sea, the seals come to play with
you, the sea turtles, reef fish, rays and small sharks are
often as curious about you as you are about them. The sea
iguanas and seals on the beaches and rocks behave as if you
belong there, as you will if you make the trip.
Click Here To See Tours
Most of the tourists we see
here, (outside our clients) we see through the glass of the
buses in which they are hermetically sealed as they are
whisked from their airplanes, to the cruise ships where they
are shown a canned version of the Galapagos in the company
of as many as eighty of their brethren. If you could visit
Hawaii 200 years ago, would you want to do it on a cruise
ship, seven islands in seven days? If so, we wish you
nothing but the best.
Our Galapagos Island Tours and Vacations are hands on,
feet in the water (wet), family oriented (ours and maybe
yours) encounter with the real Galapagos, not a Disneyland
ride. You will be entering our world, our family and
friends. Get off the beaten path. Come enjoy the Galapagos
as only native Galapagenians can deliver them! Plan ahead!
Our resources are limited. Please book early so that we may
accommodate you fully.
|