9 Best Santa Cruz Winter Tours and Trip packages

Santa Cruz Winter Tour Reviews

5.0 - Excellent

Based on 3 customer reviews

Excellent

5 - Excellent

Mary Karen

We chose this tour operator for our Galapagos trip after our Patagonia trip with them and were just as impressed. Their guides are spectacular! They know the area, the history, and have great senses of humor. Accommodations and food were terrific, our group congenial and itinerary varied. If you want to see nature in all its authenticity without hordes of tourists, go with the operator to the Galapagos. We hiked, biked and snorkeled and felt like we had some of the islands to ourselves. Residents and animals coexisted and children are being educated about the importance of maintaining this balance and caring for their environment. On our last day a sea lion jumped into the hotel swimming pool and then hopped out to sun on the chaise -- all felt totally normal. We should all live so harmoniously together.

Excellent

5 - Excellent

Barbara

Loved this trip! What amazing breadth and depth of wildlife we saw while in the Galapagos from marine lizards and giant tortoises to all sorts of birds. Pepo and Paulo were amazing guides and had so much knowledge about the natural world and the Galapagos wildlife, climate and history. It was fascinating to listen to Pepo explaining about each island and what we'd encounter there or before each snorkeling experience what we'd find. He even took a video for us and sent it. Paulo really helped me out with my snorkeling issues and lack of being a strong swimmer. He took photos for me with my underwater camera. The hotels we stayed at were comfortable and well-chosen for amenities and location. Lastly, the other travelers were friendly and we all seemed to get on well. I'm actually planning to return on my own to see more of the Galapagos as one trip isn't able to do this place justice. Highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants a wildlife experience with the tour operator.

Excellent

5 - Excellent

Barb

I came home with thinner thighs! The biking on day one was a little too much for me, since I was not used to a bike with fat tires and shifting for the big hills (description said it was a flat 9 miles), and after the second hill, I had to quit and ride in the truck, rather than risk hurting myself and be useless the rest of the trip. My friend had sore thighs for the entire trip! Other than that, the 10-mile hike up and down the volcano in the heat was farther than I have ever walked in my life. I had a break, though, when my friend and I stayed back at the picnic area rather than walk over the lava to the little volcano, shaving 2 miles off that part. The food was great, and the choices allowed us to try different fish dishes, or have chicken if we wanted. Our group of 6 plus Jessica, our guide, was the perfect size to stay together for all parts of this trip. Kayaking was my favorite part, as this was when I saw my 1st Galapagos penguin! I loved Isabella Island, best of the 3 islands, we were able to visit during the pandemic, and felt very safe the entire time. Hotels with ocean views were beautiful, which is why we picked this tour, since we did not want to spend most of our time on a boat. The speed boat to Santa Cruz was very loud with pounding the water much of the way, so I would recommend earplugs and not sitting up near the captain, where you will get soaking wet. We didn't get to see Floreana Island, due to Covid, but the itinerary was great as it was. Having the sandwiches at the airport in Santa Cruz was a very good way to end our time with Jessica. Loved her!