Travel to Galapagos -- how accessible?

My wife and I have been discussing the possibility of making a trip there,
but we are not sure how easy the walking would be. She has bad knees which
make uneven terrain a bit of a challenge, especially if we were trying to
keep up with a group.

Anyone have suggestions? It's a trip we would love to make!


Charles

You could visit the Galapagos and not walk at all, but it would be pretty
bleak. The islands are rock-strewn and probably not friendly to bad legs.
The trips I know of are by boat, too, and getting on land isn't always easy.
I hate to discourage you, but my knees are no longer good, and I don't think
I'd go back.

Still, it's probably possible to stay on the zodiak and do your sightseeing
from the water. That's where the critters hang out anyhow, so it would be
your tolerance for not going ashore that would make or break a trip. I'm
sure you can find the various cruise operators online, and one of them must
surely offer an alternative for people with mobility problems.

Good luck! The Galapagos Islands are certainly one of the world's most
unusual destinations, but not that friendly to bad legs.

Keith



"Charles Lewis" <clewis50@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:oLOlj.10299$M24.7186@newsfe17.lga...
> My wife and I have been discussing the possibility of making a trip there,
> but we are not sure how easy the walking would be. She has bad knees which
> make uneven terrain a bit of a challenge, especially if we were trying to
> keep up with a group.
>
> Anyone have suggestions? It's a trip we would love to make!
>
>
> Charles
>
>

"k" <keithblakeslee@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:pvSlj.320$0o7.188@newssvr13.news.prodigy.net...
> You could visit the Galapagos and not walk at all, but it would be pretty
> bleak. The islands are rock-strewn and probably not friendly to bad legs.
> The trips I know of are by boat, too, and getting on land isn't always
> easy. I hate to discourage you, but my knees are no longer good, and I
> don't think I'd go back.
>
> Still, it's probably possible to stay on the zodiak and do your
> sightseeing from the water. That's where the critters hang out anyhow, so
> it would be your tolerance for not going ashore that would make or break a
> trip. I'm sure you can find the various cruise operators online, and one
> of them must surely offer an alternative for people with mobility
> problems.
>
> Good luck! The Galapagos Islands are certainly one of the world's most
> unusual destinations, but not that friendly to bad legs.
>
> Keith
>
>
>
> "Charles Lewis" <clewis50@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:oLOlj.10299$M24.7186@newsfe17.lga...
>> My wife and I have been discussing the possibility of making a trip
>> there, but we are not sure how easy the walking would be. She has bad
>> knees which make uneven terrain a bit of a challenge, especially if we
>> were trying to keep up with a group.
>>
>> Anyone have suggestions? It's a trip we would love to make!
>>
>>
>> Charles
>>
>>
>
>

I contradict the previous poster. A few of the landings are harder to do.
Climb up a natural rock stairway, etc. On land, most of the paths are
fairly flat. A couple of places they advised to not take the tour or take
an alternate route if had problem with rough ground. Lots of the landings
are a sandy beach. We had an 80 year old, the did not have as much problem
as a couple of overweight 65'ers. Depending on what you like, the 4 day
tour is good if you are not in to snorkeling a lot. If you are into water
time, go for the 7 day. Other than 1 or two stops, the hiking is near the
shoreline. Only real long hike and that was uphill a lot was to the top of
a major hill. Lots of the hike was on a boardwalk. The place you get to is
the view point where they see the French ship in Master and Commander.

I wonder if the different viewpoints might be due to the tour operator.
Would some offer a smoother walk than others? I wonder if "k" and "Calif
Bill" would let me know which tour company they used?

Charles


"Calif Bill" <bmckeespam@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:13pi8f9sigjjjab@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "k" <keithblakeslee@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:pvSlj.320$0o7.188@newssvr13.news.prodigy.net...
>> You could visit the Galapagos and not walk at all, but it would be pretty
>> bleak. The islands are rock-strewn and probably not friendly to bad
>> legs. The trips I know of are by boat, too, and getting on land isn't
>> always easy. I hate to discourage you, but my knees are no longer good,
>> and I don't think I'd go back.
>>
>> Still, it's probably possible to stay on the zodiak and do your
>> sightseeing from the water. That's where the critters hang out anyhow,
>> so it would be your tolerance for not going ashore that would make or
>> break a trip. I'm sure you can find the various cruise operators online,
>> and one of them must surely offer an alternative for people with mobility
>> problems.
>>
>> Good luck! The Galapagos Islands are certainly one of the world's most
>> unusual destinations, but not that friendly to bad legs.
>>
>> Keith
>>
>>
>>
>> "Charles Lewis" <clewis50@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:oLOlj.10299$M24.7186@newsfe17.lga...
>>> My wife and I have been discussing the possibility of making a trip
>>> there, but we are not sure how easy the walking would be. She has bad
>>> knees which make uneven terrain a bit of a challenge, especially if we
>>> were trying to keep up with a group.
>>>
>>> Anyone have suggestions? It's a trip we would love to make!
>>>
>>>
>>> Charles
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
> I contradict the previous poster. A few of the landings are harder to do.
> Climb up a natural rock stairway, etc. On land, most of the paths are
> fairly flat. A couple of places they advised to not take the tour or take
> an alternate route if had problem with rough ground. Lots of the landings
> are a sandy beach. We had an 80 year old, the did not have as much
> problem as a couple of overweight 65'ers. Depending on what you like, the
> 4 day tour is good if you are not in to snorkeling a lot. If you are into
> water time, go for the 7 day. Other than 1 or two stops, the hiking is
> near the shoreline. Only real long hike and that was uphill a lot was to
> the top of a major hill. Lots of the hike was on a boardwalk. The place
> you get to is the view point where they see the French ship in Master and
> Commander.
>

"Charles Lewis" <clewis50@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MLlnj.21719$E01.13734@newsfe22.lga...
>I wonder if the different viewpoints might be due to the tour operator.
>Would some offer a smoother walk than others? I wonder if "k" and "Calif
>Bill" would let me know which tour company they used?
>
> Charles
>
>
> "Calif Bill" <bmckeespam@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
> news:13pi8f9sigjjjab@corp.supernews.com...
>>
>> "k" <keithblakeslee@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>> news:pvSlj.320$0o7.188@newssvr13.news.prodigy.net...
>>> You could visit the Galapagos and not walk at all, but it would be
>>> pretty bleak. The islands are rock-strewn and probably not friendly to
>>> bad legs. The trips I know of are by boat, too, and getting on land
>>> isn't always easy. I hate to discourage you, but my knees are no longer
>>> good, and I don't think I'd go back.
>>>
>>> Still, it's probably possible to stay on the zodiak and do your
>>> sightseeing from the water. That's where the critters hang out anyhow,
>>> so it would be your tolerance for not going ashore that would make or
>>> break a trip. I'm sure you can find the various cruise operators
>>> online, and one of them must surely offer an alternative for people with
>>> mobility problems.
>>>
>>> Good luck! The Galapagos Islands are certainly one of the world's most
>>> unusual destinations, but not that friendly to bad legs.
>>>
>>> Keith
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "Charles Lewis" <clewis50@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:oLOlj.10299$M24.7186@newsfe17.lga...
>>>> My wife and I have been discussing the possibility of making a trip
>>>> there, but we are not sure how easy the walking would be. She has bad
>>>> knees which make uneven terrain a bit of a challenge, especially if we
>>>> were trying to keep up with a group.
>>>>
>>>> Anyone have suggestions? It's a trip we would love to make!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Charles
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> I contradict the previous poster. A few of the landings are harder to
>> do. Climb up a natural rock stairway, etc. On land, most of the paths
>> are fairly flat. A couple of places they advised to not take the tour or
>> take an alternate route if had problem with rough ground. Lots of the
>> landings are a sandy beach. We had an 80 year old, the did not have as
>> much problem as a couple of overweight 65'ers. Depending on what you
>> like, the 4 day tour is good if you are not in to snorkeling a lot. If
>> you are into water time, go for the 7 day. Other than 1 or two stops,
>> the hiking is near the shoreline. Only real long hike and that was
>> uphill a lot was to the top of a major hill. Lots of the hike was on a
>> boardwalk. The place you get to is the view point where they see the
>> French ship in Master and Commander.
>>
>
>

We used OAT's and all the tour operators are going to pretty much use the
same paths. The paths are outlined in rocks normally and everybody is
supposed to stay inside the lines to prevent eco destruction. The only
place to see tortugas in the wild is on the island next to the airport. Is
across a 100 meter wide channel. There is a cattle ranch there, where the
tours go. The torgugas like to go in the water holes to rid themselves of
parasites. There are rougher trails on some islands, but they will give you
an alternate route normally. The worst part / roughest part is a couple of
the landings, you have to go up some rock steps cut in the cliff face. With
a helping hand, no problem. Lots are beach landings, so you will step into
a couple of inches of water. We enjoy snorkeling a lot, so a 7 day trip was
fine. If you are not into snorkeling, a 4 day would suffice. After a
couple of the islands, they all start to be a very similar. You will not
see the tortoises in the wild on most islands as they are near the summits
in the cloud area that gives moisture to grow the plans. The islands are
90% dessert. And it is probably a 10 hour hike to the summit areas. You
will see the tortoises in the Darwin center and on the islands, will be lots
of birds, iguanas, and pinnipeds. Also in the water will be rays, small
sharks, turtles, and penquins. Was fun to be able to swim with the
penquins.

Thanks for the reply. We went to China with OAT and thoroughly enjoyed it.
There was a lot of walking, but it was quite doable. I'll check their
catalog and see what the trip involves.

Thanks again.


> We used OAT's and all the tour operators are going to pretty much use the
> same paths. The paths are outlined in rocks normally and everybody is
> supposed to stay inside the lines to prevent eco destruction. The only
> place to see tortugas in the wild is on the island next to the airport.
> Is across a 100 meter wide channel. There is a cattle ranch there, where
> the tours go. The torgugas like to go in the water holes to rid
> themselves of parasites. There are rougher trails on some islands, but
> they will give you an alternate route normally. The worst part / roughest
> part is a couple of the landings, you have to go up some rock steps cut in
> the cliff face. With a helping hand, no problem. Lots are beach
> landings, so you will step into a couple of inches of water. We enjoy
> snorkeling a lot, so a 7 day trip was fine. If you are not into
> snorkeling, a 4 day would suffice. After a couple of the islands, they
> all start to be a very similar. You will not see the tortoises in the
> wild on most islands as they are near the summits in the cloud area that
> gives moisture to grow the plans. The islands are 90% dessert. And it is
> probably a 10 hour hike to the summit areas. You will see the tortoises
> in the Darwin center and on the islands, will be lots of birds, iguanas,
> and pinnipeds. Also in the water will be rays, small sharks, turtles, and
> penquins. Was fun to be able to swim with the penquins.
>

Hi Charles

I just came back from the Gal=C3=A1pagos myself and believe me this is a
trip of a lifetime!! I too agree with Keith, however I was lucky
enough to have someone that truly knows the place and is more
concerned with the client than with the =E2=80=9Ccommission=E2=80=9D do all =
the
research for us. I have a bad hip and found it challenging to organize
a tour where I could participate but hey! I found it and it was great=E2=80=
=A6
just wear a lot of sunscreen or you=E2=80=99ll end up looking like a lobster=
.
If you want I can send you some great pics I took.

I recommend you to talk to Angeles or Angie, she is a Galapagos expert
with an impressive reference list of clients, I=E2=80=99m sure she=E2=80=99l=
l be able
to help you out, her mail is angie_greenworld@hotmail.com

Let me know how things go, we might exchange photographs once you=E2=80=99re=

back =EF=81=8A

Bernie

P.S. If you happen to stay in Quito go to this restaurant called =E2=80=9CMa=
re
Nostrum=E2=80=9D they have this dish called the Mariscal=E2=80=A6.AMAZING