My dream trip to the Galapagos Islands!
Galapagos Islands | Mar 17 - Mar 27, 2023

L
Lili R.
Clovis, CA | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2023

This was my dream trip and it waited too long in my bucket list. I enjoyed Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. The hotel Sol y Mar was lovely; enjoyed visiting Darwin Station and Chato Ranch. The Millenium catamaran was a nice boat to see the islands and the cabin was very comfortable and clean. The crew was friendly and our guide Javier Picaza G. was very knowledgeable. The food was not so good; everything served except the shrimps, was overcooked.Loved the scenery and landscape of all the islands we visited:Santa Cruz, Isabela(the biggest), Fernandina and Santiago.My favorite was Punta Espinoza in Fernandina.It was heaven on earth. Truly magnificent.We did wet and dry landings and saw those blue footed boobies, iguanas, turtles, sealions,whales,sharks, pelicans, cormorants, penguins, finches, flamingoes, and amazing volcanoes. If at day time we saw all these plus beautiful sunrises and sunsets, at night time we were able to see the whole Milky Way plus other galaxies;literally you could see stars all the way to the horizon where the sky touches the water.Indeed it was epic and loved the fact that there was no phone connection as it made it a true vacation!

Hotel Reviews
M/C Millennium
Ecuadors, Galágados, Peru

The catamaran was very nice and clean; the cabins were comfortable and had a balcony where you could enjoy the sunrises. Wonderful terrace in the top deck and another terrace in middle deck. The crew was friendly and helpful, unfortunately the chef was not the best. The food was overcooked (chicken, beef , pork and fish) making it impossible to enjoy. The shrimp (one time only) was fine though.Had they had a better chef, I would have given this catamaran 5 stars. But food is an important part of any vacation and when in five nights only one meal was good and the rest mediocre, it takes away a lot. Specially because this was a pricey vacation for any pocket.

Authenticity & Character
It was a nice looking catamaran.
Location
I had cabin # 1 with a nice balcony; very comfortable and plenty of room.
Staff
They were friendly and helpful in every way.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Solymar
Galápagos

Loved this hotel, the food, the rooms, the location.And the gardens plus amazing views from my balcony.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was near everything!
Staff
Very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfy.
Patio Andaluz
Quito

My flight was super delayed so in essence couldn't enjoy as much, but this hotel was lovely and the food was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
It was very colonial looking.
Location
Nice neighborhood.
Staff
Very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lovely rooms and comfy beds.
Activity Reviews
M/C Millennium (6D): Punta Espinoza (Fernandina) - Tagus Cove (Isabela)
M/C Millennium (6D): Punta Espinoza (Fernandina) - Tagus Cove (Isabela)
Cruise Ship

This was my favorite! Truly loved Punta Espinoza! Divine!

Quality of Experience
Food
Get another chef at the Millenium.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrival to Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Station
Arrival to Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Station
Puerto Ayora

It was interesting visiting the Darwin station and strolling along in beautiful Puerto Ayora.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boarding M/C Millennium (6D) - Highlands of Santa Cruz
Boarding M/C Millennium (6D) - Highlands of Santa Cruz
Cruise Ship
Quality of Experience
Food
Need to change chef in the Millenium.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Puerto Villamil : Tintoreras / Wetlands / Breeding Center / Wall of Tears or Sierra Negra
Puerto Villamil : Tintoreras / Wetlands / Breeding Center / Wall of Tears or Sierra Negra
Cruise Ship

This was a long hike, but worth every effort. the views were fabulous and though it was pretty warm, the rain afterwards made things cooler.

Quality of Experience
Food
Sandwich was awful, but we had time to eat in Puerto Villamil and I had an exquisite lobster served with asparagus soup, rice and lentils, patacones , mixed veggies and salad plus a glass of mora juice. All that for $12.00! Amazing!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
M/C Millennium (6D): Punta Moreno (Isabela)  -  Punta Mangle (Fernandina)
M/C Millennium (6D): Punta Moreno (Isabela) - Punta Mangle (Fernandina)
Cruise Ship

The bluefooted boobies were everywhere! It was divine!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
M/C Millennium (6D): Puerto Egas (Santiago) - Chinese Hat
M/C Millennium (6D): Puerto Egas (Santiago) - Chinese Hat
Cruise Ship

Incredible landscape. The views were wonderful!

Quality of Experience
Food
Change the chef.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
M/C Millennium (6D): Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz) - Baltra Airport
M/C Millennium (6D): Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz) - Baltra Airport
Cruise Ship
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Apr 01, 2023
Dear Lili,
Thank you so much for your valuable review, it serves as an excellent insight for our future travelers and we can't be grateful enough.
I am happy to know you enjoyed the majority of your trip/cruise; the wildlife encounter, the catamaran itself, its staff and your cabin, the hotels in Quito and Puerto Ayora before your cruise and your rooms there, and the related services were up to our expectations.
Nevertheless, it is a personal disappointment to me to learn that an important...
Read more

Dear Lili,
Thank you so much for your valuable review, it serves as an excellent insight for our future travelers and we can't be grateful enough.
I am happy to know you enjoyed the majority of your trip/cruise; the wildlife encounter, the catamaran itself, its staff and your cabin, the hotels in Quito and Puerto Ayora before your cruise and your rooms there, and the related services were up to our expectations.
Nevertheless, it is a personal disappointment to me to learn that an important part of your 6-Day cruise, which is food on board, wasn't at all to your liking! Especially after all the efforts I made to help you make it on time to the Galapagos after the one-day delay in the AA flight to Quito! I wanted everything to be perfect! I will make sure to convey your feedback literally to the M/C Millennium management, and I will follow up on this personally and let you know of their response.
Again, I am happy you enjoyed your days in the charming Galapagos islands, its fantastic nature always exceeds our wildest imagination :)
Best,
Tamer