Holiday review by Mr Ian Saunders
Name: Mr Ian SaundersDate of trip: 11/04/2017
Number of people: 2
Country: Galapagos IslandsOverall level of Satisfaction
Tribes Overall: "It certainly lived up to all our expectations, we had a wonderful time."
Tribes Service: "Paul was very helpful and patient throughout the whole booking process. He was also very responsive when we had the problem with our flights and connections."
Guides: "All the guides were very courteous and the drivers were excellent. They were also always there to meet us. A particular mention should go to our Cuzco driver who had to wait at Ollantaytambo station when our train was 4 hours late. The guides knowledge of their subject was also very good and we could also ask them about the country as a whole."
Social & Environmental Responsibility: "I suppose that we helped supply employment but I cannot say that we contributed in any substantial way to social or environmental issues."
Accommodation
I get the impression that no one stays in Aguas Calientes for more than one night but the El Mapi was nonetheless very welcoming and the room very clean and comfortable. It was also well placed for the railway station and bus stop.
The hotel was not the newest but the staff were extremely helpful and our stay here was very comfortable.
Staff and guide were excellent and we thouroughly enjoyed our time on the ship. Our only issue was with the tipping. The Tribes information gave suggestions for the guides and drivers but the Beluga had its own recommendation that we only found once on the boat and unfortunately after the last town visit. Luckily the guide accompanied us to the airport so we were able to tip the crew with our remaining cash and pay our bar bill and tip our guide once we visited the ATM at the airport.
The hotel was well positioned and the room clean and comfortable but breakfast did not start until 0600 and on two of the three days that we stayed here we had to leave before this time. The hotel did not offer any alternative and also had no dining facility.
Wonderful comfortable hotel, well positioned in the old quarter. We had been feeling tired after the Peru portion of our holiday but the atmosphere of the hotel and the excellent staff made us, almost instantly, relax.The best hotel of the trip. They also offered box breakfasts at no extra costs for early risers.
Our Memories
"We both loved the Galapagos. Where do you start with such a magical place. My personal favourite was the Nazca lines and my wife's the Inca buildings. The whole trip completely lived up to our expectations."
customer rating
5/5 from 129 reviews
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facts and information
Time: GMT - 6 hours
Flight time: Flights to the Galapagos Islands leave from Quito and touch down in Guayaquil en route, taking about 3 hours from Quito or 2 hours from Guayaquil. The flights land either at Baltra or San Cristobal.
Language: Spanish is the official language in the Galapagos Islands.
Visas: Not required for British travellers. Other nationalities should obtain advice from their embassy.
Health: There are no compulsory vaccinations.
