South America - Any affordable way to the Galapagos from GYE?

I'm thinking of taking my family to the Galapagos. I've been eyeing this new LAN service to GPS, and thinking of redeeming AA points to get us there. Unfortunately, LAN doesn't seem to be giving AA any award seats to the Galapagos, so that means we can only fly "for free" to Guayaquil (GYE).

From what I can tell, it's expensive to fly GYE-GPS. Are there any tricks to get the fare reasonable, like buy it locally? Any other transport options?

I figure a vacation in the Galapagos is going to be expensive, so I'm reluctant to spend a lot of money just to get there from GYE.

Thanks.

How cheap do you want it?
LAN's Ecuador site currently has it for US$213 which I think is the cheapest I have ever seen it
http://www.lan.com/es_ec/sitio_personas/promociones/ecuador/vuelos_aniversario.html
If you find your itinerary on LAN you may be able to get it cheaper on AA.com because they may knock off some taxes that you are not liable to pay (Not an Ecuador expert but that certainly works when I go BOG LIM UIO LIM BOG)

How cheap do you want it?
LAN's Ecuador site currently has it for US$213 which I think is the cheapest I have ever seen it
http://www.lan.com/es_ec/sitio_personas/promociones/ecuador/vuelos_aniversario.html
If you find your itinerary on LAN you may be able to get it cheaper on AA.com because they may knock off some taxes that you are not liable to pay (Not an Ecuador expert but that certainly works when I go BOG LIM UIO LIM BOG)

Yup, I'd be willing to pay that (even though I should be able to fly it free on points).

But, as often the case with LAN, gringos aren't allowed to fly on that fare. The gringo fare is $360 (so for my family of 5, $1800). I'm not willing to pay that.

Wow I didn't know that LAN had discriminatory fares in Ecuador as well as Peru Argentina and Chile.

Sorry for that, had I known I wouldn't have suggested it, at least not before asking if you could prove that you are ecuadorian.

Aerogal has it for 90 bucks less, Aerogal site wont book it, Aerogal is owned by Avianca which also won't book it, but you could try calling AV and see what price they will give you.

I have only had limited problems booking LAN inventory on AAdvantage, inventory kept coming and going so it is definitely worth calling AA a few more times to see if there is any. I don't know when you are thinking of going.

LANPASS has full inventory for GYE GPS and it is 15000 RT per pax. A total of 75000 for your whole family. If you fancy a gamble, you could sign up for LANPASS and buy 6000 kms for $0.02 each, then once or twice a year, LAN lets you buy upto 100,000kms for $0.01 each so long as you have 6k in your account. So you buy another 69,000 miles to make your 75000 and the whole family can go for US$810 plus taxes

Its a round the houses approach but I don't know how much you fancy playing the system

The gringo fare is $360 (so for my family of 5, $1800). I'm not willing to pay that.
There's another big-ticket item you need to factor into your budget: the Galapagos entry tax. You'll fork over $100 pp upon arrival in the islands; $50 for anyone under 12.

LANPASS has full inventory for GYE GPS and it is 15000 RT per pax. A total of 75000 for your whole family. If you fancy a gamble, you could sign up for LANPASS and buy 6000 kms for $0.02 each, then once or twice a year, LAN lets you buy upto 100,000kms for $0.01 each so long as you have 6k in your account. So you buy another 69,000 miles to make your 75000 and the whole family can go for US$810 plus taxes

Its a round the houses approach but I don't know how much you fancy playing the system

Hmmm. I'll have to look at that again. I thought I saw 30K per person for the roundtrip, which would be no bargain. I had to do something similar in Peru to get to Cuzco, given the extortionate fares LAN was charging gringos there (as you can see, this is LAN's standard business practice; although in Peru, I think the gringo fare was 3x the price!).

I actually wouldn't mind paying SOMETHING for a mainland Ecuador-GPS flight because this way I can stop over in, say, Quito. An AA coach award to Ecuador is very cheap (30,000 miles for much of the year), but they don't allow foreign stopovers.
There's another big-ticket item you need to factor into your budget: the Galapagos entry tax. You'll fork over $100 pp upon arrival in the islands; $50 for anyone under 12.

Yeah, I'm aware of that fee. That's why, to make this "work" as a plausible family vacation, I need to keep my airfare expenses to a minimum. I'm also certain that boat/lodging expenses for a family won't be cheap in the Galapagos.

Not sure it is good price to you or not.
I think it is great deal when I finally able to book this 30,000 AA miles + 46 tax + 20 ticket fee.
LIM -> GYE 6/27/11
GYE -> GPS 6/28
GPS -> GYE 7/2
GYE -> LIM 7/3

That was a few month ago. I called BA agent, there tax is much higher than AA.

I wish you luck, we searched and searched and it seems that these flights do not tend to go on sale.

If you go to the Galapagos be aware it is expensive to get there unfortunately, regardless if you fly from Guayaquil or Lima.

With intervention from oneworld management (AA customer service refused to look into my problem independently), I got AA to fix "the glitch" that prevented AA from booking my LAN flights to the Galapagos. So now I have the whole trip from the USA to the Galapagos in coach for 30,000 AA miles per person -- which is obviously a sweet deal.

Now I have to think of a creative way to vacation in the Galapagos without spending a fortune. Those "adventure cruises" seem beyond what I'd be willing to pay (not planning a trip of a lifetime, just a family vacation). I understand that there are affordable land-based options.

There are, our group had a great time with one called Galapagos Alternative, they basically plan most everything for you once you say what you would like.

We got to see a bunch of different islands and stayed on two different islands.

I'm not saying it's better than a cruise (because I never did a cruise), but I did not feel short changed in the least, and we got to support the local economy and experience the Galapagos lifestyle.

Isabela is awesome btw, if you go there do not miss the channel swim with a hundred white tip sharks!

Anyway, that's one company... there are others I'm certain.

Check AeroGal for flights from GYE to Galapagos.

With intervention from oneworld management (AA customer service refused to look into my problem independently), I got AA to fix "the glitch" that prevented AA from booking my LAN flights to the Galapagos. So now I have the whole trip from the USA to the Galapagos in coach for 30,000 AA miles per person -- which is obviously a sweet deal.

Now I have to think of a creative way to vacation in the Galapagos without spending a fortune. Those "adventure cruises" seem beyond what I'd be willing to pay (not planning a trip of a lifetime, just a family vacation). I understand that there are affordable land-based options.

We are planning a trip in Sept to the Galapagos, so I'd love to know what you had to do to "fix the glitch".....I am running into the same problem as you...i.e. we can only get to GYE for free....

Could you share your experiences in getting to GPS from the US for 30K ?

Thanks

We are planning a trip in Sept to the Galapagos, so I'd love to know what you had to do to "fix the glitch".....I am running into the same problem as you...i.e. we can only get to GYE for free....

Could you share your experiences in getting to GPS from the US for 30K ?

Thanks

See here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-aadvantage/1218038-lan-seats-isnt-oneworld-award-inventory-universal.html

See here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-aadvantage/1218038-lan-seats-isnt-oneworld-award-inventory-universal.html

So was the end result that you emailed Mr. Blunt?

I don't see any availability from GYE to GPS on BA's site (when trying to "book through partners") for several dates that I check. Is there a better way of checking availability?

So was the end result that you emailed Mr. Blunt?

I don't see any availability from GYE to GPS on BA's site (when trying to "book through partners") for several dates that I check. Is there a better way of checking availability?

Yes. Blunt was able to get it for me. I have no idea whether he's still willing to help others. Obviously, fixing this glitch seems to be nobody's priority, which stinks.

BTW, when they added the GPS segment, they also took an additional 5,000 miles per ticket out of my account. so it became 35,000 miles in coach. I'm guessing that's correct -- if not, I need to complain. On the other hand, it somehow reduced the taxes by about $40, so I guess I can't complain too much. Funny how adding a flight (especially to the Galapagos) would reduce your tax, but who knows.

Funny how adding a flight (especially to the Galapagos) would reduce your tax, but who knows.

May be its something like with LHR, where you will be exempted from some taxes is you are in transit.

So was the end result that you emailed Mr. Blunt?

Not yet.

hi, after reading this thread I decided to call the reservations center to see if i could maximize my miles and save on gye-gps paid tix. called yesterday and no success. i was told by the agent "for some reason I'm not able to get inventory on LAN Ecuador seats" and at the end of conversation I was told that ..... LAN chile, LAN Peru and LAN Argentina are part of One World but LAN Ecuador is not and.... no seats.

ok.....I said thank you and went to bed.

So, today i decided to give it another try.. Called the reservation center again and was told the same thing. "No seat inventory for LAN Ecuador....but wait! there is more! I"m going to transfer you to international reservation specialist".
I got transfered to a different agent and she tried for several minutes, then i suggested her combination of flights ORD-GYE-GPS ......and she was able to find me a seat! All 3 flight in economy - T
total cost( one way) 17.500 miles +$5 taxes +$25 booking fee (res. over the phone)

Did not need return ticket because i will continue traveling within S. America after galapagos.

so, my suggestion is ask for a international reservation "specialist" and maybe suggest possible flights .

good luck with your reservations! Now, i'm going to try to combine my two reservations from Easter Island to Santiago, chile and to Chicago into one way "leg".

Yes. Blunt was able to get it for me. I have no idea whether he's still willing to help others. Obviously, fixing this glitch seems to be nobody's priority, which stinks.

BTW, when they added the GPS segment, they also took an additional 5,000 miles per ticket out of my account. so it became 35,000 miles in coach. I'm guessing that's correct -- if not, I need to complain. On the other hand, it somehow reduced the taxes by about $40, so I guess I can't complain too much. Funny how adding a flight (especially to the Galapagos) would reduce your tax, but who knows.

Yes, partner airlines round-trip saver award is 35K.

After many attempts we were finally able to buy saver award tickets to GPS. I am not sure if the glitch has been fixed or if it was just a competent AA rep, who knew what she was doing....

I am flying on a one world award ticket purchased with AA miles and was able to book seats to and from the Galapagos in April. But now that I've started looking into it, it appears that you need to sign up for some sort of tour in order to stay in the Galapagos. Is that correct? If so, does anyone have any experience with mid-price tours? I don't think I'd want to stay on a boat for more than 4 or 5 days.

I am flying on a one world award ticket purchased with AA miles and was able to book seats to and from the Galapagos in April. But now that I've started looking into it, it appears that you need to sign up for some sort of tour in order to stay in the Galapagos. Is that correct? If so, does anyone have any experience with mid-price tours? I don't think I'd want to stay on a boat for more than 4 or 5 days.

You do not need to sign up for a tour, but the vast majority of visitors to the Galapagos take expensive ecological cruises. My hunch is the majority of flyertalkers will opt for less expensive options, as (for many of us) this isn't our "trip of a lifetime," just an interesting vacation. There are already some discussions of non-cruise options on flyertalk and tripadvisor, and I'll know a lot more after my own spring trip to GPS.

workandski, i will let you know in a month. i'm going to galapagos in a week and i have nothing planned. I will try to get a "last minute" deal once I get there. in my case it is going to be a low season...so I should not have problems getting a cruise a day before. In your case.... don't know... .but usually cruises / tours are cheaper when you book them directly with operators, not tour agencies.

Please let me know what you find out about seeing the Galapagos. I'm thinking about staying at a lodge that will take me to different islands on one day boat trips. Everything seems quite expensive, particularly because I'll be traveling alone. It's definitely not the trip of a lifetime for me. I'm mostly going for the photography because I'll be in South America anyway.

Please let me know what you find out about seeing the Galapagos. I'm thinking about staying at a lodge that will take me to different islands on one day boat trips. Everything seems quite expensive, particularly because I'll be traveling alone. It's definitely not the trip of a lifetime for me. I'm mostly going for the photography because I'll be in South America anyway.



wow, i'm going for the same reason- photography! i will also be traveling by myself. i plan to stay in the least expensive hotels/hostels. as for the cruises... .i got some offers from different tour agencies online and the least expensive was 575$ for 4d/3n cruise on new flamingo. i read that new flamingo is backpacker type yacht which I don't mind. however, i decided to wait until I get there and get something suuuuuuuper last minute.

If you want a super-affordable way from GYE to the Galapagos see this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other-north-south-america-frequent-flyer-programs/1215477-lan-one-way-redemption.html

GYE/UIO-SCY-GYE/UIO for 7000 Lanpass pts = 2800/3500* SPG pts + $US14 tax

Depending on how many SPG points you transfer

I am flying on a one world award ticket purchased with AA miles and was able to book seats to and from the Galapagos in April. But now that I've started looking into it, it appears that you need to sign up for some sort of tour in order to stay in the Galapagos. Is that correct? If so, does anyone have any experience with mid-price tours? I don't think I'd want to stay on a boat for more than 4 or 5 days.


workandski,

i just got back from my vacation in South America. As I mentioned earlier I would go to Galapagos and I did.
Flying to Galapagos from ORD on an award ticket was easy and with no problems. When I got there I did not have anything planned. No cruises, no hotels/ guesthouses. When I arrived on Baltra, I took a bus to the main town Puerto Ayora for 80 cents. Skip the $15 taxis. The ride takes around 50 min. Right after getting off the bus I had a beer (to go) and started walking the streets to familiarize myself with the town. After a couple of minutes I walked into a random travel agency to inquire about cruises. I did not think I would get one because I thought they all would be out of my budget. However, the lady started presenting me with offers..... She started with $1000 ones for 4D3N cruises... I said no and asked for the least expensive ones.... She offered me one for $550 on a yacht... The name of it was 'Galapagos Vision'. On the pictures it seemed as a decent one. So, I started negotiating and.... I got that cruise + speed boat to San Cristobal Island ($25 value) + Snorkeling gear ($50 value) , all for $450 !!! I had done extensive research on various cruises and .... the least expensive cruise I found was for $570 on backpacker-style boat. I had 10 minutes to make up my mind because the last boat for San Cristobal was leaving in 15 minutes. After paying I run straight to the dock to catch the speed boat and after 2 hours I was on San Cristobal. There I spent a night and early in the morning I was taken to the yacht. The yacht was a decent one. Cannot complain. 5 double cabins, clean and the food served there was excellent! One night and after a few bottles of wine I asked the other people how much they paid and...they paid anywhere from $750 just for the cruise to $1300 (including flight to and from Quito). So, I think I got an excellent deal.
almost all boats do the 8D/7N cruise. They make a big loop from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz (4days) back to San Cristobal (another 4 days). I heard San Cristobal to Santa Cruz is much more interesting than Sana Cruz to San Cristobal leg. So, if you do only four days, do it from San Cristobal. I did that and was very happy with it.
After the cruise, I had 3 extra days on the islands and spent more time on the streets of Puerto Ayora and noticed that all travel agencies had last-minute cruises in all price ranges. However, don't forget that I was there in October and it was a low season there. Nonetheless, I think you should not have any problems getting a last minute cruise when you go there. Even, if you don't get a cruise you can explore the islands on your own. There are many one/two day excursions to different islands. Everything can be covered by using the public speed boats. It might be even cheaper if you do it that way. I do not recommend 1 day excursions to Isla Isabella from Santa Cruz because you will not see what is promised due to no time. For Isabella, I recommend at least 2-4 days. there are volcano you can climb, beaches where tourists from cruises dont go and many more spectacular places.

As for the cost of accommodation, there are plenty of rooms in all price range. From $10/night further form the main street to $300/ night. I had a very nice clean room for $15/night right behind the main street.
What else.....
Like I said...if you don't get a cruise, you can cover everything by doing day or 2 day excursions. It might be cheaper but will take 1 or 2 more days.

If you decide to purchase a cruise from a local agency, tell them that you want snorkeling gear included! On the cruise they charge you $10/day! All travel agencies have snorkeling gear for rent and if they have enough, they will throw it into the deal.


If you have any question just let me know.
thanks
konrad

Thanks Konrad,

I happen to be reading some online forums last weekend to get a better idea of the "last minute" booking scene in Puerto Ayora. Your experience is not very different from what I've read. It definitely seems to way to go.

In this internet age, I almost never just "show up" anywhere -- especially with my family. I find it easier to just contact the locals (when necessary) in advance, and this way everything is arranged when I arrive. But it doesn't seem to work that way in the Galapagos (although I would be intrigued if the GPS travel agents had phones and I could start calling them the week before for "last minute" deals.

As I'm travelling with my wife and 3 kids at Easter-time, I've seen some reference to the fact that that would be a little busier time -- and that 5 people is hard to place "last minute." But unless I hear otherwise, I think I'm going to try it. I was originally going to make a hotel reservation for my first night (I have 8 nights in the Galapagos), but now I think I'm going to show up without ANY reservations. Seems scary, but probably the right thing to do, no? It does seem like there are plenty of places to stay in town if I need to.

Konrad: Thanks very much. That information is very helpful. I think I'll do the same thing you did but I'll probably just take day trips. I'm not that crazy about spending several days on a boat. In this economy, it's hard to imagine that everything will be fully booked. Thanks for the tip about snorkeling gear, too.

Konrad: Thanks very much. That information is very helpful. I think I'll do the same thing you did but I'll probably just take day trips. I'm not that crazy about spending several days on a boat. In this economy, it's hard to imagine that everything will be fully booked. Thanks for the tip about snorkeling gear, too.

From reading other reports, the problem with the day trips are that, on a per day basis, they're not any cheaper than a cruise and you spend too much time getting to your destination. If you're on a cruise, they travel at night and you're "good to go" in daytime. At least that's what I've read.