Help please ... planing a Galapagos and maybe Machu Picchu trip

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Professor Aronnax

Registered
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Location
Kona, HI
# of dives
5000 - ∞
Aloha, no ... mai au Hawaii,

A buddy of mine (well, it's complicated, he's my friend but also the the father of my son's girlfriend) has decided that he and I should make a trip to the Galapagos. This has been on my bucket list for a long time, I've been most everywhere else at one time or another, but never there. I am a very experienced diver, an experienced traveler, but a complete novice when it comes to recreational dive travel. He is a relatively inexperienced diver, an experienced traveler, and has zero recreational dive travel experience. He will come out here to Hawaii for a couple of weeks for a skill tuneup with a colleague of mine.

We're not time limited and while we don't want to waste money, it is not a big issue.

We'd like to dive and see the terrestrial sights and perhaps make a side trip to Machu Picchu. I would be grateful for any advise/shared experiences.

I have some specific questions:
  1. When should we go?
  2. What type of suits should we take?
  3. He needs to buy a full set of gear ... at least whatever he should be taking with him. Suggestions would be appreciated.
  4. I have all my own gear, but I tend to favor the tried and true, I don't want to freak the divemasters out but left to my own devices I'd be using a Cyclon 300 (OK, I don't like it, but I'll bring a spare second stage), SPG, a Nemrod horse collar with a bottle, duck feet, swimmaster wideview mask, farallon snorkel, suit. gloves, booties, weightbelt (I assume I can get lead there), cam-pack (old style backpack). What must I replace?
  5. I do not care for computers, I've thousands of dives on tables and I'd like to continue that way.
  6. I'm going for fun, I plan to take a very good topside camera, but I really don't want to be bogged down with housings and such. What's a good compact modern photo setup? Stills are fine ... I'm no "HERO."
Mahalo nui loa, a hui hou.
 
Well, that's a packed post. How inexperienced is your friend? Galapagos is not a destination for beginners, particularly during the best months to dive when currents can be strong.

To answer your questions:

1. Sept & Oct are the best months to dive - the most hammerheads and the most whale sharks. July, Aug and early Nov next in line. For an inexperienced diver, Jan or May might be better. No whale sharks, but good hammerhead populations, calmer seas and better visibility.
2. 7mm wetsuits. If you are on an itinerary that includes Cabo Douglas or Punta Vicente Roca, you'll need a hood as temps can drop to mid 50's at PVR. Locally they call it, in Spanish, the freezer.
3. If you're going to Machu Picchu, won't it be difficult to bring dive gear? If he doesn't have gear he's used to, maybe he should just rent a full kit.
4. Whatever works for you. Weight belts and weights are provided.
5. Ok, but some require computers now.
6. I have a Canon G12 that shoots great topside photos. Current model is a G15 or G16.

If you don't dive Nitrox already, I suggest certification. Galapagos is perfect for Nitrox. We don't dive deep and we dive often. I've seen even experienced divers with good SAC rates have to sit out to off gas when diving air.

Traveling is not too difficult though from Hawaii, a distance. You basically have to fly into Ecuador, either Quito (airport code UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE). Quito is at 9000 ft, so be sure you don't have issues with altitude sickness. You'll feel it and it can make you tired. You'll overnight on the mainland (as most flights from US arrive around 11PM) and fly out to Galapagos the next morning on the day of departure. Your liveaboard guides will meet you at the airport and you'll be escorted to the ship. All flights from Quito route through Guayaquil. So if you overnight in Guayaquil, departures are a bit later in the morning.

Best,
Leslie
 
I have never been to the Galapagos but it i on my list for next year.

When it comes to dive computors, ALL dive opeator that I have been diving with are making dive computors MANDATORY.

Tables are getting quite complicated for multiple dives per day.
 
I can't speak to Galapagos diving as unfortunately, I've not been.

However, I've been to Machu Picchu. To me, it's a must do trip. We flew into Lima late at night and stsyed at a hotel directly across from the airport, returned to airport in the morning for our flight to Cuzco. We stayed in Cuzco for a couple of days to acclimatize and were able to store our larger suitcases at the hotel while we went on to Machu Picchu by train. The train ride was enjoyable, just make sure you're not on the backpacker train, which you may not enjoy as much. We then stayed in town (Aquas Calientes sometimes called Machu Picchu Pueblo). We took the bus up the winding road to the site. The first day, we took a guided tour but the second day we showed ourselves around. I thought it an amazing place and would love to go back. I regretted that we didn't stay a bit longer but my friend thought two days was the right amount of time. :)

We returned to our hotel in Cuzco, retrieved our luggage, stayed the night and the next morning flew back to Lima to continue our time in Peru.

If you have the time and resources, I urge you to go. And if you've even more time and resources, go to Argentina too, which has a tremendous amount to offer. That said, I'm encouraging you to go there especially to visit the Iguazu Falls. Spectacular, but again we only gave it two days whereas I'd have happily stayed another day or two.
 
I've been to Machu Picchu, haven't been to Galapagos, YET:D. I wonder if it makes sense to do the Machu Picchu portion first then dive. Altitude then diving versus diving then altitude.

Another question would be whether 7mm is sufficient. For me, I think I'd prefer diving a drysuit given the water temps.

Finally, does your friend have sufficient diving experience to be comfortable with Galapagos conditions?

Sounds like a fantastic trip, good luck, have a great time and report back!
 
We did Machu Picchu before our last Galapagos trip in October 2015.

We left our dive gear at the hotel in Lima, Peru and then picked it up before our flight to Guayaquil.
We did the 4 day Inca trail trip after just one day in Cusco and then spent another day in Sacred Valley and a day in Cusco exploring. The Inca trail was an amazing experience. I would have liked another day in Machu Picchu but my wife was happy with just one. We did the Wayna Picchu hike - if you are doing the trail I probably wouldn't recommend it - it was a bit of an ordeal to hike 4 days without really a shower then see all these fresh smiling faces who took the train and just flew past us on the trail. If you are going by train to Machu Picchu it is a definite must do in my mind.

We had a day in Guayaquil before flying out to San Cristobal to meet the Galapagos Sky.

There are a few considerations - some people would say dive and then hike. Others would say do the hike first then dive - which is what we did. The issue is the risk of altitude sickness or injury ruining your dive trip - we had no issues but parts of the trail to Machu Picchu hit 14, 000 ft. Machu Picchu itself is only 8000ft.

If he is a novice diver I might think twice - he should be very comfortable in fast drifts - these are not always easy dives like the Caribbean. Do a lot of training and diving before you go.

I would rethink the computers - most of the liveaboards mandate them.

I would rethink the Hero - the gopro is a simple camera/video and perfect to capture your underwater trip - use your good camera for Peru.

Have fun - Machu Picchu was amazing.
 
It's been a long time since I have been to Cuzco and Machu Picchu but I recall the second time in Cuzco was in the winter and it was cold. The hotel for that trip, which may have been Sonesta Posada Cuzco, was cold and we got a space heater. I recall sleeping on the floor next to the space heater. The first trip I had a hostel which was basic but every time I flushed the toilet, the sewer backed up in the shower. I won't do that one again. The first trip included the trip to Machu Picchu. We did not climb Huayna Picchu as it was raining and we were warned the rocks were slick. It's a long drop. Take rain gear and good shoes. I hear someone recently fell off.
We bought our tickets at the bottmom when we got off the train. Again it's been a long time. I understand that they may require ticket purchase in advance online but some websites says you may be able to buy in Lima, Cuzco or Aguas Calientes. Definitely check it out.
We (work buddies and I) found we needed at least a day in Cuzco to get used to the altitude. It's not as bad as La Paz Bolivia but still found ourselves out of breath walking up the hill to the main square. Check out the local markets - I picked up some alpaca sweaters. The llamas can be darned mean and spit too.
We also checked out Sacsahuayman and other ruins near Cuzco. Very interesting.

I think on my second trip a national carrier aircraft had hit a pothole on landing and broke a landing gear so they managed to push it off the side of the runway but there were significant travel delays for days.

For photos then I had a Pentax 35 mmm film camera. It did well but the newer digitals (cheaper or 4/3's) would be of the same size and would do. A DSLR would be great but you have to lug it around. The distances of the shots can be long so a better camera and lens would be good. Everybody takes photos from the hill opposite Huayna Picchu. It's where a main Inca trail comes in.

Can't help much on Galapagos
 
Did a Silverseas Galapagos cruise, snorkeled only, then a side trip to Machu Picchu so I can't speak for the diving aspect of your trip. However, I do have a few recommendations for you on the Machu Picchu trip.
1. I would do the MP part of your trip first. First, the long flight at a higher cabin pressure altitude will help you acclimate to the higher altitudes at Quito, Lima, Cuzco, and MP. Second, I would avoid staying overnight in Cuzco on your first night unless you have no other choice. Our experience: Since we were only snorkeling in the Galapagos, we elected to do the cruise first, then fly from Guayaquil to Cuzco, and stay overnight in Cuzco to acclimate prior to pressing on to MP. That was a major mistake for my wife. Going from sea level to 11K+ feet and staying overnight in Cuzco gave her a really bad case of altitude sickness that did not improve until we got closer to MP. She was miserable! There are meds you can take for altitude sickness, and unless you are certain you will not be affected by high altitude, I strongly recommend the meds. If you get altitude sickness, it will abate very quickly when you get to lower altitude, so a MP trip before diving should be much less of a problem than MP after diving.
2. Do your touring of Cuzco after you visit MP as you will be far more acclimated to the 11K pressure altitude and will likely have little or no altitude sickness, and enjoy the visit a lot more.
3. After leaving Cuzco, we did a private car tour of the Sacred Valley which was a great preview of what was to come at MP, and then took the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes where we stayed overnight before going to MP the following morning. Recommend 2 days at MP, not only because there is a lot to see, but if the weather is bad on the first day you might have better weather the next day. Although it is expensive, give strong consideration to staying at The Sanctuary, right in front of the entrance gate to MP.
4. Make sure you refer to the checked and carry on baggage limits of whatever airline you chose to get you from Ecuador to Cuzco or vice versa. Checked baggage limits for local airlines like LAN Chile/Ecuador will vary depending on your ticket category, but I think economy is limited to one or sometimes two bags with a total of 50#. Your carry on bag is limited to 17#. If you are lucky, they won't check the weight of your carry on bag, but you can not count on that luxury. Carrying all of your dive gear plus the heavier clothes you will likely need for MP may push you past the baggage weight limit.
5. Going through customs at Lima after departing from Cuzco was a real PITA, so make sure you have a generous connection time. They do not make it easy!
 
Our trip is:
- Machu Picchu trek
- Two weeks Galapagos, on boat week 1 Diving week 2 naturalist
- Ecuador Amazon trip.

1.When should we go?
My depend on what you want to see and preparedness for cold water. I am going this September and expect to have cold water but also to see great underwater attractions.

2. What type of suits should we take?
I am going to dive dry, and stay warm:) also I don't expect the boat to be hot between dives so I am keen not to chill down off or on the boat. I talk with two groups of people over the last few weeks that that have dived Galapagos in September and found the water varied by site from 25C to 15C.

3. He should dive in gear that he is comfortable physically and mentally with. He will need a level of experience given currents...

4. ...

5. I think a computer will be mandated.

6. I take a quality underwater camera set-up, the trip is expensive I want some nice photos. I use a Sony Nex 5n in housing with two strobes. The same camera is great for above water. I have 3 camera bodies in case of flooding...

Luggage is a challenge but we have plans to leave as much as possible in hotels. So we will leave gear in Lima when flying to Cusco for the trek, and in Quito when going to the Amazon.
 
Well, that's a packed post. How inexperienced is your friend? Galapagos is not a destination for beginners, particularly during the best months to dive when currents can be strong.

To answer your questions:

1. Sept & Oct are the best months to dive - the most hammerheads and the most whale sharks. July, Aug and early Nov next in line. For an inexperienced diver, Jan or May might be better. No whale sharks, but good hammerhead populations, calmer seas and better visibility.
2. 7mm wetsuits. If you are on an itinerary that includes Cabo Douglas or Punta Vicente Roca, you'll need a hood as temps can drop to mid 50's at PVR. Locally they call it, in Spanish, the freezer.
3. If you're going to Machu Picchu, won't it be difficult to bring dive gear? If he doesn't have gear he's used to, maybe he should just rent a full kit.
4. Whatever works for you. Weight belts and weights are provided.
5. Ok, but some require computers now.
6. I have a Canon G12 that shoots great topside photos. Current model is a G15 or G16.

If you don't dive Nitrox already, I suggest certification. Galapagos is perfect for Nitrox. We don't dive deep and we dive often. I've seen even experienced divers with good SAC rates have to sit out to off gas when diving air.

Traveling is not too difficult though from Hawaii, a distance. You basically have to fly into Ecuador, either Quito (airport code UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE). Quito is at 9000 ft, so be sure you don't have issues with altitude sickness. You'll feel it and it can make you tired. You'll overnight on the mainland (as most flights from US arrive around 11PM) and fly out to Galapagos the next morning on the day of departure. Your liveaboard guides will meet you at the airport and you'll be escorted to the ship. All flights from Quito route through Guayaquil. So if you overnight in Guayaquil, departures are a bit later in the morning.

Best,
Leslie
Will a 7mm jumpsuit with hood serve?

I think we will do MP first, checking gear at the Hotel.

I'll bring my belt and use their lead.

If the insist on computer they'll love my old EDGE.

I live at 3,000 feet and my buddy lives at 7,200.

Thanks.
 

Back
Top Bottom