Dream (slightly) deferred

[rsc]

Well, it turns out that our upcoming trip to the Galápagos and Machu Picchu is going to be a trip to the Galápagos only (although we might decide to take some extra time in Ecuador on the way back). We just got word from the tour organizer that, because of the flooding and mudslides in the neighborhood, Machu Picchu is not going to be open to tourists until the end of March (three weeks after we were scheduled to arrive there). So that part of the trip has had to be cancelled.

However, he also said that he's looking to book a replacement trip, most likely in late October. I really hope this happens, even though, depending on exactly when in late October, this might mean missing Dance Camp; but for Machu Picchu we'd be willing to do that.

Comments

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, the Galapagos are fab, with even fabber photo ops at every turn. We went on a small boat - about 16 people I think - for a week, and loved it. But Ecuador itself is a fascinating country, very varied topography, including the Andes and the rain forest, again with spectacular photo ops - the markets are amazing in particular, with lots of opportunities to see indigenous people in real-life settings. Not too touristy either, even in the big cities. We spent two weeks on the mainland, touring around. I'd go back in a heart beat.

[jwg.livejournal.com]

Our boat is 20 people.

I was in Quito, Guayaquil, and Otavalo in 1966. Took the no-longer running one-car train from Guayquil to Quito as part of the trip. I'm considering a jungle visit now.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

When the Galápagos trip was initially offered, and the Machu Picchu extension hadn't been mentioned yet, John and I decided we would fly to Quito a few days ahead and spend some time in the mountains; an idea that we abandoned when the Machu Picchu extension was added, on the grounds that two weeks was really enough. So now the question is whether to (try to) change our flight home to the earlier date (after we get back to Guayaquil from the Galápagos), or use the time to visit Quito and/or the jungle.

Unlike John, I've never been to Ecuador (or anywhere in South America).

[vasilatos]

Mother Nature is unaware of Dance Camp? How rude.

[ebaug.livejournal.com]

I've been wondering about the machu picchu trip. I'm sorry you won't get to go, but I'm glad you'll get to come home safe and sound. We had a wonderful trip to the jungle and also very much enjoyed a trip to ottovalo when we were in ecuador. i'll look forward to hearing about what you choose to do!

[rsc.livejournal.com]

Well, we're still hopeful for a Machu Picchu trip in the fall. And Ken's email said something vague about doing something else with the time originally scheduled for the Galápagos trip if there's sufficient interest. So we're waiting to see what happens.

[dorisduke.livejournal.com]

When we went to Machu Picchu it was so clowdy, we still have not really seen it.