Lindblad Expeditions

Pros: Very thorough, easy booking, no hassles, stress free, often pampered, great staff & naturalists
Cons: Trips are expensive (but worth it)

I have wanted to go to the Galapagos Islands for as long as I can remember. Last year, my husband and I got married in Mexico, so for our one-year anniversary, considering the Mayan Riviera was demolished by hurricanes, we decided we would take the ...

Pros: Quality/knowledge of staff
Cons: Time/$$$-not enough to go on all of the Lindblad trips we want to

Our first trip with Lindblad was their Galapagos trip on Polaris in Nov 2004 (and still our favorite all-time trip). Not too long before the trip, they had changed the starting point to be Quito instead of Guayaquil-luckily we had them book our airline ...

Pros: Saw whales,dolphins and sea lions,and more birds that necessary.
Cons: Food was bad and Lindblad handled the problems with denial.Please check review for update.

Just returned from a trip to Baja CA. The propeller shaft broke and we spent four nights tied to a pier, two in San Carlos and two in La Paz. They cut the trip short so they could make repairs and sent us out on local day trip boats, long uncomfortable ...

Pros: Staff, locales
Cons: Moderate cost

We have taken three tours with Lindblad: to the Galapagos, Peru, and Alaska. Each tour was fabulous. The accommodations are more than adequate (although not deluxe) and the food is terrific, but it is the quality of the professional staff that sets this tour company aside. They are all highly trained (masters or PhD), experienced, and extraordinarily accommodating to all levels of ability and interest. There are generally 5-6 guides and 60-80 passengers. Activities to meet all areas of interest are planned. For example, one group might go on a longer and somewhat strenuous hike, another on a medium length and difficulty hike, a third on a short and easy hike, and perhaps a fourth that would visit an area but have little walking involved. Passengers range from children to people in their 90's. Absolutely wonderful!

Pros: Professional naturalists onboard, outstanding staff, dedication to natural preservation.
Cons: A bit pricey but delivery on the promise of value

Traveled with them to the Galapagos Islands in 2002. Fantastic expedition with an entire team of dedicated naturalists on board. My wife and I enjoyed the focus on nature and the laid back atmosphere. We plan to travel with them next year to Panama.