Most Inspirational Moment
Snorkelling with sealions, iguanas, turtles and penguins in crystal clear water was incredible. I also really enjoyed the optional day trip from Quito to Bellavista lodge in the Mindo Cloudforest - ideal for those who like birds.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was knowledgeable and as someone from Galapagos could provide an interesting insight into life there. However his communication and organisational skills were below those of the Exodus leaders on all the (many) other trips I have taken and this did cause multiple problems that affected my enjoyment of the trip. It probably didn't help that he was trying to lead walks for 12 people with a vast ability range, with no second leader to assist.
Advice for Potential Travellers
At the time of writing, this trip is rated as 'leisurely' which is the last way I'd describe this holiday. It was far more strenuous and busy than other trips I have taken rated 'moderate'. There are multiple activities each day, to a tight timescale, and with little turnaround time to completely change clothes etc. between each in very limited space. The snorkelling is easy for anyone who can swim even a little, but the walks - whilst short in length - are on very poor paths, usually including lengthy steep uphill and downhill sections, in blistering heat and high humidity. They require a decent level of fitness. The notes currently do not advise taking walking boots - you definitely need to do so. The best thing about the trip is undoubtedly the snorkelling, so if you cannot swim or don't want to snorkel it would be a waste of time seeing the Galapagos this way. You need to bring clothes to swim in (or a proper rash suit) as the sun is relentless and you will burn in minutes. Whilst sold as a group trip, you may find yourself alone for the section in Quito as I did. Therefore if you are travelling solo prepare yourself accordingly. Quito is not the safest city in the world and the hotel is some way from the centre. I managed fine but it would have been better if I could have prepared myself ahead of time for that rather than assuming I'd be with a group of other travellers. Exodus seems to book flights with KLM as standard but I travelled with Avianca via Bogota which I think gave a much better set of journeys both there and back. It means leaving late the evening before instead of extremely early the following morning, but avoids a dangerously tight connection at Amsterdam, means waiting in a much nicer airport than Schiphol, and gets you home sooner. There is very little 'downtime' on the trip so if you are considering an extension, do it at the end and not before - and consider giving yourself a day or two to recover particularly if you are working and have a demanding job. The mosquitoes have to be seen to be believed - take repellent but prepare to be bitten a lot - including through your clothes. I wore DEET and it made no difference. Have anti-histamines and bite cream at the ready.
Suggestions
This was not a typical experience of an Exodus holiday and I hope that following the detailed feedback I have given they will make some changes to the trip notes and consider the tour leaders they use. However they cannot change the nature of the boat so I still would advise solo travellers against it.