Galapagos

I am going to the Galapagos in July of 2009 and doing a live-a-board on Peter Hughes Sky Dancer with my wife and 19 year old daughter.

Besides the diving, what land excursions should I look into?? Also what Machu Picchu tours are good?

Thank you in advance,

Elmer

Did the same liveaboard earlier this year - you are in for a great time. we had an extra 5 days for land tours and we based ourselves on one of the islands - given the same trip again i would without a doubt get one of the 4 or 5 day island hopping tours - otherwise you are quite restriced in which islands you can get to. hth

If you are looking to hike, the inca trail to Macchu Picchu is probably the most popular. I think they started being very strict about the hike tours now so make sure you book ahead. A more interesting tour is going to Manu Biosphere Reserve from Cusco. The birdlife is amazing and the tour is very nice compared to the Brazilian side.

Just came back from the Galapagos on the Aggressor I (12/17-12/25). Great experience ! We were told starting from 2009, they will not allow land tour/island tour mix with dive tour/live abord. We were lucky, our trip consisted 17 dives and 4 land tour (North Seymour Island, Bartolome island, South Plaza Island, Darwin Center, Santa Cruz island). So, seems land tour has to happen after the live aboard trip. North Seymour and South Plaza island has plenty of iguna, birds, sea lion and you get to look at them up close and personally. It was fantastic. Some shots I took: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cadiver/sets/...639217303/show/