The Slow Road
Passport: A Traveller's Tale of the Galapagos

In the GalapagosIt’s an all too common concern we hear at B&R: “Group travel?... You mean with strangers?” There have been many reluctant travellers uncertain about what lies ahead on the B&R path when walking or pedalling it in the company of others. And we’re always entertained and encouraged by the remarks we receive once the journey is complete. Take Shirley Clement and her husband John, who recently embarked on our Galapagos Islands Walking trip. While we can usually count on a journey like this to stir the adventurer in anyone, as Shirley recounts, taking our lead she never lacked for inspiration… even among strangers who didn’t remain strange for long:

“The Galapagos had been on John's ‘bucket list’ for years, so when we heard of Butterfield and Robinson’s trip to these fabled islands, we decided to take the plunge. We had always avoided guided and group trips before (usually opting for the ‘do-it-yourself’ vacation), and were frankly a little worried that we would not get along with the other members of the group. We couldn’t have been more wrong!

One of the many locals you'll meet As someone who had never done an ‘active vacation’ before, I was also a little concerned that the activity level would be too much for me, and was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up—or, worse, that I would hold the group back. But our two B&R guides—along with being amazingly experienced, enthusiastic and socially adept—gave me great advice about which hikes were ‘must-do's’ because of the wildlife we’d see, and which were ones I could afford to spend relaxing or reading on the deck of the Isabella II with a glass of wine (after all, I was on vacation!). The great thing was that there were always lots of options, so John and I could each get as much or as little activity as we wanted without holding the other one back (or me feeling like a wimp!). Our fellow travellers, a number of whom were B&R veterans, and others like us who were ‘first timers’, were all thoughtful, widely-experienced individuals with whom I really enjoyed spending time. They too were all living different versions of ‘life off the beaten track’!

Snorkelling with the seals The Galapagos were full of unique and breath-taking experiences, but I think the one that stands out for me was snorkelling with 2 white-tipped reef sharks on the last day! Our guides had told us that we might be lucky enough to see them along this particular reef and, as usual, in helping us spot them, they concentrated on our experience—not their own!

I could also go on and on about the helpful pre-trip literature, great food, perfect accommodations, spectacular scenery, well-maintained equipment, and informative Ecuadorian naturalists who travelled with us. But I think that the highest praise I can offer is that B&R seemed to have the same values that we do: decisions about details both large and small echoed ones we would have made ourselves and money was spent in exactly the right places—on top-notch staff, excellent food, professionally-maintained equipment and spot-on accommodations.

We are delighted to recommend B&R to anyone who loves to live life thoughtfully and enjoys new experiences with an influx of fun. Really—who could ask for anything more?!”
The Slow Road

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Activity Levels:
E = Easygoing
M = Moderate
C = Challenging
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