
Galapagos
Why Visit
Welcome to Ecuador’s “enchanted isles”—and a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience found nowhere else on earth.
Imagine snorkeling with a family of inquisitive sea lions or swimming alongside giant sea turtles. Bask on the sun-warmed rocks, keeping company with dozens of marine iguanas (a 10-million-year-old species!). Meet the iconic giant land tortoises (called “galapago” in Spanish and the islands’ namesake). Marvel at the agility of the world’s only flightless cormorants, photograph the only penguin species found north of the Equator, and laugh at the comical crash landings of the huge waved albatross.
As you explore the starkly beautiful terrain, leave it to Mother Nature to paint the creatures that live here in a dazzling color palette. Spot flashy red Sally Lightfoot crabs, boobies sporting bright blue or red feet, the bright yellow glint of Darwin’s finches, and flocks of hot pink flamingoes. And you’ll have plenty of time to observe these creatures up close—many are fearless since they’ve never been hunted.
Small ships, the hallmark of Galapagos travel, are perfect for easy and unobtrusive access to islands where the birds, reptiles, and marine life are often unique to their habitats. You’ll explore these remote shores in the company of passionate, knowledgeable guides. Hike across lunar-like expanses of naturally patterned lava, walk among stands of ghostly Palo Santo trees, and investigate the shore life of a secret lagoon or coral beach. Enjoy the waters as you kayak along a cactus-dotted coast or jump right in for a refreshing swim. All the while you’ll follow in the epic wake of Charles Darwin, whose Galapagos studies led to his groundbreaking theory of natural selection.
Galapagos Islands travel delights all ages, whether you’re 8 or 80. Close-up encounters with the diverse wildlife of this isolated archipelago are both profoundly moving and ultimately delightful. As you snap that once-in-a-lifetime portrait of a bird, lizard, tortoise, or iguana…you’ll notice they’re just as curious about you!
History
This far-flung archipelago of 14 major islands and more than 100 tiny islets lies 620 miles west of Ecuador and comfortably straddles the equator. It’s a national park, a biological marine reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a pristine ecosystem without equal.
Volcanic in origin, the individual islands are the result of mantle plumes—extremely hot columns of rock that rise from the depths of the earth and form the land we see above sea level. Galapagos cruises offer the perfect vantage point for that introductory survey of these stark, arid, lava-smothered, cactus-and-mangrove-covered, coral-trimmed and mountainous isles and their breathtaking variety of wildlife, above and below the waters.
Northern Peruvian sailors lay claim to the first visit in 1485, but the official “discovery” of the islands goes to Tomas de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama, who was blown off course during a voyage to Peru in 1535. The first world map to reveal the archipelago’s existence was printed in 1570 and shortly afterwards, the “Insulae de los Galopegos” (Tortoise Islands) became the refuge and food-supply source for the pirates who, for nearly 150 years, raided the Spanish ships sailing home from South America with Inca gold.
In the late 18th century sealers and whalers arrived, exploiting the region and its wealth of marine mammals. By the late 1700s, whale oil was more valuable than gold. Between 1811 and 1844, approximately 700 whaling ships arrived for the hunt, making the Galapagos the Pacific’s center for the industry. Herman Melville, that eloquent American whaler and author, visited the islands in 1841, writing about his impressions in his story—Las Encantadas—the Enchanted Isles.
By 1800, fur seals in the Galapagos were nearly extinct and the whalers left shortly thereafter. Ecuador claimed the islands in 1832, giving each a Spanish name—Espanola, San Cristobal, Fernandina, Isabela, Santa Cruz, and Floreana among them.
The region’s most famous visitor, Charles Darwin, arrived for a Galapagos tour on September 15, 1835. He stayed for five weeks studying the flora and fauna on four islands. His subjects included the now legendary Darwin’s finches (13 species in all), which focused his attention on adaptation, habitat and survival—a.k.a. natural selection. After 20 years of collecting supporting evidence, he published his iconic work On the Origin of Species. Today’s Galapagos cruises bring travelers to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island to learn about the wildlife and conservation efforts. Here you can witness two species of Darwin’s finches, as well as giant tortoises. The Tortoise Breeding Center here breeds and raises the newly hatched endangered reptiles.
Tours to the Galapagos showcase the diversity of terrain, habitat and wildlife, stopping at a number of islands on each cruise. Among the more unusual and endemic species are the red and green marine iguanas—the world’s only ocean-dwelling lizard—and the land iguanas that favor the tasty flowers and leaves of the prickly pear cactus. There’s also the chance to peer beneath the waters where 400 species of fish thrive alongside the magnificent green sea turtle and hammerhead shark. A snorkel with sea lions is an unforgettable treat for all generations.
In the avian world—which includes 28 endemic species—pink flamingoes and Galapagos penguins reside happily on adjacent isles, a neighborly fusion of the tropics and polar regions. Elegant frigatebirds soar overhead like kites while flightless cormorants forage for food on land and in water. Blue-footed boobies make Olympics-worthy dives from 100 feet in the air, and 12,000 pairs of waved albatross with their 11-foot wingspans make for a camera-ready spectacle. The most famous residents, however, are the giant tortoises, which measure more than four feet in length and weigh up to 500 pounds. Grasses, fruits and cacti sustain these venerable giants, some of whom can celebrate a century of birthdays.
Travel to the Galapagos is as close as you’re likely to get to a natural laboratory, where you have the remarkable opportunity to witness evolution at work. And where preservation and conservation are the only ways to keep these Islas Encantadas enchanted.
How to Choose a Trip
The Galapagos Islands are a wonderland of extraordinary animal species, colorful snorkeling, bright sun and picture perfect beaches, but how do you go about selecting a trip that’s just right for you from so many options? Several factors come into play when you’re looking at trips, and keeping these in mind can help you select the perfect Galapagos experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
When to Travel
Because the Galapagos Islands are equatorial, any time is a fantastic time to visit these lava-formed islands. Still those who prefer warmer temperatures might want to focus on the warm and wet season which takes place January to May. The water is warmer for snorkeling at this time of year, yet you might also encounter some light rain. This rain is warm and over in minutes so your exploration of the islands is never interrupted. In June the water temperature falls, so chilly people might consider bringing a snorkel shirt and/or snorkel pants (available at sporting goods stores) to wear under the shortie wetsuit you’ll be offered by your ship or land operator. The temperatures listed below are in Fahrenheit.
Temperatures: Daytime Nighttime Water
Jan. - May 85 - 89 70 - 75 75 - 82
June - Dec. 75 - 80 65 - 70 62 - 68
Different animal species exhibit different behaviors at different times of year, for example blue-footed boobies do their famous mating dances from April to July and then again in October/November. Marine iguanas exhibit bright colors from January to March. And the black frigate birds inflate red pouches at their throats during their breeding season which is March to June. Something wonderful is always happening in the Galapagos and if you have particular animal interests, your ExpeditionTrips Expedition Specialist will help you select a time frame and itinerary that will give you the best hope of experiencing them for yourself.
Trip Options
There are three sizes of ships in the Galapagos: small at 16-20 passengers, mid-size at 30-50 passengers, and large at 80-100 passengers. Each size offers a different experience. For example, a smaller ship will allow you to get to know your fellow passengers very well, while a larger ship offers you more anonymity and a more diverse set of fellow passengers to meet. Families with teens often like larger vessels so their kids can socialize more. Mid-size vessels are known for offering luxurious surroundings and expert education programs. Both small and large ships include a range of styles from casual/basic to luxury.
A special occasion like a honeymoon or anniversary might warrant a beautiful luxury ship with hotel-like amenities, while some families with children or couples may prefer smaller, more casual environments such as fun sailboat or small motor vessel with a single common area where people can gather.
Some travelers have been reading about and dreaming of visiting these amazing islands for many years and would like the very best education program. If the education program is a main focus of your trip, your program manager will let you know which ships attract “Class 2” and “Class 3” guides, guides who have gone through special programs via the Galapagos National Park. Some ships, such as the National Geographic Endeavour and the National Geographic Islander include guides who have up to an additional year of training after completing the Galapagos National Park program. These ships offer what we consider to be the “gold standard” of trips in the region.
We also offer a very popular set of land-based programs in the islands with hotel accommodations. Though you may not see as many animal species on these trips, land-based trips are excellent options for adults sensitive to ship travel or for families with small children who might not be comfortable aboard ships. Some land-based trips offer high-energy activities such as mountain biking, kayaking or rigorous hikes.
Many ships have sea kayaks onboard, and all cruises offer access to the remarkable undersea world of the Galapagos via snorkeling. Some ships include a glass-bottom boat for those who prefer to stay dry while viewing the colorful and diverse marine life. ExpeditionTrips can also help you realize your dream of diving in the Galapagos, a cold water diving destination for the experienced divers.
Trip Length
Another way to narrow down the selection of trips is to ask yourself how many days you would like to spend in the islands.
Galapagos Classic
Trips offering 7-8 days onboard are called “Galapagos Classic” programs. This trip length allows you to explore the islands for the perfect amount of time and experience the diversity of wildlife species that captivated Charles Darwin. Encounter completely different species from island to island, snorkel 3-4 times, and hear stories of the rough and ready adventurers that settled in the Galapagos. With travel time, these trips are 10-11 days total.
Galapagos In-Depth
Birdwatchers, biologists, and others fascinated by Galapagos flora and fauna should consider a longer trip of 9-12 days onboard. With travel time, these trips are 12-15 days total.
Galapagos In-Brief
Families with young children and people with tight schedules might select trips that offer 4-6 days onboard. With travel time, these trips are 7-9 days in sum. We recommend a minimum of 5 or 6 days in the islands, as 4 days seems very short after traveling such a long distance, and is not recommended unless combined with a land program.
Itineraries
In order to take the guesswork out of selecting the best itinerary for wildlife viewing, your Expedition Specialist will offer you a wildlife list highlighting which of the top 15 species in the Galapagos (the animals most people want to see) can be seen in which quadrant of the islands. Here are the animals for which we receive the most requests:
Blue-Footed Booby
Darwin's Finches
Flamingo
Flightless Cormorant
Giant Tortoise
Green Sea Turtle
Humboldt Penguin
Land Iguana
Magnificent Frigate Bird
Marine Iguana
Nazca Booby
Red-Footed Booby
Sally Lightfoot Crab
Sea Lion
Waved Albatross
So whether your kids are excited about swimming with sea lions or you’re determined to add the Humboldt penguin to your birder’s life list, we can help you select a ship and itinerary that’s just right for you.
No matter your interests or style of travel, your Expedition Specialist will help you select a trip that best suits your interests and needs. Whether you prefer a longer trip of 12 days on a simple family sailer or 8 days onboard a 100-passenger ship with restaurant-style dining and spa, we can help locate the trip that will fit your style to a “T”.