The fragile, moon-like landscape of the Galápagos Islands lures more than 100,000 visitors each year despite the archipelago’s remote location 600 miles off the west coast of mainland Ecuador. Ever since Darwin‘s famed visit aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835, travelers have been enchanted by its history, exotic vegetation and wildlife.
In order to protect the eco-system of this UNESCO World Heritage Site as much as possible, the Ecuadorian government restricts the number of cruises that can visit each island at any one time. But you don’t have to worry about missing out: each of the 13 major islands, from the oldest in the East (Española) to the most recent (Fernindina) in the west, offers unique flora and fauna diversity for an extraordinary experience.
To plan your own escape to the Galápagos Islands, choose from among a variety of tour options, including 8-day small-ship cruises, shorter-stay lodge-based day trips, and combined land/islands packages. Visit Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism site or discovergalapagos.com for more information.
In case you missed the travelogue of my own 2011 journey to the Galápagos, you can catch up on my stories here:
http://bit.ly/12CrGLs http://bit.ly/10Bvo84 http://bit.ly/Z4pXhV http://bit.ly/XoJd9q
http://bit.ly/10BvTyT http://bit.ly/XoJiK8 http://bit.ly/Yc8o0H http://bit.ly/Zxc8vt
http://bit.ly/10Bx0ia http://bit.ly/16J79ae http://bit.ly/XzY4Ai
What about you, wanderboomers? Have you visited the Galápagos Islands yet?
I was just in the Galapagos a couple months (and a few spare days) ago. It’s a spectacular trip, to be sure.
Sad news that I had not heard until I got down there is that Lonesome George died last year (I think that they said in July.)
The outfit that I went with handles the more restrictive limits on visitor frequency / density by running 2 different 8 day itineraries (no overlap, other embarkation / debarkation at San Cristobal) and alternating weeks. (They give a bit of a discount to people who book the two back-to-back as one 15 day trip.) So, if and when I get back to that part of the world, I can spend another week in the Galapagos entirely visiting sites that I’ve never been to before (if their itineraries stay pretty consistent between now and then)!
I know, I felt sad to hear about Lonesome George, too, Mark. That’s good to know about booking any future trips back to the Galapagos. I’d like to see the red beach and pink flamingos on Rabida Island next time!
I went in summer 2011 and absolutely loved the islands! I would also like to go back and visit different islands.
Yes, me, too, Liz! Visiting the Galapagos is quite the adventure, isn’t it? So glad you got to share this incredible experience ~
My family is from and still resides invite Galapagos. If you just go and station a simple hotel and not spend your money on expensive cruises, you can really enjoy the islands, see so such and help the local economy. The cruises to very little yo help the local economy and add to the eventual demise of this unique place. Consider the people before the animals. Why? Because they are the ultimate stewards and will be the ones who maintain that ee all want yo see prepared. Fund the cruises, and you fund the demise.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Joe. I share your belief that we are the ultimate stewards of the Galapagos. I know that cruising the islands remains controversial, but with government regulations in place, my hope is that the islands can be preserved and protected for generations to come.