Galapagos Islands

The camera stands on flat, broken lava a few metres above the water, and it is standing very close to the wildlife. Sea lions are hauled out on the rock within a couple of body lengths of the tripod, asleep and entirely unbothered, which is the thing everyone reports about this archipelago and which a panorama conveys better than a photograph: they are not in the distance, they are simply there. Above them a prickly pear has grown to the size of a tree with a proper woody trunk, a Galapagos peculiarity generally read as a response to being grazed over a very long time. The ground is pale rock with mats of low succulent cover turning red in the dry season. A bay opens on one side with a few boats at anchor; the land runs away flat and open on the other.

Due in part to their relative isolation, the Galapagos Islands are home to some pretty unusual wildlife. In fact, this Ecuadorian archipelago is famous for its endemic species, which are found nowhere else on the planet. Among the most renowned animals in the Galapagos Islands are the giant tortoises, which can live to be more than 100 years old. Animals certainly take center stage in this island chain, though it isn't just the curious creatures that warrant a visit. Most of the Galapagos Islands are part of a national park, and while human intervention has been on the rise in recent years, pristine landscapes abound. Among the noteworthy landscape features are steep cliffs, crater lakes, lava tubes, and coral beaches.

Galapagos Animals The Galapagos Islands are best known for their wildlife. More specifically, the archipelago's fame is largely tied to its endemic species. In 1835, Charles Darwin spent five weeks surveying the island chain, taking astute notes on the resident wildlife and the geology of the archipelago. This visit helped inspire the famous naturalist's development of the theory of natural selection. The most distinctive of the Galapagos animals is the giant Galapagos tortoise. No less than 15 subspecies of these large turtles have been recorded in the Galapagos. Four of the recognized subspecies are now extinct. Other well known Galapagos animals include marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. Marine iguanas are only found in the Galapagos Islands and are unique among modern lizards for their ability to live and forage in the sea. Blue-footed boobies are long-winged seabirds that are popular among Galapagos visitors, largely because of their distinctive blue feet. These certainly aren't the only interesting Galapagos animals, and understandably so, many Galapagos tours include wildlife viewing expeditions. As a side note, the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands is quite fearless on the whole. This relative absence of fear is tied to the lack of large predators in the archipelago.

Galapagos Islands Ecuador's Galapagos Islands archipelago consists of approximately 3,000 square miles of land and is spread out over 17,000 square miles of ocean. The largest island is Isabela, measuring approximately 2,250 square miles. This island also claims the highest point in the Galapagos - Volcan Wolf (5,600 feet above sea level). Espanola is the oldest island at around 3.5 million years. Of the 13 major islands in the chain, only four are inhabited by people. Santa Cruz is among the inhabited islands and has the highest population. Due in part to its bustling harbor and the fact that it has the only real luxury hotels in the archipelago, Santa Cruz serves as a popular Galapagos travel base. As for getting to the Galapagos Islands, most people arrive by way of plane. The two islands with airports are San Cristobal and Baltra. Once in the islands, getting around by way of boat is the only option of choice. It should be noted that all of the islands in the Galapagos have their own allure. On the island of Bartolome, for example, you can climb to the top of an extinct volcano, and Fernandina is one of the best islands for wildlife encounters. Basically, prospective visitors are encouraged to consider as many islands as possible when trying to plan their Galapagos itineraries.

Galapagos Cruises As mentioned, going by boat is the only way to get around once in the Galapagos Islands. Numerous companies offer Galapagos cruises, often with pre-set itineraries that can help take the stress out of planning a visit. Travelers fly to the islands first and then board their boats of preference. The vessels that are used for Galapagos cruises vary in size and comfort levels. Some boats can be chartered by groups who are interested in private cruise experiences. It is also worth noting that only a limited number of cruises offer the opportunity to scuba dive. Often times, travelers can find some really good deals when booking a Galapagos cruise at the last minute. Quite simply, your average cruise company would prefer to sell spaces at a discount rather than have empty staterooms. Trying to book a Galapagos cruise at the last minute comes with its risks, however. More than anything, you might not find a ship with any openings, especially during the June to September and late December to early January high seasons.