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Standing alone in the Pacific Ocean, about
1,000 kilometers from the west coast of South America, lie a cluster of
islands that serve as prime travel destination material. There is plenty of
adventure to be found and plenty of avenues by which to explore the area,
either focusing on one favorite activity or combining a few into a
multi-sport adventure. If an explorer’s instinct runs through your veins,
the Galapagos Islands are sure to please.
As for the islands themselves, the wildlife
of the area is extraordinarily tame and many species that live in the
archipelago can be found nowhere else on earth—from the only sea-going
lizard in the world to giant tortoises that can live to be hundreds of years
old. The islands are spread over 19,500 square miles and are comprised of 13
main islands and few smaller ones. Only five of the islands are inhabited
with people though, and these consist of small settlements.
Sea lions on the Galapagos
Galapagos: The Underwater Realm
Known as one of the seven underwater wonders
of the world, along with such destinations as the Northern Red Sea and the
Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Galapagos are a premier diving spot.
Many visitors choose to thrust on a tank and scuba gear and explore the area
this way. Divers should take note that the water currents are strong and the
temperatures cold (a wet suit with hood and gloves is recommended from July
to December). It’s not the easiest place to learn and caters more to
intermediate or advanced divers.
If you’ve got your diving certification,
however, the islands' underwater world is sure to satisfy. There are chances
to glimpse marine life such as sea lions, schools of hammerhead sharks,
white-tip reef sharks, barracuda, marine iguanas, sailfish, and green sea
turtles. The islands are also home to the only penguins living in the
tropics. If you don’t have your diving license yet, you can still observe
the area’s underwater realm by snorkeling.
Tropical Galapagos penguins
Exploring the Islands
The Galapagos have been owned by Ecuador
since 1832 and were never connected to a continental land mass, but instead
rose out the sea by volcanic action and the islands themselves are the tops
of gigantic volcanoes, most of which rise 7-10,000 feet above the ocean
floor.
Since each island that makes up the
Galapagos is different, taking a bit of time to research each one is well
worth the effort. Two good sites to start with are
Galapagos-Travel.com, which provides basic travel information and
Galapagos-Islands.net, which gives a quick rundown of the bigger islands
that make up the archipelago.
Most of the islands landscape can best be
described as harsh—basically balsatic volcanic lava and sometimes quite
barren. But they are home to an amazing array of animals—most found nowhere
else on earth. Of the 22 species of reptiles found there, 20 can only be
seen on the island’s terrain. Nearly all the land birds belong to species
exclusive to the Galapagos.
One of the most famous scientists to visit
the area is Charles Darwin, the naturalist who set foot on the islands in
1835 and after observing the their species, developed his theory of
evolution. His footprint can still be felt in the area as Santa Cruz is now
home to the
Charles Darwin Research Station.
A marine iguana looks out from his perch
Travel Details
You can drive or travel by sea to get to
Ecuador, but flying is the most common way to get to this destination point.
From the United States there are direct flights from New York, Los Angeles,
Miami, and Houston. Once you land in Ecuador, flights to the Galapagos
depart daily from both Quito and Guayaquil. No visa is needed; visitors are
issued a T-3 visa card once they arrive and are allowed to stay for up to 90
days. There is a US $25 airport departure tax.
The high season for travel is much like
other prime destinations spots in the southern hemisphere—from mid-December
through January. Tourism can never get too out of control, though, as the
islands are protected by limits of where visitors are allowed to travel and
the limits are pretty strict. All visitors have to be accompanied by a
naturalist guide trained and certified by the park service (the Galapagos
Islands have been owned by Ecuador since 1832 and obtained national park
status in 1959). Visitors should take note of the $100 park entrance fee,
which must be paid upon arrival in cash only. Hunting or removing animals
from the islands is also prohibited.
To explore the landscape, tours offer a wide range of options including
mountain biking, trekking, sea-kayaking, and even horseback riding. You may
opt to bike through Santa Cruz island to observe giant tortoises, or paddle
among penguins on sea kayaks...whatever suits your ideal adventure. The best
tip is to plan and book ahead, and of course, follow your instincts.
Galapagos Tour Options
There are no shortage of
tours heading to the Galapagos. Here are links to a few—hopefully these
will serve as a good starting point from which to start planning your
journey. Enjoy!
Zoie Clift
is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
She has traveled throughout eastern and western Europe as well as Thailand,
Vietnam, and Cambodia. She spent two weeks scuba-diving and trekking the
Galapagos Islands—one of her most memorable adventures. She can be reached
at
zoieclift@hotmail.com.
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