Galapagos Travel Adventure
Each year TravelStore's travel experts arrange Galapagos cruises and travel packages for select travelers who come away with breathtaking experiences.
You can search for and compare the Galapagos cruises and tours currently available, and we invite you to contact our Galapagos experts and read on for more information about travel in the Galapagos.
The Galapagos Islands are one of the rare places on earth where humans don't threaten wildlife, and as a result, wildlife doesn't have to hide giving visitors unparalleled, up-close encounters with nature. Giant tortoises at your feet... pink flamingos and penguins in the tropics... swimming and snorkeling with frolicking sea lions or iguanas... wildlife with no fear of you: walk up within a few feet of a hawk sitting at eye level on a tree branch and it doesn't flinch. If ever the expression "at one with nature" holds true, it's certainly the case with a Galapagos Islands cruise.
"Galapagos is one of those rare places on earth where expectations are exceeded; every day seems magical." --Leonor Stjepic, Executive Director of Galapagos Conservation Trust
The Galapagos Islands, located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are truly one of the planet's wonders. They rank up there with Africa as a 'must-visit' destination for sophisticated travelers worldwide, and particularly those interested in wildlife. Galapagos is a relatively newer tourism destination, as the first organized trips didn't start until 1967.
While the Galapagos are certainly a destination onto themselves, mainland Ecuador is also a fascinating destination in its own right. As a result, you can't go wrong extending your Galapagos cruise and seeing more than just these islands. We're excited to assist you in planning your visit to the Galapagos - an adventure we guarantee you will never forget.
Visitors are steadily increasing to the Galapagos, which is putting a strain on the infrastructure and the environment. Tourism has provided jobs and income for residents, and many visitors have become advocates for conservation after visiting the destination. There is a fine balance between the positive benefits of tourism and the strain tourism puts on the environment. For now, tourism is being managed, and we support a moratorium on increased growth.
How do I get there?
Generally you will fly to either Quito (Ecuador's interesting capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) or Guayaquil (on the coast). From Quito it's about a 2 1/2 hour flight to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos, your gateway to the islands. From the airport you'll be transferred to the dock and transfer to your boat to start your island hopping adventure.
How do you travel in the Galapagos?
You visit the islands by boat. The most popular way to visit the islands is on a Galapagos Islands cruise, where you sleep and eat aboard ship, visiting the islands by day. Or you can stay on land at a hotel, and take day trips by boat to nearby islands. The latter is less preferred largely because you can't visit most of the islands on a day boat from land, and it involves more travel back and forth on a smaller vessel and becomes less practical. Visits to the uninhabited islands are always done by day, as visitors are not allowed to be ashore on the uninhabited islands after sunset.
What kinds of cruises are there?
Mega cruise ships don't visit the Galapagos. They can't get the permits and the islands aren't capable of handling thousands of people at a time. As a result, on a Galapagos vacation you travel on a smaller yacht-like ship, or small cruise ship, generally accommodating anywhere from 10 to 100 passengers. Naturalist guides travel with you and escort you to the islands providing expert commentary on various aspects of geology, birdlife, wildlife, fauna, etc.
The government provides certified guides trained by the Galapagos National Park that accompany all travel programs operating in the Galapagos Islands. As a result, the quality of guides generally is of a high standard, and the decision a traveler needs to make is which program may be most suitable, and whether they'd be more comfortable on a smaller boat (or 10-20 persons) or small cruise ship (75-100 persons).
TravelStore works with several companies that provide a variety of options for visitors to the Galapagos. One of our favorites is Celebrity Xpeditions, a division of Celebrity Cruises. If you're traveling as part of a family group or group of friends, reserving a vessel on an exclusive basis for your group may be an ideal option. In addition to some mainline companies, we also work with a supplier in Ecuador that operates as a consolidator for all the boats, and has first-hand knowledge of which boats may best suit your needs.
What's the weather like?
January thru March is generally hot and humid, but green. July thru November is cooler. Average year-round temperature is 75 degrees.
Is a visit to Galapagos tour physically taxing?
Because most of the islands are not developed, facilities are rather limited. Visiting an island will often require a beach landing from a zodiac, or stepping onto rocks. While the naturalist guides and staff can provide assistance, people with serious difficulty walking and limited mobility may find the landings trying. Otherwise, there's easy walking on most of the islands, with some uphill and downhill paths.
Extending your visit in Ecuador
Quito, the capital, is well worth a visit, and Ecuador in general is a destination rich in opportunities for the adventurous traveler. Quito is experiencing considerable growth, with hotels opening up in historical buildings, and more outdoor cafes opening up. At local markets handicrafts of all sorts from the region are readily available. There's also Teleferiqo, an aerial tramway that transports visitors up to the side of the Pichincha volcano, 13,400 feet above sea level. Currency is pegged to the US Dollar.
To arrange your Galapagos cruise adventure, please contact a TravelStore expert or email us your request.
