| Summary |
The Galapagos Archipelago is an idyllic wildlife paradise, home to thousands of rare and unique species, located off the western coast of Ecuador. The islands are world-renowned for their abundant wildlife, ranging from giant tortoises, to marine iguanas, to blue-footed boobies. The renowned Galapagos National Park and the surrounding Marine Reserve offer visitors the chance to explore this unique natural setting on foot.
The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most diverse and exotic animal species on the planet, with over 30 percent of its total species being endemic. As a result, the Galapagos Islands are a must-visit destination for nature lovers, wildlife photographers and scientists alike. All visitors to the islands are required to have a valid permit and take an official guided tour.
From the islands' endemic species to its rich plant life, the Galapagos Islands are truly a walk on the wild side. Visitors are able to observe huge colonies of sea lions, flightless cormorants, penguins, and other birds, as well as land iguanas, land and marine turtles, whales, dolphins and sharks. The islands are also home to some of the most incredible marine life, including penguins, sea turtles and marine iguanas, which can be seen along the shoreline.
Adventure seekers can explore the islands' diverse terrain, with its black, red and white sand beaches, lava flows, active volcanoes, mangrove swamps and forests. The islands are well known for their unique and unpolluted waters, which provide some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling experiences in the world.
The Galapagos Islands is an otherworldly destination, offering visitors a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the true beauty and diversity of the natural world. With its abundance of exotic wildlife and stunning topography, it is easy to see why the Galapagos Islands are considered one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. For those looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, a trip to the Galapagos Islands is sure to deliver.
The Galapagos Islands are a must-visit destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, offering a unique opportunity to explore the wild side of the natural world. From its endemic species to its diverse terrain, visitors are sure to be inspired by the beauty of the islands. With its abundance of wildlife, lush jungles and pristine white sand beaches, the Galapagos Islands offer visitors of all backgrounds the chance to explore a unique and untouched paradise.
A Look at the Natural Beauty of the Galapagos Island
The Galapagos Islands are a stunning array of volcanic islands located about 906 kilometers off the coast of Peru. With its wide array of species and its rugged, untouched beauty, it has become a favorite destination for nature lovers and travelers seeking a glimpse of the unspoiled wonders of nature. The Galapagos Islands are a must-see destination for individuals looking to experience the natural beauty of the environment.
Discover the Unique Ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are home to a vast array of endemic species, making it a unique ecosystem that is both fascinating and fragile. It has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in recognition of its cultural, scientific and ecological significance. Visitors to the islands can expect to find an abundance of birds, reptiles, fish, and even some mammals that are only found there.
Enjoy the Incredible Wildlife of the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most incredible wildlife on earth. The islands are a haven for rare and endangered species, such as the giant tortoises, land iguanas, and the wading flightless cormorant. Visitors can observe the wildlife in its natural habitat, such as the breeding colonies of sea lions and the blue footed boobies.
Explore the Variety of Unique Landscapes of the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands offer a variety of stunning and unique landscapes, from the rugged volcanic islands to the white-sand beaches and the crystal-clear waters. Visitors can explore the islands on foot, by boat, or even by air, discovering the wildlife and the variety of landscapes.
Witness the Raw Beauty of the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a paradise for nature lovers, offering a glimpse into the wild and untouched beauty of the environment. From its wide variety of unique wildlife to its unique landscapes, the Galapagos Islands are a must-see destination for anyone looking to experience the raw beauty of nature.
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Giant tortoises (picture a normal turtle and then try to imagine it suddenly expanding to 20-40 times its height and a few hundred times its weight) with faces that look like E.T.; iguanas that look like a mini-Godzilla; albatrosses that look like a cross between a penguin and a goose - they are only part of what makes it so fascinating to visit this archipelago that lies 600 miles out in the Pacific Ocean off the mainland of Ecuador, the South American country of which they are a part.
The creatures of the Galapagos are so unafraid of humans, and so unthreatening, that visiting one of these islands is like taking a walk through some sort of open-air zoo of peculiar creatures: sea lions; fur seals; the world's second-smallest, northernmost and only tropical-dwelling penguin; more than 750,000 seabirds, 19 different species of them, five of which are endemic; 29 resident species of land birds, 20 of them endemic. To say that the Galapagos is a bird-watcher's paradise is an understatement in the extreme.
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"The naturalist guides are very knowledgeable and they seem to really want you to enjoy yourself and enjoy the Galapagos," said Eclipse guest John Hand, a retired Auburn University professor. His wife Roberta said she was "absolutely amazed at how close you get to the wildlife. You can walk up to within a few feet of them. It's incredible."
In the eight-day, seven-night itinerary of The Eclipse, you visit seven of the main islands of the Galapagos group and go on shore excursions led by a naturalist guide each morning and afternoon of the journey, never with more than 16 persons in your group.
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The waved albatross, which nests only in the Galapagos, waddles along sort of the way penguins do - and they look like what you might imagine offspring would appear if a penguin mated with a goose. The flightless cormorant, the only other flightless seabird besides the penguin, is endemic to the Galapagos.
Just about everyone's favorites and the best-known Galapagos birds are the three different boobies: Largest is the shiny white masked, or Nazca, booby, so named because of a blackish area of skin that surrounds its bill (it also has black at the tip of its tail and edge of its wings). Smallest is the red-footed booby, whose feet really are bright red, and then there's the blue-footed booby which, of course, really does have bright blue feet. You will see lots and lots of these colorful, odd-looking birds.
The rest of Ecuador is fun to experience, too.
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Quito, Ecuador's capital city and South America's oldest capital, offers many interesting things to see, its very setting being one of them. It sits almost two miles high in the Andes. Its religious architecture and artistic works are world-class treasures, which is why the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In San Francisco Church, the oldest large church in South America, mouths drop as visitors look in utter amazement at all the gold covering the walls and ceilings, even the columns. Yet it seems almost plain compared with nearby La Compania, which took 163 years to complete; its altar alone contains a ton and a half of gold.
Another Ecuadorian highlight is the shopping. If you enjoy buying quality goods at incredible bargain prices - and the artistic talent and superb craftsmanship of the people of Ecuador is world-renowned - the country is a paradise. The fact that Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar for its currency makes visiting and shopping there all the easier. In fact, second only to the Galapagos Islands as Ecuador's best-known tourist attraction is the Indian market at Otavalo, about a two-hour drive from Quito. It's about three blocks wide and 12 blocks long, filled with a vast amount of handicrafts - sweaters, woven rugs, blankets, paintings, bags, wall hangings, jewelry, shirts, ponchos, embroidered blouses, Panama hats, leather coats, purses, belts, etc.
It's worth visiting just to experience its colorful atmosphere: picturesque Otavaleno Indians in their traditional dress - the pigtailed men in their blue or gray ponchos, white pants and wide-brimmed hats; the women decked out in white embroidered blouses tucked into long black skirts, bright colored shawls draped over their shoulders, wearing black headbands and strands of beads or gold jewelry wrapped around their necks.
You cross the equator during the scenic ride up from Quito. Ecuador is one of the few places in the world where you can see snowcapped mountains from the equator.
A day trip to Otavalo should also include, as my Abercrombie & Kent tour did, stops for still more great shopping opportunities in nearby towns, such as Peguche, a weaving village where you can watch skilled craftsmen weave baby Alpaca sweaters and Alpaca blankets and buy at prices that are but a fraction of what they'd be back home, and Cotacachi, which has more than 100 shops devoted exclusively to leather goods that are of high quality at bargain prices.
"I think visiting a hacienda like this is a must if you want a full Ecuadorian experience," remarked A&K guide Antonio Torres, a wonderfully gracious gentleman with an encyclopedic knowledge of the attractions, people and history of his country, as we enjoyed a fine Ecuadorian lunch sitting next to a cozy fireplace while gazing off at lush green fields that soared sharply upward before disappearing into a snowcapped volcanic mountain.
A full Ecuadorian experience - that's the way to go, and all it requires is that you tag a few extra days onto your Galapagos trip.
IF YOU GO
For brochures about its Ecuador and Galapagos Islands tours, call Abercrombie & Kent at (800) 554-7094 or click on www.abercrombiekent.com. For information about The Eclipse, call (877) 262-3496 or click on www.oceanadventures.com.ec.
Getting there: LAN, South America's highest-rated airline, now flies to Ecuador directly from Miami and New York and code shares with America Airlines to cover most other major U.S. cities. Call (800) 435-9526 or click on www.lan.com.
When to go: Ecuador and its Galapagos Islands are considered year-round destinations.
Costs: Rates for an eight-day, seven-night Galapagos cruise aboard The Eclipse range from $2,800 to $3,700 per person. Mainland Ecuador is considered an inexpensive country to visit. Accommodations, food and entertainment costs are all very reasonable. It is also one of the best places in the world to shop for high-quality, bargain-priced leather and textile goods.
Accommodations: Best place to stay in Quito is the Swissotel Quito, a great value: quito.swissotel.com.
Language: Spanish is the language of Ecuador. Except aboard ship and at hotels, restaurants and shops that cater to English-speaking tourists, it is rare to encounter anyone who speaks English.
Currency: Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency.
Guidebooks: Fodor's South America is a must-read. The Insight Guides book on Ecuador is excellent for understanding the country and its attractions. "Wildlife of the Galapagos" from Princeton Pocket Guides is outstanding. If you take only one guidebook to the Galapagos with you, make it "A Traveler's Guide to the Galapagos Islands" from Hunter Publishing.
Entry documents: U.S. citizens need only a passport - no visa required to visit Ecuador and its Galapagos Islands.
Fred J. Eckert is a freelance writer and photographer.
