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About Galapagos

  

The Enchanted Galapagos Islands: A natural heritage of mankind


Come to the Galapagos Islands and admire its unique endemic species. You will then understand how Charles Darwin got the inspiration to release his Theory of Evolution and Natural adaptation of species on this isolated archipelago and why the Unesco has declared these islands as a Natural Heritage of Mankind. Our boats will take you to many of the different islands where you can snorkel and swim among friendly and  playful Sea lions, Dolphins, harmless Sharks marine iguanas, sea turtles , big Sting Rays and on the islands you can admire the colorful red- and blue- footed bobbies, land iguanas and of course the Galapagos tortoises
 Yearly Weather Chart  in the Galapagos
 
Chart
Degrees Celsius.

 Brief description of highlights of each of the islands

Baltra. A small island where most airlines serving the Galapagos land. Most cruises depart from this island and some others from San Cristobal island. Your guide will meet you at the airport and will transfer you to your cruise ship to start your adventure on the Enchanted Islands

Bartolome located in Sullivan Bay off James Island.  A small colony of penguins can be seen on this island. Bartolome  has two visitors sites: a climb to the summit of the island reveals both the varied volcanic formations of Bartholome and the huge black lava flows on nearby James.

Daphne island can offer an endemic tree The Palo Santo,  Bursera Malacophylla is endemic to the islands of Daphne, North Seymour and Baltra.  Daphne is a  tuft cone formed by successive volcanic explosions where lava mixed with water, Two species of boobies nest in this island, generally from April until December: the blue-footed boobies that nest in the interior of the craters and the masked boobies that nest on the crater rim and on the flanks of the cone. It is also possible to see tropic birds that nests within the cavities of the cliffs, where they are protected from the frigate birds that harass them.

Española ( Hood )   is known as the oldest island in the archipelago, approximately 3.3 million years. There are  two important visiting sites: Punta Suárez with its high cliffs  and breathtaking views and Gardner Bay excellent site for swimming and admire the great colonies of sea birds in Galapagos. The waved albatross, Diomedea Irrorata, is an endemic specie of this island. April is their reproduction season. Paris mate for life! From January to April they fly over the Pacific Coast of Southamerica and cannot be found here. On this island you will see marine iguanas and the lava lizards. One of the four species of Galapagos mockingbird, Nesomimus macdonaldi. Can only  be found on this island.

Fernandina.(Narborough)  Fernandina and Genovesa are the only islands that do not have any introduced mammals. The volcanoes of Fernandina are the most active in the Archipelago The huge shield of Fernandina volcano provides an impressive backdrop for Punta Espinosa. Large colonies of marine iguanas generally nest in February. Espinosa Point is one of the best sites to see the lava cactus. Brachycerus nesioticus.

Floreana has three important sites: Punta Cormorant, This is probably one of the best flamingo’s lagoon where you can see them close. The pink color is synonymous of health, the pinkest are the most well nourished. They eat shrimps and aquatic insects. The variety of plants found here is greater that seen in other islands of the Archipelago. On Floreana you can admire  shores birds. Devil's Crown Consists of the picket fence-like remains of small volcanic cone which has been eroded away by the sea, creating in its interior an ideal habitat for several types of corals and marine life, it is perfect for snorkeling. And Post Office Barrel (wooden barrel placed there in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship) and the Lava Cave are also this islands main attractions.

Genovesa. This island has remained virtually unaltered by humans thanks to its geographic isolation and its lack of fresh water. The swallow-tailed gull is endemic. The species of frigate bird most abundant in this island is the common frigate bird  Fregata minor.  This is the only island that does not have land reptiles. Genovesa is located at the inner part of Darwin Bay. The island has nesting areas of frigates, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls and the large billed cactus finch.

Isabela:  Tagus Cove  has served as a popular anchorage for the whalers, pirates and other navigators. These visitors left their names written in the cliffs.  This visitors site is excellent for observing the terrestrial birds , ground and tree finches, hawks, yellow warblers, large-billed flycatchers and even the woodpecker finch!. On some occasions land iguanas have been observed of the scoria cones. Giant tortoises have also been seen in years of abundance of rain. In the rainy season this site offers a great vegetation.

Isabela :Elizabeth bay, The laggon that is found in this bay is a resting place for sea turtles in the Galapagos.  In this location and the nearby coves, some other species of sea turtles have been seen in addition to the green sea turtle the leatherback and the hawksbill, among others.   The mangroves that grow around the lagoon are principally red and black , they reach an impressive height

Isabela: Urbina bay Located at the bottom line of Alcedo Volcano, was uplifted from the sea in 1954. The site is relatively flat, distinguished by corals and other marine formations which were lifted out of the sea by the uplift.  Urbina bay has the most abundance of blue lobster of the Archipelago Flightless cormorants and pelicans nest along the coast during their nesting seasons.

Isabela: Volcan Sierra Negra, located at the southern end of Isabela Island, is one of the most impressive  volcano in the archipelago. Following the edge of the caldera to the north, a place called "Volcan Chico" is reached, comprising a group of small craters, their activity consisting of several different fumaroles. Volcano Sierra Negra caldera is the second largest in the world after Ngorongoro in Africa.

Plaza Sur (south Plaza)  There are approximately 1000 sea lions that live on this  island . Land iguanas on this island are smaller than iguanas at other sites. Two hybrid iguanas exist on this island, resulting from a cross between a male marine iguana a  female land iguana. These iguanas are peculiar, recognized simply by their black or grey color  with the crest of the land iguana but the head and tail of the marine iguana. Swallow-tailed gulls, along with various other sea birds.

Rabida, located behind the picturesque dark red beach lies a salt water lagoon where the beautiful flamingo is usually seen.

San Cristobal.  San Cristobal has an airport as well as Baltra  Your guide will meet you at the airport and will transfer you to your cruise ship to start your adventure on the Enchanted Islands

The interpretation Center where natural history is displayed for visitors.   Isla Lobos : admire the blue footed boobies, sea lions, frigatebirds ,El Junco Lagoon, located in the high part of San Cristobal at an altitude of 700 meters, Kicker Rock, this giant uplifted rock has the shape of a sleeping lion. Small cruise ships can slip  through the rock which is divided in two parts forming a channel between them. Other sites: playa Ochoa, Cerro Tijeretas.
 

  • Santa Cruz.  All cruises make 1 stop over to visit Puerto Ayora where the Charles Darwin Research Station is located. On this visit you can witness the efforts of the Galapagos National Park authorities as well as the local population to preserve the ecosystem of the archipelago.  The Gemelos (twin craters)  are, geologically speaking, considered to be pit craters and their formation was produced from the collapse of surface materials into the fissures of chambers below the earth. Tortuga Bay, a beautiful beach which can be reached by a long trail from Puerto Ayora.   Cerro Dragon  or Dragon Hill hast is name because it was one of the few sites on Santa Cruz island where a healthy population of land iguanas were found in 1975.  Black Turtle Cove, this site is used by green sea turtles or black for feeding as well as for mating. There are three types of sharks in these water. They are mainly distinguished by their dorsal fins: the black-finned reef shark ; the white tipped reef shark and the Galapagos sharks fin, completely gray. Other attractions on this island: Las Bachas beach, El mirador.
  • Santa Fe. This island has interesting geology.  There are rock formations below the surface of the water that date back 3.9 millions of years of history.  The land iguanas of Santa Fe can be distinguished by their crests which are larger and denser with greater size and paler color than the land iguanas of the rest of the Galapagos Islands.
  • Santiago.  The major part of the section southeast of Santiago is covered by lava flows formed in the last quarter of the 19th century.  Santiago has a beautiful landscape completed with cliffs and pinnacles upon which rest  marine birds. During, the 17th and 18th centuries, pirates used this site for maintaining their ships, and supplying themselves with fresh water, meat, and firewood.  Santiago has miniature volcanoes also known as little ovens
  • Seymour Norte. Located slightly to the north of Baltra, North Seymour is a low, flat island, formed as a result of the uplift of a submarine lava formation. Usually it is possible to see fur sea lions on the rocks to the east of the landing site. The two species of frigatebirds nest in this islands the magnificent and the great frigatebirds. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies but  there are times when the blue-footed boobies leave the island completely indicating that there is little food in the area for reproducing.
  • Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat). Small Islet located on the southeast of James Island.
TESTIMONIALS
galapagos cruise

 

Rodrigo

I have now returned to UK.

I want to thank you for the excellent service you gave me for my Galapagos Ecuador expedition.

 

Galapagos far exceeded my expectations and was a Lifetime experience for me. 

I managed to get some wonderful wildlife photos and we had magnificent Guides and very few people. 

So despite (or maybe because of ) the Garua the choice of season was right for me.

Tip Top II was a superb choice and the Jungle at NWC was interesting with a good guide all to myself.

 

You were absolutely marvellous and the organization was perfect. 

I will of course recommend you to my family and colleagues.

I intend to improve my Spanish and return to Ecuador. Lovely country and fascinating people & culture.

 

Muchas Gracias y tienen un gran día

Michael T, UK, September 2016


galapagos cruise

Dear Rodrigo,

Penny and I are now back in Australia after a wonderful trip.  We would like to thank you for organising the itinerary, guides, and hotels for us. Both guides, Diego and Álvaro were, excellent, with very good knowledge of all the areas we visited, and the birds and plants along the way.

CasaQ was a great base in Quito, with friendly staff who got to know us with our three visits.
El Indio Inn in the centre of Otavalo was a good choice.  Guango Lodge in Papallacta was a magic experience.  The lodge itself is a work of art with the hand crafted timber work, large balcony, and forest setting.  The birds we saw here were amazing, particularly the many different species of humming birds.  The night we were there the power was out due to all the land slips, so the dinner was by candle light - a memorable night.

Our two day stay at Hakuna Matata, with the boat trip on the swollen Napa River, and the visits to the animal rescue centre, and then the traditional Amazon family home was a highlight of the trip.  The guide here, Octavio, was wonderful with great local knowledge. Hakuna Matata lived up to its translation - "no worries, nothing matters!".

Álvaro and his driver picked us up from here for the trip to Banos, and tour of the waterfalls, spectacular after all the rain.  Next day's visit to Quillotoa took us through picturesque landscapes to that amazing crater lake.  Your phone call that evening was most appreciated, and probably inspired Penny's adventurous spirit the next day! The day tour to Mindo was a great day, with Penny deciding we were going zip wiring through the forest canopy - wow, what a ride!  The butterfly centre and bird feeding tree just outside the restaurant window was also remarkable, especially having a visit from a toucan.  The last day of the tour to Pululahua, the visit to La mitad del Mundo, and the tour of old Quito was a great finish.

The next 18 days in Galápagos was one of the most outstanding experiences we have had.  Angelito and crew were all we could have wished for.  The landscape and wildlife were breath taking.  The snorkelling the best we have done anywhere.  So much to take in - so many photographs!
On our return to Quito, your driver Vincent was very efficient and helpful, especially getting us back to the airport so early in the morning.

So thank you and the guides and drivers for looking after us so well.

Kind regards

Robert and Penny, Australia, July 2016


galapagos cruise

Dear Rodrigo

My family and I would like to express our greatest satisfaction with your services.

Our Galapagos cruise on Nemo I, Amazon experience in Cotococha Lodge and our stay and tour in Quito were all great choices.

All ran smoothly thanks to your knowledge, attention to details and prompt responses.

We could not be happier with the travel expertise you provided and will gladly recommend your services to anyone.

Thank you for making our Ecuador trip an unforgettable experience and helping to create memories that we will cherish for lifetime.

Regards

Valentyna Stevens, Canada January 2016


galapagos cruise

Hi Rodrigo

Thank you very much for all the arrangements for my trip. We had a wonderful time in your country and Peru!

Many thanks

Regards

Yan  (Australia) Nov 2015


galapagos cruise

Dear Rodrigo,

We are back home in Italy and would like to thank you for your srvices in organizing our tour in Galapagos.  All things were perfect and we had a great time on Darwin yacht: both the crew and the naturalist guide were very professional, perfectly prepared and created a nice and friendly environment.

Thanks a lot to you and GTL for your precise and helpful assitance!

Warm regards

Milena,Italy


galapagos cruise

Dear Rodrigo:  I'd like to thank you for the assistance all the time (before and during the time of vacation). All my doubts have been removed by your prompt and quick answer in all the occasion.

The services received (Hotel, Tours and Cruise) have been well organized in every aspect and detail.

Our trip to Ecuador and Galapagos was great, we had wonderful time in your country that we hope to visit again!

Our driver Marcelo is very kind person, his suggestions has been very helpful and talking with him during our transfer has been a real pleasure.

 

 

Vieja Cuba in Quito, had a very good position as well as nice rooms, moreover the staff was very nice and kind.

 

Regarding the Cruise, sailing through Galapagos  has been unforgettable experience from every point of view: places, fauna  and people we met during our journey . Our nature guide was very professional and all member crew made the eight days comfortable, pleasant and safe.

we really appreciate the quality of the services and mostly we really enjoyed your wonderful country!

 Alberto&Eleonora, Italy, August 2014

 


galapagos cruise

Thank you!  days on board the cruise were amazing, everything was super, I highly recommend the Eden yacht and her crew.

Silvia M.  Italy, January 2014

 


galapagos cruise

Hi Rodrigo,

 Best holiday ever (esp. my kids' ranking, and they have traveled a lot already), everything perfect, good organisation, the Darwin nice boat, perfect size (little group so one sees more, no hassle...), very sympathic crew, very competent and friendly guide, good food, and of course no need to say Galapagos itself is sooo beautiful and only place one can see all these 'wild' animals so close. Crew was also great with the kids!

Really, this was my first 'organized' tour I ever took, usually we travel all by ourself, which one can't do in Galapagos (which is fine as it serves protection of the animals and their environment). But I really felt like we saw and did lots of things without feeling shoved around like a herd of Neckermann tourists.

Thank you very much, will definitely recommend you to friends,

Best regards,

Ricarda M, Germany, September 20,2024

 

 


galapagos cruise

Hi Rodrigo,
We are very happy, our journey has been unforgettable, I leave our comments and feedback:
-On the galapagos islands, cruising in the Seaman was a great trip, great boat rides  it was  fabulous to see the  islands and very exciting to see the animals and vegetation, the food was pretty good, the breakfast very good and very good details to greet us with refreshments after each ride. The guide Jeff was excellent and the crew very knowledgeable and focused on their work.
-About Quito, we were happy in la casona de la ronda, the room very well, the food is good , they spoiled us a lot. The restaurant of the treatrum, is a super good concept with excellent cuisine, fabulous desserts too. The Paseo de los Andes was very good
The  trip to La Selva  was spectacular, the walk to get to the jungle by boat is really cool, the hotel is very nice all super good, the meals are good, the guides of La selva are well prepared, both local guide as the guide naturist . The sounds of the jungle are fabulous, the walk to see birds in this tree of 45 meters, and the canoe ride on the first day is very beautiful. We did not get bitten by mosquitos and it was not so hot.
-We were delighted with the punctuality of flights, excursions, walks, etc..
Well, it is a brief summary, we appreciate your patience with us,
regards
Ingrid and Benoit, Mexico city, August 2013


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