Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

Galapagos From Guayaquil

Galapagos From Guayaquil

4MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2022-11-28

Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as playful sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close and personal. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets sprinkled 620 miles off Ecuador’s coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site (both land and sea are protected) and served as the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Each island boasts its unique landscape, ranging from barren black volcanic rocks to swaths of white sand beaches melting into gemstone-blue waters. This 7-day tour from Guayaquil to the other-worldly Galapagos Islands takes in the best islands and wildlife opportunities in The Galapagos….. find out more here!
 

Almost everyone has heard of The Galapagos Islands off Ecuador's coast. There are stunning islands all over the world, but none that are as unique as The Galapagos. On your Ecuador vacation packages, you will learn in-depth about this magnificent Ecuadorian archipelago and why it is important in the world.

Galapagos Islands

Santa Cruz

While touring the six different vegetation zones of Santa Cruz Island, you will have the opportunity to observe many unique creatures and cosmic terrains that first captivated Charles Darwin, leading to studies that would change the course of evolutionary science forever. The time you spend on Santa Cruz Island will affirm the Galapagos as an Ultimate Bucket List Experience! Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos and is the hub for most of the tourist activity in the area, making the perfect base for this Galapagos Islands tour.

 

Located on the convergence of three Ocean currents in The pacific and isolated from human contact,The Galapagos Islands are a true haven for some of the most incredible creatures on the globe. One of the most iconic is the Giant Galápagos Tortoise. They wander around the galapagos like they they own the place, and that is because the do! Learn more about this impressive species on your Ecuador tour packages.

Giant Tortoises

Academy Bay

The main town on Santa Cruz Island is Puerto Ayora, home of the famous harbor Academy Bay. Observe sea birds in the cliffs surrounding the Bay, such as blue-footed Boobies, pelicans, and other species, before you jump into the turquoise waters to start exploring the underwater world. 

 

Another incredible species on The Galapagos Islands is The Blue-footed Booby. This bird's distinctive blue feet make it both easily recognizable and incredibly photogenic for visitors. This species and other amazing birds can be seen on your Galapagos tour packages.

Blue-Footed Boobies

Playa de Los Perros

You will then head to Los Perros Beach. This name was given because of a crab, locally known as "perro". Here you can spot marine iguanas, lava lizards, and many endemic species. The path that leads to Playa de Los Perros has a length of 505m, and except for the slope at the start of the trail, where a 5m ladder was adapted to facilitate the entry, the entire trail consists of rock and dirt and is easily accessible. A park ranger watches over the site daily. Swimming or access with boats is not permitted in the pool of reef sharks. If the tide is low, you can walk along the shore of the beach to the pool of reef sharks; they can also be seen from a lookout with good balconies for safety. The primary vegetation that can be seen along the path belongs to the arid zone and mangroves. Upon entering the canal, you will see blue-footed boobies, pelicans, Great frigatebirds, and Brown Noddies. On the path along the beach and leading to the pool of reef sharks, many sally lightfoot crabs can also be seen. On arrival at the beach, you will find marine iguanas, sea lions, and hermit crabs also.

 

The Galapagos Islands are home to the only marine iguanas on the entire planet! This lizard king of all lizards feeds on algae and heads straight to the Ocean for its next meal. Scientists say that land-dwelling South American iguanas drifted out to the Pacific Ocean millions of years ago on logs or other land debris, and eventually landing on the Galapagos. These Islands are genuinely unique whn it comes to its inhabitants! Visit on your vacation packages to South America!

Sea Iguana on Isla de Los Perros

Charles Darwin Research Station

Darwin enthusiasts can’t miss Charles Darwin Research Station, the island’s conservation, restoration, and research center. You are welcomed ashore to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding and Rearing Program run by the research station. People pass the time by visiting the giant tortoises at the conservation hub of Charles Darwin Research Station and romping through old lava tubes created by the local active volcano. 

 
The Charles Darwin Research Station was founded in 1964, and has contributed to the Galapagos community through its science programs that study the islands. Thousands of visitors head to the station to learn more about the fragile ecosystem that is home to an astounding number of plant and animal species. Visit on your Ecuador tours and be impressed by the wildlife that inhabits the Galapagos Islands.

Charles Darwin Research Station

San Cristobal Island

The town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island was initially used as a penal colony over a hundred years ago and is now a sleepy coastal village where most people start and finish their adventures in the Galapagos Islands. It has a small museum of natural history and a relatively new interpretation center with information on the biology and history of the Galapagos Islands.

 

The Galapagos sealions astound every visitor to the Galapagos Islands with their playful behaviour. Yet many people are unaware about the intricate lives that these charismatic, endangered creatures lead. They are the smallest of the sealion species whih makes them vulnerable to predators. Explore the Galapagos on Ecuador tours!

Sea lions on San Cristobal Island

Isla Lobos

Isla Lobos is home to the area's central sea lion and blue-footed booby colonies, and you can snorkel with curious sea lions as they swim and play in the shallow water. Kicker Rock, or León Dormido (sleeping lion) as it's known in Spanish. Isla Lobos is a great spot for bird watching, with blue-footed boobies, frigates, and tropicbirds. Below the water's surface, the crystal-clear depths offer divers and snorkelers a brilliant show of vibrant tropical fish, wrasses, starfish, angelfish, stingrays, and turtles.

 

The Galapagos are known as an amazing hotspot for whale watching during their tropical migration. This happens during the dry season when sea currents are colder and filled with plankton, the humpback whales preferred cuisine! During this period, these beautiful and easily recognizable whales can be observed throughout the Galápagos Islands for yet another astounding animal to witness on your Ecuador Galapagos tours.

Hump Back Whale off Isla Lobos

 

Find out more about the 7-day Galapagos from Guayaquil tour with Valencia Travel here!

 

SHARE THIS POST