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Galapagos Travel Guide
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| How long are trips? How long should I go for? |
Cruises are offered in 4 to 11 day programs, we recommend at least an 8-day cruise.
7-8 day cruises - Classic - allow you to visit a number of islands, see a wide range of species and snorkel several times in different locations. Allow 10-11 days in total with travel time.
9-12 day cruises - In-depth - will give you a greater time to see more of the wildlife of the Galapagos, birdwatchers and other naturalists will appreciate the opportunity to see more species in more locations. Allow 12-15 days in total with travel time.
4-6 day cruises - In-brief - will suit those with a limited time or with young children. This short time is not recommended alone for a cruise as it seems very brief after travelling so far to arrive in the Galapagos, it is best combined with a land programme either in the Galapagos, in Ecuador or other South American countries.
| How much does it cost? |
Rates from $1745 per person for a 4 day trip.
For an 8 day trip with plenty of "features" and variety and a ship with a good level of comfort, expect to pay around $4500 - $5000 per person, more affordable trips are available as are more fully featured trips up to 11 days from about $6500+ per person.
Family trips, some cruises cater particularly for families, child rates for aged 12 and under, or discounts for the under 21's - details vary with the specific cruise.
Not included:
- Air fares to Ecuador
- Flight tickets to Galapagos from Quito
or Guayaquil
These can be booked at a rate of around $450 - $600 per adult. They must be booked at the same time as the cruise booking, if you wish us to do this for you. These rates are subject to change. - An Ecuador National Park entrance fee of $100 per adult and $50 per child (12 years and under at time of sailing) will be due at time of final payment. The Islands are part of the National Park system.
- Galapagos Transit Card ($20 per person) paid in cash upon arrival to airport.
| When do trips take place? |
Situated on the equator, the Galapagos
is an excellent year-round destination. There is
no "bad time" to visit. Most of the seabirds and reptiles
nest year-round, so you will likely see courtship, mating,
chicks hatching and rearing at any time of the year. It
is worth bearing in mind that being on the equator, the
sun rises at 0600 and sets at 1800 with very little variation
throughout the year, so it is always worth making an early
start to make the most of the available daylight hours. January - May: Warmest time of year; Slightly more rainfall; Lower elevations tend to stay arid; Ample blue skies and sunshine; Sea is calmer and at its warmest. June - December: Air temperature slightly lower; Garua season (Garua: a mist that forms in the highlands, providing moisture); Antarctic Humboldt coming from the south causes slight drop in the water temperature; September is typically coolest. |
January
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July
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February
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August
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March
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September
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April
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October
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May
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November
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June
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December
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Galapagos Temperatures |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
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Max air temp. ˚F |
84 |
86 |
88 |
86 |
82 |
78 |
76 |
74 |
76 |
77 |
78 |
80 |
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Min air temp. ˚F |
70 |
74 |
74 |
72 |
72 |
68 |
66 |
64 |
62 |
64 |
66 |
68 |
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Ave. sea temp ˚F |
74 |
76 |
76 |
76 |
74 |
74 |
72 |
66 |
68 |
70 |
72 |
74 |
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Ave. rainfall (inches) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1.5 |
0.75 |
0.25 |
0.50 |
0.25 |
0.50 |
0.25 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
| Are the Galapagos a good destination for children, families, seniors? |
The
magic of the Galapagos captivates people of all ages, from youngsters
to seniors, and truly brings out the child in everyone. Daily
morning and afternoon activities - whether its hiking, beach combing,
snorkeling, or enjoying a Zodiac trip - give you the opportunity
to spend most of your time "off ship" exploring wildlife and vegetation
of the islands.
However, it is also important to note that these trips have a
great deal of flexibility, meaning you can choose the level of difficulty
of an activity, and you can, of course, opt to not participate in
an excursion.
The Galapagos is a wildlife wonderland for
children! We have had the opportunity to travel through the islands
with children ourselves, and have seen, first-hand their curiosity
and enthusiasm to snorkel two feet away from a sea lion pup, hike
past dancing blue-footed boobies, and admire a 170-year-old tortoise!
The islands give children an opportunity to gain a sense of connectedness
to nature, which for many is a new phenomenon, as well as a chance
to learn without even realizing!
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Cruising in such an environment means that it is the passengers who are "in the cage" and the wildlife outside free to roam.
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The boats and ships move around readily from island to island making travel very relaxed and comfortable, always surrounded by full facilities and the freedom to move around the vessel.
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Conversely with many cruises however, shore-trips are regular and there are not protracted periods of sailing in open sea.
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Activities are on the basis of doing as much as you want, if you simply don't want to join an excursion, you don't need to, pick and choose according to ability and preference.
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Certain cruises are specifically aimed at families with family oriented facilities and activities and of course a greater chance that there will be other children on the vessel for new found friends - always a boon for the parent on holiday!
Note: The National Park System asks that visitors be at least 7 years old to protect the wildlife, the nesting habitats, and the welfare of the child.
| Boat size | |
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Smaller Vessels - 20 passengers or less The advantages to sailing on a smaller vessel are many. A smaller group size feels more expeditionary and less crowded when you go ashore. These vessels include motor and sailing vessels and range from basic to luxurious. All offer an intimate and personal atmosphere. Kayaks are typically available onboard as another method of exploration. One of the few drawbacks is that there is little privacy and passengers have only one guide, and therefore one trained perspective. Larger Vessels - 80 to 100 passengersGalapagos cruises aboard larger vessels offer a high level of comfort, a variety of facilities - lounge, library, snorkeling equipment, hospital, lecture room, pool, gift shop - and a wide range of accommodations, from single cabins to suites. The 'style' of ship varies from expedition to cruise ship-like, and all have the ability to travel further distances, thus allowing you to see more in a short amount of time. There is a wide selection of food, onboard snorkel gear and wetsuits, and several different guides. Mid-sized Vessels - 40 passengers Aboard mid-sized ships, you can enjoy the comfort and speed of a larger vessel, while travelling with a smaller group. These vessels are slightly more spacious, allowing more privacy, and offer more cabin category options. Additionally, they are generally more luxurious than smaller vessels, often with added amenities such as Jacuzzi, pool and more common areas (i.e. lounge, solarium, bar. Unlike smaller vessels, these ships have 2-4 naturalists aboard as your guides, which can bring a greater breadth of knowledge onboard. Smaller Vessels - 16 passengers or less For those who wish to experience diving in the Galapagos, we offer two types of diving departures: 1) Dive-only programs are for travellers wanting to spend most of their time exploring the underwater world of the Galapagos. A diving itinerary typically consists of two to three dives a day along with land visits to the islands. At certain dive sites, there may be as many as four dives a day, and, night dives are also provided if conditions are good. 2) Active departures offer a combo itinerary of both diving and other activities, such as hiking and snorkeling. These cruises appeal to both divers and non-divers, as passengers are not limited to a specific activity. Diving in the Galapagos Islands has long been recognized as some of the finest in the world. Galapagos offers a diversity of endemic marine and plant life found in no other place on earth. However, Galapagos divers should understand that the Galapagos is a technical dive site and should be attempted only by certified experienced and advanced divers. Cold water currents and strong up swellings in different parts of the archipelago can produce sea temperatures as low as 10°C / 50°F although the average is nearer 20°C / 67°C throughout most of the year. During the warmer season, from December to March, water temperatures rise to about 24°C / 75°F. Make the effort
to dive or at least snorkel
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The Galapagos Islands are part of the South American country of Ecuador. They lie almost exactly on the equator at latitude: 0° 54' South, longitude: 89° 36' West. They are 1,088 km / 676 miles from the nearest large city on the mainland - Guayaquil and 1,236 km / 768 miles from the capital city of Quito.
The Galapagos group consists of 13 major islands, 8 smaller islands and 40 islets. There are 3 airstrips on the larger islands of Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, the latter two being international.
The population is growing and numbers over 25,000 people, with an estimate of reaching 40,000 by 2014, four of the islands Isabela, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Floreana have major settlements.
Total sea area is 45,000 square kilometres and total land area is 7,882 square kilometres. Ecuador declared the Galapagos a wildlife sanctuary in 1935 and they were named a World Heritage Site in 1978 by UNESCO.
Groups of scientists and travellers from Ecuador and all over the world visit Galapagos National Park. To minimize the effects of tourism on the animals and unique environments, the park has established strict rules, including no camping on the islands. Visitors must overnight on ships. About 60,000 people visit the archipelago each year.
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