The Galapagos Islands consist of 13 major islands. As a whole, the archipelago is a great place to go on a vacation. The islands are very beautiful and definitely won’t leave you bored. The local ecology is surprisingly diverse, considering the fact that they are located about 600 miles from the mainland. The Galapagos Islands offer many natural attractions for you to see, as well as other tourist sites. The trails wind through and around the islands, and are great for hikes if you are a lover of the great outdoors. Just keep reading and find out about some of the greatest attractions that the Galapagos Islands have to offer.
The wildlife of the Galapagos Islands is one of the most popular sights to see. Many people from all over the world travel to the Galapagos to view and study all of the unique wildlife that dwell in the islands. One of the most popular animal attractions is the endangered Giant Galapagos Tortoise. It doesn’t end there. The Galapagos Islands feature hundreds of different species of mammals, reptiles, birds, and sea creatures. Viewing the wildlife is a great sight to see that is definitely worth the trip.
Each island is like a completely different miniature country, offering unique wildlife, scenery, and history. You will see things that you wouldn’t imagine being there, including penguins. You can take tours that focus on whatever aspect you are most interested. Whether it is geology, wildlife, history, or anything else, you can find experts in the area who can teach you all about how the Galapagos Islands relate to that subject. This is why they are a sightseeing sight for anyone who is interested in anything.
So this interesting chain of islands sounds appealing to you, then you should look into arranging a trip. In particular, you should try to join up with a tour group to travel around the island with. If you have like-minded people to spend your time with and enjoy everything with, you will experience much more enjoyment. Tours are organized almost every season of the year due to the constant good weather, so a quick look online will show you the available groups that are making their rounds.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Going on a Guided Tour of the Galapagos Islands
Some people are content to travel on their own, and have adventures bumbling around and finding out all of the interesting things about the local areas. But if you choose to take this approach, then you may miss out on some of the greatest sites. If you choose to go on a guided tour of the Galapagos Islands, you will be taken to the greatest places that you can possibly see. The tours are designed to give the visitor the greatest experience possible, and they have been refined over the years. So by going on a guided tour, you are ensuring that your time spend in the Galapagos Islands is worthwhile. In the Galapagos Islands, you may choose from a variety of tour activities.
The educational tours allow you to board a ship and travel around the entire Galapagos Islands and soak in tons of very interesting facts about the islands. The tour guide will speak about the discovery of the islands and any important history following its discovery. The guide will also speak of the wildlife, such as the famous, endangered, Giant Galapagos Tortoise, land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, Galapagos snakes, land mammals, and other species that dwell in the islands.
You will also get to find out about the active volcanoes in the islands Fernandina and Isabella, as well as inactive and dormant volcanoes on other islands that have already erupted in years passed. The guide will inform you of the ocean and the waves surrounding the islands for you to dive, swim, snorkel, and surf. The guide will give you weather and wave information so you’ll know if the waves are decent enough to surf on and so you’ll know if it will be nice enough to partake in any of the activities you may have planned for your trip.
Going on a tour of the Galapagos Islands is definitely something you should do if you plan on visiting. It can make the trip very interesting and you will have fun learning about the islands firsthand. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to check out all of the things you had witnessed and try them out for yourself, such as looking at the animals up close, looking at the active volcanoes, and getting into the water and experiencing the surf for yourself.
The educational tours allow you to board a ship and travel around the entire Galapagos Islands and soak in tons of very interesting facts about the islands. The tour guide will speak about the discovery of the islands and any important history following its discovery. The guide will also speak of the wildlife, such as the famous, endangered, Giant Galapagos Tortoise, land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, Galapagos snakes, land mammals, and other species that dwell in the islands.
You will also get to find out about the active volcanoes in the islands Fernandina and Isabella, as well as inactive and dormant volcanoes on other islands that have already erupted in years passed. The guide will inform you of the ocean and the waves surrounding the islands for you to dive, swim, snorkel, and surf. The guide will give you weather and wave information so you’ll know if the waves are decent enough to surf on and so you’ll know if it will be nice enough to partake in any of the activities you may have planned for your trip.
Going on a tour of the Galapagos Islands is definitely something you should do if you plan on visiting. It can make the trip very interesting and you will have fun learning about the islands firsthand. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to check out all of the things you had witnessed and try them out for yourself, such as looking at the animals up close, looking at the active volcanoes, and getting into the water and experiencing the surf for yourself.
The History of the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are technically a part of the country of Ecuador. They are an archipelago consisting of 126 different features. Located around 600 miles west of Ecuador in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, they are a prime travel destination. They boast not only beautiful scenery and fun activities, but an interesting history as well. As with any island in the middle of an ocean, the story of how the current inhabitants arrived there is fairly interesting. Here is a brief overview of the history of the Galapagos Islands.
Legend states that the Inca Indians first discovered the Galapagos Islands in the 15th century, but the legend cannot be verified. They had no written language, and left no ruins to be discovered. In the 16th century the Spanish had created a shipping route for goods that ran along the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Inca gold was being shipped up the coast to Panama where it was unloaded onto mules for the journey across the Isthmus. While the journey persisted along the coast of Panama, they discovered the Galapagos Islands. While the Spanish were shipping gold along the Pacific Ocean they ran into buccaneers, or pirates, and had many of their Spanish ships raided by the time they reached their destination. They had soon realized the so-called pirates were taking their goods and hiding them in a chain of islands near Ecuador. They found these islands, and discovered the Galapagos.
The human history of the Galapagos Islands is relatively recent. It dates back a few centuries when Spanish ships and pirates found food and shelter in the islands. Later, whalers and colonists made their homes along the shores. They settled there for many years during the 1800s. The very famous naturalist Charles Darwin went to the islands in 1835. He stayed for a whole five weeks and studied the islands and gained knowledge about them and the wildlife that resides in the Galapagos. His stay had a profound affect on his thinking. His stay in the Galapagos really got him thinking about how genetics work and inspired him to come up with the theory of natural selection. After his stay in the islands, he wrote “The Origin of Species”, a book that took the scientific world by storm in 1859.
In 1959, the Ecuadorian government set aside 90% of the Galapagos Islands as a national park. The park is open to any visitors who have an interest in coming. It first began as an open island to visit, and then later acquired a tours, tour guides, gift shops, hotels, tourist activities, among other things. Now the Galapagos Islands are a great place to visit with stations to learn even more of the Galapagos history.
Legend states that the Inca Indians first discovered the Galapagos Islands in the 15th century, but the legend cannot be verified. They had no written language, and left no ruins to be discovered. In the 16th century the Spanish had created a shipping route for goods that ran along the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Inca gold was being shipped up the coast to Panama where it was unloaded onto mules for the journey across the Isthmus. While the journey persisted along the coast of Panama, they discovered the Galapagos Islands. While the Spanish were shipping gold along the Pacific Ocean they ran into buccaneers, or pirates, and had many of their Spanish ships raided by the time they reached their destination. They had soon realized the so-called pirates were taking their goods and hiding them in a chain of islands near Ecuador. They found these islands, and discovered the Galapagos.
The human history of the Galapagos Islands is relatively recent. It dates back a few centuries when Spanish ships and pirates found food and shelter in the islands. Later, whalers and colonists made their homes along the shores. They settled there for many years during the 1800s. The very famous naturalist Charles Darwin went to the islands in 1835. He stayed for a whole five weeks and studied the islands and gained knowledge about them and the wildlife that resides in the Galapagos. His stay had a profound affect on his thinking. His stay in the Galapagos really got him thinking about how genetics work and inspired him to come up with the theory of natural selection. After his stay in the islands, he wrote “The Origin of Species”, a book that took the scientific world by storm in 1859.
In 1959, the Ecuadorian government set aside 90% of the Galapagos Islands as a national park. The park is open to any visitors who have an interest in coming. It first began as an open island to visit, and then later acquired a tours, tour guides, gift shops, hotels, tourist activities, among other things. Now the Galapagos Islands are a great place to visit with stations to learn even more of the Galapagos history.
Sea Diving in the Galapagos Islands
One of the main attractions offered by the Galapagos Islands is that of the diving trips that you can go on. There are many different diving companies which will take you and your family out into the ocean and let you swim with the fish for a few hours in a perfectly safe and controlled environment. These diving trips are often fairly costly, but will provide you and your family with memories that you won't soon forget. The opportunities offered in this area are vast, and you won't have any trouble finding a place that you can pay to take you on a diving trip. Just keep certain things in mind when you are heading out on one of these expeditions.
Galapagos Islands scuba diving is not recommended for beginning divers. The tour guides recommend it for mid-level to advanced divers, especially for certain areas such as the deeper parts of the ocean and areas that may have dangerous animals. Dive shops, tour guides, and diving instructors will advise you on the weather and sea conditions at that time and can suggest areas to dive that requires less experience and skills for beginners. Beginners may encounter difficulties with currents, depth and shape of the dive sites, water temperatures, and what wildlife lingers in the water.
However, for those who want to get their PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certificate, there is no better place to go than the Galapagos Islands. The ocean surrounding the islands will give you the chance to swim with all different kinds of sea creatures such as sea lions, mantas, flounders, and many other kinds of colorful fish. Make sure to avoid animals searching for food, as they may mistake you for lunch.
Make sure you go diving in the Galapagos islands during the warm and sunny part of the year, from December to May. It is cold from June to November. During the warmer season there is usually no wind whatsoever so the sea will be fairly calm during all 6 months and visibility tends to be much better than during the colder season. Diving in the warmer seasons can get you experience enough to be a newly certified diver. Becoming an advanced diver requires over 100 dives in cold water and wall climbing experience as well.
These things should be looked over before going on a diving trip in the Galapagos Islands. Once you know of the requirements and precautions, you will be prepared enough to go on your trip, have a great time, and become a licensed diver in the process.
Galapagos Islands scuba diving is not recommended for beginning divers. The tour guides recommend it for mid-level to advanced divers, especially for certain areas such as the deeper parts of the ocean and areas that may have dangerous animals. Dive shops, tour guides, and diving instructors will advise you on the weather and sea conditions at that time and can suggest areas to dive that requires less experience and skills for beginners. Beginners may encounter difficulties with currents, depth and shape of the dive sites, water temperatures, and what wildlife lingers in the water.
However, for those who want to get their PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certificate, there is no better place to go than the Galapagos Islands. The ocean surrounding the islands will give you the chance to swim with all different kinds of sea creatures such as sea lions, mantas, flounders, and many other kinds of colorful fish. Make sure to avoid animals searching for food, as they may mistake you for lunch.
Make sure you go diving in the Galapagos islands during the warm and sunny part of the year, from December to May. It is cold from June to November. During the warmer season there is usually no wind whatsoever so the sea will be fairly calm during all 6 months and visibility tends to be much better than during the colder season. Diving in the warmer seasons can get you experience enough to be a newly certified diver. Becoming an advanced diver requires over 100 dives in cold water and wall climbing experience as well.
These things should be looked over before going on a diving trip in the Galapagos Islands. Once you know of the requirements and precautions, you will be prepared enough to go on your trip, have a great time, and become a licensed diver in the process.
Going on a Cruise to the Galapagos Islands
In the cruise industry, there are many different options to choose from. The competing tour companies have been struggling for years to put together the most beautiful and scenic routes that are thoroughly enjoyable for the passengers. If you want to go on a truly memorable cruise, you should look for one that has a layover in the Galapagos Islands. Spending a few days on the ocean and then a few days in one of the most beautiful chains of islands in the world is something that you won’t soon forget. To prepare for what lies ahead of you, you should have an idea for the kinds of activities that will be available to you during the tour.
The cruise itself will be fairly standard. If you have gone on a cruise before, you know what kinds of activities are available for you. The only difference is that this cruise will have a few days or weeks spent in the Galapagos Islands, where you can soak up all of the local culture and sights. This will be time well spent as you enjoy hikes through nature as well as a very active and interesting culture. Your cruise ship may even include a complimentary tour around the islands, which would definitely be an added bonus. When you travel with a tour guide, you are introduced to many more interesting facts than when you travel alone and try to find it out for yourself.
The cruise ship will probably spend the night at several different islands in the archipelago, allowing you to see a few different regions. Each island has something else to offer, and if you go on shore for each one you will quickly find that out. You can find some amazing wildlife, as well as geological attractions. If you are the kind of person that loves nature in any way, you will be enthralled by the offerings of the Galapagos Islands. It is a good idea to find out if a tour guide will be leading you beforehand, so that you can arrange one if you don’t already have immediate access to one. It will greatly increase your enjoyment and appreciation of the local area.
The cruise itself will be fairly standard. If you have gone on a cruise before, you know what kinds of activities are available for you. The only difference is that this cruise will have a few days or weeks spent in the Galapagos Islands, where you can soak up all of the local culture and sights. This will be time well spent as you enjoy hikes through nature as well as a very active and interesting culture. Your cruise ship may even include a complimentary tour around the islands, which would definitely be an added bonus. When you travel with a tour guide, you are introduced to many more interesting facts than when you travel alone and try to find it out for yourself.
The cruise ship will probably spend the night at several different islands in the archipelago, allowing you to see a few different regions. Each island has something else to offer, and if you go on shore for each one you will quickly find that out. You can find some amazing wildlife, as well as geological attractions. If you are the kind of person that loves nature in any way, you will be enthralled by the offerings of the Galapagos Islands. It is a good idea to find out if a tour guide will be leading you beforehand, so that you can arrange one if you don’t already have immediate access to one. It will greatly increase your enjoyment and appreciation of the local area.
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