Penguins and sea lions, flamingos and giant tortoises, dolphins and iguanas – the Galapagos Islands, located on the equator 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are the only place in the world where this peculiar combination of animals live in harmony. Over the centuries, the animals’ adaptation to their environment evolved them into distinct species, influencing Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.  Today, the islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site where visitors can have the unique experience of swimming with a family of curious sea lions or visit a 500 pound tortoise lumbering through his wild habitat of marsh bogs.

Most travelers see the islands as part of a cruise tour and boats usually stop at two islands per day. Small boats, or pangas, drop visitors off at individual islands where knowledgeable naturalists guide and educate people on the resident animals. Tours range from leisurely bird watching to active hiking and kayaking but there is as much to see under water as above in the Galapagos. Most sites have nice beaches that are good for swimming and snorkeling. The Galapagos Marine Reserve is the second largest in the world, only behind the Great Barrier Reef, and scuba diving is phenomenal; however, it is only recommended for experienced divers due to the tricky currents in the area.

The Galapagos National Park enforces strict rules of conduct to protect the wildlife from any human dependency. Travelers can only visit 60 designated sites on the largely uninhabited islands, must be accompanied by a licensed guide, and are absolutely forbidden from touching or feeding the animals. To avoid overcrowding and stressing the animals, they limit the number of visitors allowed in the park each day, the number of boats that call on each island and allow no more than 16 people at a time at any one site.

Galapagos Travel Tips:

• Tours range from three days to two weeks or longer. We recommend at least seven days so you have time to appreciate several different islands’ unique landscape and resident species. Furthermore, you need to take into consideration that travel times from the mainland to where you meet your boat take the better part of a day each direction.
• Galapagos welcomes visitors year round and there is really no bad season to go. Cooler dry weather (72F) is prevalent July through December while January through June tends to have warmer weather (86F) with short but heavy rains.
• We recommend making tour arrangements about six months in advance, particularly during peak summer travel, because the number of visitors to the park per year is limited.

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  Expect to pay two fees in US cash that are rarely included in a tour price: $10 Galapagos fee when leaving Ecuador mainland and $100 park admission fee upon arrival at the Galapagos airport.

• Even though it is at the equator, the water is frequently cool and you will appreciate a wet suit for swimming or snorkeling. Nights on the cruise boat will be chilly and breezy, so pack a sweater. Daytime attire is casual and shorts are fine, but be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes.
• Shopping is limited but you will find wood-carved turtles and birds, jewelry and weavings. Do not buy anything made from black coral, turtle shells or other animals as they are protected.
• On Santa Cruz Island, do not miss a chance to see the giant tortoises in the wild and hear the unmistakable sound of them lumbering through the marsh. Be sure to visit Darwin Station to learn about 90-year old tortoise Lonesome George, the tortoise incubators and hatchlings, the iguana repatriation project and Darwin’s famous finches.

The abundance of animals, birds and reptiles of the Galapagos live without fear of humans, allowing a unique up close and personal experience in their natural habitat. One day you can see a blue-footed booby nesting area then visit the only tropical penguins on earth. The next day swim with large schools of tuna or rays then hike to the home of the Cero Dragon iguanas. Galapagos is a destination like no other!

To plan your trip to the Galapagos Islands, contact Covington’s knowledgeable travel advisors today.