Where on Earth are the Galapagos, anyway? How do you get there and how does one get around and meet all these fantastical creatures?

One unforgettable step at a time. That’s how!

What and where are the Galapagos?

The Galapagos Islands belong to Ecuador and sit about 1000km off the country’s Western shores. To reach this fiercely protected archipelago, you must fly either from Quito (the Ecuadorian capital) or the seaside town of Guayaquil.

The Galapagos are volcanic in nature and surrounded by mineral-rich waters which attract a large variety of birds and an abundance of marine life. The volcanic activity together with the extreme isolation of the Islands, led to the development of unusual animal life which inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection after his visit in 1835.

UNESCO have added the Galapagos to it’s World heritage list calling it a ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’. These 21 Islands are teeming with wildlife but only a few inhabited by man.

What kind of animals can you see in the Galapagos?

Expect to see an array of unique wildlife not found anywhere else on Earth!

Wildlife encounters in the Galapagos are an absolute guarantee and, because animals haven’t been hunted here for decades, they are unafraid and rather curious!

You don’t just spot iguanas, giant tortoises and colourful birds in the Galapagos, you have to walk around, beside and carefully over them! Especially the sea lions, who take up prime position on the beach!

You’ll snorkel with curious seals and dive deep with hammerhead sharks. See hundreds of unique bird species and recognise animals from all those wildlife documentaries you’ve watched. Except in the Galapagos, you’ll feel like you’re living in one!

Best time to go to the Galapagos

It is always a good time to visit the Galapagos! Depending on what you would like to see and do, every month is a winner for one reason or another.

The Equator runs through these Islands but they are anything but tropical. Both the sea and wind currents can be chilly and, although there’s plenty of luscious wilderness, it just doesn’t feel like the tropics. Expect temperatures to hover around 24C degree all year long.

The rainy season lasts from December to May with the rain lowering underwater visibility for divers. But, water and air temperatures are higher at this time.

Wildlife events – nesting and birthing of turtles, courtship of various birds and migration of certain marine life (humpback whales!) – are dictated by seasons, so if there’s a specific event you want to see, you can time your visit accordingly.

The bad news is that no matter when you visit the Galapagos, you simply won’t be able to experience everything this magical place has to offer. The fantastic news, however, is that no matter the time of year, there will always be an incredible event to witness.

Getting around the Galapagos

Although there are some options for land-based visits, the best way to experience the Galapagos is on a short cruise.

Distances are considerable, and if you base yourself on one of the few Islands that allow it, you’ll only have options for a few day trips to other Islands with most of the day spent travelling to and from.

On a typical day of a Galapagos cruise, you’ll wake up at sunrise after having calmly sailed through the night. Anchor by a stunning uninhabited island and after a delicious breakfast, it’s time to disembark the ship and explore!

Every Island on the Galapagos offers something unique: be it a specific colony of birds, resident tortoises, historic sites, stunning beaches or sensational hiking trails. Mornings are usually spent exploring an Island on foot whilst the afternoons are usually dedicated to water sports like SCUBA diving, snorkelling and swimming, so you can explore the underwater World of the Galapagos.

After a day of exploring, enjoy a refreshing drink on the deck, soak up the sights around you and recap the day’s encounters.

The Galapagos are a magical, natural wonderland. No two days are ever the same here, with each stop offering a wealth of great things to see and do and always leaving you in awe.

To book an exciting trip to The Galapagos,

call Rosie at Mosaic Travel on (03) 5275 4583

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