White people discovered the Galápagos Islands in 1535 when a Spanish ship came upon them after being blown off course by a storm… [T]he Spaniards found…a sailor’s nightmare where the bits of land were mockeries, without safe anchorages or shade or sweet water or dangling fruit, or human beings of any kind… They did not claim the islands for Spain, any more than they would have claimed hell for Spain. And for three full centuries after …, no other nation wished to own [the archipelago]. But then, in 1832, one of the smallest and poorest countries on the planet, which was Ecuador, asked the peoples of the world to share this opinion with them: that the islands were part of Ecuador. No one objected… It was as though Ecuador, in a spasm of imperialistic dementia, had annexed to its territory a passing cloud of asteroids. But then young Charles Darwin, only three years later, began to persuade people that the often freakish plants and animals which had found ways to survive on the islands, made them extremely valuable…(Kurt Vonnegut, 1985, Galápagos, pp. 17 – 18)
And the rest is history.
This site offers information about our trip to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands in September, 2009. We decided to take this trip in a shared celebration of our 60th birthdays—Zell’s, in 2009; mine, in 2010. We had the money; I still had a job (no small consideration in these economic times); our health and physical fitness were good. Who knew what the next year might bring?
It was a fortuitous year to visit the archipelago: the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s On the origin of species, the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth, and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Charles Darwin Foundation and the establishment of el Parque Nacional Galápagos. Here you’ll find pages for our Galápagos outings as well as three about the day trips we took: some areas in northern Quito, Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, and el Centro Histórico in Quito. I’ve also written a few “overview” pages that transcend our specific trip. You can read about the decisions we faced (and how we resolved them) when starting our planning, some of the issues one can consider when choosing a cruise, what life on an 8-day/7-night cruise is likely to be like, and some things to keep in mind when you’re actually getting ready to travel. These pages also have links to other Web sites that can provide more up-to-date and comprehensive information. These most popular pages are also listed at the top of the page, for a variety of options for truly easy access.
If you’d like to read about the Galápagos activities, click here for some background about Ecuador and the Galápagos. From this page, you can click on links to the pages about each day’s activities and photos. Or just use the links to various pages in the column to the right. They’re arranged there in chronological order, from top to bottom, broken into morning and afternoon outings.
Even though our trip was in 2009, I have kept the general pages updated as new links, suggestions, and regulation changes have occurred. In fact, we’re planning a return trip in 2013; as I’ve been researching that trip, I’ve become very familiar with the latest news from the archipelago. So check out the links to the general pages noted above for up-to-date information.
If you have any questions I might be able to help with, feel free to write a comment. All comments are e-mailed to me before they are posted. If you say in your comment that you’d prefer a private reply, I’ll just write back to the e-mail address you leave. Also, your questions help me know what other topics folks might be interested in, so I can add that information. I welcome any and all questions, clarifications, musings, typos—whatever! Note, though, that if your comment contains a link to a commercial Galápagos-related Web site, it will not be approved. I need to maintain the “nonprofessional” or consumer orientation of this site. (Also, comments from posters who don’t include an e-mail address or Internet URL will be deleted, since I want to be able to know that the posters are who they say they are.) But feel free to include links to your own trip report, photo gallery, or personal recommendations, or anything else from your personal experience with this marvelous archipelago!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi
Your blog has been really informative but i am still lost. I will be in Lima this Jul with my friend and we would like to travel to Galapagos Island. Sadly I only have 5 days 4 night for the island, can you help to propose some agencies that you have consider? Our budget is moderate, preferably les than $400/day. We are lost with all the options available!
BTW do you book your airtickets yourself or u go thru an agency?
YZ
Hi, YZ–
It can be really confusing. There are a good number of agents you could deal with. Three that I read consistently good things about are Happy Gringo (http://www.happygringo.com/ ), CNH Tours (http://www.cnhtours.com/ ), and Columbus Travel (http://www.columbusecuador.com/ ).
We booked our air travel from the US to Quito ourselves. It’s generally best, though, if the boat that you’re traveling with books your air travel from mainland Ecuador to the archipelago. That way, if there is some delay in the flight, everyone on the boat will be on the same plane and the boat won’t leave without you!
Sincere thanks for such a helpful website. Planning our trip at the moment and your wealth of information has been invaluable. And I’ve really enjoyed reading it too!
Wow…What a wonderful website. My family and I are getting ready for our trip in February on the Xpedition. You have answered so many on my questions….I appreciate how you discuss everything.
Great job I love it all!
Sandy
thanks for your great report.
we went there 4 months before you and had almost exactly the same cruise route (on the reverse direction). we stayed over at isabella and Puerto Ayora after the cruise.
it is very interesting for us to see the animals at a differet season (the chicks of frigate and albatross — they were in courtship and hatching when we were there).
you can see pictures we took in my picasaweb album: https://picasaweb.google.com/danchung
Wildlife watching is the most important thing for me to do in the galapagos. I am not interested in snorkeling or diving. Which is the best month to see wildlife?
Tina writes:
You are certainly not alone is having wildlife viewing as your top priority. You can see a helpful calendar that summarizes some of the month-by-month wildlife activities here: http://www.wildlifeworldwide.com/information/galapagos_wildlife_calendar.html. Really, any month will give you amazing opportunities to see all sorts of wildlife living their lives around you as if you weren’t even there. The lone exception to consider is the Waved Albatross of Punta Suárez (Española). They begin to leave that area in mid-December and don’t start returning until mid- or even late March. (I have heard of a lucky spotting in Jan. and an unlikely total “miss” in late March. So just be aware that the albatrosses don’t read the books…) Also, the Giant Tortoises can be harder to see in the wild in the highlands of Santa Cruz during breeding season (roughly May – August), when they move to lower grounds for nesting. But, unlike the Waved Albatross, not impossible. Aside from those, any month will be chock-full of wildlife wonders.
And just one comment about snorkeling–the marine wildlife of the archipelago is just as spectacular as the land-based wildlife. If you don’t snorkel because you’re not very comfortable in the water, don’t necessarily write it off. In our group, several folks were a bit wary of the water and wore a personal flotation device for snorkeling. They bobbed around the waters and had just as marvelous a time as did the really confident swimmers. So that’s always a possibility—plenty of PFDs since everyone has to wear one in the pangas.
Christina:
Thanks so much for you help and this detailed information.
We went in December 2010 on the Beluga and our guide Darwin, was fantastic. I can’t recomment this trip more highly. It is truly awesome. I have put together a photoshow that’s about 16 minutes long, but blame it on the animals!
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/FK4gD3mV
One bit of caution though. We stayed a few extra days in Santa Cruz. I bought a beautiful wooden sculpture of turtles from Galapagos Gallery on the main drag and had it shipped to me. It arrived on January 15th in pieces. The merchant has been extremely uncooperative so I advise not purchasing anything from this particular store.
Candy
My, My!! I haven’t read Tina’s trip report, but from these replys, I know that it will be great. Ed and I will have our 50th anniversary June 2011. We began looking at Machu Picchu two years ago. This year we considered it again. I then saw a write up about the Galapagos Islands and now we would like to see both places. Like Montanabrit, I wonder if it will be too much to see in one trip. I usually take care of all the details. I enjoyed reading everyones comments.
Brenda
Tina writes–
This is a good thing to consider. I think only you folks can make that decision for yourselves. My husband and I knew that we were likely to be ready to head home after being away for 12 days in Quito and the Gálapagos. (We also have 2 dogs that were stuck in the kennel while we were away.) Also, my “Isn’t that the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen?” meter was pretty much on overload by the end of our 8-day/7-night cruise. I fear that anywhere else would have paled by comparison after that. Of course, keep in mind the fact that we’re wildlife people–we’re both birders and I’m involved in wildlife rehab–so it doesn’t get better than the Galápagos for folks like us.
And yet, I have talked to others who indeed did Machu Picchu and the Galápagos on the same trip and had a great time at both. So many people do both. One thing you might consider is doing Machu Picchu BEFORE you do the Galápagos (if that’s possible). That way, you end the trip with the amazing experience of being out on the lonely ocean; visiting islands where the wildlife pretty much just conduct their lives around you without even batting an eye; and seeing stark, untouched scenery that will stay with you forever.
Oat (Overseas Adventure Travel) has a 2 week trip with both. We even added 5 days in the Amazon (first, a nice way to destress and toughen up the hiking muscles) and loved all three parts.
Wow- next time I consider a trip ANYWHERE, I am going to email you first and see if: 1) you have ever been there; or:
2) will you please go first and write a blog about it?
Such a great job-my wife and I are similar in “vintage” to you and Z, so this is so helpful. Thanks, and good work. Mark
Hi there,
Very interesting trip you had! I’ve put together my 5 ways to visit the islands on a budget here. I’m all about budget travel and the Galapagos are so unique and mesmorizing, I think everyone should go. Thanks for your story.
http://www.findcheapairfares.org/2010/03/09/galapagos-5-ways-to-visit-the-islands-on-a-budget/
What a great blog, Tina. My wife and I did essentially the same trip in 2010. Your detail descriptions helped us put into perspective that which we experienced. We put up a website that others might enjoy. It contains thousands of pictures.
The URL is http://home.comcast.net/~rwarwick4/Exploritas/index.htm
Bob
We really enjoyed reading about your trip to the Galapagos Islands. It’s much more informative reading about your first person experience than it is reading a travel brochure. Thank you very much for your diary of your trip. It was great! John and Karen
Thanks for sharing your knowledge on Galapagos tour.
Me and my wife are waiting to to give ourself a 60 years old gift ( in one more year) and we intend to do the same tour. Your website will be our guide to arrange ours.
i have not read your story as yet but was rapt when i read why you decided to go as my hubby and i are 60 at the end of the year. we want to go to antarctic as well and see as much as we can ver there including carnival. Would love to know more if needed advice.
Lorraine
Thanks for the very useful (and well written) adventure story. I’ll be joining the Exploritas trip to Galapagos that begins Feb. 3 — your practical advice is very helpful. I’ll be traveling with a friend; I plan to leave a link to your story with my husband and family — they can travel along. …..Well, sort of…. I cannot imagine that there is anything quite like being there.
This is the most comprehensive trip report that I have found. I am in the midst of planning my once in a lifetime trip to the Galapagos Islands. Your report has answered many questions that I was having difficulty finds answers to. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you have put into this blog.
This is a great website that you’ve put together! Thanks!