Take an Expedition Cruise to the Galapagos Islands
Within the Pacific Ocean, about 998 km (620 miles) off Ecuador’s coast, you will find a World Heritage site and hugely popular travel destination: the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands include an archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets nearby. First, you’ll fly to mainland Ecuador, most likely Guayaquil or Quito, and from there you’ll head out to the Islands.
Interested? Try the Galapagos Explorer: San Cristobal to Santa Cruz.
What to do in the Galapagos Islands
A Galapagos Islands trip will often showcase wildlife like sea lions, giant sea tortoises, eagle rays, Galapagos penguins, and schools of hammerhead sharks. Plan to spend plenty of time snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming to see them all. Because of few natural predators, many of the critters, like turtles and seals, are brave enough to come near tourists for a closer peek.
You can also hike over dried lava beds near active volcanoes, like Sierra Negra on Isabela, which boasts over 16 volcanic mounds. Walk the same landscapes as Charles Darwin did in 1835, leading him to then publish the “Origin of the Species” based on what he saw there. Take a guided tour to learn more about the history of the island as you trek.
Or maybe you just want to lounge upon the exquisite beaches along Tortuga Bay, where the sand is pearly white (and you might lock eyes with a marine iguana or two).
Environmentally Friendly Travel
The Galapagos Islands receive over 200,000 visitors a year. The delicate nature of their ecosystem means that environmentally-friendly travel is an absolute must. Many travel and tourism companies are now doing their part to defend this World Heritage site.
For example, cruise company Silversea is launching a new ship, Silver Origin, in Summer 2020. This ship is built for environmentally conscious sailing in the Galapagos area. They use dynamic positioning instead of traditional anchoring in order to prevent damage to reefs and the ocean floor. They are also plastic-free aboard the ship, offering each guest metal water bottles for repeated use.
The Silver Origin houses 100 guests with around 75 crew members. Activities include Zodiac tours, snorkeling, kayaking, and nature hikes.
Plan Your Trip Today
Puerto Ayora, Puerto Villamil, Bellavista, Floreana tours, island hopping, an El Chato Reserve visit, Lobos Island Tour, Palmitas Bay snorkeling, a day trip to North Seymour Island – what’s your ideal Galapagos Islands expedition cruise look like?
The Galapagos Islands are a must-see vacation cruise experience. Start planning your trip today.