Visit the Galapagos islands aboard our cruises and land packages, including comfy accommodations and guided tours by industry experts. Explore the islands that helped Charles Darwin develop his theory of evolution while observing unique wildlife found only in the Galapagos archipelago. Check out our vacation packages below, and contact our expert travel advisers to tailor your perfect travel package to the Galapagos National park and top destinations in Peru.
Few destinations can compare to the Galapagos Islands regarding wildlife photography, water activities, and exploration. The remote Galapagos archipelago offers the perfect chance to have a unique travel experience. Our travel specialists are ready to help you plan the ideal trip and customize your Galapagos tours.
The unique ecosystem of the Galapagos islands has developed unique flora and fauna that drives researchers and travelers to the archipelago. For example, the giant Galapagos tortoise can grow larger than humans. The islands also house endemic bird species, including the finch species studied by Charles Darwin. In addition, the Galapagos islands have the only known population of Iguanas that dive into the ocean.
The Charles Darwin Research Station is located on Santa Cruz Island. The famous research station is where travelers can visit to learn about the Galapagos Islands’ protection and how the ecosystem’s restoration has been taking place. The research center works as the operative branch of the Charles Darwin Foundation, whose job is to collect and preserve specimens to educate the public on the preservation of endemic wildlife and their habitats.
If you are searching for relaxing white-sand beaches to lay on, while listening to the hypnotic sounds of the ocean, the Galapagos Islands has some unique places to do so. Travelers can also jump in the water and swim with local species of fish and sea turtles that feed nearby. The volcanic origin of the islands also produces different colored sand. On some islands, travelers see white sand, while others show red, green, and even black sandy beaches.
Galapagos Islands’ topography allows for amazing scenery that travelers will love. Kicker Rock and Sierra Negra are notable landmarks among breathtaking landscapes.
Each of the islands in the Galapagos archipelago has distinctive characteristics that make the panoramic scenery unique and impressive.
Volcanic activity is still ongoing in the Galapagos Islands chain. All of the Islands were formed by volcanic activity.
Younger islands like Fernandina Island present different and much rougher terrain than one of the oldest, Island Espanola.
The Galapagos Islands have a wide assortment of water activities for all visitors.
From scuba diving to kayaking, snorkeling with sea lions, and taking glass-bottomed boat rides, your Journey Machu Picchu travel agent can tailor your trip to schedule additional water activities on your Galapagos Islands tour.
The Galapagos Islands have a wide assortment of water activities for all visitors. From scuba diving to kayaking, snorkeling with sea lions, and taking glass-bottomed boat rides, your Journey Machu Picchu travel agent can tailor your trip to schedule additional water activities on your Galapagos Islands tour.
Galapagos cruises give travelers the advantage of visiting different islands on the archipelago. Furthermore, this mobility allows travelers also to see other beaches and breeding centers for the Gian Galapagos tortoise. There is a wide variety of cruises, and due to local regulations, there will be multiple itineraries each manages. Itineraries can differ but will generally include the following:
– Punta Cormorant, Floreana Island
– Puerto Chino, San Cristobal Island
– Suarez Point, Espanola Island
– Breeding Center Jacinto Gordillo, San Cristobal Island
– Gardner Bay, Espanola Island
– Baroness Bay & Lookout, Floreana Island
– Post Office Bay, Floreana Island
– North Seymour Island
– Santa Fe Island
– Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island
– Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island
– Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island
– Santa Cruz Highlands
– South Plazas Island
– Mosquera Islet
– Bartolome Island
– El Barranco, Genovesa Island
– Chinese Hat, Santiago Island
– Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island
– Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island
Travelers on a budget will find that a land-based package Galapagos tour is more affordable than a cruise. The Galapagos archipelago is located several miles from the Ecuadorian coast, making them highly isolated and challenging to get to. Add the fact that they are a national reservation, and the Galapagos Islands are among South America’s most expensive places to visit. The fact that there are hotels on various islands means that there are different price ranges for land packages compared to an all-inclusive Galapagos cruise.
If you are looking for sunny weather, warm water temperatures, tranquil currents, and good underwater visibility, the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands is from December to May. However, if you are primarily looking to see some wildlife, the Galapagos Islands can be visited year-round.
Land packages are centered around taking day trips to visit nearby islands to their hotel’s location and breeding centers for the Giant Galapagos tortoise. Land package itineraries can vary depending on which island in the Galapagos your hotel is located. Below is a list of possible destinations:
– Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz Island
– Charles Darwin Station, Santa Cruz
– Los Gemelos, Santa Cruz Island
– Cerro Mesa, Santa Cruz
– Santa Fe Island
– North Seymour Island
– South Plazas Island
– Los Gemelos, Santa Cruz Island
– Wall of Tears, Isabela Island
– Sierra Negra Volcano, Isabela Island
– Tintoreras, Isabela Island
– Espanola Island
– Kicker Rock, San Cristobal
– Bartolome Island
– Puerto Chino, San Cristobal
The biggest driver of tourism to the Galapagos Islands is the endemic wildlife. There are many species to photograph and get glimpses of in the archipelago. Below is a brief list of animals you’ll get to see. But, of course, some depend on the time of the year you book your Galapagos tours.
– Marine Iguanas
– Fur seals
– Sea Lions
– Land Iguanas
– Giant Galapagos Tortoises
– Manta rays
– Endemic birds include fiches (studied by Darwin), Nazca boobies, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins, and flamingoes. Up to 56 species in total.
– Green sea turtles
– 33 species of sharks, including Galapagos, whitetip reef, hammerhead, and whale sharks
– 450 species of fish