About Galapagos Islands

Considered one of the world’s preeminent destinations for wildlife viewing are The Galápagos Islands. Straddling the equator, this volcanic archipelago is a province of Ecuador and lies about 1,000 km off its coast in the Pacific Ocean.

The terrain harbors a diversity of plant and animal species. Known for their variety of local species, the islands were visited by Charles Darwin 1835. His study of Galápagos’ endemic species later inspired his theory of evolution and natural selection.

The Galápagos Islands and their surrounding waters form the Galápagos National Park. The principal language on the islands is Spanish. The islands have a population of slightly over 25,000.

Wildlife

One of the best-known is the Galápagos tortoise, which lives on seven of the islands. It has an average lifespan of more than 150 years. The marine iguana is also extremely unusual, since it is the only iguana adapted to life in the sea. Land iguanas, lava lizards, geckos and harmless snakes can also be found in the islands.

Around 56 species of birds live in the archipelago, of which 27 are found only in the Galápagos. The most outstanding are penguins, which live on the colder coasts, Darwin’s finches, frigatebirds, albatrosses, gulls, boobies, pelicans and Galápagos hawks, among others. The flightless cormorant, a peculiar bird which has lost the ability to fly, and the Galapagos crake, nearly flightless, are also part of this rich fauna.

Exotic fish, rays, sea lions, sea turtles, octopus, Hammerhead Sharks, Galapagos Bullhead Shark as well as other species of shark are prolific in the sparkling waters of the islands.

Tourism

A variety of cruises exist to tour you around the islands, from small sailboats carrying 6 passengers to ships catering to 100 passengers. In addition, cruises utilize yachts of varying degrees of comfort, from budget to luxury. A cruise will take you from island to island, exploring the terra firma as well as allowing you to snorkel in the crystal blue deep waters. You will discover amazing aquatic and birdlife in just a few days of exploration.

Since a few of the islands are inhabited, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, and Floreana, you have the opportunity to stay on land. Spending a few days on one of these islands allows you to take day trips to nearby islands to hike, kayak and snorkel or dive. There are a selection of specialized yachts meant for diving the Galapagos. These are specially equipped for divers and will allow you to explore many regions of the Galapagos Islands.

Contact us for information on tours or see a selection of Galapagos tours here.

Major Islands

There are 18 main islands in the Galapagos archipelago, and here are some of the highlights.

• Santa Cruz Island

  This island hosts the largest human population in the archipelago. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the headquarters of the Galápagos National Park Service are located here. The Highlands of Santa Cruz offer exuberant flora, and are famous for the lava tunnels. Large tortoise populations are found here as well as sea turtles, rays and small sharks.

·         Bartolomé

Bartolomé is a small island just east of Santiago is best known for Pinnacle Rock, the stark remains of an eroded tuff cone that juts like a large sail out into Bartolomé’s northern bay and which is easily one of the most familiar landmarks of the archipelago.

·         Española

The most southerly island in the archipelago, dramatic Española is also one of the oldest and breathtaking. It plays host to several unique species and sub-species and is a great Galapagos environmental success story.

·         Fernandina

The third largest, youngest and westernmost of the islands that form the Galapagos archipelago, Fernandina’s 642 m2 is mostly barren black lava with La Cumbre Volcano dominating the landscape. Its massive domed cone continues to grumble, erupting on average every five years making Fernandina, alongside neighboring Isabela, one of the most volcanically active of the islands.

·         Floreana

Several curiosities are associated with Floreana, the sixth largest island in the archipelago, not least the whiff of scandal and intrigue that surrounds three groups of German settlers who arrived on the island in the 1930’s and that, one by one, mysteriously began to die or disappear.

·         Genovesa

The horseshoe shaped island of Genovesa is one of the youngest in the archipelago, being a mere one million years old. As it is the only island north of the equator that allows visitors, this makes it an even more special destination.

·         Isabela

By far the largest island in the archipelago at 4,588 km2 and measuring 130 km north to south and 70 km at its widest point and occupying over 58% of the Galapagos’ entire land mass.

Weather

Although the islands are located on the equator, the Humboldt Current brings cold water to them, causing frequent drizzles during most of the year.

From June to November the temperature by the sea is 22 °C. A steady and cold wind blows from south and southeast, frequent drizzles last most of the day, and dense fog conceals the islands.  From December to May, during the warm season, the average sea and air temperature rises to 25 °C . Normally, there is no wind, though there can be sporadic rain to accompany the sunshine.

 

Where To Go In Colombia

Where to go in Colombia? From snowy peaks to deserts, jungles and beaches, not to mention history and culture, Colombia is a jewel. You can learn history, watch humpback give birth, take cooking classes, relax in a spa, or take some epic hikes in their national parks. The good news is citizens of many countries do not require a visa to visit Colombia. Find out which countries require a visa http://www.colombia.travel/en/practical-information/visa.

The country is divided into regions, most notably The Andes, The Caribbean, The Pacific, and the Amazon Region part of The Amazon Rainforest. The Insular region is comprised of islands in both the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans, and Orinoquia Region borders Venezuela.

Here are some highlights:

The Andean Region

The Andes mountains form the most populous region of Colombia and contain the majority of the country’s urban centres. The region is divided into three branches known as “cordilleras” and include the cities of Bogota and Medellín. Colombian coffee is among the world’s best so visiting a coffee farm or staying on a hacienda will immerse you in the trade.

Bogota – is the capital and largest city, and the third highest capital in South America. It is a city known for its many museums, especially the Gold Museum, with over 55,000 pieces. The mountain Monserrate dominates the city center of Bogotá, so you cannot miss it. Rising to 3,152 metres above the sea level. Take the cable car to relish in the views of the city or visit the church and shrine at the top.

The city is close to the stunning Salt Cathedral, Zipaquirá. It is bizarre and amazing, with vast halls, crosses and altars carved out of an old salt mine. Zipaquira is near Bogota and can be visited on a day trip.

Medellin – Cable cars traverse the slopes of this fashionable Andean city, home to illuminating museums, enticing restaurants and legendary artist Fernando Botero. Medellin is situated in a narrow valley, and the moderate temperatures give the city its nickname – the City of Eternal Spring.

Parque Nacional Natural los Nevados – The national park boasts high mountains and beautiful scenery. There are many high altitude lakes, deep gorges, rainforest, glaciers, hot springs, and waterfalls. There are five main volcanoes, and many smaller volcanic cones, so hiking and climbing is varied. Travel time is 11 – 12 hours by vehicle from Bogota or 9 hours from Medellin.

Caribbean Region

The region is traversed by a number of rivers from the Andean highlands to the sea, including the Magdalena, Colombia’s principal river. The Caribbean region is also the location of the historic port cities of Santa Marta and Cartagena.

Cartagena – Latin America’s colonial queen of cities, Cartagena is a city of Baroque churches, elegant mansions, shady plazas and giant Spanish walls. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea, and massive churches. Outside the walled city, Bocagrande is a place to sip coffee in trendy cafes and dine in upscale restaurants.

Ciudad Perdida – The name means ‘Lost City’ as it was lost around the time of the Spanish conquest and only ‘discovered’ again in the 1970s. Deep in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, it remains only accessible on foot by doing what is easily one of Colombia’s most exciting and breathtaking hikes.

Tayrona National Park – The park is a large protected area covering the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains as they meet the Caribbean coast. It’s known for its coastal coves and lagoons, rainforest and rich biodiversity. The region was once the territory of the Tayrona people, and some archeological remains have been found in the park. One of Colombia’s most popular national parks, Tayrona scenery varies from sandy beaches along the coast in the north to rainforest at an altitude of 900 m on the southern limits of the park. Accommodations vary from hostels to upscale spas.

Amazon Region

The Amazon Region is a region in southern Colombia over the Amazon Basin. The region is mostly covered by tropical jungle, which is a part of the massive Amazon rainforest. You can stay in Leticia and do day activities in the jungle, or alternatively go to Leticia then take a speed boat and stay in a lodge deep in the Amazon. Note that it is compulsory to have yellow fever vaccination taken at least 10 days prior to your arrival date.

There’s no shortage of things to do in the Amazon, so for the adventurous it’s a great place to visit. Activities include the following:

• Observe pink dolphins, exotic birds, alligators and other indigenous fauna and flora
• Visit indigenous communities
• Fishing and traditional craftsmanship
• Walks in the forest or to nearby lakes with native guides
• Swimming in natural pools

Pacific Region

This region is distinguished by its high humidity. Precipitation is among the highest in the world, with an average of 4,000 mm (160 in) per year and some areas that receive as much as 12,000 mm (470 in) per year.

Whale watching at Colombia’s lush Pacific coast is one of the world’s best places to see humpbacks and their new-born calves. Between July and November, humpbacks arrive from Antarctica to mate and give birth to their young. Whale watching programs are offered in places like Bahia Solano and Nuquí (both in Chocó) and Gorgona Island (Cauca).

Orinoco (Orinoquia) Region

This less-visited region borders Venezuela and covers the departments of Meta, Arauca, Casanare and Vichada. The region is rich in oil and suitable for extensive ranching but sparsely populated.

Insular Region

The Insular Region is considered by some as a sixth region, comprising those areas outside continental Colombia, including the department of San Andrés y Providencia in the Caribbean Sea and the islands of Malpelo and Gorgona in the Pacific Ocean.

So, again where to go in Colombia? I say stick to The Andes, Caribbean, Pacific or Amazon for the best bang for your buck adventure.  Here are a few tours to inspire you:

Colombia Express 9 days from $1889 CAD ($1495 US). Check out the resurgence of culture, art, and food in Bogotá and Medellín, dive deep into the Caribbean vibe in Cartagena, and enjoy the Latin-Caribbean fusion of flavours in local cuisine.

Caribbean Coast and Lost City  14 days from $2459 CAD ($1947 US). Trek through Tayrona National Park’s picturesque trails and have some downtime on the beach. Later, head to deep into the jungle to Teyuna – the fabled Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) older than Machu Picchu.