THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - Ageless Wilderness

Ecuador’s Galapagos Archipelago is located in the East Pacific Ocean, some 612 nautical miles west off the coast of Ecuador. This amazing group of relatively young volcanic islands includes 13 large islands, and some 48 smaller ones, where the isolation from the mainland and the isolation between each island, have produced over time unique wildlife. It is without any doubt, a living laboratory and observatory of evolution, where the processes of natural selection are felt in every outing taken.

In 1835, the English naturalist Charles Darwin visited the islands and discovered this "living laboratory" which inspired his writings on the Theory of Evolution. Many of the animals on the Galapagos Islands have developed into different species from their continental relatives, and because they have never experienced man as a predator, they show no fear of humans today.

The world's most wondrous group of islands is yours for unhurried exploration. Follow the nature trails and enjoy the amazing sights; wade and even dive among the animals of land and sea.

Passengers are taken to shore in small groups with a multilingual naturalist/guide, who will explain the fascinating geology and history of an eco-world that takes you back millions of years. There is ample time for walking, swimming, snorkeling, photography, and to observe the abundant variety of wildlife on each island. You can swim with sea lions, walk among black marine iguanas basking in the sun and observe the elaborate mating rituals of boobies, albatrosses, or male frigate birds displaying their red pouches.

Flexible itineraries of three, four and seven nights offer a variety of options for trekkers and swimmers, writers and readers, painters and photographers, bird watchers and stargazers, visionaries and dreamers...

Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island
The second largest island of the archipelago is Santa Cruz. Its area of 4,588 km2 (1,771mi2), and its altitude of 864 m (2,835 ft) hold an incredible array of ecosystems that make this island a jewel to be discovered. The largest human population of Galapagos lives here in Puerto Ayora, and it is here where the first conservation efforts started around the early 1960’s.

Arrival to Santa Cruz Island
There are two ways of reaching the Galapagos Islands by air. It depends on the cruise tour program or hotel you plan to stay. Air service between Quito or Guayaquil and Baltra is via TAME Airlines. Air service between Quito or Guayaquil and San Cristobal is offered by TAME Airlines and AEROGAL (Aerolineas Galapagos). The ninety-minute flight is certainly an enjoyable experience. Once approaching the islands, you will see the peaks of giant submarine volcanoes that broke the ocean’s surface some five million years ago. As the descent and approach continue you will see the turquoise waters near Baltra and North Seymour Islands. Many Galapagos features can be seen right from the plane including sea lions, frigate birds, and the many nests of blue-footed boobies. Few minutes later you have landed on Baltra Island, a rather flat platform that got pushed up from the seabed thousands of years ago by means of powerful volcanic activity.

Don’t be surprised by the un-tropical Galapagos look. Yes, even though in the tropics, the islands have a very unique landscape where cacti, brush, and palo santo trees dominate the dramatic setup. After registering with the National Park authorities, members of Finch Bay Hotel will greet you and assist you with your luggage before beginning our transportation to Santa Cruz Island.

The island of Baltra was a strategic US Military base during World War II, for the protection of the Panama Canal. The many roads that used to operate in those days are now used as means of transportation to/from the airport’s attractive terminal. Some visitors will be picked up right at Baltra Island by their charter vessels. Others, like you, have yet to arrive to Santa Cruz Island.

As your escort assists you, the airport’s shuttle will take you towards the Itabaca Channel. The ride takes about seven minutes. This body of water separates the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz. Time to take out your camera, since the azure and turquoise waters, together with the cliffs and emerald mangroves, makes the area picture perfect.

A ferryboat takes you along with other visitors in route to the dock of the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. The refreshing boat ride takes about five minutes. Once at the dock, buses will be taken in order to reach the southern coast. You are now in the leeward side of the island, and ready to board a local bus that will take you up to the lush highlands, and down to the coast again, where you will reach the windward side of the island. This bus ride takes less than forty-five minutes to reach its destination. What will amaze you are the impressive changes of vegetation (at least five changes can be seen), and temperature. These changes also match different altitudes, and the highest point of the paved highway is around 500 mts (1,600 ft). The highlands are always green, and technically they should be classified as a cloud forest. Rainfall is greater up here, than in the lowlands. On your way down, you will see villages like Santa Rosa and Bellavista, before reaching Puerto Ayora.

The eye-catching waters of Academy Bay welcome you to Puerto Ayora. The town’s main commercial activity is tourism, and everyone contributes to it. We will board our boat at the Municipal Public Dock (Muelle Público), and in less than five minutes we will reach the dock of Punta Estrada. Welcome to the land of no cars. Sea lions, marine iguanas, plunging blue-footed boobies and brown pelicans will become your background sounds.