The Galapagos Islands are unlike anywhere else on Earth simply because of the lush flora and fauna that you will only find on the island and nowhere else in the world. With no predators on the island, the unique animals are extremely tame and docile and are not afraid of human contact. Visiting the Galapagos Islands, you'll come toe to toe with sea lions, iguanas, droves of birds among the countless other unique animals.
The best way to see the Galapagos Islands is by cruise, where the crew will prepare you for the trip of a lifetime.
Click "READ MORE" below to find out more about this trip!
The best way to see the Galapagos Islands is by cruise, where the crew will prepare you for the trip of a lifetime.
Click "READ MORE" below to find out more about this trip!
Day 1: We had a short 3 ½ hour flight from Miami, FL and arrived in Ecuador’s capital, Quito. At 9000 feet, even though it is on the equator, it was only about 70 degrees.
Day 2: After breakfast we transferred to the airport for a two hour flight to the Galapagos Islands! They are located about 400 miles west of the Ecuador coast. We transferred to our ship the Galapagos Explorer II. Our stateroom had a large balcony and plenty of space. After lunch we joined our top-notch naturalist guide to explore Wizard Hill, where a fine white sand beach is home to sea lions basking in a particularly picturesque setting.
Day 3: We Discovered Espanola Island
We called upon Gardner Bay where our sharp-eyed guide pointed out a wide variety of wildlife including Hood mockingbirds, Galapagos hawk, marine iguanas and raucous colonies of sea lions. We also had an option to snorkel just off the shore. In the afternoon, we stepped ashore at Punta Suarez where a rocky coastline was home to Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, Blue-footed boobies and colored marine iguanas.
Day 4: We explored Santa Cruz and Rabida Islands
This morning’s beach landing at Whale Bay on Santa Cruz Island revealed unique flora including Acacia and Incense trees. In the afternoon, we explored along the red sand beaches and cliffs of Rabida Island. These dramatic landscapes are home to greater flamingos, Brown Pelicans, Galapagos mockingbirds and sea lions.
Day 5: Puerto Ayora Town and Plazas Island
We stopped in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Center. We learned about the pioneering research and important conservation work being done to preserve the island's precious natural heritage. We saw the giant tortoises weighing over 800 pounds. In the afternoon, we went ashore on Plazas Islands for up-close encounters with Sally Lightfoot crabs, land iguanas and even the magnificent frigate bird.
A few additional notes:
The ship: The Galapagos Explorer II recently was renamed the Silversea All Suite Silver Galapagos. Her finely appointed suites elegantly offer sweeping panoramic ocean views. Onboard cuisine is the finest in the Galapagos Islands. The dress is always casual and the cruise experience is highlighted by a dynamic program of shore excursions (also included), combined with a staff of hand picked and highly trained, multilingual naturalist guides
The sea life: It was amazing how tame all the animals were as we hiked through their islands. They have no predators, so they are not afraid. The sea lions were huge. The iguanas were also quite large and kind of scary, until we realized they would not attack us. What a wonderful experience to see these animals that have been on these islands, 400 miles off the coast, for ages!
Day 2: After breakfast we transferred to the airport for a two hour flight to the Galapagos Islands! They are located about 400 miles west of the Ecuador coast. We transferred to our ship the Galapagos Explorer II. Our stateroom had a large balcony and plenty of space. After lunch we joined our top-notch naturalist guide to explore Wizard Hill, where a fine white sand beach is home to sea lions basking in a particularly picturesque setting.
Day 3: We Discovered Espanola Island
We called upon Gardner Bay where our sharp-eyed guide pointed out a wide variety of wildlife including Hood mockingbirds, Galapagos hawk, marine iguanas and raucous colonies of sea lions. We also had an option to snorkel just off the shore. In the afternoon, we stepped ashore at Punta Suarez where a rocky coastline was home to Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, Blue-footed boobies and colored marine iguanas.
Day 4: We explored Santa Cruz and Rabida Islands
This morning’s beach landing at Whale Bay on Santa Cruz Island revealed unique flora including Acacia and Incense trees. In the afternoon, we explored along the red sand beaches and cliffs of Rabida Island. These dramatic landscapes are home to greater flamingos, Brown Pelicans, Galapagos mockingbirds and sea lions.
Day 5: Puerto Ayora Town and Plazas Island
We stopped in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Center. We learned about the pioneering research and important conservation work being done to preserve the island's precious natural heritage. We saw the giant tortoises weighing over 800 pounds. In the afternoon, we went ashore on Plazas Islands for up-close encounters with Sally Lightfoot crabs, land iguanas and even the magnificent frigate bird.
A few additional notes:
The ship: The Galapagos Explorer II recently was renamed the Silversea All Suite Silver Galapagos. Her finely appointed suites elegantly offer sweeping panoramic ocean views. Onboard cuisine is the finest in the Galapagos Islands. The dress is always casual and the cruise experience is highlighted by a dynamic program of shore excursions (also included), combined with a staff of hand picked and highly trained, multilingual naturalist guides
The sea life: It was amazing how tame all the animals were as we hiked through their islands. They have no predators, so they are not afraid. The sea lions were huge. The iguanas were also quite large and kind of scary, until we realized they would not attack us. What a wonderful experience to see these animals that have been on these islands, 400 miles off the coast, for ages!
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