Galapagos
The Ultimate Wildlife Destination
The world-renowned Galapagos Islands lie on the equator, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, and nothing you have read, heard or seen will have prepared you for a visit to this amazing archipelago.
One of the first things you notice is that the creatures are not, on the whole, afraid of you. Blue-footed Boobies regularly stand in the path, defying you to pass, while Sea Lions and Penguins will come to play with you while you snorkel. The huge Land Iguanas are quite shy, but their Marine relatives totally ignore people as they carry on with their lives. Bright red Sally Lightfoot Crabs scuttle around the black lava rocks while Frigatebirds cruise overhead, some with huge red inflated pouches under their throats.
Later on, when you have visited several islands, when you have heard all about them from your extremely knowledgeable National Park guide, when you have stood where Charles Darwin stood, it comes to you – this is how the Earth started. This, in miniature, is how it was after there was nothing and it is how we got here. It really is astonishing.
We offer independent travel on the regular 8-day cruise (but without an Island Holidays tour leader) and we are also very happy to tailor-make a holiday to suit your requirements. The yachts we use carry a maximum of 16 passengers, thus ensuring that you get the very most out of the experience. We are also proud to work with one of the most experienced companies in the islands who have a strong conservation ethic. If you would like to extend your stay in Ecuador, we can make all the arrangements for you to visit, for example, Cotopaxi National Park at the foot of the Andes or Sacha Lodge in the Amazon Jungle.
The accommodation on board ship is comfortable and the food is excellent. Visits to the various islands are by rubber boat. Safety is paramount – both yours and the integrity of the wildlife on each island, so be prepared for strict rules and regulations which in no way spoil your enjoyment of these wild places.
