Galapagos Islands Vacation
A Galapagos islands vacation is a travel experience unlike any other on the planet. I am lucky enough to have visited Galapagos more than fifteen times, and honestly it still blows me away each and every time I go! It feels like walking onto the set of my very own BBC or NatGeo wildlife documentary. The Galapagos wildlife is so tame they’ll often come right up to check you out. This is also one of the most volcanically active places on earth, with amazing landscapes and vistas. If a Galapagos vacation isn’t already on your bucket list then it needs to be!
Keep reading for everything you need to know to start planning your own Galapagos islands vacation. What is it that makes Galapagos such an unbelievable travel destination? When is the best time of year to visit Galapagos? Plus lots more tips and information for Galapagos islands trip planning.
What Makes a Galapagos Islands Vacation so Amazing?
The Galapagos Islands are one of the top wildlife destinations in the world, full of unique, endemic species that can only be seen here. Galapagos makes the perfect vacation to reconnect with mother nature, and appreciate the amazing biodiversity of planet earth.
Did you know that the Galapagos islands were the very first place in the world to be awarded UNESCO Natural Heritage status?
Galapagos has also been an inspiration to visitors for centuries, none more so than famous English botanist Charles Darwin. It was Darwin who changed the world forever with his Theory of Evolution, a concept developed after a Eureka moment at the islands.
Could Galapagos really be a life changing experience? Judging by how many of our clients vote it their “best ever vacation!”, I would say yes.
My Favorite Galapagos Islands Hightlights
At Galapagos every day brings new discoveries that make your eyes light-up like an excited child. Here are some of my personal jaw-dropping favorites:
1. Laughing at birds with bright blue feet who dance like clowns to attract a female mate.
2. Swimming with Penguins on the equator.
3. Watching Marine Iguanas return from the sea, sneezing salt from their noses.
4. Snorkeling while playful Sealions swim rings around me.
5. Sitting next to a huge Galapagos Tortoise over 3 times my weight.
6. Hiking over spectacular lava flows on the flanks of an active Galapagos volcano.
7. Kayaking above a large school of hammerhead sharks.
8. Observing Green Turtle nests, waiting for baby hatchlings to emerge and dash to the sea.
9. Appreciating pristine nature on Espanola island at one of CNN’s Top 20 beaches in the world.
10. Discovering crazy quirks of nature, like the lizards who learnt to swim, birds who forgot how to fly and land snakes who acquired a taste for fish.
11. Watching Orcas and Humpback whales majestically breach the surface of the ocean.
12. Wondering how black, red and green sand beaches are even possible.
Above all, a visit to Galapagos makes me marvel at life and nature. How can creatures flourish on volcanic islands in the middle of the ocean? Why would penguins want to live at the Equator? How can a place as magical and unusual as Galapagos exist? Your Galapagos guide will have the answer to these and many more questions!
In truth I have rarely felt more connected or so inspired in my life than I have at the Galapagos islands. It takes me back to being an inquisitive young boy again, when everything in life was a joy, with so many new things to discover.
Perhaps there is hope for the future of our natural world afterall.
How to Plan Your Own Galapagos Islands Vacation?
Making a Galapagos vacation happen is actually far easier than you might imagine. The key is to book with professionals who can advise and guide you through the whole process. Not all Galapagos vacations are created equal, so let’s make the right choice for you!
Happy Gringo Travel have 15 years of experience at the forefront of Galapagos Tourism. We’ve been awarded 6 consecutive annual quality awards by Trip Advisor, as well as being recommended by all of the top Ecuador & Galapagos guidebooks. We are all passionate travelers ourselves, from our company founders, to each and every team member, so you are in very good company.
Contact us for a FREE GALAPAGOS VACATION QUOTE, with no obligation to book.
In the meantime, keep reading for some of the Galapagos vacation basics to get your trip planning started:
Different Galapagos Vacation Styles
Your first & most important choice is HOW you prefer to travel.
A Galapagos Land Tour gives you more freedom and flexibility to explore. Itineraries are customisable and easily adapted to your specific needs and desires. During free time you can make the most of fine-dining, boutique shops and social life in the towns.
Galapagos Cruises on the other hand are an all-inclusive vacation. This is a live-aboard experience following a comprehensive itinerary loop right around the best parts of the archipelago. You’ll have a naturalist guide at your side to bring the experience to life, and spend more time at sea for a deeper connection to nature.
Both travel styles include heaps of fun activities and experiences. Expect to enjoy: wildlife watching, breathtaking landscapes, beach time, treking, snorkeling and sea-kayaking. A Land Tour could also be adapted to include more adventure activities such as paddle-boarding, biking, horse-riding & scuba diving to name but a few.
Galapagos Islands vacation options are available to suit all budgets, from affordable packages to first class luxury.
Other Galapagos Travel Practicalities
All other important Galapagos Islands practicalities can be found in our How to get to Galapagos blog post. This includes information about: Galapagos flights, baggage allowances, airport processes, Galapagos naturalist guides, iIntra-island travel & National Park regulations.
Also take a peak at our interactive Galapagos map – just click on each visitor site to learn more about what you can see and do on each island.
For more visual inspiration, we recommend checking out 15 Photos that show why the Galapagos Islands need to be on your bucket list.
We also have blogs with more information about some of the wonderful Galapagos animals, birds, fish and volcanoes you can see at the islands.
Finally, to support our #HappyTravelsNoPlastic campaign, every passenger on our Galapagos Land Tour Packages will receive a free metallic water bottle. Not only do they have stylish designs of Galapagos animals, they will also keep your water cool while protecting the Galapagos environment.
So get in touch with us for a FREE GALAPAGOS VACATION QUOTE, and for all the help you need to book your dream Galapagos holiday.
In conclusion, a Galapagos islands vacation is the trip of a lifetime. You’ll be the envy of friends and family when you return home with stories and photos of such an unbelievable experience. Galapagos is an extraordinary destination with no equal, but don’t take our word for it, come check it out for yourself!
