GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR
Reason to visit
Three years after their inclusion on the World Heritage in Danger list, the Galapagos Islands have emerged on the other end, having made significant headway against the threats of "invasive species, unbridled tourism, and over fishing." However, the same isolation that made the islands a "living museum and showcase of evolution" also makes them intrinsically vulnerable to the environmental pressures of tourism and the constant threat of invasive species.
Best known for unique animal life, such as the land iguana and giant tortoise, the Galapagos are a point of pilgrimage for wildlife lovers. But our presence changes the landscape: In the islands' relatively short history of human settlement, it's estimated that about five percent of the Galapagos' species have become extinct. It will take the continued efforts of Ecuador's government to preserve the Pacific archipelago that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.
The location
The islands are located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, 973 km (525 nmi; 605 mi) off the west coast of South America. The closest land mass is that of mainland Ecuador, the country to which they belong, 926 km/500 nmi to the east.
The islands are found at the coordinates 1°40'N–1°36'S, 89°16'–92°01'W. Straddling the equator, islands in the chain are located in both the northern and southern hemispheres, with Volcán Wolf and Volcán Ecuador on Isla Isabela being directly on the equator. Española Island, the southernmostislet of the archipelago, and Darwin Island, the northernmost one, are spread out over a distance of 220 km (137 mi). The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) considers them wholly within the South Pacific Ocean, however.[3] The Galápagos Archipelago consists of 7,880 km2(3,040 sq mi) of land spread over 45,000 km2 (17,000 sq mi) of ocean. The largest of the islands, Isabela, measures 2,250 sq mi/5,827 km2[4] and makes up close to three-quarters of the total land area of the Galápagos. Volcán Wolf on Isabela is the highest point, with an elevation of 1,707 m (5,600 ft) above sea level.
The group consists of 18 main islands, 3 smaller islands, and 107 rocks and islets. The islands are located at the Galapagos Triple Junction. The archipelago is located on the Nazca Plate (a tectonic plate), which is moving east/southeast, diving under the South American Plate at a rate of about 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) per year.[5] It is also atop the Galapagos hotspot, a place where the Earth's crust is being melted from below by a mantle plume, creating volcanoes. The first islands formed here at least 8 million and possibly up to 90 million years ago.[6]
While the older islands have disappeared below the sea as they moved away from the mantle plume, the youngest islands, Isabela and Fernandina, are still being formed, with the most recent volcanic eruption in April 2009 where lava from the volcanic island Fernandina started flowing both towards the island's shoreline and into the centre caldera.
Ways to get there
First destination is go to mainland Ecuador. Whether you’re traveling from the United States, Europe or anywhere else, you should book an international flight to Guayaquil or Ecuador’s capital, Quito.
The Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil (GYE) receives flights from U.S. cities of Miami and New York, European cities of Amsterdam and Madrid, and major cities of Central and South America.
Mariscal Sucre International Airport of Quito (UIO) receives flights from the U.S. via Atlanta, Houston, Miami, and New York; from Europe via Madrid and Amsterdam; and from many major cities in Central and Southern America. You should expect to arrive in Ecuador at least two days before your Galapagos Cruise begins and catch your international flight home at least two days after your stay in the Galapagos.
The Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil (GYE) receives flights from U.S. cities of Miami and New York, European cities of Amsterdam and Madrid, and major cities of Central and South America.
Mariscal Sucre International Airport of Quito (UIO) receives flights from the U.S. via Atlanta, Houston, Miami, and New York; from Europe via Madrid and Amsterdam; and from many major cities in Central and Southern America. You should expect to arrive in Ecuador at least two days before your Galapagos Cruise begins and catch your international flight home at least two days after your stay in the Galapagos.
Once you have your flight to mainland Ecuador, getting to the Galapagos Islands is easy. Located nearly 1,000 km (600 miles) off of Ecuador’s coast, the best way to travel is by plane, as traveling by boat can take at least three days. Whether from Quito or Guayaquil, there are several flights daily that take passengers to the archipelago. You can land on Baltra Island or in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. TAME and AEROGAL are two airlines that operate these routes. LAN will soon have flights to the Galapagos as well. If you are flying from Quito, you will most likely have a short stop in Guayaquil on your way to the islands.
Reserve your Galapagos tour before you purchase flight tickets to ensure correct dates. Check with your Galapagos cruise or tour company for advice on booking your flight to the Galapagos including optimal arrival times to the Islands according to cruise plans.
Things to do
a) Sail around the archipelago on a luxurious catamaran.
b) Relax on the stunning beaches of Isabela Island.
c) Snorkel with sea lions, turtles and schools of rainbow coloured fish.
d) Stare eye-to-eye at a scaly but serene land iguana.
e) Visit the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Centre on Santa Cruz.
f) Hike to the second largest caldera in the world on the Sierra Negra volcano.
g) Visit Tortuga Bay, home to thousands of marine iguanas.
h) Explore the primitive pirate caves on charming Floreana, the least developed of the inhabited islands.
i) See giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
j) Go bird watching on a remote, uninhabited island.
What's most remarkable about Galápagos's wildlife is how little they fear humans -- and why would they, since they've never had to worry about predators. Young sea lions will show off their best moves as you snorkel among them; mockingbirds will peck at your shoelaces; the blue-footed boobie will perform its famous two-stepped mating dance right under your nose.
An astounding number of unique species thrive on these 19 small volcanic islands (plus about 40 islets); boat travel is
Santiago's rocky tide pools are home to rare fur sea lions and many beautiful heron species; Española has albatrosses and blue-footed boobies; in Fernandina there are vivid marine iguanas and flightless cormorants; Isabela is home to Galápagos's penguins (the world's only tropical penguins); Genovesa has frigate birds and red-footed boobies.
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