GALAPAGOS ENCHANTED ISLANDS
This Archipelago is a living museum of evolutionary changes.
Free and fearless animals, different from any others found
elsewhere, make visitors wonder about their very existence
on our planet. The UNESCO declared Galapagos as a World Natural
Heritage Site in 1978 and subsequently a World Biosphere Reserve
in 1985. Among the animals found are the different species
of giant ‘Galapagos’ tortoises that gave the islands
their name due to the similarity of their carapaces to a British
riding saddle called ‘galapago’ in Spanish.
A variety of birds are found: blue footed, red footed and
masked boobies, flamingos, frigate birds, albatrosses, unique
small penguins and non-flying cormorants, and 14 different
species of finches. These various species of finches served
as proof for Darwin’s theory of evolution from natural
selection. Marine mammals such as sea lions, dolphins and
whales are also found; as well as multitudinous colorful fishes.
The most distinctive plants are mangroves and endemic cacti.
The Galapagos house an incredibly high rate of endemic species.
In 1835, Charles Darwin sailed on the British ship H.M.S.
Beagle and visited the islands. His writings on the theory
of the origin of species, which shook up to the scientific
world, were inspired by the living proof that he found in
this unique volcanic Archipelago. All those who choose to
make this unforgettable trip to the fascinating and mysterious
Galapagos can confirm his observations and studies.
The islands are located 600 miles from the Ecuadorian coast.
In 1936 they were declared a National Park to preserve the
flora and fauna of the 13 large islands, 6 minor ones and
more than 40 islets.
The islands appeared from lava eruptions that came from the
bottom of the ocean and that rise as much as 2.600 feet above
sea level. Lava from more than 2.000 craters has continuously
altered the terrain of the region. Some of the younger islands
still have active volcanoes. Variables such as climate, altitude
and texture of the land on the islands, have made their distinct
vegetation and animal life appear.
An erroneous belief about Galápagos is that the weather
is always tropical. During the months of June to November,
the weather is significantly colder and the vegetation is
drastically different: much drier.
There are different options to visit Galápagos. The
most common is with a cruise ship. These tours are of at least
four days. A cruise makes it possible to travel around the
Archipelago and visit many of the islands. There is a wide
range of cruise offers, from small boats of about 18 passengers
to big luxurious cruise boats of more than 100 passengers.
Metropolitan Touring owns some of the best ships on the islands,
with excellent guides and informative conferences on board.
For information about their cruises, call 298 8200 in Quito
or visit their web-site: www.metropolitan-touring.com.
Another option is to stay at a hotel at Puerto Ayora, the
main port of entrance to the Archipelago, which is home to
the majority of human inhabitants of Galapagos (approximately
15.000 people). Close to the town are: the beautiful "Tortuga
Bay" beach, the giant tortoise breeding center, lava
caves, and the headquarters of the Charles Darwin Foundation
and the Galapagos National Park. In Puerto Ayora and its surroundings
it’s possible to do snorkeling, scuba diving, bird watching,
sea kayaking, trekking, bikng, horse-back riding, etc. The
town also has an exhilarating night life, and plenty of tourist
services. The lodging options vary from the very inexpensive
($5 a night) to very good accommodations, and even a luxurious
Millennium Resort called "Royal Palm" in the highlands
of the island. One of the best options is the Finch Bay Hotel
owned and run by Metropolitan Touring (see ad on next page).
From Puerto Ayora it’s possible to hire daily boat tours
to visit other islands. One can also travel to the other inhabited
islands by boat or light aircraft (offered every day) and
stay there for a few days. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital
of the Galápagos province, has the second biggest number
of inhabitants in the Archipelago. This island also offers
tourist services. The main attraction of this town is the
Interpretation Center built by the Spanish Government Cooperation.
This center is modern and didactic and instructs about the
volcanic origin and natural history of the islands. Sea lions
are always found at the main park of the town, close to a
small beach.
A great option is to stay for a few days at the enchanted
island of Isabela, almost undiscovered by tourism. The town
of Puerto Villamil has a population of about 2.500 people,
mostly fishermen. Only one of the big cruise ships visits
this island. The tourist development of Isabela is mostly
reduced to that of visits of private yachts and a small number
of fortunate tourists who have heard about the wonders of
this island. Accommodations vary from inexpensive hostels
to the charming "Casa de Marita", the best hotel
in town, right in front of a beautiful beach of white sand
and crystal clear water (Phone: 052 529 238). Very close to
town are several impressive sites: a path alongside a reef
that is home to several white tip sharks, where you can easily
observe them from land; "Concha y Perla" bay, a
perfect setting for snorkeling; a giant tortoise breeding
center; and the impressive volcanoes Sierra Negra and Volcán
Chico. Sierra Negra has the second biggest crater in the world,
with a diameter of 12 kilometers. Volcán Chico has
an amazing "lunatic" landscape with fascinating
lava formations. It’s possible to horseback ride or
trek around Sierra Negra´s crater until reaching Volcán
Chico. It’s also possible to camp up there with a permit
of the National Park. Isabela also has a flamingo lake and
several beautiful trails along the way to the "Wall of
Tears". This wall is proof of the genuine human history
of the islands. Before Galápagos was declared a National
Park, this island used to be a penal colony (around 1946).
The prisoners were kept busy carrying and placing the sharp
lava rocks to form this impressive wall.
Galápagos
is one of the most spectacular National Parks of the world!
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit it, weather it be
in a cruise ship or staying at the different inhabited islands.
Note: The entrance fee to the park is $100. The biggest problem
affecting the biodiversity of the Archipelago are the introduced
species,an enormous threat to the native and endemic species
of the islands. Thus, quarantine is required at the entrance
to the Park.
For more information about the Galapagos, you can
visit the following web sites:
GALAPAGOS MARINE RESERVE
The interior waters of the Galapagos Islands, plus those within
40 nautical miles measured from the baseline of the Archipelago,
were declared the Galapagos Marine Reserve on 1994. This is
the only protected coastal marine area in the east Pacific,
and the second largest Marine Reserve in the World.
It holds approximately 51,351 square miles, including 19,355
square miles of the interior waters of the Archipelago. There
are many areas with small submarine volcanoes, which are important
feeding zones for marine birds and mammals. The submarine
area of Galapagos (from 0 to 590 feet deep) is of 2,587 square
miles.
Don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel with sea lions,
penguins, a variety of colorful fish and even inoffensive
sharks! Diving courses and tours are also offered for those
who are willing to take a deeper adventure!
Back
