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I was surprised to learn how the local iguanas and some of the islands' birds assist one another. The birds pick ticks off the iguanas; the birds get a meal, and the iguanas stay free of pests. When a bird has cleaned off all of the ticks, it poops on the iguana, leaving a mark, so other birds know to look elsewhere for food. I had a similar experience during a landing on Fernandina Island, where we were surrounded by curious sea lions.
All-suite megayacht cruising on Celebrity Flora
Also operated by Metropolitan Touring, the 90-passenger Santa Cruz II is an expedition ship with contemporary decor and comfortable single, double and triple cabins. Birdwatchers may want to do a full 14-night trip to touch every corner and add many species to their Life List. For the rest of us, a week or less can provide enough brag-worthy wildlife encounters to last a lifetime. On my voyage, we had two to three excursions per day, and most places we visited were outdoors. The combination of heat and active pursuits — snorkeling, kayaking, hiking — left me feeling exhausted by day two. Between the intensity of the rays, the amount of zinc needed to protect my skin and the lack of shade on the islands, I was constantly sweaty and sticky — and the humidity didn't help matters.
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A few well-known brands have done it, including Avalon Waterways, Celebrity Cruises, Hurtigruten Expeditions and Silversea Cruises. One of the marvels of the Galápagos Islands is that much of the wildlife is unafraid of humans. As we explore on our Galápagos cruises, we ensure we do nothing that might disturb the wildlife and ecosystems and leave as small a footprint as possible. As the evening sun begins to lower, meet at the bar to unwind and talk with fellow explorers about your experiences. Take in a briefing about what the next day holds before settling down for a gourmet dinner, full of fresh seafood and incredible local flavors. Relax, and get ready to rest up in the haven of your room for tomorrow’s adventures.
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Endeavour II
Once, volcanos spat and lava flowed, creating an archipelago of 19 islands with a marine reserve that serve as a living museum of evolution. Extreme isolation and the convergence of three ocean currents developed the most unusual wildlife. I invested in a top-notch underwater camera and would recommend the same to anyone taking a trip like this. My photos of twirling sea lions, swimming sea tortoises and neon fish are my favorite trip souvenirs.
Galapagos cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
The small ships in the Galapagos rely on pangas, or inflatable dinghies, to speed passengers from boat to beach. I didn't need an underwater camera for these on-the-water rides, but I was afraid to pull out my phone to grab quick pictures for fear of it might get wet. Because I didn't have a waterproof case, I missed a lot of the action. Book your Galapagos Cruise with GalapagosIslands.com for the best vacation cruises to the Galapagos. One of the most efficient and enjoyable ways to explore the Galapagos Islands is on a live-aboard cruise ship. Select from the following options to find the best cruise ships & yachts for your Galapagos Island vacation cruise.
One of its highlights is Punta Vicente Roca, at the island's northwestern tip. It's home to many animals, including flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, marine iguanas and fish in a rainbow of colors. The island's Puerto Ayora is where you'll find the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to a center that protects, hatches and studies giant tortoises. Most of the islands are uninhabited, after all, which means there are no human-made structures — including hotels.
What's interesting about the ship is that it's also marketed and sold by other operators, including Galapatours, Audley Travel, Rainforest Cruises and Vaya Adventures. If you want to sail with Avalon Waterways, known mainly for its European river cruises, you'll find yourself on board one of two vessels chartered by the line in the Galapagos. Galapagos-based ships are required to hire locally, so most of the crew on ships in the area are Ecuadorian. That lends itself to a more immersive experience, both on board and ashore.
Start with a pre-cruise tour of Ecuador’s mountaintop capital of Quito, then head for your incredible 7 night Galapagos cruise. Shrouded in mystery, this Lost City of the Incas will awe you with its beauty and its secrets. Your Galápagos adventure is effectively one continuous wildlife watching experience!
ourHome Earth Month Sweepstakes - National Geographic
ourHome Earth Month Sweepstakes.
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Why choose us
We’ve taken care of the details so you can focus on spotting wildlife. All our cruises include all meals onboard, tea and coffee, water, beach towels and snorkeling equipment. Passengers can congregate on the bridge, the galley, or in the dining room and lounge. Dive trips last either seven or 14 nights, and itineraries include up to four dives a day. She and Prince Rainier spent part of their honeymoon on the motor yacht, and now you can sleep in their bedroom, the Grace Kelly Suite, which is one of nine rooms aboard.
Because Galapagos cruises operate all year, there isn't a shoulder season, so fares remain steady year-round. Arguably one of the most iconic views in the Galapagos is the one from the Pinnacle Rock volcanic formation on Bartolome Island, one of the smallest of the main islands. A short and fairly flat hike will take you over lava rocks to beaches where sea lions laze, play and mate, barking as they make their presence known. During a cruise along the western loop, you might call on the islands of Baltra, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina and Floreana. For North American travelers, the journey will require a minimum of two flights — one to Quito or Guayaquil and another to Baltra or San Cristobal, depending on where your sailing departs.
In my years as a travel writer, I've sailed on all sorts of ships — a tall-masted sailboat around the Greek Islands, an expedition ship in the Arctic Ocean, cruise ships big and small — and never been seasick. I have never experienced the wave of nausea I experienced mid-way through my Galapagos cruise. Depending on what experience you’d like for your Galapagos adventure is the type of boat we’d recommend. It’s best to explore the different features of each boat as they will offer different experiences. For example, a medium size cruise ship with more than 20 passengers offers very a different experience than a smaller boat, such as a motor yacht, catamaran, or sailing boat.
Using boats, kayaks, snorkels and your own legs, you’ll get close – but not too close – to the Galápagos Islands wildlife you know from TV nature documentaries. Following in Darwin’s footsteps, we bring you up close to the wildlife that inspired him, such as Galapagos giant tortoises, Blue-footed Boobies and land iguanas. In the Galapagos, modern explorers come eye to eye with ancient tortoises, comical birds, and other amazing beasts—plus landscapes as fantastical as the animals—for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The Galapagos authorities require that every visitor to the islands be in a professionally guided group of no more than 16 people and on a boat that doesn't exceed 100 people. Our Quasar guides were fascinating career naturalists who had each been guiding in the Galapagos for more than 25 years. However, I left my waterproof phone case at home, thinking I'd only use the camera.
The ship sails three routes, taking eight to 15 days, and guests get plenty of snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, and panga rides along the way. Reflective of the golden age of travel, it's all about luxury on board — polished woodwork, gourmet meals and service from a crew of 10, plus two naturalist guides. Protected areas often have rules about how close passengers can be to wildlife.
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