The Galápagos Islands

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Galápagos Islands are thé highlight during your trip to Ecuador. Sea lions, hammerhead sharks, iguanas, blue-footed boobies, penguins and giant tortoises are some of the attractions that you will see during a cruise or land tour to this unique island.

 

The Galápagos Islands are named after the huge tortoises that live on the islands. Their shield is shaped like a saddle and that is exactly what the word "Galápagos" means in Spanish. The Galapagos Islands consist of 13 major islands, 6 smaller and 42 other islands sometimes no bigger than a rock. To visit the Galápagos you will fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Airport or San Cristóbal. From here you start with a cruise along the several uninhabited islands or a land-based tour where you will overnight at one of the inhabited islands.

 

The Galapágos Islands are a national park and to enter you have to pay for a migration card and besides an arrival entrance fee. The National Park regulates tourism to the islands and therefore all recorded programs can differ from the original schedule.