The first time that you go traveling, it is exhilarating. Sitting and looking at where you might go. Some of the most sought after locations for the real explorers among us are Bali, the Galapagos Islands and Bora Bora (so nice they named it twice!).
But of those, the Galapagos boasts the most exciting landscapes on earth. It’s more than the sea and sand. There is the possibility to see so much wildlife too. For example, did you know that the area is still volcanically active? Or that there 20 islands, 42 islets, and 250+ rocks making up the Galapagos Islands? If you really want to make the most of your visit, then a package from Voyagers.travel can help you maximise your sightseeing time.
But you’ll need to know what you want to see before you head over, so start your planning early.
So here are a couple of things that you should know.
Getting Around
You’ll likely arrive by plane, much like the 79,000 visitors per year do. But after that? Although there are plenty of ways to travel typically by boat is going to be easiest. Due to the fact that 97% of the Galapagos is a national park, you’re going to need a tour guide or official Certified Naturalist Guide with you.
There is the option to catch a plane between islands, but by doing that you kind of miss out on the islands vibes that the sea can bring you.
Swimming Lizards
This might come as a bit of a surprise if you haven’t done your research. Almost 20% of the marine life in endemic to the location. That includes marine iguanas! Yes, they are the only lizard that found the loved to water so much they can hunt, feed, and swim in it.
It is quite a sight to see.
Perfect All The Time
Another fantastic thing is that there is never a bad time to visit. Although there are two distinct seasons, it is never going to be too cold. It just doesn’t happen. The weather and temperature stay even throughout the year.
When it comes to seasons, you have a dry season and hot season. It is during the hot season you are likely to see some rainfall, but that season lasts from December to May. The ocean, however, is lovely to be in, and it stays warm at around 79f. The dry season looks like one would expect. The lush greens disappear. However, from June to November, there is a fresh wind which feels fantastic.
Tortoise & Turtles
This might be one of the reasons so many people head to the Galapagos. The Galapagos tortoise can live long beyond a century. And therefore it is one of the longest living animals on the planet. And you can see them in the wild. (Always with the aid of a guide).
Something also wonderfully old is the green sea turtle – which as the name suggests, will be found in the sea. Some researchers believe these to have swum the oceans the same time as dinosaurs roamed the earth.
UNESCO
In 1978 UNESCO designated Galapagos as the first World Heritage site – which is no small feat. World Heritage definition “landmark or area which is selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as having cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance, and is legally protected by international treaties.”[1]
In other words, some islands don’t have any human living on them, so that they are kept as they have always been. You’ll also find that the Galapagos National Park will charge a fee for entry – to help towards the upkeep.
Sea Lions
Sea Lions are likely the most common wildlife you will encounter when you go. In fact, the Galapagos sea lion is a species of lion that is exclusively bred on the island. They have a population of around 50,000, which is incredible considering that in 2012, the human population was somewhere around the 25,124 mark.
Equality
There are some countries that have incredibly long days, and other Nordic countries that have a winter that is so long the sun never truly seems to rise. However, the Galapagos Islands have a perfect split between night and day – all year round. There is no such thing as daylight saving, due to its location – so the days and nights all last about 12 hours.
Why is this great? Well, you have more chances to witness the nocturnal creatures and the day time ones too.
Penguins
This one surprises most people as penguins are typically assumed to be in colder climates. However, in the northern hemisphere, you’ll only find penguins naturally here. They are a small breed, and if you want to get up close and personal, you’ll need to book a coastal exploration.
So there you have it, one of the most unique places on earth. Home to active volcanoes, penguins, sea lions, and the oldest living creatures in the world.
