Published 28th Jun. 2021
Reading time
Consisting of 18 volcanic islands and home to a rich variety of marine and land creatures, the Galapagos Islands are often the main reason to visit Ecuador, because they are quite simply unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Original Travel client Rosemary tells us about her experience on board Eric, one of the luxury (despite the name) ships that explore these islands...
Sailing through the Galapagos on Eric...
Our trip aboard Eric was a magical experience, and a thoroughly unique holiday. After trying out our snorkelling equipment on day one, swimming with the sea lions and becoming acquianted with our new best friends, the Booby family, we sailed off for the furthest island on our tour, Genovesa. There, we spent the morning surrounded by friendly Red Footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Frigate Birds, Darwin's Finches and Sea Lions. In the afternoon we snorkelled with sea lions and spotted gloriously colourful fish, including a scorpion fish and a very large lobster.
Swimming with sea turtles
Our itinerary over the next six days covered another seven islands - each offering an unforgettable experience. Swimming with sea turtles below us while being watched from the rocks by some curious iguanas and boobies on Isabella Island was pretty special! White Tipped Reef Sharks glided majestically through the clear waters off Santiago, while Manta Rays buried themselves deep into the sandy sea bed and schools of Sergeant Major fish swam by. It was almost too much to take in.
Hiking on Espanola Island
On land, our hike on Espanola Island rewarded us with the rare privilege of seeing Albatross nesting, courting and apparently completely ignoring their very large offspring, who seemed to be dotted at random all over the island! Watching an Albatross take off on their 'runway' was a once in a lifetime opportunity for us. Here, too, we saw some Blue Footed Boobies doing their courting dance, while others had already laid their eggs or had hatchlings.
While we always knew that we were lucky to be in their territory, we never once felt that we were disturbing these lovely birds. Our last days rewarded us with the sight of the famous giant tortoises. These animals are positively pre-historic, but it was lovely to see them in their natural habitat. It was also very reassuring to discover that one of the most famous inhabitants of the Galapagos, Lonesome George, is lonesome no longer - he has six females all now vying for his attention.
The gateway to the Galapagos Islands and one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Ecuador is bursting with colour and life. Our talented team of consultants will show you that there’s more to this dinky South American nation than the famed (and must-see) islands, however. Whether you’re a wildlife lover or a culture enthusiast, we’ll tailor every detail of your trip to suit you. Be it visiting a weaving collective in a tiny Andean town or trekking through the thick Ecuadorian Amazon, we only work with the best local guides and offer authentic properties ranging from indigenous-run jungle lodges to historic haciendas.
ENQUIRE NOWPractical advice and inspiration for your next trip
On a recent research trip to Ecuador, our Americas specialist, Henrietta, ventured high into the Andes before setting sail around the Galapagos Islands. Along with encountering an array of exotic wildlife (including a 25-year-old giant tortoise), she hiked up the Sierra Negra volcano and enjoyed a cooking class with a Quechua family. Read on to discover what made her trip memorable and find out some top tips for your next Ecuador adventure.
29th May 2024 - Ecuador Travel Tips
Latin America has its fair share of sustainability-conscious countries. Costa Rica has been crowned the region’s eco-conscious capital, Brazil wins the award for most endemic species and even Argentina has been adding to its eco-credentials in recent years, with projects that work to protect the country’s natural assets. And while Ecuador is the fourth-smallest country on the continent, it stands proudly among its peers with various initiatives in place that aim to preserve its diverse landscapes and staggering wildlife (the country boasts just over six percent of all species on the planet).
1st November 2023 - Ecuador Responsible Travel
Picture this: you’re meandering slowly over bulbous mounds of volcanic rock and past spiney skeletons of half dead trees, all the while keeping your eyes peeled for the distant silhouette of an enormous domed-shell creeping slowly along the horizon. The air is dense with birdsong, plunging you straight into a David Attenborough documentary and leaving you with a sense that wildlife in the Galapagos Islands really is like nothing else in the world.
20th December 2022 - Ecuador Safari & Wildlife
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
