The Galápagos Islands are a nature and photography lover’s dream. This isolated group of islands two hours off the coast of Ecuador is home to thousands of unique animal and plant species and many are not found anywhere else on earth. A trip to the Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin to devise the theory of evolution by natural selection. While I haven’t (yet!) discovered anything equally groundbreaking, our recent visit renewed my appreciation for the diversity and fragility of our natural world.
I created this photographic tour to show you some of the breathtaking landscapes and fascinating wildlife on the Galapagos Islands. Not every animal can be spotted on every island, so do make sure you tell potential tour operators which animals you most want to see so that you choose a tour that visits the right islands. We included some more tips for booking multi-day Galapagos cruise tours in the final link.
Click the images below to begin the tour:
Love the idea of photographic tours!
Thanks, Vee! I’m glad you like it. I’m considering doing some more posts like this, where I’ve got enough photos to tell the story.
My amazing country, I will come back soon to explore every part of it ?
From: Miami, Fl
Tammy.
Tammy, I hope you do! Ecuador is an amazing and diverse country. What part are you from?
I’m from Guayaquil, my mom live in Milagros, Guayas..
Oh, wow… it really is home for you then! People in Guayaquil are very connected to the Galapagos, I’ve heard. It’s right in your backyard! 🙂
What a good idea creating these guides! I wish we had one of these during our visit.
Thanks, Jill! It was a lot of work to put together, but the “field guide” format seemed a great way to displaying tips for the place, as so many visitors — like us — are amateur naturalists and wildlife photographers.
I definitely could have used this guide, too! Before we went I didn’t realize the scope of what was out there, and had I known we were missing the island where the magnificent frigatebirds do their magnificent breeding display, I would have chosen a different itinerary. Oh well, Maybe one day I’ll go back! 🙂
Great job putting all of this together guys! If you ever want any tips or information on doing land-tours and staying in hotels instead of cruises in the Galapagos, let me know I found doing a land tour on my second visit to the Galapagos was, in some ways, more rewarding (as I’d seen most cool animals on my first visit!)
Great! I would love to do that if we come out there again. I know there are hotels in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Villamil, but are there other bases available? I have been recommending land-based trips for families traveling because the cruises get so expensive when you are trying to take several people.
Gorgeous images, and I love how you brought them all together in a photo guide!
Thanks, Sandra! It seemed an appropriate way of displaying the impressive diversity of the place. I actually wish I had a photographic guide like this before we went, so I could plan things out better and also, while we were there, to ID things in the field. Hope it helps someone who is thinking of visiting! Have you been to the Galapagos? Your kids seem the perfect age to really appreciate it.