Ecuador: Galapágos Islands Adventure
My Unforgettable Adventure
Welcome to my Galapágos island adventure, a journey into the unspoilt wilderness. Here I take you on an unforgettable journey through Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal.
On Isabela, I followed in the footsteps of giant tortoises and explored volcanic landscapes like something from another world. Santa Cruz offered me a variety of experiences, from encounters with the famous blue-footed boobies to the sociable sea lions that populated the sunny beaches. Finally, San Cristóbal enchanted me with its unique underwater world.
Every moment on these islands was another step into a world that was inspired by Darwin’s discoveries and continues to fascinate scientists and nature lovers alike to this day. Let’s discover together the wonders that make Galapagos one of the most sought-after destinations for adventurers and dreamers worldwide.
Key data - Galapágos
Population: 33'000
Area: 8'800 km²
Highest point: Volcán Wolf (1710 m)
Lowest point: Pazifik (0 m)
Capital: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Table of Contents
Journey and Quito:
More than Just a Stopover
My Galapágos Islands Adventure began with a relaxed flight from Zurich to Madrid and onwards to Quito. For the second flight, I booked an upgrade to Premium Eco, a real space and comfort package. Once I arrived in Quito, I spent the first three nights in the cosy hostel “The Secret Garden“. The first day was meant for relaxing. I enjoyed immersing myself in the world of local specialities and relaxing after the long flight. The next morning I felt like a new person and explored Quito on foot with other people from the hostel. The city impressed me with its vibrant culture and history. On the third day, I ventured into the mountains by cable car – breathtaking views at 4000 metres above sea level, even if the thin air made the hike more strenuous than expected.
Santa Cruz:
An Unforgettable Paradise
My Galapágos Islands Adventure continued in Santa Cruz. On the bus journey from Baltra to Santa Cruz, I met Miri and we spontaneously decided to spend the rest of the day together on the beach. The next day we went to Las Grietas, an impressive gorge with crystal-clear water, ideal for snorkelling. We then took a walk to Playa Tortuga Bay, where we encountered numerous marine iguanas in their natural habitat.
On the third day, I rode my mountain bike to “El Chato Ranch“, where the giant tortoises were simply stunning and I was able to take lots of great photos. The journey took about an hour and a half each way, but every moment on the bike was worth it, as I could see how the landscape changed dramatically from the coast to the interior and the vegetation grew more and more.
My last day in Santa Cruz was dedicated to diving, my first dive in a year. At the “Seymour Norte” dive site, I had encounters with manta rays, some smaller sharks and various fish. Although I hadn’t been underwater for a while, it went quite well and I had no problems diving.
San Cristóbal:
A Sea Full of Wonders
I arrived in San Cristóbal on 14 October. The ferry crossing was an adventure, I was a bit late at the harbour and was one of the last to get on the ferry and there was only one seat at the very back. It soon turned out that the space was poor and I was completely soaked in no time at all.
The next day, I experienced another highlight of my diving career at the “Kicker Rocks” dive site: a huge school of fish surrounded me and I felt like I was part of this fascinating underwater world. In addition to the school of fish, I also encountered hammerhead sharks, blacktip sharks and giant manta rays – it was impressive to see these animals in the wild.
I spent the third day relaxing by the sea, again accompanied by Miri. It was a welcome break after the eventful days. My last day in San Cristobal took me by bike to El Junco Lagoon, which is located in a volcanic crater. Despite the rain on the way back, it was an unforgettable experience.
Isabela:
Between Volcanoes and Penguins
My stay on Isabela began on 18 October after a long journey on two ferries. The first day was quiet, I relaxed on the beach and used the time to edit my photos. The tour to the “Sierra Negra” volcano the next day was a bit strenuous, but worth it for the breathtaking landscape shots. A spontaneous excursion to the “Tintoreras” on the last day led to an encounter with penguins – an unforgettable experience. Although Isabel is the largest island, it has by far the fewest inhabitants and is therefore very quiet and cosy – ideal for relaxing.
Farewell to Galapágos:
Unforgettable Days in Retrospect
I spent my last night in a cosy hotel in Santa Cruz. I reviewed my unforgettable experiences of my Galapágos islands adventure and prepared for my onward journey to Quito. From there, I will embark on the next part of my journey – a five-day tour of the Amazon. Visiting the Galapagos Islands was more than just a journey, it was a journey of discovery that showed me how wonderful and surprising our world can be.