There are few places that have remained truly wild, and yet are accessible enough to be seen up close.
The Galápagos Islands sit 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador near the Equator. Due to their remoteness, the Galápagos are home to nearly 9,000 species that have developed and evolved isolated, resulting in wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. This intrigued Charles Darwin when he visited in 1835, inspiring his theory of evolution by natural selection (or survival of the fittest).
In October 2024, Highlands Ranch Travel Owner, Marcie Lauritsen-Mann, and Travel Advisor, Linda Eyer, set out on the once-in-a-lifetime journey to explore the remote haven. This was a new destination for both of them and a travel style unlike anything they had experienced before. From the warm local culture to encountering the abundant wildlife, the Galápagos Islands introduced them to Adventure Travel and helped them reconnect with their love of nature.
Similar to the most popular itineraries, Marcie & Linda's Ecuadorian itinerary started in the vibrant capital of Quito, where they experienced friendly locals and beautiful architecture, especially in the well-preserved Historic City Center. Marcie loved Ecuador and was pleasantly surprised at how friendly the Ecuadorians were and the pride that they exhibited for their country. Linda was excited to "learn about the Ecuadorian culture and how they became 'stewards' of the islands and their ongoing efforts to maintain them."
After a few days exploring the capital, they took the 2-hour flight over to Baltra to board the small cruise vessel that would take them between the islands. During their 5-day cruise, they explored 4 of the islands within the archipelago. The expedition-style ship is ideal for navigating between the islands and exploring all they have to offer, while still providing guests with the main comforts expected on a cruise vacation.
Because of the nature of the destination, this was a very active vacation. Marcie recalled a typical day onboard: "Days are very busy, this is not a relaxing cruise vacation! Normally we experienced a morning excursion and an afternoon excursion. The evenings were filled with nature briefings and beautiful dinners. (The meals on the ship were outstanding!) Much of my 'free time' on the ship included discussions with other passengers about their day, their wildlife sightings, and their expectations for the next day. I was very impressed with the daily briefings with the crew where we learned about what to expect and heard from the naturalists onboard."
Many of the expedition ships are equipped with exploration tools, including zodiacs, kayaks, snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards, and even glass-bottom boats. Several included excursion options are offered each day, and guests have the opportunity to enjoy nature walks and hikes with local naturalist guides, along with snorkeling and swimming.
The main attraction of the Galápagos is obviously the wildlife. On an African Safari, you hope to see the "Big 5" (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo), but in the Galápagos, visitors hope to witness the "Big 15":
Galápagos Giant Tortoise - Known for their long lifespan and massive size, they are found only in the Galápagos archipelago.
Marine Iguana - The world’s only sea-going iguana is also only encountered in these islands, often seen basking on rocks.
Land Iguana - Found on several of the islands, feeding on cacti.
Santa Fe Land Iguana - An endemic species limited only to Santa Fe Island.
Galápagos Penguin - The only penguin found north of the equator.
Flightless Cormorant - Evolved to lose flight but developed exceptional swimming ability.
Waved Albatross - Found mainly on Española Island, known for their elaborate courtship dances.
Blue-footed Booby - Famous for their bright blue feet and amusing mating dance.
Nazca Booby - The largest booby in the archipelago, with striking black-and-white plumage.
Red-footed Booby - The only booby with red feet, known for perching in trees.
Frigatebird - Males have a red throat pouch they inflate to attract females.
Galápagos Hawk - The top predator on the islands, known for preying on reptiles and small birds.
American Flamingo - Seen wading in brackish lagoons, with stunning pink feathers.
Galápagos Sea Lion - Playful and curious, often seen on beaches and swimming with snorkelers.
Galápagos Fur Seal - Smaller and more elusive than the sea lion, they prefer rocky shores.
While recounting their favorite wildlife encounters from the trip, Marcie and Linda found it hard to pick a favorite, as there were so many amazing moments. They were both enchanted by the Blue-footed Boobies and Giant Tortoises, arguably the stars of the Galápagos. Marcie said "It was truly exciting to see that the wildlife wasn’t afraid of us. They were not frightened by us at all and were very comfortable in their habitat." Because most of the species don't have any natural predators and see so few visitors, they exhibit almost no fear of humans. Marcie said it was amazing to see these animals up close. "Seeing the Sea Lions sunning themselves on docks while tourists walked around them was very thrilling; their brown fur was gorgeous and so majestic."
Because of the uniqueness of the islands' wildlife, preserving this pristine and biodiverse landscape is at the forefront of all the cruise lines and tour companies that travel here. "This destination is the most regulated I have had the opportunity to visit, in terms of making sure that we had the least amount of impact on the destination as possible," Marcie said. The ship Marcie and Linda were on had no single-use plastics or printed daily schedules onboard, and instead utilized reusable water bottles and a mobile app. The laundry facilities used only biodegradable detergent and cold water. To protect the land and the reefs that surround many of the islands, each day the ship anchored far away from the coast and zodiacs were used to transport guests to shore.
The Galápagos Islands have one of the highest rates of extinction in the world, as most of its inhabitants cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. The islands are home to over 150 endangered species. Climate change, overfishing, invasive species, and the impacts of human activity have altered the fabric of Galápagos’ ecosystems. Conservation efforts to restore land and marine habitats are critical to the long-term health of the Islands, and this is a cause that tourism now directly supports. Many cruise lines travel with international scientists onboard, who not only educate visitors about the islands, but also continue ongoing research dedicated to conserving the unique habitats and species of the Galápagos.
While there is a certain level of activity required to experience the islands to their fullest, a Galápagos vacation is accessible to a wide range of travelers of all ages. This destination is perfect for multi-generational families or anyone looking for their next great adventure. A trip to the Galápagos may not be for everyone, but we can guarantee that the islands will not disappoint!
When thinking about the entire experience, Marcie had this to say: "This destination is all about experiencing an ancient culture, seeing unusual wildlife in their natural habitat, and feeling connected to nature." Linda said, "This experience was exceptional, unlike anything I’ve done in the past."
Marcie would recommend this trip to "adventuresome travelers who are used to activities like walking and hiking. This is a birdwatcher's paradise, in addition to 14 species of Darwin's finches, you will see boobies, flycatchers, owls, gulls, herons, and many more interesting bird species. This destination is also a must-see for snorkel enthusiasts, there are countless tropical fish, rays, sharks, sea turtles, and inquisitive penguins." Linda thought this was an ideal destination for travelers who are looking for a completely unique experience, something you won't find anywhere else on Earth.
If the Galápagos Islands are on your bucket list, now is the time to start dreaming! The advisors at Highlands Ranch Travel are here to help you find the perfect cruise line and itinerary to make the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
