Galapagos trip | Discover the Galapagos with National Geographic

Despite its small size, North Seymour Island is well worth a visit for its amazing amount of wildlife. You will be treated to sea lions, iguanas basking in the sun and pelicans flying along the shore. The island is also famous for the Blue-footed John of Ghent. At Bachas, you can enjoy some excellent snorkelling spots and the lagoon where you are likely to see swarms of flamingos. With its extraordinary abundance of wildlife and proximity to Santa Cruz, North Seymour Island makes an ideal destination for an adventurous day trip.

Isabela Island has no fewer than five volcanoes for which Volcano Wolf is the highest at over 1,700 metres, making it the highest point in Galapagos. The largest turtle population houses near the volcano Alcedo. Near Villamil are saltwater lakes where flamingos, among others, come to feed.

The westernmost island of the Galapagos, Fernandina (Narborough) is the youngest and most active volcanic island with several eruptions per year. The island boasts an amazingly pristine landscape with all kinds of lava flows and some spectacular mangrove forests. The island is home to a diversity of different wildlife, including the famous cormorants, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, Galapagos sea lions and the largest colony of iguanas. Punta Espinosa is the only place on the island where the unique Lava Cactus can be seen as well as the breathtaking mass of iguanas.

This island is known as 'Hood Island'. Española is home to an impressive number of native wildlife. Gardner Bay on the island's eastern shore is known for its beautiful beach where visitors can swim or snorkel among marine wildlife, including a large colony of sea lions. Visitors can follow a trail from Gardner Bay to Punta Suarez on the western tip of the island, considered one of the most outstanding natural areas in the entire archipelago. Here you will find a surprising variety of exotic birds and reptiles, including brightly coloured marine iguana and the lava lizard.

Floreana Island is located the southernmost of all the islands. The island has a rich history of tales of pirates, pirates, whalers, and settlers. Visitors are invited to follow in the footsteps of the whalers of 1700 and send a postcard from the famous "post office". At the northern tip of the island is Punta Cormorant, with two beaches, one of which is a nesting site for Galapagos green turtles. Between the two beaches is a salt lagoon that attracts flamingos and other shorebirds.

Santa Cruz is centrally located and also the second largest island in the archipelago. Puerto Ayora is located here which in turn is the largest city in the Galapagos. Here you will therefore find everything else you could possibly need (from ATMs to bars and internet cafés). For visitors, it is a very varied island where all kinds of things can be undertaken.

Bartolome is one of the most visited and photographed islands for its diversity of nature. At the foot of an extinct volcano are mangrove forests, tufa cones and black lava fields. Visitors usually swim and snorkel around the iconic Pinnacle Rock, where they are treated to an impressive natural environment that is home to penguins, sea turtles, white reef sharks and other marine animals. Many of these are found nowhere else on earth.

Northeast of Santa Cruz Island lies the elongated Santiago Island, also known as San Salvador Island or James Island. The island's best spot is undoubtedly Puerto Egas, where you will find a long lava coast with rock formations with an impressive variety of wildlife, including iguanas and fur seals. While geology lovers should head to Sullivan Bay to explore the black lava flow, diving enthusiasts can enjoy the Cousin's Rock dive site. This site is home to a triangular rock that rises about 10 metres above the water and consists of layers of volcanic rock.

Genovesa also known as "Bird Island", is located about 95 km north-east of Santa Cruz. This horseshoe-shaped island gets its name from its spectacular bird-watching opportunities. In addition, the island has a volcanic caldera whose wall collapsed, forming Great Darwin Bay. This beautiful bay is surrounded by cliffs and is home to frigate birds and swallow-like gulls, the only nocturnal species of gull in the world. The island also offers sanctuary to an impressive abundance of lava gulls, tropical birds, petrels and Darwin's finches. Visitors will also find a beautiful crater lake in the centre of the island, as well as a large Palo Santo forest.

Of all the Galapagos islands, the island of San Cristobal has been inhabited the longest. This is because it is home to a source of fresh water. The highest point on the island measures 730 metres and is the top of a dormant volcano and is located most easterly. In clear weather, a trip to the El Junco lagoon is highly recommended; you will be surrounded by many birds. San Cristobal has a lively centre for the evening where not only you but also the many sea lions go, it gives a great view by the bay.

Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city with the country's largest seaport and is mainly visited by people passing through on their way to the coast or people on their way to the Galapagos Islands. Guayaquil is known for its many good restaurants. You should definitely visit the Urdesa neighbourhood or the newer districts of La Alborada and La Garzota for delicious food. There are some special attractions in Guayaquil, such as the United Nations monument and the sprawling promenade.

The spectacular Galápagos National Park is situated approximately 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos archipelago. The park is often referred to as a ‘living museum’ due to its phenomenal melting pot of species.
The area inspired Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution and is regarded as a living laboratory where evolution is still taking place. The park is home to a variety of animals and plants found nowhere else. These factors, together with ongoing volcanic and seismic activity, have earned the park its UNESCO status.
Visitors can spot animals such as land iguanas, giant tortoises, a variety of finches and many other animal and plant species. Situated at the confluence of three ocean currents, there is also an incredibly rich and abundant marine life off the coast.
Please note: The Galápagos Archipelago is a protected nature reserve where strict regulations must be observed during your visit; always follow your guide’s instructions to ensure you do not cause any damage to this very special and unique ecosystem.

The Ecuadorian province of Guayas is set on the Pacific coast and is known for its array of picturesque beaches, and its energetic city areas filled with museums, lookout points and vibrant, trendy restaurant strips. The Playas and Engabao beaches offer wonderful swimming waters and good surfing conditions. Nature enthusiasts can take scenic horse riding trails, or discover more about the region's spectacular flora and fauna at the Parque Historico, which allows free entrance. Urbanites will enjoy exploring the capital, Guayaquil, with its sparkly waterfront boardwalk, Malecon, lined with chic restaurants, gardens, and modern buildings, while history enthusiasts can meander through enthralling artworks and archaeological artifacts at the Contemporary Museum of Art and Anthropology. To see some phenomenal views of the area, climb up the lighthouse in the colourful Cerro Santa Ana district.