Galápagos ... The Trip of a Lifetime   from GALAPAGOS TRAVEL
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About Our: Trips Yachts Itineraries Departure Dates and Prices Guidebook About: Natural History of the Galápagos Conservation in the Galápagos Visiting Mainland Ecuador Special Stuff: Photo Gallery Digital Photography? Frequently Asked Questions Special Trips: Polar Destinations Antarctica Arctic		What's the best time of the year to visit the Galápagos? This is the question prospective passengers ask us the most. Our answer is, "It doesn't matter when you go; what matters is how long you go for!" There's not much rain, and there's never been a tropical storm of any type in the Galápagos. While there are a couple of official "seasons," the differences are slight. Actually, Darwin said it all: Considering that these islands are placed directly under the equator, the climate is far from being excessively hot; this seems chiefly caused by the singularly low temperature of the surrounding water, brought here by the great southern polar current. Excepting during one short season, very little rain falls, and even then it is irregular. CHARLES DARWIN, 1845 There are some differences in what you will see in the islands from month to month, but again, the differences in the qualitative experience are small. If you can get away any time of the year, you might consider avoiding the busy seasons - January-March, June-August, and (most important) Christmas week. Why do I need to spend 11 days in the Galápagos? Actually, a 2 week tour of the Galápagos Islands is recommended for maximum observation, photographic opportunities, and just plain enjoyment. But 11 days will work. . . . By far the most remarkable feature in the natural history of this archipelago . . . is, that the different islands to a considerable extent are inhabited by a different set of beings. I never dreamed that islands, about fifty or sixty miles apart, and most of them in sight of each other, formed of precisely the same rocks, placed under a quite similar climate, rising to a nearly equal height, would have been differently tenanted. . . . CHARLES DARWIN, 1845 Basically, each island is different, with its own unique ecosystem and wildlife distribution. Not only are many species endemic to the Galápagos Islands, they are often endemic to a specific island. In other words, each island has plants and animals that you're not going to see on any other island. So, the more islands you visit, the more unique wildlife you're going to see. If you want to see the red-footed booby, you have to go to either Tower (Genovesa) Island or Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island. If you want to see the flightless cormorant, you have to go to Fernandina or Isabela Island. If you want to see the waved albatross, you have to go to Hood (Española) Island. And the list goes on. What If I'm Traveling Alone? First, we do not have a Single Supplement Charge. For example, if you are a female and are willing to share a cabin with another female, you pay the standard Trip Cost. If it turns out that there isn't another single female on the trip, you get the cabin to yourself - again at the standard Trip Cost. Second, about half of our passengers are couples and half are singles. What is more important is that almost everyone has a common orientation - a serious interest in natural history. Singles should not be concerned about being "left out." What if I'm not a photographer? No problem. Once again, our trips are totally oriented to providing a comprehensive, professionally-led, natural history tour of the Galápagos Islands. In addition, for the photographers in the group, we do a photo orientation each evening for the following day - a summary of the best photographic opportunities to expect, which lenses to pack, what film speeds to load, etc. On the trail, while the Naturalist Guide is identifying and interpreting the flora and fauna, the Tour Leader is providing photographic instruction to those who are interested. Photographers and non-photographers alike will get their get full value and enjoyment from our programs.

About Our: Trips | Yachts | Itineraries | Departure Dates and Prices | Guidebook About: Natural History of the Galápagos | Conservation in the Galápagos | Visiting Mainland Ecuador Special Stuff: Photo Gallery | Digital Photography? | Frequently Asked Questions Special Trips: Polar Destinations | Antarctica | Arctic
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