Galapagos Cuises

Galapagos’ flora

The Galapagos Islands are world renowned for their incredible wildlife and geological history. However, little is known about their flora regardless to its vast variety. The offer that one can witness is great, starting from the Arid Lowlands’ Prickly Pear Cactus to the Mangrove Swamps. While tree daisy, orchids and endemic Scalesia flourish in the highlands bromeliads, the coast boasts of amazing candelabra cacti and giant prickly pears.

Galapagos Islands’ plantlife

Five hundred species are recorded to exist within the islands, one-third being endemic. Every island has its own endemic species, from cacti to daisies such as: Scalesia, the needle-leaf daisy Macraea, the cut-leaf daisy Lecocarpus, the lava cacti and Darwin’s aster Darwiniothamnus.

One can also witness a remarkable relationship between animals and plants here. For instance, the commensalism between land iguanas and giant tortoises which feed on the prickly pear cactus, also known as Opuntia.

Despite the wonderful endemic species, several invasive species were introduced due to agricultural purposes. Sadly they turn into pests and destroy the native vegetation. By early 1999, there were around four hundred recognized species in the region. Luckily the National Park has taken the proper measures against this invasion. The more ecological tourism there is, the more the population can choose to depend on tourism rather than on agriculture and cattle.

Galapagos tortoise and other unique Galapagos wildlife encounters

Capture the extraordinary Galapagos wildlife in your cameras and relish your visit to the islands! The Galapagos tortoise is a ‘one-of-a-kind’ species whose existence is cherished anywhere else on the planet.

Travelers from around the world come just to catch a glimpse of the extraordinary flora and fauna that the Galapagos endeavor . Ranging from the breathtaking marine iguanas to the tiny finch, the land is gifted with various wild species. But above all, the king of all is the giant Galapagos tortoises, the largest living species of tortoise on the world, who are admired by everyone around the globe.

This South American archipelago is a must-visit for any explorer. Unlike any other place, Galapagos’ weather allows you to visit them anytime during the year.  Also getting there is quite easy. All you need to do is, travel to Ecuador, a country lying on western coast of South America and then board the flight from Ecuador’s largest city Guayaquil or its capital Quito A and wait an hour before you land  on the mystique islands. However, if you want to unfold new horizons in traveling amid the sea, take a small ship cruise around the islands trailing adventurously across the Pacific Ocean.

Binoculars? Yes! If you want to observe the flora and fauna eye to eye. And underwater? Exactly! Grab your snorkeling equipment and be ready to swim along with the fish, sea lions and turtles. And last but not least, take a camera to capture the king of turtles basking in the inland areas lying deep within the island.

Which leads us to give you some little tips: The best places to get the glimpse of the tortoise are Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado on the island of San Cristobal, the highlands of Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands are not to be ruled out. Do visit the Charles Darwin Research station in Santa Cruz and tortoise breeding centers, where you will find several Galapagos tortoise species. You will even have the chance to feel like a tortoise by going inside one turtle’s shell.

What astounds the travelers is the vast amount of turtles. Found in different shapes and sizes, these wild reptiles are relatively larger than their common siblings. For instance, those living in humid islands have domed shells and short necks, while the ones in dry regions are smaller and have saddleback shells and long necks. Wildlife buffs will be amazed to notice the sheer difference between these two species, and they can very well relate to Darwin.

Decide on one of our Galapagos cruises or tours and capture the extraordinary Galápagos wildlife in your cameras and relish your visit to the islands!

Galapagos weather – Islands climate and seasonality effect on wildlife

Charles Darwin opens his chapter on the Galapagos weather and climate by saying: ‘Considering that these islands are placed directly under the equator, the climate is far from being excessively hot’. This not only tells us that you will not feel as if you were melting or freezing, instead you will be able to enjoy the perfect weather.

To be more specific, very little rain falls here, except during one short season. Daytime temperatures can be 30 degrees but rarely go far above that, nevertheless the wind provides that freshness we all need. We thank the Humboldt current for this, it provides a mirror image of a warmer current in the northern Pacific that gives California its warm climate.

Galapagos Islands climate zones

Climate Zones

Another exceptional feature of the Galapagos Islands weather is the existence of small micro-climates and climate zones. This affects the types of vegetation that grows at certain altitudes therefore creating distinctly marked zones, as well as low-lying clouds.

Santa Cruz provides an excellent example of how weather affects vegetation. Mangrove swamps give way to low-lying arid land with cacti. A transition zone forms a border between arid areas and the scalesia zone filled with tall trees and leafy canopy.

The unique Galapagos weather conveys a mysterious aura and atmosphere that matches its equally unusual animal and birdlife. Nothing here is as it should be, which is why it fascinates and delights in equal measure.

Human history and events of the Galapagos province – Ecuador

Galapagos throughout history

As many people know, it is in the Galapagos where Charles Theory developed his theory of evolution. A theory that explains how the vast variety of species on the Earth have evolved from a simple, singled-celled common ancestor. We can look back at nearly five centuries of human contact with the Galapagos and say that, without a doubt, the most important event in the human history of the Galapagos was Darwin’s visit in 1835. Even without Darwin, though, the tale of human contact with the Galapagos is a fascinating one, and the Enchanted Islands, as the early mariners called them, have meant many things to many people from many lands.

Find below the most important historic dates regarding human presence in the Galapagos Islands.

History Overview

1535 – The official discovery of Galapagos, on March 10th, by Fray Tomas de Berlanga, a Spanish Bishop, aboard a ship pushed off course by ocean currents while sailing from Panama to Peru.

1570 – The Galapagos Islands appear for the first time on a world map. They are called “Insulae de los Galopegos.’

1593 -1710 – Use of the Galapagos by pirates as refuge and supply base for water and meat (particularly the giant tortoises). Introduction of goats and dogs to the islands.

1793 -1870 Period of whale exploitation in the Islands threatening populations of tortoises, fur seals and whales.

1793 – Erection of the post office barrel on Floreana to facilitate delivery to the United States and Europe.

 1800 -1900 – The exploitation of fur seals by North Americans and Europeans almost causing their extinction.

1832 – Ecuador officially claims Galapagos calling it “Archipelago del Ecuador.” Islands are given their Spanish names.

1835 – Visit of the H.M.S. Beagle to Galapagos for five weeks, from September 15 to October 20. During this period, Charles Darwin visited San Cristobal, Santiago, Floreana and Isabela Islands. The Captain, Robert Fitzroy, drew up accurate navigation charts.

1841 – U.S. writer Herman Melville visits Galapagos. He later wrote an articulate account of his experience in “Las Encantadas.”

1859 – Publication of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species which brought recognition to Galapagos as natural laboratory for evolution.

1892 – Galapagos is officially named “Archipelago de Colon” in honor of Christopher Colombus’s discovery of America 400 years earlier.

1905 – 1906 – Scientists from the California Academy of Science make extensive collections and studies of the islands.

1923 – Visit by American William Beebe, whose book Galapagos World’s End, gave worldwide fame to the Islands.

1926 – Group of Norwegians arrive in Galapagos. Some still remain today on Santa Cruz farming in the highlands.

1934 – First legislation to protect Galapagos fauna is passed. Mysterious events surround the disappearance of the Baroness Van Wagner and a companion, and the deaths of others on Floreana,

1941- 1948 – Construction and occupation of an air base on Baltra by the U.S. and the extinction of land iguanas on that island.

1959 – On July 4th, the government declares all areas of Galapagos as National Park except for the colonized areas. The Charles Darwin Foundation is founded in Brussels on July 23rd. Its first President is Victor Von Staelen.

1964 – The Darwin Station is inaugurated in the presence of many national and international authorities.

1968 – Administration of the Galapagos National Park Service begins.

1969 – Large scale tourism begins in Galapagos with the arrival of the LINA-A, a ship carrying 58 passengers.

1971 – Lonesome George is found on Pinta Island, the last of his breed.

1972 – Japanese fishing ships capture hundreds of sea turtles.

1974 – The first master plan for the protection and management of the Galapagos National Park is published.

1978 – The Islands are declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO underlining its universal value for mankind.

1986 – The Galapagos Marine Resources Reserve is signed into law by President Leon Febres Cordero to protect the waters 15 miles offshore.

1992 – A new revised, long-term master plan for the development and management of the CDRS, which will provide guidelines for the Station’s programs and gradual growth to its full potential.

Galapagos Inseln Natural History of Isles of fire

Few places on earth are as important to the study of natural history as the Galapagos Inseln. This esteemed place in the world of natural science is thanks to the unique natural history of the islands themselves and also the work of one man, Charles Darwin.

Few places on earth are as important to the study of natural history as the Galapagos Inseln (German for Islands). This esteemed place in the world of natural science is thanks to the unique natural history of the islands themselves and also the work of one man, Charles Darwin.

Galapagos Islands natural history

A cluster of thirteen volcanic islands situated just below the Equator, the oldest of the islands are around four million years old. The newest are still being formed by volcanic activity. In fact, it’s one of the world’s most actively volcanic areas.

A cluster of thirteen volcanic islands situated just below the Equator, the oldest of the islands are around four million years old. The newest are still being formed by volcanic activity. In fact, it’s one of the world’s most actively volcanic areas.

The Galapagos Inseln (Islands) were discovered accidentally in 1535 by Fray Tomas Berlanga of Panama, on his way to settle a dispute between conquistador Francisco Pizarro and the Incas. When the winds died and the strong currents carried the Fray out to sea, he inadvertently discovered the Galapagos.

From  Fray’s accounts, we know the islands were teeming with unique wildlife, including marine iguanas, sea lions and the giant tortoises. He marvelled at the animals’ tameness – the consequence of millions of years of isolation. For the following centuries, the islands were used as a stop off for pirates looking to raid Spanish galleons. Whalers and sealers found rich harvests on the islands, decimating much of the wildlife, including the poor tortoises. ‘Lonesome George’, the very last of the Pinta Islands tortoises sadly passed away aged 100 in 2012.

Charles Darwin was the first to write a science oriented account of the archipelago in 1835. Young Darwin had recently graduated as a naturalist and was part of the crew on board the HMS Beagle on its trip around the globe described as a scientific and geographic study voyage (1831 – 1836). HIs travels are accounted as the Voyage of the Beagle and include visits to other areas of South America including the also remote Patagonia.

These days, the wildlife of the Galapagos Inseln is fiercely maintained as part of the Ecuadorian national park system. This is largely thanks to the pioneering research on the islands by Charles Darwin, who was so influenced by the nature he found there that it helped him to develop his landmark ‘Theory of Evolution’.

Today, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most outstanding natural life and unique landscapes to be found anywhere on the planet.