- Two-hour flight to the Galapagos Archipelago, famous since Charles Darwin
- By bus, ferry and taxi to the tourist center of Puerto Ayora
- Book a last minute deal for the eight-day tour with the Darwin Yacht
The archipelago is named after the arched saddle in the neck area of the world-famous giant tortoises. The archipelago consists of 13 large islands and over 100 smaller to tiny islands. Over 1000 km off the coast of Ecuador, located exactly on the equator, the islands owe the rich and unique flora and fauna their remote location. Thereof 40 percent of all animal species found here are endemic, speak only to be found here: The Galapagos Islands.
Since the 1960s, the islands have become an increasingly popular tourist destination. The tourist crowds are too main source of income the islander and at the same time the greatest threat for the fragile ecosystem. Objections by UNESCO have persuaded the Ecuadorian government to protect the islands more strongly. Fishing has been banned, tourist flows have been regulated, settlement restrictions enforced and self-sufficiency is promoted. This enabled paradise 2010 again removed from the list of endangered world natural heritage will. However, the dangers are not averted.
We take a taxi to the airport to check in. But that turns out to be Test of patience, after all, the 20 USD fee get paid. After queuing for a good hour it's just enough for us on the flight. It's unbelievable how slow it is! Fortunately, we got to the airport a little early, but the airport officials say the problem is not new.
So that's how we fly in the well-manned aircraft two hours out into the Pacific. There we land on the Baltra Islandwhose airport was built by the Americans during World War II. There are another 100 USD national park fee due. We drive to the ferry in the free, but overcrowded bus. We get into conversation with an American couple who have lived in Ecuador for several years, but who are also visiting the islands for the first time. There everyone in the turmoil can throw their luggage on the ship's roof and squeeze themselves onto the ferry. After the short crossing we are on the Isla Santa Cruz arrived. Instead of squeezing into another bus, the two Americans invited us to share a pickup taxi with them.
About an hour after our arrival on Baltra we arrive in the main town of the islands Puerto Ayora at. We move into our room and head straight for the town center. We land at one of the travel agencies and leave us alone last minute offers inform. There are also inexpensive tours on one of the large luxury ships, but that's not what we're looking for. We ask about the Darwin yacht, where we already had an offer on the mainland. In fact, there are still two places available and the price is on site here another 150 USD cheaper. But a nice chunk, after all, there is something else here too all quite expensive. So it was definitely worth the wait! After some negotiation, we get a neoprene suit and snorkeling equipment for Niki for free. We also rent one GoPro for some memory underwater shots.
Happy that everything went so smoothly, we quench our hungry stomach. Now collect the entire sum from the hotel and pay. We explore the numerous souvenir shops before we set off a mojito to celebrate the day indulge. Then we take a close look at the gang of sea lions on the pier.
