galápagos FEATURE 39
“You can get up close and personal with the underwater world and your fl oating home is right in the heart of it.” For those who aren’t keen to overnight on the
water, land-based stays are becoming popular. “There are some good accommodation options on Santa Cruz, such as the Finch Bay Eco Hotel (fi
nchbayhotel.com),” says Sweeney. “Planning in advance will give customers the best options, as tourism numbers are regulated.” Like many of the world’s special destinations, visiting the Galápagos can be costly, but the experience it offers is priceless. “For people who love nature, there is nothing
that compares to the Galápagos,” says Matt Kareus, Director of the International Galápagos Tour Operators Association (
igtoa.org). “It’s as close to Paradise, to a time before humans altered just about every corner of our planet, that still exists on earth.”
What’s new Hotels: Pikaia Lodge (
pikaialodgegalapagos.com)
is due to open next month (July) on Santa Cruz. Carbon-neutral, it’s claimed to be the Galápagos’ most environmentally advanced accommodation ever built. The secluded luxury eco-hotel is located on top of an extinct volcano crater and offers guests exclusive guided land and marine-based
“The Galápagos is a year-round destination, but the best months to visit are April and May due to the weather, warmer water and courting wildlife – look out for
the blue-footed boobies’ dance!” ISABELLE MAZILLE, PRODUCT MANAGER JOURNEY LATIN AMERICA
tours. Surtrek (
surtrek.com) is now organizing stays in Pikaia Lodge with ‘exploration packages’ of day- long boat cruises and land-based accommodation
from $3,230 for a four-day/three-night package. Boats: Tip Top Diving (
tiptopdiving.com) has introduced three new dive boats to their fl eet, available for one-day dive tours from
Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island. Conservation: Recently opened in the Santa Cruz Highlands, El Manzanillo Ranch (Facebook: Rancho el Manzanillo / Twitter: @r_manzanillo) is a great spot for seeing giant Galápagos tortoises and some of the islands’ endemic bird species. The Galápagos Conservation Trust (savegalapagos.
org) has helped to fund the brand new Charles Darwin Foundation shop and refurbishment of the library, which houses the world’s most complete collection of books on the Galápagos. Birders will be interested in a conservation initia- tive to save the critically endangered mangrove fi nch, the islands’ rarest bird (mangrovefi
nchappeal.org).
Tourism talk “We believe the phrase ‘unique in the world’ best describes the life and landscapes of the Galápagos, and this is
refl ected in the islands’ UNESCO Natural Heritage for Humanity listing. The Galápagos Islands are
The unique range of wildlife in the Galápagos is unsurpassed. Facing page: a seal pup: left, the ‘famous’ Blue Footed Booby (image supplied by C
ox & Kings)
A WEEK OF WONDER BY LAUREN JARVIS “If you ever want to feel as if you’re on another planet whilst still being on earth, the Galápagos is the place. Stepping outside our cabin on the C
oral II yacht
each morning was like walking into a natural wonderland: you were never quite sure what you’d find, but you knew it was always going to be magical. From other-wordly lavascapes to an
ocean alive with spiralling sea lions, this unique destination reeled us in, as we island hopped for seven days through the archipelago of bounty. And although we squeezed every minute
dry, trying to absorb the knowledge of our expert guide, take in the breathtaking views, and memory-capture all the weird and wonderful wildlife that surrounded us on land and under the waves, a week would never be enough. As we sailed across the Equator at sunset, I knew that this was one of those ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trips that would have to be repeated some day.”
20 years organizing tours to the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
www.surtrek.com info@surtrek.com (+593) 2 2500 660
USA/Canada: 00-1-866-978-7398 UK: 080-8189-0438
Reina Victoria N24-151 and Calama (4th floor) Quito - Ecuador
Untitled-1 1 15/05/2014 09:51:54
SILVERSEA CRUISES
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