Most people book their tour directly from the UK as a complete package, which usually includes international flights, hotels and transfers on the mainland, flights out to Galapagos, and the complete cruise in the islands. Most packages will fly you to Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and then on to either Baltra or San Cristobal airport in Galapagos where you embark immediately onto your boat.
It is also possible to make your own arrangements for a Galapagos holiday. Alternatively, you can book your cruise once you have arrived in Ecuador. Local agencies have their offices in Quito or Guayaquil and most speak good English. Prices are often cheaper this way. However, many boats run on fixed departure dates and you may not find vacant places on a trip that suits you. This option is most suitable for those with plenty of time to spare. Also, the national park limits the number of visitors to each island and coordinates each ship’s itinerary.
Inspectors will check your luggage at the airport in mainland Ecuador, before check in to Galapagos and upon your arrival to the islands, to ensure that the risk of introducing new pests and diseases is minimal.

There is always something interesting happening in Galapagos, whatever the time of year, and there is no off-season. From about June to November is the ‘garua’ season when the weather is relatively cool and dry.
August is the coolest month with average daily temperatures ranging from a minimum of 19 to a maximum of 24 degrees centigrade. The sea is cool and can be rather rough. During this period most of the animals which rely upon the sea for their food will be breeding. These include sea and shore birds, marine iguanas, sea lions and fur seals. Between about January and April is the warm season, with higher temperatures and occasional heavy rains. The hottest month is March with an average maximum temperature of 30 degrees. The islands turn green as the arid lowlands bloom, and all the land birds and reptiles start to breed. The sea is also warmer and calmer.

Galapagos is one of the very best places in the world to photograph not only wildlife but also plants, landscapes and lava patterns.

The Galapagos Islands were formed about 3-5 million years ago. They are the tips of gigantic undersea volcanoes and the area is one of the world’s most active volcanic regions. Some of the volcanoes are still active and there have been over 50 eruptions in the last 200 years. Each island is a volcano, except Isabela, which is made up of 6 volcanoes.

Although 97% of the land area of Galapagos is protected as a national park, it suffers from some serious conservation problems.

Early settlers brought in domestic animals and plants which have spread across large parts of the archipelago. Some of these animals have now become wild or ‘feral’, and are having a detrimental effect on the native flora and fauna.

More recently, illegal fisheries for sharks, lobsters, and sea cucumbers have been operating in the marine reserve, not as local artisanal fisheries but for export to countries in the Far East and elsewhere, many of which are also funding the operations. This has highlighted the need for effective patrolling of the National Park and Marine Reserve. Many of the solutions are expensive and funds are urgently needed.

As the Galapagos Islands are volcanic, there were initially no plants on the islands. There is still plant life though introduced by humans, via birds and seeds that were transported to the islands. The coastal zone consists of mangrove trees, shrubs, herbs and vines grow near the shore. The Dry or Arid zone is where cacti trees are found. For instance: the Candelabra Cactus, Giant Prickly Pear and Lava Cactus.
There are 29 species of land birds living in the Galapagos Islands (22 endemic) and 19 species of sea birds that breed in Galapagos (5 endemic).
Galapagos is also famous for mammals as sea lions, fur seal, whales and dolphins.
The Marine Life consists of Sally Lightfoot crabs, Hammerhead Sharks, Galapagos Shark and Surgeonfish.

You will also see reptiles as the Giant tortoise. There are now only about 15,000 in the Galapagos and only 10 races. Originally there were over 250,000 tortoises on the islands and 14 races. Other reptiles to find are the land iguana, the marine iguana, the green turtle and snakes. It’s a unique place to be.