Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Galapagos: The Lost World

Found in the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of Ecuador, which is in the northwest South America... The archipelago includes several dozen small islands of volcanic origin.

The Galapagos Islands are the # 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site. Galapagos is the only area in the world where 98% of animals and plant worlds are endemic.

The islands got their name Galapagos because of their shape, reminiscent of the water turtles that live here.

Galapagos is made up of 13 main volcanic islands, 6 small islands and 107 cliffs and alluvial territories. It is believed that the first island was formed 5-10 million years ago as a result of tectonic activity. The youngest islands - Isabela and Fernandina - are still at the stage of formation, the last volcanic eruption was observed in 2005.

The archipelago covers an area of ​​only 8010 sq. km, and is home to just over 25,000 people. The archipelago is part of Ecuador. This small archipelago is considered a wonder of the world because on these islands isolated from the mainland, animals of the prehistoric era managed to survive: the elephant turtle, the sea iguana, the only sea lizard on earth, the Galapagos fur seals, the Galapagos penguin, a number of bird species and other animals.

Many animals now living on the islands have gone their own way. These islands are a kind of paradise for a number of animals, including turtles. There are many endemic species on the islands, both among animals and among plants on land and in the coastal part of the ocean. That is why this archipelago is a wonder of the world.

North Seymour Island

North Seymour Island is quite small in the archipelago. This island is a favorite nesting place for seabirds, frigates, gannets and gulls. It is home to sea lions, iguanas and seals.

The rocky coastline has small beaches where Galapagos penguins live. Penguins sometimes gather in flocks and arrange massive jumps into the water. This spectacle attracts many tourists. The island has the largest nesting point for frigate birds.

Yellow land iguanas

Galapagos Penguins

Birds frigates

A male frigate bird inflates an air bag to attract the female's attention. The larger the bag, the greater the chances of being noticed and that the female flew into its nest.

Interestingly, the period of incubation of chicks at frigates lasts about a year! In the absence of predators, such a long incubation period is necessary for natural regulation of the population size.

Blue-footed boobies

The very name of gannets comes from the Spanish bobo (meaning "stupid" or "clown"), due to the fact that blue-footed boobies, like other seabirds, are clumsy on land. Nevertheless, in the air, blue-footed boobies are strong and dexterous pilots, and in search of food they can dive into the water from great heights.

Blue-footed boobies are large and rather comical-looking seabirds, instantly recognizable by their bright blue webbed feet.

During courtship, a male blue-footed gannet dancer flaunts his blue paws in front of his partner, trying to impress. During the dance, he spreads his wings, raises his tail and stomps his feet on the ground. To consolidate the effect, he raises branches from the ground for the future nest. Most birds are monogamous, but there are also bigamous unions.

Isabella island

Isabella is the largest island in the archipelago, and the third most populous with about 3,000 inhabitants.

The main advantage of the island is a long, beautiful beach lined with small hotels. On all other islands, hotels are removed from the coastline.

The atmosphere on the island is amazingly soulful. The locals are friendly and sociable.

There is only one asphalt road on the island, and many residents walk barefoot. The island is completely safe, no one fastens bicycles, does not close houses, you can safely leave things on the shore and go swimming, for example.

The island was created in order to just sit on the sand and look into the distance, to lie in a hammock to drink blackberry juice and do nothing.

The most numerous inhabitants of the island are marine iguanas. It is the only iguana species in the world that can swim.

Every morning, thousands of reptiles slowly crawl out of the water onto land and scatter across the island.

You can stumble upon them everywhere - on the beach, in the port, in restaurants, in coastal hotels. They sit in the sun and warm themselves.

Young individuals and females, as a rule, immediately run away when a person approaches, and large males do not react at all to the presence of people if they do not step on their tail. Iguanas communicate with each other - nodding and shaking their heads. For all their monstrous appearance, iguanas are completely harmless and feed exclusively on algae.

The sunsets on Isabella Island are incredibly beautiful because of the Sierra Negra volcano, the slopes of which gather clouds around them every evening.

The giant Galapagos turtles (elephant turtles), which gave the name to the archipelago, can be seen on all inhabited islands.

They no longer live in the wild, since the domestic animals introduced by humans have wiped out all the turtles by eating their eggs.

Therefore, now the symbol of the Galapagos can be seen only in special breeding centers for these amphibians.

Marine iguanas

Giant Galapagos turtles (Elephant turtles)

Hispaniola island

The island is also known as Hood. The island received the name Hispaniola in honor of Spain. The area of ​​the island is 60 km², the maximum height is 206 m above sea level. It is the oldest island in the archipelago, estimated at 3.5 million years old. It is also the most south island... The remoteness of the island from the rest of the group contributes to the large number of endemics on the island and its adaptability to natural resources islands. Iguanas on Hispaniola only appear during the mating season.

The Galapagos albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) is a rare bird species. The island's steep cliffs are perfect for these large birds that feed off the coast of Ecuador and Peru.

Espanyol has two areas for visitors. Gardner Bay has nice beach and a place for swimming and diving. In the Punta Suarez area you can observe wildlife with a wide variety of local fauna.

Sea lions

Galapagos albatross

Floreana Island or Santa Maria

The island got its name in honor of the first President of Ecuador, Juan Jose Flores, during whose reign the Galapagos Islands came under the jurisdiction of Ecuador. The island is also called Santa Maria, after one of the caravels of Christopher Columbus. The area of ​​the island is 173 km², the highest point is 640 m above sea level. This island was one of the first to be inhabited and has a rather rich history. Flamingos and green sea turtles nest on the island from December to May. The Hawaiian typhoon (Pterodroma phaeopygia), a seabird that spends most of its life offshore, also nests here. The Devil's Crown area has an underwater volcanic cone and coral formations.

Santa Maria is the southernmost island with a warmer and drier climate. Everyone comes here for a beautiful white sand beach.

Flamingo

Green sea turtles

Hawaiian typhoon

Santa Cruz Island or Indefatigable

It is the most populated island in the archipelago. Its area is 986 km², the highest point is 864 m. The name of the island in Spanish means "Holy Cross". The island is home to the largest settlement in the archipelago, the city of Puerto Ayora. It is also home to the National Park Headquarters and Charles Darwin Research Station. The station has a turtle breeding center before releasing them. The island's tops are rich in vegetation and the famous lava tunnels. The island also has a large population of turtles. In Black Turtle Bay, surrounded by mangroves, sea turtles, rays and small sharks often mate. The island has a lagoon with flamingos called "Cerro Dragon".

Santa Cruz is a real boon for water sports enthusiasts. Diving, snorkeling, yachting - here every water sports lover will find something to their liking.

Lava tunnel

Rabida Island or Jervis

Named after the monastery where Christopher Columbus left his son before his journey to the shores of America. The area of ​​the island is 4.9 km² and it is considered the geological center of the archipelago. Famous for its sandy red beaches.

The island is located at an altitude of 367 meters above sea level. Its other name is Jervis, but the Ecuadorians call the island Rabida. Salient feature- red sandy beaches, which are very popular among tourists. The unusual color is given by the combination of volcanic soil with iron oxides, which are contained in large quantities.

Bakut trees grow on the island of Rabida. In a small lagoon with salt water near the coast, the barnacle pintail lives. Brown pelicans nest in the lagoons. If you visit the west coast, you can see a large colony of sea lions.

Until recently, flamingos lived there, but due to lack of food, they were transferred to other islands. There are nine species of finches on the island.

Brown pelicans

Galapagos finches

During travel around the world Charles Darwin described 13 species of finches found in the Galapagos Islands. It was the observation of these birds that pushed Darwin to the idea of ​​the origin of species through variability and natural selection. It is clear that initially only one species of finches lived here, which was then changed by a dozen different ways... There is no other continent or continental island with such a sharp predominance of finches in the avifauna.

All Galapagos finches descend from a common ancestor that accidentally came here from South America.

Barnacle pintail

Exotic tourism is becoming more and more popular among lovers of unusual travel. And one of the most unique places on earth to take a break from the hectic pace of modern life is the Galapagos Islands with their original nature and wildlife.

Galapagos Islands on world map

Those who travel along the traditional tourist routes -, etc. - can not always quickly answer the question in which corner of the earth the Galapagos are located.

Where are they located and to whom do they belong?

The Galapagos Islands have several names, among which Turtle islands and Colon archipelago.

The first name comes from the word galapago - in Spanish it meant large-sized water turtles that were found here in abundance.

Islands belong to the state Ecuador and are 972 km west of the coastline of this country. If the question is, in which ocean the islands are located, then we can safely answer that they are washed by the Pacific Ocean and belong to its eastern equatorial part.

The area of ​​the islands is 8010 km², and the number of inhabitants exceeds 25 thousand people. Galapagos is separated into a separate province of Ecuador... The largest islands are:

• San Cristobal;
• Isabela(the height of the volcanic peaks exceeds 1700 m);
• San Salvador(the maximum height of the volcanic peak is 518 m);
• Santa cruz;
• Fernandina(the corresponding figure is 1134 m).

The capital of the archipelago is a small town Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the largest settlement on the island of San Cristobal. However, most of the Galapagos live in Santa Cruz, where Puerto Ayora is located - the focus of tourist activity. on the islands of Isabela and Fernandina are still active, the rest are considered extinct.

When traveling by air, inquire about the location of the seats on the plane in order to choose the most convenient one.

Climate

Although the Galapagos are in the equatorial region, the climate here is quite cool due to the presence icy ocean currents... The average annual temperature rarely exceeds 23-24 ° C, and the water temperature is approximately 20 ° C throughout the year. From to temperature range ranges from + 19-26 ° C, and from - + 22-31 ° C.

It does not fall out here a large number of precipitation - no more than 150 mm annually, and mainly in the period from December to. it rain season and the dry season starts at and ends at.

How to get from Moscow?

The fastest and easiest way to get from the capital of Russia to the Galapagos is by buying a ticket for a flight of Aeroflot, KLM, Luftansa, British Airways, Air France and others from Quito with obligatory transplant at one of the airports or. There is no direct connection with Ecuador from the Russian capital: transit is available for tourists through Madrid, Miami, and other megacities.

Citizens of Russia can cross the Ecuadorian border without a visa and stay on its territory for up to 90 days without an appropriate visa application, but for a flight to the United States, a visa will be required.

Flights arrive at the most important international Airport Ecuador "Mariscal Sucre"... From Quito, you can reach the archipelago using the local airlines Ikar and Tame.

Final destination - San Cristobal Island(remember that planes do not fly here every day) and Baltra Island near Santa Cruz Island. The flight here from Quito will take 3 hours, from another local large city of Guayaquil, if after traveling from you decide to travel around Ecuador - 1.5 hours.

Buses run from Baltra Airport to the ferry departure point to neighboring Santa Cruz by the Itabaca Canal. will not cost you anything... The crossing to the island takes no more than 5 minutes. On Santa Cruz, you will have two ways to get to Puerto Ayora: get on the bus (ticket costs $ 1.8, trip duration is more than 60 minutes) or take a taxi and comfortably get to the city in 40 minutes at a price of $ 18.

There are regular departures from Puerto Ayora cruise ships, which are the only option for moving within the archipelago.

The airport tax upon arrival in the country is $ 100. It is forbidden to import:

1. Animals;
2. Insects;
3. Flowers;
4. Fruits.

Uninhabited island formations

Of the numerous islands, most of them are uninhabited, but organized excursions allow you to visit these unusual corners.

Baltra

Baltra Island was created by the rise of lava formations and is located almost in the very center of the archipelago. Here is very arid climate, so that mainly representatives of flora such as burzers, prickly pears and undersized shrubs, as well as iguana lizards, live here.

The island has no tourist infrastructure and no hotels: it is exclusively a "gateway" to the Galapagos due to the presence airport.

Bartolome

The island was named after British Navy Lieutenant David Bartholomew. Although there are no residents at all, this small islet is extremely popular with travelers. It is an extinct volcano and impresses visitors with its unusual volcanic formations, the most famous of which is the classic cone-shaped tuff hill known as Pinnacle rock.

Here you can get to know the huge turtles and sea lions, as well as the traditional penguins of the archipelago. but you shouldn't swim: There are quite a few reef sharks swimming around.

Wolfe

This island borrowed its name from a geologist of German origin Wolf... Its area is slightly more than 1 km², and the island rises above sea level at 253 m. If you like birds, be sure to stop by here: only here you will find a sharp-billed ground finch, reminiscent of a vampire: the blood of gannets serves as food for it.

The fauna of the island includes marine iguanas and seals, frigates, local gulls, masked and red-footed boobies.

The ocean is teeming with playful dolphins and whales, and shark attacks are not uncommon.

Darwin

The island impresses with its miniature area of ​​1.1 km² and an altitude of 168 m. animal world , which visitors can admire, is typical of the Galapagos. It is home to sea lions, turtles and nimble lizards, red-footed boobies and their exotic cousins, the Nazca. Whales swim and frigates fly near the coast.

Genovez

He borrowed his name from the Italian, where Columbus was from. The island is elevated 76 m above sea level with an area of ​​14 km². Once upon a time in this place was huge crater, gone under the water: its tip formed the island.

The island is also known as "avian" thanks to the huge number of nesting birds, including frigates and local gulls, which fly out to hunt at night. The Palo Santo forest and the panoramic site "Steps of Prince Philip" deserve the attention of tourists. Genovez is also inhabited by:

1. Family members storm petrels;
2. Red-footed boobies;
3. Phaetons;
4. Pigeons.

Terns, smoky gulls and Darwin's finches also walk along the beach.

The island is allowed exclusively courts, the number of passengers with less than 40 people who dock at Darwin Bay. It is in this place that it is good to observe most of the flying inhabitants of the island and climb the path to the rock where they build their nests.

Marchena

The island, whose area exceeds 100 km², rises 343 m above sea level. the only ones its inhabitants are sea lions, lizards and local buzzards. There are excellent diving opportunities here, but tourists usually see the island from afar as they sail past to neighboring islands.

Pint

He borrowed the sonorous name from one of the sea-going ships of Christopher Columbus. It is completely uninhabited, with the exception of marine iguanas and seals, sparrowhawks and native gulls.

It is also home to the rarest species of sea turtles, considered completely extinct since 2012.

Pinson

Here on an area of ​​18 km² absent any sights, however, it is quite possible to admire the life of sea iguanas, buzzards and lions, ancient turtles, as well as occasionally admire the games of dolphins. The name of the island comes from the name of the brothers, who headed the crews of the ships "Ninya" and "Pinta" equipped by Columbus.

Rabida

He is known for his burgundy shade of soil due to the significant concentration of iron in the lava flows that cover it. This small island formation with an area of ​​4.9 km² is inhabited by pelicans, 9 species of finches, and blue-footed boobies.

Rare brown pelicans hatch their chicks right in the undersized salt bush growing on the beach: this is almost the only place on the planet where they let people close.

The Rabida coast is an excellent choice for diving, but be aware of the sharp teeth of sharks. "Zest" islands - a lagoon with high salinity water, which was chosen by beautiful pink flamingos. On the trail, tourists can climb from the beach to a rocky peak of a reddish hue and admire the view of the ocean.

Santa fe

It is one of the oldest island formations in the archipelago with volcanic formations dating back more than 4 million years. Be sure to stroll through the most extensive in the Galapagos forest of cacti species Opuntia.

Do not be alarmed if you come across small dinosaurs: These are just two species of iguanas - rice rats and Barrington land iguanas, which are extremely rare elsewhere. Phaetons, Galapagos gulls nest on the rocks, petrels fly by, which is very interesting to watch.

Santiago

It is formed by two intersecting volcanoes and has become a permanent refuge for seals and turtles of all kinds. Among the birds, it is worth noting flamingos, Darwin finches and Galapagos hawks. Santiago makes a special impression because of lava flows spreading on the ground - the oldest of them is more than 750 thousand years old.

The most famous attraction of the island is Puerto Egas in the southern part of James Bay. Here you can go on an excursion to the old salt crater, following the path of the trolleys from its top to the coast. The ruins of buildings and the remains of mechanisms for the extraction of salt have been preserved nearby. In the depths of the crater, there is a tiny salt lake. The top offers a beautiful view of the orangey lava fields overgrown with grass and dwarf shrubs.

Also noteworthy:

• Seal grottoes floating in majestic, rounded lava pools;
• Buccaneers bay, once favored by filibusters. Scarlet sandy beaches and steep rocky tuff peaks make a majestic impression here.

Plaza Sur

Plaza Sur is one of twin islands formed by a geological rise and inclined northward. Its area is approximately 0.13 km², and the only inhabitants are the cacti of the Opuntia species and the sesuvium plant, the leaves of which turn bright fire in the dry season. This gives the local nature an unusual look. Also, land iguana lizards often prowl here.

Seymour Norte

A small island with an area of ​​just over 1 km² will be of interest to everyone birdwatchers.

The hiking trail is approximately 2 km long and runs through the center of the island, bordering the coast.

During the excursion, you can see natural whimsical corridors made of natural lava, volcanic formations, meet shy iguanas, admire the rookeries of imposing fur seals and observe blue-footed boobies and unusual local seagulls.

Fernandina

It is the third largest island in this archipelago with an area of ​​642 km². One of the most interesting local attractions - lava fields that are the result of the activity of the volcano. Of the plants, only lava cacti and mangrove shoots have taken root here, and from the inhabitants you will be lucky enough to see marine iguanas, lions and local penguins.

Hispaniola

On an island with an impressive area of ​​60 km², you may be lucky enough to see flapping albatross- the coast, indented by rocks, is ideal for the take-off of giant birds from the peaks. The hooded mockingbird often sits right on the shoulders of tourists in search of food.

Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez- two local attractions - will acquaint you with marine iguanas and lions, tropical colorful fish and lava lizards of all shades of the rainbow.

In addition to volcanoes, nature has created another amazing phenomenon - waterfalls. There are waterfalls that are stunning to the eye with their huge water flow and scale. It is about such waterfalls that we are talking about.

Galapagos Islands - unusual world , strikingly different from more civilized holiday destinations. You will definitely remember your trip here for a long time.

The Galapagos Islands (Islas Galápagos) or the Colon Archipelago (Archipiélago de Colón) are located in the Pacific Ocean. They are of volcanic origin and consist of 19 islands. Their total area- 8010 km 2, and the population is about 25 thousand people. The Galapagos Islands is the province of the same name in the South American country of Ecuador, separated from the mainland by 972 kilometers of the ocean.

Colon's climate is divided into dry and wet seasons. From June to November, the weather is cool and windy. The rest of the high season months are relatively hot and rainy. Despite the proximity to the equator, the Galapagos climate is comfortable due to the coastal cool ocean currents.

Located far from civilization, the archipelago stands out for its picturesque landscapes, an amazing variety of wildlife, and excellent conditions for recreation. Warm water and excellent sandy beaches can be combined with walks on the reserved islands, which are a natural zoo and botanical garden. The Galapagos Islands are very attractive for nature lovers, animals, birds, diving and surfing. A significant part of the fauna is endemic.

The history of the discovery of the islands

The Galapagos Islands appeared on the world map in the 16th century. The first European to enter the archipelago in 1535 was the Spanish priest and traveler Thomas de Berlanga. Heading from Panama to Peru, he and his companions went off course. On the islands they were met by giant turtles, which the Spaniards called galapagos ("elephant turtles").

For the next three centuries, the Colon archipelago actually served as the residence of the pirates. In 1832 it was annexed by Ecuador. Three years later, a scientific expedition headed by Charles Darwin arrived on the islands. The protected islands with rich fauna, located far from civilization, were an excellent place for research of the future author of the theory of the origin of species.

Since 1936, the archipelago has received the status of a national park in Ecuador. In 1978 Colon was included in the UNESCO list, and in 1985 it became a biosphere reserve of world importance.

List of all Galapagos Islands

The most famous islands, arranged in descending order of area:

Isabella island

The island of Isabela (named after the Castilian queen) is the highest volcano on Colon, Wolf - 1707 m. The diameter of the crater of another volcano, Sierra Negra, is the second largest in the world. After the eruption of Volcan Chico in 2005, the spilled lava gave the local landscape an unearthly appearance. Not far from the Alcedo volcano is the Urbina Bay with a black sandy beach... Isabela also has its own Wailing Wall (El muro de las Lagrimas). In the middle of the XX century. it was built in very difficult conditions by the prisoners of the correctional colony located here.

There are practically no hiking trails on this island. The small settlement of the island is home to only 2,500 inhabitants, who are mainly engaged in fishing. Tourism here is based only on visiting the yachts of dignitaries and cozy picturesque corners of the island. These include the reef, which is home to white sharks and a turtle breeding center.

Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz Island is the most populated and developed tourist destination. Here is the main Galapagos port of Puerto Ayora. On the way to it there are craters Los Gemelos ("Gemini") on both sides. In between, you can see unusual vegetation and rare bird species. The flora is represented by a giant prickly pear cactus and mangrove thickets.

Near the port is Tortuga Bay Beach, a giant turtle center and a national park. On the territory of the island, tourists can go diving, swimming, and watch birds from a yacht. You can also explore the island on horseback or bike. For those who like unexpected types of leisure, kayaking is provided.

You can stay in hotels. Moreover, the pricing policy here is varied, ranging from the cheapest economy-class rooms to expensive presidential suites. From the port of Ayora, you can rent a boat and start exploring the rest of the islands of the archipelago.

The largest Darwin research center is located on the island of Santa Cruz. His work is aimed at preserving the nature of the Galapagos. The center employs not only eminent scientists, but also students, teachers, in general, all those who are not indifferent to the environmental situation on the islands and in the world. Now one of the most important issues related to the import of pets into the territory of the archipelago is being resolved here.

San Salvador Island

On the island of San Salvador there is another famous beach - Puerto Egas. It was formed from volcanic tuff. It is believed that black sand has healing properties with diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The only permanent source of fresh water on Colon is located on San Salvador - a lake in the crater of the El Junco volcano.

Fernandina Island

On the island of Fernandina, the most active volcano of Colon is located - La Cumbre. It "fires" every few years. One of the rare coral reefs in the archipelago is located in Urbina Bay.

San Cristobal Island

The island of San Cristóbal represents all the diversity of the Galapagos flora - from the desert to the pampas (subtropical steppes). Here is also the capital of the archipelago - the city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It is the second most populated point in the Galapagos Islands. You need to visit the Museum of Interpretation, created in alliance with the Spaniards. It will tell you about the islands, their magmatic origin and nature. There is also a small park with sea lions near the center.

Santa Maria Island

Santa María Island is named after one of the Columbian caravels. Its original name is La Gallega ("Galician"). Like other ships of Columbus, she was named after the attracted sailors of port prostitutes on the way to America. Columbus had to work hard to persuade the captain of La Gallega to change the name. The maritime belief was justified: the new name brought misfortune to the ship. Santa María ran aground.

Hispaniola island

The southern volcanic island of Galapagos is uninhabited.

Bartolome Island

Bartolome Island (Santiago) On one of the black shores of the island, you can watch iguanas, herons, seagulls and other animals. After many walks the best way swimming with dolphins and penguins will become a rest. And having climbed to the highest point of the island, you will have a picturesque view of the surrounding landscape.

Fauna of the islands

The research center established at Santa Cruz, together with the International Darwin Foundation, is doing a great job to preserve the unique fauna and flora of the Galapagos Islands. Their main goal is to protect indigenous animals and plants from those imported from other places, first by pirates and Spaniards, and then by South Americans.

Seemingly harmless cattle devastate the local habitat, and cute cats are very fond of Darwin's finches and local birds. Pigs are constantly digging the ground to destroy the nests of turtles, iguanas, and unique vegetation. Black rats are enemies of small turtles. On the islands of Isabela, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz and Floreana, the indigenous flora has practically disappeared, giving way to avocados, citrus fruits, blackberries, guava.

Galapagos or elephant turtle

Among the local fauna, the most famous are the elephant turtles, which gave the islands their name. They reach a length of 1.8 m and weigh up to 400 kg. Their lifespan is more than a century, and in captivity - even 170 years. The turtles look to match this solid age. They feed on local shrubs and grasses, some of which are poisonous to other animals.

The turtles inhabiting Colon differ in the size and shape of their shells, as well as in relative dimensions depending on gender. On large, humid islands, reptiles are larger, their shells are domed. And turtles living on small arid islands have a saddle-shaped shell. Males are twice (up to 54 kg) larger than females.

Before the appearance of people on the archipelago, a dozen and a half subspecies with a total number of 250 thousand lived here. By 1970, their population had declined to a threatening continued existence of 3,000. This was caused by the invasion of natural habitats by humans, the spread of pigs, goats and rats. The ability of turtles to go for months without food and drink gave rise to the barbaric use of them by sailors as "live canned food".

By the end of the XX century. people woke up. To reverse the negative trend, several thousand cubs raised in captivity were released on the islands. Now the number of elephant turtles has reached 20 thousand, mainly settled on the island of Isabela, especially in the vicinity of the Alcedo volcano, and in the mountainous part of Isla Santa Cruz. However, the species continues to be classified as vulnerable.

Other representatives of the fauna

The second symbol of the archipelago is the iguana sea lizards, which are found everywhere. The number of individuals reaches 300 thousand. They spend almost all the time in the water, and, crawling out to bask in the sun, they begin ... to blow their nose. This is how they eliminate excess sea salt. The planet's largest marine iguana colony can be seen on the Punta Espinoza Peninsula on Fernandina. Terrestrial yellow iguanas resembling miniature dinosaurs can be seen in Urbina Bay on Isabela Island.

Galapagos penguins gravitate towards the relatively colder islands of Isabela and Fernandina. Flightless (due to undeveloped wings) cormorants nest here, jumping between rocks. Lake Lago Balthazar on Isabela is interesting because there are many red flamingos on its shores. Unique Galapagos albatrosses can be seen on Española Island.

The best place for observing large birds - magnificent frigates - is the Fragata Bird hill on the island of San Cristóbal. And on Cape Cabo Pitt all 3 species of gannets living on Colon nest.

Most fur seals live on the island of San Salvador. There are many other animals and birds here - chameleons, sea iguanas, sea lions, dolphins, turtle doves, buzzards.

Diving enthusiasts will have even more encounters with animals on Colon. Many experienced divers call these islands the best place to observe the beauty of the underwater world. More than 300 species of beautiful colorful fish can be observed here. Most of the fur seals are in the grotto on the island of San Salvador. Popular with divers are the Corona del Diablo (Devil's Crown) rock near Santa María Island. Here you can swim close to sharks and rays, however, given the frequent underwater currents here.

Galapagos Islands holiday price

Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit Colon (for up to 90 days).

How to get to the Galapagos Islands? You can only fly here. There are no direct flights from Russia to Ecuador. First you need to get to one of the European capitals or the USA (Miami), and then fly to Guayaquil. The average cost of an air ticket selected on aviasales is 65,000 RUR.

At the local airport, tourists are charged a fee of 10 USD. From there, AeroGal, LAN and Tame operate flights to Colon. The estimated cost of a flight lasting about two hours is 200 USD - 250 USD.

Landing takes place at one of two airports - Aeropuerto de San Cristobal or Aeropuerto Seymour, located on the islands of the same name. A one-time USD 100 resort fee is due upon arrival.

A common way to visit is a cruise, always starting from Santa Cruz Island. The cost greatly depends on the class of the room on the ship, as well as the number of days - 4.5 or 8. The range of prices is from 600 USD to 5000 USD.

When traveling on your own, you can use the boats that ply between the islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal. They leave twice a day. Ticket price - 25 USD - 30 USD. From the same points, one-day excursions are organized between them and to other islands. The widest selection of offers is on Santa Cruz. Here are the highest prices - up to 180 USD.

The hotel service is relatively developed in Santa Cruz, especially in the town of Puerto Ayora. Offers range from modest single rooms for USD 15 per night to apartments for USD 130. A wealthy company can even rent a mansion with a swimming pool and its own marina for 350 USD.

The Colon Archipelago is a protected national park. Independent travel to the islands is not encouraged.As a rule, tourists are accompanied by a guide who leads them along paved paths and observation platforms.

Floreana is an island in the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The island is also known as Santa Maria or Charles Island. It is the sixth largest island in the Galapagos Archipelago. Its area is about 173 square kilometers.

Floreana Island was named after the first President of Ecuador - Juan Jose Flores, under whose rule the Galapagos Islands came under the jurisdiction of Ecuador. And before that, the island was called Santa Maria in honor of one caravel of Christopher Columbus.

The main attraction of the island is the unusually beautiful pink flamingos that have chosen the lagoon at the Punta Cormorant. Here you can find a beach where large sea turtles lay their eggs.

At the Punta Cormorant, tourists will find black sandy shores, which, thanks to interspersed with the mineral peridot, shimmer with green crystals. These inclusions indicate strong volcanic eruptions.

Tintoreras Island

Tintoreras Island is located near the town of Puerto Villamil and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Turquoise crystal clear waters and beaches surrounded by mangrove forests are home to a variety of animals, fish and amphibians.

White sharks, marine iguanas, crabs, blue gannets, penguins, reef sharks, sea turtles and sea lions can be seen on the way to and from the island. The island is also one of the few places in the world where marine iguanas successfully reproduce offspring. You can see how they bask on the shore, spit out the salt that got along with the seaweed and play. The island is a great place to get up close and personal with rare animals and take interesting pictures.

Fernandina Island

The island of Fernandina of the Galapagos archipelago is located in the waters of the Pacific Ocean and was named after the King of Spain, who supported the great discoverer Columbus on his expedition.

In the very center of the island is the active volcano La Cumbre, in this regard, a trip to Fernandina poses some threat to tourists. There you can also see a depression formed as a result of the collapse of the top of the volcano, at the bottom of which a volcanic lake shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. Tourists are not allowed here, so you have to be content with walking along the coast, admiring the endless expanses of the Pacific Ocean.

Flora is not rich, the only thing that can survive in difficult natural conditions laurel cacti, of which there are a great many, and mangroves along the coast.

A pleasant surprise can be a meeting with cormorants, marine iguanas, and, of course, the famous Galapagos penguins. And on the shore of the ocean sea lions bask in the rays of the hot sun, sometimes giving their loud voice that can block the enchanting noise of the surf.

Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos archipelago. The largest city of the Puerto Ayora archipelago is located on it, here you can find all the benefits of civilization. But the main attractions of the island, of course, are natural objects, of which there are many on the island, because almost all of its area is occupied by the Galapagos National Park.

There is an amazing place on Santa Cruz: Tortuga Bay, located not far from Puerto Ayora, which is a long beach with white sand, which is characterized by fairly strong waves. It is here that surfers can practice their favorite sport, and swimmers can relax at the end of the beach strip, where there are no surfers anymore. Here you can explore mangroves, watch mocking birds, pelicans, marine iguanas or swim with sharks.

In the southwest of the island lies the calm waters of Las Ninfas, surrounded by cliffs in tropical greenery, and the nearby Bellavista Tunnel is famous for its sea turtles, various fish species, rays and sharks. Generally worthy places detailed description there are many on the island of Santa Cruz, but it is better to see them with your own eyes.

Hispaniola island

Hispaniola is also known as Hood. Hispaniola island was named after Spain. The area of ​​the island is about 60 square kilometers, and the maximum height is 206 meters above sea level.

The age of the island is estimated at 3.5 million years. It is the oldest and most southerly island of the entire archipelago. From a geographical point of view, it is the most classic example a thyroid volcano that was formed by the only caldera in the center of the island. Over time, the island shifted from the hot spot, then the volcano went out, and erosion began.

The remoteness of the island from the main group of islands has contributed to the development of a large number of endemic inhabitants, which are exclusively adapted to local natural resources.

The Galapagos albatross, a rare bird species, lives here. The steep and inaccessible cliffs of the island are great for these large birds to take off. The Hooded Mockingbird is a fearless bronze bird that is also endemic to the island.

In addition, visitors to the island can come across brightly colored marine iguanas, gulls, lizards, boobies and finches. Large spacious bays attract a large number of sea lions.

Chinese Hat Island

The island got its name - "Chinese Hat" - for a reason. It is connected with its unusual shape, which outwardly is very similar to the inverted traditional panama, which is accepted to be worn in the provinces of China. But you can see the "headdress" only if you look from the northern side of the island.

Geologically, the "Chinese Hat" was formed relatively recently, as a result of the activity of numerous active volcanoes in the archipelago. It is located southeast of the island of Santiago.

On the beaches of the island, you can get a great tan, a lot of fun swimming and snorkeling. From the shore of the "Chinese Hat" the neighboring island is clearly visible. Santiago, with its beautiful volcanic landscape, and Galapagos penguins frolicking in the coastal waters.

Genovesa island

Genovesa Island is the most northeastern island of the Galapagos archipelago and covers an area of ​​only 14 square kilometers. The island has no permanent residents or tourist structures, so it is the best spot for wildlife watching.

The majority of the island's inhabitants are birds, including entire colonies of gulls and phaetons. There are also different types of boobies, owls, frigates and others. In addition, sea lions, fur seals and iguanas can be found on the island. Diving activities are also available. Another attraction of the island is the road to the top of the mountain, which is called "the steps of Prince Philip".

Isabella island

Isabella Island (Isla Isabella). was named after the Queen of Spain. It is the largest island in the Galapagos Islands. Christopher Columbus became the discoverer of the island.

The area of ​​the island is about 4640 square kilometers, its length is 100 kilometers, and its shape resembles the figure of a sea horse. At the moment there are five young active volcanoes on the island, of which two are located on the Equator.

The island is very rich in its flora and fauna. It is amazing a nice place! It is home to marine iguanas, penguins, crabs, pelicans, Galapagos turtles, gannets and other inhabitants. From the island you can watch the Galapagos whales, of which there are 16 species.

The local population of the island is only about 2,200 people. This territory is the most important nature reserve in the country, because it is here that more than 60 percent of the species of flora and fauna are concentrated.

North Seymour Island

North Seymour is one of the islands of the Galapagos archipelago, it is not at all large and is a favorite nesting place for seabirds: frigates, boobies and gulls. Of course, the islands are also inhabited by the traditional Galapagos sea lions, iguanas and seals, which are not disturbed even by the strong waves beating against the picturesque rocky shores.

Rocks, by the way, are often replaced by white sandy beaches filled with flocks of Galapagos penguins huddling together and arranging massive dives into the water in search of food. Such unusual swims annually gather crowds of tourists who shoot an amazing sight on video, but, of course, from a respectful distance, so as not to interfere with the fragile natural ecosystem.

The island is surrounded by a 2 km road that passes through what is considered the largest nesting point for frigate birds. By the way, local birds are practically not afraid of people. However, tourists there walk exclusively along special paths, accompanied by guides, but sometimes the birds themselves go out on these paths and stop at arm's length.

San Cristobal Island

San Cristobal is the easternmost of the Galapagos Islands. The center of the island is the city of the same name, where one of the two main airports in the region is located, so many tourists start their journey from here.

The island has all the conditions for tourism - a developed infrastructure with many hotels, restaurants, shops and access to transport. There are also many attractions on the island, the main of which are various beaches and tourist centers. The island is home to various animals and birds - sea lions, elephant turtles, various species of boobies, iguanas, and seagulls live here. Dolphins, sharks, rays, lobsters and others live in the waters around the island. Also, tourists will appreciate the variety of fruits that grow on the island - oranges, bananas, pineapples, lemons and other plants.

Galapagos Islands

The Pacific Galapagos Islands, belonging to the Republic of Ecuador, are also called the Turtle Islands, because in Spanish "turtles" - "galapagos". It is not surprising that this particular animal has become a symbol of the archipelago, because a large number of giant sea turtles live here. But, of course, turtles are not the only pride of the islands. It is home to many plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else, such as the marine iguana, endemic species of seals or the Galapagos fur seal.

Such a rich natural heritage cannot be left unprotected, because most of the rare animals today are close to extinction. Galapagos National Park includes virtually all of the islands of the archipelago. The islands are diverse: some of them are covered with dense tropical vegetation, while others have a desert "lunar" landscape.

The Galapagos Islands are marvelous and wildlife lovers are delighted to visit these places to observe rare creatures and enjoy the wonderful views.

Bartolome Island

Bartolome Island is a small volcanic island with an area of ​​only 1.2 square kilometers. In spite of small size islands, here you can see some of the most beautiful landscapes in the region. Also, visitors can see various animals and relax on the beautiful beaches.

The island consists of two parts, on one of which tourists can climb Pinnacle Peak, which is the most famous and popular spot on the island, and from the top view the island's scenery. In another part of the island, tourists can go snorkeling, next to sea lions, penguins and other underwater inhabitants. You can also observe the rare green turtles that nest on the island.

Santa Fe Island

Santa Fe Island is located in the middle of the Galapagos archipelago and has an area of ​​24 square kilometers. Tourists are attracted by one of the most beautiful bays on the islands and a variety of flora and fauna.

The island's bay is its main attraction, it is protected from winds and storms and attracts with its clear turquoise waters. Also, tourists can see various animals that live on the island and in its waters - sea lions, turtles, stingrays, iguanas and many others. Walking away from the coastline will also be interesting, where there will be an opportunity to look at various types cacti and other exotic plants.

Plaza Sur Island

Plaza Sur Island is part of the Galapagos Islands and belongs to Ecuador. It is even named after the former President of Ecuador, Leonidas Plaza. In fact, this island is one of the nature reserves and is open to tourists.

Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean belonging to Ecuador. The islands are quite remote and isolated, 1,000 kilometers (620 mi) west of the South American continent. The Galapagos archipelago consists of 13 main islands and 6 small islets, which together cover about 50,000 square kilometers (19,500 sq mi) of ocean.

The archipelago is known throughout the world for its uniqueness and intrepid wildlife. The islands are very popular with nature scientists, both professionals and amateurs. Giant turtles, sea lions, penguins, sea iguanas and various bird species can be seen. The islands' landscape is volcanic and relatively uninhabited, but beautiful nonetheless. The most high mountain among the Volcán Wolf Islands on Isabela Island - 1707 meters (5,600 feet) in height.
The Galapagos Islands were claimed by independent Ecuador in 1832, three years before Darwin's visit. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the islands were sparsely populated and used as a hard labor colony. It closed in 1959 when the Galapagos Islands were declared a national park.

Climate:
The Galapagos Islands have a highly variable climate, as do the Ecuadorian mainland. There are two seasons on the islands: hot and the rainy season from December to June when humidity is high and average temperatures reach 26 ° -30 ° C (80 ° F). There may be occasional rainfall during this time, however, the days are mostly warm and sunny.

From June to November, cool winds can be expected, which sometimes bring fog and rain with them. Temperatures average 20 ° -24 ° C (70 ° F) during the day, and lower at night.
Unique climate changes occur every month. The peak season for naturalist tourists is usually from December to May, when the sea is calm and warm. However, the summer months of June, July and August are also very popular and the animals are most active during this period. September to November is generally low season when most boats leave the island and dock at dry docks. For divers in the Galapagos Islands, the peak season is July to November, when whale sharks can be found.

Islands:

• Baltra (airport and military base)
• Bartolome
• Darwin & Wolf
• Espanola
• Fernandina
• Floreana
• Genovesa
• Isabela - the largest island
• Marchena
• North seymour
• Pinta
• Pinzon
• Rabida
• San cristobal
• Santa Cruz - main island and popular center
• SantaFe
• Santiago
• South plaza

Cities:

• Puerto ayora
• Puerto baquerizo moreno
• Puerto Villamil
• Puerto VelascoIbarra

What to see:
Each island has a limited number of visitors and there are a small number of official drop-off points and places to visit. It is necessary to follow the directions of the guide to protect the wildlife, so you should not go off the intended path. Some of the animals are practically tame and can sit right on the trail.
Cruises:
Cruises are the only way to see most of the outlying islands. All cruise ships must hold a Naturalist Guide Certificate. Cruise ships have standard routes and are required to pay different fees for each port. Cruises are available on the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 8th and 15th. Below is a list of typical attractions.

• A classic view of the Galapagos Islands opens up on a hill at Bartolome.
• Giant Turtle Breeding and Rearing Program at the Charles Darwin Research Center in Santa Cruz.
• The unique nature and Galapagos penguins can be seen on Isabela or Floreana.
• Swimming with sea lions and sea turtles.

Leisure:
Scuba diving and diving are very popular in the Galapagos Islands as they are very popular. marine life is very rich and colorful.
Scuba diving equipment should be available from the tour operator, but you can bring your own equipment too. You can also use a waterproof camera. Older islands (mainly in the west) are often chilly. Wetsuits can be rented, as are scuba diving equipment.

There are 2 ways to swim in the Galapagos Islands:
1. Daily dive with a local tour operator from Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal providing certified courses
2. Galapagos safari on the islands of Darwin and Wolf.
The islands of Darwin and Wolf have been considered the best diving spots in the world for several years. However, the Galapagos Islands are not the place for beginners and novices alike. Currents, waves, cold water and sometimes poor visibility and depth create difficulties. Huge schools of hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks and whale sharks can be seen here from July to November. There are also other marine animals - giant manta rays, stingrays, huge flocks and nests of tuna, sea turtles, sea lions and much more.

Hiking:
Hiking in the Galapagos Islands is part of organized cruises, or mountain tours. While a variety of animals can often be seen during travel, more attention will be paid to differences in landscapes and vegetation, as well as the formation of islands. Hiking is limited throughout the National Park, but several attractions such as the Wall of Tears on Isabela Island and Cerro Tijeras on San Cristobal Island can be visited on their own.
A ride on the bicycle:
Cycling gives quick access to places far from the port. Bicycle rental is available on the islands of Isabela, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. The bike can be rented for about $ 15 per day. Surfing:
The Galapagos Islands provide good waves and many locals make this kind of entertainment everyday. Boards can be rented for a day or a month in city ports. Below are the beaches where you can go surfing.

• Punta Carola San Cristobal
• La Loberia San Cristobal
• Tongo Reef San Cristobal
• Tortuga Bay Santa Cruz
• Playa ratonera santa cruz
• Isabela has a more continuous coastline that allows outdoor surfing.

Kayaking:
Kayaking allows you to navigate the water without using boats. Kayaks can be rented from Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz Island and the Port of San Cristobal, focusing on the nearby beaches. Sea turtles and fish are often seen while kayaking. Horseback riding:
Horseback riding can be arranged to see the highlands at high altitude. The tour costs approximately $ 50.
Galapagos Islands Map: