How to get to the Galapagos Islands

The name of the Galapagos archipelago, translated from Spanish as "turtle", evokes the association of a fantastic lost world that exists thousands of kilometers beyond the horizon. The name is intriguing, prompting the desire to know how to get to the Galapagos Islands to see with your own eyes a distant corner of the earth.

Basic information

The Galapagos Islands, which are part of the Republic of Ecuador, are an archipelago of 19 islands located in the Pacific Ocean 972 km from the western coast of South America. Their uniqueness is explained by the emergence from volcanic eruptions and exotic nature, which has become the habitat of many colonies of rare animals and birds. Only 6 islands of the Galapagos are inhabited by people. For the diversity of vegetation and fauna, 13 islands, given over to the inhabitants of the animal world, were assigned the status of a national reserve, the enormous importance of which for the study of nature is recognized by the whole world.

The capital of the Galapagos Islands is the city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, located on the island of San Cristobal. The city with the most developed tourist infrastructure is Puerto Ayora, located on the shores of the lagoon of the Santa Cruz island. It is the main center of tourism, with comfortable hotels and tourist offices. Guests on the Galapagos are welcomed by 2 air harbors - on the territory of the islands of San Cristobel and Baltra.

How to get there

The Galapagos Islands are more than 12 thousand km away from central Russia. You will have to fly to this unique corner of our planet across the ocean with transfers to Ecuador, from where you will again get by plane to the islands. The main thing is to plan your trip now, because inexpensive tickets to Ecuador are sold two months before departure. Let's consider the most convenient way to get there from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

From Moscow

Flights from Moscow to Ecuador are operated from the airports: Domodedovo (DME) and Sheremetyevo (SVO) in the directions:

• Moscow - Quito
• Moscow - Guayaquil

Note that the peak demand for flights to Ecuador occurs in January, February and October. During these months, the average flight price is 70 744R. During the low season - from June to August, ticket prices go up to 77,385R.

You can turn a flight with transfers into an interesting journey by looking at new cities where you can connect without a visa:

• Amsterdam (flight Moscow - Guayaquil by KLM)
• Havana (flight Moscow - Quito by Aeroflot)

During the transfer, with a transit Schengen visa, you can walk:

• within Madrid (flight Moscow - Guayaquil by S7 Airlines, flight Moscow - Guayaquil by LANAirlines, flight Moscow - Quito by Iberia);
• in London and Mexico City (flight from Sheremetyevo to Quito by Aeroflot + Aeromexiko aircraft);
• in Riga, Munich and Madrid (flight from Sheremetyevo: Moscow - Quito by Aeroflot and AirEuropa airlines).

From St. Petersburg

To fly to Ecuador from St. Petersburg in the absence of direct flights will turn out with transfers.

• From Pulkovo Airport, Air France will take you to the capital of Ecuador, Quito, in 32 hours, with transfers in Paris (13h 20 min) and Amsterdam (1h 40 min). To buy a ticket, you will need a transit Schengen visa.
• By Aerofot flights - with 2 transfers in London and Miami the flight will take from 39 hours to 44 hours 46 minutes. Back with transfers in Miami and Stockholm 55h 24 min.
• An Aeroflot flight can fly to Guayaquil in 22 hours and 55 minutes. with transfers: in Vienna (2 hours 15 minutes) and Madrid (1 hour 20 minutes); from 26 hours to 35 hours 40 minutes With transfers in Moscow and Madrid.
• There are options to Guayaquil with connections in Helsinki and Madrid, London and Bogota, but they are more expensive and also require a transit visa.

According to our statistics, the average cost of an air ticket from St. Petersburg to Ecuador and back is 190,632 rubles.

How much to fly

Flight times from Moscow and St. Petersburg differ for flights of various airlines. It depends on the number of transfers and the time of flight connections. The three leaders in terms of the shortest flight time from Moscow include:

1. Airline KLM. Flight from Moscow to Quito (17 hours and 18 hours 45 minutes) with 1 change in Amsterdam, which lasts about 2 hours and does not require a visa.
2. Aeroflot together with Air Europa (19.40) with a connection in Madrid for 3 hours and a transit Schengen visa.
3. Aeroflot with transfers in Amsterdam and Havana (19 hours 45 minutes on the way), does not require a visa.

The fastest flight from St. Petersburg to Quito is from Pulkovo airport in 16 hours. 55 minutes; to Guayaquil - in 22 hours 55 minutes. by Aeroflot plane with transfers in Vienna and Madrid.

From Moscow flights, which include 2 transfers, you can use:

• from Domodedovo airport by Lufthansa and United with transfers in Munich and Houston - 23h. 20 minutes.;
• from Sheremetyevo: Aeroflot + Avianca - 24 hours 05 minutes. with transfers in Miami (4 h. 49 min.) and Bogota (1 h. 49 min.).

The fastest flight with 3 transfers: from Sheremetyevo by Aeroflot + Avianca in 25 hours 35 minutes. with transfers in Paris (45 minutes), Barcelona (3 hours 10 minutes) and Bogota (2 hours 10 minutes). The longest flights with 2 transfers can take up to 48 hours, and with 3 transfers up to 66 hours and must necessarily involve transit visas.

Which airline to choose

The choice of an airline depends on its prestige gained in the air transportation market, the duration of the flight, the time spent on transfers, the need to apply for a transit visa and the cost of tickets.

Aeromexico

The Mexican company Aeromexico is one of the leading Latin American airlines, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, which cooperates with the Russian Aeroflot on routes to South America. It has an air fleet of 70 Boeing aircraft of various modifications. It is convenient to buy a ticket for the AeroMexico plane using the Skyscanner. Aeromexico flights are characterized by long flights: from 48 hours to 64 hours 50 minutes. The airline accepts passengers from Aeroflot planes in London, from where it flies to Mexico City at 12.25 a.m. A change in Mexico City for a flight to Quito takes 20 hours 35 minutes. There are flights with a transfer in Madrid and Mexico City, lasting 64 hours and 50 minutes.

KLM

Royal Dutch Airlines, which has teamed up with AirFrance, is part of the SkyTeam alliance. The company introduces a new economy class fare structure for flights to Latin America, including Ecuador. KLM owns several subsidiaries: TransaviaCV, Martinair HollandNV, KLM CityhopperBV. Flights to Ecuador are operated by KLM from Moscow's Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo airports with a transfer in Amsterdam. At the time of publication, tickets for the Moscow-Guayaquil flight cost R 85 899 round-trip in February, and R 640 516 in May. Moscow-Quito flights with a transfer in Amsterdam cost from R 65633 to R 109040.

Joon

Joon Airlines is a low-cost airline founded in 2017 by KLM and AirFrance as the “youth division” of Air France. June is using the Air France mobile app and its Flying Blue loyalty program. The company carries out air transportation on domestic routes in Europe and on long-distance destinations - South Africa and Latin America. Most of the airliners in operation today by Joon are sourced from the Air France fleet. Many of Air France's South American destinations are operated by Joon aircraft.

United Airlines

United Airlines, an air carrier from the United States, merged with Continental Airlines to become the leader in air travel in America and the world. The main airports of United Airlines are O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, airports in Denver, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco. From Moscow, United Airlines airliners operate flights to New York, Los Angeles and Havana. The company sells tickets to Ecuador, but in fact planes of other airlines fly.

How to get from the airport

Having landed at the capital airport of Quito or the air harbor of Guayaquil, to the Galapagos you need to take a plane ticket flying to Baltra or San Cristobal. The flights are operated by the Colombian air carrier Avianca and the Ecuadorian ones - TAME and LAN-Ecuador. The flight from Quito to Baltra takes 2 hours, from Guayaquil - 1 hour. Foreign tourists are required to buy a 2-way ticket.Upon arrival at the airport after luggage screening, they put a stamp in the passport in the shape of a turtle and charge a fee of $ 100 for visiting the National Park. From Baltra Airport, a free shuttle bus takes you to the ferry to Santa Cruz Island nearby. Taxis go from the pier to the tourist center - Puerto Ayora.

Which island to choose

Only on the islands of San Cristobal, Isabela, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Puerto Boqueriso are settlements, the rest of the land is protected habitats of rare mammals, reptiles and birds. Even where people live, animals feel like real owners, calmly resting on the marinas and on the shore. Each of the protected islands is unique in its own way, so do not miss the opportunity to hike through the uninhabited corners of the archipelago, living on an island inhabited by people.

Isabela

The largest island in the Galapagos archipelago is Isabela. It is formed from a chain of 5 periodically erupting volcanoes and resembles a seahorse from a height. The landscape of the island is striking with volcanoes: the formidable Wolf, towering 1707 meters and the Sierra Negra, with a crater size of 10 km in diameter.

In the south of Isabela there is a small town of Puerto Villamil with a few streets, several restaurants and shops that do not stand out for their assortment of goods. The colorful lagoons and thickets of mangroves in Punta Morena amaze with the exotic flavor of the vegetation. Urbina Bay surprises with a conglomerate of penguin families, large turtles and colorful iguanas that are not afraid of people.

Santa cruz

The most populated island of the Galapagos - Santa Cruz stands out in the archipelago with a rounded shape. The central part of the island is occupied by a mountain plateau with an undulating landscape formed by an extinct volcano. A 2-kilometer tunnel with walls up to 10 meters high, generated by solidified volcanic lava, has become a unique phenomenon of the area. The island is known to the world for finding a tourist center - the port city of Puerto Ayora with comfortable hotels, a large number of restaurants and cafes, modern beach infrastructure on the sandy coast and a well-equipped promenade.

Scientists from many countries come to work at the Darwin Research Station, which monitors the reproduction of 10 species of turtles that inhabit the islands. A vibrant palette of exotic flora and rich fauna make a vacation to Santa Cruz an exciting and memorable experience.

San Cristobal

The uniqueness of the small island of San Cristobal lies in the landscapes that reflect the palette of all natural zones found in the Galapagos. The western region of San Cristobal became the seat of the administrative center of the archipelago - Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and the airport. The city embankment, built of wood and lined with paving stones, is a favorite promenade place for tourists and townspeople.

From its many bridges, it is interesting to observe the fur seals, located on the other side of the railing. In the capital, the number of restaurants, souvenir shops and travel agencies is not as large as in Puerto Aira. Arriving on the island, travelers tend to visit the picturesque surroundings of the freshwater lake that filled the crater of the El Junco volcano. Another town in San Cristobal, Punta Pitt is known for its magnificent beach and diving infrastructure.

Floreana

Floreana, the sixth largest island in the archipelago, has gained a reputation as the most mysterious inhabited island. At its western end is the small port of Puerto Velasco Ibarra, where fewer than 100 people live and work. The island is not distinguished by the beauty of natural landscapes, astonishing visitors with a variety of fauna. At Punta Cormorant it is interesting to observe the lifestyle of green sea turtles crawling out to the coast to lay their eggs.

On Floriana you can endlessly admire pink flamingos gracefully walking along the coast. In these places, there is a real kingdom of rare birds and waterfowl: pintail ducks, flycatchers, terns, marsh plovers and pelicans. Dolphins often accompany tourist boats on their way to other islands. The main attraction of the island is Post Office Bay, which has preserved the tradition of throwing letters into large barrels, from which people go to the mainland take them out.

Tours

Tours to the Galapagos Islands attract people interested in exotic countries. Their programs are full of sightseeing tours of cities, visits to historical and natural attractions, the most picturesque and rich in animal life of the islands. On the tour, everyone will be able to dive, snorkel, relax on the beach, ride reed boats, ride a horse in Death Valley, watch penguins, fur seals up close and enjoy stunning Pacific sunsets. Exciting excursions with Russian-speaking guides leave vivid impressions of the trip.

Ecuador: Hello gannet! (8 days)

This tour is a mind-blowing 8 days of exploring the sights of the capital of Ecuador and the stunning fauna of the Galapagos archipelago. After exploring the historical center of Quito, and visiting the "middle of the world" - the city of Mitad del Mundo, conditionally divided by the equator line, then you will visit Lake Cuicocha, spilled into the caldera of the volcano, and get acquainted with the ancient Indian culture in the cities of Peguche and Otavalo. Fly from the mainland to Santa Cruz Island and explore Puerto Ayora and the Darwin Science Center for terrestrial and sea turtles.

The islet of Bartolomeo will be remembered for its dizzying panorama of 6 islands, appearing from a mountain peak. While relaxing on the coasts dotted with colorful sand, at arm's length you will admire the local penguins and sea lion families, watch the colorful iguanas and pelicans. Plunging into the sea, swim with starfish and turtles, stingrays and flocks of colorful fish. On the islands of Isabella, Seymour and Plaza, you will meet amusing blue-footed boobies and handsome frigates. Outside the village of Puerto Villamil, passing through mangrove thickets, you will see extraordinary figures formed by lava and visit a green turtle breeding center. But these are not all the surprises awaiting tourists on this tour!

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Colombia (13 days)

A fascinating 13-day tour that combines a visit to the unique corners of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands and Colombia, will give you a vivid impression of exploring the palaces, temples and museums of 8 cities, exotic flora and fauna of the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador and the Colombian islands of Rosario. You will be conquered by the landscapes of lakes Kuikocha and El Junco, formed in the craters of volcanoes. Seeing 10 species of terrestrial and aquatic turtles, differing in size and color, you will understand why the archipelago was named Galapagos - "turtle".

Pink flamingos, pelicans, frigates, marine iguanas and seals, funny blue-footed boobies and even penguins will be available for close observation and photos.Colombia will be remembered for the historical center of Bogota and the Museum of Gold, with 30 thousand gold objects of pre-Columbian times, an underground cathedral in the town of Zapikara, ancient fortresses, mangroves, white beaches of Ronsario Island and an incendiary rumba.

Pearls of Ecuador and Galapagos Islands (3 *, 11 days)

See the architectural and natural pearls of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands on an 11-day tour of the country, which is simultaneously located in 2 hemispheres. A unique opportunity to stand at the equator will be presented in the town of Mitad del Mundo near the city of Quito. At Banos, called the Gateway to the Amazon, on the slope of the Tungurahua volcano, enjoy a dip in the thermal springs. The breathtaking alpine train journeys to the Devil's Nose Mountain, the ruins of ancient Indian cities and sanctuaries will remain in your memory.

In the Galapagos Archipelago, 5 unique volcanic islands await you. You will not only relax on the multi-colored sandy beaches, but you can enjoy the view of the lake in the crater of the Devil's Crown volcano and the landscape of the islands, opening from the top of Wolf Volcano. Up close, you can observe and photograph colorful sea and land iguanas, green turtles, fur seals, pink flamingos and brown pelicans, make fun of Galapagos penguins and funny boobies with blue flippers. The fascinating cruise will end with an acquaintance with the second largest city in Ecuador - Guayaquil.

All the many-sided Peru - Ecuador, Galapagos (3 *)

The exoticism of three Latin American countries is opened to travelers by a 16-day tour of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. Starting with a tour of the historical center of Lima, it will amaze you with the golden age of the Inca state, presented in the Gold Museum with 30 thousand gold items and weapons. Mysterious ruins left over from the Inca civilization, ancient fortresses and temples dedicated to Water, Sun and Moon are amazing. You will visit the medieval town of Machu Picchu, lost in the mountains, discovered by geographers only in the last century.

In Bolivia, the life of the Urus people on the floating islands of Lake Titicaca will surprise you, a visit to the sacred islands of the Moon and the Sun with the remains of Indian temple complexes will capture. You will see the fantastic landscapes of the Valley of the Moon in the vicinity of La Paz and the mysterious "Gate of the Sun" on the ruins of Tuanaco. An unforgettable event will be a flight over the Nazca desert with drawings of animals and mysterious figures depicted on its surface.

Arriving at Galopagos, you will become explorers of the inhabitants of 5 islands, meeting funny boobies walking in blue "flippers", sea lions and seals, colorful iguanas and turtles. The habitats of the families of pink flamingos, brown pelicans and local penguins will bring positive emotions. Volcanic landscapes with tunnels, caves and volcanic craters will be a great backdrop for memorable selfies, and sandy beaches in quiet coves will be a great rest. The end of the exotic tour will be an acquaintance with the historical monuments and museums of the Ecuadorian capital, crossing the equator line and a trip to the Valley of the Volcanoes.

Many-sided Peru, Galapagos, Easter Island (3 *)

An exciting tour that invites you on a voyage to the sights of Peru, the Galapagos Islands and Easter Island in 20 days will open before you the exotic corners of South America. The capital of Peru will impress you with a tour of the Huaca Pucllana archaeological complex and a gold museum. In the ancient capital of the Incas - Cuzco, you will remember the temple of the worship of the Sun with towers and canals built of boulders. In the lost city of Machu Picchu, you will be transported to the Middle Ages, admiring the skill of ancient architects. Lake Titicaca will surprise you with the way of life of the ethnic group on the Taquile island and a visit to the floating islands of the Uros people.

Volcanic Galapagos Islands will discover the richest flora and fauna with funny blue-footed boobies, penguins, flamingos, pelicans, fur seals and lions, land and water turtles. The yacht tour will enrich the experience of visiting the iguanas beach, the Love Channel and mysterious caves. The Ecuadorian capital Quito will be remembered for its museums, parks, palaces and monasteries. Admire the fantastic scenery of the Valley of the Volcanoes and cross the equator twice, visiting the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time.

Back in Peru, take a boat trip accompanied by dolphins to visit the Ballestas Islands, which are amazingly bizarre. In the Nazca desert, marvel at mysterious drawings - geoglyphs, painted on the surface of the earth by an unknown people. On Easter Island, you will plunge into the atmosphere of the sacred places of Ahu Akivi and Ahu Vinapu with totem statues of moai, ritual complexes with stone idols weighing from 5 to 8 tons. There are impressive volcanic craters overgrown with eucalyptus forests, volcanic lakes and caves formed by lava flows. The sandy beaches of the island provide an opportunity to relax from an exotic voyage. The tour ends with a tour of the capital of Chile - Santiago.

Peru + Ecuador (Galapagos) (3 *)

Introducing the Inca culture of Peru and providing an unforgettable experience in Ecuador's virgin Galapagos Islands, this two-week tour is a highlight for exotic travel enthusiasts. In Peru, tourists will visit 7 ancient cities with archaeological and ritual complexes, the unique Kenko temple, built in the shape of a puma.

You will be amazed by the skill of the architects of the Inca people in the citadel of Machu Picchu hidden high in the mountains and the structures of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba. Archaeological discoveries await at the alpine lake Titicaca and at the Silustani towers. On the rocky shores of Ballestas Island, it will be a pleasure to observe the pelicans, seal families, Humboldt penguins, sea otters, dolphins and rare birds. Flying over the vastness of the Nazca desert, be amazed at the appearance of mysterious land drawings.

After seeing the capital of Ecuador, Quito, you will visit the very "middle of the world" - the place where the Earth crosses the equator. Excursions to 6 volcanic Galopagos Islands will reveal the diversity of the animal world: amusing boobies with blue paws, Galapagos penguins, colorful iguanas and turtles that live on land and in the water, handsome flamingos and brown pelicans. A hike to the craters of volcanoes, caves, a lava tunnel and relaxation on the sandy beaches of quiet coves will leave an indelible impression. The final chord of the trip will be a fascinating excursion around Guayaquil - the second largest city in Ecuador.

All multifaceted Peru - Bolivia - Ecuador (3 *)

An exciting journey through the exotic tourist routes of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, in 16 days, will bring a lot of impressions. The many-sided Peru will appear as monuments left by the ancient Inca civilization. You will see a reflection of their culture, traditions and religion in the Gold Museum of Lima, the ancient cities of Cuzco and Machu Picchu, the ruins of fortresses, archaeological complexes and sanctuaries in honor of the gods of the Sun, Moon and Water. You will feel the mystical spirit of the Incas in the vicinity (near) of the city of Puno, which is spread high in the mountains on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

After passing the border of Bolivia, you will find yourself under the charm of the city of Capacabana, the view of Mount Siero Calvario and the Island of the Sun. The Moon Valley near La Paz will amaze you with a fantastic landscape of bizarre rocks, the Tuinako archaeological complex, built 4 thousand years ago, will amaze you with the architecture of the Kalasaya temples and the "Gate of the Sun".

After landing in the Galapagos on Baltra Island, travel to Puerto Ayora, the city that became the tourist hub of the Galapagos and Darwin Station, which overlooks 10 species of turtles that inhabit the archipelago.You will feel the harmony of man with the surrounding nature and the animal world: seals and lions, penguins, iguanas, flamingos and pelicans, completely oblivious to tourists. An excursion to Plaza Island and Cape Karion, a volcanic lake in the "Devil's Crown" on Floriana Island, a vacation on the Tortuga Bay beach and exploring the colorful underwater world will be remembered. The end of the trip will be the capital of Ecuador - the city of Quito, the equator line and the Valley of Volcanoes.

All the many-sided Peru (Iquitos) - Ecuador (3 *)

Travel to the era of the Inca civilization, feel the spirit of the Middle Ages from the architecture left by the Spanish colonialists, and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of exotic nature with a 17-day tour of Peru and Ecuador. Picturesque parks, fountains and the unique Gold Museum of the capital of Peru, Lima, will be remembered as vivid episodes. Excursions to the archaeological sites of Cusco, Machu Picchu and Rakchi, the archaeological reserve of Olantaitabo will delight you with the skill of the ancient Incas. The islands on Lake Titicaca and the traditions of the peoples living there will amaze you. After seeing Iquitos, the journey continues with a cruise along the Amazon, visiting the floating city of El Velen and local Indian tribes.

The Galapagos Islands will be remembered for the enjoyment of relaxing on colorful sandy beaches with swimming, diving and snorkeling. Numerous photographs will leave exotic landscapes with volcanoes, caves, mangroves and cacti. An indescribable pleasure will bring breathtaking observations of funny boobies, sea lions and seals, penguins, giant turtles, colorful iguanas, graceful pink flamingos and pelicans. The tour ends in the picturesque city of Quito with sightseeing along the equator.

Cruises

Celebrity's unique ocean cruise expeditions to the Galapagos Islands will be an unforgettable romantic journey into the world of pristine nature. On a cruise, you can celebrate a solemn event, go diving, snorkeling, fishing, relax on the sandy beaches of quiet bays, see rare animals and birds, enjoy fantastic landscapes, leaving many original photographs as a souvenir.

8-Day Cruise from / to Baltra Port on Celebrity Xpedition

The cruise starts on the small uninhabited island of Baltra, where tourists fly from the mainland to Seymour Airport. The landscape of the islands of Baltra, Santa Fe and South Plaza enchants with quaint cliffs, thickets of cactus and mangrove forests. Here you will find settlements of sea lions, yellow and red iguanas. The island of San Cristobal will delight you with the breathtaking beauty of the mountain scenery, relaxing on the yellow sand beach of Punta Pitt, where you can swim or explore the underwater world by snorkeling.

To see the families of pink flamingos, nesting of rare species of birds, there will be an opportunity on the island of Cormorant Point, which surprises with beaches covered with olive sand. Sailing to the picturesque Elizabeth Bay, the attention of tourists will be attracted by the Galapagos penguins, and will capture the observation of sea lions and cormorants. Cape Punta Morena will amaze you with the shape of black rocks, with the view of amazing blue-footed boobies, large turtles and pelicans, calmly walking along the coast and swimming in coastal waters. Sailing past the shores of Pointe Sares, you will be amazed by powerful fountains gushing from huge boulders, colonies of rare birds that inhabit rocks and sea animals. The cruise, with an exciting tourist program, ends near Baltra Island.

Price from 4 709 € per person

7 Night Cruise from / to Baltra Port on Celebrity Xpedition

The eventful eight-day cruise program will begin on the small uninhabited island of Baltra, mesmerizing with bizarre cliffs, intertwining mangroves and an abundance of different species of cactus. Moving north to the small island of North Seymour, you will see for the first time the amusing blue-footed boobies, found only in the Galapagos. The volcanic islands of South Plaza and Santa Fe, in the bay of which you go ashore, will never cease to amaze you with populations of sea lions, families of red and yellow iguanas.

The island of San Cristobal with golden sandy beaches will impress diving and snorkelers with an underwater world. A picturesque mountainous area with a freshwater lake in the crater of a volcano, a variety of animals and birds will delight nature lovers. Isabela Island is a pleasure to observe up close colonies of Galapagos penguins, pink flamingos, pelicans and noisy birds.

Walking to the exotic corners of Santa Cruz Island, you will explore the center of the archipelago's most populated city, Puerto Ayora. Colorful lagoons, exotic vegetation, seals coexisting with people, and the Darwin Science Station, dedicated to the conservation of 10 unique species of turtles, will be a bright page of the trip.

Price: from 4 619 € per person

Luxury voyage with Celebrity Cruises

On the uninhabited island of Baltra, the ship will begin an eight-day cruise to 9 islands in the archipelago. In the northern part, on Santa Cruz, you will be amazed by the beauty of the Black Turtle Bay, surrounded by mangroves. The small Rabida Island will surprise you with its red sand on the beach, colorful volcanic landscapes, and an abundance of marine iguanas and seals. The large island of Caleta Tagus will open up the existence of blue-footed boobies that get along with penguins, and enjoy close observation of pelican families and sea cocks. Discoveries will continue in the northeast of Fernandina Island, covered in solidified volcanic lava and home to iguanas, sea lions, penguins, cormorants and pelicans.

The coast of Isabela will be remembered for the beauty of Urbina Bay and the paradise of Punta Vicente Roca. On the wonderful island beaches of Bartolomé and Las Bachas, tourists can swim and dive near penguins, between green turtles and spotted rays. In El Barranco Bay, a trail with steep stone steps leads to the top of the cliff, offering fantastic views of the surrounding area. The cruise in the port of Santa Cruz will end with a city tour of Puerto Ayora with a visit to the Darwin Scientific Station, which is engaged in observing all types of turtles that live on the islands.

Price: from 4 574 € per person

Luxurious trip for 8 days on Celebrity Flora

Sailing aboard the luxurious Celebrity Flora will start from the island of San Cristobal, amazing with the bizarre shape of the Kikr Rock cliffs. A stop at the picturesque islands of Isabela and Bartolomeo will give you a few hours of enjoying the underwater kingdom in the company of green sea turtles and variegated rays. Tourists staying on the shore will enjoy watching solid penguins and sea lions, and on Escumilla Beach, species of ducks and pink flamingos.

Having visited the cozy bays of Caleta Tagus and the picturesque Elizabeth Bay, travelers will see how the companies of penguins and blue-footed boobies behave in a businesslike manner, sharing the territory with sea cocks and pelicans. Diving enthusiasts will love the underwater depths of tiny Champion Island. Access to the green beach of Comorant Point Bay will lead you to the kingdom of graceful flamingos.

A trip to Santa Cruz Island will be remembered for the view of the Dragon Mountain with the habitat of green iguanas, the snow-white beaches of Los Bachas, favored by turtles for laying eggs and the twin karst pits of Los Hemelos, overgrown with tropical vegetation. The end point of the trip will be the uninhabited island of Baltra with landscapes of mangrove groves, colorful thickets of cacti and its owners - sea lions and bright iguanas.

Price: from 6 210 € per person

Fascinating voyage on Celebrity Flora

On a fascinating voyage aboard the comfortable Celebrity Flora liner in 8 days, you will become the explorers of 12 amazing islands in the Galapagos archipelago, generated by volcanoes. On the island of Baltra, from where the cruise starts, you will conquer the virginity of the mangrove forests and the colorful palette of cacti. On the way to Purto Egas, amazing with volcanic landscapes, take your breath away from the view of the formidable volcano of Daphne Island. Disembarking on the islands of San Salvador and Rabida, marvel at the red sand on the coast, inhabited by families of sea iguanas and turtles, fur seals and lions.

An intimate acquaintance with penguins, funny blue-footed boobies and porpoises continues in the quiet bays of Caleta Tagus, Santa Cruz and North Seymour islands. The splendid beaches of Bartolomeo Island will delight you with swimming in the company of turtles, stingrays and colorful fish. On the island of San Cristobal, on the luxurious Punta Pitt Beach, you will be overwhelmed by the massive nesting sites of rare birds and the beauty of the local landscape. The final of the cruise will be an excursion to the Darwin Science Center, studying 10 species of island turtles and acquaintance with the largest city of the archipelago, Puerto Ayora, located in the picturesque lagoon of Santa Cruz Island.

Price: from 8 317 € per person

Wonderful 7 night cruise

The uninhabited island of Baltra, from where the wonderful cruise starts, immediately plunges into the exotic world of the archipelago with oases of mangrove forests and cactus meadows. On the cruise, you will see: a formidable 120-meter volcano on Daphne Island, volcanic rocks surrounding the quiet bay of Gardner Bay, where you go ashore to dive from the white beach into the transparent waters of the ocean. A rare occurrence - powerful water fountains gushing from the huge boulders of Punta Suarez and green sand in Cormorant Point Bay on Floreana Island will amaze you no less than the flamingo armies on the shores of the colorful lagoons of Isabela Island, bordered by black volcanic rocks.

Meet nimble penguins, lazy fur seals, turtles, pelicans and flamingos swimming in the coastal waters of the coral coast of Urbina Bay, on the islands of Punta Espinoza and South Plaza. Green iguanas will meet near the Dragon Mountain on the island of Santa Cruz, where the journey ends in the port city of Puerto Ayora, stretching in a picturesque lagoon.

Price: from 8 497 € per person

The best time to relax

Amazing natural landscapes, a variety of exotic vegetation and fauna, magnificent sandy beaches attract fans to explore unusual corners of the planet, scuba diving and extreme sports to the Galapagos.

Sunny weather reigns on the islands almost all year round. Ocean currents contribute to the division of the climate into 2 seasons:

• cool and dry - June-November
• warm and humid - December - May

In summer and autumn, it is windy on the islands, the water in the ocean warms up to +20 ° C. In winter, the temperature of water and air rises to + 25 ° C, continuing to be kept until the end of spring. Despite the fact that the season is called wet, warm rains do not pour here every day, without interfering with beach holidays, hiking and water tourism. For hikers, the best time to travel would be July - October.

Travel Tips Before Traveling

1. The islands are characterized by the scorching sun, so it is necessary to take a hat and use means to protect against sunburn.
2. 90% of the territory is under protection, where only guided walks along the paved paths are allowed. Camping tents is only allowed in designated areas.
3. For safety, it is allowed to approach the animals at a distance of no more than 2 meters. If the animal is interested in you and wants to approach, lead calmly. It is forbidden to feed animals and birds, which may harm their health.
4. Local power grids differ in voltage of 10 V, so you must bring an adapter or adapter for electrical appliances with you.
5. The tap water is not drinkable. You need to buy bottled water at the store.
6. It is better to take the necessary medicines with you.
7. It is allowed to take pictures and shoot on an amateur video.

Galapagos Islands on the map