Vacations Blog

Of all the world’s great wildlife destinations, Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, found some 600 miles off the coast of northern South America, rank as one of the most impressive for any person enthusiastic about natural history or photography. Cruises are the regular way of Galapagos Islands travel, and offer the adventure traveler easy accessibility to many watchable species of exotic wildlife on this isolated archipelago.

It was here, in the early 19th Century, that Charles Darwin discovered the puzzling variety of life that later led him to conceive of his Origin of Species, one of the most influential texts ever written.

Today, the visitor on a Galapagos cruise finds a nearly storybook world of wonderfully tame wildlife. Imagine yourself snorkeling face to face with sea lions, fur seals, and sea turtles,or viewing at arm’s length rookeries of nesting seabirds, marine and land iguanas and giant tortoises! At night, on board your ship, wonder at the phosphorescent tropical sea and the blazing stars of the Southern Hemisphere’s skies.

Choosing the Best Ship

Boat sizes range from approximately 16 travelers to over 100, maintained to international safety standards. Most vessels are air-conditioned, with in-suite lavatories and showers, snug public lounging areas (both in and out), and bilingual crews. Levels of accomodations and facilities go from basic to luxurious.

it is best to travel to the islands in little groups with a low leader/client ratio; if possible, look for ships that have a leader/client proportion of only 1:8 to 12. Most Galapagos cruises have Zodiac-style landing craft for shore trips, and landings are arranged to prevent the presence of other boats’ groups. Having to compete for wildlife watching with loads of other travelers on the beach isn’t a perfect way to spend a holiday!

Most motoring is done at night, so as to maximize your time to see these charming islands. All yachts have snorkeling kit aboard and, when you’re not ashore on the islands, you can snorkel with sea lions and even penguins. There are embarkations on Saturdays and Sundays, throughout the year.

Guides on all Galapagos cruises must be licensed and trained by the Ecuadorian Park Service. But many staff tour guides not only have this primary ratification, but also have university degrees, frequently in a biological science. This insures that you’ll receive broad and accurate information regarding the complex biological processes the islands are known for. Most tour guides are also multilingual (so are much of the boat crews), and in several cases converse in a third language. You may be guaranteed that your guides are the highest quality.

Best Time to Go

Since the isands lie right on the Equator, the weather in the Galapagos is reasonably constant all year long. Nevertheless the Humboldt Current from Antarctica creeps northward in July and August, chilling the waters of the Galapagos 1 or 2 degrees. This could lead to a mist over the islands during some stretches, and a little cooler snorkeling. As far as animals go, something is breeding just about year-long, so there’s plenty of activity by the birds and other animals.

How to Get There

International air carriers arrive daily into either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador. After overnighting in one of those two towns, you can board another airplane (generally bought seperately from your international ticket) for the 1.5 hour flight to the Galapagos. After paying a modest park entrance fee, you will be brought to your vessel for your cruise to start.

Planning Your Holiday

Figure on spending at least two nights in Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador on your cruise: one for the night of your arrival and one on returning from the islands. But do not miss other fascinating things worth doing in Ecuardor! A short trip to the Otavalo Indian Market, high in the Andes is a good way to pick up some quality leather and wool goods for gifts. While it will add a few days to your trip, a preferred add-on is to Peru’s traditional lost citadel of Machu Picchu.

If you have an interest in wildlife and the job the Galapagos Islands played in the development of scientific thought put this place on your must-do list!

John Randall is photo enthusiast and guide concentrating on adventure travel. He is a seasoned veteran of many Galapagos cruises.

Even though the economy has people showing notes of caution, there’s no reason to cut all the adventure out of your life.  One way to exercise caution whilst still having adventure is by choosing holiday rentals in domestic getaways for your vacation this year.  Australian holiday accommodation prices are falling as owners and hoteliers put sales on to ensure a strong flow of traffic.With Australia being such a vast country you are bound to find an array of adventures to suit your style however unusual they may be.  Here are five of the top adventure destinations in the country to help you get started with your planning.

The Kimberly Region:

You will struggle to find luxury accommodation out here, the area is geared up for true explorers.  Bush skills will come in handy as you explore the cliffs and gorges.  Hiring a guide might be advisable!It’s popular to take a scenic flight over the area; doing this first allows you to pick the perfect hiking or camping spot.  Typically, overnights here will mean camping or rustic-style bed and breakfasts.

Great Dividing Range:

The mountains here are perfect for skiing, climbing and white-water rafting.No matter which country your from it’s possible to appreciate the challenge involved in climbing Mount Arapiles.  Holiday accommodation here is usually a small hotel or ski lodge, with some camping available as well.You can’t ski during the summer months when the snow has all melted but the area still offers mountain biking, hiking, paragliding and more in the summer.

Murray River:

Winding along for 404 miles, the Murray River provides a wealth of adventure.You can either base yourself in a holiday rental for the trip and enjoy day trips rafting or you can go longer distances on an organised tour with multiple stops.  Start at the border of NSW and head for the sea—it’s a feat many attempt but not all accomplish.Earn yourself some bragging rights from this years holiday by trying it?

Northern Territory:

If you’re going off the beated track then trekking in the Northern Territory is serious business.The amazing views of the landscape and lack of any crowds make the challenge rewarding.Out of respect for the traditional aboliginal land owners and safety you must stick to marked trails.  The less restricted areas still require you to check in with rangers, but the adventure of it all is thrilling.  You can camp, trek, climb, go four-wheeling or any number of other tough adventures. Make a Darwin holiday accommodation booking to start your trip and then head out to explore the state and it’s national parks.

Great Barrier Reef:

After all the inland adventures, head for the Great Barrier Reef.  Quintessentially Australian, holiday accommodation here is more than a simple bush camp.  You can live high while snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, paragliding and wave boarding.  The Reef is magnificent—there are so many adventures to be had in the water than you can almost forget the beautiful beaches.  Almost.  Holiday rentals in the high season are very hard to come by, but getting a group together and renting a house on the beach can make for a truly memorable holiday stay.  Small cottages, fancy furnished condos, and simple bed and breakfast boutiques are available. The most popular areas are Port Douglas, Cairns and the Whitsundays. Make sure you book Port Douglas accommodation or for any other popular area well in advance.