Expedition cruising to the Galapagos Islands allows you to go deeper into your destination and immerse yourself in new cultures, landscapes and habitats all whilst enjoying luxury on-board your cruise.
I travelled with my partner to the Galapagos Islands in summer for a trip of a lifetime with Silversea and it did not disappoint!
The flight with KLM was long, however the treatment received on-board was first class and the journey seemed to literally fly by. It was a short flight to Amsterdam and although the connection was an hour KLM were seamless and all went smoothly.
Arriving into Guayaquil that evening, and although originally the plan was Quito, we were not disappointed with this fascinating city. On arrival at the hotel Oro Verde we checked in at the Silversea desk where we were given details of the next couple of days and asked for sizes of wetsuits and flippers (worry not, these can easily be swapped once on-board ) before dinner a welcome drink and an early night. We had a full day to explore Guayaquil before our flight to Galapagos on Saturday morning.
Day 1 Arriving in Galapagos
The flight to Galapagos is comfortable and short and we could soon see the beautiful islands below us. We were greeted by the team of Silversea expedition guides who helped us through the airport to our waiting transport. All luggage was taken from us into a large lorry, and we followed in a comfortable bus to the port. I had already said “Wow!” a dozen times before I had even spotted our ship. We walked along the pier, watched by sealions and Sally Lightfoot crabs to our waiting Zodiac to take us to the ship, where we knew it was time to let the fun begin.
As we boarded it was a very quick lifeboat drill and then down to the suite to check sizes of flippers wetsuit and life jacket. In the interim, we were setting sail followed by frigate birds which had an amazing outline in the sky. We were on the top deck as we sailed past Kicker rock into the sunset just awesome. We were quickly reminded this is an expedition, not a cruise, as we needed to be at Basecamp for the following morning’s briefing!
Every day there is a choice of snorkelling, kayaking and walks/hikes of varying levels of difficulty.
Day 2 Snorkelling in Galapagos
The first hike of the day was just that with a steep flight of rocky steps to a lava rock field . The reward was worth it for the view, the iguanas and the only owl that hunts in the day. Later that day we opted for a beach snorkel to practise our skills and discovered we could swim with white and black tipped sharks. Who knew they would not be the least interested in eating me. We saw sealions in the water and clownfish each day was building momentum In the afternoon we explored by walking tour the birdlife was incredible with nesting Nazca boobies next to frigate birds- the males with huge puffed up red chests to impress the females. The bird life was amazing and everyone of them different from any I had seen before, herons are tiny, pelicans small and boobie birds in three varieties! Darwin finches are everywhere of course.
Day 3 Observing Wildlife in Galapagos
We started early as the first Zodiac tour left at 7:30a.m and although the excursions are not compulsory the desire to pack everything in was with us all. Today was the search for land iguanas not a difficult search as they bask on the rocks beside the path. All the birds and other wildlife are completely unaware of your presence and indeed of our species around them with no natural predators they live in harmony.
In the afternoon we opted to do some deep water snorkelling which was fascinating as turtles and sealions came to observe the fun from below you hoping to raise a splash.
That evening the skies were clear enough for an astronomy session on the top deck. The sky is vast and being on the equator you could view distant planets and the Southern cross with ease.
Day 4 Galapagos Landscapes
Montemar Coffee Plantation and home to a great many tortoises who traverse the island. This variety are a little smaller and with shorter necks than I imagined. We were up in the highlands on an island with the biggest volcano smouldering in the distance.
Kayaking was available for those who unlike myself could navigate a straight line in one which was apparently also fabulous there are just 16 spaces per trip so need to book early when on board.
Day 5 Zodiac Tours
An easier day with morning and afternoon Zodiac tours. It was a day of many photographs whilst we took in the various, rare wildlife of the Galapagos. We saw marine iguanas piled high to keep warm- the only reptile in the world evolved to feed in the sea. Galapagos penguins, tiny little chaps who swam with such speed and rays swimming just below the surface, we explored mangroves and saw heron albatross and always the frigate birds flying like darts.
In the evening, our ship was followed by the ghost birds of Galapagos, a gull that flies at night with a ghostly silhouette.
Day 6 Leisurely Hike
We had a choice of a leisurely hike or a more adventurous one and both had similar sights with a different species of Iguana and albatross nesting by the path, a magnificent bird. The afternoon was beach time with snorkelling in a fabulous sandy bay, we were sunbathing and swimming with sealions and turtles absolute bliss.
Day 7 Farewell Galapagos
Today we visited the tortoise breeding station where the larger tortoise with much longer necks like Ol George live. So successful that this project no longer is needed.
Sadly, the evening marked the Captain’s farewell dinner and farewell toast with our highlights film and lots of laughter. The guides were amazing, their kindness and assistance was first class .
The following morning our flight took us back to Guayaquil we transferred to the hotel Oro Verde where we had a dayroom for a few hours before transferring to the airport for our flight home. A trip of a lifetime with memories to stay with me for ever. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience.
Discover your itinerary to Galapagos or speak to our expert concierge to find out more on 0808 278 4192.
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