INFORMATION PACK
G A LA PAG OS I S LA N DS
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GALAPAGOS FACTS • Abundant unfearful wildlife, visitors can get up close and personal to some of the world’s rarest animals • The Galapagos was home to the only surviving giant Pinta tortoise, ‘Lonesome George’ which unfortunately died in June 2012 • The convergence of three major oceanic currents brings an incredible mix of marine life to Galapagos • The endemic Galapagos marine iguana is the only lizard to swim in the ocean • Darwin’s research in Galapagos led to the ground-breaking theory of The Origin of Species • In 1978 UNESCO designated Galapagos as the first World Heritage site • The movie Captain and Commander was filmed on the islands of Bartholomew and Santiago • The name ‘Galapagos’, an old Spanish word for ‘saddle’, was originally used by Bishop Tomas and his crew to describe the giant tortoises but the name stuck • Due to the early presence of both Spanish and English inhabitants in Galapagos, the Islands now have both Spanish and English names
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WHEN TO GO • Due to their isolation and position on the equator the Galapagos can be visited all year round • There are considered to be two main seasons: The ‘dry season’ June to December and the ‘warm season’ December to May • The dry season is characterized by blue skies and midday showers whereas the warm season is more tropical with daily rain and cloudier skies • Sea mammals and land birds are most active during the dry season and there are many sea bird courtship displays
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CLIMATE & WEATHER • There are two seasons: December to May is warm and wet and June to December is cool and dry • Annual rainfall in the lower regions is 2-4in (60-100mm) and the air temperature varies between 69°-84°F/21°-29°C • The islands’ climate is determined by ocean currents • The sudden climatic change caused by El Niño can be devastating and as many as 50% of sea lions and marine iguanas can die during this time • The convergence of three major oceanic currents brings an incredible mix of marine life to Galapagos • Despite being located in the tropics, the Islands’ micro-climate is curiously dry • During the cool season, the Humboldt Current brings relatively cold water, which produces thermal inversions that impede rainfall • At this time, a fine mist called “garúa” is formed as cool, moist air just above the water meets a higher layer of air which is warmed by the hot sun • ‘El Niño’ is a phenomenon that occurs roughly every 5-7 years. The southeast trade winds slacken and cause the sea temperatures to rise dramatically and cause storms and heavy rainfall
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VISITOR SITES • Los Gemelos (the twins) are two ‘pit craters’, formed when empty magma chambers collapsed in on themselves • Alcedo Volcano on Isabela Island has the largest tortoise population and is the only volcano visitors can climb • The Devil’s Crown is a dramatic snorkelling site to the north of Cormorant Point where there is an almost completely submerged volcano • The lava tunnels on Santa Cruz provide an understanding of how the islands are formed • Post Office Bay on Floreana is home to a fascinating tradition where a barrel placed there by whalers in the late 18th century was used as an unofficial postbox • The Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela has the largest basaltic caldera in the world measuring 5.6x6.2 miles (9x10km) • The Wall of Tears on Isabela was constructed by the prisoners of the Penal colony in the mid 40’s and characterizes the cruelty the prisoners had to endure
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CHARLES DARWIN • Darwin sailed to Galapagos on board the HMS Beagle in September 1835, when he was 26 years old • During the five weeks that he spent there, he went ashore to collect plants, rocks, insects and birds • He observed the unusual life forms and their adaptations to the harsh environment • He noted that it was possible to distinguish which island a tortoise came from by the shape of their shell. • His most well-known research is of the numerous species of finches which inspired his groundbreaking theory The Origin of Species, published in 1859
GALAPAGOS GEOLOGY The estimated age of the islands is between 3 and 10 million years. The Islands lie on the Nasca tectonic plate and are the plate’s primary land mass. Intense heat caused by the plates being pushed apart leads to eruptions which create new volcanoes and eventually form new islands (‘Hot spot’ theory). There have been around 13 volcanic eruptions in Galapagos in the last 100 years. Most recent eruptions: 3rd June 2008 on Isabela and April 2009 on Fernandina.
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PROTECTION & CONSERVATION In 1959, the Government of Ecuador declared all uninhabited areas of Galapagos a national park. In 1978 UNESCO designated Galapagos as the first World Heritage site and the Galapagos Marine Reserve received the same status in 1998. The Galapagos is second only to the Great Barrier Reef National Park of Australia in terms of the size of marine area protected (80780miles2/130000km2). The Galapagos National Park Service is the main government authority which oversees the safeguarding of the islands’ natural resources.
GALAPAGOS GEOGRAPHY Situated approximately 600 miles (1000km) west of the Ecuadorian mainland. Covers a land area of roughly 4971 miles2 (8000km2). Straddles the Equator between 1.5° north and 0.5° south, and 89° to 92° west. Highest point is the peak of Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island at 5600 ft (1707 m). The islands have 837 miles (1350 km) of coastline, more than mainland Ecuador.
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GALAPAGOS ANIMALS The Galapagos penguin is the only to be found in the northern hemisphere and to breed in the tropics. A Galapagos tortoise can weigh up to 595lb (270kg) with a carapace length of 4ft (1.2m) and outlive most humans. The endemic Galapagos fur sea lions are the smallest among the world’s seven species of fur sea lions. The Galapagos Marine Iguana is the only marine lizard to exist in the world. The Galapagos Islands are home to the world’s largest cormorant and the only one unable to fly. Galapagos has one of the world’s rarest ecosystems in which the herbivores at the top of the food chain are reptiles. Galapagos Swallow-tailed gulls are the only gulls in the world to feed at night. The Galapagos boasts the world`s largest and only red-footed booby colony. There are 23 species of reptile in the Galapagos and all but two of those are endemic to the archipelago. The Galapagos is one of the few areas of the world where turtles are still a common sight. Over 400 species of fish have been recognized in the Galapagos, with 41 species unique to the islands. At 30cm in length and with a large pair of venomous jaws, the endemic centipede (Scolopendra galapagoensis) is among the Islands’ most feared animals. A lichen survey in June 2010 by the Charles Darwin Foundation uncovered more than 60 new species in the Galapagos with an estimated ten species new to science.
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GALAPAGOS HISTORY 1535 1835 1959
The Galapagos Islands are discovered by the Bishop of Panama, Fray Tomas de Berlanga. Charles Darwin arrived on HMS Beagle. Government of Ecuador declared all uninhabited areas to be a national park.
1964 1978
Official inauguration of the Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz. Galapagos was designated as the 1st World Heritage site by UNESCO.
LONESOME GEORGE ‘Lonesome George’ was one of the rarest animals in the world. He was the only surviving giant Pinta Island tortoise (Geochelone elephantopus abingdoni). His estimated age was 90 years. Had been relocated to the Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz Island. Had been put with two females, but although eggs have been produced, none have been hatched.
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ISSUES IN GALAPAGOS Early human activity on the islands was extremely damaging for the wildlife as pirates and buccaneers took giant tortoises aboard for food. 24% of plant species and 50% of vertebrate species are still considered as endangered due to human activity in earlier times. Clandestine fishing of black coral, lobster, shark fin, sea cucumber and sea horse is incredibly destructive to the marine life. Population growth caused by tourism is putting a strain on the unique and fragile environment.
8 T H I N G S YO U M U S T K N OW
BEFORE TRAVELING TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 1 GOING THROUGH IMMIGRATION In order to avoid any hassle make sure that your Passport is valid for at least six months after the date you arrive to Ecuador 2 NEW GALAPAGOS GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS According to Galapagos regulations, every passenger must present a domestic round air ticket, a hotel or cruise reservation; in the case of the passenger not staying in a hotel or cruise an invitation letter from a Galapagos resident. These conditions are obligatory, and if not presented, passengers will not be allowed into the Islands 3 WHAT NEEDS TO BE PAID BEFORE ENTERING THE PLANE! At the Quito or Guayaquil airport, and before embarking, you must pay and register your visit to Galapagos by acquiring the Transit Control Card (US$20.00 cash only per person). 4 GALAPAGOS FOREVER Galapagos has a very delicate ecosystem that needs to be preserved. That’s why there are strict controls on what goes in and out of the Islands 5 ENTERING THE GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK Once at the Galapagos airport, you need to pay a US$100.00 entrance fee (only cash accepted per person), and hand your Transit Control Card to the airport authority 6 WHAT IS THE BEST PAYMENT METHOD TO USE? As Galapagos is an isolated place, Internet and other communication means are not quite reliable. That’s why is best to take enough cash with you 7 GETTING AROUND IN THE ISLANDS Moving from one place to another is really easy. If it is in the same island, you can either walk or take a taxi. When traveling to another island, you can find water shuttles 8 HEALTH INSURANCE Upon your arrival to Ecuador, at the airport immigration office, you must present health insurance details -which must be valid throughout your stay in Ecuador.
W H AT T O PA C K
FOR YOUR GALAPAGOS TRIP Choosing what to bring with you on a trip is as personal as choosing a travelling companion, and by no means do we dare propose a comprehensive packing list that works for everyone. But here are some essentials and suggestions: •
CLOTHES For the daytime in the Galapagos, you will most likely want to be in shorts and a loose comfortable t-shirt or tank top. A wide-brimmed or long-billed hat and a pair of sunglasses are essentials for protecting face, eyes, ears and neck from the bright and scorching equatorial sun. For the evenings on some boats, particularly cruise ships, dinner can be a bit more formal, so a dress shirt or a simple sun dress might be a good idea. Most boats do not have any sort of dress code, and your daytime clothes will be fine. Consider bringing only one or two pairs of light pants to the Galapagos. They will be too warm usually, but you might want them for the plane and perhaps at night to enjoy the ocean nights. Also, bring a light sweater or sweatshirt so you won’t miss magnificent nightly star-gazing. You must pass through Quito, which is also on the Equator, but high in the mountains with a cool climate. Arriving at the airport dressed for cold weather is wise, so pack a jacket, preferrably a waterproof one that can double as a raincoat in the islands.
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FOOTWEAR Without a doubt, Teva-style sandals are the most useful footwear you can bring to the island. They can be worn during dry or wet landing on the islands, protect your feet from the hot, harsh volcanic landscape and keep them cool. You might want the protection and support of tennis shoes or sneakers, but we would recommend that you bring your older broken-in pair than a new pair that will suffer the damage of saltwater, volcanic rock, and sand.
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SUNSCREEN We list sunscreen as its own section because its so important. The sun hits the equator hard and can burn you before you know it. We recommend SPF 45 waterproof sunscreen, and everywhere --don’t forget the tops of your feet! Strong sunburn can be a debilitating condition-- especially for those with lighter skin.
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FOR YOUR GALAPAGOS TRIP •
FOR THE WATER A swimsuit or two is perfect for the water – the sun will dry them quickly and they are great for lounging around on the decks. If you have your own snorkeling equipment and you feel like bringing it with you, do so by all means. Often it is better to have your own equipment with which you are comfortable and certain of it fitting than renting from the boat or a shop. However, if you do not have your own, if your boat does not supply it, or you don’t want to bring yours down, it is quite possible to rent from a shop in Quito. For those that like to spend hours snorkeling and diving deep, you might consider a shorty wet suit for the deeper 18-23 degree C waters.
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PHOTOGRAPHY Of course you will bring your camera! The Galapagos is one large photo opportunity after another, and you will return with many photos that can never be repeated. For this reason, we suggest that you think about how many photos you will want to take and then bring and extra memory card. Frames will quickly fill with all the rarities, wildlife and oceanscapes you can dream of. But if you run out of memory space, getting more can be expensive or difficult. For those that have quality digital cameras, bringing a wide-angle/macro lens and a 70-210mm zoom lens is advisable. The zoom lens will let you frame animals at any variety of distances, and reduce the amount of camera equipment you lug with you to the islands. A polarizing filter helps to reduce the glare of the sunlight on the water and make the dolphins more visible as well as helping with sunset shots. And if you do not have an underwater camera (as most of us don’t), Kodak, Konica, and Fujifilm all make disposible ones -- they work surprisingly well and let you take photos of the sea lion you befriend or the sharks that make you look twice. In case you want to bring video equipment, while adding more bulk, weight and worry, also means that you will be able to capture amazing moments and images. If you bring a tripod, make it a lightweight non-bulky one as you’ll have to hike with it.
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FOR YOUR GALAPAGOS TRIP • ACCESSORIES Some other items that you might consider bringing are binoculars (7x25 are recommended), and extra camera batteries. •
MONEY The official currency on mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos is the US Dollar. It would be wise to already bring some Dollars in cash with you. You will want to have some cash on you while you are on board and in port to buy a t-shirt, a refreshing cola on deck, etc. The airports in Quito and Guayaquil, as well as the major hotels have money exchange facilities. There is a bank in Puerto Ayora (a typical stop on your itinerary) that can change your traveler’s checks, give cash advances on most credit cards, and ATM cardholders may be able to take out money. Carry your money, credit cards and the like in a money pouch (held close to your body).
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MEDICATION First Aid kits are provided on all boats, but may not be complete or provide for those with special needs. Always travel with all prescription medicines that you may need. Special medicines you should consider bringing along are motion sickness medication (if your sea legs don’t develop quickly), and aloe-vera gel (in case you forget our advice about sunscreen), Quito is at 9,500 feet, (3,000m) and some people experience symptoms of altitude sickness which in most cases can be remedied by drinking lots of water, getting lots of rest (which can be difficult when travelling), taking aspirin, or if you experience symptoms of mild headaches, DIAMOX, a drug that increases oxygen profussion is readily available in Quito pharmacies. If you experience severe headaches or respiratory problems, consult a doctor immediately.
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WHATEVER ELSE you would consider bringing on board a boat trip of equatorial islands for a week. Remember that you are on an isolated boat in isolated islands 600 miles from the nearest continent. So if there is something you can’t do without and don’t know if you can find it there, bring it.
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