How do I know how to choose the best travel packages to the Galapagos Islands? When it comes to exploring a new and extraordinary place, a traveler’s primary focus will almost always be to find the best possible way to experience the destination itself. The seasoned traveler will never hesitate to ask themselves: What should I definitely not miss? What places should I definitely visit? What are the tourist traps that I should I try and avoid? Or, How do I choose the best itinerary for my Galapagos Cruise tour package?
Travelers ask themselves these questions to answer a fundamental one: how do I make the most out of my limited time at this destination?
Such a question is even more imperative for a unique, isolated, and vast place as the Galapagos Islands. In the case of Galapagos cruises, that same fundamental question often takes on the following form:
Which is the Best Galapagos Cruise Package?
And the answer to that question is not as easy as one might think, for there is no single “one Galapagos package to rule them all,” so to speak. What it all comes down to are your interests and preferences. That’s why we made a Step by Step Guide to Choosing the Best Galapagos Cruise Package.
It might not seem like it to everyone, but the Galapagos Islands are actually quite big. The archipelago is home to a grand total of 19 islands and dozens of islets. Due to its volcanic nature, the Galapagos Islands are also in a constant state of expansion, meaning new islands may very well be forming as you read this blog!
The Galapagos Islands are spread out over an area of 45,000 square kilometers (17,000 square miles) on the Pacific Ocean and are located 906 kilometers (563 miles) off the coast of Ecuador. Only around 18% of this area is actual land.
Yet, given the size of the Galapagos and the distance between each island, getting to know the entire archipelago in a single day is, quite literally, impossible. Hence, we’ve conveniently divided the archipelago into regions and different itineraries for each Galapagos cruise.
And keep in mind: all of our itineraries last the minimum recommended of 5 days, giving our guests enough time to properly experience each piece of the archipelago without feeling rushed. Also worth noting: each of our itineraries offers its own set of distinct features, too.
Our packages are divided between the archipelago’s Western, Northern, and Eastern regions for our Santa Cruz II and Yacht La Pinta vessels. In the case of our Yacht Isabela II, packages have been divided between the Northern, Western, and Southeastern regions of the archipelago.
These itineraries allow you to discover a distinct set of islands, fauna, and flora. In the end, choosing Galapagos tours comes down to considering what you want to get out of your trip to the Galapagos.
Ultimately, the best Galapagos cruise package is the one that best suits your interests. And these next couple of steps will help you figure out how to do precisely that!
The Galapagos Islands are one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world and happen to have some of the highest levels of endemism, too. Consequently, it’s no surprise that many come to the Enchanted Isles to experience wildlife that they can’t see anywhere else on the planet!
That’s why we always recommend that our potential guests take the time to ponder and consider which animals they want to see when choosing their Galapagos Cruise itinerary.
On average, over 80% of the birds, reptiles, and mammals you’ll see during your Galapagos cruise are endemic, meaning Galapagos is the only place they exist!
Genetic alterations in the flightless cormorant have, over some 2 million years, caused the bird to lose its ability to fly. As a result, this is the only cormorant species that cannot enjoy the wonders of air travel! But don’t feel sorry just yet! Evolution has been kind to this unique species, as they are now superb swimmers and underwater hunters.
Another iconic species in Galapagos is the red-footed booby. These charming animals can be found on the islands of Genovesa and, less frequently, San Cristobal. If you really want to see red-footed boobies in Galapagos, then Genovesa Island is your best bet, as it is home to their biggest colony. Genovesa also happens to be one of the most isolated and untouched islands in the archipelago, which gives red-footed boobies the freedom to roam around without a care in the world.
On the other side of the archipelago, specifically down on Española Island, guests will be delighted to find the majestic waved albatross. These birds only live in the Enchanted Isles during their mating season, which lasts from April all the way to December. This glorious animal – which can measure up to 250 centimeters (8.2 feet) – is famously known for being a master of flight, capable of gliding gracefully through the air for hours, days, and sometimes even weeks or months without ever landing! The Galapagos National Park made it a huge point to protect this species due to its endangered status on the IUCN Red List, and the Enchanted Isles remain a safe haven for them to this day.
For a complete list of the iconic species you’ll get to see with our Galapagos cruise itineraries, please be sure to check out our full BIG15 list of iconic species in the Galapagos. This is the best way to find out more about each iconic species and where, exactly, the wild things are in Galapagos!
In addition to the unique wildlife, one of the main reasons going on Galapagos tours is so appealing is simply due to the geological distinctiveness of each island. Sailing from island to island (something that can only be achieved aboard expedition vessels) has often been compared to traveling across a mini-solar system that’s replete with different planets. The landscapes our guests will experience on each itinerary are so varied and diverse that you can encounter red-colored beaches, dramatic cliffs, volcanic terrain, lush highlands, and dry Palo Santo forests in just one Galapagos journey.
The best Galapagos cruise package should always provide visitors with some of the archipelago’s most breathtaking places. The best part? All of our itineraries make it a point to do exactly that. With 14 islands that can be visited and an average of 5 different islands per itinerary, you might be asking yourself: what does each island offer? Which ones should I definitely see?
Well, have no fear, dear reader, for we have consulted with our destination experts, naturalist guides, and guests to narrow down the Top 3 Islands to Visit in Galapagos (in no particular order)!
Located in the southeast corner of the archipelago, Española Island is a treat for guests looking forward to dropping their jaws. This island has it all! From a glorious geological blowhole formation to a dramatic coastline, Española never fails to impress. It is also the one-and-only island in the Enchanted Isles, home to the majestic waved albatross.
This island is also known for being home to an astonishing amount of wildlife. There are two main visitor sites here: Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay. Among the activities you can enjoy here are snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and paddleboarding.
Welcome to one of the youngest islands in the archipelago! Fernandina, located to the far west, is home to incredible species such as flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins. Fernandina’s terrain is very rocky due to its volcanic nature. What’s more? There’s La Cumbre volcano right in the middle of the island, which recently experienced a mesmerizing eruption that we witnessed in 2018!
Adding to this island’s magic and surreal nature are old pahoehoe lava flows that have turned to rock while keeping their unique, rope-like patterns intact. Marine iguanas amass and congregate over these fascinating pieces of fossilized geology, often blending in so perfectly that you have to be careful not to step on them!
The Bolivar Channel (which flows between Fernandina and Isabela islands) is a great place to glimpse some of the whales that frequent the archipelago. Just make sure you visit sometime between July and November!
If you want Galapagos tours to give you an incredible experience, you should visit Genovesa! It is one of the most isolated and faraway islands, located in the upper east corner of the archipelago, and it’s a great spot to see some of the best Galapagos highlights. Take Darwin Bay, for example. This postcard-worthy site results from a volcanic caldera that has completely collapsed and sunken underwater! That’s why the coastline, when seen from above, resembles a crescent moon.
Genovesa is also known as “Bird Island” due to its abundant population of birds and the magnificent birdwatching opportunities it offers. It’s not easily accessible, and only a few boats go all the way up to visit it, so you’ll want to choose an expedition vessel that does, like all of ours!
If you want to learn more about the rest of the islands that you’ll get to experience in a Galapagos cruise itinerary, then definitely take a peek at our blog on the Best Islands to Visit in Galapagos!
As you may have noticed, each of these islands occupies a different geographical point in the archipelago. They’re far apart from each other, so there’s no single itinerary covering all of them. But don’t worry! You can easily craft and customize an even bigger package aboard any one of our expedition vessels by combining two or more itineraries back-to-back. Now that is the ultimate Galapagos tour!
And that’s it! Once you’ve considered those steps, you should have a pretty solid idea of which Galapagos tour is best for you!
Finally, it’s worth repeating that there’s no such thing as a single best Galapagos cruise itinerary. At Metrojourneys, we understand that not all of our potential guests are looking for the same experience. Every guest is different, and that’s our starting point! We also believe that a destination is only as good as the package that allows you to experience it. We’ve dedicated tons of resources to crafting packages that offer all the things you hope to see and experience. Because, in the end, the best Galapagos cruise package is the one that satisfies and fills your heart with joy!