BE AN EXPERT ON THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO THE WEBINAR ALL YOU NEED IS ECUADOR

Transcription

1 BE AN EXPERT ON THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO THE WEBINAR ALL YOU NEED IS ECUADOR 1

2 GENERAL CONTENTS The Galapagos Top 5 3 How to get to the Galapagos Islands? 3 From overseas From within Ecuador Galapagos Islands visiting options 6 Island Hopping Hotels on an inhabited island Galapagos cruises Cruise Itineraries 9 Terrestrial visitor sites Marine visitor sites Example Galapagos cruise itineraries Activities 13 Hiking Visits to the Beach Getting close to Fauna Flora Birdwatching Whale watching Stargazing Surfing Kayaking Biking Snorkeling Scuba diving Galapagos cuisine Useful Travel tips 15 Tourist control card Ingala TCT Exotic species control and inspection system SICGAL Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee Useful additional information 17 To remember General info Galapagos brief history of the islands Community & conservation Recognitions Further Information Visit the other worlds of Ecuador 2

3 THE GALAPAGOS TOP 5 The Galapagos Islands are already part of the destinations within Ecuador which are marketed through Tour operators, wholesalers and travel agencies, however it worth s to remember some of the elements that make these islands so special and different from other destinations of the world World Natural Heritage Site, UNESCO 1978 Living laboratory of evolution allowing natural, close encounters with amazing, unique species TRULY unlike anywhere else! World-class example of sustainable management of a tourist destination Easy to connect with mainland Ecuador adventures FROM OVERSEAS HOW TO GET TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS? The Galapagos Islands have only domestic airports, which means that it is needed to land first on one of Ecuador cities with international airports (Quito or Guayaquil) and that also offer connections and regular flights to the Islands. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TO ECUADOR (QUITO OR GUAYAQUIL) 3

4 FROM WITHIN ECUADOR Once in Ecuador the connecting flight to the Galapagos departing from Quito via Guayaquil is: Quito Guayaquil 40 min flight 40 minutes Stopover in Guayaquil Guayaquil Galápagos 1h40 min flight Arrival to Baltra or San Cristóbal Regular flights with TAME, AEROGAL & LAN In addition, since January 2015, LAN Ecuador started the operation of direct flights Quito Galapagos (Baltra) Quito Galápagos (Baltra) direct flight 2 hours and 10 minutes approximately 4

5 THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 13 Main Islands, 5 Medium-size Islands and 215 islets are part of the Galapagos Islands Archipelago This archipelago of volcanic origin, which belongs to Ecuador is located 928 km (501 miles) from its Pacific coast. As it happens with Ecuador's mainland, the Galapagos Islands are also crossed by the Equator; these islands are part of the country's Protected Areas System under two categories: Galapagos National Park Galapagos Marine Reserve This natural paradise is a crossing point for major currents and climate phenomena such as "El Niño" and the Humboldt cold current, and is recognized for its great diversity of flora and fauna and especially for the large number of endemic species living on them. 5

6 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS VISITING OPTIONS Cruises, Hotels on an inhabited island and/or Special interest activities! ISLAND HOPPING Hotel accommodation in a circuit to visit 2 or more inhabited islands. This option allows you to visit different islands without having to be on board a vessel during the stay. Designed for visitors who wish to visit this archipelago in a way different that on board a cruise, using local transport between the islands and using the accommodation options on each island. A great option for families with children under 8 years old. 6

7 HOTELS ON AN INHABITED ISLAND Excellent option to enjoy and learn more about the human history of the Islands and their interaction with their natural wealth Activities and day trip options to different areas of the island or to nearby islands Day tour on board a Yacht Other activities such as hiking, bike trails, beach visits, among others. Greater interaction with the island where you stay and with its entire environment An opportunity to meet local artists and artisans, to enjoy the local gastronomy, keeping the feeling of being in a natural site, but at the same time not isolated from the world. The 4 inhabited islands in this archipelago are: San Cristóbal (the provincial Capital), Santa Cruz (the largest town of the inhabited islands), Isabela (the largest island of the archipelago and the most remote) and Floreana (the smallest of the inhabited islands). 7

8 GALAPAGOS CRUISES Visit several islands and move from one place to another while eating and/or sleeping. This is one of the most popular visiting options to the Galapagos Islands, since the passengers can take full advantage of the time and reach more islands and visiting sites during their stay in this archipelago; the cruises are navigating from one place to another while passengers have their meals and at night, so it is literally possible to go bed while facing an island and wake up in front of another. There are several types of cruise ships and boats among them: The smaller yachts are of 8 up to 16 passengers Sailboats and catamarans Yachts and cruises of up to 50 passengers Larger cruise ships of 90 up to 100 passengers *Even the largest ships in Galapagos are small by cruise industry standards. 8

9 CRUISE ITINERARIES Cruises itineraries are assigned to each operator by the Galapagos National Park and are focused on creating the best experience for visitors, while guaranteeing the lowest environmental impact. The Galapagos National Park administration has a visitor s management system which consists of several areas of management: Zoning or visitors sites planning (definition of places of visit) Acceptable visitor load measuring & monitoring impacts of visitation Establishment of routes allocated to operators For the allocation of visiting sites that make part of the itineraries for the 83 officially registered boats by the National Park; the 69 terrestrial visit sites and 79 marine visit sites have been distributed in circuits of up to 15 days, so the operators can simultaneously subdivide its operation in 5, 6 or 7 days cruises and build circuits by groups of Islands. The visitor sites classified by the Galapagos National Park are: TERRESTRIAL VISITOR SITES 69 terrestrial visitor sites distributed in 15 islands and islets of this archipelago 9

10 MARINE VISITOR SITES 79 marine visitor sites distributed in 19 islands and islets within the Galapagos Marine Reserve EXAMPLE GALAPAGOS CRUISE ITINERARIES CIRCUIT A 6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS CRUISE FROM TUESDAY TO SUNDAY 10

11 CIRCUIT B 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS CRUISE FROM SUNDAY TO THURSDAY CIRCUIT C 6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS CRUISE FROM THURSDAY TO TUESDAY 11

12 COMBINATION OF CIRCUITS SOUTH-EAST ISLANDS NORTH ISLANDS WEST ISLANDS EXAMPLE: CIRCUIT A + B OR CRUISE B + C (11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS) EXAMPLE: CIRCUIT A + B + C (15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS) CRUISE + HOTEL COMBINATION After a cruise ship around the Islands, guests can opt to stay some extra days in a hotel for a more 360 experience! 12

13 ACTIVITIES The southern and eastern islands of this archipelago are - in geological terms - older than the Islands located to the West and to the North, on the other hand, some of the Galapagos Islands have very different height ranges and are more or less influenced by the ocean currents that converge here, In addition, there is more volcanic activity in the "younger" islands that in the oldest ones; these factors, among others have a deep impact on the climate, vegetation, fauna; and in general in the natural and geographical conditions of each island that makes each of them a unique world. Whatever type of visit you choose, in the Galapagos Islands there is a myriad of choices of activities to enjoy. HIKING Trails that remind us of the volcanic origin of the Islands There is a great diversity of landscapes and hiking options on trails ranging from easy ones like the path to reach Tortuga Bay beach on Santa Cruz Island, passing through a walk up the stairs to get to the top of the Bartolomé Island; to more difficult trails on lava from volcanoes such as the ones found in Isabela Island. VISITS TO THE BEACH Natural beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters with specific characteristics on each island, for example: Garrapatero Beach in Santa Cruz (white sand) Santiago Island beaches (black sand) The Beach or The Golden Beach, Bartolomé Island (Golden sand) GETTING UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL TO FAUNA Animals are fearless With unique species that characterize each island such as: 13

14 Giant Galapagos Turtles (different species like the ones in Santa Cruz highlands or as the ones found in Isabela and/or Fernandina Island) Galapagos penguins (Bartolomé Island among the most popular) Marine Iguanas (several Islands) FLORA Flora adapted to the special conditions of the Islands One of the best examples of this adaptation are the different varieties of "Opuntia" cactus, which are found on several islands (Baltra, Daphne, Santa Cruz), and unique varieties found only in Isabela and Seymour. BIRDWATCHING Specific and different species from one island to another With unique species that characterize each island such as: Darwin's Finches (different varieties on each island) Albatrosses (Española) Blue-footed boobies, Red-footed boobies and Masked-boobies (several Islands) WHALE WATCHING July, August and September are the best months to see these giants In these Enchanted Islands four families of whales, nineteen genres and an unmatched number of 26 species can be found, among them the humpback whales and Orca whales also known as Killer whales. STARGAZING Night skies without light pollution. Equator = observation of both Northern and Southern hemisphere constellations; from here you can observe constellations such as the Crux (Southern Cross) as well as constellations visible in the northern hemisphere like the Ursa Major (the Big Dipper). SURFING Volcanic rock reefs and ocean currents come together to form unique waves In three of the inhabited islands (San Cristobal, Santa Cruz and Isabela) there are several sites that feature adequate and consistent waves for the practice of this popular sport. KAYAKING Reaching remote locations to admire them from different point of view This is one of the authorized activities in the Galapagos Marine Reserve; from the kayak it is possible to appreciate both: the places found on the Islands that have no easy access and the great marine life. 14

15 BIKING Visiting the islands like a local. This is an ideal transport mean to reach many of the visitor places in the inhabited islands without causing contamination or negative impacts on the environment. SNORKELING Sea lions, turtles, penguins, iguanas, beautiful fish and marine landscapes all with just a snorkel, mask and a pair of fins The best of this activity is that anyone can do it, no experience is required and the only thing you need to know is how to swim and learn to breathe through the snorkel. You can see playful sea lions, fish in great diversity of shapes and colors and amazing species of fauna nonexistent anywhere else in the world as the marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins. SCUBA DIVING One of the world s best locations for diving The Galapagos Islands are located at a crossing point where some main marine currents meet and merge. Cold currents coming from the South bring along nutrients that meet and mix with components arriving with the warm currents arriving from the North; this water and temperatures mixture, results in a place that houses abundance of marine species. A wide variety of sharks and manta rays make these waters their home as well as species arriving to these waters in specific seasons as the humpback whales or the amazing whale shark. GALAPAGOS CUISINE Local flavors for national and international visitors The cuisine in these paradisiacal islands is characterized for being very rich in variety of fish and shellfish found in the area. Shrimps, prawns or lobster and variety of fish are part of the daily diet in the Galapagos. USEFUL TRAVEL TIPS Visits and guided tours in groups of MAX 16 passengers The Islands can be visited until 18:00 There are two types of landings: dry and wet (consider taking shoes and sandals or tevas) Food is prohibited on the non-inhabited islands Great family destination (over 8) It is strongly recommended to follow the rules and regulations of the National Park 15

16 TOURIST CONTROL CARD INGALA - TCT With approx. 97% of its territory protected, this archipelago has conditions, regulations and special controls in terms of migration and settlement in the Islands that guarantee their conservation A mandatory online registration must be made at The issuance of this card has a cost of US$ 20 per passenger It must be paid in cash before the check-in at the airport (Quito or Guayaquil) EXOTIC SPECIES CONTROL AND INSPECTION SYSTEM SICGAL Galapagos non-native species of plants and animals represent one of the greatest challenges to ensure the conservation of the species of this archipelago. The system of inspection and quarantine for the Galapagos or SICGAL developed a procedure to prevent the arrival of non-native species to the Islands. Review, control and luggage tagging before the check-in at the respective airline counters (airports of Quito and Guayaquil). 16

17 GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE US$ 100 per adults and US$50 for children up to 12 years old Payment in cash only upon arrival to Galapagos (Baltra or San Cristóbal) Rate valid for the entire period of stay in the Islands (for example in a 10 days visit the daily average value would be only 10 USD *) *The value payable is 100 or USD 50 there is no partial payments per day, daily averaging has been used only as an example. USEFUL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION To Remember Flights to the Galapagos are only domestic but you can get a stamp as a souvenir! There is no tourist maritime transport between mainland Ecuador and Galapagos Islands General Info Located on both sides of the Equatorial line Area: Km2 land; and, km2 of Marine Reserve 97% of its territory is protected Population: , distributed across 4 islands Height range: 0 masl to 1707 masl (Volcano Wolf, Isabela) Average weather: Warm tropical rainy season December to June 27 a 36 C (80 a 96 F) Sub-tropical dry season July to November 17 a 24 C (64 a 75 F) 17

18 GALAPAGOS, BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS Discovered by accident in 1535 due to the currents that pass or converge on this site, a fact that made them famous as the "enchanted islands Frequently visited by buccaneers, pirates and whalers Established as Ecuador's insular territory in 1832 Visit of the HMS Beagle with its more illustrious crew member, the English naturalist Charles Darwin who used these islands as a natural laboratory for 5 weeks in 1835 Use of the Baltra island as a US strategic military base in the 1940's in agreement with Ecuador s government In 1959 the Islands are declared as a National Park and the Charles Darwin Foundation is founded; the operations of the research station start in 1964 Lonesome George is discovered in 1971 In 1978 and 1984 UNESCO recognitions are received Currently the Galapagos are the best example of conservation of Oceanic Islands and are part of large and important exhibitions around the world COMMUNITY & CONSERVATION Galapagos Islands environmental management plan Galapagos special Governing Council and law Galapagos National Park Administration Conservation institutions: the Charles Darwin Foundation, Galapagos Foundation, WWF Municipalities and local communities in volunteerism, coastal clean-up and community work programs 18

19 Adoption of environmentally friendly practices such as recycling, banning plastic bags and polyurethane foam containers Development of modern and ecofriendly infrastructure; Baltra airport (Gold LEED certification for sustainable construction). It employs bio-climatic strategies for natural air-conditioning and other sustainable practices RECOGNITIONS Its natural beauty, its historical significance, the geographical conditions along with the research and conservation actions taking place on this archipelago have earned to these Islands several national and international awards and recognition; among the main ones: World Natural Heritage Site, UNESCO 1978 Marine reserve -created in within the Natural Heritage status. UNESCO 2001 Biosphere reserve. UNESCO 1985 Ramsar site, South of Isabela (wetlands which are of importance for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life) One of the world's main scuba diving sites Best place for wildlife» USA Today Always included in the lists of places to visit before you die! 19

20 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Visit the services Directory: VISIT THE OTHER WORLDS OF ECUADOR 20

21 The communication campaign to the international industry: All You Need Is Ecuador, is a promotional action of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism Ecuador, May