Active Galapagos Trip Expenses

Waiting Patiently

People have asked me how much my trip to the Galapagos cost and whether it was worth it to use Intrepid travel.  I’ve decided to share the total cost of my trip, so everyone can make their own judgment. But Continue reading Active Galapagos Trip Expenses

Hiking into a Volcanic Caldera

Sierra Negra Caldera

During my trip to the Galapagos, we stayed three nights on Isabela Island.  All the islands of the Galapagos were formed by volcanoes and Isabela is no different, but it was the one island where we ventured up to, around Continue reading Hiking into a Volcanic Caldera

2012 Week #35

Yellow Finch

After snorkeling at Shark Alley near San Cristobal, our Intrepid tour of the Galapagos took us to a beach for some relaxation and lunch.  In reality…we  needed to warm up after the chilling snorkeling we’d just done.  These curious little Continue reading 2012 Week #35

Leaving the Galapagos

Our View on Santa Cruz

Wow…we thought getting there took some steps.  Leaving took almost as many.  Breakfast was served at 7:00 am and promptly at 7:30 am our journey back to Quito began. We took a private bus from the main part of Santa Continue reading Leaving the Galapagos

Swimming with Giant Sea Turtles

Giant Sea Turtle

It’s hard to pick a highlight from my trip to the Galapagos, but swimming with the Sea Turtles is probably tied for the top (with the Penguins)*.  I’ve seen small Sea Turtles in Belize, but the massive size and quantity Continue reading Swimming with Giant Sea Turtles

I Love Boobies…

Blue-Footed Booby

…of the Blue-Footed type. By the way…Dad…if you are reading this you have a great hat coming your way…love you. The Galapagos is probably one of the few places where you can constantly say “I love boobies” and no one Continue reading I Love Boobies…

Penguin Encounters

Duo of Penguins

The Galapagos penguins are the second smallest penguins in the world.  For some reason I was certain I wouldn’t see any on this trip.  I figured they would be very elusive.  Luckily I saw them three times; all three times Continue reading Penguin Encounters

Tortoise Encounters

Male Tortoise Close-up

The lesson of the day was the difference between turtles and tortoises…it’s simple really, yet I had no idea…turtles live in water and tortoises live on land.  We got to see both giant tortoises and giant turtles.  I’ll post about Continue reading Tortoise Encounters

Sea Lion Encounters

Poser

One of the first things we learned from our Intrepid guide, when we arrived on San Cristobal, was the difference between Seals and Sea Lions.  He also promised punishment for anyone who called them Seals instead of Sea Lions.  🙂 Continue reading Sea Lion Encounters

Getting to the Galapagos

Getting Ready to Land in San Cristobal

Our tour with Intrepid officially started yesterday with a city tour of Quito, Ecuador but today we stepped foot on our first island in the Galapagos…San Cristobal. The day started fairly early with a 5:00 am wake-up call so that Continue reading Getting to the Galapagos