Galapagos Islands
The province of Galapagos encompasses the Galapagos archipelago, which lies 600 miles off the coast. Discovered in 1535, the Galapagos are made up of 13 major islands, 5 of which are inhabited. It was declared a national park in 1959. The total population in 1989 was 9,000.
Baroness Outlook
Baroness Outlook lends a little mystery to Floreana Island as the spot where a self-proclaimed baroness, who disappeared with her lovers in the 1930s, kept watch for incoming ships. Champion, a small satellite island off Floreana, is one of the very few that holds a Floreana Mocking bird population.
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Caleta Tagus
Stretching 80 miles in length, this island is the largest in the Galapagos and a favorite site of the early pirates and whalers. Famous for the high cliffs which enclose the protected bay, a visit here will give you the opportunity to view a salt water lagoon and the lava fields of Darwin Volcano.
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Cerro Dragon
Also known as Dragon Hill, this area is nestled on the north shore of the Santa Cruz Island. Covered by mangroves, it shelters one of the few populations of land iguanas on earth.
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Cormorant Point
Floreana Island was once a penal colony for Ecuador, the first capital of the Galapagos and where Charles Darwin met the viceroy of Galapagos.
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Elizabeth Bay
Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos Archipelago, is composed of five volcanoes, with the latest eruption in October 2005. The cold, nutrient-rich waters of Elizabeth Bay and the small Mariela Islands provide the perfect home for the Galapagos penguin.
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Isla Baltra
During W.W.II Baltra was established as a US Air Force Base. Crews stationed at Baltra patrolled the Pacific for enemy submarines, and protected the mouth of the Panama Canal. After the war the facilities were given to the government of Ecuador. Today the island continues as an official military base.
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Isla Bartolome
The variety of volcanic formations found here give this small, barren island a moon-like appearance. A hike over the island's lava tubes and tuff cones leads to a spectacular view of Pinnacle Rock, where sea lions and penguins are often seen cavorting in the waters.
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Isla Espanola
Among the many sights of Isla Espanola is Punta Suarez, a rocky point of land where guests may observe various colonies of sea birds as well as fauna found nowhere else on the planet. Also on this island is Bahia Gardner, a beautiful beach offering an excellent opportunity to relax and swim.
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Isla Rabida
Rabida is one of the most volcanically varied islands in the chain. Geologically consisting of eroded hills and lava emitted from spatter cones that have resulted in island's striking colors. A visit begins with a wet landing on the deep maroon colored northern beach. Marine Iguanas and Sea Lions are often seen resting in the shade of the caves nearby. Behind the beach is the salt brush home where the Brown Pelicans make their nests. Rabida may be the only opportunity visitors have to see Pelicans nesting up close. On the cliffs above the Pelicans Blue-Footed and Masked Boobies can be seen.
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Isla Santa Maria
Floreana, Isla Santa Maria is best known for its colorful history of buccaneers, whalers and colonists. The island is also home to the Post Office-a mail system of yesteryear established to send letters to and from England. The tradition is kept alive today as visitors drop off and pick up letters (without stamps) to be carried to faraway destinations.
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Las Bachas
This white-sand beach on Isla Santa Cruz is a major egg-laying site for Pacific green turtles, but pelicans and flamingos feel equally at home here, too. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, close to the Baltra Airport, Las Bachas is a swimming beach that serves as a Visitor Site. On this hike, you may see flamingoes, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels. The sea turtles nest off the beach as well.
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North Seymore
North of Baltra (South Seymour) is the small islet of North Seymour. The two islands are very similar in appearance both created from Geological Uplift and having typical arid vegetation including Prickly Pear Cacti, Palo Santos Trees and Salt Bushes. The visitor trail on North Seymour is approximately (2 km) in length crossing the inland of the island and exploring the rocky coast. Along the way the trail passes colonies of Blue-Footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds.
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Puerto Ayora
A fifteen-minute stroll from one end to the other along Charles Darwin Avenue promises plenty of sights and sounds in this, the largest city of the Galapagos Islands. A charming seaside town, Puerto Ayora features Ecuadorian and international cuisine, local artisans and shopping as well as snorkeling and scuba diving.
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Puerto Egas
A visit to Puerto Egas begins with a wet landing on the dark sand beaches of James Bay. The visit begins with a walk along the rocky coast giving visitors the opportunity to view some of the Galapagos Island's best tide pools. Sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles and fish including the endemic four-eyed blenny can be seen. The walk also presents visitors with a variety of shore birds, marine iguanas, sally light foot crabs and sea lions.
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Punta Espinosa
Located on the northeast part of Fernandina, this port is known for its lava fields, where you can view recent volcanic activity and an abundance of wildlife from rich seas bathing the stark coastline. Here we find sea lions, masked boobies, marine iguanas, red billed tropic birds and many others.
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Quito
Nestling between two spectacular towering Andean Ranges, Quito-Ecuador's capital, also straddles the Equator and, as such, lays claim to being the 'City at the centre of the world'. It is a city of wonderful juxtapositions! The wonderfully preserved and restored Old Town, a living testimony to Quito's colonial past, is complimented by the modern glass skyscrapers, electric trolleys and mansions to the north of the city. Even the somewhat dominant and highly active Pichincha Volcano, coexists harmoniously on the city's western side.
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San Cristobal
Though this island hosts the second biggest population besides Santa Cruz, it's not often visited on cruises or by individual travelers. San Cristobol is charming and its capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is the capital of the islands. About 5,400 people live here, and many who do work for the government or in fisheries (the Galapagos' second largest income source). There is a bank and facilities for tourists, though is by no means close to Puerto Ayora's amenities. On San Cristobol, though, you may be lucky to see the red footed booby - the least seen of the bunch. It's also the home of the Chatham mockingbird, only found here on the island.
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