Those with a penchant for the prehistoric will find a lot to love in the Galapagos Islands – it is here that volcanic environments blend into pristine landscapes while iguanas, monitor lizards and giant tortoises sunbake on remote bays in the many national parks. Even if you’re not a fan of Jurassic Park, this island chain boasts fascinating cultural gems and a huge assortment of first-class restaurants and resorts to ensure your days of nature-watching can be capped off with incredible food, wine and relaxation. With so many uninhabited islands making up the Galapagos, the ideal way to take it all in is through a luxury charter, so in this article we give you a rundown of all of the sights you can look forward to in this untouched archipelago.
Unmatched biological beauty
With 13 main islands, six small islands and hundreds of islets to explore, a Galapagos Islands yacht charter is the only way to properly experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps the biggest drawcard of these exotic islands is the unrivalled endemism – approximately 80% of the land birds and 97% of the reptiles and land mammals are only found in the Galapagos, meaning you can’t see the vast majority of these impressive creatures anywhere else in the world. To break it down even further, Galápagos National Park officials have revealed that the 2,017 endemic species across the islands include 42 reptiles, 79 fish, 45 birds, 15 mammals and a truly mind-blowing 1,435 invertebrates. With many of these creatures having few or no natural predators, you can expect to see them relaxing onshore and going about their business even with the occasionally heavy human foot traffic. Perhaps the best example of this is Galapagos giant tortoise – weighing up to 417 kilograms, these tortoises are the largest example of their kind in the entire world! Alongside these tortoises, you can expect to see colourful iguanas, blue-footed boobies, confident pelicans and the smallest species of penguin in the world.
Exciting activities for you to engage in
The unique topography of this archipelago make for a truly unmatched destination for adventurers on a luxury yacht charter in the Galapagos islands. After all, how many other areas allow you to hike a lava-filled volcano and scuba dive among manta rays in the same day? To give you an idea of what’s instore, the 17 kilometre trek up the Sierra Negra volcano on Isla Isabela will reward you with a view of the second largest volcanic crater in the world. Views of the 10.5 km crater will soon wash away the trials of the 6 hour hike, and the nearby village of Puerto Villamil on the southern shore of the volcano makes for an excellent rest stop afterwards. Although May to December are the drier months in the Galapagos, it is still widely regarded as an excellent place to visit year-round. This makes it an ideal location for charterers running to tight schedules, as there’s something to see whenever you’re available.
A dream getaway for any keen charterer
With as many activities available as islets to explore, the Galapagos Islands offer a trip you won’t forget anytime soon. Renowned diving sites, brilliant hiking, utterly unique flora and fauna and scenic bays offer just a few reasons for you to spend a week or two chartering through the islands, with onshore fine dining offering you the opportunity to mingle with locals and other adventurous souls – the Galapagos really has it all.
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