Galápagos Islands Travel Forum

Dear all,

Im on business in Guayaquil for a week and thought id take advantage and go to the Galapagos for a one or two days after work flying out from guayaquil
Is this really feasible, as every one seems to do long boat cruises, (I only want to get a flavour of the islands and see some wildlife), and is it possible to get one/two days excursions on the island.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
David

Given that the Cristobal airport is closed to big planes you'd land on Baltra and bus to Puerto Ayora then spend a night in a hotel. You might get in the Charles Darwin center and see Lonesome George then a taxi to the highlands to see tortoises in the semi-wild, a walk to Tortuga Bay where you can see marine iguanas and maybe a one-day boat ride to one of the several hiking/snorkeling spots. PA has frigate birds and pelicans and blue footed boobies fishing in the harbor and a few sea lions and marine iguanas around the water front, including functioning as the waste disposal system for the fishermen's daily catch. If it's the only chance you'll ever have to see the Galapagos go ahead and do it but I would highly recommend going back and taking an 8 day cruise; I just did one and it was terrific. I was also able to spend three or four days in each of the three towns (okay; I'm not counting Floreanna because it's teeny) and am glad I did. Snorkeling with the sea lions in North Plaza after a hike in South Plaza was the highlight of my trip; I'm certain they had as much fun as I. And that's probably a day trip out of PA. Although Cristobal airport is closed to mainland flights Emtebbe Airlines has one small plane that does a daily loop between Baltra, Cristobal and Isabella which is much faster and WAY more comfortable than the 3 hour spine-shortening boat trip.