Galapagos Islands in Ecuador - a place where Darwin "found God. Amazing world of Ecuador - where the Galapagos Islands are located

Galapagos Islands (Islas Galápagos) or Colón Archipelago (Archipiélago de Colón) are located in the Pacific. They have volcanic origins and consist of 19 islands. Their total area is 8010 km 2, and the population is about 25 thousand people. Galapagos Islands - the province of the South American Country Ecuador, separated from the mainland 972 kilometers of the ocean.

The climate of the column is divided into dry and wet seasons. From June to November, the weather is Cool and windy. The remaining months, which are considered to be a high season, relatively hot and rainy. Despite the proximity to the Equator, the Galapagos climate is comfortable at the expense of the coastal cool ocean flow.

The archipelago located far from civilization is highlighted by picturesque landscapes, the striking variety of the animal world, and excellent conditions for recreation. Warm water and excellent sandy beaches can be combined with walks through the protected islands, which is a natural zoo and botanical garden. Galapagos Islands are very attractive to nature lovers, animals, birds, diving and surfing. A significant part of the endemic fauna.

History of opening islands

On the world map, Galapagos Islands appeared in the XVI century. The first European who fell on the archipelago in 1535 was the Spanish priest and traveler Thomas de Bergang. Going out of Panama to Peru, he came up with satellites from the course. On the islands they met gigantic turtles, which Spaniards called Galapagos ("Elephant Turtles").

The next three centuries of the column archipelago actually served as the residence of pirates. In 1832, his annexed Ecuador. After 3 years, a scientific expedition led by Charles Darwin arrived at the island. Located away from civilization the protected islands with a rich fauna were great place For the future studies of the author of the theory of origin of species.

Since 1936, the archipelago received status national Park Ecuador. In 1978, the column entered the UNESCO list, and in 1985 he became a biosphere reserve of world importance.

List of all Galapagos Islands

Most famous islandslocated in descending order of the area:

Isabella Island

On the isabela island (called the name of the Castilian Queen) is the highest Wolf volcano on the colon - 1707 m. The diameter of the crater of another volcano Sierra Negra is the second in the world in size. After the eruption in 2005, Volcan Chico, the woven lava gave the local landscape an unearthly look. Not far from the Alcedo volcano is the Bay of Urbina Bay with a black sandy beach. ISABELA has its own "EL MURRO DE LAS LAGRIMAS). In the middle of the XX century Her in very hard conditions was built by the prisoners who were here for a correctional colony.

There are practically absent tourist trails on this island. In a small settlement of the island, only 2500 inhabitants engaged in preferably fishing. Tourism here is based only on visiting the yachts of high-ranking faces and cozy picturesque corners Islands. These include Reef, next to whom white sharks and the center of breeding turtles live.

Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz Island is the most populated and developed in tourist terms. Here is the main Galapagos Port of Puerto Ayora. On the way to it, Los Gemelos craters are located on both sides ("Gemini"). Between them you can see unusual vegetation and rare species of birds. Flora is represented by a gigantic cactus by the empmunication and mangroves.

Next to the port is Bay Beach, the center of giant turtles and national Park. On the territory of the island, tourists will be able to do diving, swimming, watch birds from the yacht. Also, the island can be viewed on horseback or bike. For lovers of unexpected leisure activities, driving on kayaks.

You can stay in hotels. Moreover, the pricing policy here is diverse, ranging from the cheapest economy-class numbers to expensive presidential suites. From the port of Iyor you can rent a boat and start traveling by the rest of the archipelago island.

On the island of Santa Cruz, the largest research center Darwin is located. His work is aimed at preserving the nature of Galapagos. Not only famous scientists, but also students, teachers, in general, all those who are not indifferent to the environmental situation on the islands and in the world are working in the center. Now here is solved by one of the most important issues related to the importation of pets in the archipelago territory.

San Salvador Island

On the island of San Salvador is another famous beach - Puerto Egas. It was formed from volcanic tuff. It is believed that black sand has healing properties for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. On San Salvador is the only fresh water source on the column - the lake in the El Junco volcanic crater.

Island Fernandina

On the island of Fernandina is the most active volcano Colon - La Cumbre. He "shoots" every few years. In Bay, Urbina is one of the rare on the coral reef archipelago.

San Cristobal Island

San Cristóbal island presents all the variety of Galapagos flora - from the deserted to the Pampova (subtropical steppes). Here is the capital of the archipelago - the city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This is the second population of the Galapagos Islands. You need to visit the Museum of Interpretation, created in alliance with the Spaniards. You will tell you about the islands, their magmatic origin and characteristics of nature. Next to the center is also not big Park With marine lions.

Santa Maria Island

Santa María island named one of Columbian Karavel. Her initial name is La Gallega ("Galicia"). Like other Kolumba ships, it was called by the name I liked the sailors of port prostitutes along the way to America. Columbus was worth a big job to persuade the captain of La Gallega to change the name. The sea believed was justified: the new name brought it on the ship's unfortunate. Santa María was stranded.

Espanyola Island.

The South Volcanic Island of Galapagos is uninhabited.

Bartolome Island

Bartolome Island (Santiago) on one of the black shores of the island can be observed behind Iguanami, Herons, Seagulls and other animals. After numerous walks best way Relax will be swimming with dolphins and penguins. And rising to the highest point of the island, you will open a picturesque view of the surrounding landscape.

Animal world islands

The research center created at Santa Cruz together with the International Darwin Fund leads a great job to preserve the unique fauna and the Flora of the Galapagos Islands. Their main goal is to protect indigenous animals and plants from those from other places first by pirates and the Spaniards, and then South American.

It seems to be a harmless cattle devastifies the local habitat, and the darwinovs of reels and local feathers were very loved by cute cats. Pigs permanent ruin of the earth destroy the sockets of turtles, iguan, and unique vegetation. Black rats are enemies of small turtles. On Isabela Isabela, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz and Flareana, the indigenous flora has practically disappeared, giving way to avocado, citrus, blackberry, guaiyav.

Galapagos or ivory turtle

Among the local fauna are the most famous elephant turtles, which gave the name of the islands. They reach 1.8 m long, and weigh up to 400 kg. The duration of their life is more than a century, and in captivity - even 170 years. The turtles look like this solid age. They feed on local shrubs and herbs, and some of them are for other animals of poisonous.

The turtles dwellings differ in the colon the size and shape of the shell, as well as relative dimensions depending on the floor. On large wet reptiles islands larger, their shell is domed. And in the turtles living on small arid islands Sadlovoid shell. Males twice (up to 54 kg) larger females.

Before the appearance on the archipelago of people here lived a half dozen subspecies with a total number of 250 thousand. By 1970, their population declined to threatening the existence of a figure of 3 thousand. This was brought to the invasion of a person in natural habitats, the spread of pigs, goats and rats. The ability of the turtles for months to do without food and drinking caused a barbaric use of their sailors as "living canned foods."

By the end of the XX century. People have spun. For a non-negative trend in the island, several thousand cubs grown in captivity were released. Now the number of elephant turtles reached 20 thousand, mostly settled on Isabela, especially in the vicinity of the Alcedo volcano, and in the mountain range of Isla Santa Cruz. Nevertheless, the view continues to be classified as vulnerable.

Other representatives of fauna

The second symbol of the archipelago is the sea lizards of iguana, which occurred everywhere. The number of individuals reaches 300 thousand. Almost all the time they spend in the water, and, crawling in the sun, start ... blowing around. So they eliminate the surplus of sea salt. The largest on the planet colony of the sea iguan can be observed on the Punta Espinoza Penninsist at Fernandina. And reminding miniature dinosaurs of ground yellow iguan can be seen in the Urbina Bay Bay Isabela.

Galapagos Penguins are relatively colder Isabela and Fernandina. Here you will nest freezing (due to undeveloped wings) cormorants jumping between rocks. Lake Lago Balthazar on Isabela is interested in having a lot of red flamingos on his shores. Unique Galapagos Albatrosov can be observed on the island of Española.

The best place to observe large birds - frigates magnificent - Fragata Bird Hill on San Cristóbal Island. And on Cape Cabo Pitt, all 3 species inhabited on Colon Olush nest.

Most sea cats dwell on the island of San Salvador. There are many here and other animals and feathers - chameleons, sea iguan, sea lions, dolphins, ruling, kanyukov.

Even more animal meetings will be on colon in dinner lovers. Many experienced divers call these islands the best place To observe the beauty of the underwater world. Here you can observe more than 300 species of beautiful colorful fish. Most of the seaside cats - in the grotto on the island of San Salvador. Popular divers and cliffs of Corona Del Diablo ("Corona Devil") near Santa María island. Here you can swim near the sharks and the rods, however, considering the underwater flows often here.

Recreation price in Galapagos Islands

Russian citizens for visiting (for up to 90 days) the colon is not needed.

How to get to the Galapagos Islands? You can only fly. There are no direct flights from the Russian Federation to Ecuador. Previously need to get to one of the European capitals or in the United States (Miami), and then fly to Guayaquil (Guayaquil). The cost of the air ticket selected on AviaSales is 65,000 RUR.

At the local airport with tourists charge is charged - 10 USD. From there to Colon, Aerogal, Lan and Tame flights are routed. The estimated cost of the last two hours of flight - 200 USD - 250 USD.

The landing is made in one of the two airports - Aeropuerto de San Cristobal or Aeropuerto Seymour located on the same islands. Immediately upon arrival it is necessary to make a one-time spa collection 100 USD.

A common way to visit is a cruise, always starting with the island of Santa Cruz. The cost strongly depends on the class class on the ship, as well as the number of days - 4.5 or 8. Price variation ranges from 600 USD to 5000 USD.

With independent travel on the islands, you can use the boats by running between the Islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal. They depart twice a day. Ticket price - 25 USD - 30 USD. One-day excursions between them and other islands are organized from the same points. Most wide selection Proposals - on Santa Cruz. Here the highest prices - up to 180 USD.

Hotel service is relatively developed at Santa Cruz, especially in the city of Puerto Ayora. Offers vary from modest single rooms for 15 USD per day before the apartment worth 130 USD. A wealthy company may even remove the mansion with the pool and his own pier for 350 USD.

Territory Colon Archipelago - Protected National Park. Independent travel On the islands are not welcome, as a rule, tourists accompanies the guide driving them along the pathways and observation sites.

It is not surprising that the Galapagos Islands are so interesting for study, because many unique types of flora and fauna live here, some of which are on the verge of extinction. The archipelago belongs to the territory of Ecuador and is its separate province. Today, all the islands and the surrounding cliffs turned into a national park, where crowds of tourists come annually.

Where did the name of the Galapagos Islands come from?

Galapagos is the type of turtles living on the islands, so in their honor and nicknamed the archipelago. These accumulations of land plots are also called just Galapagos, the island's turtle or colon archipelago. Also earlier, this territory was called fascinated islands, as it was difficult to stick to land. Numerous flows made it difficult to navigate, so everyone managed to get to the shores.

The first approximate map of these places was a pirate, which is why all the names of the islands were given in honor of the pirates or people who helped them. Later they were renamed, but some residents continue to use old options. Even on the map shows the names from different eras.

Geographical features

The archipelago is 19 islands, 13 of them have volcanic origin. Also, it is also attributed to 107 the rocks of the water cliffs and the washed areas of sushi. Looking at the map, you can understand where the islands are located. The largest of them is Isabel, is also the youngest. There are current volcanoes here, so the island is still subject to change due to emissions and eruptions, the latter occurred in 2005.

Despite the fact that Galapagos is an equatorial archipelago, the climate is not at all angry. The reason lies in a cold flow by washing the shore. From this water temperature may drop below 20 degrees. The average annual figure falls in the range of 23-24 degrees. It is worth mentioning that with water in the Galapagos Islands a big problem, since there are almost no sources of fresh water.

Study of the islands and their inhabitants

Since the opening of the islands in March 1535, no one was particularly interested in the world wildlife This area, while Charles Darwin, with his expedition, was engaged in the study of the colon archipelago. Before this island was the pirates of pirates, although they were considered the colony of Spain. Later, a question arose about who belongs to the tropical islands, and in 1832 Galapagos officially became part of Ecuador, and Puerto-Buryo-Moreno was appointed the provincial capital.

Darwin spent many years on the islands, studying the variety of species of reels. It was here that he developed the foundations of the future evolutionary theory. Animal world on the turtle islands is so rich and unlike the fauna in other parts of the world, that it was possible to study it with dozens of years, but after Darwin, no one was engaged in this, although Galapagos was recognized as a unique place.

During the years VVI USA arranged here military baseAt the end of the hostilities of the island turned into a shelter for convicts. Only in 1936 the archipelago appropriated the status of the National Park, after which they began to pay more attention to the protection of natural wealth. True, some species by that time were already on the verge of extinction, which is described in detail in documentary film about islands.

Due to the specific climatic conditions and features of the formation of the islands, there are a lot of birds, mammals, fish, as well as plants that are no longer found anywhere. The largest animal living in this area is the Galapagos Sea Lion, but gigantic turtles, Olushi, sea lizards, flamingos, penguins cause more interest.

Tourist centers

Tourists when planning travel, I want to know how to get to an amazing place. You can choose two popular methods: during a cruise or aircraft. On the colon archipelago two airports, but most often sit in Balter. This is a small island north of Santa Cruz, where official military bases of Ecuador are now. From here it is easy to get to most islands, popular with tourists.

Photos from the Galapagos islands are impressive, because there is an amazing beauty of the beaches. You can spend a whole day in the blue lagoon, enjoying the tropical sun without the exhausting heat. Many prefer to engage in diving, as the seabed replete with paints due to volcanic lava, frozen in the coastal zone.

In addition, some animal species with joy twist in the whirlpool with scuba lashes, since here they are already familiar to people. But the islands dwell the sharks, so it should be in advance about whether the immersion is allowed in the selected place.

What country will not be proud of such amazing placelike Galapagos, given what it is included in the list World Heritage. Landscapes more resemble pictures, because on each side they are surprised by the abundance of paints. True, to preserve natural beauty and their inhabitants, you have to put a lot of effort than the research center.

What connects the Great Charles Darwin with a group lost Islands In the Pacific Ocean? Why did Galapagos Islands so famous that they are special? The case in unique flora and fauna, which are endemics - a local, separate ecosystem, where different species evolved, without mixing with others. Darwin's stay on these islands was the impetus to its development of an evolutionary theory about the origin of the species - a natural selection that became a great discovery. Let's see where the Galapagos Islands are located on the world map.

Location and climate of Galapagosov

Galapagos Islands on the map are located in the Pacific Ocean, in the north-west of South America, and territorially owned by the Republic of Ecuador. The mainland is separated by 972 km. The volcanic archipelago consists of 19 islands, this is the main attraction of Ecuador and the largest and most important world reserve. The first of them were formed about 10 million years ago as a result of the movement of tectonic plates. The proximity to the equator and the local cold flow of Humballadta provided the archipelago a comfortable two-seasone with a stable air temperature + 23 ° C: from December to May - warm and wet season, from June to November - cool and dry.

Summer on galapagos marks the temperature of the air and water + 20 ° C, while blowing pretty strong winds. The cold flow turns out the air temperature, but it satages coastal water with nutritional organisms that attract penguins, birds and shoals of fish. The coast becomes a densely populated, what to tourists, and Albatrosse fly to Espanyol Island.

In the winter months, warm tropical rains often go. Moisture, evaporating from the ground, creates a veil of fog, but at air and water temperature + 25 ° C does not cause discomfort. Autumn - time of divers, since the underwater world becomes diverse and more beautiful. In winter, the beautiful Bluebells of Olushi arrive here. Spring on the galapaghos is wonderful - the numerous endemics (plants that can be found only here) are blooming, and on the beaches there is a sacrament of laying eggs by Galapagoski turtles.

Opening and history of Galapagos

As part of the archipelago 13 of the main, inhabited islands, 6 small and paints of small rocks and protrusions above the surface of the water. Galapagos Islands were opened in the spring of 1535 by the Spaniard by the Spaniard Thomas de Bergang, who became the first European, who had vested on the volcanic land of one of the islands. His ship accidentally deviated from the course, following the Panama in Peru, and stumbled upon an unfamiliar archipelago. Before the amazed gaze of travelers, the primitive world inhabited by giant turtles got up in all its glory. By the way, hence the name - Galapagos (PS.), That is, an "ivory turtle".

Historical milestones

Spanish conquistadors settled on the islands, but used them as a shelter for pirates attacked by the court passing by the court until in 1832. "The government was not changed." The archipelago passed into the possession of Ecuador. After 3 years, the expedition of Charles Darwin was landed for him with a companion, naturalist Robert Fitzroy. So began the era of the study of a unique ecosystem.

The archipelago was announced national ReserveBut during the Second World War on the island of Biltract, the American Airborne Base is located, defending the Panaman Canal and followed the enemy's submarines in this region. From the famous researchers in Galapaghos also visited Tour Heyerdal, who was looking for the traces of the Inca civilization and found the following.

History of the archipelago in dates:

• in 1959, the International Foundation was created in Brussels. Darwin, which in every way contributes to the study and preservation of a unique ecosystem;
• in 1964 - a research station was built on the island of Santa Cruz, which conducted a huge work on the removal of "non-rigging" flora and fauna in order to preserve the purity of endemics;
• in 1973 - the Government of Ecuador founded the province on the islands;
• in 1978, UNESCO introduced an archipelago to the World Heritage List;
• in 1985 - he became a biosphere reserve;
• in 1986 - coastal waters found the status of the environmental zone. The area of \u200b\u200bthe ocean coastal water area is 70 thousand km², it is the second largest after.

Islated description and attractions

The first navigation map of the archipelago was drawn up in 1684 by the Pirate of Couley Emblem. He gave the names of the islands on the names of his familiar flibusers and the patronage of the English nobles. You can visit 13 islands from 19, but only three of them have infrastructure and are built up with hotels and bungalows - Santa Cruz, Isabel and San Cristobal. Most (90%!), On the contrary, retained their primary intactness and are given to the possession of animals, reptiles and birds.

The archipelago is located almost at the equator, and the area is very poor: the joint of three tectonic plates regularly generates the eruption of numerous volcanoes. But here they found the house rarest representatives of the animal and vegetable world. White, black and red virgin beaches are beautiful, in the relict forests, paradise birds sing, in transparent turquoise water, the dolphins, sea seals, turtles and even penguins are frolic. On the Galapaghos is always summer.

Isabel - the biggest island

Area 4640 m², named after Queen Isabella, who sponsored the expedition of Christopher Columbus. The island has the shape of a seabed and exist with six volcanoes that make up its surface. The highest - Wolfe (1707 m), the last eruption was recorded in 1982. In its crater there is a pretty big lake with the islands. Another volcano Isabeli - Sierra Negra, his crater is the second diameter in the world (10 km). The third rating - Chico, in 2005 he was powerful, and today its surroundings resemble the lunar landscape - tunnels, rivers and outgrowths from Lava. There is a on the island salt Lake Balthazar, he was chosen by the flocks of the Red Flamingo, and there is a settlement - Puerto Williamil.

Isabel Island is interested in his story, and his main attraction - Wesch's wall. In the post-war years, it functioned a correctional colony. Prisoners in educational purposes obliged to cut out the blocks from the volcanic rock and to transfer far from the place of production to where they erected a high wall. A hard labor under the scorching sun literally mowed the ranks of the poor thigh, few people survived in such conditions. In memory of them, a rather remote wall of 100 m in length and 8 in height remained. In subsequent years, the prison building was equalized with the Earth, and the wall remained as a reminder of the atrocities of supervisors.

On the Western tip of Isabel there are bays and the beach, interesting sand in black. Coastal waters are literally sissed by the inhabitants, the company's company will gladly make up turtles and sea lions. The island also lives Galapagos Penguins, Baklans, Iguanas, Pelicans, Birds of Olushi. The slopes of volcanoes are settled by reels who know how to use labor tools - cactus needles, savings, land turtles, flamingos and Galapagos dove. But the most remarkable here is the scattering of small adorable lagoon, where paradise birds sing, and the coastal waters are furious by the Fish-hammer, a ray fish, as well as sharks and tales.

Santa Cruz - the most populated

Another name is Indefatigabl. This is the biggest island in the form of an almost even circle (pl. 985 km²), the center of Civilization of Galapagos with the city of Puerto Aior, in which 12 thousand people live. For tourists to Santa Cruz, many entertainment has been prepared:

• beautiful Beach Torgoga Bay;
• diving and acquaintance with the marine inhabitants;
• walking on the yacht between the islands and on a boat with a glass bottom;
• flights on the airplane or paraglider;
• observation of gigantic turtles.

On Santa Cruz is, as mentioned above, the research center. Charles Darwin, awarded the International Cosmos Prize in 2002. The best naturalists, scientists, biologists, as well as students and volunteers work here. And in the bay called "Black Turtle", in the thickets of the mangrove forest, the ancient gigs are engaged in the continuation of the kind. Among the barns of the cactus empmits - the main attractions of the local flora - chaffs.

Fernandina - Nonarent Volcano

This most western island is essentially a periodically waking volcano called La Cumbre (642 km²). The last two eruptions were in 2005 and 2009, the second turned out to be unusually powerful: hot lava and ashes shot into the sky at 7 kilometer height. The name of the island went from the king Ferdinand II Aragon, who was also the patron of Columbus. In the center of the island - caldera (brand) with a diameter of 6.5 km, formed as a result of the colt collapse. At its bottom, the lake occurs periodically, and then disappearing without a trace. Tourists are not allowed in the surroundings of the caldera due to the danger of the collaps.

Actually, it is almost nothing to look at it, with the exception of mangrove thickets on the coast of the ocean, and the largest population of the sea iguan in the town of Punta Espinosis. The rest of the landscape is gray, frozen lava mass. In the urban bay there coral reef With a rich underwater life, and in Elizabeth Bay, penguins live. They divide him with pelicans, hiding caught fish in the caves.

Biltra - Iguan Island

During the Second World War there was a military air base of the US Army, and now it is international Airportconnecting the archipelago with the mainland. Flights are made daily by TAME airline. Island is home to Iguan. For the sake of the experiment in the 1930s, biologists moved 70 individuals to the nearby Island of Simor Norte, but the remaining in Balter Iguana during the war unexpectedly died. In the post-war years in the center of them. Darwin restored the population and new generations again settled Balter.

Bartolome - Pirates refuge

Tiny, but the adorable island (only 1.2 km²) has the shape of the horseshoe. With Samoa | high Point The Lava Plot extended to the West, which keeps the source of fresh water, which is almost no on the whole archipelago. In the cave of pirates lived flibastries, which were passing trials. There is a stunning rock Pinnacle, from the top of which the wonderful views of the beach of coffee are opening. Her founding is inhabited by penguins, sea lions and turtles. The tales float over the underwater tunnel connecting the sea and two bays.

An interesting sights of other islands can be found in the table:

Island	What to admire and engage
Santa Maria	Admire the devil's crown. This is the edge of the crater of a volcano sticking out of the water, resembling the crowns. See the ancient barrels found in the post office bay, they played the role of mailboxes in distant times. Swim in the company of reef sharks in the Bay of Shark (Punto-Korotran Plan)
Espanyola	To admire the most numerous colon of wavy albatrosov, which can be seen only on the rocks of Espanyola and more in the world. Communicate with multicolored Iguanas at Cape Suarez. Nature on the snow-white sand Gardner Bay, which resembles a soft and smallest flour, and see near sea lions
San Cristobal	Walking along the capital of the archipelago Puerto-Baroiso-Moreno. The second airport is located here. Watch the frigates from the Fregatber Hill hill, as well as for the beautiful Oloshi from Cape Pitt. Visit almost the only freshwater lake of the Al-Giunko archipelago and photograph its inhabitants. On the way to the abandoned sugar plant, see 6 zones of the Galapagos Flora - from desert vegetation to Pampass
Sana-Fe.	Walking among huge pear cacti up to 10 meters high. See unique goats, which in the absence of fresh water evolved and drink salty
Santiago (San Salvador)	In James's Bay, see sea cats, as well as Lviv, Iguan, Reef Shark and Galapagos Black and Yellow Corals
Rabida	Hiding on the dark red sand of the beach. Its color is due to the high content of iron oxide and volcanic origin. Want among unique bunchwood trees
Genoves	See extensive colonies of a variety of birds
Plaza.	Enjoy the wealth of flora and fauna

Threat for Galapagos species

However, whatever an isolated archipelago for foreign representatives of flora and fauna, there is one enemy from Galapagos. It was he who broke the purity of endemics and threatened with many rarest species, and some of them disappeared at all from the face of the earth. Newly arriving "conquerors" in the old centuries produced on the islands of domestic animals, which focused on the protected lands. Cats ruined the masonry of eggs, pigs were digging the soil, damaging the root system of plants, and the goats finished them from above, combining the foliage. Defenseless animals and plants were unarmed in front of barbarism. But in the last century, scientists scored alarm and conducted a massive stripping of nature from strangers.

Animal world Galapagos

The privacy of the Galapagos Islands influenced the variety and purity of the species that are preserved here, including the works of scientists. Many inhabitants are found only on the archipelago: approximately 60 species of birds, many fish and marine inhabitants.

"The country of nonpougly animals" is so appropriate to call Galapagos. On any island, everywhere can be stumbled upon sleeping colored Iguanu, or on flirting frigates, or on swimming penguins, as well as on slow turtles. Animals are friendly and trusting, because they have no enemies, because predators are not found. The world of the archipelago is surprising, where those who seem to be at all the place here, - penguins and seals.

Penguins Gumbaldt

So that the Galapagos Penguins could survive in the climate unusual for them - too warm and dry, they evolved: local - very small sizes, height is only 50 cm. The plumage is less dense than the Arctic female, and subcutaneous fat less. To reduce body temperature, Galapagos Penguin can often breathe by opening the mouth, just like a dog.

They lead a nightlife, and during the day, in the world, are sitting in the water. Mostly Penguins were chosen western Islands, There, because of cold currents, the temperature in the sea is lower, and multiply on Isabel and Fernandine.

Swimming among penguins on galapaghos:

Land elephant turtles

Galapagos turtles before the ancient that they are jokingly called the smokers of the universe. These are the largest turtles of the planet, the weight of other individuals reaches six centners, and the length is up to two meters. Gigaters are long-livers, the majority of the mortar of the earth is more than a century, but there were cases when caught turtles lived 170 years at a minimum.

These vertebrates inhabit the 7 islands of the archipelago, and on the islands with different climates of them appearance varies. So, in those places where a higher humidity on the elevations, the turtle shell has the form of the dome, the neck is short, and the animal itself is large. On the plain islands with a dry climate, the shell bought the shape of the saddle, the neck is long, and the sizes of the turtle bed. In this example, Darwin's theory about the evolution of species is understood.

According to Darwin, the evolution of all living things is based on three basic facts: the offspring is born more than it can survive; Representatives of various species have different features to adapt to the proposed conditions; These signs are inherited. Thus, competition is formed inside the species and can only survive the strongest, transmitting severe genes to the offspring. So the principle of natural selection works.

Elephant turtles were almost extinct in the 20th century, because their massively exterminated for meat and shell. Of the 250 thousand of these reptiles in the 70s, only 3000 remained. But scientists tightly engaged in the resurrection of the population and developed a program for growing relict shells on special farms. Passionate individuals are then released. In the XXI century, the number of galapagos turtles is 19 thousand, and this species is indicated as vulnerable.

Sea iguana

A unique animal that dwells only on these islands. The only sea lizard on the planet, which due to the lack of ground food evolved and is now powered by algae. Iguanas slide into the water in those places where she warmed up enough, and plunge mainly in shallow water. It is amazing that they can detain their breathing for an hour, at this time oxygen stored before dipping, only in vital organs. Coming out of the water, the lizard hurries to warm up in the sun, pressing to hot stones, otherwise it can die from supercooling. Her powerful claws form a strong coupling even with a smooth stone.

Ground iguana

Beautiful creation that transfers with all the colors of the rainbow. Feeds with juicy fruits and fruit. Iguana can sit under the cactus clock and wait for the fruit. He eats him along with spines. The needle-stuck needle reptiles pulls out a paw or rotating the tongue, also a paw, she knows how to remove spines from their body. Not all iguana shimmer in different colors, you can find a lot of gray ground iguan on the islands. These are hybrids - the offspring of the marine and terrestrial iguan. Water representatives of the species often attack land females and mate with them. Well, installed whether hybrids are capable of continuing the genus.

This is an amazing bird. The males in the marriage inflated a huge bright red bag hanging on the larynx, to attract the female. The name was obtained due to the tendency to accompany the ship - frigates - in the hope of treating. Birds cannot fall on the water, because, wetting, they will not be able to take off, so they always hover over the sea. Before you start attracting the female, the male is a cozy nest.

Bluebean Olushi

A beautiful and unusual bird of fairly large sizes - females reach a height of 80 cm. Its appearance justifies the name, since the paws with swimming pools of blue. The brightness of the color is crucial when choosing a male female for mating. Olushi masonry make every 8 months, 2-3 eggs. Parents take turns sit on the nest for 40 days, and hatched chicks remain in it over three months.

Olushi feed on sea fish, they are beautiful divers - the bird dives into the water from height and goes vertically down to a depth of 25 m. It is interesting that the fish capture process takes place exclusively on the way back to the surface when pop-up. Olushi is prone to courage, the bird is not afraid of anyone, even a person, and fiercely protects the nest. Olush is not an endemic of Galapagosov, Islands - only the preferences of these feathers, and you can see them in Mexico, and in the California Gulf, and on the islands.

Clothing of Olusha per girlfriend:

Darwinovy \u200b\u200bVyurki

At first glance, the usual little bird. But its importance in the evolution is invaluable. On the example of the reels, the great scientist brought his theory of natural selection. If briefly: the subspecies of the Darwin Reel is an endemic of Galapagosov, millions of years ago his ancestors listed in the archipelago to the backway. Initially, one type of reels lived on all the islands, but under the influence of the external environment was forced to evolve. On different islands, their climate and vegetation, so the birds differ everywhere with the form of beak. Some it has a fat and wide, others have a narrow and sharp, that is, the beaks have changed in a different mining of food.

In 1858 he saw the light of the monumental work of Darwin "The origin of species", which the Church betrayed Anathema. From the point of view of religion, the world created the Creator, respectively, he also created 13 different reels for 13 Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Islands are home to many other representatives of the animal world:

• sea green turtle - beautiful reptile, famous for always returning to the place of birth for thousands of miles to postpone eggs;
• sea lions and seals - both species belong to the family of eared seal;
• galapagos Bablan - Land Bird, who has lost opportunities to fly. Feeding fish no further as 100 meters from the coast, and enters the water, turning all the body, as if driving into it;
• kanyuk - Falcon about 55 cm long, is the only predator of the archipelago. Powered by lizards and small iguanami;
• white (mask) Olusha - has a clear rim and black edging of the wings around the beak. Always postponed two eggs, but only one chick survives, the strongest, and weak parents peel out of the nest (natural selection in action!).

Galapagos - unique placeAnd scientists apply a lot of strength to preserve populations in the "clean" form. It is difficult for the archipelago, expensive and long to get, but all efforts are worth it to be close to see incredible animals and birds. They lived long before people appeared on the planet as a view.

Galapagos Islands - part of Ecuador. I did not know about it when I was going for the first time in South America. Jungle - Yes, volcanoes - yes, but the fact that the most Darwinian galapagos, where the centers of the turtle live, will be so close to the capital of Ecuador and even closer to the second in the population of Guayaquil, I could not imagine.

How to get from the airport to settlements

The airport is located on the uninhabited island of Bailtra. From there, a free bus delivers tourists to the ferry, and he shifts on Santa Cruz, where there is a taxi to Puerto Ayor.

It is convenient to buy a tour more on the mainland, then you will be met and delivered to the hotel and attractions. For the first time in my life, I was met with a sign "Daria ofitserova". A few light tanned man spent to the bus, where all the passengers of the aircraft were stuffed, including the American pair with a child and four suitcases, tourists in Ecuadorian hats, groups of schoolchildren, Indians and me are ladies in the pink resort overalls.

From the plane to the bus, from the buses on the ferry. Slow a minute, everyone got vessels, paid on the dollar, removed vests, went to Santa Cruz.
Not expecting personal transport, I went to the buses, ready to sit in any, which will show the conductor. But not: he sat down behind the steering wheel of a pickup - here is the most popular type of transport: even the police drove on the pickles - and we went.

By train

By train in no way.

Bus

The bus is also not reached.

Car

Car only if flying.

Ferry

You can get to the Galapagos Islands only by plane, move from the island to the island - on the ship.

There are tours with a program for several days: flying to galapagos and swimming on a small yacht or a large liner from the attractions to the sights. The price of tours starts from 300 USD a day, depending on the class of comfort (economical, tourist, first or lackers) and the duration of the trip (usually from 3 to 12 days). Prices of the tours can be compared by.
You can plan the program yourself. Then, by arrival, you place the hotel and choose tours every day in the agencies on the islands. Day trips cost from 50 to 200 USD (the cheapest - by car on the island, the most expensive - boat rental and diving). View deleted islands, where it makes no sense to go alone, it will not work, but save.

Prompt:

Galapagos Islands - time now

The difference in the clock:

Moscow 9.

Kazan 9.

Samara 10.

Ekaterinburg 11.

Novosibirsk 13.

Vladivostok 16.

When the season. When it is better to go

Here warmly always, but there are two seasons depending on the oceanic currents:

• siyuna on November - Dry and Cool,
• from December to May - warm and wet.

In the summer and autumn, the air and water on average have a temperature of +20 ° C, the wind blows, but it seems that the indigenous islanders do not imagine that there may be a cool -20 ° C in Russia. So I boldly declare: in the Galapagos "Cool" season to go, if only you will not torment the thoughts about the Jul +30 ° C in Russia of the middle strip.

In winter and spring - warm and rainy season. Air and water temperature +25 ° C. Despite the rains, winter is the most tourist time. Warm rains are not so scary, but if you are lucky, they will not be at all.

I will summarize: you can go to Galapagos when you like - the equator is always warm, prices are few depend on the season.

Galapagos Islands in the summer

In the summer, in the Galapaghos, in my opinion, than in winter. The course of Humboldt brings to the shores cold waterAnd it reduces the temperature on land. But the water is saturated with microorganisms, which attracts fish and seabirds, becomes more penguins, Albatrosse arrive at Espanyol Island.

Galapagos Islands in autumn

In the fall, as in the summer, land and cooler. Sometimes there is a small rain, which is called Garua, but the marine life is more diverse, so it is worth riding divers in the fall.

The marriage season of Bluebeat Olush is information for lovers ornithologists. For all others: Bluebells of Olushi - just beautiful rare birds with blue legs, and the Galapagos autumn can be viewed on them.

Galapagos Islands in Spring

As I said, from December to May warmer than from June to November. More than the sun - it is worth taking care of the SPF 30+ tanning cream. Spring bonus on galapaghos - flowering and painting flora, as well as the ability to observe how the turtles lay eggs on the beach.

Galapagos Islands in winter

Go to Galapagos in the winter - perfect. I was in February and the promised wet season never seen the rain. Swimmed in the ocean - warm, like cappuccino foam, and walked around the city in T-shirt and shorts, forgetting Moscow "get ink and cry".

Prompt:

Galapagos Islands - Weather for months

Conditional areas. Descriptions and features

There are four inhabited islands:

• Isabel
• Santa Cruz,
• San Cristobal,
• Florian.

Singing I would suggest at each of them. If you book a sea tour, you don't have to worry about living, you will sleep in the cabin. But the journey on the ship is more expensive, so I decided to live on one island and take one-day ribs to others. It remains only to choose where to settle.

Santa Cruz

The easiest way to settle in Galapaghos is to fly to Balter, from there to get to Santa Cruz, and by car to the largest city of Galapagos (for a second, 11 thousand inhabitants) - Puerto Ayor. Accommodation options: from hostels to lackers hotels. Prices start from 30 USD per night.

Like everywhere in Latin America, not all hotels have a website, so if you have not booked a hotel in advance, then in Puerto Ayor you can find where to spend the night.

In addition to traditional hotels, I would notice the specific Latin American Lodge - remote from the city of Bungalow. The price of accommodation in Boutique hotels in Galapagosski is comparable to hotels in the city, but it will be difficult for the beaches and attractions. But nature!

Isabel

Isabel is the largest island, but it is possible to get there only by sea, coming first to Balter either on San Cristobal. The largest (and only one) city is Puerto Villamil.

Price of accommodation from 40 USD: Hostels, Guesthouses, Hotels and Villas. The cost of housing depends on the number of man in the room, conditions and proximity to the beach - on Isabel come for silk sand and bounty species.

San Cristobal

On this small island There is a second airport on Galapaghos. The center of Civilization is the city of Puerto Baroiso-Moreno.

Prices for hotels and hostels from 40 USD, but there are no accommodation options at all, so if you want to stay here, you should book in advance.

Florian

Very small, but still inhabited island. The settlement is a village in 100 inhabitants of Puerto Velasco-Ibarra, and there are practically no hotels here.

You can go to the island one day, but if you want to stay at night, book the accommodation is very, very in advance.

Personal experience

As a result, I lived on Santa Cruz in Puerto Aio. It looks like any settlement on the seashore: small, with souvenir tents - some or, if not believing that pelicans are cut through the nose in the water, and marine seals are heated on the berths.

In addition to the central street there are areas for local. It's safely there, I walked alone, examined schools and university (how can you learn when you have an ocean?), The church on which the turtle and pelican is drawn - this can be seen here.

What are the prices for rest

On Galapaghos, as I noticed, more expensive than in the mainland of Ecuador. There are many American tourists, travelers from all over the world, and the locals are not shy to overestimate prices, referring to the uniqueness of the place. On the islands, as well as in the whole Ecuador, in the course of the American dollar, but if the mainland can go, barely accumulating a ticket, then, going to the islands, reserve finance. Here is another world: not just, and the natural attraction, which is going to watch from everywhere and do not regret the money for a dream.

How to save?

I repeat, plan in advance! A ticket to the Quito Galapaghos Airplane will cost from 150 USD one way (and a foreigner cannot buy a one-way ticket, so at once - 300 USD). Guayaquil-Galapagos is cheaper (from 50 USD), but if you buy in advance, there is a chance to find a ticket for just 14 USD. It is better to fly to the airport on Biltra Island. The second airport of Galapagosov - on San Cristobal - less and further, and therefore there are few flights and tickets more expensive. And yet: upon arrival, all non-citizens of Ecuador must pay 100 USD for visiting the islands as the world famous reserve.

Cheaper to stay at a hotel on one island and move to other day rounds, than to buy a place in the ship's cabin: the price of the sea tour starts from 300 USD a day, and living in a hotel can be paid from 30 USD per night, buy excursions for 50-200 USD and dine less than 2 USD.

Cheaper to ride the company, then you can rent a yacht (1000 USD for a boat for 10 passengers for 4 days!) And book cheap hotels in three or four (for comparison Triple room - from 45 USD, Single - from 30 USD).

The most expensive trip - tickets to the plane and excursions. The food is very cheap - lunch in a pretty restaurant can cost 2 USD, a city taxi - 1 USD.

Superb budget option - go to the island by volunteer. I met these on the Galapaghos, but about a volunteer trip will have to take care very in advance and take no less than a month to it. The programs do not pay the road, so you will have to buy a plane ticket in any case.

Main attractions. What to see

Nature is the main attraction of the islands. Non-like animals that are walking along the beach and the city, centenary turtles and strange plants - everything seems to be similar to what you have already seen, but together - drives crazy.

I drove to look at nature, but I did not expect it to amaze me. It seems to be a country landscape: a green lawn, the trees are pronounced, but suddenly the pastoral picture turns into surrealistic - because of the bush, slowly chewing grass, crashes a huge turtle.

If we consider that the largest city of Galapagos inhabit 11 thousand people, then you can imagine how tourist streets look like. But the uniqueness of the islands in everything, and even in small settlements there is something to see.

Puerto Ayor

The street, which goes along the Ocean's coast in the capital of Galapagos, is called Avenue Charles Darwin. There is a center of civilization, cafes and restaurants, travel bureaus.

At the beginning of the street in the morning, the fish market opens - the local sell seafood, and Pelicans are trying to steal fish from the shelves. At the end of the street - the port, from where the yachts and ships are sent to other islands.

Puerto Villaml Embankment

The embankment of Isabel Islands is different by the atmosphere from the metropolitan - there is also a port, there are animals and birds, but life proceeds differently - relaxed, slowly, in-island.

The embankment is called Melecon, on it I saw bars with hammocks under coconut palm trees, sea cats and iguan.

I categorically do not recommend going to Galapagos for one day: only to get from Russia - a day. The ideal duration of the trip is a week, minimal - three days. But to see one island per day - maybe. For example, I will advise this option:

1. You arrive at Biltra Island - the earliest flight arrives at 9.
2. Hire a car, go to Puerto Ayora. Getting about an hour, but along the way you drive on the fret of the farm, see twin crater and lava tunnels.
3. Arrive in Puerto Aira. After lunch, you take a taxi to the Darwinian station, go on a tour, and then go to the beach and stay there before sunset.
4. Dark on the equator always at 6, so return to the city and go to the restaurant in the center to celebrate your first day on the Galapaghos.

Top 5.

Galapagos - surrealism. Going in the morning along the coastal trading street: on the right souvenir tents, left sea, and here, from where, either take, it takes out a huge winged something and all the speed fits the nose into the water - Pelican. Okay, let it. I meet with the tourist group, waiting for the boat - a regular tour. If it were not for a sea cat, who was arrogant on one of the berths and lazy to the sun.

Beaches. What better

Like all on the galapaghos, the beaches here are unusual: on the shore is not only sand, but also black stones of frozen magma. Popular - Bay Tortuga on Santa Cruz and Puerto William at Isabel.

Cortuga Bay

The largest and famous beach on the island of Santa Cruz and on all Galapaghos. Riding near - about 2.5 kilometers from Puerto Ayor.

Here you can see sea seals, turtles and sharks (and swim with them). I watched Pelicans and Flamingo from birds.

Puerto Villamil

The main city on Isabel - Puerto Villamil. The same is called the beach. The atmosphere here is the Paradise - Coconut Palms, Iguanas run on white sand, in the shade there are marine seats.

As in Bay Tortuga - the shores from the frozen magma, you can swim from the mask.

Other famous beaches

I would allocate the following:

• Gardner on the island of Espanyol.
• Garrapterno on Santa Cruz,
• Puerto Egas on Santiago,
• Beach island Bartolome,
• Post beach on Florentina Island.

Museums. What are you worth a visit

Galapagos - one large natural museum (no wonder every foreigner pays 100 USD at the entrance), and here your own rules: animals - exhibits, they can not be touched, foreign flora and fauna can not be imported, destroy the ecosystem.

From the places that most similar to the museum, I liked the research station of Charles Darwin on Santa Cruz and the center where they grow turtles on Isabel Island.

Darwin station

Located on Santa Cruz not far from Puerto Aira. This is a scientific center, but tourists carry excursions, tell about the famous turtle Lone George and show yellow iguan, turtles and birds.

I saw the sea cat played with floating iguana, and it was like in the movie National Geographic.

Gigantic Turtle Breeding Center

On Isabel Island not far from Puerto Villamil there is a place where the turtles are bred.

There you can look at the turtle eggs, on the newly hatched young and giant adults.

Parks

All Galapagos Islands is a large park, but there are natural attractions that are necessary to see. Among them are twin crater and lava caves.

Twin crater

Los Giamelos (from Spanish - Gemini) - two crater on the way from Biltra Island Airport to Puerto Ayora. They look like giant pits on both sides of the main road of Santa Cruz. Once there was gas in the craters, but it broke out, pouring the surface of the Earth.

Now around a beautiful forest with fern trees, which, I listened, grow only on Galapags.

Lava caves

Galapagos are volcanic islands, which means there once flowed on them.

It has formed underground passages, and the strangest thing in these caves is that on them can be stroll like under the underpass.

Neighboring regions

The neighborhood of the capital of Puerto Ayor:

• Darwin station (drive from the center 10 minutes),
• beach Cortuga Bay (2.5 kilometers from the city),
• twin craters, a fret farm and lava caves (located next to each other, half an hour from the coast to the mountainous part of the island).

I wrote about these attractions above.

The surroundings of Santa Cruz - Isaolated Islands, Florian and other smaller islands. I'll tell you about uninhabited islands.

Nearby Isles

Galapagos - archipelago, and therefore in its composition a lot of islands. Four inhabited: Santa Cruz, Isabel, Florian. And more become uninhabited. Almost every one has a beast, a fish or a bird that is not found anywhere in the world. That is why the island is worth a visit. Now I ask about the most famous.

Espanyola

In the town of Suarez, Point looks at the Bluebeat Olush, in the Gardner Bay - Albatrosov.

Santiago (San Salvador)

Sea lions, turtles, flamingos, dolphins and seals live here. Here go to look at the Darwinian reels who have brought a scientist for the idea of \u200b\u200bbiological evolution.

To the port of Egas - to swim with a mask and a tube, to the beach Espumiya - see Crab and Iguan.

Rabida

Martian landscapes with orange-red sand and nest brown pelicans.

Henoves

Here come to look at the Galapagos birds.

On the island there are two attractions: Prince Philipp path with bird nests on the rocks and Darwin Beach, perfect for diving.

Marchena

On the island there is an active volcano, tourists are rare here.

Come here to do diving.

Fernandina

The third area, but uninhabited due to volcanic activity, which is still.

Here you can see Galapagos Hawks.

Bartolome

Dormant volcano, one of the most visited uninhabited islands.

It is famous for landscapes that even got into the frames of the film "Master of the Seas" with Russell Crow.

Food. What to try

The main food on the galapagos - seafood. They are fresh here - only from the ocean - and inexpensive. If you can cook yourself, I advise you to buy them in the morning in the Puerto Iyor market and experiment with island cuisine. If you do not decide, go to the restaurant. Prices for food here are low. You can dine for 2 USD, and a full dinner in a good restaurant on the embankment will cost 15-25 USD.

From local dishes worth trying:

• sevic - fish soup is also popular on the coast of Ecuador;
• especially - fish soup, but with the addition of Luke;
• empanadas - Patties with fillings: cheese, potatoes, fish, etc.

In restaurants and cafes, try fish and seafood - fried or baked them served with potatoes, rice or yukka.

It is especially worth saying about fruit. One is not local, they are imported from Ecuador, but ideal in the heat. You can buy usual bananas and papaya, exotic guanabana, woody tomato and Naranhiya. Freshi make all fruits, and coconuts sell with tubes to drink coconut milk.

Fruits are sold on embankments in small tents - Tends, and in Puerto Ayor there is a market (from the embankment to turn on the Biltra Avenue and go straight ten minutes).

All Galapagos Restaurants are located in the cities and towns of inhabited islands: Puerto Aior, Puerto Williaml, Puerto Baroiso-Moreno, Puerto Velasco-Ibarra.

In Puerto Ayo, tourist restaurants are located on the waterfront. The farther from it - the cheaper, but the less chances that the menu will be brought in English, and the waiters will speak in any language except Spanish.

On the outskirts of Puerto Aiuor, and this is 15-20 minutes walk from the embankment, which is the city center and civilization, is a set of nameless cafes with plastic chairs, where there is a snack 2-4 USD. On Isaolated Island Food is a little more expensive.

Lunch on Puerto Aior Embankment will cost 10-15 USD, dinner -15-25 USD. I advise El Chocolate, Isla Grill and Il Giardinos. At Isabel should lie in a hammock next to the Iguana Point Bar. Here you can order beer or Fresh and relax for beach-island music.

Restaurants with white tablecloths at expensive hotels. Here you can order good fault and try local dishes with a beautiful feed. But the places of the islands, an opinion, after all, in the eaters and street cafes.

Safety. What to beware is worth

On the islands is safe. Here you should not be afraid of no hooligans, no scammers. For a walk in the morning, day, evening and night, one, together or in the company. Locals are positively tuned, tourists are their main source of income and they do not want to lose it.

Galapagos create an impression of absolute security. Do not constitute dangers or locals nor local fauna. It is impossible to touch the animals, so they are proud and self-sufficient and are not going to attack. Even sharks are good here - in travel agencies there is a bathing service with Galapagos sharks.

I traveled alone. I walked around Puerto Aiode in the evening and at night, the local not only did not think to try, but got acquainted and talked. When I learned that I am from Russia - Russian tourists here are not often - asked how long I traveled and was cold in Russia.

Things to do

On the Galapaghos will be exactly what to do. In addition to trips to the islands and visits to attractions, you can swim with a mask and a tube - they are sold and rented in the shops on the coast. You can do diving - on your own or with an instructor, you can swim with sharks, go to meet dawn to the beach or go to look at plants, birds and animals in the surrounding area. In the port or on the embankment, many travel bureaus that organize day excursions, provide a car and guide.

Extreme sports

Galapagos - the legendary place for divers. Here are a few islands, where it is worth immersing with scuba.

Gordon Rox

Place where you can swim with hammerhead sharks. For advanced divers, but for the sake of immersion with sharks it is worth learning.

Northern Seimer

There are white and black reef sharks, green sea turtles. The place is conveniently located - the island is located between two large inhabited Islands of Santa Cruz and Isabel.

Bartolomeo

Here you can meet not only fish and sea turtles, but also penguins - they swim in the search for food.

Almost all the coast - space for diving. Near the Puerto Ayor port there is a lot of diving centers where you can take equipment rental, agree on the transfer and lessons. For example, ACADEMY BAY DIVING, SCUBA IGUANA, SHARKFRIENDS.

A day round to a nearby island with transportation and rental equipment will cost from 140 USD.

If you are afraid to dive with aqualing - swim with a mask and a tube. They can be bought or rent in stores on the coast. Ideal for snorkeling - bay near Puerto Villamil on Isabel Island. It is called the pearl seashell - "Konchi de Pearl." Here, a hundred meters from the settlement, you can look at fish, crabs and sea iguan.

I also advise Punta Espini on Ferdinand Island. There you can see not only fish, but also dolphins, but sometimes swimming in the distance of whales.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

In the tents on the coast, the mass of souvenirs with the symbolism of Galapagosov, mainly with Iguanas and Turtles, but they are produced either in Ecuador or in China.

A more authentic purchase will be coffee - it grows here, on the islands, and local say that his taste is not like that. In my opinion it is just good coffee.

Also local produces decorations. If you like their design, buy - it will be a good souvenir.

How to move around the islands

On the islands all move on foot - the distances are small, or on pickups - for unknown reasons, it is this kind of car that is popular here.

Taxis around the city costs 1 USD, on the island - how to agree with the taxi driver. Services call for cars or a certain place where they can be found, no. But you can easily catch a taxi on the street.

There is also rental bicycles or scooters - on day about 15 USD.

Transport rental

No car rental services on Galapagosha. By car, it simply has nowhere to go - the number of places where you can get along land, incomparably with the number of attractions available on the yacht or ship.

If there is a desire to go from Puerto Ayor to a remote beach or other part of the island - agree with the taxi driver: for 10-15 USD it will take you, where necessary, and will wait for a day or half a day.

Galapagos Islands - Recreation with children

If you want your children to see iguan and skinny skulls, and not on TV, Galapagos are perfect for this place. Here are picture beaches with silk sand, calm, warm ocean. Children will like it there.

Of the shortcomings, the long flight and the need to move between the islands on the ship, it does not fit small children.

This is a continuation of the story about Traveling by Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, from which I returned in April.

Also please see the story "How I survived on the road of death in Bolivia"

The entire route (without details). Period 52 days. Galapagos Islands on the map - Left.

Usually, most tourists visit these three countries (Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia) in two coming.

At least 15 days need to visit Ecuador with Galapagos Islands. (These islands are the territory of Ecuador).

And even at least 30 days need for a trip to Peru and Bolivia.

We, with my fellow traveler, combined these two travels to one thing to not fly twice across the Atlantic Ocean.

The first story I finished the fact that we fly out of the capital of Ecuador - the city of Quito to the Galapagos Islands. (At the same time, we are caught on an attempt to prior to the islands of prohibited products, make up the protocol and do not shoot a miracle :)

So - Galapagos Islands:

Since childhood, I was damned from a beautiful and mysterious names: Paramaribo, Montevideo, Recife, ivory coast, Zanzibar, Queen's Earth and many others.

Places in which you want to visit even just because of their names. Well, I can not believe that the place with the name of the "ivory coast" or Zanzibar may be uninteresting!

One of these places with interesting title There were Galapagos Islands for me.

The islands received their name from the giant turtles who were visited on them, in Spanish "Galapagos" - "Water Turtles".

With turtles, the story is sad - the ships sailed behind them, collected them, stored in the holds. What for? They were used in long-range flights as "alive canned food." Turtles without water and food retained a semi-art and were suitable for food during the year!

The archipelago was known under a different name - "Enchanted Islands" (Enchanted Islands) due to the rapid ocean flows that made complex navigation.

I also knew about the island that there in the equator (!) Live penguins (how it is not hot!), Sea seals and many unique species of birds and animals that are only on these islands.

And what exactly a variety of species that Charles Darwin observed there, allowed him to come up with his theory of evolution.

Galapagos Islands - Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, 972 km west of Ecuador, consisting of 13 major volcanic islands. On the map under the red checkbox.

The youngest Islands - Isabel and Fernandina - so far at the formation stage, the last volcanic eruption was observed in 2005.

The islands are known primarily by a large number of local species of flora and fauna.

In 1832, Ecuador annexed the Galapagos Islands. The government then appealed to all countries - such as anything if we ourselves? There, no one lives there. Well, really that pirates sometimes stopped. No one then objected.

Until the 60s of the last century, no one lived there at all (only long ago pirates). In the 60 years, one and a half thousand people settled. And today they are already about 25,000.

The main threat to the unique types of flora and fauna of the archipelago are brought by randomly, either specifically, various types of plants and animals, such as goats, cats or cattle. After breeding, these species empty the habitat of the indigenous inhabitants.

In view of the small number of natural predators on the islands, local species are defenseless before the surveyed species and often become their victims.

Many species were imported to the island with pirates. Famous traveler Tour Heyerdal pointed to documents that say that the vice-king of Peru, knowing that pirates feed on the islands of wild goals (by them brought and released on the will), ordered to release there on the will of dogs to destroy these goats there.

Although the Government of Ecuador thought about the problem of preserving local species for a long time and in 1959 announced the creation of a national park in the territory of the islands, but only in the 1980s began to be carried out some significant measures.

Now even volunteers are engaged, destruction, such as blackberries. They are paid flight from Europe, accommodation and meals. On one forum, the girl from Russia described how she was there volunteer.

Places visited by us in the Galapagos Islands.

Airports are on the two islands: San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.

Naturally, it is rational to fly on one island, and fly away from the other. Because: - First, it is noticeable cheaper (airlines policies).

Secondly: one segment is saved on moving between the islands. And this is an important point, because it is not very comfortable to sail between the islands, especially those who have a sea disease.

The average time of the speed boat between different islands is about 1.5 hours. Those that are preferred - go longer.

My Edited Video.

Move on small boats on decent speed Pacific Ocean - This is tin :) It is better not to eat before riding :). Here is a video, it can be seen how pretty strongly throws on the waves.

There are two types of travel around the islands:

The first look is a cruise for several days on boat yachts with overnight on yachts.

And the second appearance is to live on 2-3 main islands and move between them on the regular boats.

With a cruise there were many unpredictable moments - for example, it is not known in advance the quality of housing, food, a sightseeing program. Judging by the reviews, there may not be places on the yacht if you buy a tour 2-3 days before the start.

Paying in advance via the Internet a rather round sum (from $ 100 with people and above) some local travel agency is somehow risky.

Therefore, a second option was chosen - to live on three main islands: San Cristobal, Santa Cruz and Isabella.

So - we arrive from the Continental Ecuador to the island of San Cristobal. On the map island marked with a red flag.

San Cristobal is the island of relatively little tourists visited by tourists. The bulk of tourists arrive not here, but on the central island of Santa Cruz (on the map it is marked by green).

This happens, most likely, due to the restriction of tourists in the number of days of their holidays.

On the central island of Santa Cruz, many people, few animals and expensive hotels and excursions.

And on the islands of San Cristobal and Isabella, on the contrary - animals and birds are larger, and people are smaller and hotels in low-cost.

Each tourist entering the islands pays $ 110 dollars. The flight from the continent to the island costs from $ 450.

It turns out, in order to visit the islands, the tourist must pay at least 450 + 110 \u003d 560 dollars.

With such high costs, it makes sense to be on the islands at least 10 days. I think it is irrational to get there for 3-5 days, little can be done to see for such a small period and with such a small period, and only pay for the islands, the amount of $ 560!

There are organized tours of Russian tour operators, in the program of which only 2 full days on the islands are provided.

It is extremely small! We were 12 full days + arrival day and delay day. During this time, we calmly managed to visit many interesting places and pores on deserted beaches.

Three airlines fly to the islands. The best in those edges is considered "LAN". Site lan.com.

On the island of San Cristobal, the main settlement of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

We sit in a taxi at the exit from the airport, and for $ 2 and 2 minutes we come to the hotel I looked in advance. Los Kaktus. 15 or 20 dollars (I do not remember exactly). Located in 3 blocks from the embankment. (Taxi drivers know all hotels.)

We go on the embankment ... There are a lot of sea cats on San Cristobal. They are everywhere: on the shore, on the shops, under-shops, sometimes go to the shops :)

Through them you have to pass if, for example, you go to the boat.;)

With the first acquaintance, we thought they could bite. Then they realized that they were just playing, and began to swim with them almost in an embrace! :)

Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

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Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

It is a pity that there was no underwater chamber. Because the cats are very funny.

They are so fast and graceful under water!

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Photo Discovery Channel. I place that the respected readers have an idea of \u200b\u200bthe grace of cats under water.

... Here's a great cat bears right on you, there are 20 centimeters from his face to your mask, and it seems that now there will be a clash with him, but at the last moment he sharply dodges aside.

And the expression of the muzzle is such - with superiority and condescension - as if he wants to say - "Well, what do you like people so hard?"

Because of this speed, the owners of submarine cameras often do not have time to remove the cat. Only the "flippers" of this animal almost always fall into the frame. Therefore, it is better to shoot video.

Once some kind of phlegmatic cat sailed me towards closed eyes than I was very surprised. And I already thought that we would come together. But at the last moment he opened his eyes sharply and widespread - surprise was read in them - "Here you understand, it's impossible to swim with closed eyes!"

Catics are lying on boats ...

Here are two more on the boat.

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in 1831-1836, a world tour of Charles Darwin was held on the Beagle ship, thanks to which the scientist founded an evolutionary teaching.

Darwin explored the geology and biology of the islands. After conducting numerous studies of local flora and fauna, he collected a rather large collection of animals and plants.

Thanks to the observation of the variety of these birds, Darwin had the idea of \u200b\u200bthe variability of species for the first time, on the basis of which he subsequently developed the theory of evolution.

In history geographic discoveries Traveling the ship Beagle left a trace of work on the shooting of the area for applying to the map of the exact coastal outlines of the southern part of South America. However, the worldwide glory of "Beagles" is associated with Charles Darwin.

Naturally, Darwin on Galapaghos is the most popular person. Its name is the streets, a scientific station, even I saw on tattoos from local residents!

Monument to Darwin. Perhaps a little strange. As one traveler said, it reminds some kind of intellectual intellectual, who stands in line for morning wander and his gesture as it may indicate - what - "You will be for me!" :)

On the island there are two main excursions:

1. - on a boat to the island of Los Lobos and to the rock Leon Dormido (sleeping lion) $ 50.

2. Land - visit the Lagoon El Hunco (El Junco Lagoon) (the largest fresh lake Archipelago - El Hunko - Located in a crater on the highlands) Plus visiting the Reserve Turtles La Galapagera and Loberia Beach. $ 25

Some pictures with excursions Los Lobos Island and Scala Leon Dormido:

Bluebeat boobies. The older the bird is the more rich color of the paws. Those who have a color more blue, choose females.

Again communication with cats. Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

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Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

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There are many such beauties there.

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Excursion number 2: Reserve Turtles La Galapagera Plus Beach Loberia:

Loberia Beach is a 10-minute drive from San Cristobal Island from the capital of the island. This is a coral sandy beach with white sand.

Galapaguera - Turtle Park: It is located in the southeastern part of San Cristobal Island, 22 km from Puerto Barecio Moreno - the capital of the island.

The park was built to improve the state of the turtle population on the island, in an environment with the conditions similar to their natural state.

Galapagos turtles lay eggs between June and December. The female is looking for a dry place where the laying of eggs receives a sufficient amount of solar heat, on average 10 eggs in the masonry.

Park workers take eggs from the masonry and put them in the incubator. Young turtles grow in terrariums.

It is done in order to protect the eggs from predators delivered to the island by people (rats, cats, dogs).

Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

On the way to the park. Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

A turtle sails along the beach. Only the shell is visible above the water.

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Goodbye, San Cristobal ... Swim the second island of Santa Cruz ...

Santa Cruz Island (archipelago Central Island).

On the island of Santa Cruz, more tourists and more expensive hotels ($ 20 without kondeya, and from $ 35 with kondeem).

From Santa Cruz Island there are such excursions on the boats:

1. On the island of Bartolome

2. on Seymour Norte Island

3. On the island of Florean

Excursion to Bartolome Island:

Bartolome island.

The name of the island occurs on behalf of the friend Charles Darwin - John Salivane Bartolome, who was the captain of the Beagle ship.

The main attraction of Bartolome is the rock of Pinnakle and landscapes that are considered among the most beautiful among all Galapagos Islands.

Excursion includes: a small track on the highest point where the best views of the island and plus snorkeling on the beach are opening.

Pinnacle Rock

Bartolome is the youngest of the Galapagos Islands. Therefore, around such "alien" landscapes.

Some little blue plants - well, exactly - another planet!

The road to the top goes along the wooden flooring.

On the island is very hot, so we see Mirage, the same as in the Sahara desert.

After a walk through the "other planet" - swimming on the beach. The beach or snorkeling enters in almost all excursions in the Galapaghos.

But Penguin poses on the background of the rock Pinnacle Rock

Galapagos Penguin is unique among the other penguins in that it lives - not in the Antarctic areas, but on the Galapagos Islands located at the equator.

The air temperature in habitats varies within + 18-28 ° C, water - + 22-24 ° C.

The Galapagos Penguins head and spin black, there is a white strip goes from the throat up to the head and reach the eye, the front penguins are white.

The screw and the tip of the connection is black, connected and the skin around the eyes - pinkish-yellow. Penguin builds nests on the shore, making minks in the sand.

Penguins are very easy to swim (see video):

Penguin comes up near the pier.

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Excursion to Seymour Norte Island:

SEYMOUR NORTE island It is a kind of bird paradise - a place that chosen the colonies of birds.

On the island is a large population of Bluebeat Olush and Galapagos Choys. Also here is one of the largest colonies of frigates.

Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

The males of frigates to attract the attention of females to them and their nest, inflated a huge red bag on the chest, throw back their heads and make a conscious cry.

The bird demolished the testicle ...

Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

Land orange iguana. On different islands, Iguan's color is different. On Florean they will be red.

Cacti-naughty - they feed iguanas.

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Excursion to the island of Florean.

Florean - a volcanic island as part of the Galapagos Archipelago, named after Juan José Flores, the first President of Ecuador, in the era of whose rule Ecuador received control over the islands.

Florean was the first Galapagos Island, which was populated.

Omnipresent cats, never cease to die.

Florean red iguana. If you look at, you can also find a blue color on the cloves of the back.

During the excursion, pirated caves are visited, where it seems like these pirates lived.

In general, nothing special. It is necessary to go to the caves by the German colony, fenced barbed wire.

In general, about these Germans in the reports of tourists who removed their rooms, I saw negative descriptions. It seems like there is a bad power, they worshiped some idol, etc.

With two Germans, we met on the way back with Floreans on Santa Cruz. They took our "trump" places on the stern of the boat. (On the feed, the least throws up on the waves).

Reward our towel and pretty bravely did not want to free places.

I have already remembered the Great Patriotic, and really prepared to have a physical impact, even though it would be not easy.

But it was possible to drive the invaders by captain. In general, they are somewhat muddy, these Florean Germans :)

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Excursion on the very island of Santa Cruz "Clever Las Grietas":

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LAS GRIETAS cleft - is a landscape that is formed by the lava cracks. "Two giant walls, as if parted, skipping the blue ribbon of salt water."

Cacti above Las Grietas crevice.

The road to Las Grietas, more precisely, there is no road - you need to go through such pebbles.;)

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The third island, on which we lived: Isabella Island.

Isabel - the largest of the Galapagos Islands.
The island is named Queen Isabella Castilskaya, who supported Columbus's travel to America.
At Isabel there are 6 volcanoes, 4 of which are active.

Puerto Williamil The main settlement, you can say the village with 5 streets :)

Here is a calm and relaxed atmosphere, no one locks the car.

You can leave the camera on the shore, go swimming, and no one will touch your things.

Dear cameras lie on the embankment almost unattended ...

For those who travel for a long time in South America, the islands are a place where you can relax and do not think about the dangers that are on the mainland.

Tourists and locals are a bit. Therefore, during the day, everyone is usually found more than once, and inevitably get acquainted with each other.

Say that local lazy is not to say anything! It is not easy to find an open travel agency, it seems that they work one o'clock in the morning and in the evening another hour :)

But on the other hand - how nice it is when you don't climb "Buy something!" . And this applies to all Galapagos Islands.

Excursions on Isabelle:

Excursion on the island - To the Sierra Negra Volcano and Chico Volcano.

Excursions on the boat from Isabella Islands:

1. Excursion to Los Tuneles with two places for snorkeling.

2. A 10-minute trip to Las Tintoreras, where you can betray and walk around the island, consisting entirely of black volcanic stones, in the form of bridges above the ocean.

So: Excursion Volcan Sierra Negra (5-hour walking excursion to Crater Volcanoes Sierra Negro and Volcano Chico, the cost of $ 30, start at 8.00)

The entire route has a length of about 17 km.

All food and water should be carried with you.

Sierra Negra has the second largest crater in the world with a diameter of 11 kilometers. Height above sea level - 1124 m.

The last eruption occurred in October 2005. As a result of the eruption of the bottom of the crater is covered with black lava.

The view is beautiful, but even more liked views on the way to the next crater, chico volcano. See further:

Fantastic colors - Landscapes of the Volcanana Chico.

Multicolored volcanic breed.

The photo is one of the lava tunnels.

Lava tunnels are obtained with uneven cooled of the lava volcanic slopes.

Surface layers of lava due to contact with air are cooled faster and become monolithic, forming a solid crust. It creates thermal insulation for the inner layers, which remain hot and fluid.

As a result, closer to the center of the lava tunnel, the stream of lava is still coming, even when the upper layers are cooled.

And even when the source of the lava runs out, the contents of the tube continue to slide down under the slope, leaving the voids behind them, which is called lavva tunnels.

Leaving the tunnel, Lava reserves an open passage on one of its ends. Lava in tunnels overcomes long distances, because the speed of the lava flow in the pipes can reach 60 km / h or more.

Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

And it rains over the ocean ...

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Exurcia LOS Tonnels (boat tour + 2 snorkeling, 60 $):

At first they sail to the rock, on which the waves are beautifully collapsed, and then the foaming water slowly retreats along the slope ...

Birds live on the rock.

These creatures of nature are more similar not to the tunnels, but on the bridges.

Black natural arches rise above the water, on the top of which cacti grow.

Bluebeat boobies.

On the video: the song of Bluewood Olheshes.

On the way back swim in place where many small sharks and large turtles.

Turtles a lot. We observe simultaneously in the field of view up to 4 pieces.

Sharks are hiding in underwater arches. The guide is specifically frightened (or kicks? :)) They are on the other side of the cave, - and they float from our side and rush under us.

Again cute cats)

Sunset on Isaabell Island.

Iguana on the beach.

Boat team :)

Penguin in the port.

Flamingo. The nearest place with Flaming from the village is not far from the village - to go by taxi for $ 2 or on foot, past the turtle breeding station. (Taxi drivers know).

Flamingo closer.

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Excursion Las Tintoreras (boat and pedestrian excursion + snorkeling, $ 25, start at 14.30, time 2.5 hours):

The title of excursion comes from the word Las Tintoreras - "Sharks". In the canal, formed on the island, swim sharks and skates and tourists are convenient for them to watch.

The island is scored by Iguanami:

So many iguan what you think - how not to step! :)

Photo https: //princessa.Syt/

Sea iguana - iguana, who lives exclusively in the Galapagos Islands.

It has a unique among modern lizards. Ability to spend most of the time in the sea.

On the shore of the lizard heats up in the sun, keeping the stones using powerful claws. Black painting helps to warm up.

Salt surplus, swallowed with food, is displayed using special glands through nostrils. They are ridiculous to salted water from the nostrils.

Penguin with cinema of cooler.

Deserted beaches. about. Isabella.

photo https: //princessa.Syt/

photo https: //princessa.Syt/ By legend - who climbs on this post ...

https: //princessa.Syt/

Goodbye Isabella, the most relaxed island ... I swim back to the central Santa Cruz, because tomorrow we will fly to Peru tomorrow.

I accidentally learn that one boat out of two flights, broke and we were offered to swim tomorrow. Tomorrow will be back to the aircraft. Therefore, we took money for tickets.

If the flight was canceled, then you will learn about it when you come to the boat, because travel agents are snapigists, and in general are rarely in the workplace.;)

Although we learned about it before, but there were no places on the second boat. We (and other tourists) are led by some "left" captain on a non-rigid boat.

The departure was an hour at 2 later than a regular boat. On the way we met the first boat. He broke! And all the passengers were waiting for 2 hours, while our boat is suitable.

And everyone planted to us in the midst of the ocean. Boat was scored! Naturally they drove standing.

So lay a buffer day before departure to Santa Cruz. Because if you sail from another island to Santa Cruz on the day of departure - you can not have time for the aircraft.

So, briefly wanted to tell about the Galapagos Islands.

Diving is still praising (though there are strong currents). We are not "divers". Therefore, it was seen from the surface a little shark and only once a shark hammer.

Nastya once rushed on the sea turtle under water.

Hot galapagos were quite by the way at the end of February. Next we were waiting for the country of Peru, and then Bolivia.

The change in the situation was pretty sharp when we flew from hot galapagos, where the relaxed atmosphere and the absence of a crime in the capital of Peru - the city of Lima.

We fell into the city at night. Around ... Imagine frames from thriller films, where the streets are filled with gangs :) It was all that was here. And it is in the city center. Policemen are not visible anywhere. There are a lot of them, and at night they are hiding :).

In some taxis, the driver is fenced off by passengers with grille.

Hotel employees communicate with you through a locked grille.

In one hostel, the employee had a negligence to open this lattice and almost received a heart attack when I accidentally tried to go after the rack, to show the table to the table on which the types of rooms and prices were written.

He fought and shouted - do not close!

In Lima, they stopped in an interesting Espana hostel. Inside it looks like a castle. Old building. In the corridors of sculpture, mirrors ... Real skulls for decoration. Color.

In the dark, Nastya collided face with Pavlin, who sat on a branch.

The next day we saw that there were 2 peacocks, big parrots, the turtles roam their feet ... In general, the night meeting with Lima was a little stress). But the day Lima made a favorable impression.

The continuation should be;) I hope I will find time to continue ... Thank you for your attention.

I am looking for a companion, a fellow traveler.

P. S. A little about the organizational part: Never for all the journey we did not book a hotel. Always chose at the site the optimal ratio of quality to the price. Always traded in place.

Since we were not tied to specific dates, I found internal flights at a low price.

For this you need not only to "play dates", but also a sequence of places.

For example, overdue dozens of options for dates and sequences, I found flights at a common price.

The route suggested arrive from the continental Ecuador to the island of San Cristobal and departure after 2 weeks from the island of Santa Cruz (Bailtra).

If you put on places at least one point of arrival and departure or at least one date, then the price took off one and a half or twice.

Next, I was taken another move to reduce the total cost of flights. It is called "Skoltsovka". The fact is that we flew from Ukraine to Quito (Ecuador) and flew out of Lima (Peru). Accordingly, the route of internal flights began with Quito, and ended with Lima.

"Skoltsovka" is to add another segment to the route - namely return to the start point. In our case, the city of Quito. But we did not need there, so we did not fly this last segment.

The price of the flasking route turned out to be about 300 dollars cheaper than the arrogant. 615 dollars for the route, including $ 7, the Commission of Iquest.