The Galapagos islands are an archipelago of nineteen volcanic islands situated in Equator. These volcanic islands seem to have dropped out of a World Disney movie that you can live and breathe. The islands should be on the bucket list of every tourist. The gigantic sea tortoises, racer snakes, sea lions and hammerheads give the illusion of a prehistoric time with fascinating creatures walking the earth. Here are five activities that you must do when touring the Galapagos islands.
Spy On The Tortoises In El Chato Tortoise Reserve
The giant tortoises are one of the most famous celebrity creatures of the Galapagos islands. These calm creatures usually walk from the highlands towards the coast and back. The El Chato tortoise reserve and the Rancho Primicias in the Santa Cruz islands are two of the best places to spot these giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands. The giant tortoises at the reserve are actually gigantic in size and remind you of the alien animals from the movie Avatar. If you go looking for the giant tortoises in Rancho Primicias, then might even get to see the short-ear owl and a Darwin finch. You can also find tortoise shells and walk through tunnels made from cooled lava in the Rancho Primicias.
Snorkeling With The Galapagos Penguins
Every island on the Galapagos has something unique to offer and Isla Bartolome is no exception. This is the place where large colonies of Galapagos penguins like to spend most of their time. Snorkeling with the penguins is an experience of a lifetime and should be a must on your trip to Galapagos. You can experience their speed and agility when you snorkel with them. Alternatively, you can climb to the top of the island and capture great pictures .The island looks even more beautiful from the top but you might feel a bit worn as you climb to the top.
Floating Above The Hammerheads
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to float among a group of sharks ? Well, you can get a taste of this frightening fantasy at Kicker Rock. The snorkeling mecca of Kicker Rock is also the hub of most aquatic lifeforms where they congregate in search of underwater food. You can spot a wide variety of tropical fishes and play with the baby sea lions as you swim in the clear water. Another noteworthy fact is the presence of the hammerhead sharks that assemble and circle just below you. The presence of hammerhead sharks at a sniffing distance is obviously the highlight of the trip to Kicker Rock for most tourists.
Hike On The Sierra Negra Volcano
If you ever wanted to see a volcano from up close, then this is your golden chance. Climb the eastern side of the Sierra Negra volcano to reach the world’s second largest crater located at a height of 4550 feet. You will need proper boots and a lot of water for the hike. Although the hike to the top is a difficult one and cannot be completed without the assistance of a guide, but the view from the top is worth the hardship. Alternatively, you can also reach the volcano on a horse back from Santo Tomas.
Spot The Marine Iguanas In The Fernandina Island
If you are visiting the Fernandina island, then make sure you don’t mistake the marine Iguanas for rocks and sit on them. The marine iguanas are known to be found along the rocky shores. They occupy most of the Galapagos islands and have seven subspecies adding up to 250,000 spread over the islands. The species that is found in abundance in Fernandina island is Cristatus. The marine iguanas have a flattened nose and flattened tail. The flattened nose helps them eat algae while the flattened tail is another adaptation that assists them in swimming.