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5 Reasons to Travel to the Galápagos Islands

April 18, 2019
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The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. Its isolated terrain shelters a diversity of plant and animal species, many found nowhere else. The Galapagos Islands are one of the world’s greatest wonders and an incredibly magical destination to visit.

The Galapagos Islands were claimed by the country of Ecuador in 1832 and today have been named a province (Galapagos).

What are the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands are part of the country of Ecuador and are located in the Pacific Ocean about 1,000 kilometers west of northern South America. The archipelago consists of 19 islands and dozens of islets and rocks that dot a vast area of 17,000 square miles (45,000 square kilometers) of the ocean.

Some of the Galapagos National Park Rules

  •  Stay on the designated trails at all times.
  •  Do not disturb the animals or remove any native plants or rocks.
  •  Do not transport any organic material into the islands, or from island to island.
  •  Follow your naturalist guide when exploring the national park.
  •  Do not feed the animals.
  •  Do not carry food and/or foreign elements into visitor sites.
  •  Do not approach animals that are resting or their nesting sites.
  •  Cellular and satellite phone use is prohibited in visitor sites.
  •  Do not buy goods that are made from native Galapagos species (except for wooden carvings).

Learn more about the Galapagos National Park rules in our blog and experience the islands in an environmentally conscious way.

What You Need for Your Galapagos Packing List

  •  1 Small backpack (waterproof)
  •  Comfortable walking shoes
  •  Sneakers with rubber soles and/or “Teva” type sandals
  •  Shorts
  •  Long pants
  •  T-shirts
  •  Long- and short-sleeve shirts
  •  Windbreaker
  •  Bathing suits + a wetsuit for snorkeling in cold months is recommended (these are available for rent aboard our boats)
  •  Socks
  •  Hat or cap
  •  Toiletry kit (biodegradable products, please)
  •  Plenty of strong sunblock (SPF50 or higher)
  •  Sunglasses
  •  Binoculars
  •  Camera & video recorder
  •  Any important medication you may be taking
  •  Book/Notebook
  •  Chargers for electrical equipment
  •  Emergency contact information
  •  Plug adaptor
  •  Passport

How to get to the Galapagos

First, when traveling to Galapagos, is important to know that they are 600 miles off the coast of South America. You have to fly into Baltra Island before taking a bus and ferry ride to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.

There are no direct international flights to the Galapagos Islands.

The Galapagos Islands is one of the most pristine and isolated places in the world. The archipelago provides the perfect environment for the unique wildlife and the magnificent flora that lives here.

Daily flights to the Galapagos Islands depart from the cities of Quito and Guayaquil in Ecuador. You can fly to Quito or Guayaquil cities with international flights. Guayaquil’s Jose Joaquin de Olmedo “International Airport” and Quito’s “Mariscal Sucre” International Airport receives daily flights from Miami, New York, Amsterdam and Madrid, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and some of the major cities of Central and South America.

When is the Best Time to Go to the Galapagos?

The year-round temperatures are quite warm, however, there are two seasons. The two seasons in the Galapagos are hot: January through May and dry – June through November.
The best time to see wildlife is during the hot season if you want to explore the marine and land iguanas or Galapagos giant tortoise. If you are open to exploring the sea then it is better to visit it during the dry season when there is much more marine activity.

The peak months of the year are June, July, and December when there are more tourists.

What is the best way to book a trip?

Some travelers prefer to organize their own trips to the Galapagos, book flights, lodging, and activities on their own. One of the best places to stay is the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel. If you are not one of those you may want to join group tours or book a cruise aboard the Santa Cruz II, Isabela II, and La Pinta comes with luxury accommodations, healthy and delicious dining options, and expert naturalist guides.

The best way to plan your trip is to do it well in advance.

Hiking

The islands offer some truly remarkable hiking excursions. We recommend booking a designated Galapagos hiking tour for travelers if you are interested in hiking.

Some of the best hiking opportunities in the islands can be found in the highlands of Santa Cruz and the Sierra Negra Volcano, where you can see tortoises and a variety of birdlife or the opportunity to explore the depths of one of the world’s greatest volcanic calderas.

Birdwatching

The islands are home to 56 native bird species, 45 of these can be found only in the Galapagos. You can see different sea birds, land birds, and shorebirds, including migratory birds.

On the islands, due to no natural predators, the birds are approachable and are not scare easily. You can observe them from close distances and for long periods of time.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling gives you the opportunity to explore life under the surface. You will be able to bear witness to all sorts of enchanting wildlife. You can see marine iguanas, sea turtles, sea lions, white-tip reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, starfish, colorful fish, rainbow coral.

Galapagos Islands is one of the best places on earth to do snorkeling.

Kayaking

This is a one-of-a-kind active adventure in the world’s most unique wildlife destination. You’ll have an amazing experience, enjoying the beauty of the islands from a distance and have closer encounters with marine life. The sun at the equator is really strong and burns the skin faster. Remember to wear reef-friendly sunscreen lotion and your personal life jacket.

Other activities

You can enjoy some other activities like mountain biking or paddleboarding that gives you the chance to cover a lot of area for a shorter time. You can enjoy all the activities all year-round.

Galapagos video from Unesco

Main photo credit: Diego Delso / Wikipedia

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Bhutan Environment

Bhutan – one of the world’s greenest country

November 1, 2019
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Bhutan is a small country located in the Himalayas with a population of over 800,000. The kingdom is a global leader in environmentally sustainable development. Its social, economic, political and spiritual foundations are rooted in the idea of Gross National Happiness – equitable socio-economic development, preservation of culture, conservation of the environment and good governance.

The UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative in the country helps to ensure that environmentally sustainable considerations remain an integral part of the country’s national development plans.

“The program provides an ideal platform for creating enabling conditions for achieving poverty reduction and environmental sustainability,” says Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi, Minister of Labour and Human Resources.

sustainable development

Bhutan is an example of sustainable development

Bhutan is committed to carbon neutrality, and environmental considerations are implemented into its Constitution, including a requirement that the country preserves 60 percent of its land as a forest.

This small country is an example of sustainable socio-economic development in harmony with nature for the other countries.

Bhutan is one of the world’s happiest and greenest country. Tourists need a visa to explore this South Asian country unless you are from India, Bangladesh, or the Maldives. The visa costs $40 plus there is an additional $250 “Minimum Daily Package Fee” and it needs to be booked through an officially approved tour operator. This fee covers lodging in three-star accommodations, all meals, a licensed tour guide, camping and trekking equipment, domestic travel, and taxes and fees.

There is a $65 daily sustainable development fee which is included in the package. This fee helps funding education, healthcare, the building of infrastructure for the growing tourism.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is the country’s oldest conservation partner. Beginning in 1977 by supporting the capacity development of local conservation staff, the support gradually evolved into a full country program with several collaborative conservation projects. WWF Bhutan has been supporting the royal government and people of Bhutan in a number of conservation efforts to protect and conserve Bhutan’s natural capital and the immense biological diversity.

WWF Bhutan works on various environmental conservation programs including research and study, education and awareness, promotion of sustainable livelihoods, protection of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, and addressing human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change.

Ecotourism Bhutan
“It was easier for us than say India or China, because we have only 20 people per sq. km. We have also had political commitment,” says Vijay Moktan, conservation director of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Bhutan.

The Bhutanese people’s love and respect for nature is part of their culture. Nature and biodiversity are not only a source of food and economic benefits in the kingdom but also important cultural and spiritual values.

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is working with different government agencies and several other related initiatives to integrate biodiversity, climate change and poverty elements in the country and contribute to poverty reduction and social progress.

BIOFIN success in Bhutan demonstrates the connection in conservation with the happiness of the Bhutanese people in their mountain stronghold.

“Our integrated approach to financing across sectors to tackle large challenges we face in preserving our biodiversity, mitigating and adapting to climate change and poverty alleviation, we believe, maybe a beacon of good sustainable development practice to the rest of the world.” said Ngawang Gyeltshen, BIOFIN National Coordinator.”

It is the only country in the world that has a negative carbon, which means it produces more oxygen than it consumes. According to UNFCCC report, the kingdom generates about 2.2 million tonnes of carbon annually, yet its forests absorb three times this amount, which creates a carbon sink.

“In 2014, the government imposed a 100% tax on the import of foreign cars, and people are still buying them,” says one Thimphu taxi driver, complaining about the increased traffic. “Where once people were content to walk everywhere, they now want cars.”

The Bhutanese government has also tied up with Nissan and Mahindra Reva to push electric cars. And in a very ambitious move, the country plans to go zero waste 100% organic and maintain its green cover.

In April, 108,000 trees were planted to celebrate the birth of the new prince.

“A car for each family has become more a necessity than a luxury in Bhutan because undisputedly the public transport is not only unreliable and inefficient, it is also often expensive,” writes Sonam Tashi, a lecturer, in a letter to the local paper. “The people are paying for the government’s incompetence.”

Bhutan view
Bhutan’s agricultural income is declining and can’t support the increasing population. The country is heavily dependent on imports — nearly 50% of its rice comes from India.

“The Himalayan ecosystem is very fragile. Water resources are critical for us—because our chief export is hydropower—and the only way to save water is to save the forests.”, says Namgyel, one of Bhutan’s negotiators at the Paris climate change agreement in December 2015.

Bhutan for Life, Brand Bhutan, and the Ecotourism program are just a few of the initiatives bringing interest to for tourists, investors, trading and development partners.

Want to learn more about Bhutan? Check our other posts about Bhutan.

Sierra Gorda Mexico

Discover the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve Mexico

December 15, 2019
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Located in the heart of Mexico, the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is a natural protected area that covers a third of Querétaro state. The area is extremely rugged with high steep mountains and deep canyons.
The area is valued for its very wide diversity of plant and animal life, which is due to the various microenvironments created by the ruggedness of the terrain and wide variation in rainfall. The region is on a branch of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range and consists of a series of mountain chains that run northwest to southeast. Most are made of limestone, formed by sea beds and volcanic rock.

It is the seventh-largest Reserve in Mexico and the most diverse in terms of ecosystems. In 1997 the Sierra Gorda was recognized as a protected natural area by the Environmental and Natural Resource Ministry (SEMARNAT). Since then, the region has transformed into a role model of sustainable development for Mexico and the world.

Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is the most diverse ecosystem protected area in the country, with the largest social participation in actions for conservation. Some of its rich ecosystems include 800 species of Lepidoptera (butterflies), 339 species of Avifauna (birds), 127 species of fungi, 131 species of Herpetofauna (reptiles and anphibians) and 27 species of Ictiofauna.

From mountain tops to deep abysses, you can transverse distinct landscapes, surrounded by unique flora and fauna.

municipality of Peñamiller
Photo credit: AlejandroLinaresGarcia / Wikipedia
The reserve begins in the dry semi desert areas in the center of Querétaro and continues north and higher into the mountain peaks of Pinal de Amoles.
The biosphere is the seventh-largest federally protected natural area and has the greatest biodiversity of all of them, including those which encompass marine areas.

The biosphere reserve in Querétaro is managed by Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas of Semarnat. Thirty percent of the reserve’s land is communally owned land with the rest privately owned, with the government issuing regulations. Conservation of the area has also attracted the attention of people such as director James Cameron, who sponsored a reforestation project on 120 hectares.

The fauna and flora include 1,718 species of vascular plants and 124 species of macromicetes. The Reserve is home to the Jaguar, the Yucatan Brown Brocket, the Mexican Black Bear, the Spider Monkey, the Otter, the Great Curassow, the Crested Guan, the Bearded Wood Partridge Dendrortyx barbatus, the Military Macaw Ara militaris, the Red-crowned Amazon Amazona viridigenalis, the Tucan, the Emerald Toucanet and the American Crocodile.

The Reserve houses a variety of cultural attractions, including five Franciscan Missions that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Jalpan Dam

The Jalpan Dam collects waters of the Escanela River that originate in the mountains of Pinal de Amoles. Its margins are covered partly by tropical deciduous forests and partly by areas dedicated to the cultivation of citrus trees. Powered by the Jalpan River around this dam you will enjoy a spectacular landscape.

Sierra Gorda Museum

Utensils and diverse pre-Hispanic objects from the region are displayed in this museum. It begins with a historical overview of the region and through engravings and antique and contemporary objects, offers a panorama of the inhabitants of the area.

The museum opens in 1991 display items related to the indigenous people, the history of colonialism and the Franciscan Missions, as well as of contemporary life in the region.

Chuvejé Waterfall
Photo credit: James Wilson / Wikipedia

Chuvejé Waterfall

The Cascada de Chuvejé is a local favorite and one of the closer waterfalls to Querétaro. You can access this 35m tall waterfall by driving through around 5km of dirt road, then hiking around 30 minutes through the forest. Chuvejé Waterfall is one of the favorite destinations for those who visit the Sierra Gorda.

Pinol de Amoles

Pinal de Amoles is a town located in Pinal de Amoles Municipality in the state of Querétaro in central Mexico. It is part of the Sierra Gorda region. Pinol de Amoles is a good base to explore the nearby sites, such as Puente de Dios and Chuvejé waterfalls.

The town began as a mining camp in the 17th century, but most mining in the area has disappeared and the municipality is one of the poorest in Mexico, despite recent efforts to promote ecotourism.

Sótano del Barro
Photo credit: Aromgom / Wikipedia

Sótano del Barro

Sotan del Barro is one of the largest sinkholes of the world. 455 m deep hole in the ground, formed in Lower Cretaceous limestone. Sotano del Barro is enormous, elongated hole, seen already from the distance in the slope of the mountain. It has no similarity with caves, it is rather like an enormous 455 m deep, gaping pocket.

It is home to one of the last of central Mexico’s colonies of military macaws, huge green-and-blue parrots.

Cave of Swallows

This enormous cave is surrounded by dense vegetation of the Huasteca Potosina region. 512 meters deep and 60 meters wide, with a freefall of 370 meters, the Cave of Swallows is the second-largest pit cave in Mexico and amongst the largest in the world.

Stay with Local Communities

Sierra Gorda is full of small, barely connected communities. San Juan de los Durán is another remote community, where you can book cabins with views over lush valleys. Jalpan and Conca are even more remote communities.

San Juan de los Durán

The town of San Juan de los Durán is located in the Municipality of Jalpan de Serra and it is the most populated town in the whole municipality. It is an excellent takeoff point for visiting the famous Cave of Swallows.

Featured image credit: Pavel Kirillov / Flickr
Want to learn more about other sustainable destination? Check out section sustainable travel destinations.

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