Integrity alternates weekly between the Eastern and Western sides of the archipelago. The Galápagos National Park Service carefully controls visits to each of the islands. To ensure their pristine condition, sites may not be visited more than once in a two week period. Each route has been carefully planned to include the best landing sites for wildlife viewing and activities.  

Route Comparison

You will see most iconic Galápagos animals on both itineraries. These animals include giant tortoises, frigate birds, boobies, iguanas, Galápagos Penguins, sea lions, fur seals, finches, mockingbirds, sharks, rays, and sea turtles. One big difference is that only on the Eastern Route you will see Red-footed Boobies and from roughly April through November, the Waved-albatross, and only on the Western Route will you see the Flightless Cormorant.

Throughout the Islands

The Galápagos Islands lie at the intersection of several major scientific disciplines: geology, volcanology, plate tectonics, ocean currents, climate patterns, and, of course, wildlife and the theory of natural selection. Swim with Sea Turtles, Galápagos Penguins, and sea lions, discover giant tortoises in the wild, watch hundreds of marine iguanas basking in the sun and their much larger terrestrial cousins burrowing nests along park trails. Delight in brightly colored Sally-Lightfoot crabs, elusive ghost crabs skittering across sandy beaches, or mockingbirds curious about you. And on both routes, you'll see the iconic Blue-footed Booby, the ultimate clown prince of the Galápagos.

The Eastern Islands

Older, mostly the result of volcanic uplift, these islands are relatively flat, heavily eroded, and home to some spectacular birdlife, such as the world's only breeding site of Waved Albatross on Española Island, or masses of Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigate birds on Genovesa Island. If you're lucky, you may even see Short-eared Owls. In contrast, you’ll also walk on one of the youngest lava flows in the Islands on Santiago Island.

The Western Islands

Younger and actively volcanic, Isabela and Fernandina Islands are the sole home to the unique Flightless Cormorant. Walk on young lava flows and learn about plate tectonics and geological hot spots. Explore enormous lagoons, walk on white, red, and green beaches, snorkel in search of the elusive mola-mola, and learn about the colorful human history of Floreana Island. No day-boat tours reach the western visitor sites.

When to visit

The Galapagos Islands are a year-round destination, but there are two distinct seasons, each with unique characteristics. Planning your trip around these seasons will help you get the most out of your Galapagos adventure.

Galapagos Dry Season

From June to December, southern trade winds bring the cold Humboldt Current north to the Galapagos. The water is cooler, and the garua fog is more prevalent in the islands.

Higher elevations on the larger islands receive moisture via the pervasive mist, retaining their lush green scenery.  At sea level however, there is little precipitation. For this reason, June to December is generally considered the "dry season". There can still be the occasional shower, but generally blue skies prevail.

Species more prevalent in the dry season include giant tortoises, humpback whales, blue-footed boobies, cormorants, oyster catchers, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, masked boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, lava herons, brown noddies, and penguins.

Galapagos Warm Season

Between December and May, the Galapagos' climate is more tropical with daily rain and cloudier skies. The ocean temperature is warmer, which is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Species more prevalent in the warm season include marine iguanas, sea turtle, land iguanas, flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, masked boobies, marine iguanas, albatross, and blue-footed boobies. Snorkeling is will be far more enjoyable during these months.