The Galapagos Islands: One of the Best Destinations for Senior Travel

The Galapagos Islands are one of the most complete and fascinating expedition destinations in the world for senior travelers. Why? Well, it’s simple:

Additionally, with the added liberty of being free from work and the nest being empty, there’s nothing better than escaping to a destination where the sun shines all the time! So, if you’re looking for a destination that will free you from the cold that’s headed north during this time of year, then set your eyes on the Galapagos!

Enjoy the natural beauty of the archipelago at your own pace!

Why are the Galapagos Islands an ideal destination for senior travelers?

1. The difficulty level of activities in the Galapagos varies between moderate and low.

The Galapagos Islands have something for just about everyone! If you’ve finally reached that golden age and you’re in decent physical shape looking for exciting adventures full of adrenaline, then the Galapagos Islands offer spectacular SCUBA diving sites.

However, if you’re looking for an experience of the Galapagos that’s a little more relaxed – but nevertheless gives you the chance to witness plenty of what the islands have to offer – then keep in mind that there’s numerous things to do aboard an Expedition Cruise in the Galapagos.

Keeping in mind all these wonderful activities that Expedition Cruises in the Galapagos offer, it’s important to know how to choose the best Galapagos Cruise that’s right for you – especially when we’re focused on senior travel. Mainly because few cruises in the Galapagos have more than one – and therefore multiple – Park-certified naturalist guides onboard. Now this might seem like a trivial detail, but it’s important to keep the following in mind:

More guides = More simultaneous activities

It’s important to understand that all activities that are done within the National Park must be supervised by a certified naturalist guide. A Galapagos Cruise with more guides means you’ll have more options to choose from when you’re looking at how to engage with the Galapagos Islands, especially at your own rhythm and pace.

Kayaking in the Galapagos Islands is an unbeatable experience!

This also means that, if a certain group on your boat of choice opts for partaking in snorkeling (something which you may not be interested in), you’ll easily be able to pick another, more relaxed activity such as exploring the underwater world from the (completely dry) comfort of a glass-bottom boat.

Here’s a look at the activities we at Metrojourneys offer aboard our Galapagos cruises:

• Kayaking

Select cruises in the Galapagos offer this activity along the brilliant coasts that are found within the National Park. If you choose to partake in this activity, you’ll get to peacefully traverse the Galapagos seas in the company of playful sea lions and blue-footed boobies that often dive into the waters around you to get their catch of the day.

• Snorkeling

This activity will allow you to explore the impressive underwater world of the Galapagos Islands. You’ll instantly find yourself surrounded by colorful schools of fish (especially during this time of the year) and even whitetip reef sharks!

• Hikes

Depending on the island, certain hikes in the Galapagos Islands can be slightly demanding due to the steepness of certain stretches and patches of terrain. However, they’re absolutely worth every step. There’s simply nothing like walking across another planet while surrounded by endemic wildlife! Additionally, no trail in the Galapagos National Park is longer than 7.5 miles (1.5 kilometers).

• Coastal Exploration (a.k.a. panga ride)

On this activity, which takes place aboard dinghies (often referred to as pangas in Spanish), guests are invited to enjoy a peaceful and enriching journey along the coastlines of the islands. On these coastal explorations, you’ll get to revel in the impressive geology of the Galapagos along with the curious animals that hang out along the coast.

• Glass-bottom boat

Your window into the underwater world is, quite literally, found aboard a glass-bottom boat ride! This particular activity offers a nice alternative for those guests that are looking to comfortably relax and admire the scenery, both aquatic and terrestrial!

Additionally, in the unlikely event that after any of these activities you should find yourself feeling unwell, you can find solace in knowing that all our Galapagos cruises have a 24-hour onboard Medical Officer.

2. The Galapagos Islands are not a mass tourism destination

As travelers that have had countless experiences throughout our planet, senior travelers know better than anyone else just how overwhelming and disappointing it can be to go to a destination that’s replete with crowds of people. Luckily, the Galapagos Islands, which are located 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) away from the mainland are immune to the masses. Just take a look at the statistics:

In 2018, the Galapagos Islands hosted around 276,000 tourists (45% of which were visitors over the age of 60!)

In 2018, Machu Picchu received more than 1.5 million tourists.

This is actually leverage for senior travelers because they won’t have to face the following:

Additionally, traveling aboard an Expedition Cruise in the Galapagos isn’t the same as traveling aboard a cruise in the Caribbean. Vessels in the Galapagos are limited to carrying, maximum, 100 passengers – a cap that’s been put in place in order to better preserve the Marine Reserve and the National Park Islands at which visitors disembark. This also means you’ll get to explore in the company of smaller groups of people, allowing you to socialize (if you please) and even meet other senior travelers with the same interests you!

Metrojourneys’ expedition cruises have ample social areas and one of the highest guest – space ratios in the entire archipelago.

3. You’ll experience an even greater connection with the destination itself (as well as an unforgettable experience)

Thanks in large part to all of the factors that we mentioned above, the Galapagos Islands maintain their status as one of the most pristine Expedition Destinations in the world. The strict conservation policies that have been put in place by the Galapagos National Park have allowed visitors from around the world to have an incomparable experience in the Enchanted Isles.

Galapagos Land Iguana in Santiago Island

Visiting the Galapagos aboard an Expedition Cruise is like traveling to outer space, almost. Each and every island is a different planet, and you’ll get to awaken to a new one every day on your itinerary. The adventure is just beginning when you rise and shine with an impressive view of the Galapagos! As the hours pass by, our senior travelers will get to connect with their surroundings in different ways and, perhaps most importantly, always in the way that they – as guests in this extraordinary place – desire and see fit.

In the Galapagos Islands, each activity is accompanied by a profound learning experience that won’t just allow you to just understand what you’re witnessing, but to also enjoy it as much as possible!

Are you ready to explore? Seize your Galapagos Cruise for 2023!

I’m ready to travel to the Galapagos Island!