A shout-out here to our heroes in a half-shell on their special day because the Galapagos are turtley the ultimate in slow travel.
Now, as you well know by now, we’ve been spending years poking our noses underwater and into turtles’ lives.
Only to discover we only had to take ourselves out to Turtle Nirvana, the Galapagos, where they’re given right of way on the roads.
With tour guides holding up traffic signs to keep motorists at bay and allow our slow creepers to cross the path.
Darwin and a few species
Our friends at The Internet Traveller have put together a 12-night Ecuador and Galapagos special from £4755pps.
Where you can channel your inner Charles Darwin and get up close and personal with the Giant Turtles.
Of course, because this is slow travel so we’re in no hurry and are glad to sample the joys of Quito in Ecuador.
Stroll through the cobble street UNESCO-listed Old Town.
And take a ride on the TelefériQo for jaw-dropping views of the city and beyond.
Your tour will see you rest up at the Dann Carlton Hotel, because tomorrow, the real jungle adventure begins.
Head in the clouds
Big reveal here though The Internet Traveller wants us to do a bit of work now for our rewards.
If you can call it that as next stop is Ecuador’s cloud forest, Mashpi Lodge.
You’ll wake up to the calls of howler monkeys and the flutter of over 400 bird species.
Hike through misty trails, chase waterfalls, and glide through the treetops on the unique Dragonfly canopy ride.
While nightfall brings a whole new spectacle – bioluminescent fungi and the eerie glow of nocturnal creatures.
Your hosts will give you an overnight back in Quito to prepare you for your meeting with the turtles.
And snorkel up at Tijeretas cove where you’ll have the chance to swim alongside sea turtles, rays, and sea lions.
Our big beast
You’ll get a day to yourself on Isla San Cristobal and perhaps take a boat excursion to Kicker Rock or Isla Lobos.
And again pop in on the sea turtles, eagle rays, and the gentle (phew!) Galápagos shark.
Before visiting Isla Santa Cruz and a reunion with the big beast of the origin of the species… remember him!
You’ll arrive by speedboat after a riveting two and a half hour journey.
The Charles Darwin Research Station would make the old beardie one proud.
With its ongoing conservation efforts to protect the unique ecosystem.
And the perfect opportunity to have up-close encounters with the majestic giant tortoises.
A different breed
Later that day you’ll venture to the highlands where you’ll see the tortoises roam freely in their natural habitat.
There’s always another island, of course, and Isla Isabela is the largest in the Galapagos.
And one of the most volcanically active on Earth and you’ll get the chance to hike 17km up to Sierra Negra Volcano.
While an excursion to Las Tintoreras will give you the chance to observe white-tipped sharks at rest and see where marine iguanas nest.
Now because there is something admittedly voyeuristic here don’t overthink what you’re doing at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre.
Because if David Attenborough can…
Show me your boobies
There’s a whole sea of exotic creatures in and around Isla Santa Cruz and here you’re allowed to play out your inner kiddie.
And seek out the blue-footed boobie sea birds and pelicans.
Which is as good a place to complete your slow travel odyssey before making your way back slowly to Quito.
And on to London and quicker than Charlie and his Beagle who took a year to get home.
