Galapagos and Muchu Picchu

Our travels to explore the Galapagos by ship and then on to Muchu Picchu by train. Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Photos Share

Trip start
May 15, 2026
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Springfield Airport
May 15 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
We are at the airport waiting for our flight to Atlanta. First of 3 flights today. Should be in Guayaquil, Ecuador in the morning.
TravelerWow, what an adventure.- bon voyage! I'm excited to follow along 😊
5/15/26Reply
2 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Long wait
May 15 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F
For some reason it took a very long time to load the baggage on the plane here in Springfield. I think we are now about ready to depart, a good 20 minutes late.
1 like
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Atlanta
May 15 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Landed in Atlanta on time. Will grab something to eat and then head to JFK. Seems to be an odd way to fly south from home.
2 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Boarding in Atlanta
May 15 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
We are boarding our flight in Atlanta. We were the first ones on the planes tonight. That alone is a first for us. Next stop, JFK.
2 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
JFK
May 15 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Thought there would be more people in the airport. We now wait for 2 hours before our next flight takes off. Next stop Guayaquil.
2 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
LATAM Airline
May 16 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 55 °F
Empty center seat! 👍
2 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Guayaquil
May 16 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Arrived in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
2 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Historic Hotel Del Parque
May 16 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
We arrived at our hotel only about 15 minutes from the airport. It is an historic hotel rich in history. It has lovely grounds with a zoo next to it. Andrew was waiting on the steps for us when we arrived.Read more
TravelerI'm very happy you three are traveling together! 😊
5/16/26Reply
TravelerYou are off to a great start!
5/18/26Reply
2 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Zoo as part of Hotel
May 17 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F
There is an animal park on the hotel grounds. Loretta and I walked through it today taking a few more photos of the colorful macaws. The area was full of mangrove trees with their unusual root structure.Read more
2 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Dinner
May 17 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F
We had a nice family dinner at the hotel tonight after our orientation meeting for the events starting tomorrow.
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Leaving Guayaquil
May 18 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
Heading to the Galapagos.
2 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Galapagos
May 18 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
We have arrived.
2 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Giant Tortoises
May 18 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
The lumbering giants on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos. These giant tortoises can live for 200 years. No natural predators on the islands.
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Blue footed booby
May 19 in Ecuador ⋅ 🌬 82 °F
The colorful blue footed boobies of the Galapagos. They are only found on some of the islands.
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Isla Santiago
May 19 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Cruising between islands of the Galapagos.
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Daily Towel Art
May 19 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Each day aboard the La Pinta our cabin steward left us a different animal made out of towels. It was fun coming back to the room to find what he made for us.
TravelerCreative, but also a little creepy!
4wReply
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Galápagos Penguin
May 19 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
The Galápagos penguin is a penguin endemic to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. It is the only penguin found north of the equator. Most inhabit Fernandina Island and the west coast of Isabela Island. The cool waters of the Humboldt and Cromwell Currents allow it to survive despite the tropical latitude.Read more
TravelerAlways learning something new: an island that straddles the equator and several South American countries are north of the equator.
4wReply
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Seal
May 19 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
Galapagos fur seals are typically found on the rocky shores of the western islands of the Galapagos Archipelago. They are endemic to the Islands, and due to their decreasing population size they are classed as Endangered by the IUCN.Read more
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Pinnacle Rock
May 20 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
Pinnacle Rock is a striking, spear-shaped volcanic plug on Bartolomé Island, one of the most iconic and photographed landmarks in the Galápagos. It is renowned for its panoramic bay views, excellent snorkeling with Galápagos penguins, and surrounding white sand beaches. Unfortunately this is not a natural phenomenon. The island was used for bombing practice and this is what was left behind.Read more
TravelerWere you able to snorkel there?
4wReply
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
1
Lava Field
May 20 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island): Known for its "lunar landscape," this is the most famous lava field in the Galápagos. Formed by eruptions in the late 19th century, it allows visitors to walk directly over vast, swirling black patterns of hardened pahoehoe lava. You can even spot tree molds and “hornitos” (mini-lava ovens).Read more
Traveler This is crazy looking. Nature is amazing!
4wReply
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Red Crabs
May 20 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
The iconic bright red crab of the Galápagos Islands is the Sally Lightfoot crab. With their vibrant scarlet shells, bright blue underbellies, and incredible agility, they are a frequent and highly photogenic sight scurrying across the black volcanic rocks of the archipelago. These were everywhere it seemed.Read more
TravelerWow! This would make a colorful inspiration for decorating a room around it! (Can you tell I am in a new house sort of mood?)
4wReply
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Nazca Booby
May 21 in Ecuador ⋅ 🌬 81 °F
The Nazca booby is a large, white seabird with black wings and tail, an orange/pink bill, and a black "mask" on its face, found along the eastern Pacific coast, especially the Galapagos Islands. It's known for its clumsy land movement (hence "booby," from Spanish for clown) and its practice of obligate siblicide, where the older chick pushes the younger out of the nest to ensure its own survival. They feed on fish by plunge-diving and nest on rocky ledges, marking their territory with guano.Read more
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
1
Red Footed Booby
May 21 in Ecuador ⋅ 🌬 81 °F
he red-footed booby is a social seabird known for its bright red feet, found in tropical oceans worldwide, and is unique for nesting in trees and shrubs rather than on cliffs. It's polymorphic, meaning it has different color variations (white, brown, dark), and feeds on fish and squid by plunge-diving, often far from land. These birds are long-lived, breed in colonies, and lay only one egg every 15 months, with both parents caring for the single chick. They were found on a different island from the blue footed boobies.Read more
Traveler I think I need a pair of shoes that color!
4wReply
TravelerUncle Doug - just a friendly FYI, I noticed this post's location is currently set to Peru - you may have intended for its location to also be the Galapagos / Ecuador
4wReply
Doug SampsonThanks, trying to catch up and some photos were taken with my Canon and the location doesn’t transfer as well. Corrected.
4wReply
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Sea Lion with her pup
May 21 in Ecuador ⋅ 🌬 81 °F
A sea lion resting on the shore nursing her pup. They typically nurse their pups from 6 to 12 months even though by 2 months of age, the pups can catch their own food.
TravelerVery dedicated mothers!
4wReply
3 likes
Galapagos and Muchu Picchu Doug Sampson
Sea Lions
May 21 in Ecuador ⋅ 🌬 81 °F
These two sea lions were having a major disagreement. They went back and forth and then one took off like a bullet and the other followed. It is amazing how fast they can travel under water.

Sea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear flaps, long foreflippers, the ability to walk on all fours, short and thick hair, and a big chest and belly.Read more
TravelerJust wondering: Do you think they were actually fighting? Or, were they "play" fighting (wrestling) like dogs and kids do?
4wReply
Doug SampsonYes, without question.
4wReply
3 likes