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The Galapagos Islands

5

Reasons To
Visit The Galapagos Islands

  • Evolution

    Charles Darwin arrived in Galapagos in 1835. Here he found a remarkable population of plants, birds and reptiles that had developed in isolation from the mainland, but also differed on almost identical neighbouring islands. These characteristics he could only explain by a gradual transformation of the various species and lead to the publication of his famous “Origin of the Species”.

    Evolution
  • Fearless Wildlife

    Having no natural predators for centuries, the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands has become remarkably fearless. This has continued with the introduction of humans allowing visitors to come face to face with the animals. It's quite common for visitors to have to make way for a sealion moving along the beach or be forced away from the nesting site of a blue-footed booby!

    Fearless Wildlife
  • Lonesome George

    Galapagos’ most famous resident, Lonesome George is the last remaining sub-species of the Pinta Giant Tortoise - almost wiped to extinction by whalers in the 1900’s. Now currently residing in the Charles Darwin Research Station, researchers are trying to find a suitable mate and a sizeable reward is on offer for anyone who can do so.

    Lonesome George
  • Pinnacle Rock

    The Galapagos’ most iconic site, Pinnacle Rock is an eroded tuff cone protruding form the side of Bartolome Island. This lunar landscape, edged by a white sandy beach, is teaming with sealions and offers clear blue water and stunning a backdrop - one of the highlights of a trip to Galapagos.

    Pinnacle Rock
  • Volcanoes

    Galapagos is often referred to as the 'Land of Fire'. The western most islands are made up of active volcanoes and volatile activity is common place. When an eruption takes place, cruise vessels often divert their itinerary to enable passengers to get close to lava flows.

    Volcanoes
 
 

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Highlights of The Galapagos Islands

    • Get up close to Galapagos' giant tortoises
    • The best known of Galapagos' land animals can weigh up to 250kg and live to over 100 years old. These graceful creatures are an incredible sight.
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    • See the flightless Cormorant
    • The epitomy of evolution, the flightless cormorant can only be seen in the western most islands.
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    • See the unique penguins of the Galapagos
    • One of the smallest penguin species and the only one to be seen in the northern hemisphere in the wild, the unique Galapagos penguins are a delight to watch from the deck of a boat or whilst swimming in the water beside them.
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    • Swim with sealions
    • Snorkel with playful sealion pups whilst observing both tropical and deep ocean fish swimming beneath you.
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    • Witness the mating dance of the Albatross
    • Only seen between April and November, these huge birds come to Espanola Island every year to perform this unusual dance and find a mate.
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Our country specialists have travelled the length and breadth of The Galapagos Islands - here are a few of their favourite things to do

The Galapagos Islands’ reputation as one of the world’s great travel experiences is more than justified.

History

Untouched by humans for many thousands of years, this isolated volcanic archipelago of rugged lava flows, mountain grasslands and sandy beaches was a hothouse of evolution that gained everlasting fame as the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s “On The Origin Of The Species”.

Wildlife and the experience

Over 170 years later you can discover the islands for yourself, with their marine iguanas, giant tortoises, fearless birds and staggering marine life, and you are sure to be as entranced as Darwin. The diverse range of animals that live on these remote islands have no fear of man, and a cruise around their home is a real delight. Walking along sandy beaches around the lazy sea lions as their inquisitive pups try to steal your shoelaces, watching the comical bluefooted boobies perform their mating dance, carefully stepping around a tangled pile of sun-bathing marine iguanas, admiring the male great frigate bird’s inflated red chest, all will be part of an unforgettable Galapagos experience.

Practical Info

Flight time from UK

15 hours (Quito via Madrid, Amsterdam or the USA)

Timezone

GMT-5 hours

When To Go

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