The Galapagos Islands can feel like a land before time – formed by a series of volcanic eruptions between three and five million years ago, the Galapagos archipelago is a chain of 19 islands off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean.
These islands remained relatively untouched for millions of years, resulting in a lineup of plants and animals that aren’t seen anywhere else in the world. The Galapagos gained their fame shortly after a visit from naturalist, Charles Darwin – he spent about 2.5 weeks studying the biodiverse landscapes in 1835. This field work yielded “The Origin of Species”, an important work for evolutionary science.
The Galapagos were declared Ecuador’s first national park in 1959 and has since been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ecuador created the marine reserve in 1998, preserving the area from industrial fishing and ensuring the survival of unique species for years to come.
There are few places on earth where you can get more “up close and personal” with wildlife. The area has one of the world’s highest concentrations of sharks, including hammerheads and whale sharks, and some of the best diving on the planet.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit each year to experience Darwin’s “living lab”, doing walking tours with naturalists. If you’re keen to see a particular species while you’re there, be sure to do your research, or speak with the tour provider; the month you choose to travel and the itinerary you select will make the difference, since some species are seasonal, and many exist only on specific islands.
Best for:
Active Travellers; Eco Travellers; Nature Lovers; Cruising
