5 Epic Trip Ideas You Can Plan and Book Years in Advance
"Ecuador's Galápagos Islands — visited by Charles Darwin in 1835, which inspired his theory of evolution — are home to some of the most unique species in the world, including sea lions, blue-footed boobies, flamingos, penguins, and giant tortoises. Officials at the Galápagos National Park go to great lengths to protect the landscape and the animals that call it home, limiting both the number of islands people can visit and the quantity of visitors who can come each year." - Travel + Leisure Editors
The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the highest levels of endemism (species found nowhere else on earth) anywhere on the planet. About 80% of the land birds you will see, 97% of the reptiles and land mammals, and more than 30% of the plants are endemic. More than 20% of the marine species in Galapagos are found nowhere else on earth. Favorites include the giant Galapagos tortoise, marine iguana, flightless cormorant, and the Galapagos penguin — the only penguin species to be found in the Northern Hemisphere. Click on the links below for basic background information on the various wildlife groups found in the Galapagos Islands.
Cheryl Simons
Google
Perfect location ,,
walking distance to every thing ,,
Very comfortable , small boutique hotel with pool ,,
EH
Google
Wonderful to have a park like this dedicated to the beautiful tortoises. They are free to roam around and not afraid of people. Great job to the staff giving such good care.
A C
Google
Amazing place, unique in the world.
It becomes very expensive to move around the islands. And locals have different prices for turists, particularly if you are a gringo (anyone outside South America). I wish they were more severe against turists who do not respect nature and the animals
Louise Maine
Google
Beautiful and quiet. Follow the trail and then walk the beach to the other side to see marine iguanas and birds. Follow the path to the Bay where you can swim and rent kayaks. Beautiful walk.
Krista Tendler
Google
What an amazing experience! Everything is kept very clean and safety for the animals and the environment is priority. Wonderful guides lead the tours and are very knowledgeable. People are very friendly and towns are safe. Navigation between island can be rough depending on sea conditions.
Alex Nam
Google
Breathtaking adventure full of endemic and unique species to explore!! Loved it and will be back to check out other islands.
If you like animals and swimming, you cant miss this place!
To get the full experience in the water, you should get a scuba diving lisence, otherwise snorkel and diving (beginner level) should be enough for the first time!
Javier Gómez García
Google
One of the most amazing places I've ever been. A place where you can see how wild life behaves in 13 remote island 600miles away from mainland...iguanas that can swim, birds that cannot fly, penguins swimming with sea lions...SPEECHLESS!