Straddling the Equator 600 miles to the west of the South American continent, lost in the blues of the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands are famous as the crucible for Darwin’s theory of natural selection. They are one of the most unique destinations on the planet, and without doubt, one of the most amazing wildlife holidays in the world.
Not only do the archipelago of islands and islets harbour unique species — like the giant tortoise or the marine iguana, the only ocean-going lizard on the planet, or the flightless cormorant which has evolved to dive rather than fly — these species have no fear of Man. They evolved in isolation from predatory mammals and do not regard sun-burnt biped home sapiens as a threat. In fact, they ignore us completely. This relationship with nature is one of the reasons the experience in the Galapagos is quite so unique and memorable — although there are many more.
The archipelago is larger than many people realise. This makes exploring aboard live-aboard boats that travel on set itineraries regulated by the Galapagos National Park the best way to visit the more remote islands. Since each island is different and home to different wildlife, a cruise itinerary is the only option if you want to see, for example, the waved albatross or the flightless cormorant. But you can also enjoy inspiring wildlife encounters by basing yourself in a hotel or lodge on one or two of the populated islands, which allows you added flexibility depending on your travel style. And you could also combine a cruise with time on land.
No matter how you choose to explore these islands born of fire in the Pacific, we’ll ensure your experience is the right one for you, partnering with the best ships or hotels to make your holiday second-to-none.
