GALAPAGOS

The Galapagos is the place where you can watch, wonder and learn about the plants and animals. Forever associated with Darwin and his theory of evolution, this dramatic group of volcanic islands are home to more than 5,000 species of plant, animal, marine and bird life.

San Cristóbal is the easternmost island in Galapagos; on its southwestern side is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the providence of Galapagos and the site of the Galapagos National Park Interpretation Center. Hood Island is one of the oldest of the islands, small and flat with no visible volcanic crater or vent.

Santa Cruz is the only inhabited island to be visited.

Puerto Ayora is the location of the Charles Darwin Research Station, world famous for its tortoise breeding programs. At Elizabeth Bay on Isabela Island enjoy a panga ride through the mangrove area to see the rays, turtles, sea lions and, circling overhead, Galapagos hawks. A colony of penguins inhabit a rocky islet at the entrance to Elizabeth Bay.
Fernandina Island is the youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos with eruptions taking place every few years. The flat lava of Punta Espinosa offers a stark and barren landscape, but here flightless cormorants build their nests on the point and marine iguanas dot the sand.

Bartolome is a small island that has beautiful white sand beaches, luxuriant green mangroves and a colony of penguins.
Santiago Island has several sites to visit at the western end of James Bay, including Puerto Egas with land birds such as finches, doves and hawks, and Buccaneer Cove, a particularly scenic area of steep cliffs and dark beaches.

North Seymour Island is an uplifted island that is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. South Plaza is one of the smallest islands visited where there is a large colony of sea lions occupying the smooth rocks.

We recommend this itinerary to the real nature-lovers, who will be satisfied even only watching animals and plants impossible to find in other places around the world.