A World Heritage UNESCO site, and one of the few places left on the planet where human presence is kept to a bare minimum, the Galapagos Islands home one of the world’s most important biological marine reserves, and attract travellers from across the globe.

An archipelago of volcanic islands dotted around the equator, the Galapagos are not lush, green tropical paradises that one might imagine, but have almost moon-like landscapes devoid of rich vegetation.

The tales of Charles Darwin and other explorers may have us believe that the islands home a whole menagerie of weird and wonderful creatures, but if you expect to see anything more exotic than penguins, giant tortoises and sea lions, you may be a little disappointed.

That said the Galapagos Islands home some of the world’s most beautiful birds, a huge selection of sea mammals, an assortment of bold and colourful fish, and a unique collection of flora and fauna that one simply will not find anywhere else, so if you appreciate nature, it is definitely a destination  for your bucket list!

Most travellers visiting mainland Ecuador, take advantage of the close proximity to the Galapagos Islands and take a three or 4-day trip, by boat or plane, to witness the beauty of the islands firsthand.

The National Park imposes limits on the number of people entering the islands during peak season (June – September & December – January), so if you intend to travel during those months it is wise to book up well in advance.

Once you arrive in the Galapagos Islands, the sightseeing tours and excursions available are endless.  Deep sea diving, boat tours, trekking, or simply sharing a picnic on the beach amongst the adorable (but rather noisy!) sea lions, are just some of the ways you can expect to spend your day.

The photo opportunities are endless, the people are warm and friendly, and gallivanting around the Galapagos will leave you with new perspective on life, and memories that will last a lifetime.