GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Maybe one of the most beautiful destinations in the world that Ecuadorian people are proud of are the Galapagos Islands. Just 1,050 Km. away form the continent, its wonderful panorama, and privileged weather constitute a valuable destination for scientists and tourists who want to learn more about this living laboratory. A trip to these "Enchanted Islands" is a unique experience for anyone. So we invite you to get very close to animals such as sea iguanas, giant tortoises, fur seals, sea lions and thousands of unique and endemic birds. In some islands you can also watch the volcanic activity of small peaks. Charles Darwin, the English naturalist, after his famous trip around the world, enlightened the Islands because of their remarkable diversity and rare species. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the Islands as a World Natural Heritage. A visit to this impressive wildlife sanctuary will be a memorable experience for those who love nature in its pristine form.
For those who prefer to spend the night ashore, we also offer a combined hotel/yatch package. With this option visitors can tour the different islands during the day on a quick and modern boat and spend the nights in a conformable hotel. Hotel Silberstein.
SOME HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Located 1,050 Km. of Ecuador´s western, in the Pacific Ocean, are the Galapagos Islands, known as the Enchanted Archipelago, due to its formidable and in some cases unique flora, fauna and landscape. It consists in 13 mayor islands, six small islands and numerous islets and rocks. This living laboratory of evolution, where animal have no fear of man at all, discovered in 1535 by Frey Tomas de Berlanga, was mainly visited by pirates and whaling vessels, during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, in 1835, Charles Darwin, travelling aboard the Beagle, spent six weeks studying its extraordinary flora and fauna, which later inspired his book "The Origin of Species", and his Theory of Evolution. In 1959 the Ecuadorian Government, declared the Galapagos Islands, as a National Park, in order to preserve its wildlife. Later, in 1979 the Islands were declared by the UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage of Mankind. The total population of Galapagos is less than 15,000 inhabitants, however, only an 88% of the land is uninhabited. Although, there is some farming and fishing, the main economical activity of the Islands is Tourism. Galapagos counts at the moment with three airports. This first one is located in Baltra Island, it was built by the United States during World War II, and nowdays is a military basis of the Ecuadorian Army. The second airport is located in San Cristobal Island, and was built in 1985. These two airports are used for commercial flights between the continent and the Islands. The third airport is located in Isabela Island, however it is used only for internal flights.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT GALAPAGOS WILDLIFE?
Galapagos Islands are volcanic in origin. Its volcanic platform was probably originated not more than 3 or 5 million years ago, however, volcanic eruptions still occur is some islands of the archipelago. At the level of shorelines it is possible to find either steep cliffs or white sand beaches, continuing with mountainous highlands, and ending with high central craters. The flora and the fauna of the Archipelago are principally a result of the volcanic origin of the Islands, their localization, and the weather and temperature of water, mainly influenced by the Humboldt and El Niño currents. The mangroves are typical of the shorelines, while in the coast level, and due to the lack of rain the flora consist mainly cactus and thorn tress. In the highlands, mainly influenced by the mist, it is possible to find a great variety of flora. The fauna of the Islands includes a variety of mammals, such as sea lions, reptiles, as tortoises, land and marine iguanas, and birds including boobies, flightless cormorants, frigates birds, penguins among others. Some species of flora and fauna of the Galapagos are endemic and unique in the world.
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