First brought to world attention by Charles Darwin, the Galapagos Islands are an amazing destination to view wildlife and landscapes that cannot be found anywhere else.
Cut off from the mainland of Ecuador, the species here were able to adapt in relative isolation, according to their unusual habitat.
The chain is made up of 18 islands as well as a number of rocks and islets.
Those that are typically visited are those that offer tourists the best opportunities to see a variety of wildlife and landscapes.
One of the treats of the islands is that it's generally easy to get close to the animals as they have not developed a fear of humans.
Isabela One of the islands typically visited is Isabela.
This one offers a good opportunity of seeing a variety of the birds native to the area.
The various corals and other formations provide nesting areas for pelicans and flightless cormorants.
Touring along the cliffs from the water gives visitors an opportunity to see many of the seabirds, including the Galapagos penguin which is found nowhere else in the world.
Also found on this island is the Experimental Station where visitors can learn about the research being done by the Galapagos National Park.
This includes studies on the giant tortoises.
Other species that can be observed are iguanas, crabs, hawks, finches and doves.
The island is in the shape of a seahorse, formed by six volcanoes which have merged into one piece of land.
It is the most volcanically active island of the Galapagos and the perfect place to view the type of landscape that can be created by these formations.
Unlike some of the other islands, this one actually has a town where one can find some restaurants, bars and even some accommodations.
Although most people tour the Galapagos on a cruise, it is possible to overnight in some areas and make one's own itinerary.
Santa Cruz Santa Cruz is also known as Indefatigable, a name which comes from that of a British vessel.
Here, one can find a different type of landscape.
The volcanoes here are extinct and the area is covered by lush grassland.
Also present here is Turtle Cove where one can see turtles, sharks and rays.
At Cerro Dragón, one can visit a flamingo lagoon, possibly passing iguanas along the way.
The island is home to the largest human population in the islands, in the town called Puerto Ayora where the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park Service headquarters are located.
Among other things, the research facility serves to educate tourists on what is involved in maintaining and protecting the islands and the species that inhabit them.
One of the projects include a breeding ground for tortoises.
Here they are hatched, raised and readied for reintroduction into the wild.
This large island includes many different types of geology and, along with it, varieties of plants and wildlife.
It is therefore possible to see most of the birds that one can find in the Galapagos in this one location.
It is also one of the four islands where one can stay overnight.
Because of its central location and closeness to Baltra where many people fly into the region, it is an ideal place to make plans for touring the other islands.
Cut off from the mainland of Ecuador, the species here were able to adapt in relative isolation, according to their unusual habitat.
The chain is made up of 18 islands as well as a number of rocks and islets.
Those that are typically visited are those that offer tourists the best opportunities to see a variety of wildlife and landscapes.
One of the treats of the islands is that it's generally easy to get close to the animals as they have not developed a fear of humans.
Isabela One of the islands typically visited is Isabela.
This one offers a good opportunity of seeing a variety of the birds native to the area.
The various corals and other formations provide nesting areas for pelicans and flightless cormorants.
Touring along the cliffs from the water gives visitors an opportunity to see many of the seabirds, including the Galapagos penguin which is found nowhere else in the world.
Also found on this island is the Experimental Station where visitors can learn about the research being done by the Galapagos National Park.
This includes studies on the giant tortoises.
Other species that can be observed are iguanas, crabs, hawks, finches and doves.
The island is in the shape of a seahorse, formed by six volcanoes which have merged into one piece of land.
It is the most volcanically active island of the Galapagos and the perfect place to view the type of landscape that can be created by these formations.
Unlike some of the other islands, this one actually has a town where one can find some restaurants, bars and even some accommodations.
Although most people tour the Galapagos on a cruise, it is possible to overnight in some areas and make one's own itinerary.
Santa Cruz Santa Cruz is also known as Indefatigable, a name which comes from that of a British vessel.
Here, one can find a different type of landscape.
The volcanoes here are extinct and the area is covered by lush grassland.
Also present here is Turtle Cove where one can see turtles, sharks and rays.
At Cerro Dragón, one can visit a flamingo lagoon, possibly passing iguanas along the way.
The island is home to the largest human population in the islands, in the town called Puerto Ayora where the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park Service headquarters are located.
Among other things, the research facility serves to educate tourists on what is involved in maintaining and protecting the islands and the species that inhabit them.
One of the projects include a breeding ground for tortoises.
Here they are hatched, raised and readied for reintroduction into the wild.
This large island includes many different types of geology and, along with it, varieties of plants and wildlife.
It is therefore possible to see most of the birds that one can find in the Galapagos in this one location.
It is also one of the four islands where one can stay overnight.
Because of its central location and closeness to Baltra where many people fly into the region, it is an ideal place to make plans for touring the other islands.
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