Peru and Galapagos holiday

Environment

Tourism to Ecuador, Peru and the Galapagos Islands has boomed over the past few decades. For this reason there is even greater emphasis for holidays to be carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner. The cruise in the Galapagos is on a boat that has a history of strictly upholding the Galapagos Park rules which are designed to protect the natural resources and animals within the park. These include the prohibition of taking any flora from the islands, touching the animals and staying within carefully planned viewing areas and designated pathways. Before you set off on the cruise, the specialist guides will cover these aspects in detail and throughout the trip the passengers are sensitively reminded of these. The team on board also provides and recycles plastic bottles so that nothing need be disposed or left on the islands. The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) carries out scientific research and complementary actions with collaboration from local, national and international partners to conserve the Galápagos. Their focal point is the Charles Darwin Research Centre (CDRC) at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. We will visit this centre as part of the tour and learn from the carefully laid out resources. It is possible to view and support the conservation and breeding of the unique species of Galápagos Tortoise, as well as learning in depth about Foundation’s work in conserving the island’s fragile natural resources.

Community

Experienced guides, including a resident biologist, are from the region itself and provide a range of carefully planned excursions to the surrounding area rich in various forms of wildlife.

Your tour leader, who is either from or spent a considerable amount of time living in Peru, will encourage interaction with the local communities at every stage. This includes trips to local markets in Cusco and the Sacred Valley and also out to the Uros Islands in Lake Titicaca, where a selection of remote, traditional communities have turned to tourism to diversify their livelihoods and welcome visitors to their extraordinary islands, entirely made of the local totora reed. A wonderful opportunity to experience the fascinating indigenous way of life.