WHY IS GALÁPAGOS WILDLIFE SO UNIQUE?

Isolated, inaccessible & untouched
The Galápagos Islands lie around 1,000km west of the mainland Ecuadorian coast. These volcanic islands have never been attached to Ecuador, nor anywhere else for that matter, and have always remained isolated in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator. The oldest island, Española, is the furthest south and thought to have been formed around four million years ago. The youngest island, Fernandina, is a mere 500,000 years old, and also an active shield volcano that erupted as recently as 2018. Thanks to their volcanic nature and humidity, the northerly islands are fairly fertile with plentiful vegetation. The islands further south of the equator are more arid with little or no vegetation.Via numerous known and unknown methods – including floating on vegetation from South America – land animals have made the 21 main islands of the Galápagos their home. Due to the differing island habitats, several species, including tortoises and land iguanas, evolved in a different way to those on neighbouring islands, forming sub-species. This is what Charles Darwin discovered when he visited the islands in 1835. Species of finch, mockingbirds and tortoises, for example, were different from one island to the next. They had evolved to suit their environment and, in so doing, had become unique to the Galápagos. Darwin’s book The Origin of the Species was published some 20 years after his visit, and through this work he had, inadvertently, put the untouched islands of the Galápagos, and their inhabitants, firmly on the map.
Our Galapagos wildlife Holidays
Galapagos cruises
Cruise the Galapagos Islands on sailing boats and yachts
Galapagos land based adventure holiday
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater
Galapagos cruise options, tailor made
The greatest wildlife experiences tailor made
Flexible Galapagos Islands tailor made tour
Your choice of four to eight-day land-based adventure
Galapagos Islands holiday
Home to many interesting species of endemic wildlife
Budget Ecuador and Galapagos holiday, 23 days
Experience all of Ecuador for travelers on a budget
Costa Rica and Galapagos wildlife holiday
Galapagos wildlife cruise plus Costa Rica nature/beach week
Ecuador & Galapagos holiday, tailormade
Discover the Andes, Amazon and Galapagos
Ecuador and Galapagos tour
Explore the Andean landscapes in Ecuador and the Galapagos
Classic Galapagos Island hopping
Highlights of the Galapagos, discover the main Islands
Galapagos multi activity holiday
An amazing adventure Galapagos Multi-sports
Galapagos Islands cruise, 10 days
A fantastic, in-depth Galapagos experience
Galapagos cruise holiday
Discover rich marine life, abundant bird colonies and stunning landscapes
Galapagos activity & wildlife holiday, land based
Tailor-made land-based activity holiday in Galapagos
Galapagos adventure holiday
An active Galapagos Islands adventure holiday
Peru and Galapagos active holiday
Private Inca Trail away from crowds & small boat cruise.
Galapagos adventure holiday
Unique Wildlife, Snorkeling, Hiking, Cycling, Kayaking
Galapagos holiday cruise options
Excellent selection of small and midsize Galapagos cruises
Peru and Galapagos holiday
An inspirational tour combining Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos
Ecuador highlands tour & Galapagos cruise
Experience Ecuador's stunning highlands and the Galapagos
Galapagos cruise plus Ecuador and Peru
Combine two truly outstanding places in South America
Ecuador and Galapagos group tour
Complete Ecuador and Galapagos Islands Hidden Treasure Tour
Galapagos wildlife cruise
Follow in Darwin's footsteps and meet the inhabitants of the Galapagos islands
Galapagos conservation & photography holiday
Conservation volunteering and photography in the Galapagos
Galapagos cruise and Ecuador tour
Explore the Amazon, Cloud Forest, Andes & the Galapagos!
Galapagos and Ecuador wildlife tour
Amazon jungle and then cruise the mysterious Galapagos islands
Galapagos, Bolivia and Peru tour
Galapagos Islands, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia adventure
Galapagos family holiday, hotel based
Fantastic Galapagos Islands Family Adventure Holiday
Galapagos tailor made holiday
Discover wildlife upclose & personal, guided by Galapagueños
Ecuador & Galapagos holiday, tailor made
Experience the culture of Quito & the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands
Protected national park & UNESCO status
Our top Galapagos wildlife Holiday
Galapagos cruises
Cruise the Galapagos Islands on sailing boats and yachts
Daily departures throughout the year.
What you can expect to see
Setting foot on the Galápagos Islands allows you to become immersed in environments that have remained relatively untouched since being created millions of years ago. Although four of the islands – Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela and Floreana – are inhabited, and feature small amounts of tourist accommodation, the rest do not allow overnight stays and as such you'll be treated to a unique opportunity to observe endemic animals in their natural habitat. The Galápagos Islands feature few large predators which means that indigenous animals feel safe and unaware of unnatural dangers, even the presence of humans. This means you can get up very close to animals, although ‘look but don't touch’ is a message to be strictly adhered to.You can expect to see a wonderful variety of endemic animals, such as giant tortoises, iguanas and lava lizards, as well as extra special species of penguins, flamingos, and albatross that have either made Galápagos their permanent home or migrate here annually. Underwater there’s a whole other world to discover with more than 400 species of marine animals known to inhabit the depths and shallows of the Pacific surrounding the islands. Marine iguanas, green turtles and sea lions are just a few of the species that you should be able to spot out at sea or closer to the shore.