Get lost a few days in the archipelago over the planet intact, which served ecosystem ‘laboratory’ to the English naturalist, and join one of these islands that host cruise Ecuador in the year of its bicentennial.
Their geographies of cataclysm no resemblance to the picture-postcard islands one expects to find in the tropics. Galapagos is not known for its luxury hotels and spa for its hedonistic, and yet it is one of the most exclusive destinations on earth. The reason is that their isolation, almost a thousand miles off the coast of Ecuador and the crossroads of major ocean currents, it has created, over millions of years, a unique combination of terrestrial and ocean ecosystems which, as Darwin was the first test, many species have evolved differently, even with notable differences from one island to another.
The English naturalist who landed in 1835 aboard the Beagle to this volcanic archipelago lost in the middle of the Pacific, most frequented by pirates and whalers. The only five weeks he spent in the Galapagos Islands were enough to complete his then revolutionary theory of evolution of species, and the scientific community to reopen the debate on the need for animals and plants adapt to their habitat as the only alternative for survival .
The peculiarity of the Galapagos is unique worldwide and, although they are few voices warning that more still insist on protecting the human presence, today 97% of its territory is considered National Park, besides having its credit with the titles of World Heritage since 1979 and a Biosphere Reserve since 1985.
Galapagos large sum fourteen islands, six smaller islands and some forty surrounded by a Marine Reserve of 138,000 square kilometers, which is mainly in cruises travel at most, a hundred passengers. A board of them, and in sporadic walks on land, the absolute highlight of the trip is the privilege of admiring the barbarity of land and marine iguanas are capable of diving to them an hour of giant tortoises, penguins and sea lions in addition to vast colonies of frigates, albatross, gannets, thirteen endemic species of finches or the only cormorant in the world that due to evolution, have lost the ability to fly.
The blue-footed booby, one of the most wanted birds bird enthusiasts, it is also possible to admire here, as did an incredible marine life, with hammerhead sharks, the huge whale shark and many other pelagic species often that make the Galapagos, also a mecca for divers. And almost as surprising or as the inventory of fauna is overwhelming to see how animals in the Galapagos, seeing no man as a danger, they behave in his presence with the most incredible ease.
This year that will mark the bicentenary of Darwin and the 150th anniversary of his essential work, The Origin of Species, the archipelago will host a handful of special cruises, among which the expedition led by conservationist Randal Kenya , great-grandson of Darwin, from 22 October to 1 November, inboard these Pacific lunar landscapes accompanied by fully fifty just lucky that, regardless of the price of the cruise, each donated $ 1,000 to the Charles Darwin and the Galapagos Conservation Trust, to support the preservation of which, still, can boast of being the world’s best preserved archipelago.
Getting There
Iberia flies to Quito and Guayaquil in certain seasons. Since both cities are daily flights to the Galapagos with Tame or Aerogal. The agency specializes in high-level breaks Nuba proposed eight-day cruise through the archipelago in the company of an experienced guide in nature, with encouragements like crossing the craters Los Gemelos or visit the turtle farm and laboratory Firstfruits Research Charles Darwin, the possibility to dive at Gordon Rocks or as walk or snorkeling not far from where frolicking sea lions, iguanas and giant tortoises, or huge colonies of nesting seabirds. The price of the trip, the flight from Quito, one night hotel in this city and a week full board cruise, part of 2,948 € excluding international airfare.
The large cruise Darwin Year
The most spectacular cruise planned for this year which celebrates the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth will be that, between October 22 and November 1, will host the MV Eclipse, a luxurious ship you the prestigious Sanctuary Retreats company operates year round, with naturalist-guided cruise in the Galapagos, but only this week as head of the expedition will conservationist with Randal Keynes, great-grandson of Darwin himself. In addition to talks given by him and other experts, more than 48 guests of the MV Ellipse enjoy a private visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and other unique activities, including a reception at the embassy of Great Britain during their stay in Quito. The price of the week on board, with all meals and activities included, part of $ 5957, excluding flights or other donation-$ 1000-that each passenger will have to allocate to the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galapagos Conservation Trust . This cruise can be contracted in Spain through specialists L4 Travel getaways.
Where to stay
The most common and recommended is to visit the Galapagos on a cruise, with every night on board, but if you want to extend your stay in a hotel, the Royal Palm, an exclusive five-star hotel with only 8 rooms, 3 suites and 10 villas, says stayed level and scrupulous respect for nature.
Do not miss …
Scuba diving in the Galapagos, where seabed are among the most spectacular of the planet and combine days in the archipelago with two other stages, and in mainland Ecuador, the likes of Amazon and the Andes, where small treasures such as Hacienda Zuleta, owned by former President Galo Plaza Lasso and perfect for going for a ride, explore the legacy of pre-Inca cultures or a handful of Indian markets show an image almost untouched and little known country.