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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS BACK TO OUR ROOTS

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About The Galapagos Islands
The "Enchanted Islands"





Galapagos - in the Middle of the World


Lying 970 km (600 miles) west of the Ecuadorian coast, at the Equator line, the Galapagos Islands consist of 6 main islands 12 smaller islands and over 40 small islets.

All the islands are the peaks of gigantic volcanoes originated by so called "hot spots" 10 million years ago.

Since formation till its discovery in 1535 by Thomas de Berlanga (the Spanish bishop of Panama) the Galapagos Islands were totally isolated from the mainland. During the millenniums an immense number of birds, reptiles, insects and plants drifted or flew to its shores and a unique flora and fauna with lots of endemic species developed. And since the islands have never been connected with the continent the animals and plants developed there and came to differ more and more from their continental ancestors. Its creatures never learned to fear humans and you will be surprised by how tame the animals are. In September 1835 the English scientist Charles Darwin arrived at the islands, culmination of his journey around the world with the HMS Beagle (1831-1836). The scientific findings he made during his stay at the Galapagos built the basis of his essay "Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection" that changed the course of biological science basically.

When you visit the Islands you will quickly understand why the Spanish pirate Diego de Rivadeneira named the islands "Las Islas Encantadas (The enchanted islands). You will see prehistoric seeming land iguanas, 11 species of giant tortoises which gave the island their name (galapago= tortoise in Spanish), mocking birds pecking at your shoe laces, curious sea lions playing with you while your snorkeling, 13 species of endemic finches (the famous Darwin finches), moon like landscapes and mist-covered volcanic peaks, red sand beaches, strange forests of prickly pear cactus, the world's pinkest flamingoes (!), the biggest breeding-colony of albatrosses in the world, blue-footed boobies performing their "sky pointing" dance, hunting penguins swimming around your legs.

The Galapagos Islands are famous for its rare species. All the reptiles, half of the plants and 40% of the birds are endemic to the Galapagos, which means that they can not be found anywhere else in the world.

Our boats will take you to many of the different islands and you will enjoy incredible snorkeling among playful Sea lions, Dolphins, Sharks (totally safe!) and huge Manta Rays and watch the funny red- and blue- footed bobbies, the huge land iguanas, and all the other animals endemic to the island.

galapagos islands


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