Follow in the footsteps of Darwin to the Galapagos Islands

Travelers can embrace the tropical atmosphere and sunny days of the Galapagos region and trek the land once walked by Charles Darwin. Whether you would rather stay aboard a chartered cruise or walk on foot around the islands, there are a number of things to see and do unique to the area. Breathe in the fresh air and feel the breeze in your hair on a Galapagos cruise.

Location, location, location
Located about 622 miles from South America, the Galapagos Islands are surrounded by unique marine life and are often referred to as a ‘living museum and showcase of evolution.’ The moniker is deserved. Not only are the islands the location that inspired Charles Darwin to conduct research that helped form his theory of evolution, but it largely retains most of the species endemic to the area. According to UNESCO, the islands were formed by volcanic and seismic activity. The entire region consists of 120 islands that remain largely uninhabited. However, the large islands such as Santa Cruz, Fernandina, Santiago and San Cristobal are premier destination locations.

The Galapagos Islands are the second largest protected marines areas, only smaller than the Great Barrier Reef National Park in Australia.

Notice the variety of wildlife
If visiting native wildlife in their natural habitat excites you, there is no better place than the Galapagos Islands. The landmasses feature abundant wildlife, both on the land and off the coast. This is partially due to the convergence of three ocean currents that bring a wide variety of marine life to the area, according to the University of Maryland. 

For example, the Galapagos penguin can only be found in the northern hemisphere and must be breed in the tropics. However, the most famous inhabitant may  be the Galapagos giant tortoise. There were 11 species of the animal until the recent death of Lonesome George reduced the number to 10 the week of June 25, 2012. At the ripe age of 100, he was the last known member of the Pinta Island giant tortoise species, and the loss will be remembered.

Travelers can visit the unique inhabitants of the Galapagos islands and experience grand scenery and vivid waters.