Galapagos Archipelago holidays

What you can find in the Galapagos that you won't find anywhere else?

Six hundred miles from the Ecuadorian mainland in the Pacific Ocean lie the Galapagos, which need little introduction - a group of eighteen volcanic, harsh and isolated islands where species have evolved independently from the rest of the planet. Marine iguanas and giant galapago, or tortoises, capture the limelight but there are many other animals, birds and flora unique to the islands.

Nearly a quarter of all species found here are endemic and due to their historic isolation have no instinctive fear of man. As a result, travellers on holiday to the Galapagos Islands come into close contact with an impressive array of animal life including fur seals, marine iguanas, blue and red footed boobies, flightless cormorants, manta rays, penguins, turtles, and giant tortoises.

Whenever on land, you are - by law - accompanied by a multilingual and highly-trained guide who should be a fountain of knowledge on all things related to not only the ecology of the Galapagos but the islands' history and culture as well.

Ask a supremely knowledgeable Original Travel Latin America team member for more information on luxury holidays to the Galapagos Islands, because while all expeditions to the islands are conducted by boat, with landfalls made under the strict supervision of professional guides, from personal experience there are operators we would particularly recommend. Pick the right boat and this should be a fascinating experience that will see you get close up to some amazing wildlife and possibly even snorkelling or diving with sea lions and penguins.

While of course the main attraction of the Galapagos for most visitors is the wildlife, we also recommend making the most of the excellent surf that rolls in from the Pacific and taking part in some yoga lessons alongside. Spending so much time on the beach gives the perfect opportunity to combine wildlife spotting with these activities.