Tilda Swinton
Narrator
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Episode Guide
- 1. Born of Fire Dec 5, 2007
- A look at the archeological history of these volcanic islands.
- 2. Islands That Changed the World Dec 12, 2007
- Many of Charles Darwin's theories on evolution were based on his observations in the Galapagos.
- 3. Forces of Change Dec 19, 2007
- A glimpse into what the future holds for the Galapagos islands.
The Galápagos Islands ( Spanish: Islas Galápagos) are an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Eastern Pacific, located around the Equator 900 km (560 mi) west of the mainland of South America. They form the Galápagos Province of the Republic of Ecuador, with a population of slightly over 33,000 (2020).
Apr 29, 2024 · Galapagos Islands, island group of the eastern Pacific Ocean, administratively a province of Ecuador. The islands became internationally famous as a result of their being visited in 1835 by Charles Darwin; their unusual fauna contributed to his groundbreaking theories on natural selection.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Reasons to Visit
- Best Time to Visit
- How to Get There
- By Land Or by Sea
- Boat Tours
- Best Hotels and Resorts
- Best Restaurants
- Things to Do
- Best Islands to Visit
- Packing Tips
Biodiversity brings over 100,000 visitors each year to these remote islands that were totally unknown to the world until 1535. Without the influence of a human presence, the island's flora and fauna, and the surrounding marine life, thrived for thousands of years by evolving into unique species you won't find anywhere else in the world, such as the...
There's no bad time to visit the Galápagos Islands. No matter what time of year you go, the adventure is sure to be unique and wonderful. June through December are the cooler and drier months. Even though this is the dry season, a garúa (or light, misty rain) is still possible, particularly in December, and skies can be cloudy and gray. January thr...
Flights to the Galápagos Islands depart multiple times each day from Quito or Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador. Flights from the U.S. are plentiful to both cities. Hotel options are better in Quito and, in general, this city is more compelling with a stunning colonial center, which was made a UNESCO World Heritage sitein 1978. It's also home to ample ...
The first decision you have to make when visiting the Galápagos Islands is also the most difficult. Do you want to stay in a hotel on one of the three inhabited islands, exploring other islands and areas via day-trip boat rides? Or do you want to be based on a live-aboard boat, which provides accommodations and transportation from island to island?...
Most live-aboard boats offer five- to eight-day itineraries, with set departure dates and routes. Routes are dictated by Galápagos National Park officials to mitigate crowding and environmental stress. Your boat will provide a northern or southern itinerary (sometimes called eastern and western itineraries), alternating weekly. Both include wonderf...
A wide range of hotels can be found on Santa Cruz Island and San Cristóbal Island, and several boats operate out of harbors on those islands as well. Be sure to book a hotel that's located near the harbor (not in the highlands), so you can be close to the boat's boarding spot for day trips. For example, the 19-room Golden Bay Galapagos is situated ...
As you can imagine, the seafood in the Galápagos Islands is extremely fresh and the islands have many fine dining establishments to cater to hungry visitors. You'll find a range of dining options across all the islands' main hubs, many of which are associated with hotels, such as the Finch Bay Restaurant in Santa Cruz, which blends local Ecuadorian...
Aside from observing the fabulous animals above and below the water, you can incorporate many other striking landscapes into your adventures. If you want to island-hop, you can coordinate visits to these sites yourself, but if you're on a cruise you may have to follow the pre-planned itinerary. Throughout the islands you can enjoy the white sands o...
There are 127 islands that make up this tropical archipelago, but only about 20 are frequently visited by tourists, and only four have major populations. Isabela Island is the largest of these, but despite its size, it has fewer people than Santa Cruz, which is the most populated island with approximately 12,000 inhabitants between the towns of Pue...
A trip to the Galápagos is a big adventure, so you should come prepared with the right clothes and tools to face the elements. It may be tough to find what you need once you arrive on the islands — especially if you are spending most of your time at sea — so we've broken it down into essential categories and created a packing listto get you started...
Mar 1, 2020 · Learn what to pack, how to get there, where to stay and what to see in the Galápagos Islands, a bucket-list destination for wildlife lovers. Discover the diverse landscape, culture and history of this unique archipelago and its rare and endemic species.
Oct 19, 2023 · Learn about the Galápagos Islands, a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean with unique and diverse wildlife. Discover how they influenced Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and how scientists study them today.
Feb 7, 2018 · Explore the unique wildlife and ecosystems of the Galápagos Islands, where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution by natural selection. Learn how to visit, when to go, and what threats face this living laboratory of biodiversity.
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Learn about the unique wildlife, geology and history of the Galapagos Islands, a natural wonder and a living laboratory for evolution. Find out how to plan your trip, what to do and see, and book direct with the experts.
