A Look at Wildlife Holidays in the Galápagos Islands

Cruises and land-based options in the Enchanted Islands Latin America does not have big game. But its jungles, mountains, steppes and deserts are home to a wealth of wildlife and biodiversity. The Galápagos Islands stand head and shoulders above the rest for rewarding close-up wildlife viewing. The volcanic Galápagos Islands, just under 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, offer perhaps the best wildlife viewing on the continent. The archipelago has been called the “laboratory of evolution”. A wildlife holiday in the Galápagos is a totally unique experience, inevitably rewarding, richly educational, blissfully tranquil, and photogenic. Large mammals never arrived here so there is a preponderance of almost tame reptiles and birds, living a fearless life free from predators and unthreatened by Man. Only 3% of the area is inhabited; most of the islands have no settled population and the rest of the territory is a protected conservation park. Most tourists visit the islands on a cruise of between 3 and 15 days' duration, although there are some excellent hotels allowing a more intimate knowledge of island life and a more active holiday. Visits to the islands are controlled by the park authorities: the cruise ships, ranging from schooners with just a handful of cabins to large cruise ships accommodating over 100 paying passengers, have to be licensed and their number is controlled. Landings are in small groups, and guided visits can only be made to specific sites; you cannot just roam around at will. This is excellent practice from the point of view of wildlife and visitors alike. Journey Latin America offers a comprehensive range of cruises and land-based options, offering you a wide choice of accommodation, duration and itinerary. Please see the pages in our Cruise Holiday section for further details of selected vessels. If you'd like to include a trip to the Galápagos on a small group guided holiday, we have several options for you to choose from.

Landing in the Galápagos Islands MV Eclipse Bartolomé Island

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