The Galápagos Islands lie in splendid isolation mid-Pacific on the Equator. They form part of the Andean Republic of Ecuador but, being the peaks of gigantic submarine volcanoes, they have never been part of the mainland. Over many millennia, animals and plants came to adapt to this special environment, and to develop differently from their continental brothers: it was here that Darwin came up with his theory of evolution.
Aside from sea-lions, no large mammals ever reached the islands, so birds and reptiles have remained dominant - as they had once dominated the Earth aeons before.
These beautiful islands are conserved in a natural state with forest-clad mountains, lagoons fringed by tangled mangroves, rocky cliffs encrusted with lava and white sand beaches.
To visit the archipelago and observe this trusting wildlife is a unique experience. Most visitors opt for a week-long cruise stopping off at different islands but you can also make excursions from land-based hotels or combine the two.
We also offer fixed-date group tours, Classic and Discovery Journeys, some of which incorporate a cruise in their itinerary.