AndeanOdyssey

THE GALAPAGOS - ECUADOR
THE ENCHANTED ISLANDS
The Galapagos Islands are the most unique living museum of evolutionary changes. In the Islands, animals have never learned to fear men. This is a land of volcanoes, solid lava flows and white sand beaches.

In 1936, the islands were declared a National Park by the Government of Ecuador. Galapagos is now the only protected coastal marine area in the Southeast Pacific, and the second largest marine reserve in the world. It holds more than 50,000 square miles including 20,000 square miles of the interior waters of the islands.

The archipelago is famous as a home to animal species unique in the world. Around 120 bird species are found in the Galapagos, some of which are endemic in the islands. The most important are penguins, frigate birds, albatrosses, seagulls, boobies, pelicans, the flightless cormorant and Galapagos hawks among others. Other important animals of the islands are the Galapagos tortoise, which is probably the best known, found on seven of the islands, the marine iguana, the only reptile adapted to life in the water, land iguanas, lava lizards and harmless snakes. Among the aquatic species, living underwater, we can find whales, whale sharks, manta rays, sword fish, turtles etc.

The Archipelago is made of 13 large islands, 6 minor ones and more than 40 islets. The islands are of volcanic origin, from lava eruptions.

San Cristobal
The most easterly island in the archipelago, and one of the oldest, San Cristobal has an area of 430 sq.km. It has beautiful white coral, shell beaches and blue waters. Large colorful birds, sea lions and of course the famous giant turtles known as Galapagos can be found in the island.

A fresh water lake in the crater of a volcano called el Junco, the Isla Lobos, Leon Dormido and Cerro Tijeretas are some of the most important sights of the island. Diving and fishing are very popular in San Cristobal.

Isabela
This is the largest island in the archipelago, with an area of 4,600 sq km, made up of six volcanoes, five of them active ones.

Negra Sierra Volcano is one of the main attractions, with one of the largest craters in the planet (10,000 meters of diameter) and a large colony of Galapagos turtles in the center. In this island we can find a breeding center for giant turtles and beautiful beaches.

Genovesa
Genovesa is a small island, with 14 sq km and a maximum altitude of 76 m. In the center lies Lake Actarus, filled with salt water.

This island is important due to the large and varied bird colonies which nest here. In this island, visitors can find frigate birds, red footed boobies, masked boobies, swallow tailed gulls, tropical birds etc. In Genovesa we can also find the smallest marine iguana in the archipelago

Baltra
With an area of 27 sq. km, Baltra is important because of the airport which connects by air with the main land in Ecuador. The Itabaca channel is the access to Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz
Located in the center of the Archipelago, it is the second largest island after Isabela, with 986 sq km.

The island has exuberant vegetation, beautiful landscapes and varied weather. Its capital is Puerto Ayora, where the famous Charles Darwin Research Station is found, with a center for breeding Galapagos turtles. The most important attractions near the town are Tortuga Bay, a white sandy beach of about a kilometer long, lava tunnels, craters etc.

Española
Located in the extreme southeast of the islands, with 60 sq Km. It is one of the oldest of the archipelago, with approximately four million years.

The main sights in Española are Bahia Garner with a beautiful beach, the "Hueco Soplador", where water shoots out reaching more than 20 meters and Punta Suarez, with important number of bird species and animal species, some of them live only in this island, like the mockingbird, the lava lizard, the marine iguana among others.

Fernandina
One of the youngest island of the archipelago, located to the west and separated from Isabela by the Bolivar Channel. It has an area of 642 sq. km. Punta Espinoza is an important sight, with penguins, cormorants, sea lions, turtles and iguanas.

Bartolome
This small island is one of the most visited places in Galapagos, with an impressive volcanic cone which can be climbed, amazing beaches with different color sand, made up of volcanic material. Visitors enjoy diving and swimming in the crystal clear water of Bartolome.