The name Galapagos is probably identified with unique wildlife more than any other destination on earth, and when you visit this unique archipelago you are participant in ecotourism. A set of guidelines has been developed for the protection of Galapgos National Park and it is in everyone's interests that these rules are followed. For a full list of guidlines click here. Remember that you must remain on marked trails and within designated visitor aras, it is forbidden to remove any live or dead plant or animal material from the islands, and to transport these to or between the islands, animals must never be touched, fed, chased or otherwise distubed (this goes for nest, eggs and babies as well), and all litter must be left on the boat or taken off the islands when you leave. Your tour guides strickly enforce these rules if nessesary. And generally speaking, the rules designed for the protection of the Galapagos can be applied to every ecotourism destination on earth, so it is a good idea to be familiar with them. In addition when you buying souvenirs, ensure that they are not made from endangered plants and animals or parts therfor.
Puerto Ayora
When preparing for a vacation to the Galapagos, you should know that there
are many way to visit the
archipelago.more
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Bartolome
Pinnacle rock, the remains of a an eroded tuff cone. Its an easy hour's climb to the summit of the 114km spatter cone via dock draped with the Galapagos sea lions. Small but scenic with spectacular examples of volcanism on slopes of extinct spatter cone. more
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Santiago
Rising to a height of over 900 m Santiago is large enough for an endemic subspecies of giant tortoise to have evolved, although you are unlikely to see it at the visitor sites. more
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Isabela
The vast lava flows of six major and numerous smaller volcanoes have uplifted and joined over a millions of years to form what is now the island of Isabela. more |
Sullivan Bay
On the coast marks the edge of a vast lava flow that spewed out as recently as 1900. There is a tiny landing beach with Galapagos penguins, but few plants have colonised the lava's barren .more |
Sombrero Chino
Less than a quarter of a square kilometer in size, the tiny island of Sombrero Chino gets its name from its appearance. more |
Santa Cruz
Center of the archipelago. Santa Cruz is the large and high land where volcanic activity has long ceased. It is the islands with the bigest human population.more
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Genovesa
This is a small and relatively flat island, rim of a sunken crater that forms Bahia Darwin. Geologically young (less than one million years old) and therefore some iconic Galapagos creatures. more
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San Cristobal
The esternmost Galapagos island is also one of the oldest an eroded volcano rising gently to moist highlands nearly 900 m above sea level. Several endemic species and subspecies have evolved on San Cristobal,more |
South Plaza
Uplifted slabs of sea floor, rather then volcanic islands. South and North plaza are only separted by less then 1 km wide but only south plazas is open to visitors. One of the best islands for Galapagos land iguanas more
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Floreana
Rugged islands was formed by non extinct volcanic activity and is old enough for several endemic vertebrates to have evolved here. Early sttelers left a legacy of scandal, murder and intrigue, but their impact on Floreana's naturel environemment was disastrous.more
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Rabida
Rabida most stiking feature is a high bluff o the north coast, which glow a startling rust red when the sun is low in the sky and contrast with the green fringe of straggling opuntias along the summit.more
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North Seymoor
The discovery of marine fossils on this plateau surrounded by low cliffs indicates that North Seymoor is an uplifted lava flow. Flat profils makes for easy walking and offers an accesible more |
Espanola
Uplifted submarine lava flow and its location at the southeastern edge of the archipelago makes it one of the oldest islands. Sensational seabird viewing and the worlds main breeding colony of waved albatrosses at Punta Suarez, plus accessible breading Nazcamore |
Santa Fe
Santa fe surface is an eroded faulted plateau that formed when basaltic lavas oozing out of submarine fissures some four million years ago. Arid zone vegetation such as giant opunitas and its age more |
