An Exercise Of The Senses In The Galapagos Islands

Known for its colossal tortoises and lush greenery, the Galapagos Islands showcase some impressive statistics despite the overall obscurity of the location; not to mention the exclusivity assigned to visiting. The islands are situated about 600 miles off the South American coast, isolated, and a refuge for rather unusual wildlife, unique to the area, to develop and continue a lineage. The basis for Darwin's evolution theory, the Galapagos still remains as much of a mystery to tourists and even researchers as they were back in the 1800s.

There are two primary means of traveling to and between the Galapagos Islands—by plane and by boat. While the former offers direct access, the latter bestows lingering and more thorough sight into what the Galapagos is and what they can expect from their impending travels.

Plan transportation is provided only from the Ecuadorian coast and to the Islands, whereas the more personalized Galapagos cruises offer a greater, experienced-based journey.

Each year sees over 60,000 travelers to the Islands. The flora, fauna, and the persistently evolving animalia are in the same state as they were over two centuries ago.

While vacationers tend to always migrate to the Charles Darwin Research Center, a refuge for endangered animals and other wildlife, another frequented activity is found in snorkeling and diving the surrounding verdant waters.

Land or sea, there is no doubt that what keeps people traveling to both is, of course, the abundant wildlife. When Howard Hillman of HillmanWanders.com polled a collective of the Islands' visitors of past, the top ten animals enjoyed most were:

• Marine Iguana
• Giant Tortoise
• Blue-footed Booby
• Land Iguana
• Penguin
• Sea Lion
• Sally Lightfoot Crab
• Waved Albatross
• Flamingo
• Frigate Bird

By: Enid Glasgow

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Enid Glasgow is a travel writer who enjoys Galapagos Cruises. She enjoys traveling with Big Five luxury tour operators.