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A Galapagos Travel Guide
A very brief guide to help you plan your trip to the Galapagos
The thirteen major islands of the Galapagos straddle the equator 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador. The best way to see them is on one of the motor and sailing yachts, large and small, that are based in the islands. Cruising these enchanted islands adds considerably to the overall experience and gives access to the important sites. Hotels are available for the non-nautical.
The archipelago is a national park financed by visitor income. Preservation of its sensitive ecosystems depends on the right balance between wildlife and humans. Key issues include the impact of visitors and their boats, immigration of settlers from the mainland, and introduced species such as feral goats. Tourism, which is tightly controlled to reduce its negative impacts, provides the considerable income needed to fund conservation programmes to safeguard island ecology, notably by the progressive eradication of introduced species that are the greatest threat.
There are limits on the number of visitors overall, and to each particular landing site around the islands. When ashore you must keep to the well thought out system of paths. Boats are tightly regulated in such matters as anchoring and effluent, and long-term allocation to fixed itineraries encourages responsibility for their proper conservation. The end result is a very workable system that achieves its goals while scarcely diminishing the experience of visiting these fabulous islands.
The islands of the Galapagos
All the islands in the Galapagos are volcanic, some actively so, and their scenery is correspondingly varied and often dramatic. Each has its own ecologies supporting different species...
Some Galapagos geography
Why are the Galapagos so special? Take a deep breath for a little light geology, ecology and oceanography that helps explain why...
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Galapagos map
Galapagos cruises
How to choose your Galapagos cruise
Galapagos cruise boats and prices
Planning your visit to the Galapagos
Staying on the islands in a hotel
Combining the Galapagos with:
Special interests
Birdwatching on the Galapagos
Galapagos travel guide
The islands of the Galapagos
Galapagos conservation
Conservation on the Galapagos
Darwin & the Galapagos
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