Tour Adventure on Vacation Island

The infamous Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles or 70 km off the coast of South America. Located at the Equator, the Galapagos Islands are a large cluster of 6 main islands, 12 smaller islands and over 60 islets and large rocks. Sometimes called “The Enchanted Islands” or “Vacation Island,” the Galapagos support a wide array of unusual animal and plant species. Volcanic in origin, several of the islands still have active volcanoes. This vacation island makes an astonishing tour adventure.

The Animals Found on the Vacation Islands

Home to many unique animals, the Galapagos provide an ideal home, as most of its inhabitants have no natural predators. The giant tortoise may be one of the vacation island’s most famous inhabitants. The tortoise is found on the various vacation islands and it has actually evolved into fourteen distinct forms. Other famous reptilian species include the island’s marine iguanas, which live on seaweed, the large land iguanas, lava lizards, geckos, and numerous snakes. The vacation islands are only home to two mammalian species, the rice rats and two types of bats. The islands do have an abundant and diverse bird population including 13 species of small, brownish finches, which are collectively called Darwin's finches. These small birds are actually studied by many scientists to help explain the process of evolution. The vacation islands also support a countless insect population and the waters surrounding the island cluster support a tremendous sea-life making the tour adventure most memorable.

The Plants Found on the Vacation Islands

Equally impressive to tour adventures are the diverse plant life found on the islands. Much of the plant life only exists on the islands. Some plants located in the highland area include the Scalesia also known as the tree daisies, there are also tree ferns, bromeliads, and various orchids covering the islands. Giant prickly pears and candelabra cacti can be seen growing in abundance along the coastal areas, and on the barren lava flows. Brightly colored morning glories and seas of bright red Sesuvium can be seen decorating the shorelines. The Galapagos also has its own unique species of species of tomato, cotton, peppers, guava, and passionflowers.

Tour Adventure on the Vacation Islands

No tour adventures are allowed on the vacation islands without a guide who is licensed by the GNPS. Part of the guide’s responsibility is to ensure that all tour adventurers respect the National Park rules, as well as give travelers insightful information about the Galapagos and the plant and animals that reside on them. This is because the vacation islands are a protected area, and the plant and animal species unique to the islands are also protected. There are daily cruises to islands, providing tour adventurers ample opportunity to explore the wonder of the Galapagos.

Exploring the Galapagos

Tour adventurers to this vacation island can truly create lasting memories. At each visitors stop, there are marked trails providing excellent opportunities to view the wildlife, vegetation, and landscape. While some species of plants and animals are common among all the islands, each also has its own unique species. Tour adventures give opportunities to snorkel off of the coast, allowing visitors and impressive glimpse of the vast underwater community supported by the islands coastal waters. There is no off-season at the islands, regardless of the time of year, there is always something happening, making this a true vacation island spot.