Galapagos Island: Journey of lifetime
Galapagos Island’s journey can aptly be called your journey of lifetime. Galapagos Island is 1000 km, from Ecuador’s mainland, and its archipelago is made up of thirteen major islands, in which only five are inhabited. Discovery Channel has shown numerous shows about this island. Travelers, Nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and scientist all come to this cradle of geology and multitude of flora and fauna. One of the first people who came to this island is none other then Charles Darwin. He was so fascinated by this place; his five week stay gave him impetus for his famous theory of evolution and the origin of species. Till date scientist are fazed about how can such large diversity in flora and fauna developed in such remote location.
Galapagos Island is of volcanic origin, at island three major oceanic currents converge which gives the island its incredible mix of aquatic and marine life to Galapagos Islands. The visitors can see the endemic, exotic and endangered wildlife here. Galapagos marine iguana swims in the ocean, its only lizard which swims in ocean. Galapagos Island is home of “Lonesome George”, surviving Pinta tortoise. Visitors get chance to get up-close with the world’s rare and fearless wildlife.
Galapagos Island is all season place to go, though in dry season, you will be able to see bird courtships display, sea mammals are active. In warm season though there is rains everyday which keeps climate cool. Galapagos Island location is such isolated and it’s on equator which makes this place to visit year round. Island is on the junction of tetonic plates –Cocos, Nazca and Pacific. Scientists have estimated the age of island to be three to ten million years. Due to intense heat coz of plates and pushing of plates there are volcanic eruptions leading to formation of new islands.
Only giant Pinta tortoise “lonesome George”, is of ninety years old, shifted to Charles Darwin Research center. Two female have been put, eggs born but none of them has hatched yet. Galapagos tortoise weighs some 270 kg, outlives humans. You will be able to see largest cormorant, the one which is not able to fly. Also see the endemic smallest fur lions. Galapagos penguins are only specie of penguins breeding in northern hemisphere. At Galapagos Island you can see playful seals, mighty bird albatross, dangerous red Sally light-foot crabs and Friate birds.
Galapagos Island have is the 1st heritage site declared by UNESCO also Galapagos Marine Reserves was designated with same status. Galapagos Island’s uninhibited areas are declared as National park by the Ecuador’s government. Galapagos National Park Service is government authority sees the safeguarding islands resources, wildlife and habitat.
Sites to visit:
Los Gemelos known as the twins, ‘pit craters’, are formed coz of empty magma chamber buckled in on them. These two craters are must watch for its geology.
On Isabela Island there is the Alcedo Volcano, with the largest population of tortoise and is only volcano which visitor can climb.
The Devil’s Crown is a beautiful site for snorkeling, name so coz there is a complete submerged volcano. It is north of the Cormorant Point.
There is a formation of lava tunnels on the Santa Cruz Island, provides an understanding as to the formation of the islands.
Galapagos Island is a place to visit with your family, group of friends; all you have to be is nature lover. Galapagos Island will touch you and the journey will be one of the most memorable in your lifetime of traveling.