GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Galapagos Islands, Snorkel with sea lions, soak up the sun   with iguanas or marvel at the natural beauty that surrounds you – just a typical day on a Galápagos.

Far from a Traditional Tourism Trip

Group of people in snorkeling gear swimming in a cave with green water and a rocky ceiling.

We want to create a hands-on learning experience. Through our interactions with Galápagos locals. Working on an established farm from a pioneering local family, we will learn about the human and natural history of the Islands. Through beautiful sightseeing, special places, and the good company of a naturalist guide and Nahual´s Galápagos specialist, we´ll understand  the intrinsic value and fragile balance of life in the Enchanted Galápagos and the many initiatives and systems in place to maintain this delicate ecosystem.

A person swimming in the ocean

From Sustainable Farming in the Andes to Adventure in the Galapagos

On our Ecuador adventure we will have the chance  to visit 2 of its amazing regions. In the Andes we will visit Finca Palugo, which is the home base of Nahual Expediciones School. Here we will learn about sustainable farming and living practices and will have the chance to put our hands in the earth and help out on the farm. Then we will travel to the Galapagos and visit three of its inhabited  islands, where we will snorkel with playful sea lions, grazing sea turtles, majestic rays, and an abundance of tropical fish. We'll hike up an active volcano on Isabela Island and admire the second biggest caldera in the world, visit incredible lava formations and have fun surfing waves. 

  • Pink flamingo standing in water with reflection, ripples, and cloudy sky reflected in the water.
  • A scenic view of a beach with blue ocean water, cloudy sky, and colorful bushes in the foreground.
  • Three seals resting on a wooden dock near a tree, with water and rocks visible in the background.
  • A sea turtle swimming underwater in clear blue water.

About the Galapagos Islands

A scenic view of a turquoise bay with a small boat and a buoy, surrounded by rocky shoreline and lush green hills under a partly cloudy sky.
A large tortoise with a domed shell and rough, textured skin on its legs and neck, resting on a concrete surface with greenery in the background.

Dynamic Galápagos Islands

The Galapagos archipelago comprises 13 big islands, 6 medium islands, and many smaller isles. Its formation is entirely volcanic, the result of an active "hot spot" located under the easternmost islands. Galápagos is still being formed today; new eruptions happen frequently, showing us how life started on earth and evolution in action! This geological activity creates a constantly changing landscape, making the Galápagos a living laboratory for scientists and nature enthusiasts alike.

View of a beach with turquoise water, sandy shore, palm trees, and a pier in the distance, seen from a shaded patio with a hammock.
A bird with a long beak and brown and white feathers standing on dark rocky terrain near a clear blue lagoon, with rocky islands and cacti in the background under a bright blue sky.

Remarkable Wildlife of the Galápagos

Marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and the famous Darwin finches are a few examples of the special and rare species endemic to the Galápagos. The underwater world full of colorful fishes, marine turtles, sharks, and the odd Galápagos penguin swim fast like a torpedo! New species are still being discovered, as we learn more about the diversity of this amazing ecosystem. The unique adaptations of these species provide invaluable insights.

The Unique Galápagos Ecosystem

The Galápagos are completely oceanic; they were never in contact with the mainland, so all the wildlife arrived by their own means to the islands. All these species had to pass through a fascinating process of adaptation to this new and challenging environment. Because of their prolonged isolation on the archipelago, the Galápagos ecosystem is very special and unique. Many species of plants and animals are found exclusively here and nowhere else on Earth. This isolation has led to the evolution of distinctive and diverse species.

Activities

  • A desert landscape with green cacti and sparse vegetation in the foreground, volcanic rocks and hills in the middle ground, and a hazy sky in the background.

    Learn from Nature & Local Farms

    We will learn about the natural and human history of the islands and have the chance to visit and help on some of the island farms and learn about the farming systems. This will provide a deeper understanding of how the islands' ecology influences local agriculture.

  • A group of people sitting on a large rock formation by water, waving and smiling at the camera.

    Explore Galapagos Culture & Community

    While in the Galápagos, we will support the local economy and interact with the people of each island by immersing ourselves in the culture of the Galapagueños.  Interesting talks about the islands and Palugo will be given while on the trip.

  • Beach scene with colorful shrubs in the foreground, green bushes, and an ocean view under a cloudy sky in the background.

    Discover the Beauty

    The Galápagos Islands are a unique and inspiring place; the archipelago was declared  a National Park in 1959 and 98% of the land is protected due to its incredible and unique ecology. You will be surrounded by beautiful landscapes, intense red-orange sunsets, and inspiring wildlife.

Discover the enchanting beauty of the Galapagos Islands – your ultimate adventure awaits!"

Three penguins standing on a rocky outcrop by the ocean with a clear blue sky in the background.

Biology

The Galápagos wildlife encounters and sightings are special, just like the marvelous volcanic setting in these remote Pacific Islands. Like all island ecosystems, Galápagos is very fragile. Traveling the islands requires great sensitivity and responsibility.

A group of four children standing next to a tall cactus in a desert landscape.
Group of people kayaking on the ocean under a partly cloudy sky.
Close-up of a large armored tortoise with textured shell and rough skin, sitting on grass.
A group of people standing on the beach with their backs to the camera, raising their arms in celebration, wearing matching shirts, with the ocean and sky in the background.
Group of people placing their hands together in a circle, representing teamwork or unity.
A lizard sitting on a rock near water.
Scenic landscape with hills, trees, and a house with a red roof in the foreground.
Three seals sunbathing on a wooden dock near a tree with water in the background.
Two iguanas resting on a wooden railing near the ocean with a cloudy sky in the background.
A bowl with cooked pinto beans, shredded purple cabbage, and mashed potatoes.