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.

This is far from a traditional tourism trip. 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.

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. 

Not only will we learn about the natural and human history of the islands, we will also have the chance to visit and help on some of the island farms and learn about the farming systems here.

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.

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. 

The Archipelago comprises 13 big islands, six medium islands, and many smaller isles or rocks poking out of the water. 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!

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 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 nowhere else on Earth.

Marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and the famous Darwin finches are a few examples of the special and rare species endemic to the Galápagos. Not to mention the underwater world full of colorful fishes, marine turtles, sharks, and the odd Galápagos penguin swimming fast like a torpedo!! New species are still being discovered, as we learn more about the diversity of this amazing ecosystem.

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.