Plan your trip to Galápagos, Ecuador

Galápagos, a province of Ecuador, is most famed for the site of Charles Darwin’s studies that led to his theories on evolution. Home to giant tortoises of the same name, Galápagos consists of more than 100 islands, rocks and islets, some of which are still forming from volcanic eruptions. Conservation remains of much importance in the archipelago area, 97.6 percent of which is a national park.

Today, visitors can undergo their own evolution thanks to the area’s many diverse islands that feature exotic plants and wildlife. Start your tour at the cluster’s oldest island, Española, to see an iguana, then compare lava flows on Fernandina; say hello to a pink flamingo on Floreana (also called Isla Santa Maria) and go whale-watching by the marine reserve in the surrounding waters.

Be sure to send (islands) Ferdinand and Isabella our love.