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- > Galapagos National Park
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- > Lower Zambezi National Park
- > Namib Naukluft National Park
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Fearless and Free: the Soul of the Galapagos
Galapagos National Park is as close as you can get to the extraordinary. An archipelago of 13 large islands, 6 smaller islands and 107 major rocks and islets, Galapagos is one of the only places in the world where you can walk among vast numbers of exotic animals, observing them freely as they go about their business, seemingly unaware of your presence. It's a place where the "wildlife" seems more tame than wild – and is often so abundant you'll have to step carefully so as not to disturb a napping sea lion or passing iguana.
Come nose to nose with a 600-pound, 150-year-old tortoise. Snorkel alongside warm-water penguins fishing off a rocky lava shore – a tropical oxymoron. Play hide and seek with a doe-eyed sea lion pup off the nose of your kayak. Watch as a blue-footed booby dances in courtship, as a giant male frigate bird balloons his crimson chest, as a great albatross boasting an 11½ foot wingspan – the largest of any birds – soars effortlessly overhead.
The Galapagos Islands lie near the equator, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. The wind and sea-swept volcanic landscape of the archipelago is unlike anything you've ever seen: mountains of soot-black lava flow, crater lakes, fumaroles, lava bombs and spatter cones stand in stark contrast to azure waters, white beaches and lush mangrove stands.
Join us as we explore the astounding wildlife, geology, botany and biology of Galapagos National Park. Relax your mind, energize your body ignite the adventurer within with Austin-Lehman Adventures.
Did You Know…
- Galapagos was officially discovered in 1535 by Tomas de Berlanga, the Spanish Bishop of Panama. Tomas was en-route to Peru when his ship got caught in the doldrums and was swept by currents to Galapagos.
- First appearing on a map in 1574, the Galapagos Islands got their name from the Spanish word “galapago” or “saddle” in reference to the shells of the saddle-backed Galapagos tortoises.
- In the 1500's, Buccaneer's Cove on Santiago Island in the Galapagos was a hide-out for English pirates, who would camp out on the islands after raiding gold-ridden Spanish galleons.
- In 1959, the Ecuadorian government set aside 1.7 million acres or 90% of the Galapagos Islands as a National Park. In 1978 the Galapagos were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Charles Darwin arrived on the islands in 1835 via the HMS Beagle. He spent 5 weeks in Galapagos, and only 19 days on land.
- Born from volcanic eruptions beneath the sea, original lava flows in the Galapagos date back 10 to15 million years. The youngest members of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela and Fernandina, are still being formed, with the most recent volcanic eruption in 2005.
Curious to learn more? Click here for more information on Austin-Lehman Adventure’s Galapagos vacations:
Galapagos Islands Adventure
Galapagos Islands Family Adventure
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Austin-Lehman has been guiding parents and kids on adventure vacations
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