The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands by Metropolitan Touring Metropolitan Touring takes great pleasure in introducing you to the ever-changing ecological paradise: Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands. This App will help you find out more about one of the world’s greatest natural history destinations – its geography, history, natural world, wildlife calendar – as well as help you plan your trip aboard one of our highly-regarded trio of vessels. The Galapagos Islands were named after the giant galapagos tortoises that roam some of the islands. The archipelago, 1,000 km (600 miles) off Ecuador's Pacific Coast, originated from undersea volcanic activity, six million years ago. The archipelago's 13 major islands, 6 smaller ones, and scores of islets are all part of Ecuador's National Park system.In 1835, the English naturalist Charles Darwin visited the islands and discovered this "living laboratory" which inspired his writings on the Theory of Evolution. Many of the animals on the Galapagos Islands have developed into different species from their continental relatives, and because they have never experienced man as a predator, they show no fear of humans. The world's most wondrous group of islands is yours to discover. Guests are taken to shore in small groups by a multilingual naturalist guide, who will explain the fascinating geology, history and natural phenomena of the archipelago. There is ample opportunity to walk the nature trails, swim, snorkel, photograph and observe the abundant variety of wildlife on each island. You can swim with sea lions, walk among black marine iguanas basking in the sun and observe the elaborate mating rituals of boobies, albatrosses or male frigate birds displaying their red pouches.Our Galapagos island cruises have flexible itineraries of four, five and seven nights (or more!) offering a variety of options for trekkers and swimmers, writers and readers, painters and photographers, bird watchers and stargazers, visionaries and dreamers...Metropolitan Touring is the pioneer in Galapagos island cruises, our experience dating back to the 1960s. We continue to be the benchmark in environmental sustainability, service, cuisine, facilities and safety. We operate a trio of vessels – the 90-guest M/V Santa Cruz, the 48-guest Yacht La Pinta and the 40-guest Yacht Isabela II – as well as owning the beach-front Finch Bay Eco Hotel. For more about us, see www.metropolitan-touring.com