Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador, although they are actually 970 kilometres west of the Ecuadorian coast. The Galapagos Islands are a wildlife-lover's paradise, with a highly unique and diverse environment. The Galapagos Islands consist of six main islands, twelve smaller islands and over forty small islets. The largest Galapagos Island is Isabela, which is 120 kilometres long and forms half the total land area of the archipelago. The Galapagos Islands are quite widely scattered, with some of the islands being as many as six hours apart by boat.

Another of the many fascinating facts about the Galapagos is that no land mammals ever reached the islands. This means that reptiles are dominant on the Galapagos, just as they had been all over the world in the distant past. Man did not set foot on the Galapagos until 1535, the result of which being that the animals on the Galapagos are incredibly tame. Indeed, even to this day most of the animals on the Galapagos have little instinctive fear of man.

The number of tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands is controlled by the authorities to help protect the environment. It is always important to remember that while you're in the Galapagos you must not touch any of the animals, birds or plants (unless you're permitted to do so as part of conservation project). It is similarly not permitted on the Galapagos to transfer sand or soil from one island to another, leave litter anywhere or take raw food on any of the islands.

One of the most spectacular species to be found on the Galapagos Islands is the giant tortoise. Of the original fifteen species of Galapagos giant tortoise, four are already extinct. Most of the remaining species are now holding their own and managing to survive thanks largely to the efforts of conservationists. Real Gap runs a 'Giant Tortoise Volunteer' on which participants gain a unique opportunity both to do something really worthwhile and to work with these extraordinary animals.

Other notable species to be found on the Galapagos include the brightly coloured marine iguanas (the only seagoing lizard in the world), the land iguana, sea-lions and numerous unique bird species. Snorkelling on the Galapagos is also superb - with plenty of underwater life to be seen including rays and sharks.

If you're planning on spending all or a large part of your gap year in the Galapagos Islands then you could consider going on Real Gap's excellent ‘Galapagos Islands Environmental Conservation' This project gives participants the opportunity to take part in both teaching and conservation work on the Galapagos Islands. Unlike other projects in South America this project combines conservation and social work, giving the volunteer a real mixture of experiences during his or her time in the Galapagos. This programme enables volunteers both to promote environmental conservation on a local level and to physically participate in the actual conservation work on the Galapagos as well.

If you'd rather get involved purely on a people-based project during your time in the Galapagos you could consider Real Gap's ‘Galapagos Islands Teaching Project Volunteer' Based on one of the largest Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal, volunteers help out at local schools teaching underprivileged children.

It's very easy to use the word unique when you describe many of the countries of the world. However, in the case of the Galapagos Islands this description really does apply in every sense of the world. The Galapagos Islands are one of the remotest areas on the planet and blessed with some amazing scenery and wildlife. If you want to do something really different on your gap year, and you love wildlife, then the Galapagos Islands are an ideal destination.

Galapagos Islands gap year - Gap year programmes in the Galapagos Islands


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