Friday, August 05 2011 15:31
The Galapagos Islands are an 'amazing' World Heritage Site
The Galapagos Islands, located around the equator, are an ideal destination for people planning to take an adventure holiday with a strong emphasis on natural exploration.
Toni Darton, chief executive officer at the Galapagos Conservation Trust, noted that the islands have been known for their wildlife for centuries.
"The amazing thing about Galapagos is that 95 per cent of the original biodiversity is still intact and the birds and animals are as tame as they were when Charles Darwin visited in 1825," she said.
"Galapagos National Park monitors the 70 approved visitor sites and manages the itineraries for all [tourism tours] to ensure that the natural landscape and flora and fauna are not affected."
Ms Darton added that people visiting the fantastical islands must "do their research" to ensure they are travelling sustainably to minimise their impact on the beautifully biodiverse destination.
The Galapagos Islands, technically part of Ecuador, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site toured by Darwin in the Beagle ship to observe the endemic biodiversity.