By: P.Ling on 08 30, 2009
In 1535, Tomás de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama, accidently discovered the Galápagos Islands. 300 years later, in 1835, 26-year old Charles Darwin landed up in Galápagos, and that led to the ’Origin of the Species.’

But evolution took a deadly turn somewhere in between 1835 and 2009, and now - we’re talking about the last tourists who will bear witness to the extinction of the species in Darwin’s Lab. Tourists visiting Galapagos want to ’see it before it disappears.’
Nothing wrong with wanting to to see prehistoric marine iguanas and monster turtles before they go extinct. But there’s no reason why you should be an accessory to the crime. To achieve this delicate balance, extensive travel planning is required.

1. Acquaint yourself with the Galapagos National Park rules - this includes keeping out all manner of foreign insects, seeds, soil and anything which could take root and create havoc in the fragile ecosytem.
2. Condition yourself to make do without the usual travel luxuries. The more help you need locally - things like transport, food & drinks, bug repellent, sunblock, etc. - that much more the danger to, and degradation of, the environment.
3. Find a green travel company for your travel and tour needs. Here’s a few options - NatHab, Responsible Travel, Ecoventura (cruise).
Another option is a voluntourism project with the Galapagos Foundation - you work alongside local fishermen who are hired to assist with environmental conservation.
4. For additional carbon credits to compensate for your flight, cruise, local transport, etc., opt for a local Ecuadorian company like CanopyCo Carbon Offsets, which plants native trees to absorb carbon dioxide emissions associated with tourist travel to Ecuador.
Inspite of all this, your trip will still have many carbon holes and pitfalls. Go over the trip step-by-step with your travel agent, and make sure the logistics are planned in a way so as to minimize consumption and avoid possible harm.
And lastly, remember that a trip to the Galápagos Islands isn’t just another vacation. You’re going there to see it before it disappears, but when you come back, it should be with more knowledge about this primeval evolutionary struggle, and a conviction that it doesn’t have to disappear.
Photo credits - maveric2003, James Preston
Recommended Reading:-
Galapagos Conservancy
Darwin Foundation
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Galapagos Park
Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise? - by Martha Honey