Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage.

Welcome to the website of the Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT), a UK charity that raises funds for, and awareness of, the conservation needs of the Galapagos Islands. Charles Darwin was intrigued with the unique wildlife he saw when visiting the islands in 1835, and to this day they continue to inspire and excite scientists and visitors alike. We work with the key institutions in Galapagos to ensure a sustainable future for this natural treasure, and are part of the international Friends of Galapagos network.

The mission : To provide knowledge and assistance through scientific research and complementary action to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in the Galapagos Archipelago

A brief history of The Galapagos.

The Galapagos, The world's most treasured islands.

ounded in 1986, Galapagos Conservancy, formerly CDF, Inc., is the premier advocacy and fund-raising organization in the United States for conservation in the Galapagos Islands. We provide leadership for understanding the complex and rich ecosystems of Galapagos and for preserving this unique natural treasure. Our goal is to uphold the environmental integrity of the Galapagos archipelago and its surrounding marine territories by working with the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS), the resident population, and other partners to preserve Galapagos for future generations. We accomplish this goal by raising funds to support the operations of the CDF and GNPS and to implement specific research, conservation, education, and policy programs.

Giant Galapagos tortoises meander distant highlands, and prehistoric marine iguanas sun themselves on black lava rocks along the shore. Flightless cormorants and tiny penguins dart through the waters while graceful red-billed tropicbirds screech across the sky. In the company of a Galapagos naturalist guide, you set out to explore remarkable island ecosystems as you inch past lounging sea lions, scout for breaching whales offshore and pink flamingos in hidden lagoons. The volcanic Galapagos sits about 650 miles west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. At first, they appear to be desolate. Yet, these rough and rocky islands are home to wonderfully strange and abundant wildlife. As Charles Darwin some 200 years before us, we marvel at the highly adapted creatures found nowhere else on earth.

The smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, Ecuador has an array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes, dense rainforest and sublime islands - all in a nation no bigger than the US state of Nevada. Once a banana republic, Ecuador's politicians still pocket the wealth accumulated from its treasures: a picture-perfect capital, the all-consuming Amazonian jungle, breathtaking wildlife reserves, ancient sites, remote indigenous villages, and, of course, world-famous tropical beaches.

Plan a trip to Galapagos Islands with insights from RealTravelers like you. Browse top rated travel blogs and get ideas on things to see and do. Price compare flights, hotels and packages, and find great deals to get you there.

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