By Sara Thomas, WWF Senior Director of Integrated Marketing and Activism
Tucked away within the Pacific Ocean is a wildlife fanatic’s paradise – one which many conservationists and journey consultants alike have on their bucket record: The Galapagos Islands.
Touring to Ecuador’s biodiverse wealthy Galapagos Islands has the promise of being the journey of a lifetime. Mix that with Pure Habitat’s seamless journey expertise, and also you’ll set your self and your loved ones up for an unbelievable journey.
From the colourful delicacies of Ecuador to the untouched habitats of the islands, my elementary school-aged son and I basked in our days guided by native consultants – soaking in each drop of information shared. We embraced the unknown, asking questions, stopping to see the small particulars of the panorama, and most memorably residing – for a second in time – amongst the giants.
Listed below are 5 of my prime causes to contemplate an exploration-filled journey with your children:
- Experiencing wildlife of their pure habitat. From sleeping in a treehouse above the burrowed relaxationing giant tortoises to sitting on delicate waves as penguins zipped by us and sea lions performed within the surf, the wildlife he examine in books was now earlier than his eyes. The marvel and pleasure of watching these species of their ecosystem sparked new curiosity and hope for a future the place our pure world stays wholesome.
© Sara Thomas / WWF
- Studying from native consultants. I definitely can learn, study, and provides solutions to my son’s questions as we stroll by new landscapes. However, someone who grew up on the islands, born with the liberty of this pure world flowing by their veins, can present the perception and feed his starvation to know at depths I might by no means have the ability to satisfy. He asked questions as they got here up, typically igniting a dialog amongst the group and fueling curiosity many people had ignored.
© Sara Thomas / WWF
- You get to dive into the expertise. As our guides reminded us with every evaluation of the every day itinerary, this was an journey – and they didn’t disappoint! We snorkeled amongst solidified lava runs, round corals, and alongside a few of the most numerous underwater ecosystems I’ve had the enjoyment of experiencing. From the Galapagos shark to green sea turtles and rays, sea lions, numerous fish, eels, and extra, we witnessed the fantastic thing about a protected sea.
© Sara Thomas / WWF
- The chance to see the hidden treasures. If you journey with native guides, items appear to current themselves at each nook. On one sundown hike, our group of 10 individuals was alone on Santiago Island watching blue-footed boobies and sea lions’ fish for dinner off the cliffs. Immediately, our guide began expressing pleasure for the chance of seeing one of many few place of origin mammals to inhabit the Galapagos Islands – the Santiago Galapagos Mouse. Wouldn’t you understand, as my son and the information had been slowly strolling behind the group, hoping to not miss a element, they noticed it. For the primary time within the information’s life – and ours, too! – he identified a rare species considered extinct earlier than 1997 and nearly unseen by even those that go to the islands typically.
© Sara Thomas / WWF
© Sara Thomas / WWF
- The flexibility to cultivate a fair deeper curiosity for nature. One of many causes I selected to take our son on this unbelievable journey was his love for nature, science, and all issues wild. This journey opened pleasure and curiosity in him past my wildest dreams. It’s an funding price making and one I’m forever grateful we chose to make!
