Gardens of the Galapagos

When Damon Corkin and Angela Veliz founded Andean Discovery 5 years ago, they wanted to create a travel opportunity based on the friendships they had built with local communities in Ecuador and Peru.  Learn about Andean Discovery’s community projects-rural cement-and-gloves projects, such as building a classroom for a Kichwa community-here.

Damon says his favorite trip is their land-based Galapagos Islands tour.  Whereas many boat-based trips don’t give travelers much opportunity to connect with the large human population on these islands, Andean Discovery has partnered with local organizations to get guests in contact with locals.  On San Cristobal, they’ve partnered with farmers who want to support sustainable tourism with an endemic garden, and guests can work with them to eradicate introduced species (like blackberries, which choke out native plants and animals,) and to plant native shrubs and trees.  The trees are purchased from the Charles Darwin Foundation, which also provides technical support for their successful planting and growing.  This whole process creates “contagious awareness for the travelers and farmers,” Damon says.

Enjoy the benefits of not being confined to a boat whose motor runs all day and night, and stroll the beach at night without a guide.  You have independence on the water, too, with sit-on-top kayaks for exploration.  Hike or horseback around  Sierra Negra, one of the world’s largest active volcano craters, and swim with sea lions and white-tip reef sharks.  Learn more here.