Ecuador & Galápagos Spotlight

The Hidden Roads of Ecuador There are still a few roads in the Ecuadorian Andes where the description of ìwalking in the cloudsî is very accurateÖ in one way or another. These are ancestral routes that have been preserved and that one can still drive through. Paradoxically, thanks to their being abandoned and forgotten, they have managed. Read more Recycling Update at Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador Santa Cruz Islandís most mentioned environmental project continues generating new results, and this receives every day wider acceptance and commitment by the local population. Read more Humpback Whales in the Galapagos July, August and September are ideal months to observe these amazing marine colossus. During these times, rich upwelling´s and nutrients come up to surface waters and the whales take advantage of that. Humpback whales or Megaptera novaeangliae have a huge body size where some females Read more The Art of Tigua Tigua is a region of small farming communities in the Province of Cotopaxi, located between the Cotopaxi Volcano and the crater-lake caldera of the Quilotoa. The indigenous artists of Tigua are renowned for their colorful paintings depicting life high in the Andes mountains of rural Ecuador. Read more September 18: International Coastal Cleanup Day One of our sustainability projects at FundaciÛn Gal·pagos-Ecuador is the coastal cleanup of the islandsí coastlines. Since 1998 we have collected close to 55,000 Kg (120,000 pounds) of solid debris. This project allows us to generate sustainability. Read more Penguins in Galapagos: unique and amazing A lot of animals in the islands are astonishing to visitors. Some due to their tameness, others to their beauty and curiosity, but the one that strikes the most is the penguin. This sea bird, only 50 cms (19.6 inches) tall, is considered one of the smallest in the world. Read more Metropolitan Touring opens new office in Chile During the last couple of years, Metropolitan Touring has been strengthening its capacities and abilities beyond Ecuador, in a regional approach for travel experiences, with the opening of new offices at the best sites along South America. Read more Fundación Galapagos-Ecuador New Results in Solid-Waste Management Metropolitan Touring´s Environmental Policy demands that we share the results of our projects and efforts. Read more The Galapagos National Park Service and its dedication to the conservation of the Islands In this month of July, 2009, the Galapagos National Park Service celebrates the 50th anniversary of its creation, the first protected area in Ecuador, declared on July 4th 1959. Read more The Secrets and Colors of the Andean Paramos The Andean paramos or moorlands are unique from any point of view, as they are found only in South America ñ from Venezuela, through Colombia, Ecuador and Peru- at altitudes between 2900 and 5000 meters (9512 and 16400 feet) at the snowline. Read more Metropolitan Touring & Fundación Galapagos-Ecuador Share Their Experience at the I International Conference on Solid Waste Management As part of our Environmental Policy it is important to share our experience, projects and results with others. Few weeks ago, Earth Green hosted in Quito the I International Conference on Solid Waste Management. Read more Your Amazon Jungle Experience Exploring the Amazon Rainforests will always be an unforgettable experience; no matter how many times you go, each occasion will be different and unique. Read more Galapagos Naturalist Guides: dedication and responsibility Being a Galapagos Naturalist Guide is much more than simply guiding. It is an intense dedication and love for one of the most natural and pristine ecosystems in the planet. Read more Metropolitan Touring Speaks at the IV International Forum City & Environment 2009 Our Environmental Policy asks us to share our actions and projects with institutions and third parties. Read more Successful Sustainability Stories from the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador Our work at Fundación Galapagos-Ecuador throughout 2008 has been truly a successful one amidst all current world issues and financial needs. Since our mission focuses in generating sustainability in the Galapagos Islands, we have to permanently find the most efficient ways of continuing with our work. In 2008 we reached the 3 million-pound mark at recycling solid waste, and while this gives us new challenges, we also took 48 students on ship expeditions throughout the islands. Read more Galapagos Community Social Projects The social component is a priority under the umbrella of sustainability. Thus, it is important to get involved directly with the local community, and contribute to their well being and their income generation. If we believe in the local community´s improvement, we must incorporate them in our business scenario. Entrepreneurship with environmental attributes is what we promote in the local community. Read more Welcome New Members! Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador has received a generous donation from its newest member: Location Solvers. Our new partner is a premier hotel search firm specializing in the placement of meetings, conventions, retreats and guestrooms. Read more Earth Day - April 22 Celebration The important message on Earth Day was shared with all our clients and guests. The center focus in 2009 continues to be climate change and how global warming can affect the Earth as a whole, and naturally our industry. Think about sea levels changing and damaging present coastal ecosystems, or ice melting and eliminating habitat for polar species, or our own backyards. Read more Now YOU can be an active part of our successful programs too! Yes, you can also be part of FundaciÛn Gal·pagos-Ecuador. We realize it is hard to have all of you helping us in coastal cleaning, recycling, or educating the local community, but your kind financial support has no limit, and can surely be used in the area where most resources are needed. Read more Quito from Above Quito, Ecuador's capital has a unique geographic location, nestled on a high Andean plateau at 2820 meters above sea level, and surrounded by mountains the product of thousands of years of violent natural formations that are excellent lookout points. Read more Galapagos surprises us with another volcanic eruption Volcanic activity and eruptions are the major agents of geological change in the Gal·pagos, and also the most exciting thing to see there! Volcanoes are the main characters in charge of shaping and giving life to the islands. Read more Sustainability Efforts in the Galapagos Islands are appreciated by Prince Charles During the South American Royal Visit of Your Highness Prince Charles of England and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall. Read more In Quito - A Jewel of Colonial Art Charles, Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who were recently in Ecuador and other Latin American countries on a trip to raise awareness on environmental issues, made a stop in Quito and were taken on a visit of this stunning 17th century church before continuing on to the Galapagos Islands. Read more The discoverer of the Enchanted Islands 500 hundred years ago the Dominican Bishop Tomas de Berlanga accidentally discovered the Galapagos Islands while en route from Panama to Peru. The ship that was taking him to Lima drifted away at sea on the Pacific Ocean, taken by the ocean currents to The Enchanted Islands, arriving there on March 14, 1535. Read more Good Business Practices Directly Contribute to Sustainability Metropolitan Touring focuses in supporting productive activities in the communities where it operates. The main beneficiaries of such support are the three elements of sustainability: environment, community, and business. Read more A Tribute to Charles Darwin This month we offer a tribute to the man who broke the pragmatic barriers of the Victorian Era in the 1800s and, with his observations, ideas and conclusions took a huge step forward in science with his Theory of the Evolution of the Species. As we commemorate the Bicentennial of Darwinís birth, and the 150th Anniversary of the publication of The Origin of the Species, it is important to mention that it is also the 50th Anniversary of the creation of the Galapagos National Park. Read more Orchids in Ecuador Ecuador possesses the greatest variety of orchids on the planet ñas certified by the best experts in the area- who participated to the First Universal Orchid Exhibition, that took place in Quito, the Capital of Ecuador, on February 4 to 8, 2009. For orchid lovers, Ecuador is a privileged destination, as in the reduced size of its territory, you can find them in their natural state in the four geographic regions of the country: the coast, the mountains, the Amazon rainforest and even in the Galápagos! Read more Metropolitan Touring: Finalist in WTTC´s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2009 Metropolitan Touring Ecuador is proud to announce its finalist status in the annual Tourism for Tomorrow Awards of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in the Global Tourism Business Category. Read more New Galapagos Species of Pink Land Iguana The Galapagos Islands are considered a Laboratory of Evolution and there are no doubts about it in these crucial moments, when we celebrate the discovery of a new species. Evolution happens and changes occur in a time frame that is unique and indescribable, and this is what keeps Science active. A pink iguana was found on Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island! Read more Glitters of Pre-Hispanic Gold From the very beginning of metalwork in Pre-Hispanic Ecuador (500/400 BC) gold fascinated the pre-Columbian civilizations, who considered it a sacred element. Gold was among the first metals to be mined because it commonly occurs in its native form, that is, not combined with other elements. It is beautiful and imperishable, and exquisite objects can be made from it. Read more Fundación Galapagos-Ecuador´s Sustainable Contributions in Recycling Every group of volcanic oceanic islands has a big challenge when it comes to managing solid waste disposal. The reality of an island of such characteristics includes not having enough available spaces for managing garbage, and also being isolated from the mainland. Read more The Saraguros of Loja The Saraguros are a very important ethnic group of the southern Ecuadorian Highlands which has survived centuries of Spanish colonization without losing their identity, way of life, traditions, beliefs or even their dress, which is black and white, of pure wool, woven in ancient looms. Read more White tipped sharks, another Galapagos attraction The white tip reef shark is one of the 400 species of sharks found in the world. They are distinguished from other sharks by the white tip on both their first dorsal fin and upper caudal fins. Like most species of sharks, they are drably counter-shaded. This means that the top and bottom sides are colored differently serving to camouflage the shark from multiple perspectives. Read more Make your Commitment to reduce CO2 emissions... today This environmental footprint is unlikely to be fully eliminated by large industries, but individually we can do a lot in order to generate less quantities of CO2. If we can replace certain activities with options that produce less or better yet, none, then our environmental contribution is a positive one. Read more El Cajas National Park El Cajas is raw environmental beauty, rich in scenery, biodiversity, and recreational opportunities, mainly trekking and hiking; its cold atmosphere gives a sense of solitude, where mosses, lichens and ferns cling tightly to the rocks, and patches of primary forest are tucked in the crevices of rugged terrain. Read more The Mola Mola giant fish A dinghy ride along the cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca, allows Galapagos explorers a close view of boobies, fur seals, sea lions, sea turtles and fantastic marine species such as the mola mola fish. To spot one of these unforgettable fish, keep your eyes on the water: if you see something that looks like a shark or sea lion fin poking out of the water, it just may be a mola mola, that calmly and curiously, comes up near the surface. Read more Now More Than Ever... COMMITMENT Our world continues rotating in its axis, and providing us with environmental benefits, regardless of what the financial situation is all about. During these critical times, it is worth revisiting the foundation of our function, role and impact on Planet Earth. Read more The Importance of Brown Issues Some weeks ago there was an article in the international media about the Gal·pagos Islands, and the environmental impact related to populated areas. This is the main reason why Metropolitan Touring and FundaciÛn Gal·pagos-Ecuador decided to concentrate in the not-so-glamorous brown issues. Read more Encounters with Manta Rays in Galapagos waters One of the many impressive marine encounters in Galapagos is with the Pacific manta ray (Manta hamiltoni), the largest of the rays. Specimens of this cartilaginous fish have reached "wingspans" of more than 7 metres across, and, with their flattened body shape, they glide like underwater birds. Manta rays are filter feeders, gulping large amounts of water into their mouths with the help of special appendixes on both sides of their heads. Read more Ecuador´s Province of Loja Ecuador´s uniqueness lies in its amazing and complex diversity, manifest not only in nature´s many blessings, but also in its history, geography, culture and people. Ecuador´s southernmost territory, the Province of Loja, is an area as yet undiscovered by mainstream tourism; a place of great contrasts called "The Botanical Garden of America" by Theodore Wolf, due to the variety of microclimates and numerous ecological zones. Read more Condè Nast Traveler World Savers Condè Nast Traveler has named METROPOLITAN TOURING a finalist in the category of Wildlife Conservation of the magazines 2008 World Savers Awards. Metropolitan Touring Ecuador is one of 38 companies selected worldwide as a leader in social responsibility in the magazine´s September issue. Read more Sustainable Tourism - September 20th, 2008 International Clean Up Day Fundación Galapagos-Ecuador has been very active lately in the preparation of volunteer students who will participate in the international event of Coastal Cleaning - Galapagos Chapter. Read more 173 years ago, Charles Darwin reached the Galapagos Islands At age 22, young Darwin found an opportunity to sail around the world on board the surveying vessel, the HMS Beagle, as a companion to captain Robert Fitzroy, leaving temporarily aside his education at Christ College, Cambridge. Read more Ecuadorian Folklore Ballet Jacchigua Music and dance, merged in a single expression, are the most representative manifestations of a nationís culture. Ecuador, with contrasting geographic characteristics of impressive beauty, is equally diverse in its ethnic and cultural background. Jacchigua Folklore Ballet is a mirror that reflects, in fascinating choreographies, the traditions and customs, the joys, myths and legends of a magic, yet real and profound Ecuador. Read more Metropolitan Touring´s Young Pirates Program in the Galapagos Islands It is our hope that everybody enjoys this natural paradise and appreciates the efforts for its conservation. Thus, we thought kids need some type of interpretative recreational material, and we developed our own Galapagos booklet: "Young Pirates". In this learning-while-having-fun book we find many different subjects. Read more Sustainable Initiatives: Bread for the Future The social component is a priority under the umbrella of sustainability. Thus, it is important to get involved directly with the local community, and contribute to their well being and their income generation. If we believe in the local communityís improvement, we must incorporate them in our business scenario. Read more Antisana Ecological Reserve: Home to the Andean Condor For centuries the magnificent landscapes around Antisana Volcano were only within reach of scientists, geographers and intrepid expeditionaries, but now, a good paved road takes you into this pristine moorland (paramo), full of wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Guests will thoroughly enjoy a spectacular day trip out of Quito to watch condors in their natural habitat, in contact with undisturbed nature and away from regular tourist routes. Read more Achieving Commitment: Coastal Cleaning with Volunteers Among the different types of environmental commitments we currently have, those from FundaciÛn Gal·pagos-Ecuador receive special attention. Results from these projects are truly exemplary, and the coastal cleaning effort is one of the most successful projects. Read more Humpback whales season 2008 Despite the delay of the arrival of the cold, nutrient rich waters from the Humboldt System or Peruvian Current, Humpbacks have again arrived to equatorial waters. Their annual mating season continues as hundreds of pregnant cows arrive in tropical regions to give birth to their calves. After months of feasting on krill and plankton, a long fasting period begins, with impressive north-bound migrations for calving. Read more New Funds for the battle against invasive species in Galapagos A 15 million dollar target is placed to consolidate the fight against invasive species that threaten the fragile Gal·pagos ecology. The Fund for the control on Invasive Species in Galapagos has currently reached 12,3 million Dollars from various sources. The project includes environmental education, prevention, control and eradication of introduced plants, insects and animals. Read more Centennial of Ecuador´s Railway June 25th, 2008 marks one hundred years of the arrival of the first steam train to Quito, an event that completely changed Ecuadorís economy and politics, and played a substantial role in the development and integration of our country. To commemorate the Centennial, the Government of Ecuador and the Ecuadorian Railway Company are actively working on the renovation of the train stations along the route, as well as intense maintenance of the rails, with the installation of new sleepers. Read more World Environment Day Meets Sustainability The world celebrated on June 5th a day that commemorates the kind of footprint humans leave on the environment. This is called World Environment Day. Every year a new theme is selected as a way to create awareness in all of us of the possible reasons of leaving an unreasonable footprint. This year the theme is Kick The Habit of CO2. Read more The Waved Albatross returns to Galapagos The end of the southern summer promotes the return of cold water and reliable trade winds to Galapagos; ideal conditions for the return of waved albatrosses, the largest marine birds of the Archipelago, to Hood Island for the beginning of their reproductive season. Read more Birdwatching in Ecuador's Andean slopes Ecuador is home to the greatest bird diversity, some 1600 species of birds --over half of the species in all of South America. Metropolitan Touring invites you to discover Ecuadorís amazing and unrivaled avifauna at our premier birding sites: Antisana, Yanacocha, Tandayapa, Mindo, Papallacta. Read more Metropolitan Touring Ecuador introduces Gastronomy Tours Three different hands-on encounters with Ecuadorian gastronomy have been developed to provide our guests with unique and memorable experiences to discover the scents and flavors of Ecuadorís diversity. A Traditional Ecuadorian Meal: From Start to Finish, Ecuadorian Wine Tour and Ecuadorian Gourmet Cuisine. Read more The Galapagos only fresh water lagoon 'El Junco' is again free of introduced species This program was carried out together with seminars for local residents to teach them about the significance of keeping invasive species away from fragile environments like Galapagos. Galapagos National Park personnel were able to eradicate Tilapias with the use of natural chemicals, from El Junco, the only fresh water lagoon in the Galapagos. Read more Environmental Policy: Where Corporate Responsibililty Starts For Metropolitan Touring, the implementing of an environmental policy implies not only a solid challenge, but a strong commitment. As part of this innovative concept, we have not separated the environmental components from the social ones. Read more Sperm Whales at sunset in the Galapagos Islands On Sunday, February 24th, when our expedition vessel in the Galapagos, the MV SANTA CRUZ was sailing northbound at sunset to cross the equator line, the officers on the bridge spotted a large pod of Sperm Whales. These whales grow to enormous proportions, with males reported to exceed a length of 20 metres (67 feet) reaching impressive weights of over 50 tons. Read more Tulipe: Ancient Sun Culture At the heart of an exuberant subtropical forest to the northwest, very close to Quito the capital of Ecuador, lays Tulipe, the ceremonial center of the Yumbo culture. Bordering a river of crystal-clear waters, this is a unique energetic site where ceremonial practices of this pre-Hispanic society took place to honor the sun, their highest deity. Read more The Three R´s of good environmental management: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle The use of non-renewable natural resources has an established limit set by two parameters: the demand they currently have, and the natural availability of them. Under these guidelines, industries looked at this issue back in the 1960ís and the idea of industrial recycling started. This move was a response to the large amounts of solid waste produced by societies. Read more Metropolitan Touring presents its new full day tour of the city of Quito Ecuador ís capital, Quito, is being unveiled as a new, alluring city, a renaissance after a few years and several million dollars worth of renovations. Quito is the first city declared a cultural world heritage by UNESCO in 1978, with the best preserved Colonial historic center in Latin America. Metropolitanís new full day experience in Quito is a chronologic narrative and a journey along the history of the city. Read more February 12th: A day for celebration. Darwin´s birthday and the day Ecuador took possession of Galapagos February 12th, 1832, the HMS Beagle is approaching the equator line in the middle of the Atlantic. A birthday of the only civilian on board would have been celebrated, but his health on his second month of almost chronic seasickness wouldn´t allow it. Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. Read more Tagua or "vegatable ivory" Vegetable Ivory, also known locally as corozo, is a name used for the tagua nut, which grows in the rainforests of South America. Known scientifically as Phytelephas aequatorialis, the palm tree bearing tagua nuts grows 15 to 18 feet high in tropical rain forests both on the Pacific coast and in the Amazon lowlands of Ecuador. Read more Marine Iguanas Dress-up for the Warm Season The worldís only sea going lizard, the Gal·pagos Marine Iguana has entered its short, yet very active breeding season. Blotches of vivid red and coppery green appear on the skin of these otherwise gray-black lizards while head-bobbing and territorial chases begin to impress their skin. Read more Sustainable Tourism - The Real Future of Tourism In recent years, environmental affairs have taken the same example of reinventing themselves, just like a fashion trend, musicians, construction, etc. Currently, responsible tourist operations have denominations that reach out to niche markets, like ecotourism, green tourism, environmentourism, birdwatching, etc. Read more Transition Months arrive to the Galápagos Islands - prelude to the Hot Season In Galapagos, the first climate changes for this coming-up Hot Season have just arrived. By the end of November we noticed that the southeast trade winds had consistently decreased their strength, and that the water temperature had increased an average of 1.58C (4.58F) over a 4-week period. Read more Otavalo: much more than a market Otavalo is currently considered one of the most important tour destinations in Ecuador, due to its ancestral cultural heritage, enriched by millenary traditions, myths, legends and customs together with Andean landscapes of outstanding beauty: mountains, lakes, waterfalls and rivers that, as per the Otavalo Cosmovision, possess life and energy. Read more RSS Feed Galapagos Cruises Read more Antisana Ecological Reserve Surrounding Ecuadorís fourth largest volcano, Antisana Ecological Reserve is in the eastern range of the Andes, 37 miles and a 1 O -hour easy drive southeast of Quito, the capital, home of the soaring Andean condor in the spectacular Andes Mountains of Ecuador. Read more Celebrating Charles Darwin´s Anniversary in the Galapagos Islands and a Tribute to Darwin´s Finches Charles Darwin proposed a revolutionary theory that changed the way society looked at life, and it deeply questioned our origins and some preconceived models of the actual beginning of life. Read more October 20, 1835: The HMS Beagle ends a 5-week expedition in the Galapagos Islands Charles Darwin, at the still young age of 26, had sailed already more miles than any average British boy. This voyage not only made him a stronger human being, but it proved to be a crucial motivator as well as a source of endurance. Read more The Real Galapagos Expedition: Why come to Galapagos for a week? Our current offer to visit Galapagos includes voyages of 4, 5 and 8 days. Without a doubt, regardless of the number of days you spend at our islands, you will perceive our excellence in service, island diversity, rewarding wildlife encounters and more. Read more Sharks in Galapagos: An expedition luxury Every time we mention the marine environment in Galapagos, we must understand it as a natural resource. It holds unique attractions, due to the bizarre blending of distant ocean currents that gather at equatorial latitudes. The marine ecosystem, just like its counterpart the terrestrial environment, has a very fragile food chain composed of several actors between producers and consumers. Read more Ecuadorian Folklore Ballet Jacchigua Music and dance, merged in a single expression, are the most representative manifestations of a nationís culture. Ecuador, with contrasting geographic characteristics of impressive beauty, is equally diverse in its ethnic and cultural background. Jacchigua Folklore Ballet is a mirror that reflects, in fascinating choreographies, the traditions and customs, the joys, myths and legends of a magic, yet real and profound Ecuador. Read more August: Pupping season of Galapagos sea lions has started After a similar-to-human pregnancy, female sea lions have started giving birth throughout the islands. This started about a month ago, with the first pups of the season seen around James and Fernandina Islands. Most colonies are now near peak season, and this will go on until mid October. Read more Metropolitan Touring of Ecuador expands to Peru Metropolitan Touring Ecuador and Receptour Peru have joined forces for the promotion and operation of tourism in both countries. The experience of these companies in selling and operating tourism in Ecuador and Peru adds up to almost 100 years. As of September 2007 services in Peru operate under the brand of Metropolitan Touring. Read more September 15, 1835: Charles Darwin arrives to Galapagos on board the HMS Beagle Understanding the Galapagos Islands will be always linked to its natural history; however, such wonders have taken importance and uniqueness after the writings, descriptions, and the publication of the theory of evolution by means of natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin in 1859. Read more The Finch Bay Eco Hotel wins South America's Leading Green Hotel at World Travel Awards We are proud to inform you that the Finch Bay Eco Hotel has been recognized as South America Green Hotel by World Travel Awards! Read more Mashpi Lodge Canopy Gondola The construction of such an ambitious project in the midst of the cloudforest of the Reserve has been a huge challenge for everyone involved and as a result, we have delayed opening the gondola until May 2013. Watch the video about its construction with Roque Sevilla, Mashpi’s visionary. Read more Fundación Galápagos and Coca Cola in “Every bottle has a story” Fundación Galápagos has been chosen by Coca Cola to participate in the campaign “Every bottle has a story” for its commitment to making a positive difference to the Islands Read more I Discovered…in Ecuador – International Campaign The Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism just launched a video highlighting the country´s diversity as part of its advertising campaign Read more Solar Eclipse in the Galápagos Islands The next solar eclipse will take place on November 13th, 2012 and it will be visible in the Galápagos Islands as a partial solar eclipse, don’t miss this chance and book your cruise NOW. Read more New Activities on Santa Cruz Island Our guests are enjoying their new, alternative and more active visits to Santa Cruz Island on board the M/V Santa Cruz. Find out more! Read more Mashpi Lodge opens and wins Outside Magazine´s best Eco Lodge We’re thrilled to bring you news that Mashpi Lodge has officially opened, and, not only that, it’s been selected as Best Eco Lodge by Outside Magazine. Read more Beginning the New Year Ecuadorian-Style As elsewhere in the world, New Year’s in Ecuador is synonymous to leaving behind and starting anew. This date is best known as “fin de año” (end of year), with local customs that have spread across the nation and are now shared among all Ecuadorians alike. Read more The Amazon is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature From a total of 477 nominees, the Amazon Basin we chosen one of the World’s Seven New Wonders of Nature. Read more Flavours and Colours of the Andes in Northern Ecuador Northern Ecuador is a verdant land of rolling hills, towering volcanoes, strong cultural identity and skilful craftspeople. Combine these elements with the country’s rich, diverse but as yet unsung cuisine and you have the elements of a fascinating and rewarding journey. Read more Galapagos holidays: an intimate look at nature The most amazing thing about the Galapagos Islands is that the animals will never shoo you away or tell you to mind your own business! They won’t even mind you are there! Read more Accolades for the Finch Bay Eco Hotel in the Galápagos Metropolitan´s Finch Bay Eco Hotel has been nominated for the World Travel Awards South America 2011 and has also achieved a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor, in recognition of the consistently-excellent reviews the hotel has received over the last months. Read more Metropolitan´s Video Contest Results! Over the last couple of months, we ran a Video Contest here with a top prize of four cruises aboard the M/V Santa Cruz for our top creative fan. Find out more about the winning videos here. If you’re a past-guest of ours, you can win too! Read more Galapagos trip FAQ A quick overview of some questions and concerns that may arise when planning a Galapagos holiday – check out our Galapagos blog, bursting with ideas, anecdotes and fun. Read more Galapagos Video Contest! Metropolitan Touring will be giving away 36 cruises in the Galapagos Islands over the coming weeks. Yes, 36! There are various ways you can win: all easy, all fun, and all with a chance of winning! The contest starts 22 April at www.GalapagosContest.com Read more Summer Family Departures to Galápagos Unique, intriguing, educational and fun – the Galápagos are the perfect destinations for families who want to spend time together while sharing new discoveries. Read more Do´s and Dont´s of Galapagos travel Safety is an important element of travel abroad, generally provided by local authorities at the destination or tourism operators. It is also, however, up to the visitor to behave with discretion. The Galapagos is no exception, and demands that visitors use their common sense… Read more New 7 Wonders of Nature The Galápagos Islands, Iguazú Falls and the Amazon Rainforest chosen as finalists! Vote now! Read more Ride the Rails in Ecuador with the "Spirit of the Andes" Metropolitan Touring has launched a new itinerary through the Ecuadorian Andes which includes the famous “Devil’s Nose” section of track. The “Spirit of the Andes” promises a journey to the heart of the Andean world. Read more EARTH HOUR 2011 find out what we did on March 26 in the Galapagos Islands Our current knowledge over environmental information is quite vast compared to few decades ago. Read more Quito Cultural Capital of the Americas 2011 During 2011 the beautiful city of Quito will be shown to the world with a series of events, distributed in each quarter, displaying the different aspects of its culture. Read more Stopping Time: The Christmas Solstice in Ecuador It’s a world away from turkeys, mistletoe, ho-ho-ho and Rudolf. In fact, it couldn’t be further away. In the season-less world along the Equator, the days are virtually uniform – except at the twice-yearly solstices and equinoxes, when the world literally stands still. Read more Meet Lonesome George! Widely considered “the world’s rarest living creature”, Lonesome George lives in the Darwin Research Station at Puerto Ayora, and all our Galapagos expedition tours offer a chance to meet him there. But why’s he so famous? Find out here! Read more ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION – The Value of Understanding your Surroundings / Part 3 Understanding our surroundings is part of our operating style in South America. Motivating team members who understand how to protect resources is a wonderful way of leading the tourism industry in the right direction. Read on! Read more ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION – The Value of Understanding your Surroundings - Part 2 For all of us at Metropolitan Touring, the role of the community in Galápagos is crucial since its orderly development relies at how each individual understands its surrounding environment. Read more Shop till you drop in Ecuador Anyone who puts shopping high on the list of activities that make a destination desirable will find Ecuador not just desirable, but irresistible. Craftsmanship is skilled, the artistry highly imaginative and the prices low. Read more Pretty in Pink: Flamingos In Galápagos Flamingos have always fascinated observers with their intriguing colour and amazing group displays during courtship. The species found in Galápagos adds unreal splashes of intense Technicolor pink to the archipelago’s volcanic landscapes. Read more Close Encounters with Humpback Whales in Ecuador Whale Watching in Ecuador is ever more popular –between June and September, large numbers of Humpback Whales come to the warmer waters of the coast of Ecuador- an awesome sight! Read more Quito Declared Cultural Capital of the Americas 2011 Ecuador’s capital will be the Americas’ Cultural Capital next year. The city is expected to produce and promote a huge range of artistic and cultural events. Find out more! Read more The Galápagos Fur Seal - Furry Wonder in the Tropics The smallest pinniped in the world? But just what is a pinniped? And how small is small? Find out more about this much-loved Galápagos favourite. Read more Quito for Art-Lovers Our new tour, "Quito, a journey through art and history", explores three eras in the country’s history: pre-Colombian, colonial and contemporary, visiting three iconic sights, and bringing the country’s artistic heritage to vivid life. Read more Tiny Wonders of Adaptation: The Galapagos Penguins Perhaps the least expected encounter in tropical equatorial coastal regions is a bird associated with cold icy southerly regions: the penguin! Find out more about the world’s third-smallest and rarest penguin. Read more Head in the Clouds: Ecuador´s Cloudforests I can remember the day I fell in love with the mountain cloudforests of South America. I was 20. My father had recently died. I had run away to the ‘the grandest, richest, most wonderful bit of earth upon this planet’ as Arthur Conan Doyle put it in The Lost World. Read more ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION – The Value of Understanding your Surroundings! Metropolitan Touring and Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador have taken a total of 192 local Galápagos students on board our vessels since 1998. In 2010, we are committed to take at least 60 students on our expedition voyages. Find out more about our initiatives! Read more Galápagos World´s Best Island According to this year’s Travel + Leisure magazine readers’ “World’s Best Awards”, the Galápagos Islands are the world’s best islands. Find out about the other winners and nominees! Read more Ecuador's National Parks & Protected Areas Read more FUNDACION GALAPAGOS-ECUADOR – Important Project Update! Our projects at Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador have reached new heights, and it is great to see the positive reaction of the local community and visitors to the islands. Our Coastal Cleanup operations advance full steam ahead, with the strong support from Fundación Coca Cola-Ecuador. Read more Ecuador's mega-biodiversity in numbers Measured by square mile, Ecuador is the most biologically-diverse country on the planet. It is home to some 1,600 bird species, 4,500 species of butterflies, 405 species of reptiles, 440 species of amphibians and 382 species of mammals, among others... Read more Yasuní National Park - Biodiversity Hotspot The Yasuní National Park covers around 1 million hectares of rainforest in eastern Ecuador's Amazon region, a place of extreme biodiversity. It harbours what is thought to be the greatest variety of tree species anywhere on the planet. Read more YACHT LA PINTA - Committed to Sustainability A few weeks ago the world celebrated Earth Day. Hundreds of worldwide initiatives took place and some included the most creative ways to commemorate our Planet. We believe, however, that such celebration should be also interpreted as a moment to reflect deeply on our daily actions. Read more Feel the Spirit of the Andes Following months of intense research and design, Metropolitan Touring is delighted to introduce a brand new Ecuador programme: “Spirit of the Andes”. The 4-day/3-night programme brings together the best experiences guests can enjoy in the Ecuadorian Andes: a journey full of breathtaking landscapes, cultural discoveries, ethnic encounters and culinary delights. Read more Return of the prodigal tortoises - Giants reintroduced to La Pinta Island in the Galápagos A small step for the archipelago’s famous giant tortoises, but a giant leap in Galapagos Islands’ biodiversity conservation was taken this month, when a national park boat embarked on a historical voyage. On board: loads of supplies, food, water, satellite communication gear, solar batteries, and 39 giants tortoises. Find out more! Read more It´s Blue-Footed Boobie Day in Galápagos! Metropolitan Touring is supporting the work of the UK-based Galápagos Conservation Trust (www.gct.org) by celebrating Blue-Footed Boobie Day on 18th June this year! The day aims to heighten awareness of conservation issues in the archipelago. Read more Megadiversity & Hot Spots Mega-diversity –the great amount of biological components, living elements, in a determined area of our planet. Ecuador concentrates all these elements, so that certain areas of the country are considered “hot-spots” of mega-diversity: real centers of life. They are of vital importance to our lives and to our future. Read more Active Volcanoes in Galapagos The Galapagos Islands are of volcanic origin, in fact, the westernmost major island, Fernandina, and the largest island, Isabela, are sites of frequent eruptive activity. Quite an attraction for visitors, who can observe the sights from a safe distance at sea! Special Geology Expeditions are being offered aboard Metropolitan’s ISABELA II Yacht… Read more APRIL 22 – Earth Day Earth Day started as a local initiative back in 1970. Forty years later it is worth looking at what has become a celebration of life on Planet Earth. Today no one can deny that protection and conservation of resources is a must and that there is not a chance to revert this. Read more Transition months in Galápagos With the reappearance of the southern marine currents, the temperatures of the sea and air in Galápagos are very comfortable –the islands are full of juvenile land birds and animals and the albatrosses return –right on time every year- to Española (Hood) Island. Read more ISABELA ISLAND, GALAPAGOS – A New Future in Solid-Waste Management The largest island in all of the Galápagos Archipelago celebrates throughout this week, its 37th anniversary as an island county within the Galápagos Province of Ecuador. Read more Frigate birds impress with their red pouches In nature, some displays of courtships are more impressive than others. Some displays are as awesome in terms of shapes and colors as that of the Frigate Bird. This sea bird of tropical origin inhabits many corners of the New World: the Caribbean, Central and South America, including the Galapagos Islands. Read more Cultural Magic in Quito during Holy Week Plazas, churches and streets of the Colonial Quarter of Ecuador’s Capital, will be the scenery of a grand celebration: The historical and traditional event of Holy Week which transforms the month of March into one of the most important periods in the capital’s calendar, with holy ceremonies and rituals that show the religious art of Quito. Read more Reproductive Behavior of Darwin Finches With the arrival of the rain at the beginning of the year in the Galápagos, and the availability of food, Darwin Finches, take advantage of the resources and during the subsequent months, they dedicate themselves to breeding. Read more Volcano Watching in Ecuador Ecuador, where the snowcapped peaks and green valleys of the Andes Mountains are stunningly beautiful, has a new attraction for world adventurers: volcano watching. The Avenue of the Volcanoes, which follows the valleys between the eastern and western ranges of the Andes from Quito to Riobamba, is flanked by towering volcanoes. Read more Year Global Results at Projects from Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador finished 2009 with results reflecting the full commitment shown by those who believe in lowering the environmental footprint from human activities, and thus leaving a better Planet for future generations. In 2009, our three sustainable projects gave us these results. Read more Quito is celebrated with local character, traditions and joy Quito, the Ecuadorian capital, just turned 475 years -- of its Spanish foundation. On December 6th, 1534, Sebastian Benalcazar, overwhelmed by the bustle of the conquest, founded the city with the name of San Francisco de Quito in a troubled period, where the conquistadors sought to expand the domains of the Spanish crown in Latin America. Read more Recycling Update at Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador signed an agreement for supporting the RELUSAN Project in San Cristóbal Island. We support this initiative because of the importance of not leaving in Galápagos burned oils and residues. Read more The Andean Llama, more than a unique animal The llama, locally known in Ecuador as Llamingo, is one of the most popular camelids in Latin America and known worldwide for its ancestral presence in the Andes and for the role it has played in the lives of the inhabitants of the highlands in South America Read more Recycling Update at Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador We have published our most recent yearly summary of activities and projects in our Commitment Magazine 2009. The articles in this issue describe the very latest results in our projects and keep everything rooting right from our Environmental Policy. Read more DARWIN, GALAPAGOS AND EVOLUTION, 150 years of a revolutionary idea November 24th 1859 marks another major celebration in the Galápagos in 2009 –others include 200 years of Darwin’s birth on February12th and 50years of the creation of the Galápagos National Park on July 4th. Read more Galápagos' Incredible Whale Diversity July, August and September are the best months for spotting whales in the islands, whose Marine Reserve protects an impressive number of cetaceans includes four families, nineteen genera, and an impressive list of 26 confirmed species. Read more A New Hope for the rarest finch in Galápagos The rarest of the Darwin finches- icons of adaptive radiation – the Mangrove Finch, entered a new era recently with news of conservation efforts to keep them from extinction. Read more ¡Viva la Revolución Quiteña! The Ecuadorian capital will this year mark events in the country’s struggle for independence with commemorations on 2nd August and 10th August, with cultural events across the capital, sure to be boon for anyone visiting! Read more

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