The scenic views of volcanic islands and unfettered wildlife greeted Dr Ketki Marthak when she visited the Galapagos Islands with her husband, for a 10-day trip last year. Located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 600 miles west off Ecuador, the archipelago consists of 18 islands.
<img title="A large congregation of Marine Iguanas on Fernandina island. Pics courtesy/Dr Ketki Marthak " src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/land-of-marineiguanas.jpg" alt="A large congregation of Marine Iguanas on Fernandina island. Pics courtesy/Dr Ketki Marthak " /> A large congregation of Marine Iguanas on Fernandina island. Pics courtesy/Dr Ketki Marthak 
<img title="A Lava Lizard" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/Lava-Lizard.jpg" alt="A Lava Lizard" /> A Lava Lizard
&ldquo;Galapagos is every naturalist&rsquo;s dream. The animals and birds are unafraid of humans, and these islands are full of drama,&rdquo; shares Dr Marthak, a volunteer with Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), who will recount her trip in a presentation titled, The Enchanted Isles: Galapagos.
<img title="Sally Lightfoot Crabs" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/Sally-Lightfoot-Crabs.jpg" alt="Sally Lightfoot Crabs" /> Sally Lightfoot Crabs
<img title="An overview of Galapagos Island" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/An-overview-of-Galapagos-is.jpg" alt="An overview of Galapagos Island" /> An overview of Galapagos Island
While there are many tours available as per one&rsquo;s interest, Marthak chose the birding tour and visited several islands including North Seymour, Genovesa, Darwin Bay, Santiago, Fernandina, Isabela, Floreana, Santa Cruz and Espanola. &ldquo;Every island had a surprise. North Seymour is the largest nesting colony of Frigatebirds and Blue-Footed Boobies.
<img title="Sea lions on the Gardner Bay beach at Espanola in the Galapagos Islands " src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/Galapagos-Islands.jpg" alt="Sea lions on the Gardner Bay beach at Espanola in the Galapagos Islands " /> Sea lions on the Gardner Bay beach at Espanola in the Galapagos Islands 
We heard the Marine Iguanas&rsquo; salt sneezes on Fernandina, the youngest island. On Floreana, we spotted the rare Charles Mockingbird (only 150 such birds exist) and witnessed the courtship dance of Waved Albatross at Espanola.
<img title="The rock island of Punta Pitt is home to Red-Footed Boobies" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/Red-Footed-Boobies.jpg" alt="The rock island of Punta Pitt is home to Red-Footed Boobies" /> The rock island of Punta Pitt is home to Red-Footed Boobies
<img title="Kicker Rock formations at St Cristobal" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/Kicker-Rock-formations-at-S.jpg" alt="Kicker Rock formations at St Cristobal" /> Kicker Rock formations at St Cristobal
The Charles Darwin Research Station at Santa Cruz, a conservatory for Giant Tortoises and Marine Iguanas, is a must-visit too,&rdquo; she adds. She also spotted sea lions, fur seals, lava lizards and birds like Darwin&rsquo;s Finches, Wedge-Rumped Storm Petrel and Nazca Booby.
<img title="The rare Charles Mockingbird. Only 150 remain in the wilderness across the world" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/Charles-Mockingbird.jpg" alt="The rare Charles Mockingbird. Only 150 remain in the wilderness across the world" /> The rare Charles Mockingbird. Only 150 remain in the wilderness across the world
<img title="A Nazca Booby couple" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/Nazka-Booby-couple.jpg" alt="A Nazca Booby couple" /> A Nazca Booby couple
<img title="Brown Pelican" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/Brown-Pelican.jpg" alt="Brown Pelican" /> Brown Pelican
<img title="Blue Footed Booby" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/Blue-Footed-Booby.jpg" alt="Blue Footed Booby" /> Blue Footed Booby
<img title="Dr Ketki Marthak" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/jun/Dr-Ketki-Marthak.jpg" alt="Dr Ketki Marthak" /> Dr Ketki Marthak
According to Marthak, the archipelago can be visited all-year. &ldquo;You can spot whales, mostly, post June, and try activities like kayaking, snorkelling as well as swimming with sea lions, penguins and sea turtles,&rdquo; she reveals.

Wonder island: Explore the Galapagos Isles with Dr Ketki Marthak

Travel special: Spot Marine Iguanas in the Galapagos Isles

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Travel special: Spot Marine Iguanas in the Galapagos Isles

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