Every year 140,000 tourists voyage to the Galapagos Islands, and it is not hard to see why. The islands that were the inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution are nothing short of incredible. The islands give us a glimpse at what natural beauty looks like when undisrupted by the human touch.

What makes the Galapagos Islands special is the restrictions that the government has put in place, including protection policies that date back to the 1930s. Rules and laws dictate that you must travel with a guide when visiting the islands – but it is worth it. Around every corner you might see a giant tortoise, Galapagos sea lion, Darwin’s Finches or the incredible marine iguana – all of which are unique to the island chain.

Beneath the waters of Galapagos Islands lies a world just as astounding as above the waters. Signing up for a Galapagos diving tour will get you the closest to the fascinating underwater sea life. Seals, sea turtles, hundreds of fish species, hammerhead sharks and even penguins are native to the islands and beneath the clear waters. Snorkeling is another way to see your favorite marine animals up-close and nearly every cruise ship offers a snorkeling package. Just walking by the ocean is an occasion to see a large diversity of what divers call “big animals.” It is very common to spot whales, dolphins, and sharks while visiting the Galapagos Islands.

Being relatively undamaged by humans, the awe-inspiring landscapes and unique wildlife of Galapagos Islands is like nothing else on Earth. For information on visiting the islands, I recommend checking out Adventure Associates, an environmentally-friendly tour company which can create a custom Galapagos Islands tour for you.

About to take your very first backpacking trip? Doing one of the European circuits that every college graduate seems to take as a right of passage into the working world? Proper packing technique can save you quite a lot of pain and suffering on your trip, believe me. The first thing you should be considering is your pack, and the fit of it.

Brand is not as important as comfort. Your pack should be comfortable on your back, and you should make sure the store allows you to place some items in the pack to simulate what walking with a full one will be like. This process is essential, because you will be kicking yourself come travel time if your pack proves to rub your shoulders raw and hold weight unevenly.

When it comes to the actual packing, lay out all the things you think you will need, then take away half. Of the things that are left, you can probably take away another half. The key here is to pack basics and layers that go together easily and can be combined for multiple outfits and functions. Simple clothing is much better than fancy shoes or slacks that might see use 1 night out of 90.

Packing recently for my return to South America (trip time of 4 months) I packed my backpack with: 6 t-shirts, 4 long-sleeves, 1 fleece, 1 rain jacket, 4 pairs of pants, 3 pairs of shorts, 6 pairs of underwear, 6 pairs of socks, tennis shoes, sandals, and hiking boots, and my toiletries kit. I have all my bases covered clothing-wise, and still had space to spare for extras like my camera equipment and various camping supplies. Always bring less than you think you will need, because chances are you can find a really unique item while traveling anyways!