Dec 16, 2021 | Holbrook Travel

Giovanna Holbrook's First Trip to the Galapagos Islands

Natural History
Holbrook in the Field

2021 marks 50 years since our company's founder, Giovanna Holbrook, first led a group of travelers to the Galápagos Islands, a life-changing experience that became the impetus for the creation of Holbrook Travel. In this video, she shares the story of that first expedition and how she organized her first group trip with a little help from Dr. Archie Carr and other renowned scientists.

Originally published June 2013; updated December 2021

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A woolly monkey balances in the branches of a tree, its limbs outstretched and tail wrapped around a branch overhead
A Galapagos Penguin mid-jump over volcanic rock and seawater
Woman standing behind a conference table decorated with Holbrook-branded signage and handouts
A view of treetops far away where a bird's vibrant feathers make it visible despite the distance
Many monarch butterflies fly overhead among the treetops
Twelve travelers and guides pose on a platform overlooking a vast valley below
A person crouches near the base of a sand dune while aiming a camera offscreen
A large iguana partially submerged in water opens its mouth to bite a piece of vegetation
Selfie of staff Rodrigo López and Debbie Jordan on a beach
A few small buildings sit on a misty lake shoreline with mountains of Torres del Paine formation in the background, in early morning light
Two people sit at a table with freshly made pottery, the person on the right is giving two thumbs up,
A group of people dressed in festive holiday attire pose on a deck with trees in the background
Great Green Macaw surrounded by tree leaves
Pond surrounded by lush vegetation and a fire sculpture at Quito Botanical Garden