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

Up Next...

Two people sit outdoors and review a bird checklist together
eBird Trip Reports: Peru
Want to know which species other Holbrook travelers have seen on their birding trips to Peru? Check out these eBird trip reports shared by past groups to see their checklists and get an idea of what y
Read More
Side view of an adult hippo and calf partially submersed in water
Photo of the Month: May 2026
There is something very special about rising before dawn to leave our tented camp and visit the hippo pool where dozens of these giant creatures slowly make their way to the meeting point of the Seron
Read More

Why choose Holbrook?

We’ve been
coordinating travel
programs since 1974.

What makes us different?
Custom-Tailored Trips
Safety & Security
24/7/365 Service
Knowledgeable Staff
Expert Guides
Rich Content

Want to hear about upcoming trips?

Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest updates on upcoming trips, deals, and more. 

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Two people sit at a table with freshly made pottery, the person on the right is giving two thumbs up,
A few small buildings sit on a misty lake shoreline with mountains of Torres del Paine formation in the background, in early morning light
Selfie of staff Rodrigo López and Debbie Jordan on a beach
A large iguana partially submerged in water opens its mouth to bite a piece of vegetation
A person crouches near the base of a sand dune while aiming a camera offscreen
Twelve travelers and guides pose on a platform overlooking a vast valley below
Many monarch butterflies fly overhead among the treetops
A view of treetops far away where a bird's vibrant feathers make it visible despite the distance
Woman standing behind a conference table decorated with Holbrook-branded signage and handouts
A Galapagos Penguin mid-jump over volcanic rock and seawater
A llama stands on a path with the stone walls of an archaeological site in the background
A woolly monkey balances in the branches of a tree, its limbs outstretched and tail wrapped around a branch overhead
A group of people pose and smile at the camera
Multiple people on a forest trail look through binoculars and scopes at something outside the frame
Side view of an adult hippo and calf partially submersed in water