Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz is a fairly old, medium-sized island (384 square miles, 2384 feet high), located in the central part of the Galápagos Archipelago. It is one of the very few islands where we can admire all the different vegetation zones we have in the Galápagos. Starting by the coastal zone all the way up to the highlands where it is possible to see the endemic daisy trees (Scalesia pedunculata).
Today we started early with a great walk in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. We visited a giant tortoise reserve called “El Chato.” In this area we walked through the forest until we arrived to a very small lagoon, which at this time of the year looks very dry. This place looked incredible today, as there were many giant tortoises all over the place. Some of these magnificent creatures were still sleeping while some others were already walking in the area in the search for food. After the walk in this area we also visited a fascinating nearby lava tunnel. The tunnel ends just at the entrance of a small restaurant owned by a local farmer. In this picturesque place that we enjoyed a delicious breakfast, while enjoying a nice view of the lowlands of Santa Cruz and several surrounding islands. After visiting the town of Puerto Ayora we set sail for our next destination: the islet of North Seymour.
North Seymour is a very small, flat islet (0.7 square miles) with incredible wildlife. During the walk this afternoon, we observed a great variety of animals that included land iguanas, marine iguanas, sea lions and the beautiful frigate birds. We saw frigates in all the different stages: adults, downy babies and immature individuals. Some adult males were showing the stunning red pouches they inflate only when they are in the mating season. They were looking up to the sky trying to attract the attention of the females flying by. Galápagos land iguanas were at their best today. With amazement, we observed these colourful reptiles at a very close range.
With so many sightings and memories, this day fulfilled the most demanding expectations of our guests this week.
Santa Cruz is a fairly old, medium-sized island (384 square miles, 2384 feet high), located in the central part of the Galápagos Archipelago. It is one of the very few islands where we can admire all the different vegetation zones we have in the Galápagos. Starting by the coastal zone all the way up to the highlands where it is possible to see the endemic daisy trees (Scalesia pedunculata).
Today we started early with a great walk in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. We visited a giant tortoise reserve called “El Chato.” In this area we walked through the forest until we arrived to a very small lagoon, which at this time of the year looks very dry. This place looked incredible today, as there were many giant tortoises all over the place. Some of these magnificent creatures were still sleeping while some others were already walking in the area in the search for food. After the walk in this area we also visited a fascinating nearby lava tunnel. The tunnel ends just at the entrance of a small restaurant owned by a local farmer. In this picturesque place that we enjoyed a delicious breakfast, while enjoying a nice view of the lowlands of Santa Cruz and several surrounding islands. After visiting the town of Puerto Ayora we set sail for our next destination: the islet of North Seymour.
North Seymour is a very small, flat islet (0.7 square miles) with incredible wildlife. During the walk this afternoon, we observed a great variety of animals that included land iguanas, marine iguanas, sea lions and the beautiful frigate birds. We saw frigates in all the different stages: adults, downy babies and immature individuals. Some adult males were showing the stunning red pouches they inflate only when they are in the mating season. They were looking up to the sky trying to attract the attention of the females flying by. Galápagos land iguanas were at their best today. With amazement, we observed these colourful reptiles at a very close range.
With so many sightings and memories, this day fulfilled the most demanding expectations of our guests this week.
