Santa Cruz Island
According to the praising comments of our guests, today’s visit to Santa Cruz Island has been the highlight of the trip. What made this spot so especially attractive? The answer is that today on this island we had the opportunity to dedicate the whole day to the Galapagos giant tortoises. These gigantic reptiles are the emblem and namesake of this wonderful archipelago. It is a real privilege for me as a naturalist and for our guests to experience the world of the giant tortoises. In the morning while visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) we discussed many aspects of the giant tortoise’s natural history. Ecology, biology, behavior, history, the successful rearing and repatriation program, and famous Lonesome George were just a few of the interesting topics. The admirable efforts of the CDRS and the Galapagos National Park Service are restoring the dynasty of these majestic reptiles.
After a well-deserved lunch break in a very picturesque highland restaurant, we continued our expedition. In the afternoon we searched for giant tortoises in the wild. A refreshing tropical rain greeted us while visiting this luxurious green habitat. The rain was received with joyful after the warm and humid day characteristic of the season. In general, from January to June, with a peak around February and March, air temperatures are warm and skies are clear with occasional rain showers. This season is known as the wet/warm season. The drizzle rain that was falling intermittently while we watched the giant tortoises in their wild natural habitat did not bother us at all. It not only enhanced our experience, but also added a magical feeling to the visit: giant majestic reptiles sharing their world with us in an unforgettable way and under a magical aura that was covering the place.
According to the praising comments of our guests, today’s visit to Santa Cruz Island has been the highlight of the trip. What made this spot so especially attractive? The answer is that today on this island we had the opportunity to dedicate the whole day to the Galapagos giant tortoises. These gigantic reptiles are the emblem and namesake of this wonderful archipelago. It is a real privilege for me as a naturalist and for our guests to experience the world of the giant tortoises. In the morning while visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) we discussed many aspects of the giant tortoise’s natural history. Ecology, biology, behavior, history, the successful rearing and repatriation program, and famous Lonesome George were just a few of the interesting topics. The admirable efforts of the CDRS and the Galapagos National Park Service are restoring the dynasty of these majestic reptiles.
After a well-deserved lunch break in a very picturesque highland restaurant, we continued our expedition. In the afternoon we searched for giant tortoises in the wild. A refreshing tropical rain greeted us while visiting this luxurious green habitat. The rain was received with joyful after the warm and humid day characteristic of the season. In general, from January to June, with a peak around February and March, air temperatures are warm and skies are clear with occasional rain showers. This season is known as the wet/warm season. The drizzle rain that was falling intermittently while we watched the giant tortoises in their wild natural habitat did not bother us at all. It not only enhanced our experience, but also added a magical feeling to the visit: giant majestic reptiles sharing their world with us in an unforgettable way and under a magical aura that was covering the place.
