5 Day Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin RS + Bartolome + North Seymour
Visit Puerto Ayora's Darwin Station and Tortoise Reserve. Marvel at Bartolome's volcanic landscape, snorkel near Pinnacle Rock—home to an abundance of marine life! Witness frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies on North Seymour. A Galápagos adveture awaits!
Welcome, intrepid explorers, to an extraordinary journey through the Galápagos Islands, a living laboratory of evolution. Our adventure begins in Puerto Ayora, the heart of Santa Cruz Island, where human ingenuity meets nature’s grand design.
Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galápagos, offers a blend of science, conservation, and adventure. Amidst lush highlands and cerulean waters, we explore the Charles Darwin Research Station, a hub for preserving the archipelago’s unique ecosystems. We witness the captive breeding program for giant tortoises and learn about their survival.
Next, we venture to El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve, a verdant sanctuary where these ancient creatures roam freely. Each encounter reminds us of our responsibility to protect the Galápagos’ unique wildlife.
Bartolomé Island, a volcanic wonderland, awaits our arrival. The iconic Pinnacle Rock, a jagged lava spear, dominates the landscape of red, orange, and green formations.
Ascend the wooden staircase to the summit for a breathtaking panorama of Santiago Island’s lava flows, Sullivan Bay’s shimmering waters, and distant Galápagos islands.
Beyond its lunar terrain, Bartolomé offers snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. Playful Galápagos penguins, sea turtles gliding through currents, and tropical fish dart among coral await.
North Seymour Island, a flat, windswept isle, is a vital breeding ground for seabirds. As we explore the rocky terrain, encounter the island’s charismatic residents: magnificent frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. Watch male frigatebirds inflate their scarlet throat pouches during courtship, while blue-footed boobies dance with their sky-blue feet.
Beyond these birds, land iguanas bask in the sun, reminding us of the islands’ ancient origins. Sea lions lounge on the beach or play in the surf, their barks echoing across the landscape.
As our journey ends, we hope you leave with memories, photographs, and a deepened understanding of the Galápagos’ fragile beauty. Protecting these islands protects a living testament to evolution and life’s resilience. Let your spirit of discovery and conservation inspire you to protect the Galápagos and our planet.