AM – Highlands of Santa Cruz
Spend today visiting Santa Cruz Island´s most famous highlights. After a dry landing at the pier in Puerto Ayora, we board our transportation and head to the island’s highlands.This area,incontrato the coastal region, has lush vegetation and forest dueto the humidity that gathers at the higher altitude.
The first visit will be to one the ranches of the area where it is possible to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As these animals migrate from the coastal area to the highlands and back, the chosen ranch will depend on the presence of the tortoises, as they roam free and change locations throughout the year.
This is also a good place to see the Galapagos hawk and barn owl of this island and the surrounding forests are filled with birds such as the vermilion flycatcher and yellow warbler
PM - Charles Darwin Research Station
After lunch visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see giant tortoises from several different islands. The animals are found in large, semi-natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for visitors. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held until they are mature enough to be repatriated), and adults.