Santa Cruz Island

Today we had our first encounter with one of the iconic animals of Galápagos – the giant tortoises. We landed early at the National Park dock and headed towards the Charles Darwin Research Station and the National Park Headquarters. We visited one of the most significant and successful programs in the ecological restoration of the islands: the giant tortoise breeding program.

Tortoises from different islands are kept here until they reach a certain size and age and can be released back to their original islands. We also had the chance to see the famous “Lonesome George,” the only remaining individual from Pinta Island, and the entire population of Española Island, 2 males and 11 females that have successfully parented more than 1,000 tortoises born in captivity!

After the station, we headed to the town of Puerto Ayora for some shopping and exploring. Eventually we boarded buses for a 30-minute drive to a charming restaurant called “Altair” located in the highlands of Santa Cruz. Some guests had the opportunity to bike or walk a few kilometers before reaching the restaurant where we all gathered together for a delicious lunch in this very peaceful location surrounded by birds and native plants. Other guests had the chance to visit the Tomas de Berlanga School, an institution that Lindblad and the National Geographic Society support. About 120 young students study here, some of them under scholarships thanks to our guests’ contributions. Here the kids are educated in a unique environment, and they learn how to protect the islands and deal with conservation issues.

After lunch we went to visit “Los Gemelos,” a pair of huge pit craters, surrounded by a forest of the epiphyte-laden endemic Scalesia trees, where ferns, orchids, and several species of Darwin's finches can be found.

Afterwards we visited a private farm, located in the middle of the tortoise migratory route to search for tortoises in the wild. We saw many upon arrival, and some of us walked to the National Park border. After walking for awhile in dense vegetation, we were lucky to encounter a huge male tortoise foraging. He looked at us, and continued with his peaceful and slow lifestyle. That made our afternoon!

For me, watching these animals in wild – living descendants from prehistoric ancestors that coexisted with dinosaurs is something unique. What a privilege!