DAY 4
AM: Twin Craters & El Chato Reserve
Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters, are located opposite each other on both sides of the road leading from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers.
The view at this site is breathtaking.
El Chato is a natural reserve located in Santa Cruz’s highlands. This reserve is known as a roaming grounds for the Galapagos Giant tortoises, which cross the reserve on their permanent migrations from the coast to the highlands, making it one of the very few places where is possible to see these enigmatic animals in their natural habitat.
The reserve has thousands of square meters of high pastures and Scalesia forests, an endemic and beautiful plant of the Galapagos. These green highlands are also populated by many bird species like Darwin finches or vermillion flycatchers and is also one of the best sites on the islands to observe the short-eared owl, also endemic to the Galapagos Archipelago.
PM: Charles Darwin Scientific Station
The Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center, located in the same premises as the Charles Darwin scientific station is one of the most visited sites of the Galapagos and the only place where is possible to see many different species of Giant tortoises at the same time.
The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the visitors. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be «repatriated»), and adults.