San Cristobal Island, 1/24/2023, National Geographic Islander II
Aboard the
National Geographic Islander II
Galápagos
San Cristobal has its own giant tortoise population, as well as endemic lava lizards and snakes. These are examples of adaptive radiation in the archipelago.
We have had a successful week full of great memories. The unique and friendly animals found in this group of islands are not found anywhere else on our planet.
Walter was born in a very small town on the mainland of Ecuador. His first trip to the Galápagos was when he was 12 years old, visiting friends and aunt, who had moved to the islands. From the first moment he saw the Islands, he fell in love with the...
Enter travel details to receive reports from a single expedition
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Send Daily Expedition Reports to friends and family
*By clicking the submit button, I authorize Lindblad Expeditions to email me; however, I am able to unsubscribe at any time. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.
Please note: All Daily Expedition Reports (DERs) are posted Monday-Friday,
during normal business hours. DERs are written onboard the ship only and do
not apply to land-based portions of expeditions.
Santa Cruz Island is the most inhabited island in the Galapagos and the economic capital of the Galapagos Archipelago. Puerto Ayora, the main town, is friendly and safe and the island itself has lots to offer visitors. Today we visited a few of these places. Early in the morning we went to El Trapiche Ecologico, a farm where they produce their goods in the most artisanal way possible. Their coffee, chocolate, and moonshine are amazingly good, using techniques from the olden days. We also explored Los Gemelos, two sinkholes surrounded by a forest formed by endemic trees, and then we rode to Manzanillo Farm where we were greeted with a delicious lunch and giant tortoises In the afternoon we went to see the rearing center for giant tortoises back in Puerto Ayora and then returned to National Geographic Islander II for dinner and a show.
Isabela Island is the largest and most active island in the Galapagos. Our journey took us deep into the heart of the Sierra Negra Volcano. We hiked across the vast caldera’s lava fields and felt the air grow thick with the scent of sulfur and mystery. Isabela is an island of contrasts where every step tells a story. This was not just a visit, it was a voyage in the wild Galapagos!
The sunrise was spectacular today! It was a pleasant morning to explore the magical wildlife present on South Plaza Island, an uplifted area full of endemic species. As soon as we disembarked on a little pier, dozens of sea lions came to say welcome. Just a few yards inland, many land and marine iguanas shared the same ecosystem with seabirds, such as swallow-tailed gulls and pelicans. Along the cliff we saw frigates, boobies, shearwaters, tropic birds, and petrels gliding along. After breakfast, our guests enjoyed kayaking and swimming from National Geographic Islander II , while others took part in a stretching session with our wellness specialist on board. In the afternoon, we motored to Santa Fe Island to snorkel with sea lions. Our guests were astonished to encounter these creatures and so many multicolor fish so close that we felt part of their aquatic world. Later, we disembarked on a very small beach which is home to a colony of sea lions. Further inland we spotted some Santa Fe land iguanas resting at the foot of giant prickly pear cacti. It was an amazing day! Galapagos is a breathtaking place.
