Wake up at a reasonable time and have breakfast at a restaurant in town. One recommended restaurant is Plaza El Jardin Galapagos
Charles Darwin Station When finished, head on over to the Charles Darwin Station, though first check out the Fishing Piers on the way! The Charles Darwin Research Station lies on a protected area of Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos so there are plenty of naturalist guides around. You are free to walk around the center to learn about Darwin, his research, and the island’s wildlife. You may also spend some time at one of the two beaches in the area. However, if you want to tour Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where efforts are being made to protect the Galapagos Giant Tortoise, you must be accompanied by a guide, which costs $10 USD.
After, we should grab some lunch to go. The Galapagos Deli is a quick option where can even order sandwiches to go. Then we can grab a couple of cabs, or a larger minivan to take us on a tour!
Highlands Tour
Tour Highlights: Pit Craters “Los Gemelos”, Lava Tunnels, Giant Tortoise Reserve “Las Primícias”, .Tour Duration: 3 hours of duration
Tour Price: 35-50$ USD per person.
Los Gemelos We start the tour heading to the furthest point on the tour, the lava-made pit craters of “Los Gemelos”, The Twins. They are two craters that were formed when the islands were active and had a lot of volcanic activity that generated several eruptions. Los Gemelos are two large subsidence with very green areas. It is not allowed to eat in this area since the seeds can fall in the crater and germinate, as well as it is not recommended to get close to the edges of the crater.
The view from this point is impressive and you can admire the great dimension of these craters where at some point millions of years ago there was lava. Here you can see endemic birds flying freely and observe the forest and vegetation as well.
Here one can see two valley-shaped pits covered with vegetation. These are amazing formations that resulted from the collapse of ancient lava tunnels. When the lava cooled down and contracted it left behind unstable structures that with time collapsed and let the vegetation take over. Regarding the logistics, the guide explains the science behind this place. One reviewer commented that there were too many people in front of me so it wasn’t possible to hear everything. They spent a maximum 20 minutes in this place.
Lava Tunnels Santa Cruz lava tunnels are a part of the attraction called Reserva el Chato. These tunnels are natural formations of past volcanic eruptions. It is an impressive path created by nature of approximately 2000 meters, but it can only be accessed until a height of 250 meters due to security measures.
Lava Tunnels visit is one of the reasons why Highlands tour is totally worth it. The natural cavern is impressive on the inside. It is humid, so it is recommended to wear sports shoes and walk with care since it can be a bit dark despite the lighting that has been placed.
Identical to the pit craters, these tunnels were also formed after the lava flowing from the volcano cooled down. The part of this lava that got in contact with the oxygen, created a solid outer shell.
That outer shell is the structure that today you get the chance to walk inside.
Once you arrive you go down through a set of stairs and enter a massive nature-made tunnel. You walk for around 10-15 minutes maximum and the guide stops, explains all about the tunnels, and then you start heading back to the entrance.
You have time to take enough photos. It’s not narrow so you shouldn’t feel claustrophobic and it doesn’t look dangerous at all. It's recommended that you avoid the water puddles on the floor and be careful going up and down the entrance stairs.
El Chato Reserve and Rancho Primicias, private reserves on Santa Cruz Island where there is a large population of Galápagos giant tortoises in their natural and state. Within the reserve, there are natural trails full of vegetation where you can walk and and find along the way the giant tortoises. Inside the reserve you can also enjoy a delicious lunch of typical Ecuadorian food and take pictures with the shell of a giant tortoise.
After this tour they can drop us off at the pier in Puerto Ayora.
“Puerto Ayora Fisherman’s Market” - If you walk along the main street next to the waterfront you will arrive at a small jetty where the local fishermen land their catch. In the morning and afternoon many friendly resident sea-lions and pelicans come to eat the fish entrails as the fisherman prepare their fish to sell at market. This is free entertainment at its best.
From late afternoon onwards you can also pick any of the freshly caught fish you see and have it cooked right in front of you at a little barbecue stand. A tasty platter will include some salad and plantain (a tasty thinly sliced grilled local banana) and the meal costs about $10. *Note - Possibly not open on Mondays.
Souvenir Shops - There are numerous souvenir shops that are in the main street area. As well as the usual t-shirts and trinkets, you can find locally made crafts and jewelry. Puerto Ayora is likely where you will buy most of the memorabilia of your trip and gifts for friends and family.