San Cristobal Highlands

This tour begins with a trip up to the freshwater El Junco lagoon, located some 19 kilometres from the port of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal. The lagoon, technically, formed as a crater lake to a now extinct volcano, has a diameter of 270 meters a maximum depth of 6 meters, and is unique in the archipelago. It is named after a plant that grows around it, the endemic sedge (Cyperus anderssonii). El Junco is fed exclusively by rainwater. During the dry season its level drops to about 1 meter, while during periods of heavy rainfall it rises above the crater rim, the overflow forming a small stream. The lagoon, surrounded by Miconia, a plant species endemic to the Galapagos Islands, is a popular place with frigate birds, and other avian species making it an excellent place for bird watching.

From the lagoon the tour continue on to, La Galapaguera Tortoise Ranch. This is located near Cerro Colorado, one of the few places where the beautiful pink/white endemic Galapagos rock purslane (Calandrinia galapagosa) can be seen. The ranch was built to enhance the habitat of the island’s tortoise population (Geochelone chatamensis), presenting them with an environment similar to their natural domain. The tortoises of San Cristóbal form one of the eleven distinct such populations in the Galápagos. The visitor center at the ranch explains their natural history, the similarities and differences between the tortoises of San Cristóbal and the others in the archipelago, as well as the current risks they face as a population.

It is not far from La Galapaguera to Puerto Chino beach, where the final 1 km to the shoreline must be covered on foot. This beach is an excellent place to relax and unwind at the end of the tour, and enjoy seabirds flying around in search of food.