|
ISABELA ISLAND
Comprised of five volcanos fused together by eruptions and time , mighty Isabela is by far the largest of all the Galápagos islands . Despite having more land than the rest of the islands combined , its population is only around 3,000 , almost all of whom live in the coastal village of Puerto Villamil . From there , it ’ s possible to hike into the Galápagos National Park to visit a former penal colony , or to join an organized tour up to the dramatic volcanic summit of Sierra Negra .
Arriving on a cruise ship will open up more of the island and grant access to its far-flung northern shores . In those locations there ’ s a decent chance of spotting both Galápagos penguins and flightless cormorants , two of the rarer endemic species on the islands . Isabela is also home to the pink land iguana . One of the most endangered animals on the planet , it lives exclusively on the slopes of a single volcano , meaning the species is just one eruption away from annihilation .
|
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
The most populous island on the Galápagos , Santa Cruz is written off by some as being overdeveloped . While there are undoubtedly signs of that around the large town of Puerto Ayora , a cycle into the highlands will reveal an island that still has plenty of wilderness . There ’ s a thriving population of giant tortoises meandering through the pastoral land , much used for growing coffee , which has a growing reputation for excellence . Some of the farms allow visits and tours of their lands .
The islands ’ best hotels are also dotted around Puerto Ayora , but if you don ’ t mind a bit of a walk in your flip flops , there ’ s an outstanding day trip to be had by visiting the magnificent Tortuga Bay . A yawning beach with sand the color and texture of talcum powder , it ’ s as popular with surfers as it is with brown pelicans , marine iguanas , and colorful sally lightfoot crabs . If you don ’ t want to walk back to town , water taxis are an option .
|
Clockwise from above : Galápagos tortoise ; Galápagos sea lions sunbathing on Espanola Island ; selling fish at the market in Puerto Ayora , Santa Cruz |
images : getty ; alamy |
44 // pos t c a rds |