Santa Cruz Island 4; Puerto Ayora and CDRS

Puerto Ayora, sometimes referred to as Santa Cruz, is on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island. It is the home to Galápagos National Park; this was established in 1959 and began operation in 1968 - it is Ecuador's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also home to the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS).

After an overnight stay in the port harbour and saying goodbye to the rest of the group, as we are on the short Eden tour, we visit both of these sites with another guide. It is a wonderful place to visit, and we see the giant tortoises, albeit not in their natural habitat.

After that, it is a drive over Santa Cruz Island to transfer to Baltra and the flight back to Quito (we overnight here and continue to Colombia the nest day!).

The next morning, we visit La Mariscal Artesanal Market; these photos have been appended to the Quito; City Tour 2 footprint.

The end of our Quito and Galápagos trip to Ecuador; what a fantastic experience it has been, and thoroughly recommended.Read more