Private Tour: Highlands, Twin Craters & Tortuga Bay—A Review

The Galapagos Islands, they’re almost like a world all their own, are something that people often dream about. When you get the chance to visit, it’s something else. So, recently I had that very stroke of luck. I chose a private tour to really get up close with the area, that took in the Highlands, the Twin Craters, plus Tortuga Bay. It was actually incredible, more than I expected it to be. This review will cover all the specifics, that way you can see if this exact excursion is for you, too.

Off to the Highlands, it’s quite amazing

We started our adventure bright and early, that meant making our way to the Highlands. You know, it’s the area on Santa Cruz Island where things look pretty different. It’s greener and a bit cooler when you compare it to the coast. The transfer from Puerto Ayora was nice and simple. We got right into it with the trip.

Basically, one of the first highlights was spotting some big Galapagos tortoises, they’re so amazing, doing what tortoises do best—eating, plus taking it easy. It was a great chance to see these creatures in their space, doing tortoise things in the wild. The guide shared stories, as well as info on these tortoises, so too it made it super insightful and special.

Something else to keep an eye out for is all the cool birdlife around. With all sorts of finches with different beaks adapted to particular food sources being right there, is just great. A guide telling the whole story of just how wildlife there came to be that way, it gave me a far deeper level of, almost respect, for what was all around me. Getting into the Highlands area is well worth the effort because that way you learn how the distinct terrain of these parts provides so much in the way of various unique sights, too.

Los Gemelos: Witnessing the imposing Twin Craters

Following that trip through the highlands, the next visit was to Los Gemelos, they’re also called the Twin Craters. What I was looking at then was basically giant sinkholes that formed as the lava tunnels down below just caved in over time. They’re basically this dramatic sight amid pretty green forests.

So, the trail that circles around the craters, is that quite easy to manage, it goes right through Scalesia forest. It’s packed full of different birds, as well as plant life. It felt almost a bit mysterious that day. Plus, it’s certainly quiet when you think that this location sees lots of foot traffic, in that you can reflect on how special everything is that you are seeing there.

What really makes these craters very photographable, as well as unforgettable, is that, that very feeling of being enclosed, plus surrounded by some pretty green natural space. Just imagine what it took to create these craters; that is that the way nature slowly made these landmarks that everyone needs to take a moment to think about.

Investigating the lava tubes: Underground Wonders

As for part of the private tour, exploring lava tunnels was very included; these actually form where the surface of lava flow cools. However, what’s happening below continues in motion and drains away, as well as forming the cave-like structures, which were super fun to investigate.

Exploring through these tubes felt almost like you were almost spelunking a bit. This provided a special perspective regarding how the islands were shaped, not to mention I am fairly enthusiastic about caves. Make sure you’ve got some closed-toe footwear when visiting because those floors will get a bit rocky. Also, take into consideration, it is almost damp down in there.

Knowing how lava tunnels came about from a guide, very too, improved just what I was thinking as I wandered down there. In certain caves it might also be, like, if you get really lucky, you may just spot wildlife that is adapted to cave conditions as you investigate, yet remember: Don’t interrupt those local environments while walking around there, so it’s key.

Tortuga Bay: White Sands as well as Marine Iguanas

Following what was up until then an pretty fascinating morning of explorations, very too, then it was time to move towards Tortuga Bay, which is often talked about with good reason as one of Santa Cruz’s nicest stretches of, almost silky smooth, sandy real estate. And that journey down to the bay itself adds to what this trip does offer you too. Walking about two-and-a-half kilometers to Tortuga Bay takes some planning if your plan’s to wear the incorrect gear. So consider what gear will let you feel, very too, a good connection to this great park area.

Once on the beach, that striking very white sand and the bright turquoise ocean are quite great for a walk. Basically, marine iguanas tend to be all over the area, sunbathing or searching around in the shallows to get fed. Remember to never touch marine animals; if not just for preservation then almost that way those animals will continue to get on around you.

Also at Tortuga Bay there’s actually a protected spot, just ideal for some swimming, along with some snorkeling. The waters tend to be crystal clear there. So it lets you easily view white-tipped reef sharks; even sea turtles; which gives folks what turns into an really awesome moment while there in Galapagos Islands.

What can one expect coming in a private tour?

Choosing a private tour provided for an almost more one-on-one kind of feel as opposed to some bigger group tour. This allows you, and lets your guide also, in almost focusing much more carefully in line with exactly what specifically will have you very eager to experience Galapagos. If ever you’ve certain requirements around interests that must be tended to more fully; by choosing the option which caters individually around those tastes—that way the journey is not going, that, like, almost ever get skipped during that timeframe.

Just having somebody to provide all that knowledge plus expertise means having them available to you personally—that too would always deliver value throughout that vacation event overall; also meaning everyone got the full answers that everyone was keen in grasping at that stage or some other along through time throughout one single occasion overall during explorations everywhere we looked.

Suggestions regarding fully optimizing experience there while visiting Galapagos on vacation overall

Always be very respectful with any surrounding terrain for conservation motives while walking at Galapagos during our journeys anywhere, plus throughout—stick carefully onto paths selected because doing, really is an absolute consideration relating to safe journeying practices over everything.

Don’t go forgetting some sunblock or anything similar due to all that equatorial heating—make sure covering those surface locations which otherwise won’t go fully protected over prolonged sun situations over anything over some few periods wherever happening because often days at various periods.

Listen to plus stick carefully to guidelines through professional guides throughout all trips considering often many have already experienced, know more clearly whatever areas may get pretty unsafe regardless due just some natural happenings; basically follow almost verbatim at most moments!

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