The giant tortoises of Galápagos are the symbol of the islands and the world’s largest tortoise.
These ancients lumber around the Santa Cruz Highlands (two species) and parts of Isabela (five species). You can also learn about the breeding and preservation programmes on both those islands.
Unique species live in the wild on Santiago, San Cristóbal, Pinzón, Española, and Fernandina islands. A chance encounter in the wild is testimony to the success of the conservation programmes that saved many of these huge creatures from extinction.
The cool season (June to Nov) sees large numbers of tortoises grazing in the lush highlands as they begin their seasonal migration. Tortoises are very active in the warm and wet season (Dec to May) when their babies hatch.
