NHA's Wild Tortoise Camp

Location
Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands

In our constant quest to provide our guests with exclusive and exciting immersions in nature, we are pleased to include a unique one-night deluxe camping excursion on our Classic Galapagos Adventures. Traveling from the sea into the highlands of Santa Cruz, we reach NHA's exclusive Wild Tortoise Camp, perched high on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Here amidst lush mountains, scalesia forest and volcanic caves—natural habitat for wild tortoises—guests enjoy an intimate encounter with nature found nowhere else in the Galapagos.

As our ship enters Itabeca Canal, we dock to disembark and travel into the highlands by motor vehicle. The environs around our campsite are home to several dozen giant tortoises. While we tend to see more of them from June to December, we find tortoises here almost year-round.

In this secluded natural setting, we'll enjoy a night of first-class "camping" high atop Santa Cruz Island, where the sounds of nature and the starry skies overhead are the backdrop for a savory dinner served in the camp's covered, open-air lounge and dining area. A fire crackles in the grate for added ambience. Our unique accommodations are in either individual tree houses or semi-permanent, raised walk-in tents reminiscent of an African safari camp—but with tortoises! Guests share two bathhouses that have flush toilets and hot showers.

In the morning, after a light breakfast, we continue on our marine-based journey through the Galapagos, appreciating the chance we have had to enjoy a truly unique experience! 

Please note: At times, the camp may be closed due to poor weather conditions.  A stay at NHA's Wild Tortoise Camp is included on all of our 2014 Galapagos Hiking and Kayaking trips.  An optional stay is also included with all 2013 and 2014 Classic, Photo and Family Galapagos trips.

Please keep in mind that while accommodations at our Wild Tortoise Camp include real beds and shared showers and bathrooms, this is very much like a camping situation with a “roughing it” element. Also, should the weather be rainy, as in all camping situations, the experience can become more challenging.