Just a short drive from the golden sands of the Santa Cruz beaches, find yourself in a completely different habitat as you explore the many attractions of the highlands on the Galapagos Islands. Visit a local hacienda, where giant tortoises roam freely, grazing tranquilly on the highland vegetation. Then it's off to the lava tunnels, where you can walk through naturally formed caves left when lava flows hardened. You next stop is a trek through a dense scalesia forest to twin sinkholes that formed when the massive calderas of extinct calderas collapsed. Though it takes just under an hour to cross the entire island of Santa Cruz from the northern Itabaca Channel through the highlands to Puerto Ayora on the southern shore, the highlands are a world of their own, just waiting to be explored. Contact us to start planning!

Top 10 Highland Tours of Santa Cruz for 2020-2021

Name: Highlands Tours & Travel
Brand: Adventure Life
Rating: 4.9 (393 reviews)

North & Central Islands

4 Days from $1,842

This quick, economical cruise is short on days, but big on amazing wildlife to view such as the Galapagos giant tortoise, marine iguanas and playful sea lions. Set sail upon the comfortable Galapagos Legend with 100 guests, a pool, and several luxury-class amenities.

Northern Islands Cruise

5 Days from $4,889

Board the Elite for a 5-Day sailing expedition across one of the most unique archipelagos on the planet, the Galapagos Islands. Experience the beauty and natural charm of these volcanic islands while visiting Santa Cruz, Genovesa, Rabida and San Cristobal.

Northern Islands

5 Days from $4,666

Board the La Pinta and sail through the Northern Islands of the Galapagos. This 5-day adventure takes you to Santa Cruz, Bartolome, and Genovesa. Enjoy sea lions, sea birds, and giant Galapagos tortoises which first made this island archipelago famous!

North & Central Islands

5 Days from $4,595

Enjoy an extensive adventure into the unique world of the Galapagos on this incredible 5-day journey. Admire the incredible natural beauty of this archipelago sailing pass Baltra, Rabida, Santiago, Genovesa, Santa Cruz and more!

Sea lion on the beach of Espanola Island

Northern Islands 2021

Santa Cruz to Baltra
5 Days from $3,820

Get close to giant tortoises on a tour of the Northern Islands. From tortoises to boobies, hawks to sea lions, this northern itinerary makes for a truly memorable 5 days in the Galapagos.

Curious sea lion during a snorkeling outing

Western Galapagos Islands Cruise

5 Days from $2,455

This 5-day all inclusive Galapagos cruise aboard the Coral I or II yachts explore the central and western islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela and Fernandina. Hike among dramatic volcanic landscapes filled with wildlife, and snorkel among marine iguanas, sea turtles, playful sea lions, colorful schools of fish, sharks, and even penguins!

Central Islands + Genovesa

South Plaza Island to North Seymour
5 Days from $2,087

This specially-designed 5-day cruise gives the entire family a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience. Enjoy the opportunity to explore the western islands of the archipelago as a naturalist guide reveals to you its magical secrets. Wonder at ancient tortoises, snorkel with sea lions, and kayak surrounded by endemic species.

Southern Islands

Highlands to Bachas Beach
5 Days from $2,087

This 5-day cruise of Galapagos' Southern Islands on the Bonita yacht explores the islands of Espanola, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and more. Kayak and paddle board along island shores, swim and snorkel among sea lions, and enjoy breathtaking views on hikes.

Galapagos Habitat

Hotel-Based Tour
3 Days from $1,300

Explore the Galapagos Island of Santa Cruz and her neighboring islands while relaxing in a comfortable beachfront hotel. This 3-day vacation balances activity and relaxation perfectly in one of the world's premier wildlife-viewing destinations.

Central Islands Cruise

8 Days from $7,829

Enjoy the highlights of San Cristobal, Española, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Santiago and Genovesa islands on this incredible 8-day adventure aboard the Elite. There is an endless list of activities to make this an unforgettable trip including snorkeling, roaming volcanic landscapes, and observing the native wildlife.

Santa Cruz Highlands Travel Guide

All Highlands Articles

Getting to the Highlands
All of our cruises and tours of the Galapagos Islands are all-inclusive, so you will never have to worry about transportation. If you are touring the highlands as your first stop after arriving, then you may meet a taxi after crossing the Itabaca Channel from the Baltra Island airport. The taxi will take you right to your Highlands visitor site. Traveling from Puerto Ayora, you will likely arrive with your travel group on a motor coach or open air bus.

Activities in the Santa Cruz Highlands

Los Gemelos- Meaning "Twins," in Spanish, these two massive sinkholes are a sight to behold, where you can hike through a scalesia forest to see the extinct remains of two volcanoes that collapsed.
Lava Tunnels - Another impressive volcanic feature of the highlands are the lava tunnels, naturally hollowed out geologic features that created tunnels when the flowing surface lava hardened over hot magma that continued to flow underneath.
El Chato Ranch- Walk through the green pastures of this highland hacienda where giant tortoises roam in their natural habitat.

Conservation Challenges in the Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands face serious challenges for the long-term survival of their marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Some of these challenges are summarized below, as well as some ideas for how ecotourism helps and how you can help make a difference!

Galapagos Wildlife

Wildlife has evolved in the Galapagos to create some of the world's most bizarre -- and fearless -- creatures. See Darwin's theory of evolution in action as you swim alongside marine iguanas, watch ancient tortoises slowly roam, kayak past playful sea lions, and hike among blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos Islands.

Wildlife viewing on the Galapagos: Marine Iguanas

Galapagos Reptiles

Lizards, turtles, and tortoises characterize the Galapagos Islands. In fact, the Spanish word "Galapago" literally refers to the saddle shape of the giant tortoise's shell. And the endemic marine iguana is the only sea-going lizard, its features undeniable proof of Darwin's theory of evolution. The landscape is dominated by these ancient reptiles.

The Galapagos Islands: Saving a World Heritage

Did you know that you give back to the Galapagos Islands just by traveling with Adventure Life? Learn how your trip actually helps preserve the delicate ecology of the islands. Conservation is vital in the Galapagos, and by traveling with us you are playing an active role in the solution.

Highlands Videos

All Highlands Videos

Galapagos Highlands Travel Stories

All Highlands Travel Stories

The Epic Galapagos Adventures of Lina & Giles

Kevin's Galapagos Trip

Top Highlands Cruises and Tours Deals for 2020-2021

Trip Name	Save	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
East & Central Islands	$1445	$7225	8	Aug 8, 2020	Board the M/T Camila for a Galapagos circumnavigation tour. This 8-day adventure visits the islands of San Cristobal, Espanola, Rabida, Genovesa, and … 0
Island Circumnavigation	$1445	$7225	8	Aug 15, 2020	This 8-day cruise offers incredible snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking adventures all around the Galapagos archipelago in style. Gourmet cuisine, the … 0
North & Central Islands	$919	$4595	5	Aug 11, 2020	Enjoy an extensive adventure into the unique world of the Galapagos on this incredible 5-day journey. Admire the incredible natural beauty of this … 0
Central Islands Cruise	$1000	$7829	8	Aug 15, 2020	Enjoy the highlights of San Cristobal, Española, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Santiago and Genovesa islands on this incredible 8-day adventure aboard the … 0
Northern Islands Cruise	$500	$4889	5	Aug 18, 2020	Board the Elite for a 5-Day sailing expedition across one of the most unique archipelagos on the planet, the Galapagos Islands. Experience the beauty … 0
Northern Galapagos Journey	Savings	$3399	5	Aug 9, 2020	Travel through the Northern Islands of the Galapagos aboard the Sea Star Journey. Observe colonies of sea lions and penguins, experience incredible … 0