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Giant Land Tortoise

Highlands Cruises & Tours

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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!
Best Galapagos Cruises & Tours

Top 10 Highland Tours of Santa Cruz for 2025-2026

Best Galapagos Cruises & Tours

10 Best Highland Luxury Tours of Santa Cruz for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
Northern Galapagos Catamaran Cruise $5,190 5 May 27, 2025 The Ocean Spray luxury catamaran takes you on a 5-day Galapagos Northern Islands cruise, exploring Genovesa, South Plaza, Mosquero, and Santiago. Light hiking, pristine snorkeling, and swimming with sea lions and penguins make this trip the perfect luxury Galapagos vacation package.
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Southern & Northern Islands $11,695 7 May 26, 2025 Join the 7-Day Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise in the Eastern & Central Galapagos, beginning on San Cristóbal Island. Explore Tijeretas, Gardner Bay, Punta Suárez, and Floreana. Snorkel at Champion Islet, then visit Genovesa Island. Conclude at Black Turtle Cove, disembarking in Baltra, marking the end of your unforgettable journey.
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Private Charter - Island Circumnavigation Aboard Galapagos Horizon $126,450 8 Jun 14, 2025 This 8-day private cruise offers incredible snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking adventures all around the Galapagos archipelago in style. Gourmet cuisine, the best guides, and spacious & stylish cabins guarantee a top-notch luxury cruising experience second to none.
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Northwestern Islands $12,995 8 May 15, 2025 Embark on an 8-day Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise in the Northwestern Galapagos Islands. Explore unique wildlife, including giant tortoises and lava tunnels. Visit Cerro Dragón, Chinese Hat, Genovesa, and more. Enjoy birdwatching, snorkeling, and diverse wildlife encounters. Finally, visit North Seymour before heading to Baltra for your flight home.
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Central Islands Cruise $9,990 8 May 17, 2025 Discover 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.
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East & Central Islands $9,445 8 May 24, 2025 Board the Galapagos Horizon for a Galapagos circumnavigation tour. This 8-day adventure visits the islands of San Cristobal, Espanola, Rabida, Genovesa, and North Seymour, and offers stunning encounters with wildlife. Immerse yourself in the clear blue water, and witness ever-curious sea lions, and famed blue-footed boobies.
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Island Circumnavigation $9,445 8 Jun 14, 2025 This 8-day cruise offers incredible snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking adventures all around the Galapagos archipelago in style. Gourmet cuisine, the best guides, and spacious & stylish cabins guarantee a top-notch luxury cruising experience second to none.
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Private Charter - East & Central Islands Aboard Galapagos Horizon $126,450 8 May 24, 2025 This 8-day adventure visits the islands of San Cristobal, Espanola, Rabida, Genovesa, and North Seymour, and offers stunning encounters with wildlife. Board the Galapagos Horizon on this private charter cruise for an unforgettable voyage exploring the Galapagos' landscapes and wildlife.
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Central East & Southern Islands $12,995 8 May 22, 2025 Explore Central East & Southern Islands on this 8-day cruise aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise. Visit Baltra and meet giant tortoises. Enjoy geological wonders and encounter diverse wildlife on Rábida, Bartolomé, South Plaza, and Santa Fe. End at Fausto Llerena Breeding Center to see Galápagos tortoises and support conservation efforts.
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Diving Galapagos $7,395 8 May 18, 2025 Embark on this 8-day cruise aboard the Galapagos Sky. Enjoy scuba diving adventures in some of the best spots in the world. Tour Bartolome and dive in Cousins Rocks, Wolf Island, Darwin Island and more. Experience wildlife in and out of the water on this scuba tour.
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Top 6 Highlands Cruises and Tours Deals for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
Enchanted Escape $5,995 5 May 21, 2025 Experience the exciting 5-day South & East Enchanted Escape Galapagos Islands cruise aboard Tribute. Encounter giant tortoises in Santa Cruz, sea lions at Mosquera, and 'Galapagos dragons' at South Plaza. Visit Post Office Bay, Baroness Lookout, and El Soplador. Conclude with the Interpretation Center visit on San Cristobal island before departure.
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Northern Islands $4,256 5 May 26, 2025 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.
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Southern Islands II $4,245 5 Jun 05, 2025 Explore Santa Cruz's highlands, Suarez Point, Gardner Bay's white-sand beaches, and Santa Fe Island's scenic trails during this 5-day Southern Galapagos cruise aboard the Galapagos Angel. Conclude your journey with a visit to the Dragon Hill, encountering wildlife and relaxation along the way.
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Western Islands $6,650 6 May 24, 2025 Join Galaxy Sirius on a 6-day Galapagos cruise to encounter an incredible array of wildlife, from giant tortoises to playful sea lions. Visit Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, and Santiago, and enjoy activities such as snorkeling, hiking, and wildlife spotting. Expert guides share their knowledge and passion, ensuring an unforgettable journey.
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Western Islands $4,000 6 May 14, 2025 Enjoy a 6-day cruise in the Western Galapagos Islands aboard the Galaxy, where you can explore enchanting landscapes teeming with unique wildlife, including giant tortoises, flamingos, iguanas, and sharks. The islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, and Santiago offer an extensive array of activities for you to experience.
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Private Charter - Western Islands Aboard Galaxy $60,800 6 May 14, 2025 Enjoy a 6-day private cruise in the Western Galapagos Islands aboard the Galaxy, where you can explore enchanting landscapes teeming with unique wildlife, including giant tortoises, flamingos, iguanas, and sharks. The islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, and Santiago offer an extensive array of activities for you to experience.
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Santa Cruz Highlands Travel Guide

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.
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