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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
Young Nazca Booby with hikers

Southern Islands

4 Days from $2,745
Explore Santa Cruz's highlands, Suarez Point, Gardner Bay's white-sand beaches, and Santa Fe Island's scenic trails during this 4-day Southern Galapagos cruise aboard the Galapagos Angel. Conclude your journey with a visit to the Black Turtle Cove, encountering wildlife and relaxation along the way.
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Giant tortoises in the Galapagos

Private Charter - Southern Islands Aboard Galapagos Angel

4 Days from $38,450
Explore Santa Cruz's highlands, Suarez Point, Gardner Bay's white-sand beaches, and Santa Fe Island's scenic trails during this 4-day private Southern Galapagos cruise aboard the Galapagos Angel. Conclude your journey with a visit to the Black Turtle Cove, encountering wildlife and relaxation along the way.
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The iconic feet of a Blue-Footed Booby

Private Charter - Central Islands + Genovesa Aboard Bonita

5 Days from $41,040
Journey to the western islands of the Galapagos archipelago on this 5-day cruise designed for families with children, visiting Genovesa, Santa Cruz, and Bartolome! Encounter the archipelago's unique wildlife in their natural habitat and take the opportunity to snorkel in pristine waters, swim with sea lions, and see the famed Galapagos tortoises.
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Sea lions on Fernandina Island

Southern Islands

5 Days from $2,700
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.
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Colorful South Plaza Island

Central Islands + Genovesa

5 Days from $2,700
Embark on a 5-day Galapagos cruise aboard Bonita. Witness South Plazas' wildlife, explore Black Turtle Cove's mangroves, visit highlands for Giant tortoises, and discover Genovesa's seabird colonies. Experience the volcanic landscapes of Bartolome with penguins and frigatebirds. Marvel at unique fauna on this remarkable island adventure.
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Bonita Galapagos Yatch

Private Charter - Southern Islands Aboard Bonita

5 Days from $41,040
This 5-day private 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.
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Sea lions being lazy on the beach

Enchanted Escape

5 Days from $5,995
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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Dry Landing at Dragon's Hill

Southern Islands II

5 Days from $4,245
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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A pair of friendly sea lions

Northern Islands

5 Days from $5,870
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!
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Oyster catcher shore bird

Western Islands

6 Days from $4,000
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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10 Best Highland Luxury Tours of Santa Cruz for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Summary
Central East Islands $8,195 5 Set sail on a 5-day cruise from Baltra to San Cristobal aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise in the Central East Galapagos Islands. Explore Santa Cruz's highlands and lava tunnels, Rábida's red sand beach, Bartolomé's volcanic panoramas, and South Plaza's land iguanas. Discover more flora and fauna while enjoying up-close wildlife encounters.
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North & Central Islands $5,845 5 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!
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Northern Galapagos Catamaran Cruise $5,190 5 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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Private Charter - North & Central Islands Aboard Galapagos Horizon $82,450 5 Enjoy an extensive adventure into the unique world of the Galapagos on this incredible 5-day private journey. Admire the incredible natural beauty of this archipelago, sailing to Baltra, Rabida, Santiago, Genovesa, Santa Cruz and more!
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Central Islands Cruise $9,990 8 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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Diving Galapagos $7,395 8 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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Western Islands $6,190 6 Experience Galapagos penguins, Elizabeth Bay and more on a cruise through the Western Islands. Enjoy hiking, snorkeling and dinghy rides on this 6-day Galapagos tour.
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West & Central Islands + Genovesa $9,990 8 Embark on an 8-day Galapagos cruise aboard the M/C Endemic. Visit key locations like Santa Cruz, Isabela, Genovesa, and Fernandina. Hike volcanic terrain, snorkel with sea life, and spot rare birds and tortoises. This 8-day itinerary includes guided activities, landings, and wildlife viewing across diverse ecosystems.
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Northern Islands Cruise $6,190 5 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.
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Southern & Northern Islands $11,695 7 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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Top 6 Highlands Cruises and Tours Deals for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Summary
Northern Islands $4,256 5 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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Western Islands $5,100 6 Set sail on a 6-day expedition aboard EcoGalaxy through the western Galapagos Islands. Visit Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, and Santiago. Snorkel with penguins, turtles, and sea lions, and hike to see iguanas, flamingoes, and flightless cormorants in their natural habitats.
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Northeast Islands $4,050 5
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Galapagos Southeast Islands $3,233 5 This affordable 5-day Galapagos cruise aboard the Coral I or II explores the southeastern and central islands of the Galapagos including San Cristobal, Española, Floreana & Santa Cruz. Encounter fearless wildlife like giant tortoises and marine iguanas, and snorkel in the crystalline Galapagos waters viewing colorful fish, sharks, rays, and sea turtles.
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Eastern Islands II $3,195 5 Embark on a 5-day exciting cruise through the eastern islands of the Galapagos. Meet Galapagos giant turtles, climb to the Baroness Lookout Point, snorkel with sea turtles and sharks, and visit one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin. These volcanic and wildlife-rich islands are an ideal place to spend your vacations!
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Western Islands $5,200 6 Embark the Alya on this 6-day catamaran cruise of the Western Galapagos Islands, visiting some of the most popular sites including the Tortoise Breeding Center on Santa Cruz, snorkeling in Elizabeth Bay on Isabela, kayaking around Urbina Bay at Fernandina, and hiking the Chinese Hat Islet near the southeast coast of Santiago, plus much more!
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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.
Massive Tortoise up close

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!
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Galapagos tortoises

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.
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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.
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Marine Iguana with ship

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.
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Galapagos Tortoise, El Chato Reserve

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