The Santa Cruz Highlands tour is one of those experiences that completely changes your perspective of the Galápagos. While most visitors associate the islands with marine life and beaches, the lush, misty highlands of Santa Cruz reveal a dramatically different landscape — one of volcanic tunnels, giant tortoises roaming free, and collapsed craters draped in scalesia forest.
The Lava Tunnels
The highlight for many visitors is descending into the lava tunnels (túneles de lava). These remarkable geological formations were created thousands of years ago when rivers of molten lava flowed downhill — the outer surface cooled and solidified while the interior lava continued flowing, eventually draining out and leaving behind hollow tubes.
The tunnels you'll explore stretch for hundreds of metres underground. Walking through them is surreal: the arched ceilings, the drip formations, the echoing silence. Some sections are tall enough to walk upright; others require ducking. Your guide will explain the geological processes and point out interesting formations along the way.
Tip: The tunnels can be muddy and slippery. Wear closed-toe shoes with good traction. A headlamp or flashlight is helpful, though guides usually provide basic lighting.
Giant Tortoises in the Wild
The second major stop is a private ranch in the highlands where giant Galápagos tortoises roam freely in their natural habitat. Unlike the breeding centre at the Charles Darwin Research Station (where tortoises are in enclosures), here you'll encounter these magnificent creatures grazing in open fields, wallowing in mud pools, and ambling across trails.
Seeing a giant tortoise up close — some weighing over 250 kg and possibly over 100 years old — is profoundly moving. They move at their own unhurried pace, completely indifferent to visitors. You're welcome to photograph them (maintain 2 metres distance), and the setting feels genuinely wild rather than managed.
Most ranch visits include complimentary coffee or juice, and some offer rubber boots to navigate the muddier areas.
Los Gemelos (The Twins)
Many highland tours also visit Los Gemelos, a pair of enormous pit craters flanking the main road through the highlands. These aren't volcanic craters in the traditional sense — they formed when underground magma chambers collapsed, creating deep, forested sinkholes.
A short trail loops around the rim of each crater, passing through beautiful scalesia forest (a tree-sized daisy species found only in the Galápagos). The birdwatching here is excellent: look for vermilion flycatchers (bright red males), Galápagos doves, and several species of Darwin's finches.
Practical Information
- Duration: Half-day (typically 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
- Cost: $40–$80 per person, usually including transport and guide
- What's included: Hotel pickup and drop-off, bilingual naturalist guide, ranch entrance fee, basic refreshments
- What to bring: Closed-toe shoes, rain jacket (the highlands are frequently misty), insect repellent, camera
- Difficulty: Easy — mostly flat walking on trails and paths
Why the Highlands Matter
The highlands tour provides essential context for understanding the Galápagos ecosystem. It shows how volcanic activity shaped the landscape, how altitude creates distinct climate zones on a single island, and why giant tortoises evolved their famous shell shapes. It's the perfect complement to the marine-focused day trips and gives you a much richer understanding of these extraordinary islands.
Whether you're walking through an underground lava tube, locking eyes with a century-old tortoise, or peering into a collapsed crater engulfed in mist, the highlands of Santa Cruz will leave a lasting impression.
