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Santa Cruz Highland Tour: Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnel & Gemelos

Location Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
$158.00
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after they redeem the gift voucher.

Overview

This tour will allow you to get to see the highlights of Santa Cruz' Highlands, including the giant tortoises in their natural habitat, an impressive underground lava tunnel and the famous Twin Craters "Los Gemelos". This definitely is a rewarding visit for nature loving people and a must-do when in Galapgos. The lush green scenery of the highlands is in stark contrast to the more arid lowland coasts, providing a very different Galapagos experience.

The experience offers several options. This price includes:

Santa Cruz Tour w/out Pickup
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide

Availability depends on seasonality and number of participants. Bookings can not be made for the same day. Please read our TnC’s.

When giving as a gift, your recipient can choose a date at their convenience during a booking process. Otherwise, you can choose one after checkout and voucher redemption.
Check available dates by emailing us at [email protected]
The experience offers several options, check yours above
  • Entry fee to the tortoise ranch
  • Naturalist guide certified by the National Park
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Other
  • Use of rubber boots if the ground is muddy
  • Private transportation
  • Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point
Our office is located only a few steps from the pier, easiest to find via Google Maps. We can also arrange additional pick-up service from your hotel or from the airport and meet you in the Highlands, please let us know.
Return details
Our office is located only a few steps from the pier, easiest to find via Google Maps. We can also arrange additional pick-up service from your hotel or from the airport and meet you in the Highlands, please let us know.

  • Rancho Primicias
    One of our knowledgeable guides will lead you around the beautiful tortoise ranch Las Primicias, which lies in the Highlands of Santa Cruz, offering a lush contrast to the beaches and arid areas found elsewhere on the island. Here you will be able to observe the famous Giant Galapagos Tortoise roaming in its natural habitat, taking a bath in one of the many water holes, having a good bite of green grass or, if you get very lucky, even mating. You will be able to be as close to them as possible (don't forget 2 meters distance!) and your guide will be happy to help you to take great photos of you posing with these fascinating giants. You will learn a lot about their behaviour, their predators, and basically everything there is know learn - and of course there will be sufficient time to ask questions and to taste a cup of the delicious organic coffee produced by the family who owns this place. You will get rubber boots if it is raining or if the ground is muddy.
  • Lava Tunnel
    The second stop will be a cavernous underground Lava Tunnel where you can climb down (easy access with steps) one of the geological wonders of the volcanic islands of Galapagos. Seeing this impressive place and the explanations of your naturalist guide, help to understand the immense force that these lava flows had. You can either turn back and exit the tunnel the same way you came down, or you can walk through the tunnel (not recommend for someone with back/mobility problems or claustrophobia as there is one very tight spot where you basically need to crawl through) and meet the rest of the group on the other side.
  • Los Gemelos
    The last stop on this tour will be "Los Gemelos", meaning the Twins; which are two massive twin craters (actually huge lava collapses - your naturalist guide will explain you a lot more about it). To better appreciate their scale, Los Gemelos measure approximately 1 mile in diameter, with a depth of 280 meters. The dark grey volcanic walls contrast wonderfully with the green vegetation, but you’ll need a wide angle lens to fit it all into one shot. The two viewpoints over these massive lava collapses showcase the breathtaking landscape, and there is plenty of interesting birdlife to look out for too as this dense forest is home to a good variety of Galapagos bird species. An impressive 8 of the 13 Darwin Finch species can be spotted here. Your guide will show you how to identify them correctly. Bird watchers can also spot eye-catching vermillion flycatchers, Short-eared owls (if lucky!), the pretty Galapagos dove and more.

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Travel time is included on the total tour duration.
  • All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
  • How it works?
    01 You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
    02 We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
    03 Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!

    Santa Cruz Highland Tour: Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnel & Gemelos

    Location Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
    $158.00
    This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after they redeem the gift voucher.
    How it works?
    01 You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
    02 We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
    03 Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!
    Delivery options
    eVoucher
    • Free
    • Instant delivery
    • Environmentally friendly
    Physical Gift Box
    • $10.00 fee
    • 2-5 business days
    • Shipping Worldwide

    No expiration date
    Easy refund
    Free exchange
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