Santa Cruz Island Tours & Trip Packages
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Santa Cruz Island Tours & Trips

27 Santa Cruz Island trips. Tours from 13 tour companies. 806 reviews. 5/5 avg rating.

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27 Trips match your criteria (1 - 20 shown)

Classic Galapagos: Central Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

Classic Galapagos: Central Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

By Peregrine Adventures
preferred
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
Since their founding in 1977 by trekkers exploring Nepal, they’ve maintained a strong connection to local culture and the “traveler spirit”.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Charles Darwin Research Station, Darwin, Galapagos, Isabela Island, Puerto Villamil, Quito, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Island, Santiago

Highlights

  • As you board your vessel, m.y grand queen beatriz, and follow in the footsteps of charles darwin, you will encounter nature at its finest.
  • Explore the islands from on deck, on foot and in the water, no doubt with your eyes open for your next unique sight.
  • You'll encounter giant galapagos tortoises, blue-footed and masked boobies, pelicans and frigate birds, as well as land and marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals and perhaps dolphins, whales and sea turtles.

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"My first trip with this agency, and I will not hesitate to recommend it to friends and family. The right mix of planned activities and free time. Good central location of all the hotels. The only fly in the ointment was the last hotel where there were vibration and noise in several rooms and the hotel staff was extremely arrogant and rude. They blatantly asserted looking me right in the eye that they cannot hear any noise, even though more than one person from our group was complaining. However. Tucan's guide Cindy was extremely helpful and did her best to resolve the situation, in spite of the hotel staff's behaviour. On the whole, Cindy was great, very helpful and caring."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
--36%$8,025
10 days From$10,938
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Galapagos Explorer: Central Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

Galapagos Explorer: Central Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

By Peregrine Adventures
preferred
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
Since their founding in 1977 by trekkers exploring Nepal, they’ve maintained a strong connection to local culture and the “traveler spirit”.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Charles Darwin Research Station, Darwin, Galapagos, Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil, Isla Baltra, Quito, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Island, Santiago

Highlights

  • Follow in the footsteps of past explorers and cruise the marvellous galapagos on board your comfortable vessel, the m/y grand queen beatriz.
  • Explore the central islands from your upper decks, on foot and perhaps in the water on a snorkelling experience, keeping your eyes peeled for the next wildlife sighting.
  • Have the chance to learn about the lives and conservation efforts of the giant tortoise on a group excursion to the charles darwin research station.
  • Galapagos penguins, land and marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, pintail ducks, sea lions – you'll be spotting this and so much more on your cruising expeditions.
  • With a trained and licensed galapagos guide joining you each step of this adventure, learn all about the flora and fauna of this incredible ecosystem.

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"My first trip with this agency, and I will not hesitate to recommend it to friends and family. The right mix of planned activities and free time. Good central location of all the hotels. The only fly in the ointment was the last hotel where there were vibration and noise in several rooms and the hotel staff was extremely arrogant and rude. They blatantly asserted looking me right in the eye that they cannot hear any noise, even though more than one person from our group was complaining. However. Tucan's guide Cindy was extremely helpful and did her best to resolve the situation, in spite of the hotel staff's behaviour. On the whole, Cindy was great, very helpful and caring."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
--21%$5,975
7 days From$7,253
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Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

By Peregrine Adventures
preferred
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
Since their founding in 1977 by trekkers exploring Nepal, they’ve maintained a strong connection to local culture and the “traveler spirit”.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Darwin, Galapagos, Galapagos Islands, Isla Santa Fe, Quito, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fe

Highlights

  • As you board your vessel, m/y grand queen beatriz, and follow in the footsteps of charles darwin, you will encounter nature at its finest.
  • Explore the islands from on deck, on foot and in the water, no doubt with your eyes open for your next unique sight.
  • This is indeed the galapagos journey with something for everyone.

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"My first trip with this agency, and I will not hesitate to recommend it to friends and family. The right mix of planned activities and free time. Good central location of all the hotels. The only fly in the ointment was the last hotel where there were vibration and noise in several rooms and the hotel staff was extremely arrogant and rude. They blatantly asserted looking me right in the eye that they cannot hear any noise, even though more than one person from our group was complaining. However. Tucan's guide Cindy was extremely helpful and did her best to resolve the situation, in spite of the hotel staff's behaviour. On the whole, Cindy was great, very helpful and caring."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
--35%$5,370
7 days From$7,248
More
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Quito & The Astonishing Galapagos

Quito & The Astonishing Galapagos

By Great Value Vacations
preferred
4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos, Otavalo, Quito, San Francisco, Santa Cruz Island

Highlights

  • Quito City Tour with Equatorial Line Monument (6 hours)
  • Otavalo Indian Market Tour (full-day)
  • Santa Cruz Highlands Tour with lunch (en-route to Puerto Ayora hotel)
  • Full-day boat excursion, with lunch

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Great value package says breakfast included. But cosmos and tour guide said no breakfast included. Also all six day between 4pm-5pm we were given to go our own. There was lot to see according to attractions on cosmos. I think they should include more attractions. Overall ok trip definitely can be improved."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
8 days From$2,950
Price was last confirmed this year
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Chile & Argentina Wine Experience

Chile & Argentina Wine Experience

By Great Value Vacations
preferred
4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Andes Mountains, Buenos Aires, Casablanca, Los Cardones National Park, Mendoza, Mount Aconcagua, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz Island, Santiago, Valparaiso

Highlights

  • Santiago City Tour
  • Wine Tour in the Uco Valley with lunch (8 hours)
  • Cooking Class & Lunch at a Lujan de Cuyo Winery (6 hours)
  • Day tour to Cachi Village including land transfer to Cafayate
  • Dinner and Tango Show at La Ventana with 1 hour wine tasting
Show more

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"Great value package says breakfast included. But cosmos and tour guide said no breakfast included. Also all six day between 4pm-5pm we were given to go our own. There was lot to see according to attractions on cosmos. I think they should include more attractions. Overall ok trip definitely can be improved."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
12 days From$4,911
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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Galápagos Expedition: Darwin’s Playground, Central and North

Galápagos Expedition: Darwin’s Playground, Central and North

By Quark Expeditions
none
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Galapagos, Guayaquil, Isla Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz Island

Highlights

  • Snorkel with sea lions, marine iguanas and sea turtles, walk among giant Galapagos tortoises, and see one of the largest bird populations on Genovesa Island
  • Explore volcanic islands, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Zodiac cruise through the Black Turtle Cove mangroves
  • Enjoy this journey on its own, or as part of an epic adventure combined with an Antarctic Explorer expedition

Themes

Birding, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Zodiac trips are fantastic. The whale watching is amazing."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
10 days From$5,998
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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Colours of Ecuador: Quito, the Highlands & Galapagos

Colours of Ecuador: Quito, the Highlands & Galapagos

By Audley Travel
preferred
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Galapagos, Otavalo, Quito, Santa Cruz Island

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I recently booked a trip to Japan with Audley Travel, and unfortunately, my experience was far from satisfactory. While the initial booking process was smooth and included clear communication via phone calls, the overall experience was disappointing, especially considering the high cost. The initial booking process was straightforward, and I had a couple of phone calls to clearly describe my essential needs for the trip. Communication before the trip was generally fine, but there were notable issues. Audley was unable to confirm all accommodation details, particularly my request for booking connecting rooms for a 4-person family. Instead, we were often crammed into a small room, which was far from ideal. Additionally, I had specifically requested kid-friendly hotels that offered western menu options. This was not the case at our last stop, where the hotel provided exclusively traditional Japanese food, which was not suitable for my family. One significant problem was the overwhelming amount of information provided, both printed and online. Unfortunately, this information was often inconsistent and riddled with mistakes. The tour guides we worked with received different itineraries, causing confusion and frustration. Even worse, the itinerary included activities that were not actually booked, despite being paid for. The same issue occurred with accommodation specifics. Had I known they were not going to be able to book per my request (which they had claimed to be working on), I would have challenged the overall cost and probably used a different provider. During the trip, Audley's support was severely lacking. We repeatedly tried to contact them for solutions to various issues but received no response. Audley works with a local partner in Japan, but they were limited in their ability to resolve our problems and often directed us back to Audley. This resulted in a frustrating loop of no solutions and a waste of time. It also appears that Audley is very short-staffed. We received an out-of-office notice from the person who booked our trip, and no backup or alternative assistance was offered. This lack of support is unacceptable, given the price we paid for their services. Audley Travel also failed to point out important festivals happening on the dates of our travel. This was a significant oversight and something one would definitely expect a competent travel agency to handle. To their credit, Audley Travel did a decent job with very basic needs such as train ticket bookings and airport pickups. However, for everything else, their service was far below expectations. In acknowledgment of their shortcomings, Audley Travel issued a refund, but it was not commensurate with the impact these issues had on our trip. Overall, I do not recommend Audley Travel and will not be booking with them again."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
13 days From$7,248
Price updated 1 year+ ago
More
Galapagos from Ashore

Galapagos from Ashore

By Audley Travel
preferred
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Galapagos, Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fe

Highlights

  • Carefully step past sleeping sea lions on a pristine beach.
  • See the famous Galapagos giant tortoises at close quarters.
  • Spot marine iguanas, land iguanas and a feast of fearless birdlife.
  • Explore the old town of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Themes

Birding, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I recently booked a trip to Japan with Audley Travel, and unfortunately, my experience was far from satisfactory. While the initial booking process was smooth and included clear communication via phone calls, the overall experience was disappointing, especially considering the high cost. The initial booking process was straightforward, and I had a couple of phone calls to clearly describe my essential needs for the trip. Communication before the trip was generally fine, but there were notable issues. Audley was unable to confirm all accommodation details, particularly my request for booking connecting rooms for a 4-person family. Instead, we were often crammed into a small room, which was far from ideal. Additionally, I had specifically requested kid-friendly hotels that offered western menu options. This was not the case at our last stop, where the hotel provided exclusively traditional Japanese food, which was not suitable for my family. One significant problem was the overwhelming amount of information provided, both printed and online. Unfortunately, this information was often inconsistent and riddled with mistakes. The tour guides we worked with received different itineraries, causing confusion and frustration. Even worse, the itinerary included activities that were not actually booked, despite being paid for. The same issue occurred with accommodation specifics. Had I known they were not going to be able to book per my request (which they had claimed to be working on), I would have challenged the overall cost and probably used a different provider. During the trip, Audley's support was severely lacking. We repeatedly tried to contact them for solutions to various issues but received no response. Audley works with a local partner in Japan, but they were limited in their ability to resolve our problems and often directed us back to Audley. This resulted in a frustrating loop of no solutions and a waste of time. It also appears that Audley is very short-staffed. We received an out-of-office notice from the person who booked our trip, and no backup or alternative assistance was offered. This lack of support is unacceptable, given the price we paid for their services. Audley Travel also failed to point out important festivals happening on the dates of our travel. This was a significant oversight and something one would definitely expect a competent travel agency to handle. To their credit, Audley Travel did a decent job with very basic needs such as train ticket bookings and airport pickups. However, for everything else, their service was far below expectations. In acknowledgment of their shortcomings, Audley Travel issued a refund, but it was not commensurate with the impact these issues had on our trip. Overall, I do not recommend Audley Travel and will not be booking with them again."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
11 days From$6,150
Price updated 1 year+ ago
More

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Santa Cruz Island Reviews & Ratings

5/5  Excellent
806  Reviews
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Excellent
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G

Gary

Jun 2024

Written on

Galapagos - Central & West Islands aboard the Treasure

Beware that you need a wet suite to snorkel and the charge is $65. In my opinion this is a rip off as without you would struggle to be in the water for very long. Al...

Tour:  Galapagos - Central & West Islands aboard the Treasure

S

Sheila

Nov 2019

Written on

Fantastic Galapagos Trip!

My friend and I were on the late May 2019 Galapagos Unbound trip - fantastic! Our trip leader was amazing and all the Galapagos guides were super friendly and knowle...

Tour:  Galapagos Unbound

M

Mogs

Oct 2019

Written on

Galapagos Unbound - Wonderful

My memories of this trip are of snorkeling with sea lion pups and giggling so hard I inhaled seawater - it was totally worth it! The guides were smart, knowledgeable...

Tour:  Galapagos Unbound

P

Phil

Oct 2019

Written on

I had a fabulous trip

My wife and I had a fabulous trip last February with Row Adventures. Row covered everything from day one to the end. The guides (Patricia Barberan especially) were g...

Tour:  Galapagos Unbound

M

Mark

Oct 2019

Written on

Galapagos Unbound - Outstanding

This is a perfect way (much better than living on a boat) to see the islands which are spectacular. The guides were helpful and informative, the kayaking was super-c...

Tour:  Galapagos Unbound

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Santa Cruz Island Tour Selection Trips

  • If you want to view Galapagos wildlife, you’ll need to take a tour headed by a local, government-approved guide
  • Virtually all Galapagos tours find their way to Santa Cruz Island, which is near the international airport
  • On a week-long small-ship cruise, you can expect to spend at least one full day on Santa Cruz
  • Some Galapagos tours are based primarily on Santa Cruz and make day trips to other islands from there
  • Make sure your tour visits the highlands of the island, where you’ll have the best chance to view giant tortoises in the wild

Additional details

Top Santa Cruz Island Travel Companies
Peregrine Adventures Reviews
Quark Expeditions Reviews
Gate 1 Travel Reviews
Great Value Vacations Reviews
Audley Travel Reviews
Avalon Waterways Reviews
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Globus Reviews
Abercrombie & Kent Reviews
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SmarTours Reviews
Contiki Reviews

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