M
Great morning
The guides were very informative and helpful.
Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour
+18 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Price from
- $40 / person
- Location
- Santa Cruz, Ecuador
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 82 reviews
- Languages
- EN, ES
- Group
- Small group, up to 16
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Galápagos frontier
- Meeting point
- Located in the town of Guayabillos, 15 minutes from Puerto Ayora, you can take a taxi to the reserve called Galapagos frontier or arrive by bicycle.
Description
Are you ready to live an unforgettable adventure in the wonderful Galapagos Islands? We invite you to discover the Galapagos Frontier reserve, a natural paradise where you can meet face to face with the legendary giant tortoises and explore the mysterious lava tunnels in their natural state. Our naturalist guide, with more than 30 years of experience, will take you on a fascinating journey through the endemic forest of the Galapagos. Breathe the fresh air and let yourself be enveloped by the exuberant flora and fauna that surrounds you. At each step, you will witness the unique beauty of endemic species such as owls, canaries and the famous Darwin's finches. But that is not all. Immerse yourself in an amazing underground world as you enter the lava tunnels. Marvel at the impressive formations of stalactites and stalagmites that have been forged over thousands of years. Discover the geological secrets of the Galapagos Islands as you come across the graceful Tito Alva owl.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, and 2:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 19–49)
- $40
- Senior (ages 50–80)
- $38
- Youth (ages 12–18)
- $35
- Child (ages 5–11)
- $30
- Infant (ages 1–4)
- $20
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
What's included
Included
Coffee and/or Tea
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
82 reviews
How it compares in Santa Cruz
- No. 4 by number of reviews among 111 tours in Santa Cruz
- Starting price $40 is 58% below the typical $95 for tours of similar length in Santa Cruz
Excurgo comparison of 111 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour take?
Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour lasts about 3 hours.
How much does Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour cost?
Prices start at $40 per person for this Santa Cruz experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, and 2:00 PM.
How much does Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour cost for children?
Children aged 5–11 pay from $30, adults from $40.
Can I cancel Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Located in the town of Guayabillos, 15 minutes from Puerto Ayora, you can take a taxi to the reserve called Galapagos frontier or arrive by bicycle. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 16 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 82 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Galápagos frontier.
Reviews(82)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
Interesting, but not a walk in the park
The guide is very informative and you will get hate a lot of granular detail about the animals and vegetation But unlike the darwin center, there isn't a lot of structure, no walking pass or boardwalks. Where long pants and insect repellent The caves do require a fair bit of climbing and ducking through small spaces. Flashlights are needed
K
Fun and informative
Lava tunnels and tortoise sanctuary tour was informative and exciting with all of the wildlife encountered. Guide and intern were highly knowledgeable. Boots were provided for the walk. The guide used pre-recorded bird sounds to "lure" birds into the area for bird watching. Lava tunnels were exciting and relevant geography was explained.
B
An encounter with nature.
Excellent place to learn about nature, the turtles, the birds, and different species; an outing to connect with nature.
3
Good experience
Really good experience, the guide was really cute and it was an exciting trip 😊
6
Amazing and affordable tour
It was an amazing experience. From the fresh fruit you can eat on the walk, to the calling of birds to the group for pictures, to walking through the lava cave, to the lunch after. It was a very fun experience and the guide and translator were very nice and eager to answer questions. It was also more affordable than other tours for a similar experience.
L
Essential in the Galápagos.
An incredible experience. Seeing the giant tortoises in their natural habitat is priceless, and the lava tunnels are equally impressive. Totally recommended for any visit to the Galápagos.
J
Must do!
Knowledgeable guides, saw many endemic plants and animals and learned a lot about the history of the island including its formation. Had a great time hiking, and muck boot were provided for the mud. Highly recommend getting out here and seeing what the Highlands have to offer!
P
Great tour with expert guide in very small group
We took a tour of the Galapagos Frontier Tortoise ranch and lava tunnels with Cesar. The tour took around 2.5h. Cesar is truly passionate and deeply knowledgeable about Galapagos. Cesar has only recently started to give tours so as of June 2026 you have a great chance to go on the tour in very small groups and get the best experience.
T
We hiked through a volcanic cave and through the forest. Saw lots of tortoises. Very informative.
Truly spectacular. Very informative.
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from$40
4.8(82) Free cancellation