Giant Tortoises & Lava Tunnels Tour near Puerto Ayora

Walk among giant tortoises and through volcanic tunnels, then view twin craters from above

A guided tour from Puerto Ayora that combines the Giant Tortoise Reserve, underground lava tunnels, and Los Gemelos volcanic craters. An expert guide leads you through the reserve and tunnels to observe tortoises, endemic birds, and fruit trees. A taxi then takes you to the craters viewpoint. The tour runs 3.5 hours and includes private transportation and coffee or tea.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Giant Tortoise Reserve and Craters

• Visit giant tortoise reserve
• Walk trails in endemic forest
• Explore lava tunnels with flashlight
• Visit Los Gemelos volcanic craters
• Return to hotel in Puerto Ayora

The experience

The tour starts at the Giant Tortoise Reserve, where you walk among the creatures themselves and learn how they fit into the Galapagos ecosystem. Trails wind through endemic forest thick with native birds, and you pass more than 20 different species of fruit trees. An expert guide walks with you the whole time, explaining what you're seeing: the tortoises' history, their role in conservation, their size and age. This is not a distant viewing. You're on the ground with them.

After the reserve, you enter the lava tunnels: underground passages carved millions of years ago during volcanic eruptions. You walk through these geological formations with a flashlight, moving through the darkest sections to see the volcanic rock and the scale of what formed them. The guide continues explaining the geology and history as you move through. Then the taxi collects you and drives to Los Gemelos, the twin craters on Santa Cruz. You stand at the viewpoint above two massive sinkholes ringed with vegetation, watching endemic birds fly freely across the crater space. Photography happens here. Eating and climbing near the edges do not.

Private transportation is included throughout, and the driver takes you back to your hotel in Puerto Ayora when the tour ends. Coffee and tea come with the booking. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and children from age 6 are welcome. The itinerary assumes moderate fitness. You're walking trails and moving through tunnels, not climbing steep terrain, but the paths are uneven and the tunnels require ducking and stepping over rock.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel in Puerto Ayora and back.
• expert guide through the Giant Tortoise Reserve and lava tunnels in English or Spanish.
• coffee and tea.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 11:30 and 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 70 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 9 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Galápagos frontier

Is this one for you?The tour involves steady walking on uneven trails and moving through tunnels with a flashlight, so it suits travelers with moderate fitness who are comfortable on natural terrain. The fixed 3.5-hour schedule keeps all three stops (reserve, tunnels, and craters) inside one morning or afternoon, which works well if you're splitting your Galapagos time across multiple excursions.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (6 to 9 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly are the lava tunnels, and how long do we spend inside them?

The lava tunnels are underground passages formed during volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. They run beneath the reserve, and you walk through them with a flashlight as part of the guided section of the tour, exploring the volcanic rock formations and learning their geological history from your guide.

Can we get close to the giant tortoises, or do we view them from a distance?

You walk among the giant tortoises at the reserve itself, observing them up close and learning about their history and role in the Galapagos ecosystem. This is direct viewing, not a distant observation.

What's included in the tour, and what costs extra?

Private transportation, coffee, and tea are included. Entry to the Giant Tortoise Reserve and the lava tunnels is covered. Los Gemelos is a viewpoint with taxi service only: no separate guide at that stop. Any meals beyond the refreshments, or souvenirs, would be extra.

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for someone with limited mobility?

You walk trails through the reserve and endemic forest, then move through the lava tunnels on uneven ground. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. At least moderate fitness is needed for the terrain and the tunnel sections.

What time does the tour start, and how long does it take?

The tour runs 3.5 hours total. A specific start time depends on your hotel pickup. The operator arranges pickup as part of the booking.