Visitor site · Santa Cruz Island
Los Gemelos (Twin Craters), Santa Cruz: two collapsed pit craters in the Scalesia forest of the highlands, with vermilion flycatchers and Darwin's finches.
About the site
Los Gemelos, the Twin Craters, are two huge pits on either side of the road that crosses the highlands of Santa Cruz between Baltra and Puerto Ayora. They are not true volcanic craters but sinkholes: the roofs of empty magma chambers that collapsed long ago, leaving two deep, round hollows now filled with vegetation.
The visit is a short walk along a trail on the rim of the pits, through the forest of Scalesia, a tree-sized relative of the daisy found only in the Galápagos. Mosses, ferns and lichens hang from the branches, and the forest is home to the vermilion flycatcher, Darwin's finches and, occasionally, the short-eared owl. On a clear day the view down into the craters is impressive; on a misty day the forest is mysterious and beautiful.
Los Gemelos is usually a stop on the way to or from the airport, often combined with a visit to the giant tortoises in the highlands.
The trail is short, but the ground can be uneven and slippery in wet weather. The highlands are cooler and often wet, especially from June to November, so a light rain jacket is useful.
Live dates & prices
15 yachts include Los Gemelos (Twin Craters) in their routes, with 913 upcoming departures from US$2,145 per person. These are the next ones.
| Departure | Yacht | Route | Price per person | Mindo gift | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | |||||
| 1 – 8 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
 Origin, Theory & EvolveLuxury motor yacht · 20 guests
|
A · Española, Floreana, Bartolomé & North SeymourSan Cristóbal | US$10,950 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure4 places left |
| 2 – 5 Nov4 days / 3 nights |
 Archipel IMid-range catamaran · 16 guests
|
A4 · Santiago, North Seymour & South PlazaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$2,165 |
Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure4 places left |
| 2 – 9 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
 LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests
|
A+B · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & SantiagoBaltra | US$6,063 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 9 – 12 Nov4 days / 3 nights |
Archipel IMid-range catamaran · 16 guests
|
B4 · Genovesa, Bartolomé & SantiagoBaltra | US$2,165 |
Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure2 places left |
| 12 – 19 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests
|
D+A · Genovesa, Española, Floreana & South PlazaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$4,908 | + Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departureAvailable |
| 15 – 22 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
Origin, Theory & EvolveLuxury motor yacht · 20 guests
|
A · Española, Floreana, Bartolomé & North SeymourSan Cristóbal | US$10,950 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure4 places left |
| 16 – 23 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests
|
A+B · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & SantiagoBaltra | US$5,229 |
★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 20 – 26 Nov7 days / 6 nights |
 Seaman JourneyFirst Class catamaran · 16 guests
|
C · Fernandina, Isabela & SantiagoBaltra | US$5,538 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure2 places left |
| 22 – 29 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
Origin, Theory & EvolveLuxury motor yacht · 20 guests
|
B · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & RábidaSan Cristóbal | US$10,950 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure2 places left |
| 25 Nov – 2 Dec8 days / 7 nights |
 Coral I & IIFirst Class motor yacht · 36 guests
|
D+A · Genovesa, Española, Floreana & BartoloméSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$5,409 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 26 Nov – 3 Dec8 days / 7 nights |
LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests
|
D+A · Genovesa, Española, Floreana & South PlazaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$5,730 |
★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 27 Nov – 4 Dec8 days / 7 nights |
 Aqua Mare SuperyachtLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests
|
EAST · Genovesa, Española, Bartolomé & SantiagoBaltra | US$11,550 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure2 places left |
Mid-range motor yacht · 16 guests
Bonita
Luxury motor yacht · 14 guests
Passion
Luxury catamaran · 16 guests
Horizon Trimaran
Santa Cruz Island
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