Santa Cruz, Galápagos

Pikaia LodgeHighland rooms, and a yacht waiting below

The lodge stands on the highlands of Santa Cruz, on a volcanic site that has been replanted, with views across the island to the Pacific. Days go out by yacht to other islands and landing sites; nights come back to a room on land. Fourteen rooms, no cabin to sleep in.

On the highlands of Santa Cruz in the Galápagos, on a volcanic site that has been restored, looking out over the island and the Pacific.

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PlaceGalápagos, Ecuador

TypeHighland lodge

SuitsFirst visits, comfort seekers

Stay5-7 nights

Out by yacht, back on land for the night

Santa Cruz, Galápagos — Highland island lodge.

The lodge sits up on Santa Cruz, away from the harbour. Fourteen rooms come as terraces, balconies, gardens or pool-side rooms, and the highland vegetation and the Pacific view outside the window are a different Galápagos from the one at sea level. You notice it before you unpack.

Boats go out from the lodge as a base. Days are spent at different islands or landing points, and the evening brings you back to a room on land. This suits anyone who wants the wildlife without a run of nights in a cabin, and who would rather sleep well than sail overnight.

It is for people who want to see a lot of the Galápagos and still care about a proper bed and some privacy. Sea days depend on national park permits and on the water, so the programme shifts. Build in more than one direction of travel so a rough day does not cost you the week.

A giant tortoise walking through wet grass on a misty highland slope, trees fading into fog behind — A giant tortoise in mist on the Santa Cruz highlands

A ray leaping clear of the water beside dark volcanic rock, spray caught in the air — A ray breaking the surface beside dark rock

A low building on a green ridge with the coastline and open sea far below it

A yacht out to the landing sites

Different islands and landing points bring sea lions, seabirds and reptiles, each in its own setting. Guides build the day around landing permits and conditions, and several boat days show you how much the archipelago changes from one island to the next. A single outing shows only one version of it.

A snorkeller in a wetsuit photographing a sea lion passing close beneath the surface

Back on land by dinner

Sleeping ashore separates the evening from the sailing. Dinner comes after the boat is tied up, and the night is quiet in a way a cabin at anchor is not. You still cross water most days, but you can put a land day between them and travel at a different pace.

Two dolphins breaking the surface beside a small inflatable landing boat, water spraying up

Living on restored volcanic ground

The site itself has been brought back, and the highland plants around the rooms are part of the story. Terrace, balcony, garden and pool rooms differ in how much outdoor space you get, so compare the outside as well as the floor plan, especially if you are travelling as a group.

The pale exterior wall of the lodge beside a narrow footpath through highland shrubs

Route

Five to seven nights, before or after Quito

Five to seven nights stands alone, with Quito or mainland Ecuador on either side. Five nights gives you two or three boat days in different directions, which is the point: the archipelago is not one place, and one outing only shows you a corner of it.

Five nights, with boat days in between

Baltra airport, a ferry and a road up to the highlands make the arrival a half day, so the first and last nights are best kept quiet.

Stay

At least five nights, which covers two or three boat days in different directions. Fewer nights means one outing, and one outing shows one corner of the group.

Getting there

Fly to Baltra, take the ferry, then the road up to the highlands; the lodge handles the transfer. Leave margin around your mainland flights.

Season

The islands can be visited all year. Sea state, temperature and animal behaviour vary by month, so ask what a given season looks like.

Watch out

Island flights, national park rules and inter-island activity follow current policy and must be confirmed close to travel, not months ahead.

Plan this into a journey

Tell us how many boat days you want and when you can fly, and we can fit the highlands in between Quito and the islands.

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