12-day Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristóbal

This itinerary combines three contrasting island bases without making every day feel rushed. It includes two uninhabited-island day cruises from Santa Cruz, three of Isabela’s principal excursions and the strongest marine and coastal experiences on San Cristóbal.

Sample itinerary

1. Day 1 — Arrival and Santa Cruz: Arrive at Baltra and travel across Santa Cruz to Puerto Ayora. A brief Highlands visit may be included on the way if flight times permit, but the following day allows time to explore the area properly.
2. Day 2 — Santa Cruz Highlands: Spend a full day exploring the greener interior of Santa Cruz. The programme can include Los Gemelos, giant tortoises in their natural habitat, lava tunnels and the changing vegetation zones of the Highlands.
3. Day 3 — First uninhabited-island day cruise: Visit Bartolomé, North Seymour, South Plaza or Santa Fe, according to availability and interests.
4. Day 4 — Tortuga Bay and Las Grietas: Visit Tortuga Bay and enjoy its beaches, coastal scenery and wildlife. Later, cross from Puerto Ayora for a guided visit to Las Grietas.
5. Day 5 — Second uninhabited-island day cruise: Visit a contrasting destination, selected to provide a different combination of wildlife, landscapes and snorkelling.
6. Day 6 — Speedboat to Isabela and Tintoreras: Take the morning speedboat to Puerto Villamil. After checking into the hotel, visit Tintoreras for coastal wildlife and snorkelling.
7. Day 7 — Sierra Negra and Volcán Chico: Explore Isabela’s active volcanic landscape on a guided walking excursion.
8. Day 8 — Los Túneles: Travel by boat through the lava formations and sheltered waters of Los Túneles, with opportunities for snorkelling and wildlife observation.
9. Day 9 — Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal: Take the early speedboat from Isabela to Santa Cruz. After breakfast in Puerto Ayora, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and giant-tortoise breeding centre. Have lunch before checking in for the afternoon speedboat to San Cristóbal.
10. Day 10 — Kicker Rock: Take a full-day marine excursion to Kicker Rock, with snorkelling focused on marine wildlife.
11. Day 11 — Interpretation Centre, Tijeretas and La Lobería: Visit the Interpretation Centre and walk through the Tijeretas area, including snorkelling at Tijeretas. Continue to La Lobería for further coastal exploration and snorkelling.
12. Day 12 — Departure: Fly from San Cristóbal to mainland Ecuador.

Why this itinerary works

The itinerary allows time for two different day cruises from Santa Cruz, a proper exploration of the Highlands and three worthwhile days on Isabela. The two inter-island speedboat journeys on Day 9 are combined into one travel day, with the time in Puerto Ayora used for the Research Station rather than requiring another hotel night.

Important to know

The inter-island journeys are by speedboat and can be uncomfortable in rough conditions, especially for travellers prone to seasickness. Exact cruise destinations, schedules, accommodation, services and price are checked separately for every enquiry.

This is a flexible example rather than a fixed package.