8-day Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal

This itinerary combines the broad choice of excursions available from Santa Cruz with San Cristóbal’s outstanding sea lions, coastal snorkelling and marine wildlife. Two uninhabited-island day cruises are included because they are one of the principal advantages of using Santa Cruz as a base.

Sample itinerary

1. Day 1 — Arrival and Santa Cruz Highlands: Arrive at Baltra and travel across Santa Cruz to Puerto Ayora, visiting a giant-tortoise reserve and lava formations on the way if flight times allow.
2. Day 2 — First uninhabited-island day cruise: Visit Bartolomé, North Seymour, South Plaza or Santa Fe, according to availability and interests.
3. Day 3 — Tortuga Bay and Puerto Ayora: Walk to Tortuga Bay and enjoy its beaches, coastal scenery and wildlife, followed by time in Puerto Ayora.
4. Day 4 — Second uninhabited-island day cruise: Visit a second destination, selected to provide a contrasting combination of wildlife, landscapes and snorkelling.
5. Day 5 — Charles Darwin Research Station, Las Grietas and transfer to San Cristóbal: Begin early with the Charles Darwin Research Station and a guided visit to Las Grietas. Take the afternoon speedboat from Santa Cruz to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, arriving in San Cristóbal in the early evening.
6. Day 6 — Kicker Rock: Take a full-day marine excursion to Kicker Rock, with snorkelling focused on marine wildlife.
7. Day 7 — Interpretation Centre, Tijeretas and La Lobería: Visit the Interpretation Centre and walk through the Tijeretas area, including snorkelling at Tijeretas. Continue to La Lobería in the afternoon for further coastal exploration and snorkelling.
8. Day 8 — Departure: Fly from San Cristóbal to mainland Ecuador.

Important to know

The transfer between Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal is by speedboat. Day 5 requires an early start and carefully coordinated timing so that the morning visits are completed before check-in for the afternoon departure. Exact cruise destinations, schedules and their order must be checked before confirmation.

This is a flexible example rather than a fixed package. Accommodation, services and price are checked separately for every enquiry.