11-day Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristóbal

This itinerary combines three contrasting island bases while making purposeful use of the excursions available from each one. Santa Cruz provides two uninhabited-island day cruises and important local visits, Isabela allows time for both its principal land and marine excursions, and San Cristóbal completes the journey with outstanding coastal snorkelling, sea lions and marine wildlife.

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 Isabela: Begin early with the Charles Darwin Research Station and a guided visit to Las Grietas. Take the afternoon speedboat to Puerto Villamil on Isabela.
6. Day 6 — Sierra Negra and Volcán Chico: Explore Isabela’s active volcanic landscape on a guided walking excursion.
7. Day 7 — Los Túneles: Take a marine excursion through the lava formations and sheltered waters of Los Túneles, with opportunities for snorkelling and wildlife observation.
8. Day 8 — Isabela to San Cristóbal via Santa Cruz: Leave Isabela on the early speedboat and arrive in Santa Cruz during the morning. There is time for breakfast and lunch in Puerto Ayora before checking in for the afternoon speedboat to San Cristóbal.
9. Day 9 — Kicker Rock: Take a full-day marine excursion to Kicker Rock, with snorkelling focused on marine wildlife.
10. Day 10 — 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.
11. Day 11 — Departure: Fly from San Cristóbal to mainland Ecuador.

The same-day connection

The Isabela–Santa Cruz–San Cristóbal transfer uses two speedboats in one day. The early departure from Isabela leaves several hours in Puerto Ayora before the afternoon boat, allowing time for breakfast and lunch between journeys. This avoids an additional hotel night but remains a long travel day that must be planned carefully around the current schedules.

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, boat schedules, excursions 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.