12 Days in the Galápagos Islands - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Explore Quito & the Galápagos Islands

Discover abundant wildlife, beautiful bays, and rugged volcanic landscapes of the Galápagos Islands on this classic tour that includes two nights in Ecuador's capital city of Quito. Perfect for first-time visitors who want to cover a lot of ground while also having time to relax on beautiful beaches, the itinerary is split between hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling excursions around the main islands of Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Isabela, and Isla San Cristóbal. 

Welcome to Ecuador! Your adventure begins with a laid-back day in Quito before it's right back to the airport the next day for your flight to the Galápagos Islands. After arriving on Isla Baltra and transferring to the town of Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz, you'll spend the rest of the day at the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center. Settled in, it's time for a packed few days split between Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Isabela, and the neighboring unspoiled islands, snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking your way around spectacular coastlines and climbing the Sierra Negra volcano. 

As the second half of your trip rolls around, you'll hop on a speedboat to Isla San Cristóbal. On this easternmost Galápagos island, you'll visit the Interpretation Center and stroll to Tijeretas Hill for breathtaking views and frigatebird sightings. With plenty more to see, the next two days will fly by as you embark on a snorkel excursion out to Kicker Rock, visit Isla Española, and explore the waters of Gardner Bay alongside sea lion pups and marine iguanas. Wrapping up your adventure, you'll fly back to Quito for a leisurely afternoon guided tour before catching your onward flight the following day. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Complete Galápagos & Quito 

This 12-day adventure is perfect for travelers eager to see the Galápagos Islands' impressive landscapes and explore them via hiking, biking, snorkeling, and standup paddleboarding. Starting with two days in Quito, it's easy to shake off any jetlag during an exciting bike tour and cooking class. Then with 10 days split between Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Isabela, and Isla San Cristóbal, the rest of the trip is all about discovering the region's unique wildlife and picturesque landscapes from all angles.

Your 12-day adventure begins with two immersive days in Quito, exploring the city on a private tour, embarking on a four-hour bike tour through the neighborhoods of La Floresta, Carolina Park, and Iñaquito, and learning about Ecuadorian cuisine during a hands-on cooking experience with a local chef. Next, leave the city behind and fly to the Galápagos Islands. Using Isla Santa Cruz as your base for the first few days, you'll while away the days as you search for unique wildlife on uninhabited islands, hike through a cactus forest to Tortuga Bay, and visit the impressive earth fissure of Las Grietas. 

Well-adjusted to life in the Galápagos Islands, you'll catch a speedboat to Isla Isabela, your home for the following three nights. Marvel at the geological wonders of Los Túneles, cycle along coastal roads to Muro de las Lagrimas, and kayak through wildlife-rich volcanic islets at Las Tintoreras, all before another flight brings you to Isla San Cristóbal. After settling into your hotel, you'll tick off plenty more adventures over your last four days, including a scenic hike on Las Tijeretas Hill and a snorkel excursion at Punta Pitt. Enjoy one last morning at La Lobería Beach until it's time to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Galápagos Wildlife Encounter

Skipping Ecuador's mainland, experience the Galápagos Islands' renowned wildlife and landscapes on this wildlife adventure, perfect for nature lovers seeking unique encounters. Starting with a four-night stay on Isla Santa Cruz, exploring the nearby uninhabited islands is easy before transferring to Isla Isabela for volcanic hikes, snorkeling excursions, and kayaking adventures. Finally, with time to take in Isla San Cristóbal's most popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations, you'll leave with a well-rounded introduction to the Galápagos Islands' epic wildlife.

Straight off the plane in the Galápagos Islands, your wildlife-filled adventure starts with a four-night stay on Isla Santa Cruz, the perfect base to explore the nearby uninhabited islands of Santa Fé, Bartolomé, Plaza Sur, and Seymour Norte. Depending on the day, you'll have the chance to wander vast cacti forests, hike between volcanic cinder cones, and relax on beautiful beaches, all while watching for sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas, and plenty more unique wildlife. You'll also be delighted to spend a day snorkeling around the rarely-visited island of Pinzón before transferring by boat to Isla Isabela. 

With three days on Isla Isabela, you'll get your fill of incredible wildlife encounters as you hike Sierra Negra volcano, snorkel Tintoreras Islet, and paddle through thick mangrove forests near Puerto Villamil Bay. Back on Isla Santa Cruz, enjoy an afternoon exploring by bike at your own pace; then it's off to Isla San Cristóbal, your home for the last three nights. Split your time between must-see destinations like Kicker Rock and Las Tijeretas Hill and lesser-visited locations of Isla Española and Gardner Islet before waving goodbye to the Galápagos Islands at the San Cristóbal Airport. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Galápagos Islands Adrenaline Tour

Crafted especially for those seeking adrenaline-inducing activities and memorable wildlife encounters, this 12-day Galápagos Islands tour is filled to the brim with excitement. Starting on Isla Santa Cruz with kayaking and hiking excursions, you'll get your first taste of the region's rugged and immensely beautiful landscapes, then rappelling and snorkel excursions await on Isla Isabela. Finally, as you end your trip with a mix of leisurely exploration and must-do activities on Isla San Cristóbal, you'll finish your trip happily exhausted.

After arriving on Isla Santa Cruz and spending your first day visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station, you'll get right to the adrenaline-inducing adventures, starting with scenic hiking and kayaking excursion around Tortuga Bay. Next, spend a day on Isla Floreana, exploring a pirate's cave and sea lion-filled shores before continuing to Isla Isabela. With three nights on the largest island of the Galápagos archipelago, you'll be kept busy hiking Sierra Negra volcano, snorkeling through rock arches at Los Túneles, rappelling into Los Trillizos Cave, and watching for blue-footed boobies while standup paddleboarding.

Back on Isla Santa Cruz, you'll board a boat and sail to a nearby uninhabited island for a full day of exploration; then, it's off to Isla San Cristóbal for the final portion of your Galápagos Islands trip. After a leisurely first day spent between the Interpretation Center and Tijeretas Hill, you'll get right back to the action-packed endeavors. Take a boat to Isla Española for a two-hour hike, dive the wildlife-rich waters of Gardner Bay, and snorkel among sharks, rays, and sea turtles at Kicker Rock, all before spending your final evening reminiscing your big adventure over dinner by the sea. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Ecuador's Culture & Nature: Quito, Otavalo & the Galápagos

Discover Ecuador's culture and nature as you split time between the mainland and the Galápagos Islands on this carefully curated itinerary balancing adventure and relaxation. Starting and finishing in Quito, and the rest of the trip split between Isla Santa Cruz and Isla Isabela, it's easy to appreciate the vast differences in Ecuador's landscapes and culture while having plenty of time to soak up the sun on pristine beaches and enjoy the country's fresh cuisine.

Kicking off this 12-day adventure, you'll immerse yourself in Ecuador's captivating landscapes with a visit to the sacred Peguche waterfall near Otavalo, a hike around Cotacachi volcano's crater rim, and an afternoon exploring Quito's highlights. Leaving mainland Ecuador behind, you'll soon find yourself on the island of Santa Cruz, zooming down the highlands on a bike, savoring freshly brewed coffee, and strolling along the picturesque Garrapatero Beach. After spending two more days exploring the nearby uninhabited islands, you'll hop aboard a speedboat to reach your next destination: Isla Isabela. 

With three days on Isla Isabela and plenty to do and see, you'll have the challenging but exciting task of ticking off numerous nature-focused activities. Tempt your adventurous side with a kayaking excursion to Las Tintoreras, a bike tour from Playa del Amor to Flamingo Lagoon, and a snorkeling trip to Los Túneles. In between, opt for a sunset drink at Iguana Point Bar and relax on beautiful beaches. Then, as the end of your trip nears, spend one last day of souvenir shopping on Isla Santa Cruz before flying back to Quito to catch your flight home. Learn more

More Great 12-Day Galápagos Islands Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Galápagos Islands? Check out these other 12-day Galápagos itineraries, with island-hopping cruises, land-based trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.