Galápagos Islands Highlights: Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Isabela & Isla San Cristóbal - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Santa Cruz, Visit the Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Welcome to the Galápagos Islands! After arriving at the airport in Isla Baltra, a local guide will pick you up. On the way to Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz, you'll stop at a local farm in the highlands, where dozens of giant tortoises exist. Wander around on your own to appreciate these majestic creatures. Then, enjoy lunch before continuing to your destination.

In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Witness firsthand the work of international scientists who come to the Galápagos to conduct environmental projects. Then head to the nearby Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant Galápagos tortoises breed and are cared for. This is the best place on the islands to see different tortoise species and learn about each one.

Day 2: Kayak Adventure in Tortuga Bay & Afternoon Bay Tour of Isla Santa Cruz 

Begin today's kayaking adventure with a 45-minute hike from Puerto Ayora to the heavenly Tortuga Bay, famed for its soft coral sand and stunning scenery. Take a kayak out onto the water to see marine life up close, and admire the coastline from a different perspective. Observe colonies of marine iguanas, birds, mangroves, cacti forests, and fascinating flora. Pelicans and finches are local to the area, and near the salt lagoon that backs onto the mangroves, you may even spot flamingoes wandering. After kayaking at the nearby cove, sunbathe on the beach before returning to Puerto Ayora.

In the afternoon, take a tour on a small boat through the bay of Santa Cruz. Visit at one or more sites, depending on how much time you have. First, stop at the tiny islet of La Lobería to snorkel alongside sea lions and tropical fish. Afterward, head to the Shark Channel and be on the lookout for harmless whitetip sharks and blue-footed boobies. You'll also visit the Canal del Amor, where you may find sea turtles and many tropical fish varieties. A 10-minute walk will allow you to see marine iguanas in their natural habitat. You'll have plenty of opportunities to take pictures!

Day 3: Explore an Uninhabited Island

Santa Fé, Plaza Sur, Bartolomé, and Seymour Norte are some of the many pristine, uninhabited islands in the Galápagos, where you can see the archipelago's untouched natural habitats. Today you'll take a boat ride to visit one of these islands, as designated by the park authorities, and you can hike with your guide to see more wildlife and relax on the beach, with a break on deck for lunch. At the end of your tour, return to Puerto Ayora.   

Day 4: Explore Santa Cruz by Bike, An Evening at Santa Cruz Brewery

Enjoy the island's beauty at your own pace on two wheels. You'll have a bike reserved and waiting for you at your hotel so that you can set off for adventure. Santa Cruz is a dormant volcano that last erupted over 1.5 million years ago. Evidence of this volcanic past remains, with black and rusty colored volcanic rocks across the island and lava tunnels you can ride to and explore. In the same area as the tunnels, visit the Lava Java organic coffee farm for refreshments with the Pacific Ocean in view. Stop to explore the secluded El Garrapatero Beach or continue into the highlands.

Return to Puerto Ayora and pedal to the Fishing Pier. Observe sea lions, pelicans, marine iguanas, and fishermen reeling in their catches. The island has little traffic, so you'll have the roads to yourself. In the evening, a driver will take you to the Santa Cruz Brewery Production Plant, where you'll discover the first craft beer made in the Galápagos. Take a tour to learn the brewery's history and beer-making process, and participate by riding the coffee grinder that's a bike. Finally, you'll get to sample the beer! Head to Santa Cruz Brewery Resto-Pub for food and beer to end the evening.

Day 5: Transfer to Isla Isabela, Wildlife Tour

Meet your guide in the morning for a ride to the dock in Puerto Ayora. From there, catch a two-hour speedboat to Isla Isabela. You'll arrive at Puerto Villamil, your base for three days, and check in at your hotel. Once settled in, go to the Flamingo Lagoon or the Giant Tortoise Breeding Station to learn about the local wildlife. 

After lunch, tour the nearby Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and fantastic snorkeling. Glimpse Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks resting in the natural channels formed by lava flows. Later head back to Isla Isabela for the evening. Without much light pollution, sit outside and listen to the nocturnal wildlife wake up as the sun sets.

Day 6: Hike the Sierra Negra Volcano

Today you'll take and adventurous hike up to the crater of Sierra Negra volcano. It's one of the largest shield volcanoes in the world with a distinctive low profile and nearly 6-mile (10 km) diameter crater. Your six-hour roundtrip hike to the volcanic summit will begin from Puerto Villamil. As you approach the crater, explore its lava landscapes and see views of Isabela and Fernandina islands' volcanoes. End your day with time on the beach or snorkeling through Concha Perla's mangrove forests.

Day 7: Excursion to Los Túneles

Don your mask and fins today as you discover Los Túneles. The geological formations of rock arches and tunnels below and above the ocean here create one of Isla Isabela's unique snorkeling spots. With your gear ready, start in shallow water and look for tropical fish, rays, turtles, seahorses, and even whitetip reef sharks. When you emerge above ground, enjoy a welcome committee of blue-footed boobies and penguins ready to greet you. In the evening, relax at your hotel or explore Isla Isabela.

Day 8: Breeding Center & Isla Isabela Wetlands, Fly to Isla San Cristóbal

Visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center and the wetlands this morning. Starting from Puerto Villamil, take the short trail as you follow a boardwalk across the wetlands and opuntia cactus fields to reach the Tortoise Breeding Center. This center has bred and raised populations from all over the Galápagos. There are 330 tortoises with five different subspecies of Galápagos giant tortoise, all native to Isabela. Here, the giant tortoise eggs are cared for in a unique incubator, while the adults are in large supervised corrals.

Next, you'll visit the Humedales, the wetlands of the island, which are a 30-minute walk away. This is a crucial habitat and is one of the only places where you can see all four of the native Galápagos mangrove species, which are hugely important, not only for the wildlife they contain but also for their help in preserving the coastline. Sandy beaches, rocky shores, and mangroves characterize this area. In the afternoon, have your bags ready as you'll fly from Isabela to San Cristóbal and enjoy a free evening on the island. Don't miss the sunset at Playa Mann.

Day 9: Visit the Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill 

First thing this morning, you'll visit an interpretation center to learn about the island's wildlife and conservation efforts. In a natural history room, see a presentation of the island's origins and human history since the Galápagos' discovery. Afterward, hike along Las Tijeretas Hill to see some of the archipelagos' wildlife in its natural habitat. Named for tijeretas (frigatebirds) that inhabit and nest in this area, you may also see whales if you visit the island from June to October.

Day 10: Tour of Isla San Cristóbal, Transfer to Isla Santa Cruz

It's your final day on the islands, so visit some of the most iconic places on Isla San Cristóbal. Make a loop the island by boat, beginning at Rosa Blanca, a small bay northeast of San Cristóbal known for its various beaches. The main attraction is the largest beach at the center of the bay, lined with dunes. You can snorkel here to see marine life up close, including sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Later, stop at Punta Pitt for lunch and a demonstration of local, traditional fishing. Relax onboard as you watch for many endemic bird species, like the red-footed booby.

Head to Bahía Sardina, a scenic bay home to white-sandy beaches. Perfect for snorkeling, you'll spot sea turtles, rays, and sea lions. Afterward, pass Cerro Brujo (Witch's Hill), where you can snap breathtaking photos and look for birdlife among the rocks. Finally, you'll arrive at Kicker Rock. This uninhabited islet resembles a large rock formation and is a refuge for blue-footed boobies, sea lions, numerous fish species, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and rays. In the late afternoon, return to Isla Isla San Cristóbal and then catch a speedboat to Santa Cruz, where you'll stay for the night.

Day 11: Transfer Isla Baltra, Depart 

Today you'll bid the Galápagos Islands farewell. If there is enough free time before your transfer to the airport, you could do some last-minute shopping in Puerto Ayora. Pop into Chocolapagos, an artisan chocolate shop that uses 100% Ecuadorian Arriba Cacao. At the Galeria Exotico Ecuador, you can shop for fair trade crafts handmade by local artisans and communities across Ecuador.

Then, you'll transfer to the airport of Isla Baltra. A bus ride takes you to the Itabaca Channel, where you'll cross via a local ferry and continue to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Galápagos? Check out these other Galápagos itineraries, explore other ways to spend 11 days in the Galápagos, and discover the best time of year to visit the Galápagos.