Ultimate Galápagos Cruise - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive on Isla Baltra, Board Cruise, Explore Dragon Hill on Isla Santa Cruz

Welcome to the Galápagos! This stunning archipelago located off the coast of Ecuador offers 19 main islands. Your adventure begins at the ecological airport on Isla Baltra. After you go through the customs and immigration process, you'll be picked up and transferred to your cruise, where you'll meet the crew and get a safety briefing.

After lunch on board, the ship begins a route southwest to get to Dragon Hill, which is situated on Isla Santa Cruz. Dragon Hill is one of the newest visitor sites accessible to tourists in the Galápagos Islands. It offers one of the lengthier Galápagos walking trails that leads visitors along a beach and up a trail to the lagoon lookout, where bright flamingoes, pintail ducks, and land iguanas are often spotted. Afterward, return to your cruise for dinner and a good night's rest. 

Day 2: Explore Isla Plaza Sur & Isla Santa Fé

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast this morning while your captain sets sail for Isla Plaza Sur, located east of Isla Santa Cruz. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galápagos are found here. The land iguanas are smaller than their relatives on other islands, and you'll also find several hybrid iguanas—a result of crossing a marine iguana with a land iguana. You might also spot swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs with other seabirds, such as Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigatebirds, and brown pelicans.

In the afternoon, you'll sail to Isla Santa Fé, a less-mountainous island than its neighbors because it was not formed from volcanic origin. There are some theories that claim that this could be the oldest island in the archipelago. In addition to its salt bushes and giant prickly pear cacti, Santa Fé is also home to a number of endemic species like the Galápagos hawk, Galápagos snake, and Galápagos mockingbird, as well as land iguanas. Spend some time walking along the trails and then get in the water for swimming or snorkeling with the playful sea lions and tropical fish.

Day 3: Visit an Interpretation Center on Isla San Cristóbal, Explore Isla Lobos

After breakfast on board, you'll sail to Isla San Cristóbal, the easternmost of the islands, to visit the Interpretation Center. This modern and sophisticated architectural space was designed for the natural interpretation of the Galápagos. Spend some time learning about the volcanic formation of the islands, the evolution of the species, and the history of human settlement. Return to the cruise ship and have lunch while you boat around Kicker Rock, one of the most incredible rock formations in the Galápagos. Look for a number of birds like frigates and blue-footed boobies.

In the afternoon, you'll head to the white-sand beaches of nearby Isla Lobos, where you can relax and choose between panga riding, swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing—or some combination of all of the above. You'll be in good company with seals, frigates, marine iguanas, and lava lizards in the vicinity. 

Day 4: Explore Punta Pitt, Hiking on Isla San Cristóbal

Today is a great day of hiking! It starts with a visit to a pair of significant wind-sculptured tuff cones at Punta Pitt that make up the extreme eastern end of Isla San Cristóbal and, thus, the archipelago as well. These cliffs were the first sight of land when the HMS Beagle and Charles Darwin arrived on September 15th, 1835.

 

To get here, take a trail that leads up to an area of tropical dry forest vegetation: most of the year, there are leafless palo santo trees, yellow cordia shrubs, tiny prickly pear cacti, and carpetweed that turns red in the dry season. After the somewhat steep climb through a gully to the clifftop, you can wander around the only colony in Galápagos that is home to all three species of boobies: blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca, as well as both species of frigatebirds (great and magnificent), famous because of their scarlet balloon-sized pouches during mating season. 

In the afternoon, you'll hike from the beach up to the island's high country to get to a visitor site called Natural Galapaguera. The route takes about 3.5 hours (there and back), and in the absence of shade trees, it can get quite hot in the warmer seasons. That said, you'll be rewarded by meeting the famous Galápagos giant tortoises in their natural environment. The huge animals are up to 200 years old and can weigh up to 661 pounds (300 kg). Return to shore for a refreshing dip before you board the cruise for the evening.

Day 5: Explore Witch Hill on Isla San Cristóbal, Snorkeling at Kicker Rock

After an exciting day of hiking, today will be more relaxed with plenty of opportunities to get in the water. In the morning, you'll arrive at Witch Hill on the west coast of Isla San Cristóbal. Not only is there a beautiful beach, but also a fascinating crater close to the landing point, where you'll find species of boobies, gulls, and some pelicans. Meanwhile, in the sheltered bay, you'll be able to swim and snorkel with young sea turtles and stingrays.

In the afternoon, you'll return to the nearby volcanic rock formation called Kicker Rock, or "Sleeping Lion," off the coast of Isla San Cristóbal. Instead of sailing by like last time, you'll stop for a guided snorkeling excursion. The conditions for spotting marine life are excellent, with sea lions, colorful fish, rays, turtles, and, if you are lucky, hammerhead sharks! 

Day 6: Explore Gardner Bay & Suarez Point on Isla Española

Today is a full-day adventure on the uninhabited Isla Española! Your morning starts at the striking white beach at Gardner Bay, an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles. However, without a doubt, the bay's main attraction is the Galápagos sea lion colony. Females stay here year-round in this natural nursery, suckling their pups up to the age of three years (though they start to fish at five months). During the breeding and mating season, the colony becomes even bigger. Your naturalist guide will explain more, and you'll have some free time to enjoy this lovely beach.

In the afternoon, visit another location on the island called Suarez Point, with its southern basaltic cliffs. This rocky area is where huge ocean waves crash, creating a spectacular blowhole that spews water high into the air (depending on the season, the tide, and how strong the sea breeze pushes the waves). Take your time for a meditative break in silence on this emblematic viewpoint. You'll also have free time to explore the dry vegetation surrounding the point, which boasts some of the best wildlife in the Galápagos, including waved albatrosses. 

Day 7: Explore Cormorant Point & Post Office Bay on Isla Floreana

Today's itinerary is dedicated to Isla Floreana, starting with a trip to Cormorant Point. Upon landing, notice the green-hued beach, thanks to the presence of a volcanic crystal called olivine. You'll take a guided walk past island-endemic Scalesia plants to a large, shallow lagoon often inhabited by pink greater flamingoes. Then continue through a forest of palo santo trees to arrive at a powdery white-sand beach, a nesting area of green turtles. As you paddle barefoot in the shallow water, your guide will point out diamond stingrays and white-tipped reef sharks. You'll then head back to the beach to swim or snorkel.

In the afternoon, head to Post Office Bay on Isla Floreana. This spot is aptly named because a very short walk from the beach leads you to a famous barrel. Claimed to have been first set up in 1793 by Captain James Colnett, this system remains the oldest functioning "post office" in the Pacific. As history goes, whalers and fur sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward-bound colleagues. In the spirit of maintaining tradition, visitors today will often take letters and hand-deliver them to their home countries. Make sure to bring a letter and give it a go!

Day 8: Visit Charles Darwin Station & Explore the Highlands on Isla Santa Cruz

Today you'll return to Isla Santa Cruz, where your journey began. This is one of the inhabited islands in the Galápagos, with a population of 25,000 people. In the morning, journey by bus from Puerto Ayora to the highlands and go for a walk through the giant lava tubes. While here, you'll also have the unique opportunity to see the island's giant tortoises in their natural surroundings.

 

In the afternoon, head back down to Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which houses an extensive collection of Galápagos plant life. Check out the exhibitions dedicated to natural history and conservation, as well as the on-site public library. 

Day 9: Explore the Wall of Tears & Sierra Negra Volcano on Isla Isabela

Today you'll spend time on the largest island in the archipelago: Isla Isabela! Despite its size, it is comparatively little visited because there is no airport, and it's a five-hour journey by boat from Isla Santa Cruz. You'll first reach the fishing village of Puerto Villamil, located on the southern side of the island. From here, look for a small islet called Las Tintoreras, along with sea lions and, with some luck, white-tip sharks. 

Then continue to a man-made monument called the Wall of Tears. This long stone wall was built in the 1940s by convicts of the penal colony settled here once Ecuador took possession of the islands. Hike along the wall and then continue through a wetland of brackish lagoons where flamingoes are often seen.

In the afternoon, you'll visit a breeding center for Galápagos tortoises. Learn more about its intention to protect and safeguard the various species of giant tortoises that inhabit Isla Isabela so that the population does not decrease. On days with good weather, you'll also have an afternoon excursion to the active Sierra Negra volcano for incredible views of its immense crater and the surrounding islands.

Day 10: Explore Punta Moreno on Isla Isabela & Punta Mangle on Isla Fernandina

This morning you'll spend a little more time on Isla Isabela with a trip to Punta Moreno on the southwest coast. A panga boat will take you to the rocky landing area, but just before reaching this spot, you'll see many marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies on the coast. Then walk a trail to a young flow field where you can grasp the birth of this archipelago and the amount of magma created from a single eruption. Look for pioneer plants and brackish ponds that feed the area's flamingoes.

In the afternoon, head to Punta Mangle, one of only two spots you can visit on Isla Fernandina. This is the archipelago's third-largest island and it's known for its amazing views and wildlife. Here you can swim and snorkel to your heart's delight and watch playful sea lions and curious penguins. You might also catch a glimpse of a flightless cormorant if you're patient (and lucky).

Day 11: Explore Punta Espinoza on Isla Fernandina & Tagus Cove on Isla Isabela

This morning, you'll head to Punta Espinoza, the other site you can visit on Isla Fernandina, located at the northeastern tip of the island. Marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups here than on other islands, baking around in the sand, swimming near the shore, and sometimes blocking the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here is the flightless cormorant. This bird had to adjust its way of survival and perfect its skills of finding food in the ocean. Their wings, tails, and feet progressively adapted for swimming. To see these birds is to witness evolution happening right in front of you.

Next is a trip to Tagus Cove, where you'll take a boat tour along the cliffs—a good chance to see Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and other sea birds. From the landing dock, it's about a 30-minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff, from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted, ultra-saline lake that is saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. While here, look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs that have been written by pirates, whalers, and buccaneers in past centuries.

Day 12: Explore Puerto Egas on Isla Santiago, Hiking at Chinese Hat

This morning, you'll visit the west side of Isla Santiago, which happens to be one of the central islands of the archipelago—and also where freshwater can be found. Upon entering the bay, you'll have the opportunity to see Buccaneer Cove, Sugarloaf Cone, and the black beach of Puerto Egas.

 

The latter is the place where you'll disembark and walk around. The trail on this spot will take you through some tide pools along the coast where you can see marine iguanas, and coastal birds like the oystercatcher and pelican. It finishes in the beautiful fur seal grottoes, one of the few places where you'll have the opportunity to observe Galápagos fur seals.
 
In the afternoon, head to Chinese Hat, a 170-foot (52 m) high volcanic cone forming another islet right off the rocky coast of Santiago, where a small colony of Galápagos penguins has settled. Approaching Chinese Hat from the north, you will understand the meaning of the name. This is an excellent place to hike and learn more about volcanoes, lava bombs, and lava tunnels. Closer to shore, beautiful beaches of white coral sand provide chances to see sea lions and countless marine iguanas.

Day 13: Visit Black Turtle Cove, Transfer to Isla Baltra, Depart

It's time to say goodbye to your new friends—human and otherwise—in the Galápagos! But first, you'll visit Black Turtle Cove via dinghy, surrounded by mangroves in the northern part of Isla Santa Cruz. The shallow cove is a safe haven for young marine life like blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays. Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will then bring you and your luggage to Isla Baltra, where you'll take the shuttle back to the airport for your departure flight. Safe travels!

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Galápagos? Check out these other Galápagos itineraries, explore different ways to spend 13 days in the Galápagos, or discover the best time to visit the Galápagos.