6 Islands tour

Twelve days, six islands: Santa Cruz, Seymour North, Isabela, Tintoreras, Santa Fe and Bartolome. This is the itinerary for travelers who want a complete Galapagos experience, balanced between six islands' worth of scheduled exploration and six days of pure downtime. Santa Cruz anchors the trip — twin volcano craters, the Darwin Research Station, and the highland forest where giant tortoises live in the wild. Lessons in ecosystems, micro evolution and biodiversity blend with quieter moments at Turtle Beach, where sea turtles and marine iguanas rest in the sun. Use Puerto Ayora as a base for local markets, the harbor, and photo stops with the exotic animals that share the streets. Boats run from Santa Cruz to the outer islands. Isabela, the largest in the archipelago, is the place for blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins and large sea lion colonies along its volcanic coastline. Tintoreras Bay is for swimming in clear blue water, with sea turtles, sea lions, iguanas and rays around you. Seymour North is a walking island: blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds with their huge red inflatable throats define the experience. Santa Fe is a separate volcanic ecosystem, layered with bird species, sea lions and iguanas. Bartolome is the photo highlight of this longer trip — climb to the summit for a panoramic view that feels like walking on the moon, the lava tubes and volcanic ground at your feet, then descend to white beaches and clear blue water where green sea turtles, sharks and stingrays glide. Six guided days, six free days. The remaining time is for relaxing in Puerto Ayora or Turtle Beach. Bring your camera. Airport-hotel taxi included. After breakfast on day 12, your taxi will return you to the airport.