Cruising between islands presents a great opportunity to look out for whales, dolphins, turtles and penguins, while the Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortoise Centre on Santa Cruz, Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island, the iguana-piled Santa Fe and bird-circled Española islands are some of the must-see spots on dry land. To extend the explorer experience onto terra firma, why not sleep under canvas at Galapagos Safari Camp on Santa Cruz then take to horseback for a different view of this truly unique eco-system.
Back on the mainland of Ecuador, that capital Quito with its colonial architecture and ring of volcanoes offers a fascinating bookend to your Galapagos adventure, and also puts a trip to the handicraft market of Otavalo and the equator (Mitad del Mundo) within easy reach.