Galapagos Explorer: La Pinta Yacht Cruise
The crew on board La Pinta yacht is one of the most experienced in the Galapagos, and ensures that every one of its guests experiences a deeply moving and memorable Galapagos experience. Island hop in style, from the deck of one of the island's best equipped yachts. Start every day on a new island, seeing the diversity of the islands' landscapes and wildlife with your own eyes. Return to the yacht for lunch and dinner daily, partaking in chef-prepared Ecuadorian cuisine, and enjoying lectures on the Islands from experts in their field. A Galapagos cruise is the perfect blend of luxury and adventure, designed to please all travelers.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Baltra Island & North Seymour Island
- Tour: Baltra Arrival & North Seymour
- Accommodation: La Pinta Yacht
- Meals: L, D
Baltra Arrival & North Seymour
Welcome to the Galapagos! On arrival of your flight to Baltra from the mainland and after clearing customs and registration, you will be met and transferred directly to the dock to board Yacht La Pinta. There will be a a welcome introductory briefing, boat drill, cabin assignment and then lunch. Following an afternoon disembarkation, we enjoy a walk along the coast and the interior of the beautiful flat island, observing numerous bird colonies as well as sea lions and land iguanas. There are opportunities for coastal exploration by dinghy. Evening briefing, welcome cocktail and dinner. (This service is on a group basis.)
Day 2: Isabela Island & Fernandina Island
- Tour: Punta Vicente Roca & Punta Espinoza
- Accommodation: La Pinta Yacht
- Meals: B, L, D
Punta Vicente Roca & Punta Espinoza
Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by dinghy, while the naturalist guide explains the dramatic geology of the area, with remains of lava flows and tuff stone layers. There is abundant wildlife and, depending on the conditions of the ocean, we’ll be able to snorkel along the cliffs, hopefully in the company of green sea turtles.
In the afternoon, we visit the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago, Fernandina, one of many people’s all-time favorites. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include hawks, penguins, the flightless cormorant and astounding views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes. (This service is on a group basis.)
Day 3: Isabela Island
- Tour: Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove
- Accommodation: La Pinta Yacht
- Meals: B, L, D
Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove
After breakfast, we disembark at Urbina Bay, on the western side of Isabela Island, the result of an uplifting of the ocean floor. Here you can find corals, shells, and large and very colorful Galápagos land iguanas, giant tortoises (occasionally). Navigating the Bolívar Channel, there are good chances of spotting species of whales.
On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove provided a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries, and today makes a great visitor site. An uphill hike takes us to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. We can snorkel or ride kayaks amid the dramatic landscape before our hike. (This service is on a group basis.)
Day 4: Rabida Island & Santa Cruz Island
- Tour: Rábida Island & Cerro Dragón
- Accommodation: La Pinta Yacht
- Meals: B, L, D
Rábida Island & Cerro Dragón
In the morning, we disembark at Rábida Island’s red-colored beach. A stroll along the beach allows us to observe marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach. For those non-snorkelers, we can ride our glass-bottom boat for a submarine exploration.
The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill). Our walk includes circling a brackish water lagoon frequented by lagoon birds, while further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago, as well as the chance of observing land iguanas. (This service is on a group basis.)
Day 5: Santa Cruz Island
- Tour: Puerto Ayora, Charles Darwin Research Station & Highlands
- Accommodation: La Pinta Yacht
- Meals: B, L, D
Puerto Ayora, Charles Darwin Research Station & Highlands
The morning visit heads to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. A delicious lunch is served at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
After lunch, we wind up to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island by vehicle. This is a great place to look for the brilliant Vermilion Flycatcher and the endemic Scalesia trees. From December to mid-April and July to December a visit to observe giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. (This service is on a group basis.)
Day 6: Floreana Island
- Tour: Post Office Bay & Punta Cormorant
- Accommodation: La Pinta Yacht
- Meals: B, L, D
Post Office Bay & Punta Cormorant
After breakfast, we land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Panga rides along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore can also be enjoyed. There’s great snorkeling from the beach as well.
Before disembarking at Punta Cormorant we can snorkel or ride our glass-bottom boat along the coast of an extinct cone called “Champion Islet”. Our visit to Punta Cormorant takes in an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk by a brackish water lagoon where bird species like greater flamingos may be observed. On the other side of the island, we come to a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest. (This service is on a group basis.)
Day 7: Santa Fe Island & South Plaza
- Tour: Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island
- Accommodation: La Pinta Yacht
- Meals: B, L, D
Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island
We take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by colonies of sea lions. Galápagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The endemic land iguana, unique to this island, may be spotted during the walk. Following the walk, we can snorkel and swim along a natural wave barrier.
The turquoise waters of the channel here contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline, while a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as ground cover for a grove of luminescent green prickly-pear cactus beyond, populated by yellow-gray land iguanas. Along the coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while sea birds play with the thermals that form along the cliffs of this small but amazing island. (This service is on a group basis.)
Day 8: San Cristobal Island
- Tour: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Departure
- Meals: B
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Departure
After breakfast, we depart for the port and airport for our flight back to the mainland.
Accommodation
La Pinta Yacht
La Pinta is a 48-person yacht that offers immersion in the unique environment of the Galapagos Islands, with enriching wildlife encounters accompanied by expert guides complemented by faultless service, delicious cuisine and plenty of comfort on board. The staff embraces a spirit of adventure, while ensuring comfort and safety at all times. La Pinta offers various decks (Sun deck, Cabin deck, Main deck), with an ample bar-salon, dining room, natural history library, and sky bar. The boat also offers a Jacuzzi and exercise room. Ideal for travelers looking for a luxury experience of the islands that inspired Charles Darwin more than 170 years ago.
Pricing and Details
Starting from $ 7,068 per person
*Pricing is based on two persons traveling together, based on availability, subject to change.
Price Includes
- Full support before, during & after your trip
- Meals as mentioned
- Accommodation as mentioned
- Tours/activities as mentioned
- Transport as mentioned
Price Excludes
- International & domestic flights
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Entrance visas when applicable
- Other services not mentioned
- Tips and gratuities to guides, drivers
- Taxes and fees
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