Cruising Galapagos: M/Y La Pinta
- Duration
- 5-7 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 8,840
Explore the natural playground of the Galapagos Islands aboard a 4-star cruise vessel. Choosing from three itineraries, you’ll hike across volcanic landscapes full of giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies, snorkel alongside reef sharks, and walk in the footsteps of scientists and explorers.
The M/Y La Pinta offers a 5 to 7-day journey through the Galapagos to see a variety of landscapes and wildlife. Explore the world’s greatest natural playground aboard the M/Y La Pinta.
Departing from Baltra Island, this 4-star cruise vessel offers excellent service and maximum comfort while exploring the islands. The itinerary is as follows:
5-Day Northern Islands Itinerary
Santa Cruz – Sombrero Chino – Bartolome – Santiago – Genovesa
First stop is Santa Cruz, the most popular island in the archipelago. Venture into the highlands to walk over volcanic craters and meet giant tortoises, who feed on the local greenery. Ride a panga out to Eden and spot blue-footed boobies and frigate birds on the beaches. You can snorkel alongside the reef sharks in the water or explore the volcanic debris of the islet. Head to Sombrero Chino, to the southeast of Santiago, which looks like a rice picking hat. You’ll have a chance to snorkel through the water and see the Galapagos Penguins that live along the shoreline. On Bartolome, climb up the wooden staircase for spectacular views of the moon-like landscape before riding a dinghy around Pinnacle Rock. Continue to Sullivan Bay on Santiago, where you’ll explore the volcanic origins of the islands and have some time on a beautiful white-sand coral beach. On Genovesa, explore Darwin Bay, which is on the edge of a massive underwater volcanic caldera. Spot storm petrels and Galapagos doves before riding a panga along the cliffs and reaching Prince Philip’s Steps, where you’ll climb the staircase and hike out to blue-footed booby colonies. You’ll then connect back to Baltra to return home.
5-Day Eastern Islands Itinerary
South Plaza – Santa Fe – San Cristobal – Espanola – Santa Cruz
Start on South Plaza where you’ll spot cliffs covered with sea lions and yellow-grey land iguanas feeding on prickly-pear cactus groves. On Santa Fe, you’ll ride a dinghy over to a white-sand beach and have a chance to spot some more land iguanas during a walk. Continue to San Cristobal where you’ll visit the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Habitat, which is responsible for repopulating the island with the highly-endangered giant tortoises. At nearby Punta Pitt, you’ll spot red-footed boobies, before continuing to the white coral beach of Cerro Brujo, where Charles Darwin first set foot on the islands. On Espanola, you’ll hike across the geologically-oldest landscape in the archipelago. Swing by Punta Suarez to see the world’s only nesting ground for waved albatrosses. Continue to Gardner Bay to go swimming and snorkelling and observe sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches. End your time in the islands on Santa Cruz, where you’ll learn about conservation programs at the Charles Darwin Research Station, before connecting back to Baltra.
7-Day Western Islands Itinerary
North Seymour – Isabela – Fernandina – Rabida – Santa Cruz - Floreana
Start your journey on and around North Seymour, where you can take a dinghy out to observe blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and sea lions on the coast. On Isabela, take a panga to explore the lava flows of Punta Vicente Roca and spot some green sea turtles in the water. Continue to Fernandina where you’ll explore Punta Espinoza, known for its flightless cormorants and for being an island that has never been invaded by a foreign species. Hike across the black volcanic rocks and spots some penguins and hawks. Return to Isabela and spend a morning at Urbina Bay, exploring the ocean floor and spotting land iguanas on the rocky coastline. Connect to the northwest of the island and Tagus Cove, where you’ll learn about pirate legends and hike to Darwin Crater. On Rabida, explore the famous red-sand beach and spot Darwin finches and yellow warblers. You can also snorkel in the waters off the shoreline. On Santa Cruz, stop by Cerro Dragon to see the famous pink flamingos of its lagoon. Continue to Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos, and Charles Darwin Research Station. Then explore the highlands, spotting lava tunnels, craters, and giant tortoises. On Floreana, stop by Post Office Bay, where a barrel has served as a post office for centuries. Continue to Punta Cormorant to see the green beach before taking a glass-bottom boat out to see the extinct cone of Champion Islet. Spend the rest of your time on one of the island’s white-sand beaches. Then return to Baltra to close out your journey through the Galapagos.
Click here for the Galapagos Nature Calendar. A complete listing of which species is doing what and when in the Galapagos!
- Duration
- 5-7 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 8,840
Itinerary View Trip Map
Baltra to Santa Cruz
Baltra Airport
Following your morning arrival at Baltra Airport, you will be transferred to the Itabaca Channel, taking a small ferry across the channel to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. You will board our bus to the highlands, where you'll learn about Santa Cruz's unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
Highlands (Santa Cruz Island)
After lunch,you will continue by bus to reach a reserve that is one of the best places in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around, eating grass and leaves and wallowing in the small pools. There are several lava tunnels in the reserve, too. A short bus ride takes us down to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta.
| Duration | 5 Days |
|---|---|
| Accommodation |
Yacht La Pinta |
| Location | View map |
-
Yacht La Pinta
Yacht La Pinta boasts among the largest cabins of any Galapagos vessel and features floor-to-ceiling oversized panoramic windows in all cabins for the best views of the islands. Stylish bathrooms with top-notch amenities in all cabins. It is considered an ideal yacht for families travelling …
Yacht La Pinta boasts among the largest cabins of any Galapagos vessel and features floor-to-ceiling oversized panoramic windows in all cabins for the best views of the islands. Stylish bathrooms with top-notch amenities in all cabins. It is considered an ideal yacht for families travelling together, with 8 connecting cabins available.
A sophisticated, upscale travel experience for 48 guests in 24 cabins that combines modern design, spacious rooms, and gourmet cuisine with top adventure. The ship offers a wide variety of aquatic activities including snorkeling, kayaking and a glass-bottom boat. It's a distillation of the wish lists generated by captains, expedition leaders, hotel managers, and guests over many years.Facilities
- Airport Transfer
- Free WiFi
- Gourmet Cuisine
- Panoramic Windows
- Stylish Bathroom
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Santa Cruz
Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast, a panga ride takes you to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where you can observe blue footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks and frigates. There's a chance to snorkel and, if weather conditions permit, to ride in the glass-bottom boat. The volcanic setting of this area is quite stunning due to its variety of volcanic debris, including cinder cones, tuff cones, and semi-eroded lava flows.
Sombrero Chino Islet
The tiny island of Sombrero Chino gets its name from its appearance, reminiscent of a Chinese hat. This islet, formed only fairly recently, makes a beautiful visit as one explores the wildlife along its 400-metre long trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped white sandy beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Bartolome to Santiago
Bartolome Island
This morning, a Galapagos icon awaits: Bartolome Island. A great way to start the day, with a steep climb up a wooden staircase: the view from the top is worth the effort! Following the walk, we take to the dinghies for a ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, followed by time to enjoy the beach and some snorkeling. You can also ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.
Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)
After lunch, you will board the pangas to land at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago, a white coral sand beach great for swimming and snorkeling, and with a trail over a lava field that flowed here less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos while observing its wildlife.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Genovesa
Darwin Bay
In the morning, you will begin your exploration of this island with an easy stroll to observe marine and land birds. There is an optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else we can return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbour. The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or paddle sea kayaks.
Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa Island)
The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs before you disembark for a short but steep climb up a wooden staircase. Once at the top, the land is flat, allowing for a captivating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island, observing large colonies of Nazca boobies, frigate birds and storm petrels and the elusive short eared owl.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Baltra
Journey ends at Baltra Island, where you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland. Baltra's flat substrate (due to its uplifted origin) is the reason why the island was chosen back in the 1940s as the location to building an airport.
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2022 | |||
| Northern Islands | To Be Advised | ||
| Eastern Islands | To Be Advised | ||
| Western Islands | To Be Advised | ||
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Transfers in shared services in Quito and on Galapagos Islands
- 4 night cruise aboard the M/V La Pinta
- Return flights from Quito to the Galapagos
- Park fee and tourist ticket
- All meals
- Island sightseeing
- Naturalist guides and lecture services in English/Spanish only
- Wet suit rental and snorkelng gear
- Domestic airfare, Park entrance fee and tourist ticket
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International airfare & airfare taxes
- Visa fees if applicable
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
OTHER INFORMATION:
Luxury Plus cabins are available. Please inquire!
The domestic flights Quito - Galapagos - Quito (approx. $550 USD), Galapagos Park entrance fee of $100 USD and visitors ticket of $20 USD are included in the trip price. (Subject to change).
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
Itineraries: Due to government regulations designed to control and protect the impact of tourism, each vessel, based on length of cruise has its own distinct itinerary. The itineraries are designed to allow visitors to visit all regions of the islands and we suggest you request the advice of Goway's Latin specialists as to which itinerary would suit you best.
6 Dec 2021
