Galapagos: La Pinta | 5 days North

From Baltra to Baltra
  • Ecuador
  • Galapagos Islands
  • Small Ship Cruising
  • Wildlife and Nature
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Tour Description

This is an exciting 5 day itinerary on board the luxurious La Pinta yacht, which offers some of the largest cabins of any Galapagos vessels. Enjoy the gourmet meals and the ample deck space with only 48 other guests.

 Your journey starts on Santa Cruz with a visit to the highlands and your first encounter with giant Galapagos tortoises. During this cruise you will visit the Chinese Hat, or Sombrero Chino, once you see the shape of the island you will understand where the name came from. There will be time to explore the different islands on foot, by dinghy, kayak or glass bottom boat. Encounter sea lions, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, the magnificent frigate birds and with a bit of luck some Galapagos penguins. Get your camera ready for the spectacular Pinnacle Rock near Bartolome Island. The large bird nesting sites on Genovesa Island will be one of your highlights, where you will be lucky to see red-footed boobies and also Nazca bobbies among many other bird colonies.

With lots of photos and fantastic memories your adventure will come to an end in Baltra.

 

Viva's Best Bits...

All cabins on the La Pinta have floor-to-ceiling windows which offer spectacular views of the stunning scenery. The common areas also have panoramic windows for better viewing

"The ‘Bird Island’ (Genovesa) is one of the best places to see the red footed boobies as well as the Nazca boobies among many other bird colonies". Pia, Team Viva

Visit the Giant Tortoise Breading centre in the highlands of Santa Cruz and learn more about their habitat.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Baltra Santa Cruz

Following our morning arrival at Baltra Airport, we transfer to the Itabaca Channel, taking a small ferry across the Channel to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. We board our bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where we’ll learn about the unique montane ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

Highlands (Santa Cruz Island)
After lunch, we travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz, 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.

Day 2
Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)

After breakfast, a panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue footed boobies diving into the water, reef sharks and frigates. There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather condition permits, ride in the glass-bottom boat.
Sombrero Chino Islet
The tiny island of Sombrero Chino gets its name from its appearance: a Chinese hat. This islet, only formed 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 with white-tipped reef sharks and Galápagos penguins.

Day 3
Bartolome Island James Island

This morning, a Galápagos icon awaits: Bartolomé 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. We can also ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.
Sullivan Bay (James Island)
After lunch, we 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 Galápagos while observing its wildlife.

Day 4
Genovesa Island

Darwin Bay
In the morning, we begin our 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 we disembark for a steep climb up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, 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.

Day 5
Baltra Island Depart

Our journey ends at Baltra Island where we transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.

**ask us about the 5 day Eastern & 7 day Western itineraries on La Pinta

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Standard cabin on board
  • Included Copy 20 Cabin upgrades available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals & soft drinks
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Island sightseeing
  • Included Copy 20 Naturalists and lecture services
  • Included Copy 20 Snorkeling gear and wetsuit hire
  • Included Copy 20 Internet
  • Included Copy 20 Transfers
  • Included Copy 7 Galapagos Islands National Park Entrance Fee USD$100 (Payable locally)
  • Included Copy 7 Ingala Tourist Card USD$20 (Payable locally)
  • Included Copy 7 Return flights to the Galapagos
Transportation

La Pinta

48 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Swimming, snorkelling and kayaking
  • Included Excursions by dinghy or glass-bottom boat
  • Included Climb to the top of Bartolome Island and hike the famous Prince Philip’s Step on Genovesa
  • Included Photography opportunities – From Bartolome stunning views and also Pinnacle Rock
  • Included Visit the Giant Tortoise Breading centre on Santa Cruz
  • Included Look out for 3 species of boobies; Blue footed, Red footed and Nazca Booby on Genovesa
  • Included Bird watching - Flamingos, Frigate birds, Galapagos hawks and more
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

5 days

Price from

$5,024 USD

Per person, twin share

Departs Mondays fortnightly