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Beach on Isabela island

Darwin's Discoveries: The Galapagos Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard La Pinta (UC)
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Begin your amazing 8-day expedition at the riverfront Wyndham Guayaquil then discover the unique Galapagos Islands, a perfect destination that mixes resting and adventuring perfectly! Tour the Charles Darwin Research Station, and witness the exceptional conservation program where baby tortoises, “galapaguitos,” are reared in protective captivity until they are old enough to safely repatriate back to their native areas. See blue-footed and Nazca boobies, yellow warblers, several species of Darwin’s finches, and pelicans at Rabida Island. Drop your postcard in Isla Floreana’s famous and historic barrel mailbox. Snorkel, hike, kayak, skiff, or simply relax on the beach on this very unusual expedition.
Sea lions on Rabida beachFloreana IslandGalapagos beachColorful land iguanaBeach on Isabela island
Highlights
  • Set foot on seven islands and islets of the Galapagos
  • View marine life by snorkel, panga, and glass-bottom boat
  • See the nesting birds and wildlife in their natural habitat
  • Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Galápagos Islands
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Guayaquil

Welcome to Ecuador! Begin your journey in this port city known as the gateway to the Pacific. Your first stop is Wyndham Guayaquil, voted the #1 Hotel in Guayaquil on TripAdvisor and where you’ll stay the night. This dazzling riverside hotel is a short walk to the vibrant Malecon 2000 boardwalk as well as historic Santa Ana Hill and its famous lighthouse. Explore the city sights on your own, relax at the rooftop pool, and get a good night’s rest before your adventure.

Day 2: Isla Baltra | Embarkation | Isla Seymour Norte

Up and at ‘em. Get an early start and travel to the legendary Galapagos Islands—UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Guayaquil, fly to Isla Baltra where your captain and crew welcome you aboard Yacht La Pinta. As Charles Darwin certainly was in 1835, you’ll be awed by the unique beauty of the islands as you take your first exploratory steps on Isla Seymour Norte—home to Blue-footed boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Formed by volcanic uplift, the small island of scruffy vegetation is ideal nesting terrain. Get an up-close view of these birds’ quirky characteristics by hike and panga ride.

Day 3: Isla Isabela | Isla Fernandina

Explore Punta Vicente Roca, a marine site of impressive geological formations, by panga—your guide helps with decoding the visible clues of the islands’ fiery beginnings. Beyond the geology, spy winged residents including Blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants. The wildly rocky coast with a partially sunken cave provides phenomenal conditions for a menagerie of fish and green sea turtles. If conditions allow, don your mask, fins, and snorkel and dive in for a close-up view! Later, stretch your legs on a guided walk experiencing one of the most pristine islands in the Galapagos, Isla Fernandina. The island’s active volcano erupted as recently as 2009. Thousands of bright land iguanas reside here, and it’s also a favorite haunt of Galapagos penguins.

Day 4: Isla Isabela

Large in landmass and young at 1 million years old, Isla Isabela supports abundant wildlife and sea life. An Urbina Bay shore walk reveals large, colorful land iguanas and perhaps giant tortoises. Crossing from Urbina Bay to Tagus Cove, scan the water for whales and dolphins that frequent Bolivar Channel from one of La Pinta’s spacious decks. At Tagus Cove—an otherworldly landscape of eroded tuff cones—there’s a chance to snorkel, kayak, or ride a panga before hiking the backside of Darwin Crater to a saltwater lake. There’ll be excellent opportunities for viewing penguins, Galapagos Hawks, cormorants, petrified rain (bits of lava that cooled quickly after contacting water), and old signatures from pirates and whalers etched into the rock.

Day 5: Isla Rabida | Isla Santa Cruz

Isla Rabida’s unusual red beach is a favorite sunbathing spot for sea lions and marine iguanas. Go eye-to-eye with Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, Yellow Warblers, several species of Darwin’s Finches, and pelicans. The warm maroon-colored beach also makes a great jumping in spot for from-the-beach snorkeling. Or keep your eyes above the waterline, inspecting marine life from the glass-bottom boat. You’ll have a birds-eye view from Isla Santa Cruz hiking Cerro Dragon—or, Dragon Hill—and enjoy a well-earned panorama of the western islands, the bay below you, and possibly even lounging land iguanas.

Day 6: Isla Santa Cruz

Today, it’s all about the magnificent giant tortoise. Touring the Charles Darwin Research Station, you’ll witness the exceptional conservation program where baby tortoises, “galapaguitos,” are reared in protective captivity until they are old enough to safely repatriate back to their native areas. Embrace Galapagos conservation by learning about threats that still endanger this fragile ecosystem. After a lingering poolside lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel (bring your swimsuit just in case), explore the misty, forested highlands and see the lumbering and charming tortoises in their natural habitat. You’ll also have a chance to walk inside the island’s famed lava tubes for a geological exploration of these remarkable volcanic channels.

Day 7: Isla Floreana

Your day will be chock-full of adventure, with opportunities to snorkel, hike, kayak, skiff, ride the glass-bottom boat, or simply relax on the beach. Send a note home from Post Office Bay, dropping your postcard in Isla Floreana’s famous, historic barrel mailbox. Then take in the island’s geologic history with a panga ride or kayak investigation of its maze of volcanic channels. A stop at Baroness Viewpoint provides the perfect vantage for a photo-op. A tale of two beaches, walk along the green olivine beach of Punta Cormorant to a brackish lagoon known to be a flamingo hideout, then on to a white-sand beach where green sea turtles come ashore to rest at night.

Day 8: Isla Baltra | Disembarkation

Your adventure of a lifetime aboard La Pinta concludes back on Isla Baltra. From here, transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil—where you’ll await your connecting flight home or begin your adventures on your own.

Ship/Hotel

La Pinta (UC)

Natural history library on La Pinta
Observation Lounge on La Pinta
Enjoy elegant dining aboard La Pinta

Guayaquil - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$12,500 2-3 travelers
Captain cabin on La Pinta
Captain
Sitting area; queen, fixed queen, or twin beds; desk and chair; private bath with shower; safe deposit box.
Admiral cabin on La Pinta
Admiral
Sitting area with foldout couch; queen or twin beds; desk and chair; private bath with shower; safe deposit box.

Notes

Due to the nature of your explorations, itineraries are guidelines and may change in order to maximize wildlife and natural encounters. Variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
  • Wellness amenities 
  • From-the-vessel adventure activities and equipment
     
  • Port taxes/fees
  • Airfare between Guayaquil/Galapagos Islands
  • Group transfers and baggage handling between airport/vessel on embark/disembark day
  • Entry fees to national parks/preserves
  • Premium wine, beer and liquor (excludes super-premium wines)
  • Exclusive activities and shore visits
  • Onboard expedition/heritage guides and guest experts
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12. Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
  • Optional excursions and land tours
  • Onboard wifi

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This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
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