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Santa Fe land iguana

Western Islands

Example 7 Day Cruise aboard La Pinta
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This 7-day Western Islands cruise aboard La Pinta explores the islands of Isabela, Santa Cruz, Rabida and more. Enjoy viewing wildlife including marine iguanas or the Sally Lightfoot crab. 
Snorkel on the Endeavour with the sea lions.Travelers take a zodiac through the waters of the Galapagos.Traveler's waking on the seal covered beach.Floreana LodgeSanta Fe land iguana
Highlights
  • Snorkel around Champion Islet
  • View lava how flows and mangrove forests
  • Hike across the rocky coast of North Seymour Island
  • Play with sea lions in the shallows of a turquoise lagoon
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra Island | Embark | North Seymour

Your adventure begins with a morning flight to Baltra Island and an immediate transfer to the dock to board Yacht La Pinta. There’s an introductory welcome briefing, boat drill, and cabin assignment followed by lunch. 

Following an afternoon disembarkation, enjoy a walk along the coast and the interior of this 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.

Day 2: Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela | Punta Espinoza, Fernandina

Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by skiff, while naturalists explain 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.
Aquatic Activities: Panga Ride, Snorkeling

In the afternoon, visit the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago, Fernandina, one of many visitors' all-time favorites. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include hawks, penguins, flightless cormorants, and astounding views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes.

Day 3: Urbina Bay | Tagus Cove, Isabela

After breakfast, disembark at Urbina Bay, on the western side of Isabela Island, the result of an uplifting of the ocean floor. Here you can see corals, shells, and large and very colorful Galapagos land iguanas, as well as (occasionally) giant tortoises. Navigating the Bolívar Channel, there are good chances of spotting several species of whales.
Aquatic Activities: Beach, Swimming

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 you to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. You can snorkel or ride kayaks amid the dramatic landscape before going on your hike.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Kayaking

Day 4: Rabida | Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz

In the morning, disembark at Rabida Island’s red-colored beach. A stroll along the beach allows you 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 non-snorkelers, you can ride a glass-bottom boat for an exploration of life underneath the waves.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Glass-bottom boat, Beach, Swimming

The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Dragon Hill. Your 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 to observe land iguanas.

Day 5: Puerto Ayora & Charles Darwin Research Station | Highlands, Santa Cruz

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 Galapagos' headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation, and the National Park administration. Following your visit, drive up to the highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch.

The highlands of Santa Cruz Island are another world entirely from the drier coast, lush and green due to the heavier rainfall they receive. This is a great place to look for the emblematic Darwin’s Finches and the endemic Scalesia trees. The highlands are also excellent for exploring the exuberant vegetation where giant tortoises roam in the wild. Visit a giant tortoise reserve to meet these lumbering giants up close. There’s more time to explore more of this fascinating ecosystem, before returning to the yacht at the end of the day.

Day 6: Post Office Bay | Champion Islet & Punta Cormorant, Floreana

After breakfast, panga ride along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore. Follow this visit by continuing to Baroness Cove with its breathtaking views of Floreana. Land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has been serving as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. Kayaking and some snorkeling can be arranged here.
Aquatic Activities: Panga Ride, Kayaking, Beach, Swimming

Before disembarking at Punta Cormorant you can snorkel or ride a glass-bottom boat along the coast of an extinct cone called "Champion Islet". Later in the afternoon, your 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, you come to a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Glass-bottom boat

Day 7: Baltra | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Your journey ends at Baltra Island, where you transfer 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 for building an airport.

Ship/Hotel

La Pinta

La Pinta
La Pinta
Relax in La Pinta's lounge.

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$7,789 2-3 travelers
The Luxury Cabin at the La Pinta
Luxury Cabin
There are 20 Luxury Cabins on the Upper deck. They include twin beds which can be converted into a double bed and private bath facilities.
The Luxury Twin Cabin at the La Pinta
Luxury Plus/Triple Cabin
There are 4 Luxury Plus/Triple Cabins on the Upper deck. They include twin beds which can be converted into a double bed, a sleeper sofa and private bath facilities.

Notes

Please provide your wetsuite size in advance prior to trip

Child Discount

10% discount for children under the age of 12 at time of Galapagos cruise. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures. Please contact us for more information.

Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Included
  • 6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
  • 6 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, kayaks, and paddleboards are all included in the cruise cost and are available for your use onboard.
  • Bilingual Naturalist Guide 
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling 
  • Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
  • Soft drinks include juices and carbonated drinks, not “virgin” cocktails.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • 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.
  • Alcoholic Drinks
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
  • Carbon Neutral Fee - To be invoiced separately

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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).
Karen Snider
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