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Sleepy sea lion on a log

Eastern Islands

Example 5 Day Cruise aboard La Pinta
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Familiarize yourself with the Galapagos Islands on an introductory Galapagos cruise aboard the La Pinta. This 5-day voyage takes you to the islands of San Cristobal, Espanola, and Santa Cruz Island. Swim with playful sea lions, take coastal and inland hikes, and view the famous giant Galapagos tortoise.
A giant lagoon with hundreds of giant tortoises- La Galapaguera, San CristobalPunta Suarez, EspanolaHiking at Punta Pitt, San CristobalEnjoy amazing snorkellingSleepy sea lion on a log
Highlights
  • Snorkel with fish and the occasional turtle and shark in Gardner Bay
  • Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station & learn about the giant tortoises
  • View lava lizards and red-footed boobies at Pitt Point
Activity Level: Relaxed
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra Island | Embark | South Plaza Island

Your adventure begins with a morning flight to Baltra Island and immediate transfer to the dock to board Yacht La Pinta. There’s a welcome introductory briefing, boat drill, cabin assignment, and then lunch. Weigh anchor and start sailing for your first afternoon outing. 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 groundcover 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 spectacular island.

Day 2: Santa Fe | San Cristobal

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by colonies of sea lions. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The Santa Fe land iguana, unique to just this island, may be spotted during the walk. Following the walk, snorkel and swim along a natural wave barrier or ride the glass-bottom boat. After lunch, disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island's capital, and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, visit the breeding center for highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird, and the San Cristobal lava lizard, both island endemics.

Day 3: San Cristobal

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Land at the Eastern tip of San Cristobal Island this morning. The trail that ascends to Pitt Point from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline; observe frigates, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. After the walk, if conditions are favorable, there is a chance to swim from the beach and snorkel. In the afternoon following lunch on board, a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes you to Cerro Brujo's expansive, white coral beach, great for walking, with rewarding bird-watching featuring seabirds and shore birds. Also, look out for Galapagos sea lions. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835.

Day 4: Española

Your morning outing in Punta Suárez provides an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - January), boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous “blowhole” lava formation. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Many regard this site as the best in the Galapagos. Back on board for lunch. In the afternoon, set down at this beautiful Garden Bay, white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area, or else there’s time to kayak or ride the glass-bottom boat.

Day 5: Santa Cruz | Disembark | Baltra

Disembarking in the morning, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the captive rearing program for the giant tortoises. Here witness the efforts and results of Galapagos fieldwork and study done in the name of science. Transfer via bus across Santa Cruz Island and a short ferry ride to Baltra. Your journey ends at Baltra Island. 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 construction site for an airport.

Ship/Hotel

La Pinta

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

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$5,643
The Luxury Cabin at the La Pinta
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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
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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.

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
  • 3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
  • 4 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, transparent sea kayaks, and stand-up 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: $100 per adult, $50 per child under 12
  • Alcoholic Drinks
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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