Have questions? We're here.
A pair of friendly sea lions

Northern Islands

Example 5 Day Cruise aboard La Pinta
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Galapagos trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Sail the northern islands aboard the La Pinta on a 5-day Galapagos cruise. This small ship adventure takes you to the islands of Santa Cruz, Bartolome, and Genovesa. Experience the sea lions, sea birds, and giant Galapagos tortoises which first made this island archipelago famous.
Galapagos penguin by the waterSanta Cruz island, GalapagosSnorkelingPinnacle Rock with all it's vast colorsA pair of friendly sea lions
Highlights
  • Observe giant tortoises and take a nature hike through the highlands
  • Snorkel with sea lions around Bartolome
  • Hike through a large red-footed booby colony
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.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Baltra | Highlands, Santa Cruz | Embark

Following your morning arrival at Baltra Airport, transfer to the Itabaca Channel, taking a small ferry across the channel to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. Board your bus to the highlands, where you’ll learn about Santa Cruz's unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

After lunch, 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 reserve, too. A short bus ride takes you down to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta.

Day 2: Eden Islet | Chinese Hat

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.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Glass-bottom boat, Kayaking, Panga Ride, Kayaking

The tiny island of the Chinese Hat Islet 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-meter-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.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Beach, Panga Ride, Swimming

Day 3: Bartolome | Sullivan Bay

This morning, a Galapagos icon awaits Bartolome Island. A great way to start the day is with a steep climb up a wooden staircase: the view from the top is worth the effort! Following the walk, you 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.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Glass-bottom boat, Panga Ride, Kayaking

After lunch, 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 130 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos while observing its wildlife.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Beach, Swimming

Day 4: Darwin Bay | Prince Philip's Steps, Genovesa

Last night you sailed north and crossed the Equator-Latitude 0º0’00’’. This morning, begin exploring 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 you can return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at this beautiful natural harbor. The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or paddle sea kayaks. Your anchorage location provides great views of the collapsed caldera of this once-active volcano.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Kayaking, Beach, Swimming

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.
Aquatic Activities: Panga Ride

Day 5: Baltra | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
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 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
$5,812 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
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • 4 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

Map

When to Go

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By