Galapagos: La Pinta | 5 days

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

Yacht La Pinta has been designed comfort as you discover some of the most beautiful islands in the Galapagos. 

Your 5 day Northern Galapagos 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. One of the iconic sites of the archipelago awaits: Bartolome Island, with its wooden walkway up to a panoramic viewpoint, golden sandy beach and great snorkelling opportunities. Close-by, Sullivan Bay gives us a great introduction to the volcanic origins of the islands. Next up is an exploration of the wild and beautiful north coastline of Santa Cruz, home to land iguanas, flamingos and many more amazing Galapagos Island species.

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

This is an exciting 5 day itinerary on board the comfortable La Pinta yacht, where you will enjoy gourmet meals and ample deck space with only 48 other guests. La Pinta offers two 5-day and one 7-day itinerary options carefully designed to help maximize wildlife viewing opportunities!

Please see below for the 5 day Eastern itinerary too!

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

With 3 guides onboard, they can offer multiple activities at the same time - Kayaking, Snorkelling, SUP, Glass bottom boats, hikes, swimming... means more choice and doing more of what you enjoy!

Visit the Giant Tortoise Breading centre in the highlands of Santa Cruz and learn more about their habitat. Plus opportunities to see flamingos, blue footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas, penguins and more!

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Baltra Santa Cruz Highlands

YACHT LA PINTA Northern Islands. 5 Days

*Galapagos excursions are subject to change without prior notice. Changes in plans may arise due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Baltra Island Airport
After arriving at Baltra Airport, you will take a transfer ferry. Afterward, you will board a private bus to the highlands. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

Highlands (Santa Cruz Island)
After lunch, we will go to a reserve where tortoises are easy to spot. After this, a short, private bus ride will take us to the town of Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta.

Day 2
Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island) Chinese Hat Inlet

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 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.

Chinese Hat Islet
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-metre long trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped white sandy beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkelling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.

Day 3
Bartolome Island Santiago Island

Bartolome Island
This morning, a Galapagos icon awaits: Bartolome 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 snorkelling. We can also ride in the glass-bottom boat for great views of the underwater world.

Sullivan Bay (Santiago 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 snorkelling, 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.

Day 4
Santa Cruz Island Punta Bowditch Dragon Hill

Punta Bowditch
We explore this rarely-visited beautiful bay and its mangrove and volcanic coastline by panga or glass-bottom boat, with luck spotting marine turtles, marine iguanas and sealions, pelicans, frigates and boobies swooping and diving above. We land to wander along the wild white-coral beach and explore the brackish lagoons. There’s also time to snorkel in the sheltered waters amid myriad species of fish and other marine creatures, as well as enjoy a paddle along the coastline with our kayaks.

Dragon Hill
After disembarking, the first part of our walk passes a brackish-water lagoon frequented by shorebirds, ducks, and American flamingos, while further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago, as well as the chance of observing land iguanas (for which the visitor site is named, following a concerted effort to conserve them by the Galapagos National Park). After our walk, we can snorkel from the shore, looking out for rays, green turtles and sharks.

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

Day 1
Baltra Santa Cruz Island

YACHT LA PINTA Eastern Islands. 5 Days

*Galapagos excursions are subject to change without prior notice. Changes in plans may arise due to weather conditions, National Park regulations, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Baltra Airport
This adventure begins with your flight to Baltra Island, followed by a transfer to the nearby dock to board Yacht La Pinta. You will be invited to lunch after an introductory briefing on board and an emergency drill.

South Plaza Island
Along the coastline, we will walk by sea lion colonies while seabirds play along the cliffs of this small but spectacular island. Crawling around this entire scene are the yellow-greyish land iguanas.

Day 2
Santa Fe Island San Cristobal Island

Santa Fe Island
We take the dinghy over to this white-sand beach. The yellow Santa Fe land iguana, exclusive to this island, might also be spotted. Following the walk, you’ll choose swimming, snorkeling, or riding aboard our glass-bottom boat.

Cerro Colorado & Tortoise Breeding Center
After lunch, we will disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Once at Cerro Colorado, we will visit the Breeding Center for giant tortoises.

Day 3
San Cristobal Island

Punta Pitt
This morning, we land at the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline, allowing the chance to observe frigatebirds and sea lions.

Cerro Brujo
After lunch, a dinghy ride along the shores will take us to Cerro Brujo. This is a great site for walking and spotting plenty of seabirds and shorebirds. Galapagos sea lions will also be present.

Day 4
Española Island

Punta Suarez
The morning outing at Punta Suárez provides a walk to visit the unique seabird colonies that live here. Waved albatrosses, boobies, and the famous “blowhole” geological formation await! Afterward, we will head back onboard for lunch.

Gardner Bay
In the afternoon, we will disembark for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches. You can opt to kayak or ride aboard our glass-bottom boat.

Day 5
Santa Cruz Island Baltra Island Departure

Charles Darwin Research Station /Baltra Airport

After disembarking at the Puerto Ayora docks, we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and get a chance to visit the breeding program for giant tortoises. Afterward, we will take a bus that will take us to the opposite coast. Once there, a short ferry ride will take us across the channel to Baltra Island and the airport.

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

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Cabin on board with ensuite
  • Included Copy 31 Cabin upgrades available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals onboard
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Guided excursions with top Naturalist guides
  • Included Copy 20 Presentations and talks hosted by Galapagos National Park certified naturalist guides
  • Included Copy 20 Snorkeling gear and wetsuits
  • Included Copy 20 Internet in common areas*
  • Included Copy 20 Transfers airport/yacht/airport in Galapagos
  • Included Copy 20 Use of kayaks, glass bottom boat, dinghy rides
  • Included Copy 20 Onboard Medical Assistance*
  • Included Copy 20 Carbon offsetting included
  • Included Copy 7 Galapagos Islands National Park Entrance Fee & TCT USD$220 (Subject to change)
  • Included Copy 7 Return flights to the Galapagos Islands
Transportation

La Pinta

48 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Swimming, snorkelling and kayaking opportunities
  • Included Excursions by dinghy or glass-bottom boat
  • Included Walk, hike plus relax in the Galapagos
  • Included Photography opportunities – stunning views from Pinnacle Rock, Dragon Hill and more
  • Included Visit the Giant Tortoise Breading centre on Santa Cruz
  • Included Take a panga ride to spot marine turtles, marine iguanas,sealions, pelicans, frigates and boobies!
  • Included Bird watching - Flamingos, Frigate birds, Galapagos hawks and more
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

5 days

Price from

$5,812 USD

Per person, sharing

Departs on select Mondays & Thursday