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Yacht La Pinta - Galapagos Islands Cruise (8 days)8 days duration
Morning arrival at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the small and cozy capital of Galapagos. This attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands (population 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre, located in a natural setting, that allows visitors to obtain information for a better understanding of the natural history of the Galápagos, with a great emphasis on human history and conservation. After transferring to the La Pinta, you'll have a welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
This afternoon, enjoy a zodiac ride along the rocky shoreline of Isla Lobos: a rugged satellite islet of San Cristobal, home of Galapagos sea lions, brown pelicans, and marine iguanas. A small colony of frigate birds, trees and stunning vistas of nearby Kicker Rock. For snorkellers and beach lovers, a wet landing on a coralline beach (Playa Ochoa) will offer the first opportunity to swim or snorkel. Highlights ashore include the San Cristobal Mockingbird, Chatham Lava Lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in Galapagos. We may also spot Yellow Warblers and Galapagos flycatchers. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristobal was the first island where he set foot in the Galapagos. Back on board, join us at the bar saloon for a cocktail offered by the Captain, enjoy the expedition plan for the next day followed by dinner. (LD)
At North Seymour Island, we have a morning disembarkation (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island, observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. An opportunity for snorkeling or coastal exploration. Lunch on board.
Explore the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island, at Cerro Dragon, where an important project to save the endemic land iguanas was successful in protecting these reptiles against introduced predators. Today the iguana population is booming again, and individuals may be seen basking in the sun or feeding on the opuntia cacti. To reach this “Dragon Hill” we pass a small lagoon, feeding ground for colorful waders like stilts and greater flamingoes. Back on board, our expedition plan will reveal the details of next day’s activities. (BLD)
On Floreana Island, we have a wet landing at the historic barrel that served as a post office, to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. There's also the possibility to snorkel from the zodiacs around Champion Islet or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. A zodiac ride along Champion Islet may show the rarest land bird in Galápagos: the Charles Mockingbird. Lunch on board.
Disembark at Punta Cormorant (wet landing) for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like stilts and sandpipers. Returning to the beach, you'll have the chance to swim; there is great snorkelling at this site or kayak from the beach. Afterwards, you'll find out about the next day’s expedition plan and enjoy dinner. (BLD)
Isabela Island is a dry landing over a young lava field. A dramatic scenery of pahoe-hoe lava that stretches to the foot of some of the most active volcanoes in Galápagos (Cerro Azul and Santo Tomás a.k.a. Sierra Negra). The landscape will be briefly interrupted by small scattered brackish lagoons. Lush vegetation and brightly coloured birds are a striking contrast with the surrounding jet black lava. A panga ride along the shore will reveal mangrove tenants like rays, young sharks, nesting pelicans and flightless birds like penguins and the endemic cormorant. You can relax with some swimming or snorkelling before returning to La Pinta for lunch.
The afternoon brings us to the jewel of the Galapagos National Park, and youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with much wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. (BLD)
After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters geology formation, Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. We return to Puerto Ayora for lunch at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
This afternoon we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like “Lonesome George” within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest, home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Enjoy a late afternoon stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before returning to La Pinta for the next day’s expedition plan and dinner. (BLD)
A small satellite island of the neighbouring Santiago Island, Bartolomé is a landmark of Galápagos. Broken volcanic material reveals some of the most striking volcanic landscapes: the Pinnacle rock. After a dry landing, the short, yet somewhat steep trail will unfold virtually every volcanic feature expected to be found in Galápagos - lava flows, tuff, cinder and spatter cones. To reach the summit a wooden staircase was build to minimize erosion on the island´s slopes. The vista is the prize: The Pinnacle Rock next to golden beaches and turquoise waters. This is the introduction to the next activity: swimming and snorkelling along the north beach of Bartolomé. Lunch on board.
Only a short sailing distance from Bartolomé is the colourful island of Rábida. Aquatic activities will include swarms of reef fish, sea lions and often large rays. A glass bottom boat is an option for non-snorkellers. The day can end with a rewarding stroll along the trail up to the viewing rocks over the red beach, home to Darwin finches and Galápagos doves. Weather permitting, stargazing from the outer deck at night. (BLD)
After breakfast, disembark at Gardner Bay (wet landing), a white coral beach where you can take a short walk and watch the sea lions, Hood mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkelling in this area (snorkelling equipment is available for guests at no extra cost), kayak or ride the glass-bottom boat. Lunch is on board.
After a dry landing at Punta Suarez, experience an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses (May - December), colonies of Nazca and blue footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls and the famous blowhole. (BLD)
On arrival back at San Cristobal, disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. We take a bus ride to see the emblematic reptile of Galápagos at la Galapaguera. Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Guayaquil or Quito. (BL)
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