La Pinta

Eastern Route

Thursday to Monday

DAY 1 Baltra Airport & South Plaza

Our 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. We weigh anchor and start sailing for our 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-grey 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 Giant tortoise breeding centre (San Cristóbal Island)

The second day starts with a visit to the giant tortoise breeding centre at Cerro Colorado, where we see the highly-endangered species at close quarters, learning about efforts to boost their population. The surrounding forest is also home to many species of birds and the lava lizard, endemic to San Cristóbal island.

DAY 3 Punta Pitt & Cerro Brujo (San Cristóbal Island)

The second day starts at the beach on Punta Pitt, with trails which provide magnificent views, interesting lava formations and sightings of frigate birds, boobies and sea lions, amongst others. This is followed by some swimming and snorkeling in the clear waters nearby.

From here, we board a small panga boat to explore the coastline and arrive at Cerro Brujo and its idyllic white sandy beach, home to sea lions, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs and blue-footed boobies. The day concludes with a trip in a glass-bottom boat.

DAY 4 Punta Suárez & Gardener Bay (Española Island)

A morning walk through the dramatic lava landscape of Punta Suarez leads to close-up observation of sea lions, colourful marine iguanas, boobies and swallow-tail gulls. A huge waved albatross colony lives here between April and December and visitors around could be lucky enough to watch their extraordinary mating dance in person. The famous Galapagos blowhole is another spectacular sight here.

The afternoon is spent walking the white coral beach at Gardner Bay, seeing sea lions, mockingbirds and finches, before plenty of time for snorkelling, kayaking or a ride on the glass-bottom boat.

DAY 5 Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)

The itinerary concludes with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz, to learn about the research and conservation programmes that are ongoing here. Guests are then transferred via bus and ferry to Baltra airport for the onward flight.

Northern Route

Monday to Friday

DAY 1 Baltra Airport/ Highlands

Following our morning arrival at Baltra Airport, we transfer to the Itabaca Channel, which we cross by small ferry to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. We board our bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where we’ll learn about the unique montane ecosystems and biodiversity. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we travel by bus to El Chato Reserve, 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 the reserve, too. A short bus ride takes us down to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta.

DAY 2 Eden Islet/ Chinese Hat Islet

After breakfast, a panga ride takes us to Eden Islet, located off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we can observe blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, marine iguanas, pelicans and, with some luck, even reef sharks. There’s a chance to snorkel and, if weather conditions permit, ride in the glass-bottom boat.

Tiny Chinese Hat Islet, locally known as Sombrero Chino, gets its name from its appearance: it looks just like a Chinese hat. This islet, formed only fairly recently, makes for a beautiful visit as one explores the wildlife along its 400 m (1,312 ft) long trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped white sandy beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkelling opportunities with white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.

DAY 3 Bartolome island/ Sullivan Bay

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 pangas 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.

After lunch, we board the pangas to land at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago. This white coral sand beach is great for swimming and snorkelling and offers a trail over a lava field that flowed here less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos while observing its wildlife.

DAY 4 Darwin Bay/ Prince Philip's Steps

In the morning, we begin our exploration of 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 we can return to the beach to enjoy swimming and snorkelling at this beautiful natural harbour. The more adventurous can snorkel along the cliffs or paddle sea kayaks.

The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs before we disembark for a steep climb up some stairs, leading to a flat land area that offers a captivating walk of about a mile to the other side of this small island. We will have the chance to observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, frigatebirds and storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl.

DAY 5 Baltra Island

Western Route

Friday to Thursday

Day 1 Baltra Island /North Seymour Island

Our 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.

Following an afternoon disembarkation, we enjoy a walk along the coast and the interior of the 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 Island)/ Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)

Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by dinghy, while the naturalist guide explains 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.

In the afternoon, we visit the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago, Fernandina, one of many people’s all-time favourites. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include hawks, penguins, the flightless cormorant and astounding views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes.

Day 3 Urbina Bay/ Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

After breakfast, we disembark at Urbina Bay, on the western side of Isabela Island, the result of an uplifting of the ocean floor. Here you can find corals, shells, and large and very colourful Galapagos land iguanas, giant tortoises (occasionally). Navigating the Bolívar Channel, there are good chances of spotting species of whales.

On the northwest of Isabela, secluded Tagus Cove provided a favourite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries, and today makes a great visitor site. An uphill hike takes us to the back of Darwin Crater, filled with salt water. We can snorkel or ride kayaks amid the dramatic landscape before our hike.

Day 4 Rabida Island/ Cerro Dragon-Dragon Hill ( Santa Cruz Island)

In the morning, we disembark at Rábida Island’s red-coloured beach. A stroll along the beach or a short hike in a loop for cliff views, allows us 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, we can ride our glass-bottom boat for a submarine exploration.

The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill). Our 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 of observing land iguanas.

Day 5 Purto Ayora & Charles Darwin Research Station/ Highlands of Santa Cruz Island

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 headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. A delicious lunch is served at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel on the other side of Puerto Ayora.

After lunch, we wind up to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island by vehicle. This is a great place to look for the brilliant Vermilion Flycatcher and the endemic Scalesia trees. From December to mid-April and July to December a visit to observe giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good.

Day 6 Post Office Bay/ Punta Cormorant/Champion Islet & Punta Cormorant

After breakfast, we land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries. There’s great snorkelling from the beach as well.

Before disembarking at Punta Cormorant we can snorkel or ride our glass-bottom boat along the coast of an extinct cone called “Champion Islet”. Our 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, we come to a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night to nest.

Day 7 Baltra Airport

After breakfast, we depart for the port and airport for our flight back to the mainland.