TOUR DETAILS

 

Tour Name

YACHT LA PINTA Northern Islands

5 Days / 4 Nights (Monday to Friday)

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Description

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We’re delighted to have you on board for this journey of discovery to some of the most beautiful islands in the Galápagos. Our itinerary together begins on Santa Cruz Island, the most populous of the archipelago, where we meet giant tortoises in the wild and then venture to the shores of Eden Islet. From there, we hop over to the lovely crescent bay of Chinese Hat. On Wednesday, one of the iconic sites of the archipelago awaits: Bartolomé 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. We end with an exciting visit to the sunken caldera of Genovesa, far up in the northeast of the archipelago, a privileged place to visit amid thousands of marine birds. The entire crew aboard La Pinta will do our utmost to ensure your Galápagos experience is truly deeply moving and memorable.

 

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1 - BALTRA / SANTA CRUZ

(-/L/D)

Monday: AM Baltra Airport / PM Highlands: Walk

 

Day 2 - SANTA CRUZ

(B/L/D)

Tuesday: AM Eden Islet: Panga ride, snorkelling or glass-bottom boat ride. / PM Chinese Hat Islet: Walk, snorkelling, panga ride.

 

Day 3 - BARTOLOME / SANTIAGO

(B/L/D)

Wednesday: AM Bartolomé: Walk, snorkelling, glass-bottom boat ride / PM Sullivan Bay: Walk, swimming, snorkelling.

 

Day 4 - GENOVESA

(B/L/D)

Thursday: AM Darwin Bay: Walk, snorkelling, kayaking / PM Prince Phillip's Steps: Walk, panga ride.

 

Day 5 - BALTRA

(B/-/-)

Friday: AM Transfer out to the airport. 

 

ITINERARY DESCRIPTION

 

Day 1 - BALTRA / SANTA CRUZ

(-/L/D)

Monday: Baltra Airport/Highlands of Santa Cruz Island)

Baltra Airport

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

 

Highlands (Santa Cruz Island)

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

 

Day 2 - SANTA CRUZ

(B/L/D)

Tuesday: Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)/Sombrero Chino Islet

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.

 

Sombrero Chino Islet

The tiny island of Sombrero Chino 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 snorkeling opportunities amid white-tipped reef sharks and Galápagos penguins.

 

Day 3 - BARTOLOME / SANTIAGO

(B/L/D)

Wednesday: Bartolomé Island/Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island)

Bartolomé Island

This morning, a Galápagos icon awaits: Bartolomé 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 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galápagos while observing its wildlife.

 

Day 4 - GENOVESA

(B/L/D)

Thursday: Darwin Bay/Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa Island)

Darwin Bay

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.

 

Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa Island)

The afternoon starts with a very interesting panga ride along the cliffs before we 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.

 

Day 5 - BALTRA

(B/-/-)

Friday: Baltra Island

Our journey ends at Baltra Island, where we transfer 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 to building an airport.

 

 

Notes

• Please remember that the exact route and programme may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter. It's also subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations.

 

- Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.

- Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into around 20 cm (8 inches) of water and wade ashore.

 

 

Recommendations

• On Day 1, Note: please dress with comfortable shoes and clothes, a light raincoat – this area is often wet and muddy – bring a small backpack with any medicine you might be taking, sunblock, insect repellent and anything you need during the excursion as you will only board Yacht La Pinta at the end of the day.

• All your luggage will be sent on board the ship straight to your cabin.

 

 

Included

Accommodation, all meals, soft drinks*, island sightseeing, naturalist guides and lecture services in English/Spanish only, wet suit rental and snorkelling gear, Internet*, taxes and transfers in the islands. Transfer from main hotels in Quito (Casa Gangotena, Hilton Colón, Swissôtel, Marriott, Dann Carlton) and in Guayaquil (Hilton Colón, Oro Verde, Hampton Inn, Sheraton) to airport for flights to / from Galápagos are included in these rates. To coordinate these transfers we must have guest's hotel contact.

 

* Please note: soft drinks include juices and carbonated drinks, not “virgin” cocktails.     * Internet connections aboard consist of 2 computer stations in the library and Wi-Fi in the yacht’s social areas; due to the Galápagos’ remote location, internet connections are intermittent and low-bandwidth.

 

 

Not Included

Airfare to/from Galápagos, Galápagos National Park admission fee (US$ 100 subject to change without notice), transit Control Card for Galápagos (US$ 20 per person), alcoholic drinks, tips, gifts and additional items.