Western Galapagos Islands on La Pinta

Upon your arrival at the Quito International airport, a representative from our organization warmly greets you. We accompany you to your hotel, providing a brief but informative overview of Quito and the country, including valuable insights you need to know.  Quito, the capital of Ecuador, nestles on the slopes of the formidable Pichincha volcano within the Guayllabamba river basin. Its Old Town is a major highlight, celebrated as one of the most meticulously preserved in Latin America and recognized as the inaugural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself in the charm of ancient, colorful streets; explore magnificent historic churches; or indulge in an afternoon of exploration at the lively markets, where you can discover the rich traditions of Ecuadorian Sierra culture. With numerous picturesque public parks and a burgeoning culinary scene, Quito offers all visitors a vibrant and diverse experience.  Overnight at Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel.

Experience Quito through the eyes of its locals with our Live Quito Like a Local tour. This full-day adventure in the UNESCO World Heritage city will immerse you in its rich culture and history.  Begin your exploration from the Panecillo, a hill offering panoramic views of Quito, crowned by the iconic aluminum statue of the Virgin of Quito. Delve into the past as you discover the site of a former Sun Temple and enjoy breathtaking 360-degree city vistas.  Next, journey through the historic San Roque neighborhood, where you’ll witness the vibrant daily life of locals. Explore bustling markets, visit a traditional healer, and meander through cobblestone streets lined with artisanal shops.  Step into Independence Square, the heart of Quito, where history and folklore intertwine. Marvel at architectural wonders such as the Presidential Palace, Archbishop’s Palace, Cathedral of Quito, and Municipal Palace. Enter the ornate La Compañía Church, adorned in gold leaf, and uncover the secrets of the San Francisco Church and Monastery.  Continue your cultural odyssey with a visit to Casa del Alabado Museum, showcasing a fascinating collection of archaeological artifacts dating back to 4,000 B.C. Wander along La Ronda Street, known for its bohemian charm and artisanal stores.  Indulge your senses with a chocolate tasting at Chez Tiff, followed by a sumptuous lunch at Casa Gangotena, where you’ll savor fine Ecuadorian cuisine.  Join us for a day filled with unforgettable experiences, as you truly Live Quito Like a Local.  Overnight at Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel.

This adventure begins with our morning flight to Baltra Island (included) and an immediate transfer to the nearby dock to board Yacht La Pinta. Upon boarding, we Receive an introductory briefing, followed by an emergency boat drill. Afterward, we are assigned to our cabins and invited to lunch.  In the afternoon, we disembark to enjoy a walk along the coast and inner area of this beautiful and relatively flat North Seymour Island. Throughout the excursion, we have the opportunity to observe numerous bird colonies, as well as sea lions, and one of the largest non-endemic populations of land iguanas, relocated here from Baltra Island almost 100 years ago. Today, these iguanas share the island with the Galapagos’ largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds.  Later, we will return onboard for an evening briefing, a welcome cocktail, and dinner.  Overnight at Yacht La Pinta.

Vincent Roca Point features a location without a place to disembark, therefore, our expedition takes place in pangas. The naturalist guides explain the majestic geological formation of this area, formed by pyroclastic flows and volcanic stones. At this location are colonies of Galapagos fur seals, numerous nests of Nazca boobies, gulps of flightless cormorants, and plenty of Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, and marine iguanas to keep your eyes busy.  Depending on the weather conditions, you can snorkel around the cliffs accompanied by sea turtles.  In the afternoon, we visit the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago: Fernandina Island. This island is considered one of the most important destinations to visit in Galapagos, both by locals and foreigners. You discover an incredible contrast between the desert terrain and the abundant flora. Some of the most interesting aspects you observe include hawks, penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, cormorants, and incredible views of the volcanic landscapes including the unique lava cactus, which grows on lava rock and survives on very little water.  Overnight at Yacht La Pinta.

After breakfast, we disembark at Urbina Bay on the western side of Isabela Island. This destination is the result of a tectonic uplift of the oceanic relief, which is why we can see a large number of corals and shells around the colorful land iguanas. Occasionally, if we are lucky, we may spot giant tortoises. As we navigate through the Bolívar channel, there is a high probability that we will observe different types of whales.  To the northeast of Isabela Island lies the isolated Tagus Cove, an anchorage that for centuries served as a stopover for pirates and whalers. Currently, Tagus Cove is one of the most recommended destinations in Galapagos. After disembarking, we set off on an uphill hike that takes us to the rim of Darwin Crater, which consists mostly of salt water. Afterward, we can choose whether we want to go snorkeling or kayaking along the stunning coastline.  Overnight at Yacht La Pinta.

This morning, we disembark on the red sand beach of Rábida Island, the color red is due to the iron-rich volcanic material rusting over time. Large colonies of sea lion and pups can be found nesting along the beach and the surroundings are sprinkled with huge Opuntia cacti, Palo Santo trees, and scrubby bushes.  A short walk along the coast allows us to observe marine iguanas, Mockingbirds, Maria canaries, and some species of Darwin’s finches. This is also a wonderful place to snorkel off the beach! Those who do not wish to practice this activity can explore the underwater environment in the glass-bottom boat of Yacht La Pinta.  The north coast of Santa Cruz is home to the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon. The walk in this destination casually surrounds a brackish lagoon; a place occasionally frequented by birds of this environment. Further on the island, we can get a beautiful view of the bay and other islands to the west of the archipelago. We might also be lucky enough to find land iguanas here, too!  Overnight at Yacht La Pinta.

In the morning, we head to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest. These are the Galapagos’ headquarters of scientific investigation and conservation, and the National Park administration.  After lunch, we head up to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island by vehicle. This is a great place to look for the emblematic Darwin’s Finches and the endemic Scalesia trees. The highlands are also great for exploring the exuberant vegetation where giant tortoises roam in the wild. This will surely be one of the most remembered visits of the whole voyage.  Santa Cruz Highlands 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, munching on grass and leaves, and wallowing in small pools. There are several lava tunnels to explore in the reserve, too.  Overnight at Yacht La Pinta.

After breakfast, we disembark at Post Office Bay (Floreana Island) to visit the historic Post Barrel, which has served as a post office in the archipelago for more than two centuries. Enjoy a panga ride through the maze of canals on the north coast of Floreana Island. Incredible views of La Lobería and the Baroness viewpoint will also be within our reach! This destination also has an excellent beach for kayaking and swimming.  After disembarking at Cormorant Point, we can enjoy snorkeling activities or a ride in the glass-bottom boat of Yacht La Pinta along the coast of a dormant volcano better known as “Islote Champion”. Later, we can visit Punta Cormorant, which has a beach of olivine crystals and a brackish lagoon where species of birds, such as American flamingos, can be observed. A short walk to the other end of the island will reward us with a beautiful white sand beach, sometimes serving as a nesting destination for turtles. Cormorant Point on the archipelago’s southern Floreana Island features a golden-greenish beach rich in olivine. It’s a collection of volcanic crystals originating in the Earth’s mantle and composed of aluminum, silica, magnesium, iron, and eroded tuff remains, all of which are responsible for the sand’s unique color.  Overnight at Yacht La Pinta.

As our journey on La Pinta ends, we arrive at Baltra Island, the airport island.  After bidding farewell to your fellow travelers and new friends from the yacht, a transfer will take you to Finch Bay Hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where you have the time to soak in the beauty of the Galapagos Islands and enjoy the amenities offered at Finch Bay Hotel.  Overnight at Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel.

Our representative will meet you at the hotel lobby for a transfer to the Baltra Airport and a flight back to Quito where you connect with your flight back home.