Darwin's Legacy
7 Days - La Pinta
Enjoy 7 days discovering the Galapagos Islands in style aboard the deluxe La Pinta yacht. La Pinta's expert staff will ensure your trip includes encounters with unique fauna like the famous giant Galapagos tortoises in the wild, land and marine iguanas, flamingos, penguins, blue-footed boobies and the famous Darwin's finches.
from NZD $13429pp
Book by 30 Nov 2024
Home » 7 Day La Pinta: Darwin’s Legacy
Itinerary Highlights
- Learn from some of the highest quality guides on the Islands.
- Get up close with Sea lions, Iguana's and the other various species of wildlife on the Galapagos Islands.
- La Pinta is the ideal yacht for families travelling together, with many connecting cabins, and beds that can be joined or separated, depending on guests’ wishes.
- Visit the volcanically active western islands and have the chance to see penguins.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Baltra Airport - North Seymour Island
- Day 2: Punta Vicente Roca - Punta Espinoza
- Day 3: Urbina Bay - Tagus Cove
- Day 4: Red Beach - Dragon Hill
- Day 5: Charles Darwin Research Station - Giant Tortoise Reserve
- Day 6: Post Office Bay - Punta Cormorant & Champion Islet
- Day 7: Baltra Airport
Day 1: Baltra Airport - 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 an introductory welcome briefing, boat drill, cabin assignment followed by lunch.
Following an afternoon disembarkation, we enjoy a walk along the coast and the interior of this 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 - Punta Espinoza
Since there is no landing site at this location, the coastal exploration is by panga, 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 visitors’ all-time favourites. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness and abundant wildlife. Highlights include hawks, penguins, flightless cormorants and astounding views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes.
Day 3: Urbina Bay - Tagus Cove
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 see corals, shells, and large and very colourful Galapagos land iguanas, as well as (occasionally) giant tortoises. Navigating the Bolívar Channel, there are good chances of spotting several 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 going on our hike.
Day 4: Red Beach - Dragon Hill
In the morning, we disembark at Rabida Island’s red-coloured beach. A stroll along the beach 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 an exploration of life underneath the waves.
The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon (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 to observe land iguanas.
Day 5: Charles Darwin Research Station - Giant Tortoise Reserve
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 Galapagos' headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Following our visit, we drive up to highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch.
The highlands of Santa Cruz Island are another world entirely from the drier coast, lush and green due to the heavier rainfall they receive. This is a great place to look for the emblematic Darwin’s Finches and the endemic Scalesia trees. The highlands are also excellent for exploring the exuberant vegetation where giant tortoises roam in the wild. We visit a giant tortoise reserve to meet these lumbering giants up-close. There’s more time to explore more of this fascinating ecosystem, before returning to the yacht at the end of the day.
Day 6: Post Office Bay - Punta Cormorant & Champion Islet
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. Panga rides along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore can also be enjoyed. Views from La Lobería and the Baroness Viewpoint are quite rewarding. There’s great kayaking and swimming 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”. Later in the afternoon, our visit to Punta Cormorant takes in an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk by a brackish water lagoon where bird species like american 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
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.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
08 Nov 2024 - 14 Nov 2024 | NZD $13429pp | ||
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13429pp | Contact us | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13429pp | Contact us | |
22 Nov 2024 - 28 Nov 2024 | NZD $13429pp | ||
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13429pp | Contact us | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13429pp | Contact us | |
06 Dec 2024 - 12 Dec 2024 | NZD $13429pp | ||
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13429pp | Contact us | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13429pp | Contact us | |
20 Dec 2024 - 26 Dec 2024 | NZD $13429pp | ||
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13429pp | Contact us | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13429pp | Contact us | |
31 Jan 2025 - 06 Feb 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
28 Feb 2025 - 06 Mar 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
14 Mar 2025 - 20 Mar 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
25 Apr 2025 - 01 May 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
23 May 2025 - 29 May 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
06 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
04 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
18 Jul 2025 - 24 Jul 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
15 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
29 Aug 2025 - 04 Sep 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
26 Sep 2025 - 02 Oct 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
10 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
24 Oct 2025 - 30 Oct 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
07 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
21 Nov 2025 - 27 Nov 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
05 Dec 2025 - 11 Dec 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
19 Dec 2025 - 25 Dec 2025 | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! | |
Luxury Plus Cabin | NZD $13564pp | Free night at Casa Gangotena in Quito! |
Alternative itinerary options:
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Luxury Cabin
17.6m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private bathroom, floor-to-ceiling glass window, A/C, storage space, sitting area, desk.
Luxury Plus Cabin
23.04m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, sofa bed, private bathroom, floor-to-ceiling glass window, A/C, storage space, sitting area, desk.
La Pinta Deckplan
Specifications
- Type of Vessel: Motor Yacht
- Engines: 2 DEUTZ model SBA 8M 1275 HP
- Length: 63 meters (207 feet)
- Beam: 12 meters (39.37 feet)
- Gross Tonnage: 1541
- Speed: 12 knots
- Electricity: 110-220 Volts 50Hz
- Navigation Equipment: Gyrocompass, Automatic Pilot, radar, and GPS
- Safety Certificates: (SOLAS, STCW, MARPOL, ISM COD 12)
- Fire Detector: Automatic with control from the bridge
- Lif Jackets: In each cabin
- Inflatable life raft 2 x 50 persons and 6 x 50 persons
- Landing Craft: 3 Pumar inflatable landing craft + glass bottom boat
- Capacity: 48 guests
- Cabins: 24 outside cabins, in the same deck with twin or queen-size beds (twin beds pushed together).
- Double Cabin size: 16 square meters (175 square feet).
- Triple Cabin size: 22 square meters (236 square feet) with sofa bed.
- Decks: Sundeck, Cabin deck, Main deck (three public decks include an ample bar-salon, dining room, natural history library, sky bar and sundeck.
- Wellness: Jacuzzi and exercise room
- Crew: 24
- Naturalists: 4
- Medical Officer: Permanently on board
Whats included?
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Soft drinks *
- Island sightseeing
- Naturalist guides and lecture services in English/Spanish only
- Wet suit rental and snorkeling 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, Wyndham, Sheraton) to airport for flights to / from Galapagos 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.
** Wi-Fi is available in the yacht’s social areas; due to the Galapagos’ remote location, internet connections are intermittent and low-bandwidth.
What’s not included?
- Airfare to/from Galapagos
- Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
- Transit control card: US$20 per person
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- Gifts and additional items
Notes
Important Notes
Please remember that the exact route and program may vary according to weather and ocean conditions and the wildlife we encounter. It’s also subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations.
- Dry landing: guests step from the panga (dinghy) onto rocks or a dock.
- Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into around 20 cm (8 inches) of water and wade ashore.
**At your request, we can include the Galapagos National Park entrance fee of US$ 100 and migration control card fee of US$ 20 (subject to change). However, please note that, due to administrative and operational reasons, these fees can only be included when guests travel on the operation departure date. This service does not apply for guests who travel before a departure date (even if the departure is with us).
*** Please note, we charge guests who wish to bring bottles of wine and/or spirits aboard our vessels a corkage fee of US$ 25+taxes.
**** Wifi is available in the vessel’s social areas; due to the Galapagos’ remote location, internet connections are intermittent and low-bandwidth.
Early Bird Promotion (2025)
- Until August 31, 2024, we're offering an early bird promotion for 2025 reservations on La Pinta cruises. This includes the Wine and Beer Package and VIP Lounge access at Galapagos Airport, excluding Peak Season.
- The peak season dates are: Dec 19, 2025 to Jan 02, 2026