Familiarize yourself with the Galapagos Islands on an introductory Galapagos cruise aboard the La Pinta. This 5-day voyage takes you to the islands of San Cristobal, Espanola, and Santa Cruz Island. Swim with playful sea lions, take coastal and inland hikes, and view the famous giant Galapagos tortoise.
Highlights
Snorkel with fish and the occasional turtle and shark in Gardner Bay
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station & learn about the giant tortoises
View lava lizards and red-footed boobies at Pitt Point
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Your adventure begins with a morning flight to Baltra Island and an immediate transfer to the dock to board Yacht La Pinta. There’s a welcome introductory briefing, boat drill, cabin assignment, and then lunch. Weigh anchor and start sailing for your 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-gray 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.
Take the dinghy over to this idyllic sandy-white beach populated by colonies of sea lions. Galapagos hawks are often easily observed, perched atop salt bushes. The Santa Fe land iguana, unique to just this island, may be spotted during the walk. Following the walk, snorkel and swim along a natural wave barrier or ride the glass-bottom boat.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Glass-bottom boat, Kayaking
After lunch, disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island's capital, and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, visit the breeding center for highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species, including the San Cristobal mockingbird, and the San Cristobal lava lizard, both island endemics.
Land at the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island this morning. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline; you can observe frigates, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. Look around and try to spot here all the species of boobies! After the walk, if conditions are favorable, there is time for a panga ride or do some snorkeling.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Beach, Panga Ride, Swimming
In the afternoon following lunch on board, a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes you to Cerro Brujo's expansive, white coral beach, great for walking, with rewarding bird-watching featuring seabirds and shore birds. Also, look out for Galapagos sea lions. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835. You will love this white-coralline beach.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Beach, Panga Ride, Swimming
Your morning outing at Punta Suarez provides an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (seen from early April to early January), boobies, swallow-tail gulls, and the famous “blowhole” lava formation. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Many regard this site as one of the most rewarding Galapagos’ visits. Back on board for lunch.
In the afternoon, you set down at this beautiful, white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches, or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area, or else there’s time to kayak or ride the glass-bottom boat.
Aquatic Activities: Snorkeling, Beach, Glass-bottom boat, Swimming, Kayaking
Day 5: Charles Darwin Research Station | Disembark | Baltra
1 Breakfast
Disembarking in the morning, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the captive rearing program for giant tortoises. Here you witness the efforts and results of Galapagos fieldwork and study done in the name of science. Transfer via bus across Santa Cruz Island and a short ferry ride to Baltra. Your journey ends at Baltra Island, where you 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 construction site for an airport.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,870
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Luxury Cabin
There are 20 Luxury Cabins on the Upper deck. They include twin beds which can be converted into a double bed and private bath facilities.
Select a Date
Luxury Plus/Triple Cabin
There are 4 Luxury Plus/Triple Cabins on the Upper deck. They include twin beds which can be converted into a double bed, a sleeper sofa and private bath facilities.
Notes
Please provide your wetsuit size in advance prior to the trip
During Peak Season dates, Metropolitan Touring reserves the right to prioritize reservations taking into account factors such as payment and confirmation dates.
Metropolitan Touring reserves the right to limit the number of twin/double cabins for single use depending on availability.
If more cabins are needed for single use, twin/double cabins have a 100% surcharge when used as singles. Please check availability first.
Luxury Plus Cabins(4) for twin/double use incur a 50% surcharge per person.
Regardless of the number of cabins occupied, the ship's authorized maximum operating capacity cannot exceed 48 guests.
Child Discount
10% discount for children under the age of 12 at time of Galapagos cruise. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures. Please contact us for more information.
Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Initial deposit is 25% (30% during peak season) + Internal Flight Cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 (130 during peak season) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
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