LA PINTA DARWIN’S LEGACY (Fri-Thurs), Santa Cruz

About this activity

We’re delighted to have you on board for this journey of discovery to some of the most beautiful islands in the Galapagos. This itinerary will take us to the true origins of the archipelago, to a world only recently created by the titanic tectonic upheavals of our Earth’s crust, whose volcanic hot spot formed the islands in a blink of an eye in geological time. Fernandina Island is regarded as one of the most pristine island environments anywhere in the world, where life has evolved in its natural state, far from the intervention of man. On Santa Cruz, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and get up close to giant tortoises in their natural environment. In the south, we learn about the Galapagos very own “murder mystery”, spot flamingos and snorkel at one of the best sites in the archipelago: Champion Islet. Back in the Central Islands, we head back to Baltra Island for the flight back to the mainland.

Nature and Wildlife Tours Multi-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Multi-day Cruises Water Tours Additional fees Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 7 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–4
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Metropolitan Touring

Ages: Children (2–5 years) · Adults (6–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Fuel surcharge.
Included: Glass Bottom boat / Kayaks / Paddleboards / Pangas (inflatable dinghies for coastal exploration).
Included: Lunch
Included: Dinner
Included: Wifi (Due to the Galapagos' remote location, connections are intermittent and low-bandwidth).
Included: Breakfast
Included: Reading room / Natural history library / Outdoor terrace / Coffee station 24/7.
Included: Multiple purpose room / Landing and facility fees.
Included: Doctor onboard 24/7.
Included: Island Sightseeing with certified Naturalist Guides.
Included: Wetsuits / Snorkeling Equipment / Fitness Room / Safe deposit box (in cabin).

Not included

Not included: Airport transportation to/from Galapagos and airport taxes (A destination expert will contact you).
Not included: Galapagos National Park Entrance (A destination expert will contact you).
Not included: Ingala Transit Control Card (A destination expert will contact you).
Not included: Gift Pack, tips and gratuities.
Not included: Alcoholic beverages, available at an extra cost ( Over 18 years old).
Not included: Medical insurance and travel insurance.

Itinerary

Day 1 · Baltra & North Seymour Islands

Baltra

2 hours

This adventure begins with your morning flight to Baltra Island and an immediate transfer to the nearby dock to board Yacht La Pinta. After an introductory briefing onboard, we will all partake in an emergency boat drill, after which you will be assigned to your cabin and then be invited to lunch.
Metropolitan Touring

3 hours

In the afternoon, we will disembark and get to enjoy a walk along the coast and inner area of this beautiful and relatively flat island. Throughout the excursion, you will get to observe numerous bird colonies as well as sea lions and land iguanas. There’s also the possibility of exploring the coast aboard the dinghies. Afterwards, we will head back onboard for an evening briefing, a welcome cocktail and then dinner.

Luxury Cabin

Day 2 · Isabela & Fernandina Islands

Isabela Island

3 hours

Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)

Because there is no disembarking site at this location, this coastal exploration is done aboard dinghies. Naturalist guides will explain the dramatic geology of the area that are made up of lava flows and tuff stone layers. There is abundant wildlife present here and, depending on weather conditions, you will be able to snorkel along the cliffs, most likely in the company of green sea turtles!
Punta Espinoza

3 hours

In the afternoon, we will visit the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago – Fernandina. This island is ranked among one of the top islands to visit in Galapagos, by guests and guides alike. Here, you will discover an amazing interplay between barren terrain and abundant wildlife. Highlights here include: hawks, penguins, flightless cormorants and astounding views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes

Luxury Cabin

Day 3 · Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove

Urbina Bay

3 hours

After breakfast, we will disembark at Urbina Bay over on the western side of Isabela Island. This visitor site happens to be the result of the tectonic uplift of the ocean floor! As a result, we will get to see plenty of corals and shells alongside large and very colorful Galapagos land iguanas. Occasionally, we might even be lucky enough to spot giant tortoises. While sailing across the Bolívar Channel, we will have a high chance of spotting several species of whales.
Tagus Cove

3 hours

Over on the northwest side of Isabela is secluded Tagus Cove – an anchorage spot that once served as a pit stop for pirates and whalers for several centuries. Nowadays, Tagus Cove is a superb visitor site. Upon disembarking, we will partake in an uphill hike that takes them to the rear of Darwin Crater, which consists entirely of salt water. Afterwards, you can choose to snorkel or ride kayaks along the dramatic coastal landscape.

Luxury Cabin

Day 4 · Rabida & Santa Cruz Islands

Rabida Island

3 hours

In the morning, we will disembark at Rabida Island’s red-colored 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, too. Non-snorkelers are invited to ride Yacht La Pinta’s glass-bottom boat for an exploration of life underneath the waves.
Dragon Hill (Cerro Dragon)

3 hours

The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). The walk here involves casually circling a brackish-water lagoon that’s often frequented by lagoon birds. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay as well as the western islands of the archipelago. You might even be lucky enough to observe land iguanas here, too!

Luxury Cabin

Day 5 · Santa Cruz Island

Charles Darwin Research Station

2 hours Admission included

The morning visit on this day takes us over to the Charles Darwin Research Station, with its giant tortoise pens and an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest. These are the Galapagos’ headquarters for scientific research and conservation. The Station also functions as the administration offices for the Galapagos National Park.
Highland View Galapagos

3 hours Admission included

After lunch, we will head up into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island aboard a private bus. This makes for great place to keep an eye out for the emblematic finches that inspired Darwin. Endemic scalesia trees also dominate the area as well. The highlands are also a great place for exploring the exuberant vegetation that is home to giant tortoises that roam about freely in the wild!

Luxury Cabin

Day 6 · Floreana Island

Floreana

3 hours

Post Office Bay

After breakfast, we will disembark at Post Office Bay (Floreana Island) to visit the historic “Post Office Barrel” that has functioned as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries! Dinghy rides along the maze of channels over on Floreana’s north shore can also be enjoyed. Views from La Lobería and the Baroness Viewpoint are quite rewarding, too. There’s great kayaking and swimming from the beach here as well.
Floreana

3 hours

Champion Islet & Cormorant Point

Before disembarking at Cormorant Point, you can enjoy snorkeling or a ride on Yacht La Pinta’s glass-bottom boat that travels along the coast of an extinct cone called “Champion Islet.” Later on, in the afternoon, you will get to visit Cormorant Point, which has an olivine-crystal beach and a brackish water lagoon where bird species like American flamingos can be spotted. A brief walk to the other side of the island rewards guests with a beautiful, white-sand beach that is often the spot for sea turtles to come and nest.

Luxury Cabin

Day 7 · Baltra Island

Baltra

3 hours

The journey ends at Baltra Island, where you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight back to the mainland. Baltra’s flat substrate (due to its tectonically uplifted origin) is the reason for why this island was chosen back in the 1940’s as the location for building an airport.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

After you have processed the Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee, you will see our staff holding signs with La Pinta logo. They will assist you to transfer you to the ship.

End point

After you have processed the Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee, you will see our staff holding signs with La Pinta logo. They will assist you to transfer you to the ship.

Using your ticket

One of our destination experts will get in touch with our guests to make sure they have all logistical information available, specially due to entry requirements to the Galapagos Islands.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 6 days before	100%
At least 2 days before	50%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Itinerary subject to change due to weather, logistical, Galápagos Park regulations or operational reasons
Baggage important notes: Guests can bring aboard the ship a reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects without charge. Baggage is handled in accordance with the airlines’ regulations and tariffs. Baggage exceeding these limitations is subject to the charges as set forth by the individual operators. Airlines are strict with baggage limitations. The current limits are 23 kg (50.6 pounds) for checked items, 8 kg (17 pounds) for hand luggage and 1 personal item (handbag, camera bag, laptop, etc.)
All baggage must be securely packed, and properly and clearly labeled. Liquid, fragile, perishable and other articles not suitably packed are transported at guests’ own risk.
Restricted Baggage in the Galapagos: Local authorities manage the quarantine system of the Galápagos National Park in order to reduce the possibility of foreign species invading the archipelago. All cargo and luggage that arrives to Galapagos National Park or that is transferred from one island to another must be inspected. To preserve the human health and the native species of the Galapagos Islands, the following products may not be transferred to Galapagos: fresh vegetables and fruits, animal products and or their derivatives, dairy products. Other live animals, pathological samples, dry coffee beans, genetically modified organisms, forest species or their disseminative parts, grass and its disseminative parts, fresh flowers, medicinal plants and their disseminative parts, banana tree leaves, micro-organisms (fungi, bacteria, etc.) soil and sand, and animal vaccines
One of our destination experts will get in touch with our guests to make sure they have all logistical information available, specially due to entry requirements to the Galapagos Islands and schedules for domestic air tickets to Galapagos.

Options

Classic Cabins || 3 Persons

Cabins accommodation: 1 Double Cabin + 1 Single Cabin.
Cabin Double || 2 Persons

Cabins accommodation: 1 Double Cabin.
Cabin Single || 1 Person

Cabins accommodation: 1 Cabin exclusive for single use.
Classic Cabins || 4 Persons

Cabins accommodation: 2 Double Cabins.