Galapagos Islands Cruises, La Pinta, Eight Day Cruise

Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the La Pinta

Day 1	San Cristobal Interpretation Center/Isla Lobos/Playa Ochoa (San Cristobal)
Day 2	North Seymour/Cerro Dragon (Santa Cruz)
Day 3	Post Office Bay/Punta Cormorant (Floreana)
Day 4	Punta Moreno (Isabela)/Punta Espinoza (Fernandina)
Day 5	Highlands/Charles Darwin Research Station/Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz)
Day 6	Bartolome/Rabida
Day 7	Gardner Bay/Punta Suarez (Espanola)
Day 8	Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Free Quito-Galapagos Airfare or No Single Supplement for all September and December 1-15 Departures.

Note: The route and program may vary according to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons and wildlife encounters.

IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program

South American Vacations is an active member of IGTOA (International Galapagos Tour Operators Association). In support of IGTOA's Traveler Funding Program, we contribute $50 for each passenger that we send to the Galapagos Islands. You'll travel knowing that you support the lasting protection of Galapagos Islands.

Sixty percent of the funding of this program goes directly to the Charles Darwin Foundation for science, conservation, and education. Their work, carried out through the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park, is vital to the preservation of the islands. You can visit their web site to learn more http://www.darwinfoundation.org . The remainder goes toward IGTOA's mission of creating a model of responsible and sustainable tourism.

Eight Day Galapagos Islands Cruise Aboard the La Pinta

Yacht La Pinta is one of the newest Galapagos Islands ships. It's 24 ocean view cabins accommodate 32 passengers and offer twin or queen beds, private bathrooms, a safe, and closet and luggage storage space. The ship is air conditioned throughout, and social areas include a bar-salon, dining room, conference room, library, sky bar, sun deck, Jacuzzi, and gym. Satellite and wireless internet connections are also available.

Activities: Wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkeling, sea kayaking, and glass bottom boating.

Dry Landing: guests step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock.
Wet Landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.

Day 1: San Cristobal Interpretation Center/Isla Lobos/Playa Ochoa (San Cristobal)

Morning arrival at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the small and cozy capital of Galapagos. This attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands (population 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, located in a natural setting that allows visitors to obtain information for a better understanding of the natural history of the Galápagos, with a great emphasis on human history and conservation. Transfer to board M/Y La Pinta. Welcome introductory briefing, and lunch. Boat Drill and other activities will be explained by the staff.

A zodiac ride along the rocky shoreline of Isla Lobos: a rugged satellite islet of San Cristobal, home of Galapagos sea lions, brown pelicans, and marine iguanas. A small colony of frigate birds, trees and stunning vistas of nearby kicker Rock. A wet landing on a coralline beach (Playa Ochoa) will offer the first opportunity to swim or snorkel. Highlights ashore include the Chatham (San Cristobal) Mockingbird, Chatham Lava Lizard; both species are endemic to this island, and seen nowhere else in Galapagos. We may also spot Yellow Warblers, Galapagos flycatchers etc. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835, as San Cristobal was the first island where he set foot in the Galapagos. Back on board, join us at the bar saloon for a cocktail offered by the Captain, enjoy the expedition plan for the next day followed by dinner. (L,D)

Day 2: North Seymour/Cerro Dragon (Santa Cruz)

Morning disembarkation on North Seymour (dry landing) for a walk along the coast and the interior of the island, observing bird colonies of blue footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls and also sea lions and marine iguanas. You will have an opportunity for snorkeling or coastal exploration.

Explore the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island, at Cerro Dragon, where an important project to save the endemic land iguanas was successful in protecting these reptiles against introduced predators. Today the iguana population is booming again, and individuals may be seen basking in the sun or feeding on the opuntia cacti. To reach this "Dragon Hill" we pass a small lagoon, feeding ground for colorful waders like stilts and greater flamingoes. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Post Office Bay/Punta Cormorant (Floreana)

Post Office Bay (wet landing) at the historic barrel that served as a post office, to learn about the human side of the islands, its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Possibility to snorkel from the zodiacs around Champion Islet or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. A zodiac ride along Champion islet may show the rarest land bird in Galápagos: the Charles Mockingbird.

Disembark at Punta Cormorant (wet landing) for an easy walk to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon, and other birds like stilts and sandpipers. Return to the beach and possibility to swim; there is great snorkeling at this site or kayak from the beach. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Punta Moreno (Isabela)/Punta Espinoza (Fernandina)

Punta Moreno (dry landing) over a young lava field. A dramatic scenery of pahoe-hoe lava that stretches to the foot of some of the most active volcanoes in Galápagos (Cerro Azul and Santo Tomás a.k.a. Sierra Negra). The landscape will be briefly interrupted by small scattered brackish lagoons. Lush vegetation and brightly colored birds are a striking contrast with the surrounding jet black lava. A panga ride along the shore will reveal mangrove tenants like rays, young sharks, nesting pelicans and flightless birds like penguins and the endemic cormorant. Swimming or snorkeling.

The afternoon brings us to the jewel of the Galapagos National Park, and youngest island, Fernandina. Disembark (dry landing) for a one-mile walk. Punta Espinoza has an amazing combination of barrenness with much wildlife. Having no introduced mammals, Fernandina has a very unique environment with the highest density of marine iguanas, sharing their space with sea lions, sally-light foot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Highlands/Charles Darwin Research Station/Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz)

After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a Scalesia forest and the twin pit craters geology formation, Los Gemelos. From December to mid-April a visit to see the giant tortoises in the wild may be included, if weather conditions are good. Return to Puerto Ayora for lunch at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel.

Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like "Lonesome George" within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the National Park administration. Late afternoon stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on Yacht La Pinta. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Bartolome/Rabida

A small satellite island of the neighboring Santiago Island, Bartolomé is a landmark of Galápagos. Broken volcanic material reveals one of the most striking volcanic landscapes: the Pinnacle rock. After a dry landing, the short, yet somewhat steep trail will unfold virtually every volcanic feature expected to be found in Galápagos - lava flows, tuff, cinder and spatter cones. To reach the summit, a wooden staircase was built to minimize erosion on the island´s slopes. The vista is the prize - the Pinnacle Rock next to golden beaches and turquoise waters. This is the introduction to the next activity, swimming and snorkeling along the north beach of Bartolomé.

Only a short sailing distance from Bartolomé is the colorful island of Rábida. Aquatic activities will include swarms of reef fish, sea lions and often large rays. Glass bottom boat is an option for non-snorkeler. The day can end with a rewarding stroll along the trail up to the viewing rocks over the red beach. A deciduous forest of palo santo trees, home to Darwin finches and Galápagos doves. Weather permitting, stargazing from the outer deck at night. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Gardner Bay/Punta Suarez (Espanola)

Gardner Bay. After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach where you can take a short walk and watch the sea lions, Hood mockingbirds, finches or enjoy the beach. There is great snorkeling in this area (snorkeling equipment is available for guests at no extra cost), kayak or ride the glass-bottom boat.

Punta Suárez. Afternoon dry landing for an exciting walk on lava terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatrosses (May-December), colonies of Nazca and blue footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls and the famous blowhole. Departure briefing and dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Bus ride to see the emblematic reptile of Galápagos at la Galapaguera. Decidiouos forest, land birds, endemic plants, etc. Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner