Galapagos Cruise - La Pinta

The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the most spectacular and pristine National Parks in the world. Visitors delight in the abundant, unusual, and surprisingly approachable wildlife--from Galapagos giant tortoises to playful sea lions to the fascinating Blue-footed Boobies.

This trip may be booked as a package, as seen below, or cruise only starting on Day 3 and ending on Day 10.

Itinerary

Day 7: Santa Cruise Island

A morning bus ride takes you to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a special breakfast at a selected property. Then, view the islandsÂ? most famous reptile: the Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. The vegetation, including the Scalesia Forest, and birds such as the vermilion flycatcher, will delight you. Look for DarwinÂ?s finches (most of them from the tree-finch group), particularly the famous Woodpecker Finch.

Day 2: Quito

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Today is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight in Quito.

Day 11: Quito / Home

This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Day 10: San Cristobal Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends

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Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This small attractive port is the provincial capital of the Galápagos Islands (population 4,000), along a crescent-shaped bay. Visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, which emphasizes human history and conservation. Afterwards, stroll through Puerto Baquerizo Moreno before heading back to the mainland. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 9: North Seymour Island / Sombrero Chino

Here, it seems like a volcano just collapsed and sank. In fact, the opposite happened; a volcano rose from the depths of the ocean and formed an island. Brown and white rocks hold large amounts of life, but it is here where sounds will impress you the most. Sea birds are always on the lookout for mates or food. Watch a male frigatebird and its red-scarlet pouch attract a mate, or watch a couple of blue-footed boobies parade. Look carefully near the shores, as sally-lightfoot crabs add orange to this ever-dark stones. If the ocean shows a swell, sea lions will surf it well. This is where humans donÂ?t touch nature, but where nature touches humans.

Perhaps, this is one of the most remarkable examples of volcanic activity. This volcanic cone is surrounded by aquamarine colours mixed with basaltic blacks. This small islet is a satellite of neighbouring James Island. Its secluded white beaches host sea lions, marine iguanas, and great marine diversity. Rays, fishes, penguins, and more, are common underwater highlights at this picturesque location.

Day 8: James Island / Rabida Island

This was Charles Darwin�s favorite island. He was touched by the many different types of habitats seen here. By now, it is easy to understand why Galápagos was a true wake-up call for him. The eroded shores of this island include black beaches made out of volcanic ash. This location holds one of the strangest marine mammals in the tropics: fur sea lions. What is a furry animal doing in the tropics? Galápagos hawks patiently look for lizards, just as herons patiently look for fish. If you have an eye for migrant birds, get ready for a fair good number of new records.

Red is not a common color in Galápagos. A male frigatebird carries a red pouch, just like an oystercatcher holds a red beak. In higher elevations a male vermillion flycatcher will stand out from plants, just like red hot lava gently flows on black slopes. This island shows the uncommon: red terrain against a blue ocean. It is an artist�s dream come true. Pelicans nest here, and their neighbours are sea lions that peacefully rest on red sand. Another plunge and more marine creatures will surprise you.

Day 5: Isabela Island

Far out to the west, this island is the result of volcanic fusion; six volcanoes have joined forces to create an island shaped like a sea horse. Here, land iguanas roam the land next to bulldozer-like giant tortoises. An uplifted piece of land reveals a not-so-distant volcanic past. Look for gaunt marine skeletons as evidence that this once was ocean and now is land. The plankton-rich waters attract encounters with goliaths of the ocean: whales.

Day 3: Baltra Island / Embark - Cruise Only Starts

Arrive to Baltra Island and transfer by bus to the dock to board the Santa Cruz. Cabin assignment and introductory welcome talk. Later, lunch, and shipÂ?s boat drill.

This afternoon, you may visit Santa Cruz and enjoy a Zodiac ride among mangrove-lined islets allows the observation of the bird life and dramatic landscape and coastline. Quite commonly, the black lava will reveal the presence of marine iguanas and you may find sea turtles, rays and sharks in the shallow turquoise waters. Following the Zodiac ride, enjoy a walk to a brackish water lagoon frequented by greater flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and a variety of shore and lagoon birds. Further along the trail, head to Dragon Hill, offering beautiful views and a fairly large number of land iguanas and bird watching.

Day 1: Arrive Quito

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Arrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 6: Florena Island

Disembark at Punta Cormorant at an olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish water lagoon where bird species like Greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others may be observed. This outing also includes a white-sand beach where sea turtles come out at night for nesting (from December to May). Snorkeling can take place from the beach, and for those experienced marine enthusiasts, Devil's Crown can be an option. Non-snorkelers can enjoy an introduction to the Marine Reserve on the glass-bottom boat.

Day 4: Bartolome Island / Fernandina Island

On Bartolome Island, hike to the summit. This is a steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, but the view from the top is worth the effort. There will be time for a panga ride (dinghy) around Pinnacle Rock to observe penguins, snorkeling and swimming from the beach, or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Lunch on board.

Fernandina is one of the youngest island volcanoes of our planet. Pitch dark and black lava flows dominate the land here. The refreshing green of mangroves provides shelter for sea lions and other species. This island is home to the only cormorant that gave up flying: the Galápagos Flightless Cormorant. If black rocks seem to quietly move, it is most likely that you are watching the largest clusters of marine iguanas of the archipelago. Watch them graze on the emerald-green algae.