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La Pinta
Guayaquil to Guayaquil
Overview
Life Seen Nowhere Else on Earth. Darwin’s discoveries in the Galápagos had a profound impact on the way we understand the world. Cruise among these notable islands where adventure, culture, wildlife, and discovery awaits you.
Departures
Cruise Itinerary
Welcome to Ecuador! Begin your journey in this port city known as the gateway to the Pacific. Your first stop is the Wyndham Guayaquil, where you’ll stay the night. This dazzling riverside hotel is a short walk from the vibrant Malecon 2000 boardwalk as well as historic Santa Ana Hill and its famous lighthouse. Explore the city sights on your own, relax at the rooftop pool, and get a good night’s rest before your adventure. (D)
Up and at ‘em. Get an early start and travel to the legendary Galapagos Islands—UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Guayaquil, fly to Isla Baltra where your captain and crew welcome you aboard Yacht La Pinta. As Charles Darwin certainly was in 1835, you’ll be awed by the unique beauty of the islands as you take your first exploratory steps on Isla Seymour Norte—home to Blue-footed boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Formed by volcanic uplift, the small island of scruffy vegetation is ideal nesting terrain. Get an up-close view of these birds’ quirky characteristics by hike and panga ride. (BLD)
Explore Punta Vicente Roca, a marine site of impressive geological formations, by panga—your guide helps with decoding the visible clues of the islands’ fiery beginnings. Beyond the geology, spy winged residents including Blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants. The wildly rocky coast with a partially sunken cave provides phenomenal conditions for a menagerie of fish and green sea turtles. If conditions allow, don your mask, fins, and snorkel and dive in for a close-up view! Later, stretch your legs on a guided walk experiencing one of the most pristine islands in the Galápagos, Isla Fernandina. The island’s active volcano erupted as recently as 2009. Thousands of marine iguanas reside here, and it’s also a favorite haunt of Galápagos penguins. (BLD)
Large in landmass and young at one million years old, Isla Isabela supports abundant wildlife. At Urbina Bay, a stroll among the island’s vegetation reveals large, colorful land iguanas and perhaps giant tortoises. Crossing from Urbina Bay to Tagus Cove, scan the water for whales and dolphins that frequent Bolivar Channel from one ofLa Pinta’s spacious decks. Dropping anchor at Tagus Cove—an otherworldly landscape of eroded tuff cones—there’s a chance to snorkel, kayak, or ride a panga before hiking the backside of Darwin Crater overlooking a saltwater lake and panoramic views. There’ll be excellent opportunities for viewing penguins, Galapagos hawks, cormorants, petrified rain (bits of lava that cooled quickly after contacting water), and old signatures from pirates and whalers etched into the rock, the oldest dating back to 1836. (BLD)
Isla Rabida’s unusual red beach is a favorite sunbathing spot for sea lions and marine iguanas. Go eye-to-eye with Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, Yellow Warblers, several species of Darwin’s Finches, and pelicans. The warm maroon-colored beach also makes a great jumping in spot for from-the-beach snorkeling. Or keep your eyes above the waterline, inspecting marine life from the glass-bottom boat. You’ll have a birds-eye view from Isla Santa Cruz hiking Cerro Dragón—or, Dragon Hill—and enjoy a well-earned panorama of the island’s interior, and possibly even flamingos and lounging land iguanas. (BLD)
Today, it’s all about the magnificent giant tortoise. Touring the Charles Darwin Research Station, you’ll witness the exceptional conservation program where baby tortoises, “galápaguitos,” are reared in protective captivity until they are old enough to safely repatriate back to their native areas. Embrace Galápagos conservation by learning about threats that still endanger this fragile ecosystem. Bring your passport along if you’d like a special Galápagos stamp. Time permitting, stroll through town as you please. After lunch at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel, explore the misty, forested highlands and see the lumbering tortoises in their natural habitat. (BLD)
Your day is chock-full of adventure, with opportunities to snorkel, hike, kayak, skiff, ride the glass-bottom boat, or simply relax on the beach. Send a note home from Post Office Bay, dropping your postcard in Isla Floreana’s famous, historic barrel mailbox. A hike at Baroness Viewpoint provides the perfect vantage for a photo-op. Then take in the island’s geologic history with a panga ride or kayak investigation of its maze of volcanic channels. A tale of two beaches, walk along the green olivine beach of Punta Cormorant to a brackish lagoon known to be a flamingo hideout, then on to a white-sand beach where green sea turtles come ashore to nest. (BLD)
Your adventure of a lifetime aboard La Pinta concludes back on Isla Baltra. From here, transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil—where you’ll await your connecting flight home, or if you’ve opted for our Machu Picchu extension, continue on to Quito, Ecuador for your flight to Lima, Peru. (B)
Passport required. Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur to maximize your experience.
La Pinta
Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 63 metres Passenger Capacity: 48 (in 24 cabins) Built / refurbished: 1983 / 2007 / 2020 The elegant, recently renovated La Pinta reflects the combined dreams shared by captains, crew, guides, and guests over the years. This beautiful 48-guest yacht features spacious cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows and sophisticated yet relaxed decks and lounges. In one of the world’s greatest marine environments, you can be sure your surroundings are front and center. From bow to stern, the elegant and sophisticated La Pinta recently received a full interior makeover and would steal the show anywhere less impressive. Instead, she’s the perfect complement to the great outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge showcase the views with a décor that nods to the nautical. Geared up for adventure play and wildlife, the yacht also has a fun-to-explore expedition room lined with maps and artwork, a canopied terrace, and an alfresco dining area. Her Ecuadorian crew exudes friendliness, fueled by pride in their vessel, the Galapagos Islands, and a desire to share them both. Because some good things are too good to keep secret. Ship Amenities Onboard Features include three public decks, on-deck hot tub, exercise room with fitness equipment, expedition room along with an outdoor sky bar and observation lounge. The lounge features floor to ceiling windows, the library features historical materials, and the aft covered al fresco dining area also features the hot tub and bar. Perfection. The Dining Room features open seating. Meals are served at table at set times. Unlimited beverages, alcoholic and non, are included in the price of the cruise. Vegetarian options are always available. Dietary restrictions are happily accommodated with advance notice. Cabin Features: Floor-to-ceiling view windows; air conditioning; universal docking station; hairdryer, conditioning shampoo, body wash; in-room safe deposit box
Highlights
• One night pre-cruise hotel stay at the riverfront Wyndham Guayaquil • Six-night Galapagos cruise aboard La Pinta • Set foot on seven islands and islets • Charles Darwin Research Center • Nesting birds and wildlife in their natural habitat • View marine life by snorkel, panga, and glass-bottom boat • Certified guides escort small groups of 12 • Roundtrip air between Guayaquil and Galapagos • Alcoholic beverages on La Pinta
Map
