Luxurious Galapagos cruise for those who prioritize pampering

This adventure is also available as an 11-day journey with additional days in Quito, Ecuador.

For the perfect balance between wildlife and luxury on your vacation, book a cabin on the deluxe 48-passenger La Pinta. This 207-foot motor yacht is delightfully luxurious—oversized state rooms, multiple sun decks, and a jacuzzi to boot!—but it’s also refreshingly relaxed, with no formal dress code for dinner and a friendly crew of Galapagos National Park-certified guides to enhance your experience in the islands.

You’ll understand the magic Darwin felt when you see the wildlife on this equatorial kingdom firsthand, from shy hammerheads darting in the shadows to prehistoric-looking lizards sunning on volcanic rocks. This is the ultimate jumping-off point for an active but comfortable vacation. So if you love the wilds, but also like coming home to a bit more amenities at night, join us aboard the luxurious La Pinta and explore the Galapagos Islands in style!

Galapagos Travel & Adventures: See all trips

South America Travel & Adventures: See all trips

Wildlife Travel & Adventures: See all trips

Activities

8 days of easy yacht travel, nature walks, optional swimming, snorkeling, sea kayaking

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the Galápagos Islands in luxury - aboard the 48 passenger La Pinta
• Enjoy up close and personal encounters with wildlife in the world's top nature destination, including snorkeling with sea lions and green sea turtles
• A dedicated in-country staff to see to your every need

Duration: 8 days Start Location: Quito End Location: Quito

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive in Quito or Guayquil and depart to the Galápagos – San Cristobal Island

  Meet in Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, then fly out to Baltra Island and transfer to the dock to board the La Pinta. Welcome introductory briefing, and lunch. Afternoon disembarkation (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.

• Day 2 : North Seymour & Santa Cruz Islands

  Morning landing at North Seymour Island 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. After lunch visit Guy Fawkes, a group of four small islets that are fantastic locations to enjoy the marine reserve. Afterwards, explore the northern shore of Santa Cruz Island, at Cerro Dragon.

• Day 3 : Floreana Island

  Possibility to snorkel from the pangas around Champion Islet or a ride on the glass-bottom boat. Return on board and navigate to 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. Lunch on board.

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

• Day 4 : Fernandina & Isabela Islands

  Morning exploration of Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago, followed by an afternoon visit to the jewel of the national park, and its youngest island, Fernandina.

• Day 5 : Santa Cruz Island

  After breakfast, disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a Scalesia forest, and the twin pit craters geologic formation of 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. Lunch at one of the farms in the highlands.

  Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens, an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds. Then a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora before embarking on our yacht, La Pinta.

• Day 6 : Bartolomé & Rabida Islands

  Morning visit to Bartolome Island, where we'll walk over lava that flowed less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos. We'l also enjoy optional snorkeling or glass-bottom boat cruising offshore. Afternoon we'll visit nearby Rábida, a great place for beginning and experienced snorkelers alike, as well to observe wildlife.

• Day 7 : Española Island

  After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) at a white coral beach in Gardner Bay 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, or ride the glass-bottom boat.

  Afternoon we’ll have a dry landing for an exciting walk on the lava terrain of Punta Suárez to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the Waved Albatross (May-December), colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and the island's famous blowhole.

• Day 8 : Return to Quito or Guayaquil and Fly Home

  End your Galápagos cruise, return flight to Quito or Guayaquil.

• La Pinta

  Designed specifically with comfort and luxury in mind,  the La Pinta offers only the most deluxe of travel accommodations. All 24 elegantly-decorated deluxe cabins are located mid-ship, in the Upper Deck, and feature double beds, air-conditioning, private, fully-equipped bathrooms, and large sea-view windows. More information and deck plan.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

photo credits: