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Motor Yacht La Pinta - 8 Day Cruise
important information
- Departure Days:
- 8 days: Friday
The new yacht in Galapagos from March 2008 on is "LA PINTA", which shall be the epitome of luxury, pleasure and comfort. The ship is a new 63-meter (207-foot) yacht, with a capacity for 32 guests. Their ample public areas have a modern and stylish atmosphere. The 24 cabins are located in the middle deck and will have twin beds that can be converted in a large queen-sized bed for pairs - ideal for a honeymoon! LA PINTA will be an appropriate yacht for families, with six interconnected cabins and it has also four triple cabins. All cabins have panoramic windows, air-conditioning, safe, a lot of space to store everything and a writing desk with draws. There are many outlets to charge your batteries of your camera and video camera. For the children (7-12 years) the PINTA offers a Young Pirates Program.
They offer different activities, special meals for children and books for children concerning the Galapagos.
| Motor Yacht La Pinta - Specifications |
| Year of construction |
1983 |
| Renovation |
2008 |
| Length |
63 m |
| Beam |
12
m |
| Speed |
12 Knots |
| Electricity |
110-220 Volt |
| Crew |
24 + 3 natural guides level 3 |
| Facilities |
24 outside cabins / all similary equipped and in one deck / Size ca. 15 m² / 3 Decks inklusive a Bar / Dinning room / library / sun deck / Spa aerea with Jacuzzi and gymnasium |
| Itinerary Overview |
| Friday: |
Island San Cristobal – Isla Lobos - Playa Ochoa |
| Saturday |
Island North Seymour / Island Santa Cruz - Guy Fawkes - Cerro Dragon |
| Sunday: |
Island Floreana – Post Office Bay – Champions – Cormorant Point |
| Monday: |
Island Isabela – Punta Moreno / Fernandina – Espinoza Point |
| Tuesday: |
Island Santa Cruz – Highlands - Charles Darwin Station |
| Wednesday: |
Island Bartolome / Island Rabida |
| Thursday: |
Island Española - Gardner Bay - Punta Suarez |
| Friday: |
San Cristobal - return flight |
Detailed Itinerary:
Fridays: Flight to San Cristobal – Isla Lobos – Playa Ochoa
In the morning you will fly to the Galapágos Island San Cristobal from which you will start your cruise. After paying the National Park Entrance Fee, a crew member will accompany you to your cruise ship which anchors at Baquerizo Moreno harbour. After arrival on board, check- in and explanations in general, lunch will be served. Afterwards you will start with your first excursion. 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. You 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, you can enjoy in the bar saloon a cocktail offered by the Captain, listen to the expedition plan for the next day followed by dinner. -/L/D
Saturday: Island North Seymour / Island Santa Cruz – Guy Fawkes – Cerro Dragon
After a dry landing, you will have a short walk along the coast of the northernmost island of Seymour. Guests will encounter swallow tailed gulls, sea lions and cliff crabs. This site is also known for being a major nesting colony of blue footed boobies, and the largest colony of the magnificent frigate bird, a species different to the great frigate bird. You can also spot both endemic species of iguanas, the marine iguanas and land iguanas. You will enjoy this relaxing hike around the nesting sites. Guy Fawkes is a group of four small islets, remains of eroded tuff cones, two of which still show their crescent face protected to the leeward side. Fantastic locations to enjoy the marine reserve, including Galápagos sharks, turtles and sea horses along with myriads of reef fish. Afterwards, 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
Sunday: Island Floreana - Post Office Bay – Champion – Cormorant Point
Floreana Island is perceived as one of the most exotic Island of the archipelago. 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. Then you will 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 or kayak from the beach. Next day’s expedition plan and dinner. B/L/D
Monday: Island Isabela – Punta Moreno / Island Fernandina – Punta Espinoza
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. Lunch on board. The afternoon brings you to the jewel of the 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. Expedition plan and dinner. B/L/D
Tuesday: Island Santa Cruz - Highlands – Charles Darwin Station – Puerto Ayora
Today you anchor at the harbour of Puerto Ayora on Island Santa Cruz. Beside its rank as homestay for sea lions and pelicans, the marina is a popular starting point for round-the-world-yachtsman. The island itself has come to be both touristic and scientific center of the archipeleago. In the morning you will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz. After breakfast, you will disembark (dry landing) to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, an 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. Lunch at the poolside of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. In the afternoon you will visit 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. Next day’s expedition plan and dinner. B/L/D
Wednesday: Island Bartolome / Island Rabida
A small satellite island of the neighboring Santiago Island, Bartolomé is a landmark of Galápagos. Broken volcanic material reveals some 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 build 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. Glass Bottom boat is an option for non-snorkelers. Lunch on board. 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. 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. Expedition plan and dinner. Weather permitting, stargazing from the outer deck at night. B/L/D
Thursday: Island Española – Gardner Bay – Punta Suarez
After breakfast you will 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 a great snorkeling opportunity in this area (snorkeling equipment is available for guests at no extra cost), or ride the glass-bottom boat. In the afternoon you will have a 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
Friday: San Cristobal / flight back to mainland
After a good breakfast you will be taken to the airport in San Cristobal from where you will fly to the continent. B
B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / D: Dinner
| Prices 2010: |
| Double cabin per person: |
USD 4,656.- |
| Fuel surcharge: |
USD 203.- per person |
| Single supplement |
100 % |
| Discount for children under 12 years: |
25 % |
| Supplement for cruises during Eastern, Christmas and New Year: |
| Adult: |
USD 200.- per person |
| Child: |
USD 100.- per child |
Included in the price:
All transfers in Galapagos, cruise on board of the PINTA in double accommodation with all facilities, English speaking naturalist guide, purified water free to drink.
Not included in the price:
flights mainland to/from Galápagos (e.g. Quito – Galapagos – Quito USD 429.- per person), entrance fee to Galapagos National Park USD 100.- per person, migration card USD 10.- per person, beverages, tips, personal items, insurance.
NB Itinerary is subject to change without previous notice, due to weather conditions, operational matters, National Park Authorities advise, or captain´s decision for passengers security.
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