trip specifics

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The La Pinta Eastern Islands Cruise focuses on Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Espanola Islands. Embark in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on Santa Cristobal Island, and visit the Centro Colorado Tortoise Centre, a giant tortoise breeding center in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest. A visit to Cerro Brujo offers rewarding bird watching as well as sea lion and lava lizard sightings. Punta Pitt is the only place to find Nazca, red-footed and blue-footed boobies together as well as frigate birds and sea lions. Punta Suarez offers an exciting walk to sea bird colonies including the waved albatross, Galapagos hawks, Darwin's finches, marine iguanas and a spectacular blowhole.Gardner Bay features sea lions and excellent snorkeling. Conclude with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station.

La Pinta's Eastern Islands Cruise can be combined with the Northern or Western Islands Cruise to create trips of 8, 11, 12 or 15 days in length. View the Eastern Islands Cruise details on this page or click on the links to view details of other La Pinta Galapagos cruises.

La Pinta - Western Galapagos Islands 8 day/7 night
La Pinta - Northern Galapagos Islands 5 day/4 night
La Pinta Main Page

Day 1 - FRI - Cerro Colorado Tortoise Centre

Arrival by plane to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island and transfer to Yacht La Pinta for cabin assignment, introductory briefing and lunch. After lunch, land back at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and drive 40 minutes to the island’s southern shore. At Cerro Colorado, we visit the breeding centre of the highly endangered giant tortoises in the midst of a fantastic deciduous forest, home to dozens of bird species and the endemic San Cristóbal lava lizard.

Accommodations: La Pinta
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - SAT - Punta Pitt & Cerro Brujo

Land at the eastern tip of San Cristóbal Island this morning. The trail that ascends from the beach provides spectacular views of the shoreline and is the only site in the Galápagos where the three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two frigate species, plus a colony of bachelor sea lions. After the walk, if conditions are favorable, there is a chance to swim from the beach.

In the afternoon following lunch on board, a dinghy ride along the shores of tuff-stone layers takes you to Cerro Brujo's expansive, white coraline beach, great for walking, with rewarding birdwatching with good views of seabirds and shore birds. Also, look out for Galápagos sea lions. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon, back in September 1835.

Accommodations: La Pinta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - SUN - Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay

Enjoy a morning outing at Punta Suarez (dry landing) for an exciting walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including the waved albatrosses (April - December), boobies, swallow-tail gulls and the famous blowhole. Among its land birds, the Hood island mockingbird, and three species of Darwin’s finches are common highlights. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back on board for lunch.

In the afternoon, disembark at Gardner Bay onto a white coral beach for a short walk to observe the sea lions, 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. Briefing and dinner.

Accommodations: La Pinta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - MON - Charles Darwin Research Station

Morning disembarkation (dry landing) to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the ‘rearing in captivity’ program for the giant tortoises. Here guests witness the efforts and results of all the field work done in the name of science. An impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds can be also seen. Transfer by bus across Santa Cruz Island and a short ferry ride to Baltra. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast



Itinerary Notes: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itinerary may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain's discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of Galapagos cruising unique.

Included: Accommodations, all meals, soft drinks, island sightseeing, naturalist guides and lecture services in English/Spanish (guiding in other languages upon request for groups larger than 10 guests: German, French, Italian), snorkel gear, wetsuit rental, internet and low-bandwidth WiFi onboard, taxes and transfers in the islands. Transfer from main hotels in Quito (Casa Gangotena, Hilton Colon, Swissôtel, Marriott, Dann Carlton) and in Guayaquil (Hilton Colon, Oro Verde, Hampton Inn, Sheraton) to airport for flights to/from Galápagos are included in these rates. To coordinate these transfers we must have guest's hotel contact.

Exclusions: International airfare; airfare from mainland Ecuador; Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (US $100 per adult, $50 for children under 12 years old. This can be paid directly by passengers [cash only] or it is included in our INCLUSIVE PACKAGE TOURS); Galapagos National Institute Migration Control Card (US $10 per person); departure tax ($40.80); gratuities for guides, crew, drivers or local staff; alcoholic beverages; other personal expenses; medical services or insurance of any kind. Fuel surcharge may apply. During Peak/High Season, there is a surcharge of $200 per adult and $130 per child; no discounts apply.

Room Configurations: Twin/double cabins booked for single use and triple cabinsbooked for double use have a surcharge of 50% of the price, or 100% during high season.

Families & Children: Children under 12 years old at the time of sailing receive 25% off when sharing the cabin with 2 adults (applies only to one child per adult, paying full fare). Minimum child age is 6 years old. Six cabins are connected, for the convenience of families traveling together, and there are also 4 triple cabins of approximately 22 square meters (236 square feet). These triple cabins accommodate 2 adults and 1 child in a sofa bed. A “Young Pirates” program allows children, 6 to 12 years old, to fully absorb the Galapagos at their own pace. Young guests will enjoy a different educational approach with “children only” activities, special meals, interpretative recreational material and books.

Arrival & Departure: Most flights to the Galapagos will depart Quito or Guayaquil between 7:00am and 9:00am on day 1 and return between 2:00pm and 5:00pm on the final day. We highly recommend travelers arrive Ecuador two days prior to their Galapagos cruise.

Payment & Cancellation: A cruise deposit of $700 per person is required at the time of booking. For land packages a deposit of $300 per person is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. When a trip cancellation is received between 60 and 0 days from departure, the full trip price will be charged.

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Activities: There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel. The underwater experience is an integral part of any Galapagos cruise. We encourage all travelers to try snorkeling. Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, floating vest and net bag) and wet suits (recommended June through December) are available for the duration of the cruise.

Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in pangas (dinghies). Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours round-trip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet," requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

Qualifications: La Pinta Eastern Galapagos cruise will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life.

Extended Itinerary Pricing: Longer Galapagos La Pinta itineraries are available by combining the ship's shorter itineraries. Receive a 10% discount on the Eastern or Northern Islands itinerary when Western Islands is added to create an 11- or 12-day cruise. Or receive a 50% discount on Eastern Islands when combining all La Pinta itineraries for a 15-day cruise. Applies only to full-rate bookings; not applicable for promotional rates. Contact AdventureSmith Explorations for pricing and more information.


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