Galapagos Islands: Discover Pristine Nature

45 Ratings

Seymour

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Embark on a 7-day adventure to the Galapagos Islands on Yacht La Pinta. Explore the origins of the archipelago, encounter unique wildlife, and snorkel at the best sites in the region.

Duration: 7 days

Cancellation: 6 days

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Highlights

Baltra & North Seymour Islands

Baltra - Begin this adventure with a morning flight to Baltra Island, followed by a quick transfer to the nearby dock to board Yacht La Pinta. After an introductory briefing onboard, everyone will participate in an emergency boat drill. Guests will then be assigned to their cabins and invited to enjoy lunch….

Baltra & North Seymour Islands

Metropolitan Touring - In the afternoon, disembark for a delightful walk along the coast and inner area of this stunning and relatively flat island. During the excursion, observe numerous bird colonies, sea lions, and land iguanas. There’s also an opportunity to explore the coast aboard dinghies. Afterwards, return onboard for an evening briefing, a welcome cocktail, and dinner.

Isabela & Fernandina Islands

Isabela Island - Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)

As there is no disembarking site here, this coastal exploration is conducted aboard dinghies. Naturalist guides will explain the dramatic geology of the area, composed of lava flows and tuff stone layers. The abundant wildlife here is remarkable, and depending on weather conditions, guests can snorkel along the cliffs, likely accompanied by green sea turtles!

Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove

Rabida & Santa Cruz Islands

Dragon Hill (Cerro Dragon) - The north shore of Santa Cruz features the captivating landscapes of Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). The walk involves a leisurely circle around a brackish-water lagoon often visited by lagoon birds. Further inland, the trail offers a stunning view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago. Visitors might even spot land iguanas here!

Santa Cruz Island

Charles Darwin Research Station - The morning visit includes a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to giant tortoise pens and an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest. This is the Galapagos’ hub for scientific research and conservation, also serving as the administration offices for the Galapagos National Park.

Highland View Galapagos - After lunch, travel into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island aboard a private bus. This area is ideal for spotting the iconic finches that inspired Darwin. Endemic scalesia trees also dominate the landscape. The highlands are perfect for exploring the lush vegetation that is home to giant tortoises roaming freely in the wild!

Floreana Island

Floreana - Post Office Bay

After breakfast, disembark at Post Office Bay (Floreana Island) to visit the historic “Post Office Barrel,” which has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries! Enjoy dinghy rides along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore. Views from La Lobería and the Baroness Viewpoint are quite rewarding. There’s excellent kayaking and swimming from the beach here as well.

Floreana - Champion Islet & Cormorant Point

Before disembarking at Cormorant Point, enjoy snorkeling or a ride on Yacht La Pinta’s glass-bottom boat along the coast of an extinct cone called “Champion Islet.” Later in the afternoon, visit Cormorant Point, which features an olivine-crystal beach and a brackish water lagoon where bird species like American flamingos can be seen. A short walk to the other side of the island rewards guests with a beautiful white-sand beach, often a nesting site for sea turtles.

Baltra Island

Baltra - The journey concludes at Baltra Island, where guests will be transferred to the airport for their flight back to the mainland. Baltra’s flat substrate, due to its tectonically uplifted origin, was the reason this island was chosen in the 1940s as the site for building an airport.

What's Included

Fuel surcharge (A destination expert will contact you).
Glass Bottom boat / Kayaks / Paddleboards / Pangas (inflatable dinghies for coastal exploration).
Lunch
Dinner
Wifi (Due to the Galapagos’ remote location, connections are intermittent and low-bandwidth).
Breakfast
Reading room / Natural history library / Outdoor terrace / Coffee…

What's Not Included

Airport transportation to/from Galapagos and airport taxes (A destination expert will contact you).
Galapagos National Park Entrance (A destination expert will contact you).
Ingala Transit Control Card (A destination expert will contact you).
Gift Pack, tips and gratuities.
Soft & Alcoholic beverages, available at an extra cost ( Over 18 years old).
Medical insurance and travel insurance.

Additional Information

We are thrilled to welcome you on this exciting journey to explore some of the most stunning islands in the Galapagos. This itinerary will guide us to the very origins of the archipelago, a world recently shaped by the monumental tectonic movements of Earth’s crust, where a volcanic hot spot rapidly formed the islands in geological terms. Fernandina Island is considered one of the most untouched island environments globally, where life has naturally evolved without human interference. On Santa Cruz, we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat. In the south, we will uncover the Galapagos’ own “murder mystery,” observe flamingos, and snorkel at one of the archipelago’s premier sites: Champion Islet. Returning to the Central Islands, we will proceed to Baltra Island for the flight back to the mainland.

Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Itinerary subject to change due to weather, logistical, Galápagos Park regulations or operational reasons
Baggage important notes: Guests can bring aboard the ship a reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects without charge. Baggage is handled in accordance with the airlines’ regulations and tariffs. Baggage exceeding these limitations is subject to the charges as set forth by the individual operators. Airlines are strict with baggage limitations. The current limits are 23 kg (50.6 pounds) for checked items, 8 kg (17 pounds) for hand luggage and 1 personal item (handbag, camera bag, laptop, etc.)
All baggage must be securely packed, and properly and clearly labeled. Liquid, fragile, perishable and other articles not suitably packed are transported at guests’ own risk.
Restricted Baggage in the Galapagos: Local authorities manage the quarantine system of the Galápagos National Park in order to reduce the possibility of foreign species invading the archipelago. All cargo and luggage that arrives to Galapagos National Park or that is transferred from one island to another must be inspected. To preserve the human health and the native species of the Galapagos Islands, the following products may not be transferred to Galapagos: fresh vegetables and fruits, animal products and or their derivatives, dairy products. Other live animals, pathological samples, dry coffee beans, genetically modified organisms, forest species or their disseminative parts, grass and its disseminative parts, fresh flowers, medicinal plants and their disseminative parts, banana tree leaves, micro-organisms (fungi, bacteria, etc.) soil and sand, and animal vaccines
One of our destination experts will get in touch with our guests to make sure they have all logistical information available, specially due to entry requirements to the Galapagos Islands and schedules for domestic air tickets to Galapagos.

Location

Galápagos Ecologic Airport

After you have processed the Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee, you will see our staff holding signs with La Pinta logo. They will assist you to transfer you to the ship.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Customer Ratings

5.0

(45 Ratings)

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N9108hkhelenw

Jan 26, 2026

Best trip ever! - From start to finish it was an amazing experience. All we saw did was breathtaking. Everyone involved made it as perfect as possible. Carolina Escobar helped us book the holiday, the yacht staff were great especially Jefferson and Gabby. The guides, Cathy, Indira, David, and Desi were so knowledgeable. The rest of the crew we helpful and friendly. Roberto the waiter was so funny. It made a perfect trip.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

I5502wescottw

Dec 29, 2025

On a scale of 1 to 10 . . . I rate this trip an 11! Simply PERFECT - Incredible experience start to finish. We were blessed to work with Destination Expert Melissa Altamirano. And Melissa's title describes her very well, Destination Expert! Thank you Melissa. Outside of my wife and I booking our flight to Ecuador, Melissa handled EVERYTHING, yes EVERYTHING. From the moment we picked up our bags to our return back to the airport a week later, all of Melissa's planning was flawless. The LaPinta Luxury Yacht is truly a Luxury Yacht. Fine dining, incredible cabin with a view, and most important the most professional and kind staff and crew. All the crew were exceptional at their jobs, and they all get to know you and your preferences so well throughout the trip. My wife and I were so glad we selected the LaPinta as our ship for luxury and adventure because of the guest size of approximately 50 passengers. We felt the smaller ships did not offer many of the amenities of this yacht, and the larger ships had too many people to get the personalize service that we fell in love with on the LaPinta . . . and once again, I would like to stress the professionalism and attention to detail of all the staff. All daily activities were planned out to perfection, in which we generally enjoyed three different adventures daily, with the opportunities to snorkel being our favorite. We not only viewed numerous wildlife, the guides educated us throughout each excursion. I would rate the guides we had throughout our numerous excursions/adventures as the best in the industry. We can away with countless wildlife sightings and the knowledge/education/history of each specie encountered and island visited. As a trip to the Galapagos Islands generally being a once-in-a-lifetime trip and adventure, I would not have changed one thing about our trip. As I began this review, I will end in saying, we were so blessed Melissa planned our entire trip flawlessly, and the LaPinta and the LaPinta staff/crew and guides were AMAZING. Thanks to all for a PERFECT TRIP AND A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Jasan2323

Dec 3, 2025

Fabulous experience. All of 10, that's wonderful. - This cruise with Metropolitan Touring is a dream. From the beginning, Agent Carolina Escobar’s attention to all our doubts and concerns was kind, fast and attentive, out of 10, which already anticipated the excellent cruise experience. The organization is perfect, yet absolutely controlled, like clockwork, it is impressive the level of professionalism of your entire team. The food is second to none, we have already heard about the prestige of its chef and the excellent food service but it still amazes you. Definitely at the level of the best restaurant I tried in Ecuador. The naturalist team is amazing, not only for its training, knowledge and preparation but for its kindness and organization. The service on the waiters' boat is impeccable and the spacious and tremendously comfortable cabins are a success. How well he slept! All services, visits, routes, are organized in English and Spanish, which is greatly appreciated when the Spanish-speaking group is a minority. You can only say good things about this cruise and all its wonderful equipment.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Guide816648

Oct 13, 2025

Awesome! Thank you, Anddy! - So, where to begin... This trip exceeded our expectations above and beyond. From the booking process, the level of service, the food and the adventurous excursions with plenty of choices for everyone. Most sailing happened at night, meaning the days were spent on the islands. There were at least two excursions per day, which included snorkeling, glass bottom boats, panga rides, hikes, kayaking. There were animals everywhere. Positive surprises: Lunches on the deck, 3 times house keeping every day, an awesome bartender and server, everything was super organized and always on time, plenty of room and privacy, elegant dinners, interesting conversations with fellow passagers. Zero dissapointments. And the reason we ended up on this cruise, is all thanks to Anddy!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

402annc

Sep 3, 2025

Wonderful trip to Quito and the Galapagos Islands - I went with my adult daughter. We flew from the U.S. to Quito and then after taking a terrific tour, where we learned a lot about Ecuador, we flew to the Galapagos Islands. The woman who helped us plan the tour (Carolina Escobar) was very helpful and friendly. I had intended to take medication to prevent altitude sickness since I was coming to Quito from sea level but didn't end up taking it or needing it. (Although in my early 70s, I am in good shape.) The cruise on La Pinta Yacht was well-paced and worked well for persons of different ages (71 and 31). The cruise had the right amount of activities, that were well organized and clearly announced in Spanish and English. (The activities included hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, watching wildlife, touring the Darwin Research Center and also an Ecuadorean farm, going on a glass bottom boat, as well as learning about the stars in both hemispheres. The staff and naturalists on the cruise were very friendly, helpful, and knew a lot. The food was fresh and good. I would highly recommend this tour group.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Kylec075

Aug 1, 2025

An incredible experience from start to finish! - My fiance and I had an amazing experience with Metropolitan Touring. Starting with the booking process, Maria Emilia, our destination expert, was absolutely delightful to work with as she helped us decide which tour would be best for us and in communicating all the important details as our trip approached. Then on the boat itself, the entire crew was remarkably attentive, responsive, and generally wonderful to interact with. The facilities were impeccably clean, the food was amazing, and the schedule was perfectly managed to maximize time experiencing nature with just enough time to relax and transition between activities. And speaking of the activities, the naturalist guides were all easily among the best guides we've had on any tours anywhere. They were super knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, and history of the islands and had incredible communication skills and were generally a delight be around. We were also in awe of how much wildlife we were able to see on land and in the water and how close we were able to be to so many exotic birds, iguanas, land turtles, sea turtles, sea lions, and penguins without seeming to bother any of them. Overall, we are so grateful we listened to our family who recommended Metropolitan Touring, and we will also be recommending them to anyone who asks about going to the Galapagos.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Cecilemv6256xs

Jul 31, 2025

Galapagos Cruise with Metropolitan Tours (La Pinta Darwin's Legacy) - My daughter and I had a wonderful trip. We saw unique landscapes and species. You barely disembark before bumping into blue footed boobies, iguanas, sea lions etc. sprawled across your pathway and completely unfazed by the excited humans that are approaching! Highlights included snorkeling with marine turtles, playful sea lions, and a manta ray. I was very impressed by the organization of Metropolitan Tours and the friendliness of everyone on board. The cabins were cleaned multiple times per day, the food was excellent, the panga drivers were skilled, and the naturalists - Kathy, Dries, Indi, and David - were very knowledgeable, kind, and patient. Every evening we could listen to a presentation about the following day's activities including recommendations of what to wear and what to bring. All snorkeling equipment including wet-suits was provided, which allowed us to pack light. I would definitely recommend bringing the items Metropolitan Tours suggest on their packing list - sturdy, waterproof sandals, UV protective long-sleeved shirts, hats etc. You will come back a little tired but that's because you will have made the most of the time you had. Our online trip coordinator Anddy Males was very enthusiastic and quick to assist.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Laurajctn

Jul 20, 2025

Amazing trip to see the Galapagos wildlife - This was an incredible, awe-inspiring tour with beautiful moments in nature with opportunities to get up close to so many amazing and unusual species of animals. I highly recommend this tour and this company. La Pinta staff and guides were superb. It was clear the guides had a real passion for the islands, its history, and its wildlife. Each day, we did at least one morning activity and at least one in the afternoon: hiking, coastal exploration in a "panga" (rubber boat), snorkeling, swimming, or taking a glass-bottom boat. Some people did kayaking as well. There were lots of great opportunities for photos. The sea life was just as beautiful as the life on land. Favorites of both land and sea were the blue-footed boobies, the baby sea lions who swam in the water next to us on the last day, the sea turtles, and the giant tortoises. We even got lucky and saw a whale, and we could see sharks following our ship on the last night. Time on the boat was also great. Good food, fantastic staff, excellent service. There was even a jacuzzi on board. There were lectures in the evening that were very interesting, and one night some entertainers came on board for music and dancing. There were about 48 passengers, and we enjoyed meeting other travelers. I will say that the trip is challenging physically, especially when walking on some rocky and sometimes slick surfaces, sometimes walking at a fast pace, snorkeling in choppy waters, and even managing getting on and off the boat while the waves are rocking everything. However, the guides help all along the way, and there were options if, for example, the "power hike" was too much, you could do an easier activity. I want to also recognize Melissa Altamirano for her excellent service and great communication. She was the contact person for me prior to the trip, and she made sure that all the logistics went smoothly, and they did. The hotel pickup, transfer to the airport, domestic flights, arrival at the ship, everything went perfectly and seamlessly. Melissa was also quick to respond to questions and was a great contact. Overall, I highly recommend this trip and this company. It was a great, unforgettable adventure and a wonderful way to see one of the most unique parts of the world.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Y2272lfsarahl

Jul 14, 2025

Incredible Experience on La Pinta - We had an incredible experience on La Pinta. The naturalists were excellent, the crew was awesome and the other passengers became friends. The boat itself was wonderful and really comfortable. We were glad we selected a boat that accommodates 48 since that meant we had four excellent naturalists and plenty of options for activities. The food was also terrific. The itinerary brought us to amazing wildlife and we learned so much. We only wished we could stay longer. Thanks to Anddy for his help with booking and making sure we had all the info we needed for a great trip.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

O4115xpgrahamm

Jul 7, 2025

La Pinta and Metropolitan Touring are the best! - Booking a trip on Metropolitan Touring’s ship La Pinta is probably one of the easiest ways to see the different islands and wildlife in the Galapagos. Metropolitan Touring, MT, can organize everything: hotels, transfers, domestic flights, and more. Our contact at MT, Carolina, was fantastic and she patiently and thoroughly explained everything before we booked. From arrival in Quito to departure, everything is handled smoothly and efficiently by MT and their local operators. It is possible to just ‘sit back’ and enjoy the ride without having to worry about connections, taxis, or flights. Don’t worry, MT has everything under control. These conveniences do tend to add up though, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on all the extras. However, being ‘easy’ and being able to ‘sit back’ does not apply to the time on board La Pinta. This is not an armchair traveller’s experience in the Galapagos, but an activity-packed adventure. Walking and snorkelling activities are offered every day, with kayaking and glass-bottom boating sometimes available too. Usually, there are two morning activities and one in the afternoon after lunch. You will be busy, or as busy as you want to be. I guess you could stay onboard but what’s the point of that! The activities offered do not require a high level of fitness and sure-footed people and confident swimmers will be in their element. People who are less nimble and not steady on their feet may find the wet landings on a beach tricky. Similarly, some of the walking over lava may also be difficult. People who are not strong swimmers or who dislike swimming in a wavy ocean may choose the glass-bottomed boat instead of snorkelling. La Pinta is perhaps the ‘Goldilocks’ ship–not too small, not too big. The food was great and, one night, the chefs managed to make a buffet that was equal in quality to the usual a la carte options. Lunch was often eaten al fresco on the aft deck under the shade of awnings, and dinner in the downstairs restaurant. By the way, long sleeves are a good idea at dinner because the a/c can be fierce. Before and after the time aboard La Pinta, MT can offer other accommodation options to enhance your adventure in Ecuador, for example, Finch Bay resort in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island, or Mashpi Lodge near Quito. We can recommend Finch Bay as a great place to relax after the busy and intense time on the ship. The pool is great (and not wavy) and there is an excellent restaurant, The Point, nearby if you feel like dining out. Overall, we highly recommend Metropolitan Touring, their ship La Pinta, and the Finch Bay resort. The only improvement would be to include the ‘optional tip’ in the overall price of the trip. This is not unusual on cruise lines and would spare guests from countries where tipping is uncommon any unnecessary hassle or embarrassment.

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From $8,066

up to 4 guests

1 - Adult