Galápagos Wildlife Odyssey
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Aboard the M/Y La Pinta
Type of Trip: Nature & Wildlife Length: 10 days Season: Year-round Rating: Grade I
This upgraded version of our classic program offers a superior value in the archipelago, featuring a comprehensive 7-day itinerary, aboard one of the finest vessels in the islands, the M/Y La Pinta. This generously proportioned all-first-class ship with a small yacht atmosphere offers the highest levels of comfort, safety and service and is an ideal base of exploration of these remarkable islands.
Starting with an overnight in Quito, our first day is spent in this charming capital city of Ecuador. On Friday morning, we catch a flight to Baltra Island and start exploring aboard our comfortable 48-passenger, deluxe expedition boat. Accompanied by some of the best English-speaking naturalist guides in the Galápagos, we learn about the natural history of these enchanted islands, visiting the most outlying sites as well as important central and southern islands.
Trip Highlights:
- Take photos of unique animals such as blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and flightless cormorants
- Walk by the friendly sea lions while they relax and sunbathe on sandy beaches
- Spot Galápagos Penguins, one of the smallest species and the only one found north of the equator
- Swim and snorkel with colorful fish, sea lions, sea turtles and other sea creatures
- Hike through the scenic petrified lava landscape on Fernandina Island
- Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn closely about the giant tortoises
- Navigate by Isabela and Fernandina Islands looking for dolphins, orcas and whales
Brief Itinerary
DAY 1 (WED): USA / QUITO
Arrive this evening to Ecuador’s colonial center city of Quito (9,350’) located in a picturesque Andean valley.DAY 2 (THU): QUITO
A full-day city tour of Quito includes the Panecillo Hill and Inti-ñan solar museum plus a scrumptious traditional lunch.DAY 3 (FRI): QUITO / BALTRA ISLAND / NORTH SEYMOUR (GALAPAGOS)
Flight to Baltra, meet your naturalist guides and board the M/Y La Pinta. At Seymour Island we see some of the biggest sea bird breeding colonies in Galápagos, Blue-footed boobies, Swallow-tailed gulls and Yellow warblers among others.DAY 4 (SAT): ISABELA / FERNANDINA ISLANDS
Ride zodiacs and snorkeling looking for penguins at Vicente Roca Point. Afternoon walk on the black lava fields at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island. Learn about marine iguanas, sea lions, hawks, and flightless cormorants.DAY 5 (SUN): ISABELA ISLAND
Disembark at Urbina Bay at the foot of Alcedo and Darwin volcanoes. Afternoon visit and nature walk at Tagus cove with swimming, snorkel or ride kayaks.DAY 6 (MON): RABIDA / SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS
Take in the red sands of Rábida Island, look for marine iguanas, sea lions and flamingos. Hike towards a saltwater lagoon on Santa Cruz inhabited by a variety of birds.DAY 7 (TUE): SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Return to the main island, anchor at Puerto Ayora for visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the highlands with Los Gemelos twin pit craters.DAY 8 (WED): FLOREANA ISLAND
Dinghy rides along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore. Kayaking and swimming from the beach. Explore the green beach of Punta Cormorant with time for swimming, snorkeling or riding the glass-bottom boat.DAY 9 (THU): BALTRA ISLAND / QUITO
Disembark in Baltra Island and board a flight back to Quito. On arrival transfer to a nearby hotel for some time at leisure, return to the airport for the overnight flight home.DAY 10 (FRI): QUITO / USA
Arrive back to US this morning and make connections home.Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF)
With full trip profile, difficulty rating, weather, and other planning details.Departures
On request any week throughout the year, subject to availability
This trip is customizable according to your travel dates and preferences. To enhance your Galápagos experience, a land-based hotel stay can be arranged in combination with the M/C Endemic.
Plan ahead to secure your space!
Read more about booking a cruise with Southwind2024 Land Cost* (7-day cruise)
4-6 participants: from $9,750 p.p.d.
7-12 participants: from $9,600 p.p.d.
Single Supplement: from $480 (hotels only)p.p.d. = per person based on double occupancy. Price does not include international or local flights. Southwind ticketing affiliate helps coordinate flights to match your itinerary.
*This trip is a total of 10 days and features a 7-day cruise.
Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF)
With full trip profile, inclusions/exclusions, estimated airfare, and other info.Guayaquil: Wyndham Hotel
The Wyndham Guayaquil is a splendid high rise hotel overlooking the Guayas River. Its modern and comfortable interior fulfills the needs of all travelers and keeps them in the Guayaquil commercial district which is an area very close to entertainment, history, shopping and food.
Quito: Swissotel
Centrally located in Quito near the colonial center, the Swissotel offers guests not only modern, deluxe accommodations and first-class service, but also an opportunity for a great culinary experience, shopping, nearby unique museums, restaurants and cultural exploration of the city. With 275 room, 4 restaurants, a deli, pool and a spa, this splendid hotel is sure to meet every guest’s needs.
Hotel Oro Verde
The Oro Verde is a full-service boutique hotel offering the ultimate in sophistication and comfort for business and leisure travelers alike. Its superb location in the downtown Guayaquil commercial and financial district means you are within walking distance of popular tourist attractions, entertainment and shopping, and cultural sites.
Galápagos: M/Y La Pinta
La Pinta is a luxury expedition yacht that sails with 48 passengers, making for a personalized voyage. Elegant public areas feature a stylish and modern atmosphere, with plenty of natural light and a nautical touch. All 24 outside cabins have panoramic windows. La Pinta is a family-friendly vessel offering 6 connecting cabins and 4 triple cabins.
Browse All Galápagos Vessels
Southwind works with a dozen of the foremost yachts operating in the Galápagos Islands. Criteria for choosing these vessels include safety, comfort, guides, and itinerary.
Lake District Haciendas
Length: 3 Days/2 Nights from Quito
Season: Year-round
A 2-hour drive north from Quito lie the fertile valleys of the Lake District. Here we find the charming and historic Haciendas Cusin or Pinsaqui. Enjoy hiking, horseback riding, cycling, birding, and meeting local residents.Cloud Forest & Western Rainforest
Length: 3 days/2 nights from Quito
Season: Year-round
Choose one of three unique lodges as a base. Each is located in the lush, pre-montane cloud forest. Enjoy wildlife viewing, birdwatching, nature hikes to secluded waterfalls, biking rolling hills, or the zip-line at Mindo.Testimonials
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“The trip went beyond my expectations. I didn’t expect to be swimming with giant sea turtles, sea lions, penguins and sharks. It was an incredible experience to say the least.”
Al McNay – Westland, MI
★★★★★ -
“The week in the Galápagos aboard La Pinta proved to be the single most satisfying travel experience we’ve ever had. We have nothing but praise for the boat’s facilities, its staff, its naturalists. Just to make everything that much better, the 31 passengers were as compatible a group as I’ve traveled with. I think all of us felt the same. Of course, the Galápagos would be remarkable in almost any situation, but I can’t envision a better way to visit than the way we did.”
R. Frost – Plattsburgh, NY
★★★★★ -
“Our trip was fantastic from start to finish. We loved every minute of it, the staff and guides at the Sacha Lodge were excellent, as were the ones on Isabela II in Galápagos. The best grades go to Carlos and his team – they are unbelievable at what they do. Thanks for yet another amazing experience. No doubt we will be booking through you again in the future!”
Troy Cuminskey – Toronto, Canada
★★★★★