A seven-day expedition aboard La Pinta will take Nomad Story guests to the places where the archipelago began, to a world that has just been created by titanic tectonic upheavals of the Earth's crust. The volcanic hotspot formed the islands in the blink of an eye in geologic time. Guests include: they will visit Fernandina Island, considered one of the most pristine environments in the world, a place where life evolved in its natural state, away from human intervention.
A seven-day expedition aboard La Pinta will take Nomad Story guests to the places where the archipelago began, to a world that has just been created by titanic tectonic upheavals of the Earth's crust. The volcanic hotspot formed the islands in the blink of an eye in geologic time. Fernandina Island is considered one of the most pristine environments in the world, where life has evolved in its natural state, away from human intervention. Guests will visit the Central Islands, landing on the intriguing red beach of Rabida and spotting land iguanas on Dragon Hill. On Santa Cruz, they will visit the Charles Darwin Research Institute and get up close to giant elephant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Our guests' adventure begins with a morning flight to the island of Baltra, where, after landing, they will go to the port where the yacht La Pinta is waiting for them. After a welcome briefing and safety training, guests will be assigned cabins and then invited to dinner.
In the afternoon, guests will go ashore on North Seymour Island to observe numerous bird colonies, as well as sea lions and Galapagos iguanas. Those interested can explore the coast on a pontoon. In the evening, we invite guests for a welcome cocktail and dinner.
As landing is not possible at this location, guests will explore the panga coast while a guide explains the area's dramatic geology, which is shaped by remnants of lava flows and layers of tuff. If conditions permit, guests will be able to snorkel along the cliffs. With a bit of luck in the company of green sea turtles.
In the afternoon, travelers will visit the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago, Fernandina. Punta Espinoza is an amazing combination of barrenness and an abundance of wild animals. Here you can observe hawks, penguins, flightless cormorants, all surrounded by astonishing volcanic landscapes.
After breakfast, guests will land in Urbina Bay, on the western side of Isabela Island, which was formed by uplifting of the ocean floor. You can admire corals, shells as well as large and very colorful Galapagos land iguanas, sometimes also giant elephant tortoises. As we sail through the Bolívar Channel, guests have a good chance of spotting several species of whales.
On the northwest side of Isabela Island, secluded Tagus Cove has been a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. An uphill hike takes guests to the Darwin Crater, which is filled with salt water. Here they can snorkel or kayak through dramatic landscapes.
In the morning, guests will descend on the red beach of Rabida Island. A walk along it allows you to observe marine iguanas, mockingbirds, golden warblers and several species of Darwin's finches. It is also an ideal place for snorkeling straight from the beach. We will invite non-diving guests on a glass-bottom boat trip.
The northern shore of Santa Cruz Island is formed by the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hills). During the hike, guests will circle a salty lagoon frequently visited by seabirds. Further inland, the trail offers beautiful views of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago. You can also meet land iguanas here.
In the morning, guests will visit the research institute. Charles Darwin and the enclosure of giant elephant tortoises in the impressive prickly pear forest. It is the headquarters of scientific research on the state of nature of the Galapagos archipelago, and the offices of the Galapagos National Park management are also located here. A delicious lunch will be served poolside at Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
After lunch, guests will travel to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island by car. This is a great place to look for the emblematic Darwin's finches and endemic Scalesia trees. The mountainous highlands are also perfect for exploring the lush vegetation where giant tortoises roam free.
After breakfast, guests land at Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that served as the archipelago's mailbox for over two centuries. Later, they can go on a panga ride through the maze of canals on Floreana's northern coast. The views from La Lobería and the Baroness Viewpoint are stunning. It is also a great place for kayaking trips and swimming from the beach.
Before coming ashore at Punta Cormorant, guests can snorkel or take a tour on our glass-bottom boat along the coast of the extinct volcano known as Champion Islet. In the late afternoon, a visit to Punta Cormorant will take guests to the crystal-olivine beach, where you can walk over the salty lagoon and observe numerous bird species, including: American flamingos. On the other side of the island, guests will reach a white sandy beach where sea turtles come to lay eggs at night.
Our journey ends on the island of Baltra, where we will take the guests to the airport, from where they will return to the mainland by plane.
License No. 756 for tour operators issued by the Voivode of Masovia
Signal Iduna Certificate – M 525404 (DOWNLOAD PDF)
