World-heritage Quito, Cotopaxi Volcano, Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise: Cultural and Natural Exploration

On this day, we’ll take you to the marvelous Cotopaxi National Park. The breathtaking Cotopaxi volcano, one of the most recognized and beloved landmarks of the Avenue of the Volcanos, is located within the National Park that carries its name. The wide plain dominated by the massive volcano, measuring 19,347 ft (5,897 m) above sea level, is only 37 mi (60 km) away from Quito. It is one of the country’s most photographed landscapes. Observe the flora and fauna of this amazing place as you hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon and marvel at the sight of the surrounding mountains, including Rumiñahui and Sincholagua. Lunch is included at a local hacienda.

At the end of the tour, you’ll ride back to your hotel. Overnight in Quito.

This morning, you’ll be transferred to Quito’s airport to board your flight to the Galapagos Islands!

Please note that the following Western Galapagos Islands Itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta is one of the many options you can choose for your Galapagos adventure. Ask our Destination Experts about our fleet and available itineraries.

Baltra Island

This adventure begins with your morning flight to Baltra Island and an immediate transfer to the nearby dock to board Yacht La Pinta. After an introductory briefing on board, we will all partake in an emergency boat drill, after which you will be assigned to your cabin and then be invited to lunch.

North Seymour Island

In the afternoon, we will disembark and get to enjoy a walk along the coast and inner area of this beautiful and relatively flat island. Throughout the excursion, you will get to observe numerous bird colonies as well as sea lions and land iguanas. There’s also the possibility of exploring the coast aboard the dinghies. Afterward, we will head back on board for an evening briefing, a welcome cocktail, and then dinner.

Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)

Because there is no disembarking site at this location, this coastal exploration is done aboard dinghies. Naturalist guides will explain the dramatic geology of the area, which is made up of lava flows and tuff stone layers. There is abundant wildlife present here and, depending on weather conditions, you will be able to snorkel along the cliffs, most likely in the company of green sea turtles!

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)

In the afternoon, we will visit the youngest and most pristine island of the archipelago – Fernandina. This island is ranked among one of the top islands to visit in Galapagos, by guests and guides alike. Here, you will discover an amazing interplay between barren terrain and abundant wildlife. Highlights here include hawks, penguins, flightless cormorants, and astounding views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes.

Urbina Bay (Isabela Island)

After breakfast, we will disembark at Urbina Bay over on the western side of Isabela Island. This visitor site happens to be the result of the tectonic uplift of the ocean floor! As a result, we will get to see plenty of corals and shells alongside large and very colorful Galapagos land iguanas. Occasionally, we might even be lucky enough to spot giant tortoises. While sailing across the Bolívar Channel, we will have a high chance of spotting several species of whales.

Tagus Cove (Isabela Island)

Over on the northwest side of Isabela is secluded Tagus Cove – an anchorage spot that once served as a pit stop for pirates and whalers for several centuries. Nowadays, Tagus Cove is a superb visitor site. Upon disembarking, we will partake in an uphill hike that takes them to the rear of Darwin Crater, which consists entirely of saltwater. Afterward, you can choose to snorkel or ride kayaks along the dramatic coastal landscape.

Rabida Island

In the morning, we will disembark at Rabida Island’s red-colored beach. A stroll along the beach allows us to observe marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin’s finches. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, too. Non-snorkelers are invited to ride Yacht La Pinta’s glass-bottom boat for an exploration of life underneath the waves.

Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island)

The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). The walk here involves casually circling a brackish-water lagoon that’s often frequented by lagoon birds. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay as well as the western islands of the archipelago. You might even be lucky enough to observe land iguanas here, too!

Puerto Ayora & Charles Darwin Research Station

The morning visit on this day takes us over to the Charles Darwin Research Station, with its giant tortoise pens and an impressive giant prickly-pear cacti forest. These are the Galapagos’ headquarters for scientific research and conservation. The Station also functions as the administration office for the Galapagos National Park.

Highlands

After lunch, we will head up into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island aboard a private bus. This makes for a great place to keep an eye out for the emblematic finches that inspired Darwin. Endemic scalesia trees also dominate the area as well. The highlands are also a great place for exploring the exuberant vegetation that is home to giant tortoises that roam about freely in the wild!

Post Office Bay

After breakfast, we will disembark at Post Office Bay (Floreana Island) to visit the historic “Post Office Barrel” that has functioned as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries! Dinghy rides along the maze of channels over on Floreana’s north shore can also be enjoyed. Views from La Lobería and the Baroness Viewpoint are quite rewarding, too. There’s great kayaking and swimming from the beach here as well.

Champion Islet & Cormorant Point

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

Baltra Island

The journey ends at Baltra Island, where you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight back to the mainland. Baltra’s flat substrate (due to its tectonically uplifted origin) is the reason why this island was chosen back in the 1940s as the location for building an airport.

Once you arrive in Quito, you’ll catch your flight back home. Safe travels!