YACHT LA PINTA DARWIN’S LEGACY (Fr. – Do.)

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.

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.

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.