I recently had the privilege of traveling to Ecuador and the Galápagos with one of our premier Destination Specialist partners, Metropolitan Touring Ecuador. This was a trip of firsts for me: my first time visiting South America and my first time experiencing a small-ship expedition cruise.
Exploring Quito: Colonial Grandeur at Casa Gangotena
We arrived in Quito and met our private driver and guide immediately outside of the customs gate. We were staying at Casa Gangotena, a Relais & Chateaux luxury property located in Quito’s historic Old Town, situated right on the Plaza de San Francisco. The hotel is approximately 45 minutes from Mariscal Sucre International Airport and occupies an unbeatable location surrounded by magnificent colonial architecture, making it an easy stroll to historic churches, baroque plazas, and world-class museums.
Quito’s historic colonial district, featuring stunning 16th-century plazas and heritage architecture at 9,350 feet above sea level.
When we checked into Casa Gangotena, the concierge team provided a convenient curated map of all the local sites and enthusiastically shared their recommendations and must-see cultural highlights. Among the standouts were the San Francisco Church, located right next to the hotel, and the Museum of Man, featuring pre-colonial indigenous artifacts dating back over 4,000 years.
Casa Gangotena – Relais & Chateaux, Quito
A historic mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco offering 31 art-deco rooms, an internal courtyard garden, fine Ecuadorian gastronomic dining, and rooftop views of the Andean capital.
Our stay in Quito was intentionally brief because early the following morning we had our transfer back to the airport to embark on our next great adventure in the Galápagos Islands. The flight from Quito to Baltra Island was approximately three and a half hours. Upon touchdown on Baltra, we took a short 5-minute transfer to the pier to board our expedition vessel: the boutique La Pinta.
Aboard the La Pinta: 7-Day Galápagos Expedition Cruise
The Galápagos Islands are a wildlife lover’s paradise, offering an extraordinary opportunity to encounter animals found nowhere else on planet Earth. From the very moment we stepped foot in the archipelago, we were already up close with playful sea lions, marine iguanas, and iconic blue-footed boobies.
Metropolitan Touring does a masterful job optimizing the Galápagos experience, ensuring that every hour is rewarding without feeling rushed. Our days were thoughtfully structured with a balanced combination of active water pursuits and guided terrestrial hikes, allowing us to observe a rich variety of species thriving in their natural habitats.
“Because the Galápagos Islands sit directly on the equator, sunrise is at 6:00 AM and sunset is at 6:00 PM every single day. Each day was structured with a harmonious balance of land explorations and marine adventures.”
The Expedition Rhythm: What Clients Can Expect
Every day followed a structured rhythm designed to maximize wildlife encounters during peak activity hours while avoiding midday equatorial heat:
Daily expedition program aboard La Pinta: balancing sunrise hikes, deep-sea snorkeling, gourmet meals, and evening naturalist briefings.
We typically participated in two to three guided activities each day. I strongly recommend attending every evening Eco Talk led by the naturalist team. These briefings delve into the geology, evolutionary history, and specific endemic wildlife you will observe the following day, while providing an intimate setting to ask questions about your discoveries.
Terrestrial Explorations: Hikes & Landings
Hiking: Excursions to the various islands took place primarily in the cool morning hours before midday temperatures climbed. Island hikes typically lasted about an hour and a half. Every island in the archipelago was completely distinct – no two islands were alike, each boasting its own unique terrain, microclimate, and endemic wildlife.
One of my absolute favorite stops was Isabela Island. Formed by multiple merged shield volcanoes, the island is blanketed in dramatic black volcanic lava fields and is home to thousands of prehistoric marine iguanas. While vegetation is sparse at sea level, the landscape shifts dramatically as your eyes climb toward the massive Sierra Negra caldera, revealing lush, moisture-rich highlands. During our excursion, we encountered marine iguanas, nesting sea turtles, basking sea lions, and Galápagos hawks. Walking among these ancient volcanic landscapes felt like stepping onto a Jurassic movie set – and on most islands, ours was the only group present, highlighting the rare exclusivity of the Galápagos.
Blue-footed boobies courting along the volcanic shorelines of Isabela Island.
Endemic marine iguanas basking in the equatorial sunshine on jagged lava rocks.
Wet Landings vs. Dry Landings
Transitioning between our vessel and the pristine shores was an adventure in itself:
Wet Landings: These occur when the zodiac panga navigates into shallow surf along sandy beaches. Because the boats cannot be pulled entirely out of the water, guests step into knee-deep surf, requiring sturdy water sandals or booties. When tidal swells make the surf choppy, the experienced expedition drivers and crew are in the water assisting every guest safely onto the sand.
Dry Landings: For dry landings, normal hiking footwear is worn. Because weather and wave surge dictate safe access, there are no commercial piers or concrete docks on uninhabited islands. Guests step directly from the rubber bow of the panga onto natural lava rocks or low carved stone steps, preserving the untouched wilderness.
Field perspectives: Darwin’s Lake volcanic crater, active wet surf landings, dry lava rock transfers, and curious sea lions.
Marine Encounters: Deep-Water Snorkeling & Panga Coastal Safaris
Deep-Water Snorkeling: Marine immersion was offered nearly every day. On day one, each guest received high-quality snorkeling gear and customized neoprene wetsuits stored in personalized bags corresponding to our stateroom numbers.
As someone who is not a particularly strong swimmer, I was initially nervous about snorkeling in open ocean waters where you cannot touch the seabed. However, the expedition team made me feel completely secure. They provide lightweight flotation vests for added buoyancy, and a support panga is always idling within arm’s reach, accompanied by a dedicated naturalist guide swimming alongside the group in the water.
My absolute favorite marine encounter occurred off Rábida Island, where we floated alongside a majestic green sea turtle undulating gracefully with the ocean swell as shimmering schools of tropical reef fish parted around the volcanic reefs. Water temperatures hovered around 68°F (20°C), making 45-minute to one-hour snorkel sessions comfortable in our wetsuits. For travelers preferring to stay dry, La Pinta also offered glass-bottom boat excursions and sea kayaking at select anchorages.
Drifting alongside a gentle Pacific green sea turtle in the crystal-clear waters of Rábida Island.
Panga Coastal Safaris: For guests exploring by zodiac, drivers navigated tight along vertical sea cliffs where nesting marine birds thrive. On these excursions, we spotted Galápagos penguins, swallow-tailed gulls, noddy terns, Galápagos fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and feeding sea turtles. The boat drivers are master spotters, expertly maneuvering the pangas so travelers on both sides enjoy prime photography angles.
The Heart of the Expedition: Master Naturalist Guides
While the shipboard crew and dining staff aboard La Pinta were exceptional, the true stars of the voyage were our four licensed naturalist guides: David, Cathy, Dries, and Indira.
Guests are not locked into one specific guide for the week. I strongly advise alternating between different guides on each morning and afternoon excursion. Each brings a distinctive storytelling style, academic background, and passion for wildlife biology and geology. With just 24 staterooms aboard La Pinta, excursion groups average only 10 to 12 guests per guide, providing deeply personalized, unhurried interactions.
Our expert naturalist guides aboard La Pinta: David, Cathy, Dries, and Indira – the intellectual heartbeat of the expedition.
Saying Goodbye to the Enchanted Islands
During our 7-day expedition cruise, we explored 6 of the 13 major islands in the Galápagos archipelago. We arrived at the tail end of the wet season, when emerald vegetation still covered the volcanic slopes. However, our guides explained that within just a few weeks of the dry season, the foliage recedes dramatically, exposing the raw basalt bones of the islands. Every season reveals a distinct beauty, creating an irresistible urge to return during the dry garúa season to witness the stark contrast.
The Galápagos are constantly evolving, yet this change occurs at nature’s deliberate, geological pace – a profound antidote to the relentless speed of modern notifications and emails. Disconnecting and tuning into this primordial rhythm left me with an enduring sense of wonder.
And while the daylight hours are teeming with wildlife, do not overlook the night sky. Make a point to step onto the top observation deck after dinner. Whenever the ship is navigating open waters, the captain extinguishes all external deck lights, revealing the unfiltered brilliance of the Milky Way spanning both northern and southern constellations across the equatorial dark sky.
Metropolitan Touring – Ecuador & Galápagos Specialist
Pioneers of sustainable expedition travel in Ecuador since 1953. Operating carbon-neutral boutique expedition yachts in the Galápagos, luxury lodges in the Mashpi Cloud Forest, and Quito’s landmark Casa Gangotena.
Plan Your Custom Galápagos Expedition with Vincent Vacations
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