Yacht La Pinta GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR
Yacht La Pinta
Galapagos Islands
Ecuador
www.lapintagalapagoscruise.com
BOAT INFORMATION
Group
Metropolitan Touring
Shareholders
Privately owned
Date of Creation
1953
Boat Positioning
Luxury Expedition Yacht in the Galapagos Islands
YACHT LA PINTA
History & Story
Yacht La Pinta is the luxurious choice for knowledgeable travellers, it represents the wish list of our captains, expedition leaders and hotel managers. An upscale travel experience for 48 guests that combines stylish design, spacious rooms, and gourmet cuisine with top adventure. The ship offers a wide variety of aquatic activities including snorkelling, kayaking and a glass-bottom boat. Travel comfortably with flexible, interconnected cabin arrangements and enjoy the never-ending views from your cabin or public spaces. Enjoy a dip in the hot tub and luxuriate while you explore.
Date Renewal
Dec 2016 ; new flooring, upgrade the staff areas and kitchen facilities ; new lighting in cabins, the restaurant and other social areas ; new emergency doors ; and overwhole renovations in all areas of the yacht and activity implements.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
• Upscale design throughout, ideal for travellers who want a luxury experience – a synthesis of our over 40 years in the Galapagos
• Features some of the largest cabins of any Galapagos expedition vessel
• Oversized panoramic windows in all cabins and floor-to-ceiling windows in common areas allow guests to keep permanent visual contact with the islands
• Small groups – just 12 guests or less per Naturalist resulting in top-quality environmental interpretation during outings
• State-of-the-art technology for multimedia presentations and natural history lectures; onboard library
• Gourmet meals created by a Cordon-Bleu Gastronomy Director
• Itineraries designed to allow guests to see as many of the Galapagos’ BIG15 animal species as possible
• Our vessel size (vs. minimal-scale craft) minimizes the possibility of seasickness, offers ample deck space and features more amenities
• Sustainable cruise technology, including new engines to cut emissions and a wastewater treatment plant, reducing guests’ environmental footprint
• Glass-bottom boat, kayaks, snorkelling, swimming, panga coastal exploration (all aquatic activities authorised by the National Park)
• Al-fresco dining
•Medical Officer (M.D.) on board for added
Location
Yacht La Pinta navigates within the Galapagos Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, that belongs to the country of Ecuador, in South America.
Key sites/activities in the area
The far-flung archipelago consists of 19 islands – 13 large and 6 small – and dozens of islets and rocks. A full 97% of the Islands is protected by the National Park, accessible only via a cruise. Explore volcanic craters, fascinating lava flows, forests of bizarre cacti or fragant palo santo trees, barren deserts and beaches in all sorts of colours. Yacht La Pinta offers all of the aquatic activities approved by the Galapagos National Park, including snorkelling, kayaking, swimming/beach, and a proper glass-bottom boat. At visitor sites, guests enjoy expert-guided excursions (hiking) where they are able to observe Galapagos’ famous intrepid wildlife up close. On board, they can also take advantage of numerous activities and facilities: nature talks and briefings with our Expedition Leader and top notch guides, stargazing, hot tub, library with Galapagos-related material, and a gym.
Children’s Corner
On board of Yacht La Pinta, we have our “ Young Pirates Program”. When we do receive young visitors (+6 years onwards is recommended) , we go all out when it comes to making the little ones have their best time ever. This is why we have designed the Pirates Aboard! programme that will keep them entertained, whilst teaching them about flora, fauna, conservation, navigation and the comings and goings of life aboard a ship. On their first day aboard, the Expedition Leader will introduce himself to the parents and hand the kids a “pirate kit” and an activity calendar. There is at least one 30-minute activity scheduled every day, except on arrival day, departure day and the day spent in Puerto Ayora. Parents will have many opportunities to unwind in Yacht La Pinta´s spacious public areas while the kids are enjoying activities such as an explanation of how the animals got to the Galapagos, a visit to the bridge with the Captain, an early dinner and movie night. These are all just a day’s worth of planned activities. And yes! Kids also get special meals at a table decorated just for them! Other activates the kids will love are handicrafts, watercolour painting, cooking and photography classes, zodiac rides, karaoke, and board games, to name a few.
BOAT FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites:
• 4 Luxury Plus cabins
• Number of Luxury rooms:
• 20 Luxury Cabins
• Number of rooms (keys) in all:
•24 Cabins on one deck
La Pinta boasts among the largest cabins of any Galapagos vessel with floor-to-ceiling oversized panoramic windows in all cabins. She is considered an ideal yacht for families travelling together, with many connecting cabins.
Restaurants & Bars
We source as much of our food locally as possible – this means freshly caught fish and seafood and organically grown fresh vegetables and fruit, all prepared by a team passionate to provide
sybaritic delights through Ecuadorean and international cuisine under the creative lead of our Gastronomic Director, a Le Cordon Bleu chef. Meals are served in each Restaurant on board – as well al fresco – weather-permitting! – and snacks are served after expeditions, whether in the bar, in the library or on the outdoor terrace, where you can take in the fabulous vistas and marine breezes of the Galapagos.
A 24-hour coffee station located in the library provides free coffee, tea, and water. Breakfast and Lunch are generous buffets, for Dinner we serve a 4-course meal, always including a vegetarian option as well. We are happy to accommodate special dietary needs including lactose-free, gluten-free, and allergies. Just let us know in advance!
Each vessel has a fabulous bar of course – and all international drinks are served, as well as Signature cocktails, that have been elaborated by our Peruvian Beverage & Cocktail specialist, integrating Ecuadorean herbs and fruits!
Wellness
Yacht La Pinta has a gym and Jaccuzi on the sun deck.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Yacht could be chartered for corporate events of special interests groups, having the perfect size of a small, intimate expedition yacht.
Extra Notable Features
Own Glass-bottom boat and MD on board, Free of charge.
Number of employees
675