Galapagos Encounter: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

About this trip

Exactly what you do each day, where you sleep, and how it flows — written by us, from the real itinerary.

1. 1
   Day 1 · QuitoQuito

   Land in Quito and meet your group and local leader at an evening welcome meeting. If you arrive early, wander the Old Town and pick through its 30 churches. Dinner is at a small local restaurant serving traditional Ecuadorian fare – locroc potato soup, quinoa, pork and vegetables with herbs, lemongrass and rich sauces from local farms.

2. 2
   Day 2 · Baltra IslandIsla Baltra - Punta Carrion

   Very early start to Mariscal Sucre International Airport with boxed breakfast. Fly into the Galapagos and transfer to Isla Baltra to board M/Y Queen Beatriz. Lunch on the ship, then sail to Punta Carrion on the Itabaca Channel for your first snorkel and swim in the shallow, protected cove.

3. 3
   Day 3 · Isabela IslandIsla Isabela - Las Tintoreras - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre

   

   Wake on the south coast of Isla Isabela, the largest island, formed by five active volcanic craters less than a million years ago. Visit Las Tintoreras to watch white-tipped reef sharks, then walk through lava flows spotting blue-footed boobies, penguins, marine iguanas and crabs. Afternoon walk through a coastal lagoon.

4. 4
   Day 4 · Floreana IslandIsla Floreana - Post Office Bay - Devil's Crown - Punta Cormorant

   

   Isla Floreana is rich in wildlife. Panga ride around the bay to see marine iguanas, sea lions and crabs, then walk to Post Office Bay where 18th century whalers left a barrel mail drop – add your own postcard or deliver one home. Snorkel with sea turtles and spot pink flamingos, pintails and stilts. Devil's Crown, an eroded volcanic cone offshore, offers more snorkelling.

5. 5
   Day 5 · Santa Cruz IslandIsla Santa Cruz

   

   Early start on your last island day. Travel to Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz, the archipelago's economic hub, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see giant tortoises, baby tortoises and land iguanas. Head to the airport mid-morning for your flight back to Quito. Optional farewell dinner with your group tonight.

6. 6
   Day 6 · QuitoQuito

   No activities planned. Your trip ends after breakfast. Consider staying extra days in Quito – speak to your booking agent about extending your accommodation if you'd like to explore the city further.

What's included

• Guide: On our Galapagos trips you will be meet on arrival by our experienced local representatives. They will conduct the group briefing on the evening of day 1 of the trip and also transfer with you to the airport on day 2 for your flight to the Galapagos. On arrival in the Galapagos you will be met your Guide. Our Guides are registered and trained in conservation and natural sciences by the Charles Darwin Foundation and licensed by the Galapagos National Park Service. The Guide will be on board with you for the duration of the trip and will accompany you on all excursions. Our boats are also staffed by highly experienced shipboard staff and crew.
• Meals: 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
• Activities: Isla Santa Cruz - Punta Carrion - Snorkelling (1 hour) Isla Isabela - Las Tintoreras visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing Isla Isabela - Arnolda Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center including Flamingo Lagoon (2 hours) - Dry Landing Isla Floreana - Post Office Bay - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing Isla Floreana - Punta Cormorant walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing Isla Floreana - Devil's Crown snorkelling (1 hour) Isla Floreana - Post Office Bay snorkelling (45 mins) Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station (1 hour) - Dry Landing
• Flights: Internal flights are included. *** All other flights are not included.
• Transport: The Grand Queen Beatriz is a modern motor yacht. She has a comfortable lounge and dining area, a jacuzzi* as well as a sun deck where you can view the wildlife or just kick back and relax. She has eight well-appointed, air-conditioned cabins and yet, at 41 metres, she is small enough for us to offer an individual level of service. She's just perfect for a more personal look at this great marine reserve. Cabins: 2xStandard twin cabins 2xstandard double cabins 2xJunior Suite cabins (1 twin & 1 double) 2xDeluxe Balcony cabins (1 twin & 1 double) All cabins are fully air-conditioned with private facilities Specifications: Built: 2017 Length: 40.96 m Beam: 9 m Engines: 2 Speed: 12 knots Passengers: 16 Crew: 8 + 1 English speaking naturalist guide Zodiacs (locally known as pangas) are modest-sized, open, outboard-powered boats which are very common throughout Galapagos. The boats are used to get you to and from the Grand Queen Bea when you do activities. Depending on the type of activity, this could either be a wet or dry landing. The boat crew are there to assist you getting into and out of the zodiac. *Please note the jacuzzi can only be used when the boat is stationary. This will be while you are doing an activity or excursion and pre and post some meals (if you’ve decided to sit out an activity or excursion you will also be able to use the jacuzzi). If you wish to use the jacuzzi please speak to the Guide or a crew member who will organise for it to be filled and switched on. At no time should a passenger use or fill the jacuzzi without notifying a crew member. Before the boat weighs anchor the jacuzzi will be emptied to prevent spillage once the boat is underway Minibus, Boat, Plane, Zodiac
• Accommodation: The Queen Beatriz features large en suite cabins all with individual air conditioning and ocean views, There are 3 standard twin cabins, 2 deluxe twin cabins, 2 deluxe double cabins (couples only!) and 1 suite (double bed). The deluxe cabins have private balconies and the suite is more spacious and has a small lounge area. All cabins are equipped with a safety deposit box, hair dryers and toiletries., The stylish modern design of the Grand Queen Beatriz features large en suite cabins all with individual air conditioning and ocean views. There are 4 Standard twin cabins on the main deck and on the upper deck there are 2 Junior Suite cabins and 2 deluxe balcony cabins. The upper deck cabins all have private balconies. All cabins are equipped with a safety deposit box, hair dryers and toiletries. Hotel (2 nights), Overnight boat (3 nights)

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