Galapagos Explorer: 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 local leader and group at a welcome meeting this evening. Wander the Old Town beforehand if you've arrived early – it's packed with churches to dip into. Dinner is at a small local restaurant where you'll eat traditional Ecuadorian food: locro potato soup, quinoa with pork and vegetables, herbs and rich sauces from local farms.

2. 2
   Day 2 · Baltra IslandIsla Baltra - Highlands of Isla Santa Cruz

   Very early start to Mariscal Sucre International Airport with a boxed breakfast. Meet your naturalist guide on arrival in the Galapagos, then take a bus to the ferry across Itabaca Channel to Isla Santa Cruz. Travel by private vehicle to Puerto Ayora and board M/Y Queen Beatriz by dinghy – your home for the week.

3. 3
   Day 3 · Santa Fé IslandIsla Santa Fe - Isla Plaza Sur

   Snorkel at Isla Santa Fe to spot sea lions, hawks, land iguanas, finches, mockingbirds, marine turtles, frigatebirds, doves and lava lizards. Hike along the coast through opuntia forest under the Galapagos' largest trees. Sail to Plaza Sur and walk past one of the largest land iguana populations through cacti and volcanic landscapes.

4. 4
   Day 4 · Española IslandIsla Espanola - Bahia Gardner - Punta Suarez

   

   Wake at Espanola, the southernmost and most remote island, breeding ground for nearly all 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. Walk through booby colonies past sea lions and marine iguanas. At Punta Suarez, hike to a clifftop viewpoint to watch boobies on the rocky shore and frigatebirds overhead; see albatross use the cliffs as a runway.

5. 5
   Day 5 · San Cristóbal IslandIsla Cristobal - Leon Dormido - Isla Lobos - Punta Pitt

   

   Start at Punta Pitt on Isla San Cristóbal's eastern end, climbing the volcanic hill for views and spotting blue-footed boobies and frigates. Sail to Leon Dormido, a 150-metre basalt crater remnant split by a narrow channel, and circumnavigate to see tropicbirds, marine iguanas and sea lions. Finish at tiny Isla Lobos to watch sea lions.

6. 6
   Day 6 · San Cristóbal IslandSan Cristobal Interpretation Center, fly to Quito.

   Early start to visit San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, an information hub covering the archipelago's volcanic origins, discovery, colonisation and current problems. Then head to the airport for your mid-morning flight back to Quito. Optionally join your group for a farewell dinner.

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   Day 7 · QuitoQuito

   No activities planned. Your adventure ends after breakfast. You can extend your stay in Quito by arranging extra accommodation through your booking agent.

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: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
• Activities: Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing Isla Plaza Sur - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing Isla Santa Fe - Panga ride (45 mins) Isla Santa Fe - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing Isla Espanola - Punta Suarez - Walk (3 hours) - Dry Landing Isla Espanola - Bahia Gardener - Snorkel (1 hour) Isla Espanola - Bahia Gardener - Walk (1 hours) - Wet Landing Isla San Cristobal - Punta Pitt - Walk (2 hours) - Wet Landing Isla San Cristobal - Isla Lobos - Walk (1 hour) - Dry Landing San Cristobal - Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center Visit (1 hour) - Dry Landing
• 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 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 (4 nights)

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