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Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: GMQE
Overview
Destination:
Ecuador,
Start:Quito, Ecuador
Finish:Quito, Ecuador
Finish:Quito, Ecuador
Duration:7 days
Type:Group tour (max 16)
Travel Period
March 2025 - December 2027
Cruise the Galapagos and discover the native wildlife on this seven-day sailing adventure around the southern end of the archipelago. Meet giant tortoises that inhabit Isla San Cristobal, watch blue-footed boobies dance the booby two-step and wander the unfamiliar environment that characterises these far-flung islands. Every day you’ll wake up to a different view out the window from the comforts of the M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz. Sail past the volcanic Punta Pitt, swim with sea lions at Bahia Gardner, and hike past prickly pear cacti on Isla Santa Fe. Prepare to head on the adventure of a lifetime and become a Galapagos explorer!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
GALAPAGOS PARK, TRANSIT CARD & ISABELA ISLANDS PORT FEES:
Before checking in for the flight from Quito to the Galapagos, there is a US$20 transit fee that needs to be paid. On arrival in the islands you must pay the US$200 national park fee to enter Galapagos National Park. This applies to everyone aged 13 years and above. For children aged 12 the fee will be USD100.
If your voyage visits Isabela Island, there is also a US$10 fee to be paid on arrival at the island.
ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
This tour includes a complimentary arrival transfer in Quito. Please advise flight details 30 days prior to travel so that the transfer can be organised.
PASSPORT DETAILS:
When booking, please make sure that your name is spelt correctly, and that you book using the name in your passport (particularly if you are recently married). If you are issued a new passport with a different number between the time that you book and the time you travel, please take both the old and new passports with you.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:
Should you have a special diet requirement (for example vegetarian, celiac, vegan, severe food allergies) it's essential that you inform us or your agent of the specific details at least 10 days prior to departure, in order to make sure the chef on board the boat or on the island can request the necessary food supplies.
May and June departures 2024 UPDATE.
On the 11th of May 2024, the Galapagos National Park authorities advised, the landing site of Punta Surez on Espanola Island will now reopen. This landing site was temporary closed as part of the biosecurity measures activated to prevent the spread of the Avian flu. All trip departures will now revert to the original itinerary which includes a landing at Punta Suraz, Espanola Island.
Before checking in for the flight from Quito to the Galapagos, there is a US$20 transit fee that needs to be paid. On arrival in the islands you must pay the US$200 national park fee to enter Galapagos National Park. This applies to everyone aged 13 years and above. For children aged 12 the fee will be USD100.
If your voyage visits Isabela Island, there is also a US$10 fee to be paid on arrival at the island.
ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
This tour includes a complimentary arrival transfer in Quito. Please advise flight details 30 days prior to travel so that the transfer can be organised.
PASSPORT DETAILS:
When booking, please make sure that your name is spelt correctly, and that you book using the name in your passport (particularly if you are recently married). If you are issued a new passport with a different number between the time that you book and the time you travel, please take both the old and new passports with you.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:
Should you have a special diet requirement (for example vegetarian, celiac, vegan, severe food allergies) it's essential that you inform us or your agent of the specific details at least 10 days prior to departure, in order to make sure the chef on board the boat or on the island can request the necessary food supplies.
May and June departures 2024 UPDATE.
On the 11th of May 2024, the Galapagos National Park authorities advised, the landing site of Punta Surez on Espanola Island will now reopen. This landing site was temporary closed as part of the biosecurity measures activated to prevent the spread of the Avian flu. All trip departures will now revert to the original itinerary which includes a landing at Punta Suraz, Espanola Island.
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Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners.
- Transport: Minibus, Boat, Plane, Zodiac.
- Accommodation: Hotel (2 nights), Overnight boat (4 nights).
- 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.
Itinerary
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Collapse allDay 1: Quito
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador. Your adventure begins in Quito – Ecuador’s sprawling capital city. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 or 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and small group of fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe check out the city at your own pace – head to the Old Town and pick one (or more) of the 30 churches to explore. After your meeting, you’ll head to a small, local restaurant for dinner with your group. Take in the aromas and fresh flavours of the traditional Ecuadorian cuisine – think locroc (traditional potato soup) or quinoa, pork and vegetable dishes cooked with herbs, lemongrass and rich sauces, all sourced from local farms.
Day 2: Isla Baltra - Highlands of Isla Santa Cruz
You have a very early start this morning (maybe as early as 4 am, depending on flight times) as you head into the Galapagos. Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito Airport), with a boxed breakfast on the way. When you arrive, you’ll meet your naturalist guide in the arrival hall. Take the short bus ride to the ferry, then board and head across the Itabaca Channel to Isla Santa Cruz. Once you reach the island, you’ll hop in a private vehicle and drive to Puerto Ayora – the main port of the island. Here, there will be two dinghies to transport you and your fellow travellers to your home for the next week – M/Y Queen Beatriz. Once on board, settle in and then have lunch with your group. After, head up into the highlands for a change of scenery. Beginning at the coast, you'll travel across Santa Cruz through the agricultural region and into the misty forests. This is a lush, humid zone containing miconia bushes, scalesia and inactive volcanic cones. Santa Cruz has more endemic plants than any of the other islands and you’re likely to see Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat, and maybe even the bright red feathers of a vermillion flycatcher!
Day 3: Isla Santa Fe - Isla Plaza Sur
Isla Santa Fe is home to many sea lions and is a fantastic place to go snorkelling. This morning, expect to see Galapagos hawks, land iguanas, a variety of finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, marine turtles, frigatebirds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards, too. After your snorkel, head out for a hike on a trail along the coast, heading into the opuntia forest. Walk under the largest trees in the Galapagos to a forest of prickly pears and look out for the unique sub-species of land iguana that live here. Later, sail to Plaza Sur, where you’ll get close to sea lions and follow a trail past one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations. Walk through cacti and volcanic landscapes, coloured bright red and green by sesuvium. The island’s rugged southern cliffs are an excellent place to spot tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as the 'Gentlemen’s Club’ – a gathering of male sea lions.
Day 4: Isla Espanola - Bahia Gardner - Punta Suarez
Wake up on the island of Espanola – the southernmost island of the Galapagos. Because of its remote location, this island has a large population of endemic fauna and is the breeding site for nearly all the 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses on Earth. Take a trail to where sea lions bathe and marine iguanas make their way towards the water, walking right through booby colonies. Then, visit Punta Suarez. Walk along a trail that takes you to a clifftop viewpoint, where you'll see the boobies line the rocky shoreline beneath, while frigate birds soar overhead. Nearby, male sea lions can be seen lounging. Watch the albatross use the cliffs as their ‘runway’, helped into the air by the southeast winds that blow across this part of the island. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see the elaborate courtship rituals before the female chooses her lifelong mate! End the day on a white sandy beach at Bahia Gardner. The rocks off the coast provide excellent snorkelling opportunities, with reef sharks, turtles, sea lions and many species of tropical fish – including surgeon and angelfish – often seen. White-tipped reef sharks are also commonly spotted resting under the rocks.
Day 5: Isla Cristobal - Leon Dormido - Isla Lobos - Punta Pitt
Visit Punta Pitt on the eastern end of Isla San Cristobal this morning. Walk to the top of the volcanic hill for expansive views of the sparsely vegetated area. A variety of seabirds nest here, including blue-footed boobies and frigates. Then, sail to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) – the basalt remains of a crater in the middle of the sea, resembling a sleeping lion. The rock rises 150 m above the surface and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel. Although there are no landing areas, you’ll circumnavigation the Rock to see tropicbirds, marine iguanas and sea lions. Later, visit Isla Lobos – a tiny island off the coast of San Cristobal. This is the perfect time to watch as the sea lions play in the shallow waters. Blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and marine iguanas can also be seen.
Day 6: San Cristobal Interpretation Center, fly to Quito.
Flights to the mainland depart mid-morning, so an early start is necessary today to make the most of your last day on the islands. Visit San Cristobal Interpretation Center – this information hub brings the history and geography of the archipelago to life, from its volcanic origins to the present day. The human history exhibit offers an insight into the discovery and colonisation of the Galapagos, and the reality of the problems the islands face today. Then, head to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Tonight, you may like to head out with your group for a farewell dinner and toast to an excellent adventure.
Day 7: Quito
There are no activities planned for today, and your adventure finishes after breakfast this morning. Of course, that doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Why not stay on in Quito for a few days and discover the charms of the city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Departure dates
Select your preferred date or enquire
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
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