fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Classic Galapagos: Central Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

Sale!

Classic Galapagos: Central Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

Was From $ 11,395 AUD
Now From $ 10,928 AUDSale!

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print
, ,

Description

Experience the serenity of the Galapagos Islands as you drift across the Pacific Ocean on this 10-day adventure cruise through the central eastern islands. Retrace the voyage of Charles Darwin by sea, admiring the sandy beaches of Espumilla contrasted with the jagged rock formations and volcanic craters of Isla Santiago. Look out at the ocean, land and sky, spotting blue-footed boobies, sea turtles and sea lions in their natural habitat. Go hiking and snorkelling each day and learn about the geology of these lands from your handy naturalist guide, all the while spotting some pretty incredible and varied wildlife.

Trip Name
Classic Galapagos: Central Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Last Updated
2024-08-07
Days
10
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Get a true taste of the Galapagos, sailing through the central and eastern islands and discovering the largely untouched wilderness, home to unique wildlife.
  • Wake up to a new view each day in the comfort of the mighty M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz – this comfortable and spacious motor yacht is your home for the adventure!
  • Encounter giant Galapagos tortoises, blue-footed and masked boobies, pelicans and frigate birds, as well as land and marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals and maybe even dolphins, whales and sea turtles!
  • Live on island time, with the opportunity to explore coves, craters and inlets off the beaten track – one of the many benefits of a small group sail.
  • Experience the contrasting landscapes of unique islands – from the sandy Espumilla Beach to the volcanic formation of Pinnacle Rock, you’ll see the diversity of the Galapagos that Charles Darwin once saw.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. The maritime component of this trip is operated by a fully licensed Ecuadorian shipping operator. The Captain of the vessel will do all that is possible to adhere to the outlined itinerary however it may be changed without notice due inclement weather or changes to the Galapagos National Park's regulations. We ask you for your patience and understanding with any changes outside our control. Any changes to the itinerary will be undertaken with your safety and comfort in mind. There may be some early starts to the day for the scheduled activities to be conducted as per the itinerary due to specific visiting hours for some sites. All travel distances/times and durations for the activities listed in the trip notes are a guide only and are subject to change. FAMILIES TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN Families can travel with children who are 12 years and above on our Galapagos islands cruising trips. There are multiple snorkelling activities on this trip, so we recommend everyone has a good level of swimming ability if they wish to participate in the snorkelling activities. The snorkelling can start at the beach or straight from the zodiacs in deep open water. Life jackets are always available if you prefer to wear one while snorkelling. Children must be accompanied, by their guardian throughout the trip, both on and off the boat which includes during the snorkelling activities. Please discuss cabin options with your sales consultant at time of booking if you are travelling with children. We do not have interconnecting rooms available onboard so if your family requires multiple cabins, please note these may not be available next to each other. Your sales consultant will be able to provide you with the available cabin options and where they are located on the boat at time of booking. We can provide twin and double bed cabins – there are no triple share cabins on this boat. If your family consists of 2 adults and one child, the child must share with one of the adults and the other adult has the option to be paired up with another solo adult of the same gender or pay a single supplement to have their own cabin.

Day 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 - Quito - Isla San Cristobal
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. Transfer to your home for the next week – the M/Y Queen Beatriz. Once on board, settle in and then have lunch with your group. After, travel to the highlands of Isla San Cristobal to the site of Galapaguera of Cerro Colorado (Red Hill). This is where the national park has established a breeding program and information centre for tortoises. Here, you can see giant tortoises and learn all about their origin, evolution and their threatened future.
Day 3 - Bartolome - Bahia Sullivan
Bartolome is one of the most spectacular volcanic landscapes in the Galapagos, full of parasitic spatter cones, lava flows, Galapagos penguins and lava lizards. It’s a relatively new island in the archipelago and traces of its volcanic past can be seen everywhere across the lunar-like landscape. Visit Pinnacle Rock – one of the most photographed sites in the Galapagos, this abrupt jag of rock protrudes from the earth like a tooth, close to two golden bays that back onto each other. You can hike to the top of a once-active volcano here (360 wooden steps) for views across to Sullivan Bay, on nearby Santiago Island. If you’re in luck, you might catch a glance of the Galapagos hawk. You also have the option to go snorkelling with plenty of tropical fish, starfish, white-tipped reef sharks, rays and, hopefully, penguins. This afternoon, sail to Bahia Sullivan (also known as James Island). Walk on Pahoe-Hoe lava from an eruption that occurred in 1897 and listen as your guide explains the geological history of the islands. Look out for marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, turtles, sharks and penguins.
Day 4 - Isla Santiago - Espumilla Beach - Buccaneer Cove - Puerto Egas
Espumilla Beach, on the northern coast of Isla Santiago, is an important nesting site for marine turtles. With large waves, it’s also often a favourite among beach lovers. Here, you might see Galapagos hawks up close as well as ghost crabs, blue-footed boobies (often plunging for fish) and brown pelicans. The area is also well known for its Palo Santo forest and lava formations. Visit Caleta Bucanero (Buccaneer Cove) – a natural monument of rocks caused by sea erosion. This cove was used by pirates to careen their ships and is a place of local legends and stories! It’s also where Darwin camped for nine days while making his study of the islands and their wildlife. If conditions are favourable, you can go snorkelling here. Later, sail to Puerto Egas – the black-sand beach on the west side of the bay near Sugarloaf Volcano. This site is named after Hector Egas who last attempted to mine salt here. The walk along the beach offers hundreds of marine iguanas and Galapagos sea lions. You’ll also see amazing tidal pools formed from ancient lava flow, home to sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles and fish.
Day 5 - Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Station - Santa Cruz Highlands
Wake up in Isla Santa Cruz – the second-largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, and home to the Charles Darwin Research Station – as well as undertaking vital conservation work, the station also makes for interesting exploration and offers an opportunity to see giant tortoises. You may also be able to observe the baby tortoises and land iguanas! After your visit, 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 6 - North Seymour - Isla Mosquera
Visit North Seymour – one of the most visited islands in the Galapagos. Hike past colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds – sharing the same nesting area on North Seymour, blue-footed boobies nest on the ground making their nests from the twigs of Palo Santos trees, while the frigate birds nest just above them in the saltbushes. After your walk, go snorkelling and see how many colourful fish you can spot, maybe with a few white-tipped reef sharks, rays and sea lions, too. Have lunch, then sail to the small Isla Mosquera. Along the rocks and in the tide pools, Sally Lightfoot crabs (red lava crabs) scamper back and forth, skipping across small pools of water in search of food. The island also has a very large colony of sea lions, as well as a sizeable resident brown pelican population. Depending on the tides and visibility, you may have a chance to go snorkelling in the surrounding turquoise waters.
Day 7 - Black Turtle Cove - Cerro Dragon.
Take a panga (Zodiac boat) to Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) – a red mangrove wetland on the north shore of Isla Santa Cruz. Jump in the cove’s peaceful waters to see green turtles – this cove is also a nursery for golden cow-nose rays, eagle rays and Galapagos sharks! There’s also abundant birdlife here, like the yellow warbler and lava heron. This is also a breeding area for turtles, so it’s not uncommon to see them mating. In the afternoon, cruise over for a walk on Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) – one of the best places to see land iguanas. Walk to a brackish lagoon, spotting lagoon birds like stilts, pintail ducks, sandpipers, sanderlings and flamingos along the way. Further inland, the trail offers a view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago, which is a nesting site for land iguanas, constantly monitored by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The arid-zone vegetation makes for an ideal place to see Darwin's finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, the endemic Galapagos flycatcher and yellow warblers.
Day 8 - Isla Rabida - Sombrero Chino.
Wake up in Sombrero Chino – a small islet near the southeast coast of Santiago, shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from afar. The crescent-shaped sandy beach here is home to sea lions and Sally Lightfoot crabs. On the rocky shoreline of nearby Santiago, you might see some Galapagos penguins, too. When you’re on land, follow a trail that circles the cove and passes through colonies of sea lions and marine iguanas. The cove also offers some great snorkelling opportunities, hopefully with penguins and sharks. Next, sail to the tiny Isla Rabida. Introduced species were eradicated in 1971, meaning that the native wildlife has now been returned to a state of isolation. Additionally, volcanic activity here has produced vivid colours, not least the red sand beaches and scarlet cliffs. Walk along a trail that leads through one of the finest lagoons in the Galapagos for flamingo spotting. Look out for nesting pelicans, pintail ducks, marine iguanas and sea lions as well. There may be the opportunity to go snorkelling in a cove full of sea stars, damsels, gobies and surgeon fish.
Day 9 - Las Bachas - Isla Baltra - 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. Take an early morning excursion to Las Bachas, named after the barges abandoned by the American Navy here in the 1940s. The sandy beaches of Las Bachas on the north shore of Santa Cruz are a nesting site for the Pacific green turtle and home to marine iguanas. The sand here is particularly white and soft as it’s made of decomposed coral. The rocks provide great snorkelling and are the perfect habitat for the Sally Lightfoot crabs, which are plentiful on the island. A saltwater lagoon near the beach is home to flamingos, whimbrels and great blue herons, so keep a look out. You’ll then head to the airport in Baltra for your flight back to Quito. When you arrive, maybe head out for a farewell dinner with the other members of your group.
Day 10 - 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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-05-202519-05-2025AUD $ 10,928-
10-05-202519-05-2025AUD $ 11,728-
10-05-202519-05-2025AUD $ 11,728-
10-05-202519-05-2025AUD $ 11,628-
10-05-202519-05-2025AUD $ 11,628-
10-05-202519-05-2025AUD $ 10,928-
24-05-202502-06-2025AUD $ 11,628-
24-05-202502-06-2025AUD $ 10,928-
24-05-202502-06-2025AUD $ 10,928-
24-05-202502-06-2025AUD $ 11,728-
24-05-202502-06-2025AUD $ 11,728-
24-05-202502-06-2025AUD $ 11,628-
07-06-202516-06-2025AUD $ 10,928-
07-06-202516-06-2025AUD $ 11,728-
07-06-202516-06-2025AUD $ 11,158-
07-06-202516-06-2025AUD $ 11,628-
07-06-202516-06-2025AUD $ 11,628-
07-06-202516-06-2025AUD $ 10,928-
21-06-202530-06-2025AUD $ 10,928-
21-06-202530-06-2025AUD $ 11,728-
21-06-202530-06-2025AUD $ 11,728-
21-06-202530-06-2025AUD $ 11,628-
21-06-202530-06-2025AUD $ 11,628-
21-06-202530-06-2025AUD $ 10,928-
05-07-202514-07-2025AUD $ 10,928-
05-07-202514-07-2025AUD $ 11,728-
05-07-202514-07-2025AUD $ 11,728-
05-07-202514-07-2025AUD $ 11,628-
05-07-202514-07-2025AUD $ 11,628-
05-07-202514-07-2025AUD $ 10,928-
19-07-202528-07-2025AUD $ 10,928-
19-07-202528-07-2025AUD $ 11,728-
19-07-202528-07-2025AUD $ 11,728-
19-07-202528-07-2025AUD $ 11,628-
19-07-202528-07-2025AUD $ 11,628-
19-07-202528-07-2025AUD $ 10,928-
11-10-202520-10-2025AUD $ 10,928-
11-10-202520-10-2025AUD $ 11,728-
11-10-202520-10-2025AUD $ 11,728-
11-10-202520-10-2025AUD $ 11,628-
11-10-202520-10-2025AUD $ 11,628-
11-10-202520-10-2025AUD $ 10,928-
25-10-202503-11-2025AUD $ 10,928-
25-10-202503-11-2025AUD $ 11,728-
25-10-202503-11-2025AUD $ 11,728-
25-10-202503-11-2025AUD $ 11,628-
25-10-202503-11-2025AUD $ 11,628-
25-10-202503-11-2025AUD $ 10,928-
08-11-202517-11-2025AUD $ 10,928-
08-11-202517-11-2025AUD $ 11,728-
08-11-202517-11-2025AUD $ 11,728-
08-11-202517-11-2025AUD $ 11,628-
08-11-202517-11-2025AUD $ 11,628-
08-11-202517-11-2025AUD $ 10,928-
22-11-202501-12-2025AUD $ 10,928-
22-11-202501-12-2025AUD $ 11,728-
22-11-202501-12-2025AUD $ 11,728-
22-11-202501-12-2025AUD $ 11,628-
22-11-202501-12-2025AUD $ 11,628-
22-11-202501-12-2025AUD $ 10,928-
06-12-202515-12-2025AUD $ 10,928-
06-12-202515-12-2025AUD $ 11,728-
06-12-202515-12-2025AUD $ 11,728-
06-12-202515-12-2025AUD $ 11,628-
06-12-202515-12-2025AUD $ 11,628-
06-12-202515-12-2025AUD $ 10,928-
20-12-202529-12-2025AUD $ 10,928-
20-12-202529-12-2025AUD $ 11,728-
20-12-202529-12-2025AUD $ 11,728-
20-12-202529-12-2025AUD $ 11,628-
20-12-202529-12-2025AUD $ 11,628-
20-12-202529-12-2025AUD $ 10,928-
03-01-202612-01-2026AUD $ 11,988-
03-01-202612-01-2026AUD $ 12,868-
03-01-202612-01-2026AUD $ 12,868-
03-01-202612-01-2026AUD $ 12,758-
03-01-202612-01-2026AUD $ 12,758-
03-01-202612-01-2026AUD $ 11,988-
17-01-202626-01-2026AUD $ 11,988-
17-01-202626-01-2026AUD $ 12,868-
17-01-202626-01-2026AUD $ 12,868-
17-01-202626-01-2026AUD $ 12,758-
17-01-202626-01-2026AUD $ 12,758-
17-01-202626-01-2026AUD $ 11,988-
31-01-202609-02-2026AUD $ 11,988-
31-01-202609-02-2026AUD $ 12,868-
31-01-202609-02-2026AUD $ 12,868-
31-01-202609-02-2026AUD $ 12,758-
31-01-202609-02-2026AUD $ 12,758-
31-01-202609-02-2026AUD $ 11,988-
14-02-202623-02-2026AUD $ 11,988-
14-02-202623-02-2026AUD $ 12,868-
14-02-202623-02-2026AUD $ 12,868-
14-02-202623-02-2026AUD $ 12,758-
14-02-202623-02-2026AUD $ 12,758-
14-02-202623-02-2026AUD $ 11,988-
28-02-202609-03-2026AUD $ 12,758-
28-02-202609-03-2026AUD $ 11,988-
28-02-202609-03-2026AUD $ 11,988-
28-02-202609-03-2026AUD $ 12,868-
28-02-202609-03-2026AUD $ 12,868-
28-02-202609-03-2026AUD $ 12,758-
14-03-202623-03-2026AUD $ 11,988-
14-03-202623-03-2026AUD $ 12,868-
14-03-202623-03-2026AUD $ 12,868-
14-03-202623-03-2026AUD $ 12,758-
14-03-202623-03-2026AUD $ 12,758-
14-03-202623-03-2026AUD $ 11,988-
28-03-202606-04-2026AUD $ 11,988-
28-03-202606-04-2026AUD $ 12,868-
28-03-202606-04-2026AUD $ 12,868-
28-03-202606-04-2026AUD $ 12,758-
28-03-202606-04-2026AUD $ 12,758-
28-03-202606-04-2026AUD $ 11,988-
11-04-202620-04-2026AUD $ 11,988-
11-04-202620-04-2026AUD $ 12,868-
11-04-202620-04-2026AUD $ 12,868-
11-04-202620-04-2026AUD $ 12,758-
11-04-202620-04-2026AUD $ 12,758-
11-04-202620-04-2026AUD $ 11,988-
25-04-202604-05-2026AUD $ 11,988-
25-04-202604-05-2026AUD $ 12,868-
25-04-202604-05-2026AUD $ 12,868-
25-04-202604-05-2026AUD $ 12,758-
25-04-202604-05-2026AUD $ 12,758-
25-04-202604-05-2026AUD $ 11,988-
09-05-202618-05-2026AUD $ 11,988-
09-05-202618-05-2026AUD $ 12,868-
09-05-202618-05-2026AUD $ 12,868-
09-05-202618-05-2026AUD $ 12,758-
09-05-202618-05-2026AUD $ 12,758-
09-05-202618-05-2026AUD $ 11,988-
23-05-202601-06-2026AUD $ 11,988-
23-05-202601-06-2026AUD $ 12,868-
23-05-202601-06-2026AUD $ 12,868-
23-05-202601-06-2026AUD $ 12,758-
23-05-202601-06-2026AUD $ 12,758-
23-05-202601-06-2026AUD $ 11,988-
06-06-202615-06-2026AUD $ 11,988-
06-06-202615-06-2026AUD $ 12,868-
06-06-202615-06-2026AUD $ 12,868-
06-06-202615-06-2026AUD $ 12,758-
06-06-202615-06-2026AUD $ 12,758-
06-06-202615-06-2026AUD $ 11,988-
20-06-202629-06-2026AUD $ 11,988-
20-06-202629-06-2026AUD $ 12,868-
20-06-202629-06-2026AUD $ 12,868-
20-06-202629-06-2026AUD $ 12,758-
20-06-202629-06-2026AUD $ 12,758-
20-06-202629-06-2026AUD $ 11,988-
04-07-202613-07-2026AUD $ 11,988-
04-07-202613-07-2026AUD $ 12,868-
04-07-202613-07-2026AUD $ 12,868-
04-07-202613-07-2026AUD $ 12,758-
04-07-202613-07-2026AUD $ 12,758-
04-07-202613-07-2026AUD $ 11,988-
18-07-202627-07-2026AUD $ 11,988-
18-07-202627-07-2026AUD $ 12,868-
18-07-202627-07-2026AUD $ 12,868-
18-07-202627-07-2026AUD $ 12,758-
18-07-202627-07-2026AUD $ 12,758-
18-07-202627-07-2026AUD $ 11,988-
01-08-202610-08-2026AUD $ 11,988-
01-08-202610-08-2026AUD $ 12,868-
01-08-202610-08-2026AUD $ 12,868-
01-08-202610-08-2026AUD $ 12,758-
01-08-202610-08-2026AUD $ 12,758-
01-08-202610-08-2026AUD $ 11,988-
15-08-202624-08-2026AUD $ 11,988-
15-08-202624-08-2026AUD $ 12,868-
15-08-202624-08-2026AUD $ 12,868-
15-08-202624-08-2026AUD $ 12,758-
15-08-202624-08-2026AUD $ 12,758-
15-08-202624-08-2026AUD $ 11,988-
29-08-202607-09-2026AUD $ 11,988-
29-08-202607-09-2026AUD $ 12,868-
29-08-202607-09-2026AUD $ 12,868-
29-08-202607-09-2026AUD $ 12,758-
29-08-202607-09-2026AUD $ 12,758-
29-08-202607-09-2026AUD $ 11,988-
12-09-202621-09-2026AUD $ 11,988-
12-09-202621-09-2026AUD $ 12,868-
12-09-202621-09-2026AUD $ 12,868-
12-09-202621-09-2026AUD $ 12,758-
12-09-202621-09-2026AUD $ 12,758-
12-09-202621-09-2026AUD $ 11,988-
26-09-202605-10-2026AUD $ 11,988-
26-09-202605-10-2026AUD $ 12,868-
26-09-202605-10-2026AUD $ 12,868-
26-09-202605-10-2026AUD $ 12,758-
26-09-202605-10-2026AUD $ 12,758-
26-09-202605-10-2026AUD $ 11,988-
10-10-202619-10-2026AUD $ 11,988-
10-10-202619-10-2026AUD $ 12,868-
10-10-202619-10-2026AUD $ 12,868-
10-10-202619-10-2026AUD $ 12,758-
10-10-202619-10-2026AUD $ 12,758-
10-10-202619-10-2026AUD $ 11,988-
24-10-202602-11-2026AUD $ 11,988-
24-10-202602-11-2026AUD $ 12,868-
24-10-202602-11-2026AUD $ 12,868-
24-10-202602-11-2026AUD $ 12,758-
24-10-202602-11-2026AUD $ 12,758-
24-10-202602-11-2026AUD $ 11,988-
07-11-202616-11-2026AUD $ 11,988-
07-11-202616-11-2026AUD $ 12,868-
07-11-202616-11-2026AUD $ 12,868-
07-11-202616-11-2026AUD $ 12,758-
07-11-202616-11-2026AUD $ 12,758-
07-11-202616-11-2026AUD $ 11,988-
21-11-202630-11-2026AUD $ 11,988-
21-11-202630-11-2026AUD $ 12,868-
21-11-202630-11-2026AUD $ 12,868-
21-11-202630-11-2026AUD $ 12,758-
21-11-202630-11-2026AUD $ 12,758-
21-11-202630-11-2026AUD $ 11,988-
05-12-202614-12-2026AUD $ 11,988-
05-12-202614-12-2026AUD $ 12,868-
05-12-202614-12-2026AUD $ 12,868-
05-12-202614-12-2026AUD $ 12,758-
05-12-202614-12-2026AUD $ 12,758-
05-12-202614-12-2026AUD $ 11,988-
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $ 11,988-
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $ 12,868-
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $ 12,868-
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $ 12,758-
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $ 12,758-
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $ 11,988-

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights),Overnight boat (7 nights)

Transport

Minibus,Boat,Plane,Zodiac

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Ecuador Intrepid On Sale
More of activity:
Adventure Cruises