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Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

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Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

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Description

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!

Trip Name
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Last Updated
2024-08-07
Days
7
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Keep an eye out for your next glimpse of Galapagos penguins, sea lions or albatross. In the air, on land and underwater, you’ll constantly be surrounded by unique wildlife!
  • Cruise in small-scale style on the M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz, following in the footsteps of past explorers and passing the best of the southern islands.
  • Roam Isla Plaza Sur – a small island packed full of wildlife – and get close to sea lions, walk trails past one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations and visit the rugged southern cliffs that are home of old and young sea lions known as the 'Gentlemen’s Club.’
  • Go exotic bird watching off the coast of Isla Espanola, where you may see the unique waved albatrosses, blue-footed boobies and masked boobies.
  • Learn about the geography and history of the Galapagos at the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where you’ll learn more about past explorers and expeditions and how your journey shapes up to theirs.

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 - 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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
22-04-202528-04-2025AUD $ 7,078-
22-04-202528-04-2025AUD $ 7,798-
22-04-202528-04-2025AUD $ 7,798-
22-04-202528-04-2025AUD $ 7,678-
22-04-202528-04-2025AUD $ 7,078-
22-04-202528-04-2025AUD $ 7,678-
06-05-202512-05-2025AUD $ 7,078-
06-05-202512-05-2025AUD $ 5,474-
06-05-202512-05-2025AUD $ 7,078-
06-05-202512-05-2025AUD $ 7,798-
06-05-202512-05-2025AUD $ 7,798-
06-05-202512-05-2025AUD $ 7,678-
20-05-202526-05-2025AUD $ 5,054-
20-05-202526-05-2025AUD $ 7,798-
20-05-202526-05-2025AUD $ 7,798-
20-05-202526-05-2025AUD $ 7,678-
20-05-202526-05-2025AUD $ 7,078-
20-05-202526-05-2025AUD $ 7,678-
03-06-202509-06-2025AUD $ 7,078-
03-06-202509-06-2025AUD $ 7,798-
03-06-202509-06-2025AUD $ 7,798-
03-06-202509-06-2025AUD $ 7,678-
03-06-202509-06-2025AUD $ 7,078-
03-06-202509-06-2025AUD $ 7,678-
17-06-202523-06-2025AUD $ 7,078-
17-06-202523-06-2025AUD $ 7,798-
17-06-202523-06-2025AUD $ 7,798-
17-06-202523-06-2025AUD $ 7,678-
17-06-202523-06-2025AUD $ 7,078-
17-06-202523-06-2025AUD $ 7,678-
01-07-202507-07-2025AUD $ 7,078-
01-07-202507-07-2025AUD $ 7,798-
01-07-202507-07-2025AUD $ 7,798-
01-07-202507-07-2025AUD $ 7,678-
01-07-202507-07-2025AUD $ 7,078-
01-07-202507-07-2025AUD $ 7,678-
15-07-202521-07-2025AUD $ 7,078-
15-07-202521-07-2025AUD $ 7,798-
15-07-202521-07-2025AUD $ 7,798-
15-07-202521-07-2025AUD $ 7,678-
15-07-202521-07-2025AUD $ 7,078-
15-07-202521-07-2025AUD $ 7,678-
07-10-202513-10-2025AUD $ 7,078-
07-10-202513-10-2025AUD $ 7,798-
07-10-202513-10-2025AUD $ 7,798-
07-10-202513-10-2025AUD $ 7,678-
07-10-202513-10-2025AUD $ 7,078-
07-10-202513-10-2025AUD $ 7,678-
21-10-202527-10-2025AUD $ 7,078-
21-10-202527-10-2025AUD $ 7,798-
21-10-202527-10-2025AUD $ 7,798-
21-10-202527-10-2025AUD $ 7,678-
21-10-202527-10-2025AUD $ 7,078-
21-10-202527-10-2025AUD $ 7,678-
04-11-202510-11-2025AUD $ 7,078-
04-11-202510-11-2025AUD $ 7,798-
04-11-202510-11-2025AUD $ 7,798-
04-11-202510-11-2025AUD $ 7,678-
04-11-202510-11-2025AUD $ 7,078-
04-11-202510-11-2025AUD $ 7,678-
18-11-202524-11-2025AUD $ 7,078-
18-11-202524-11-2025AUD $ 7,798-
18-11-202524-11-2025AUD $ 7,798-
18-11-202524-11-2025AUD $ 7,678-
18-11-202524-11-2025AUD $ 7,078-
18-11-202524-11-2025AUD $ 7,678-
02-12-202508-12-2025AUD $ 7,078-
02-12-202508-12-2025AUD $ 7,798-
02-12-202508-12-2025AUD $ 7,798-
02-12-202508-12-2025AUD $ 7,678-
02-12-202508-12-2025AUD $ 7,078-
02-12-202508-12-2025AUD $ 7,678-
16-12-202522-12-2025AUD $ 7,078-
16-12-202522-12-2025AUD $ 7,798-
16-12-202522-12-2025AUD $ 7,798-
16-12-202522-12-2025AUD $ 7,678-
16-12-202522-12-2025AUD $ 7,078-
16-12-202522-12-2025AUD $ 7,678-
30-12-202505-01-2026AUD $ 7,078-
30-12-202505-01-2026AUD $ 7,798-
30-12-202505-01-2026AUD $ 7,798-
30-12-202505-01-2026AUD $ 7,678-
30-12-202505-01-2026AUD $ 7,078-
30-12-202505-01-2026AUD $ 7,678-
13-01-202619-01-2026AUD $ 7,753-
13-01-202619-01-2026AUD $ 8,543-
13-01-202619-01-2026AUD $ 8,543-
13-01-202619-01-2026AUD $ 8,413-
13-01-202619-01-2026AUD $ 8,413-
13-01-202619-01-2026AUD $ 7,753-
27-01-202602-02-2026AUD $ 7,753-
27-01-202602-02-2026AUD $ 8,543-
27-01-202602-02-2026AUD $ 8,543-
27-01-202602-02-2026AUD $ 8,413-
27-01-202602-02-2026AUD $ 8,413-
27-01-202602-02-2026AUD $ 7,753-
24-02-202602-03-2026AUD $ 8,413-
24-02-202602-03-2026AUD $ 7,753-
24-02-202602-03-2026AUD $ 7,753-
24-02-202602-03-2026AUD $ 8,543-
24-02-202602-03-2026AUD $ 8,543-
24-02-202602-03-2026AUD $ 8,413-
10-03-202616-03-2026AUD $ 7,753-
10-03-202616-03-2026AUD $ 8,543-
10-03-202616-03-2026AUD $ 8,543-
10-03-202616-03-2026AUD $ 8,413-
10-03-202616-03-2026AUD $ 8,413-
10-03-202616-03-2026AUD $ 7,753-
24-03-202630-03-2026AUD $ 7,753-
24-03-202630-03-2026AUD $ 8,543-
24-03-202630-03-2026AUD $ 8,543-
24-03-202630-03-2026AUD $ 8,413-
24-03-202630-03-2026AUD $ 8,413-
24-03-202630-03-2026AUD $ 7,753-
07-04-202613-04-2026AUD $ 7,753-
07-04-202613-04-2026AUD $ 8,543-
07-04-202613-04-2026AUD $ 8,543-
07-04-202613-04-2026AUD $ 8,413-
07-04-202613-04-2026AUD $ 8,413-
07-04-202613-04-2026AUD $ 7,753-
21-04-202627-04-2026AUD $ 7,753-
21-04-202627-04-2026AUD $ 8,543-
21-04-202627-04-2026AUD $ 8,543-
21-04-202627-04-2026AUD $ 8,413-
21-04-202627-04-2026AUD $ 8,413-
21-04-202627-04-2026AUD $ 7,753-
05-05-202611-05-2026AUD $ 7,753-
05-05-202611-05-2026AUD $ 8,543-
05-05-202611-05-2026AUD $ 8,543-
05-05-202611-05-2026AUD $ 8,413-
05-05-202611-05-2026AUD $ 8,413-
05-05-202611-05-2026AUD $ 7,753-
19-05-202625-05-2026AUD $ 7,753-
19-05-202625-05-2026AUD $ 8,543-
19-05-202625-05-2026AUD $ 8,543-
19-05-202625-05-2026AUD $ 8,413-
19-05-202625-05-2026AUD $ 8,413-
19-05-202625-05-2026AUD $ 7,753-
02-06-202608-06-2026AUD $ 7,753-
02-06-202608-06-2026AUD $ 8,543-
02-06-202608-06-2026AUD $ 8,543-
02-06-202608-06-2026AUD $ 8,413-
02-06-202608-06-2026AUD $ 8,413-
02-06-202608-06-2026AUD $ 7,753-
16-06-202622-06-2026AUD $ 7,753-
16-06-202622-06-2026AUD $ 8,543-
16-06-202622-06-2026AUD $ 8,543-
16-06-202622-06-2026AUD $ 8,413-
16-06-202622-06-2026AUD $ 8,413-
16-06-202622-06-2026AUD $ 7,753-
30-06-202606-07-2026AUD $ 7,753-
30-06-202606-07-2026AUD $ 8,543-
30-06-202606-07-2026AUD $ 8,543-
30-06-202606-07-2026AUD $ 8,413-
30-06-202606-07-2026AUD $ 8,413-
30-06-202606-07-2026AUD $ 7,753-
14-07-202620-07-2026AUD $ 7,753-
14-07-202620-07-2026AUD $ 8,543-
14-07-202620-07-2026AUD $ 8,543-
14-07-202620-07-2026AUD $ 8,413-
14-07-202620-07-2026AUD $ 8,413-
14-07-202620-07-2026AUD $ 7,753-
28-07-202603-08-2026AUD $ 7,753-
28-07-202603-08-2026AUD $ 8,543-
28-07-202603-08-2026AUD $ 8,543-
28-07-202603-08-2026AUD $ 8,413-
28-07-202603-08-2026AUD $ 8,413-
28-07-202603-08-2026AUD $ 7,753-
11-08-202617-08-2026AUD $ 7,753-
11-08-202617-08-2026AUD $ 8,543-
11-08-202617-08-2026AUD $ 8,543-
11-08-202617-08-2026AUD $ 8,413-
11-08-202617-08-2026AUD $ 8,413-
11-08-202617-08-2026AUD $ 7,753-
25-08-202631-08-2026AUD $ 7,753-
25-08-202631-08-2026AUD $ 8,543-
25-08-202631-08-2026AUD $ 8,543-
25-08-202631-08-2026AUD $ 8,413-
25-08-202631-08-2026AUD $ 8,413-
25-08-202631-08-2026AUD $ 7,753-
08-09-202614-09-2026AUD $ 7,753-
08-09-202614-09-2026AUD $ 8,543-
08-09-202614-09-2026AUD $ 8,543-
08-09-202614-09-2026AUD $ 8,413-
08-09-202614-09-2026AUD $ 8,413-
08-09-202614-09-2026AUD $ 7,753-
22-09-202628-09-2026AUD $ 7,753-
22-09-202628-09-2026AUD $ 8,543-
22-09-202628-09-2026AUD $ 8,543-
22-09-202628-09-2026AUD $ 8,413-
22-09-202628-09-2026AUD $ 8,413-
22-09-202628-09-2026AUD $ 7,753-
06-10-202612-10-2026AUD $ 7,753-
06-10-202612-10-2026AUD $ 8,543-
06-10-202612-10-2026AUD $ 8,543-
06-10-202612-10-2026AUD $ 8,413-
06-10-202612-10-2026AUD $ 8,413-
06-10-202612-10-2026AUD $ 7,753-
20-10-202626-10-2026AUD $ 7,753-
20-10-202626-10-2026AUD $ 8,543-
20-10-202626-10-2026AUD $ 8,543-
20-10-202626-10-2026AUD $ 8,413-
20-10-202626-10-2026AUD $ 8,413-
20-10-202626-10-2026AUD $ 7,753-
03-11-202609-11-2026AUD $ 7,753-
03-11-202609-11-2026AUD $ 8,543-
03-11-202609-11-2026AUD $ 8,543-
03-11-202609-11-2026AUD $ 8,413-
03-11-202609-11-2026AUD $ 8,413-
03-11-202609-11-2026AUD $ 7,753-
17-11-202623-11-2026AUD $ 7,753-
17-11-202623-11-2026AUD $ 8,543-
17-11-202623-11-2026AUD $ 8,543-
17-11-202623-11-2026AUD $ 8,413-
17-11-202623-11-2026AUD $ 8,413-
17-11-202623-11-2026AUD $ 7,753-
01-12-202607-12-2026AUD $ 7,753-
01-12-202607-12-2026AUD $ 8,543-
01-12-202607-12-2026AUD $ 8,543-
01-12-202607-12-2026AUD $ 8,413-
01-12-202607-12-2026AUD $ 8,413-
01-12-202607-12-2026AUD $ 7,753-
15-12-202621-12-2026AUD $ 7,753-
15-12-202621-12-2026AUD $ 8,543-
15-12-202621-12-2026AUD $ 8,543-
15-12-202621-12-2026AUD $ 8,413-
15-12-202621-12-2026AUD $ 8,413-
15-12-202621-12-2026AUD $ 7,753-
29-12-202604-01-2027AUD $ 7,753-
29-12-202604-01-2027AUD $ 8,543-
29-12-202604-01-2027AUD $ 8,543-
29-12-202604-01-2027AUD $ 8,413-
29-12-202604-01-2027AUD $ 8,413-
29-12-202604-01-2027AUD $ 7,753-

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights),Overnight boat (4 nights)

Transport

Minibus,Boat,Plane,Zodiac

Map

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