Classic Galapagos: Central Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

10 days
From $673/day
$6,730
From: 
$8,278
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
93%
Trip last updated: 11/7/2024
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule
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Overview

Highlights

    • Get a true taste of the Galapagos, sailing through its central and eastern islands, discovering untouched wilderness and unique wildlife.
    • Enjoy a room with a new view each day, getting to each island in the comfort of the mighty M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz.
    • 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 perhaps 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 a selection of islands. From the sandy Espumilla beach to the volcanic formation of Pinnacle Rock, you’ll see the diversity of the Galapagos.
    • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, The Galapagos Conservancy. Donations support their Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) program, providing capital for sustainability initiatives and empowering female entrepreneurs in the Galapagos. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

What's this trip about?

    Experience the serenity of the Galapagos as you drift across the Pacific Ocean on this 10-day sail of the central eastern islands. The natural beauty and unique wildlife of these Ecuadorian isles are something to behold and, aboard your sailing vessel, you will have the best seat in the house. 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. Gaze at the sea, land and sky, spotting blue-footed boobies, Galapagos sea turtles and sea lions in their natural habitat. The central eastern islands of the Galapagos offer so much to explore, so sit back and relax on this spectacular sailing adventure.
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range65+, 50 - 64, 36 - 49, 18 - 35, 12 - 17, 6 - 11
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

Trip includes

    • Isla San Cristobal - Highlands Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla Santiago - Sullivan Bay - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla Bartolome - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla Bartolome - Snorkelling (1.5 hours)
    • Isla Bartolome - Panga ride (30 mins)
    • Isla Santiago - Puerto Egas - Walk (1.45 hours) - Wet Landing
    • Isla Santiago - Puerto Egas - Snorkelling (1 hour)
    • Isla Sanitago - Espumilla Beach - Panga ride or Snorkelling (45 mins)
    • Isla Sanitago - Espumilla Beach - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
    • Isla Sanitago - Buccaneer's Cove - Snorkelling (1 hour)
    • Isla Sanitago - Buccaneer's Cove - Panga Ride (45 mins)
    • Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla North Seymour - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla North Seymour - Snorkelling (1 hours)
    • Isla Mosquera - Snorkelling (1 hour)
    • Isla Mosquera - Beach Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
    • Isla Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove - Panga ride (1.5 hours)
    • Isla Santa Cruz - Cerro Dragon - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla Santa Cruz - Cerro Dragon - Snorkelling or swimming (1 hour)
    • Isla Santiago - Sombrero Chino - Snorkelling (1 hour)
    • Sombrero Chino - Walk and Panga ride (2 hours) - Wet Landing
    • Isla Rabida - Snorkelling (1 hour)
    • Isla Rabida - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
    • Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station (1 hour) - Dry Landing

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Quito

Arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport and be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure until a welcome meeting at either 5 pm or 6 pm. After your welcome meeting, head out with your local leader and fellow travellers ...

Day 2 Quito - Isla San Cristobal

This morning, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Please note the pick-up time can be as early as 4.30 am (a boxed breakfast will be provided). When you arrive, you'll be met by the National Park Guide and transferred to your...

Day 3 Bartolome - Bahia Sullivan

Having cruised overnight, arrive at Bartolome – one of the most spectacular volcanic landscapes in the Galapagos, full of parasitic cones, lava flows and home to Galapagos penguins and lava lizards. Bartolome is a relatively new island in the archipelago and traces o...

Day 4 Isla Santiago - Espumilla Beach - Buccaneer Cove - Puerto Egas

Start the morning at Espumilla Beach, on the northern coast of Santiago in James Bay – one of the most idyllic locations in the Galapagos. With large waves, it's often a favourite among beach lovers, and is also an important nesting site for marine turtles. Look arou...

Day 5 Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Station - Santa Cruz Highlands

Today you'll visit 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 ...

Day 6 North Seymour - Isla Mosquera

Take a morning excursion to North Seymour, which is one of the most visited islands in the Galapagos. The trail on North Seymour crosses inland through the island and then explores the rocky coast. Along the way, the trail passes colonies of blue footed boobies and fr...

Day 7 Black Turtle Cove - Cerro Dragon.

Today you'll take a panga (Zodiac boat) to Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) – a red mangrove wetland on the north shore of Isla Santa Cruz. Paddle among the cove’s peaceful waters, for your first taste of the underwater riches of this region – it’s a wonderful...

Day 8 Isla Rabida - Sombrero Chino.

Sombrero Chino is a small islet located near the south-east coast of Santiago. It's shaped like a Chinese hat (Sombrero Chino) when seen from afar, and is geologically fascinating, with many lava tubes leading from the cone to the coast. Approach Sombrero Chino via a ...

Day 9 Las Bachas - Isla Baltra - Quito

As flights to the mainland from Galapagos depart mid-morning, it is an early start for your last morning on the islands. Today, you'll take an early morning excursion to Las Bachas, which was so named after the barges abandoned by the American Navy here in the 1940s. ...

Day 10 Quito

After breakfast, there are no activities planned, so you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. There are many fascinating things to do in and around Quito, including an Urban Adventures tour that may take your fancy. Explore Ecuadorian food culture and tas...

Dates & Availability

Price from
$6,730
Price per day
$673

Classic Galapagos: Central Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz) Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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Associations

United States Tour Operators Association

Details

Accommodation:

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

Flights & transport:

Minibus,Boat,Plane,Zodiac

Group size:

Small Group - 24 max

Maximum number of people in group:

16

Trip Excludes:

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