Classic Galapagos: Central Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

10 days
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Small Group Tour
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 be...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

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.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range12 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions

  • Charles Darwin Research Station
  • Darwin
  • Galapagos
  • Quito
  • San Cristobal
  • Santa Cruz
  • Santiago

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

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

Popular Trips

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...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,730
Price per day$673
Last Updated: 12/20/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
04 Jan 2025
13 Jan 2025
$8,205
04 Jan 2025
13 Jan 2025
$8,810
04 Jan 2025
13 Jan 2025
$8,810
04 Jan 2025
13 Jan 2025
$8,735
04 Jan 2025
13 Jan 2025
$8,735
04 Jan 2025
13 Jan 2025
$8,205
18 Jan 2025
27 Jan 2025
$8,810
18 Jan 2025
27 Jan 2025
$8,205
18 Jan 2025
27 Jan 2025
$8,205
18 Jan 2025
27 Jan 2025
$8,735

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Intrepid Travel

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If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
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  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
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Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

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

Transportation & Flights

Minibus,Boat,Plane,Zodiac,

Transportation & flights

Minibus,Boat,Plane,Zodiac
Guides
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.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services The Ecuadorian government has declared that travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers entering Ecuador. Proof of insurance may be requested at upon entering the country by immigration officials.
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Age Requirements
12 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Hotel Le Parc
  • República de El Salvador N34-349 & Irlanda
  • Quito
  • ECUADOR
  • Phone: +593 22276800
Trip ID
intrepid-GMQB

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