Classic Galapagos: South Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Price- $6,284
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10 Days | Explore the best of the otherworldly Galapagos Islands on this tour
Travel to a place where the creatures and the landscapes exemplify the beauty and the diversity of life on our planet. This 10-day trip will have you hiking through prickly pear cactus forest on the rugged cliffs of Isla Santa Fe in the morning, then watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand just a few hours later. Exotic animals crowd these isolated islands, and you can expect to encounter giant tortoises, spiky marine iguanas, curious sea lions and all manner of colourful, rare birdlife. For the best the Galapagos Islands have to offer, look no further than this classic adventure.
Trip overview
StartQuito, Ecuador
EndQuito, Ecuador
DestinationsEcuador
StyleComfort
AgesMin 12
Group SizeMin 1 - Max 16
ThemeAdventure Cruising, Wildlife
Trip CodeGMQC
Itinerary
Welcome to Quito! On arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you will 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 for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Try some traditional flavours and get to know you group as you settle into the coming adventure.
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This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Please note that pick-up time can be as early as 4.30 am. This departure time allows for a 1-hour drive to the airport as well as potential check-in delays. Your tour leader will confirm this time with you at the welcome meeting on Day 1. You will be provided with a boxed breakfast today, for your 3.5-hour flight. The flight will make one stop in Guayaquil to pick up additional passengers.
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This is a lovely place to take a dip, with one of the most attractive coves in the archipelago and jade-green waters that are ideal for snorkelling. Isla Santa Fe is also home to a large population of sea lions, and many are eager for swimming partners! You can also expect to see Galapagos hawks, land iguanas, a variety of finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, sea lions, marine turtles, frigatebirds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards. A trail follows the coast into the opuntia (prickly pear) forest, where you see incredible cacti and the unique sub-species of land iguana that darts between them. A member of the cactus family, the prickly pear is named for the pear-shaped fruit the plant produces.
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After an overnight sail you will wake up on the island of Espanola – the southernmost island of the Galapagos and one of the most spectacular. Because of its remote location, this island has a large population of endemic fauna. It is the breeding site for nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses, and home to colonies of blue-footed and Nazca boobies.
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This morning visit Punta Pitt on the eastern end of San Cristobal. Walk to the top of the volcanic hill for expansive views of this sparsely vegetated area. A variety of seabirds nest here, including blue-footed boobies and frigates.
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Visit San Cristobal Interpretation Center in the morning. 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.
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Explore Bartolome, one of the most spectacular volcanic landscapes in the Galapagos, full of parasitic spatter cones, lava flows, Galapagos penguins and lava lizards.
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Travel to Espumilla Beach. On the northern coast of Isla Santiago, Espumilla is an important nesting site for marine turtles. With large waves, it is often a favourite amongst beach lovers.
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Flights to mainland Ecuador from the Galapagos Islands depart mid-morning, so an early start is necessary to make the most of today’s visit to 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 the best opportunities for close encounters with giant tortoises. You may also see baby tortoises and land iguanas
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There are no activities planned for today, but if you plan to stay in Quito you may want to check out an Urban Adventure tour. From a Market Discovery to a Sweet & Culinary Experience, there is more than one way to explore the city. Find out more at urbanadventures.com/destination/Quito-tours.
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Meals
Meals 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinnersTransport
Transport Minibus, Boat, Plane, ZodiacAccommodation
Accommodation Hotel (2 nights), Overnight boat (7 nights)
Activities
- 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
- 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 - Snorkelling (45 mins)
- Isla Sanitago - Espumilla Beach - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station (1 hour) - Dry Landing
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