Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Price- $4,032
7 Days | Explore the fascinating wildlife and diverse terrain of the southern Galapagos Islands.
Cruise the Galapagos and discover its unique native wildlife on a 7-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 wake up to a different view out your 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 overview
StartQuito, Ecuador
EndQuito, Ecuador
DestinationsEcuador
StyleComfort
AgesMin 12
Group SizeMin 1 - Max 16
ThemeAdventure Cruising, Wildlife
Trip CodeGMQE
Itinerary
On arrival at Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure. A welcome meeting will be held in the evening at either 5 pm or 6 pm when you will meet others travelling with you on your cruise around the Galapagos Islands. 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.
Accommodation
Meals
This morning you will 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), as the airport is a 1-hour drive away and you must allow for delays and check-in times. (Your tour leader will confirm this time with you at the welcome meeting).
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Santa Fe is home to many sea lions and these ones are happy to share the sea and shore with you! It’s a lovely place to take a dip and is a fantastic place to see many of the stars of the Galapagos in one relatively small area. Expect to see Galapagos hawks, land iguanas, a variety of finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, sea lions, marine turtles, frigate birds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards. It’s a naturally beautiful island with small coves and jade-green waters ideal for snorkelling. Hiking towards the cliffs on Santa Fe will lead you to a forest of prickly pear cactus. A member of the cactus family, their name comes from the pear-shaped fruit the plant produces. The island is also home to a unique sub-species of land iguana.
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After an overnight night sail, you will wake up at Isla Espanola – the southernmost island of the Galapagos. 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 also home to colonies of blue-footed and masked boobies.
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This morning visit Punta Pitt on the eastern end of Isla San Cristobal. Walk to the top of the volcanic hill for views of the sparsely vegetated area. A variety of seabirds nest here, including blue-footed boobies and frigates.
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As flights to the mainland from Galapagos depart mid-morning, it is an early start to your last morning on the islands. Depending on the time of our flight, your time spent on this final excursion could be limited.
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After breakfast, there are no activities planned for the final day, so you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. There are many fascinating things to do in and around Quito, so if you would like to spend more time here, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Meals
Inclusions
Meals
Meals 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinnersTransport
Transport Minibus, Boat, Plane, ZodiacAccommodation
Accommodation Hotel (2 nights), Overnight boat (4 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
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