Transport

The Grand Queen Beatriz is a modern motor yacht. She has a comfortable lounge and dining area, a jacuzzi as well as a sun deck where you can view the wildlife or just kick back and relax. She has eight well-appointed, air-conditioned cabins and yet, at 41 metres, she is small enough for us to offer an individual level of service. She’s just perfect for a more personal look at this great marine reserve. Cabins: 4xStandard twin cabins 2xJunior Suite cabins 2xDeluxe Balcony cabins All cabins are fully air-conditioned with private facilities Specifications: Built: 2017 Length: 40.96 m Beam: 9 m Engines: 2 Speed: 12 knots Passengers: 16 Crew: 8 + 1 English speaking naturalist guide Zodiacs (locally known as pangas) are modest-sized, open, outboard-powered boats which are very common throughout Galapagos. The boats are used to get you to and from the Grand Queen Bea when you do activities. Depending on the type of activity, this could either be a wet or dry landing. The boat crew are there to assist you getting into and out of the zodiac. Minibus , Boat , Plane , Zodiac

Accommodation

The stylish modern design of the Grand Queen Beatriz features large en suite cabins all with individual air conditioning and ocean views. There are 4 Standard twin cabins on the main deck and on the upper deck there are 2 Junior Suite cabins and 2 deluxe balcony cabins. The upper deck cabins all have private balconies. All cabins are equipped with a safety deposit box, hair dryers and toiletries. Hotel (2 nights), Overnight boat (7 nights)

Meals

9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners

Others

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

Guide

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.

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Others

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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 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. Quito sits at high altitude under the towering Pichincha volcano. It is a beautiful city, arguably one of the most beautiful in South America. The city stretches along the valley and is surrounded by the Andes. The Old Town of Quito is awash with history, with more than 30 churches to explore, and a number of fascinating museums. La Compania de Jesus is considered to be the most beautiful and ornate churches in the Americas. The city’s oldest street, Calle La Ronda, is well worth exploring.
Day 2 Day 2: Quito - Isla San Cristobal
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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 boat, the M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz – a first-class boat with all of the creature comforts you’ll need. This afternoon you’ll travel into the interior of Isla San Cristobal to visit the highlands site of Galapaguera of Cerro Colorado (Red Hill) where the national park has established a breeding program and information centre for native tortoises. Here, you’ll be able to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat and learn all about their origin, evolution and their threatened future.
Day 3 Day 3: Bartolome - Bahia Sullivan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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 of its volcanic past can be seen everywhere, as seen by the amazing lunar-like landscape. The Pinnacle Rock is one of the most photographed sites in the Galapagos – a rock structure protruding from the earth like a tooth, providing a focal point for two nearby bays. Head to nearby Isla Santiago, where you can hike to the top of a once-active volcano (360 wooden steps) and enjoy superb views across to Sullivan Bay. If you’re in luck, you might catch a glance of the Galapagos Hawk. You also have the opportunity to go snorkelling with plenty of tropical fish, starfish, white-tipped reef sharks, rays and (hopefully) penguins. On Santiago’s eastern coast sits James Island. Here, take a walk on Pahoe-Hoe lava, from an eruption that occurred in 1897, and witness the regrowth of unique plant species since the last eruption. Look out for marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, turtles, sharks and penguins. On a walk, your guide will explain the interesting geological history of the islands.
Day 4 Day 4: Isla Santiago - Espumilla Beach - Buccaneer Cove - Puerto Egas
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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 around and see Galapagos hawks, ghost crabs, blue-footed boobies (often plunging for fish) and brown pelicans up close. Espumilla is also well known for its forest of palo santo trees and some extraordinary lava formations. You’ll also visit Caleta Bucanero (Buccaneer Cove), a natural monument of rocks caused by sea erosion. This cove was used by pirates to careen their ships. It is a place of local legends and stories, including where Charles Darwin camped for nine days while making his study of the islands and their wildlife. If conditions are favourable, you can enjoy some further snorkelling. The next stop is Puerto Egas, a black sand beach located on the west side of James Bay and northwest of Santiago. South of the beach is Sugarloaf Volcano, which has deposits of volcanic tuff. This site is named Puerto Egas, after Hector Egas who last attempted to mine salt here. On the walk along the beach, you’ll encounter hundreds of marine iguanas and Galapagos sea lions. You will also see amazing tidal pools formed from ancient lava flow and home to sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles and fish. Snorkelling with the seals always offers the possibility of thrilling encounters.
Day 5 Day 5: Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Station - Santa Cruz Highlands
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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 makes for interesting exploration and offers the best opportunities for close encounters with giant tortoises. You’ll also see baby tortoises and land iguanas. After, head up into the highlands for a total 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. Plus, you are likely to see Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat, and perhaps even the bright red feathers of a vermillion flycatcher!
Day 6 Day 6: North Seymour - Isla Mosquera
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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 frigate birds. The magnificent frigate bird, a large black bird with a long wingspan and a hooked beak, is extremely fast and has excellent vision. Frigate birds are known for the large red pouch on their necks. During mating season, the males throw back their heads, inflate the pouch (sometimes to the size of a soccer ball), and shake – trying to capture the attention of female frigates. Boobies and frigates have an interesting relationship. Sharing the same nesting area on North Seymour, blue-footed boobies nest on the ground making their nests from the twigs of the palo santos trees, while the frigate birds nest just above them in the saltbushes. Your walk is followed by snorkelling where you will discover a colourful variety of fish and, possibly, some white-tipped reef sharks, rays and sea lions. After lunch, visit the small sandy island of Mosquera, a relaxing stop situated between Baltra and North Seymour. Along the rocks and in the tide pool, Sally Lightfoot crabs (red lava crabs) scamper back and forth, skipping across small pools of water in search of food. These crabs with their bright red shell tops and blue under shells are stunning against the black lava. The island also has a very large colony of sea lions as well as a sizeable resident brown pelican population. Depending on the tides and visibility, you may have a chance to go snorkelling here.
Day 7 Day 7: Black Turtle Cove - Cerro Dragon.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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 place to see green turtle and is a nursery for golden cow-nose rays, eagle rays and Galapagos sharks. There is also abundant birdlife, such as the yellow warblers and lava herons. This is also a breeding area for turtles, so it is not uncommon to see them mating. In the afternoon, cruise over for a walk on Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) this afternoon. This is one of the best places to see land iguanas in the islands! From your dry landing, you’ll walk to a brackish lagoon frequented by lagoon birds including stilts, pintail ducks, sandpipers, sanderlings and occasionally flamingos. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago. This area is a nesting site for land iguanas, which is constantly monitored and assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The arid-zone vegetation makes for an ideal location for birdwatching with Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, the endemic Galapagos flycatcher and yellow warblers all regulars here. The path can be challenging but it will be worth it with a spectacular view of the bay!
Day 8 Day 8: Isla Rabida - Sombrero Chino.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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 beautiful crescent-shaped, sandy beach that’s home to sea lions and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Keep a look out for Galapagos penguins on the rocky shoreline of nearby Santiago, opposite Sombrero Chino. Follow a trail that circles the cove and passes through colonies of sea lions marine iguanas. The cove also offers some great snorkelling opportunities, hopefully with sightings of some penguins and sharks. On to Isla Rabida, also known as Jervis Island, which is a tiny island sitting roughly five kilometres south of Santiago, having one of the most striking of the archipelago. Introduced species were eradicated in 1971, meaning that the native wildlife has now been returned to a state of isolation. Additionally, volcanic activity here has produced a vivid spectrum of colours, not least the red sand beaches and scarlet cliffs. From the shore, the trail leads through to what is one of the finest lagoons in the Galapagos for viewing flamingos. Rabida is also a wonderful place to spot nesting pelicans. Elsewhere, spot pintail ducks, marine iguanas and sea lions. There is an opportunity for snorkelling in a cove full of sea stars, damsels, gobies and surgeon fish.
Day 9 Day 9: Las Bachas - Isla Baltra - Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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. The sand beaches of Las Bachas on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island are a nesting site for the Pacific green turtle, and marine iguanas are also commonly seen. The sand here is particularly white and soft, as it is made of decomposed coral. The rocks provide great snorkelling and are the perfect habitat for the Sally Lightfoot crabs, which are plentiful on the island. A saltwater lagoon near the beach is home to flamingo, whimbrel and great blue herons. This is your final excursion before you return to the airport in Baltra for your flight back to Quito.
Day 10 Day 10: Quito
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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 taste traditional ingredients on the Quito Market Discovery Tour, where you’ll visit an authentic market and ride a cable car to the top of Pichincha to view the expansive city (see urbanadventures.com/destination/Quito-tours). If you wish to stay in Quito, just speak to your booking agent.

10 days tour

Classic Galapagos: Central Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beat

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Classic Galapagos: Central Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beat

Day 1: Quito

Day 2: Quito - Isla San Cristobal

Day 3: Bartolome - Bahia Sullivan

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

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

Day 6: North Seymour - Isla Mosquera

Day 7: Black Turtle Cove - Cerro Dragon.

Day 8: Isla Rabida - Sombrero Chino.

Day 9: Las Bachas - Isla Baltra - Quito

Day 10: Quito

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