Comfort
Cruises
Wildlife
Classic Galapagos: South Eastern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
10 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
6 reviews
10 days
Start
Quito, Ecuador
Finish
Quito, Ecuador
Trip Code
GMQC
Min Age
12
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
Transport
Minibus, Boat, Plane, Zodiac
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Overnight boat (7 nights)
From £6,523(10 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Observe in the flesh animals that most people only see during Attenborough documentaries, from flamingos to Sally Lightfoot crabs.
Explore Earth’s most delicate ecosystems with an island local and an onboard naturalist, so you can be sure you’re doing Galapagos travel in the most sustainable way.
Walk across the rumpled black lava flows of Bahia Sullivan, the remnants of an eruption that occurred over 100 years ago.
The Grand Queen Beatriz is the perfect vessel for those who want to follow in the footsteps of Darwin, but desire a few more creature comforts than the hardened 19th-century explorer.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Tuuur 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. Tuuur will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Tuuur Foundation.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip involves lots of active adventure and we ask that you read through the itinerary carefully to ensure that this trip is right for you. You’ll need to feel comfortable with the included activities and with moving about the boat. The cabins and communal areas of the boat are spread over three decks and the steps between the decks are steep.
For getting to small islets, coves and prime snorkelling spots, it is sometimes necessary to use a Zodiac boat (panga). You will need to be comfortable climbing in and out of one during wet and dry landings.
The waters of the Galapagos are generally calm and serene. However, there is always the possibility of choppy water at sea. Steady sea legs (and a sturdy stomach) will be needed when walking around the boat during bad weather. Rain or shine, your trusty crew will always be on hand to assist you.
Please note that while there is an itinerary in place, some changes may occur due to the weather or because of direction from the local authorities. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for potential modifications to the route or activities. A sense of humour and flexibility will ensure you have a fun, relaxing trip through this beautiful part of the world no matter what happens..
Itinerary
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.
Inclusions
Meals
9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
Transport
Minibus, Boat, Plane, Zodiac
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Overnight boat (7 nights)
Included 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 - Interpretation Center Visit (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 - Panga ride or Snorkelling (45 mins)
Isla Sanitago - Buccaneer's Cove - Panga Ride (45 mins)
Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station (1 hour) - Dry Landing
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Important notes
FELLOW TRAVELLERS:
This trip is a package tour and is therefore made up of a combination of shorter trips. This may mean you will travel with a different guide and passengers on each section.
GALAPAGOS PARK, TRANSIT CARD & ISABELA ISLANDS PORT FEES:
Before checking in for the flight from Quito to the Galapagos, there is a US$20 transit fee that needs to be paid. On arrival in the islands you must pay the US$200 national park fee to enter Galapagos National Park. This applies to everyone aged 13 years and above. For children aged 12 the fee will be USD100.
If your voyage visits Isabela Island, there is also a US$10 fee to be paid on arrival at the island.
ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
This tour includes a complimentary arrival transfer in Quito. Please advise flight details 30 days prior to travel so that the transfer can be organised.
PASSPORT DETAILS:
When booking, please make sure that your name is spelt correctly, and that you book using the name in your passport (particularly if you are recently married). If you are issued a new passport with a different number between the time that you book and the time you travel, please take both the old and new passports with you.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:
Should you have a special diet requirement (for example vegetarian, celiac, vegan, severe food allergies) it's essential that you inform us or your agent the specific details at least 10 days prior to departure, in order to make sure the chef on board the boat or on the island can request the necessary food supplies.
May and June departures 2024 UPDATE.
On the 11th of May 2024, the Galapagos National Park authorities advised, the landing site of Punta Surez on Espanola Island will now reopen. This landing site was temporary closed as part of the biosecurity measures activated to prevent the spread of the Avian flu. All trip departures will now revert to the original itinerary which includes a landing at Punta Suraz, Espanola Island.
Reviews (6)
5 stars
5
4 stars
1
Sophie
Dec 13, 2024
A fantastic experience on board the Grand Queen Beatrice; Roberto was an incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide, the itinerary was fantastic and we saw so much in 7 nights! The facilities on board and meals were also fantastic. Couldn’t recommend more highly
Jennifer
Feb 12, 2024
This was a bucket list destination for me and I had high expectations going into the trip. Incredibly the trip far exceeded my expectations. We had two naturalist guides during the trip and both Roberto and Karla were very knowledgeable, organised, communicated well, and shared their enthusiasm and passion for the Galapagos. The itinerary was impacted by island closures for onshore landings due to concerns around avian flu - while it was disappointing not to follow the itinerary on some days, we were notified in advance by Intrepid and the activities offered instead gave us comparable alternative experiences. We had a top crew onboard the Grand Queen Beatriz and I was so pleased with the meals offered onboard, cleanliness in the cabin and in common areas, and safety measures taken on the pangas and snorkeling. This was one of the best trips I have done with Intrepid.
Uwe
Jan 16, 2024
Excellent tour, well organized, exceptionally crew on board super knowledgeable guides. Could not have asked for a better experience
James
May 07, 2023
Excellent trip!!! Can't recommend it enough, amazing guides and staff, so much included and great activities and views excellent food too!
Martin
Dec 12, 2022
An icredible destination for anyone who has a passion to see wildlife up close and personal.
Katryn
Dec 26, 2024
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