Galapagos Encounter: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

Intrepid Travel · 6 days

4.9

6 Reviews

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Duration

6 days

Tour Type

Group Tour

Accommodations

Comfortable

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Tick the Galapagos off your list on this week-long sailing voyage that takes in the very best of the southern islands. Rub shoulders with the local wildlife as sea lions, iguanas, giant tortoises and exotic birds of all shapes and sizes go about their daily business.

Highlights

See nature at its finest as you follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, spotting some of the strangest and most beautiful creatures on Earth in their natural habitats.
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.
Swim with the sea lions of the Galapagos – the puppies of the sea, these creatures are naturally friendly and inquisitive.
Hike, snorkel, sail and enjoy plenty of free time to unwind on the deck of your motor yacht, with a beer or wine in hand as you birdwatch.
Island-hop in the most comfortable way aboard the Grand Queen Beatriz – this is unlike other cruises, as this trip is built for small-group adventure!

Trip Details

Duration

6 days

Transportation

Minibus,Boat,Plane,Zodiac

Tour Type

Group Tour

Guide Language

English

Starts

Quito, Ecuador

Finishes

Quito, Ecuador

Accommodations

Comfortable

Travel Style

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Quito

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador. Your adventure begins in Quito – Ecuador’s sprawling capital city. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 or 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and small group of fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe check out the city at your own pace – head to the Old Town and pick one (or more) of the 30 churches to explore. After your meeting, you’ll head to a small, local restaurant for dinner with your group. Take in the aromas and fresh flavours of the traditional Ecuadorian cuisine – think locroc (traditional potato soup) or quinoa, pork and vegetable dishes cooked with herbs, lemongrass and rich sauces, all sourced from local farms.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Isla Baltra - Punta Carrion

You have a very early start this morning (maybe as early as 4 am, depending on flight times) as you head into the Galapagos. Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito Airport), with a boxed breakfast on the way. When you arrive, you’ll meet your naturalist guide in the arrival hall. Transfer a short distance away to Isla Baltra, where you’ll board your home for the adventure – M/Y Queen Beatriz. Once on board, settle in and then have lunch with your group. After, you’ll sail to Punta Carrion – on the eastern side of the Itabaca Channel that separates the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz. This is a shallow and protected cove, ideal for your first snorkel and swim in the Galapagos! From the vantage point of your boat, wildlife is plentiful, so keep your eyes peeled for occasional sights of blue-footed boobies, Galapagos herons and great blue herons, while under the surface swim rays and white-tipped reef sharks. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome cocktail during the crew’s onboard presentation.

Included Activities:

Isla Santa Cruz - Punta Carrion - Snorkelling (1 hour)

Accommodation:

M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Isla Isabela - Las Tintoreras - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre

Wake up on the south Coast of Isla Isabela – the largest island of the Galapagos archipelago. Isabela was formed by five giant volcanic craters, all still considered active. The island is located in one of the youngest geological areas in the world, having been formed less than 1 million years ago and the southern coast has the largest area of beaches in the Galapagos. You’ll visit Las Tintoreras, heading to a viewing walkway where you can see a colony of white-tipped reef sharks swimming and sleeping. Take a long walk through lava flows and see the resident blue-footed boobies, penguins, marine iguanas and crabs. In the afternoon, take another walk through a coastal lagoon, where you might see some flamingos. This mangrove-lined path leads to Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center (Arnoldo Tupiza) where you'll observe giant tortoises in all stages of development. You’ll then have the choice to go swimming at the beach or head out for some shopping in Puerto Villamil.

Included Activities:

Isla Isabela - Las Tintoreras visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
Isla Isabela - Arnolda Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center including Flamingo Lagoon (2 hours) - Dry Landing

Accommodation:

M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Isla Floreana - Post Office Bay - Devil's Crown - Punta Cormorant

Isla Floreana is a highlight of any Galapagos cruise, rich in natural wonders and wildlife. Today you’ll take a panga ride around the bay to see marine iguanas, sea lions and crabs before taking a leisurely walk to Post Office Bay, where 18th century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. This custom continues today with visitors to the Galapagos – post one of your own or see if there are any you could deliver back home! You’ll also have the chance to go snorkelling with sea turtles. Today you might also be lucky enough to see pink flamingos and other water birds wading in the lagoons, including pintails and stilts. Just offshore, the Devil’s Crown is an old eroded volcanic cone and a popular roosting site for seabirds like boobies, pelicans and frigates. Go snorkelling in the cone, full of sea lions and colourful fish, for maybe the best underwater experience of the adventure! Later, you’ll head to Punta Cormorant, where the sand is made up of olivine crystals (a glassy volcanic mineral), giving the beach an olive-green colour.

Included Activities:

Isla Floreana - Post Office Bay - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
Isla Floreana - Punta Cormorant walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
Isla Floreana - Devil's Crown snorkelling (1 hour)
Isla Floreana - Post Office Bay snorkelling (45 mins)

Accommodation:

M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Isla Santa Cruz

Flights to the mainland depart mid-morning, so an early start is necessary today to make the most of your last day on the islands. You’ll wake up in Isla Santa Cruz and heads to the small town of Puerto Ayora – 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 an opportunity to see giant tortoises. You may also be able to observe the baby tortoises and land iguanas! After your visit, head to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Tonight, you may like to head out with your group for a farewell dinner and toast to an excellent adventure.

Included Activities:

Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station (1 hour) - Dry Landing

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Quito

There are no activities planned for today, and your adventure finishes after breakfast this morning. Of course, that doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Why not stay on in Quito for a few days and discover the charms of the city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $5495

AUD $4,121

(Tour only)

Offer ends 18 Sep, 2025 Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 6 days

Trip Type: Group Tour

Activity Level: Average

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 01 Nov 2025

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

5.0

Shane

Traveled, August 2023

09/18/2023

Wonderful trip, we saw so much and had a great crew that went above and beyond.

5.0

Sondra

Traveled, July 2023

08/10/2023

Thank you Intrepid for, once again, providing a life-changing experience! Every aspect of the trip, from the travel to the food to the expert guides was excellent! Anyone who is on the fence about taking a trip with Intrepid needs to just go ahead and push that BOOK button...you will NOT regret it!

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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