Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

Intrepid Travel · 7 days
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
7 Days
From AUD $6645
Trip Type
Group Tour
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(20 reviews)

Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

Galapagos Explorer: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

Intrepid Travel · 7 days
Duration

7 days

Tour Type

Group Tour

Accommodations

Comfortable

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Cruise the Galapagos and discover the native wildlife on this seven-day sailing adventure around the southern end of the archipelago.

Highlights

  • Keep an eye out for your next glimpse of Galapagos penguins, sea lions or albatross. In the air, on land and underwater, you’ll constantly be surrounded by unique wildlife!
  • Cruise in small-scale style on the M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz, following in the footsteps of past explorers and passing the best of the southern islands.
  • Roam Isla Plaza Sur – a small island packed full of wildlife – and get close to sea lions, walk trails past one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations and visit the rugged southern cliffs that are home of old and young sea lions known as the 'Gentlemen’s Club.’
  • Go exotic bird watching off the coast of Isla Espanola, where you may see the unique waved albatrosses, blue-footed boobies and masked boobies.
  • Learn about the geography and history of the Galapagos at the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where you’ll learn more about past explorers and expeditions and how your journey shapes up to theirs.

Trip Details

Duration

7 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

1
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)
2
Day 2: Isla Baltra - Highlands of Isla Santa Cruz
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. Take the short bus ride to the ferry, then board and head across the Itabaca Channel to Isla Santa Cruz. Once you reach the island, you’ll hop in a private vehicle and drive to Puerto Ayora – the main port of the island. Here, there will be two dinghies to transport you and your fellow travellers to your home for the next week – M/Y Queen Beatriz. Once on board, settle in and then have lunch with your group. After, head up into the highlands for a 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 and you’re likely to see Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat, and maybe even the bright red feathers of a vermillion flycatcher!

Included Activities:

  • Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing

Accommodation:

  • M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Isla Santa Fe - Isla Plaza Sur
Isla Santa Fe is home to many sea lions and is a fantastic place to go snorkelling. This morning, expect to see Galapagos hawks, land iguanas, a variety of finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, marine turtles, frigatebirds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards, too. After your snorkel, head out for a hike on a trail along the coast, heading into the opuntia forest. Walk under the largest trees in the Galapagos to a forest of prickly pears and look out for the unique sub-species of land iguana that live here. Later, sail to Plaza Sur, where you’ll get close to sea lions and follow a trail past one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations. Walk through cacti and volcanic landscapes, coloured bright red and green by sesuvium. The island’s rugged southern cliffs are an excellent place to spot tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as the 'Gentlemen’s Club’ – a gathering of male sea lions.

Included Activities:

  • Isla Plaza Sur - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
  • Isla Santa Fe - Panga ride (45 mins)
  • Isla Santa Fe - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing

Accommodation:

  • M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Isla Espanola - Bahia Gardner - Punta Suarez
Wake up on the island of Espanola – the southernmost island of the Galapagos. Because of its remote location, this island has a large population of endemic fauna and is the breeding site for nearly all the 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses on Earth. Take a trail to where sea lions bathe and marine iguanas make their way towards the water, walking right through booby colonies. Then, visit Punta Suarez. Walk along a trail that takes you to a clifftop viewpoint, where you'll see the boobies line the rocky shoreline beneath, while frigate birds soar overhead. Nearby, male sea lions can be seen lounging. Watch the albatross use the cliffs as their ‘runway’, helped into the air by the southeast winds that blow across this part of the island. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see the elaborate courtship rituals before the female chooses her lifelong mate! End the day on a white sandy beach at Bahia Gardner. The rocks off the coast provide excellent snorkelling opportunities, with reef sharks, turtles, sea lions and many species of tropical fish – including surgeon and angelfish – often seen. White-tipped reef sharks are also commonly spotted resting under the rocks.

Included Activities:

  • 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

Accommodation:

  • M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Isla Cristobal - Leon Dormido - Isla Lobos - Punta Pitt
Visit Punta Pitt on the eastern end of Isla San Cristobal this morning. Walk to the top of the volcanic hill for expansive views of the sparsely vegetated area. A variety of seabirds nest here, including blue-footed boobies and frigates. Then, sail to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) – the basalt remains of a crater in the middle of the sea, resembling a sleeping lion. The rock rises 150 m above the surface and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel. Although there are no landing areas, you’ll circumnavigation the Rock to see tropicbirds, marine iguanas and sea lions. Later, visit Isla Lobos – a tiny island off the coast of San Cristobal. This is the perfect time to watch as the sea lions play in the shallow waters. Blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and marine iguanas can also be seen.

Included Activities:

  • Isla San Cristobal - Punta Pitt - Walk (2 hours) - Wet Landing
  • Isla San Cristobal - Isla Lobos - Walk (1 hour) - Dry Landing
  • San Cristobal - Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock)

Accommodation:

  • M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: San Cristobal Interpretation Center, fly to Quito.
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. Visit San Cristobal Interpretation Center – 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. Then, 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 San Cristobal - Interpretation Center Visit (1 hour) - Dry Landing

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: 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.
AUD $6,645
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 7 days

Trip Type: Group Tour

Activity Level: Average

Cruise the Galapagos and discover the native wildlife on this seven-day sailing adventure around the southern end of the archipelago.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 02 Jun 2026

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
4.0
Kirsten
Traveled, June 2023

06/29/2023

If you are thinking about doing this trip then go for it. Everything is taken care of and all you have to do is enjoy the sights - which is a feast for your eyes! Saw so many amazing sites. Jacinto was amazing and I learnt so much! Crew were great, food and accomodation was also great! A must do!

5.0
Rob
Traveled, June 2023

06/14/2023

Fantastic trip, the Galapagos wildlife is so amazing to see in person. Intrepid did an amazing job on this trip. The boat and crew were awesome. I am vegan and they were very accommodating. Would highly recommend this adventure.

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