Intrepid Travel
Classic Galapagos: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Classic Galapagos: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)
Experience the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands as you drift across the Pacific Ocean on this 10-day sailing adventure. The beauty of these Ecuadorian isles is something to behold from aboard the M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz and you’ll retrace the 180-year-old voyage of Charles Darwin by sea with a naturalist guide by your side. Witness the giant tortoises that call these lands home and go birdwatching for blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Each day, a new view will greet you out your cabin window, with a new array or wildlife to see up above and down below (snorkel, anyone?).
Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz – Punta Carrion – Snorkelling (1 hour)
- Isla Isabela – Las Tintoreras visit (1.5 hours) – Dry Landing
- Isla Isabela – Arnolda Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center including Flamingo Lagoon (2 hours) – Dry Landing
- 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)
- Isla Santa Cruz – Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) – Dry Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz – Charles Darwin Research Station (1 hour) – 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
- San Cristobal – Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock)
- Isla Isabela – Interpretation Center Visit
Highlights
- Board your vessel, the M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz, and sail through the southern islands of the archipelago, encountering secluded natural beauty at its finest.
- Encounter Galapagos’s wildlife, including giant Galapagos tortoises, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, pelicans and frigate birds, as well as iguanas, sea lions, fur seals and sea turtles.
- Spend time land side on the islands, with expeditions through mangroves and misty forests, passing unique flora, such as opuntia cacti and miconia bushes, and gazing across the coastline from scenic lookouts.
- Swim through a colourful underwater ecosystem when snorkelling in one of the many coves – a playful sea lion might get in your way!
- Explore the islands on deck, on foot and in the water, keeping your eyes wide open for your next bird or water mammal sighting – this trip is a nature-lover’s dream.
| Day 1 |
Situated on the equator and nestled beneath an imposing volcano, the rugged, sprawling, and vibrant city of Quito offers adventure galore. A South American gem and Ecuador’s capital, Quito combines the best of its Incan and Spanish influences in fascinating cultural attractions, and the city’s surrounding natural beauty will surely astound you. From stunning churches and basilicas to exquisite art galleries and museums, visit Old Town to explore Quito’s history and architectural splendor. Highlights include the city’s Gothic-style Basílica del Voto Nacional, whose vaulted spires and stained-glass windows tower over the city center, the sumptuous Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, decorated throughout with rich golds, and the expansive Convento de San Francisco, the Spanish style convent brimming with centuries-old art. Plaza Grande, the city’s central square, provides access to all of these religious landmarks, as well as excellent shopping and dining opportunities. Venture to the city limits to experience Quito’s natural marvels. A quick cable car ride from TelefériQo will take you to the peak of Pichincha volcano, whose dizzying heights offer magnificent views of the city below. Better yet, journey to the middle of the world at Mitad del Mundo, which marks the exact spot where the equator crosses through Ecuador. Find your next adventure in Quito! |
| Day 2 |
Isla Santa Cruz, or Santa Cruz Island, is one of the Galápagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador. This tropical and volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean is the typical starting place for excursions throughout the Galápagos Islands and is famous for its spectacular biodiversity, especially the iconic Galápagos tortoises. Highlights of Santa Cruz Island include the Charles Darwin Research Station, the town of Puerto Ayora, Carrion Point lagoon, and Tortuga Bay. |
| Day 3 |
Isabella Island is the largest of the Galapagos islands, on the western end of the archipelago. Shaped like a seahorse when viewed from above, Isabella is home to more wild tortoises than any other island, as well as a wide variety of other animal, bird and marine life.
On Isabella's west coast lies Tagus Cove, a natural protected harbor where centuries ago whalers safely spent the night and left their ships' signatures painted on the rocks. Near Elizabeth Bay, Moreno Point is a birdwatcher's delight. Further inland, visitors will find six volcanoes, five of which are still active and two that sit directly on the Equator. At the base of Alcedo Volcano is Urbina Bay, a perfect spot for snorkeling and home to the biggest land iguanas in the Galapagos. To the north, located at the "mouth" of the island, is Punta Vicente Roca. Although it's a marine-only site (meaning it can only be accessed via dinghy or SCUBA diving), the formation nonetheless draws plenty of visitors eager to see its spectacular sea life - penguins, seahorses, sea turtles, sunfish, and more. |
| Day 4 |
|
| Day 5 |
|
| Day 6 |
On South Plaza Island, sea lions breed all along the low lying northern coast. These sheer cliffs are home for swallow-tail gulls and the beautiful red billed tropic birds. The landscape is dominated by optunia cactus trees. A look under each tree reveals a land iguana patiently waiting for a succulent cactus pad to fall. |
| Day 7 |
Española Island lies in the southeastern part of the Galápagos archipelago. Highlights of this tropical paradise include Punta Suarez, a popular scenic point for bird watching, and the beaches of Bahía Gardner on the island's north coast. |
| Day 8 |
At the northeastern tip of San Cristobal Island, Punta Pitt is known as the only place where one can spot all three species of boobies: blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies and Nazca Boobies. Along with bird-watching, the area offers opportunities for snorkeling and beautiful views of this remote part of the Galapagos National Park. |
| Day 9 |
Situated on the equator and nestled beneath an imposing volcano, the rugged, sprawling, and vibrant city of Quito offers adventure galore. A South American gem and Ecuador’s capital, Quito combines the best of its Incan and Spanish influences in fascinating cultural attractions, and the city’s surrounding natural beauty will surely astound you. From stunning churches and basilicas to exquisite art galleries and museums, visit Old Town to explore Quito’s history and architectural splendor. Highlights include the city’s Gothic-style Basílica del Voto Nacional, whose vaulted spires and stained-glass windows tower over the city center, the sumptuous Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, decorated throughout with rich golds, and the expansive Convento de San Francisco, the Spanish style convent brimming with centuries-old art. Plaza Grande, the city’s central square, provides access to all of these religious landmarks, as well as excellent shopping and dining opportunities. Venture to the city limits to experience Quito’s natural marvels. A quick cable car ride from TelefériQo will take you to the peak of Pichincha volcano, whose dizzying heights offer magnificent views of the city below. Better yet, journey to the middle of the world at Mitad del Mundo, which marks the exact spot where the equator crosses through Ecuador. Find your next adventure in Quito! |
| Day 10 |
Situated on the equator and nestled beneath an imposing volcano, the rugged, sprawling, and vibrant city of Quito offers adventure galore. A South American gem and Ecuador’s capital, Quito combines the best of its Incan and Spanish influences in fascinating cultural attractions, and the city’s surrounding natural beauty will surely astound you. From stunning churches and basilicas to exquisite art galleries and museums, visit Old Town to explore Quito’s history and architectural splendor. Highlights include the city’s Gothic-style Basílica del Voto Nacional, whose vaulted spires and stained-glass windows tower over the city center, the sumptuous Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, decorated throughout with rich golds, and the expansive Convento de San Francisco, the Spanish style convent brimming with centuries-old art. Plaza Grande, the city’s central square, provides access to all of these religious landmarks, as well as excellent shopping and dining opportunities. Venture to the city limits to experience Quito’s natural marvels. A quick cable car ride from TelefériQo will take you to the peak of Pichincha volcano, whose dizzying heights offer magnificent views of the city below. Better yet, journey to the middle of the world at Mitad del Mundo, which marks the exact spot where the equator crosses through Ecuador. Find your next adventure in Quito! |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
05/17/25 - 05/26/25 |
Starting At $8,205 |
Get A Quote | |
|
05/31/25 - 06/09/25 |
Starting At $8,380 |
Get A Quote | |
|
06/14/25 - 06/23/25 |
Starting At $8,810 |
Get A Quote | |
|
06/28/25 - 07/07/25 |
Starting At $8,205 |
Get A Quote | |
|
07/12/25 - 07/21/25 |
Starting At $8,205 |
Get A Quote | |
|
10/04/25 - 10/13/25 |
Starting At $8,205 |
Get A Quote | |
|
10/18/25 - 10/27/25 |
Starting At $8,810 |
Get A Quote | |
|
11/01/25 - 11/29/25 |
Starting At $8,205 |
Get A Quote | |
|
12/13/25 - 12/22/25 |
Starting At $8,205 |
Get A Quote | |
|
12/27/25 - 01/05/26 |
Starting At $8,205 |
Get A Quote | |
|
01/10/26 - 12/26/26 |
Starting At $8,605 |
Get A Quote |
Offer subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.
