HIGHLIGHTS:  

Flight to Baltra Island – Join your Grand Queen Beatriz cruise - Santa Cruz 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Schedule:  

This morning you will 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), as the airport is a 1-hour drive away and you must allow for delays and check-in times. (Your tour leader will confirm this time with you at the welcome meeting).

The flight to the Galapagos will make one stop in Guayaquil to pick up other passengers. (Total flight time is about 3.5 hours). 

When you arrive, you will be met in the arrival hall of the airport 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. The transfer includes a ferry ride 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 to your home for the five days – M/Y Queen Beatriz. 

Once on board, settle in and then have lunch with your group. Afterwards, you will 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, we will be able to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat and learn all about their origin, evolution and their threatened future.

Accommodation: 

M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (1 night) 

Included activities: 

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

Special information: 

Today is predominately a long travel day with an early morning start. Your first activity on the islands will not commence until after lunch. There are no snacks provided on the flights to and from the Galapagos Islands, so we recommend that you carry some snacks today. Please keep in mind that the Galapagos has strict quarantine regulations regarding bringing food onto the islands, with many fruits and vegetables being on the restricted list. There will be time after check-in and before departure to buy snacks at the airport. 

A USD 20 transit card is payable on departure at Quito Airport and a USD 200 national park entry fee is payable when you arrive on the islands. Credit cards are not accepted, so make sure you have cash on hand. 

HIGHLIGHTS: 

Isla Santa Fe - Isla Plaza Sur 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Schedule:

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. 

Accommodation: 

M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (1 night) 

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 

Special information: 

Your sailing time today will be approximately 2 hours (16 nautical miles) to Isla Plaza Sur. Tonight, you’ll sail for approximately 7 hours (60 nautical miles) to Isla Espanola. 

HIGHLIGHTS:  

Isla Espanola - Bahia Gardner - Punta Suarez 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Schedule: 

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. 

Accommodation: 

M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (1 night) 

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 

Special information: 

Your sailing time today will be approximately 1 hour (7 nautical miles) to Bahia Gardener. Tonight, sail for approximately 7 hours (50 nautical miles) to Punta Pitt. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

Isla Cristobal - Leon Dormido - Isla Lobos - Punta Pitt 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Schedule:

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. 

Accommodation: 

M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (1 night) 

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) 

Special information: 

Your sailing time today will be approximately 2.5 hours (27 nautical miles) to Kicker Rock, then 1 hour (7 nautical miles) to Isla Lobos. Tonight, sail for approximately 1 hour (5 nautical miles) to Puerto Baquerizo. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

San Cristobal: La Lobería 

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Schedule:

After your cruise you will have additional land activities in San Cristobal; today you´ll visit La Lobería, it offers a unique opportunity to experience the Galápagos wildlife up close. This serene beach is home to a large colony of sea lions, and you can often spot them lounging on the rocks or playing in the water. The area is also a great spot for snorkeling, with crystal-clear waters teeming with colorful fish and marine life. A trip to La Lobería provides a peaceful escape and a chance to connect with the natural beauty and wildlife of the Galápagos. 

Included Activities: 

• San Cristobal: La Loberia visit 

• San Cristobal: Snorkeling 

Accommodation: 

Miconia Hotel OR similar – double or twin rooms. 

HIGHLIGHTS: 

San Cristobal: El Junco/Galapaguera. 

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Schedule:

Today, explore two of San Cristóbal Island's most fascinating natural sites. Begin with a visit to El Junco Lagoon, a scenic freshwater lake nestled in the highlands. This tranquil spot offers panoramic views of the island, and it's an ideal place for birdwatching, including sightings of the endemic San Cristóbal Mockingbird and other local species. 

Next, head to Galapaguera, a conservation area dedicated to protecting the island’s famous giant tortoises. Here, you can observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat and learn about ongoing conservation efforts. It’s a perfect day to experience the natural beauty and wildlife of San Cristóbal, from its lush highlands to its iconic inhabitants.

Included Activities: 

• San Cristobal: El Junco visit 

• San Cristobal: Galapaguera visit 

Accommodation: 

Miconia Hotel OR similar – double or twin rooms. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

Boat ride to Isla Lobos. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. 

Schedule:

Today begins with a short boat ride to Isla Lobos (approximately 1 hour). This island boasts the second-largest sea lion colony in the world, not to mention the tallest lighthouse on the entire continent. Along the way you can observe the abundant sea life that the Galapagos is renowned for. You might be lucky enough to spot nesting frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. On arrival you might want to head out into the water for some quality swimming and snorkelling time. You could find yourself in the midst of turtles, manta rays and maybe the odd Galapagos shark (don't worry – they're harmless!). Then it's time to head back to base and relax. 

Included Activities: 

• San Cristobal: Lobos Islands Snorkeling 

Accommodation:

Miconia Hotel OR similar – double or twin rooms. 

HIGHLIGHTS: 

Transfer out in San Cristobal, Transfer in Quito Airport – Hotel in Quito 

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner 

Schedule: 

Today marks the end of your incredible Galápagos adventure. After checking out of your hotel on San Cristóbal, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival at Quito Airport, a comfortable transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the city. Take some time to relax and unwind as you prepare for your farewell dinner this evening. 

Included Activities: 

• Quito – Transfer in 

• Quito – Farewell dinner 

Accommodation: 

Le Parc Hotel OR similar – double or twin rooms. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

Explore Quito on your own

Transfer to airport for international flight 

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Schedule:

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). 

 As this trip spends very little time in Quito, we recommend you spend a few extra days before or after your trip to experience all the city has to offer. You may even wish to explore further beyond the city and visit Otavalo, Cotopaxi, the Cloud Forest or the Equatorial Monument.  If you wish to stay in Quito, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability), or otherwise can assist you in booking a departure transfer to the airport. 

Your final day concludes with a transfer from your hotel to Mariscal Sucre International Airport, where you will embark on your international flight. Thank you for joining us on this unforgettable journey! 

Included Activities: 

• Quito – Transfer out