Days
Price from

Spot bright, bizarre and beautiful wildlife on an exciting adventure to the Galapagos
Take a seven-day exploration deep in the Galapagos to a land of untouched islands and incredible wildlife. Flying from Quito, find yourself in a totally different world as you board the mighty M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz and follow in the footsteps of past explorers, cruising to the central islands of Isla Santa Cruz, North Seymour, Baltra and Santiago. See Tortuga Negra, Sombrero Chino and Cerro Dragon teeming with wildlife, and understand the conservation efforts of the giant tortoise at the Charles Darwin Research Station. With an expert licensed Galapagos guide joining you for the whole adventure, journey to the Galapagos Islands for a wildlife adventure like no other.
- Start
- Quito, Ecuador
- Finish
- Quito, Ecuador
- Destination
- Ecuador
- Style
- Peregrine
- Theme
- Adventure Cruising, Wildlife
- Code
- PSGQF
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 4 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 16
Looking for trips in 2022?
Why you'll love this trip
-
Follow in the footsteps of past explorers and cruise the marvellous Galapagos on board your comfortable vessel, the M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz.
-
Explore the central islands from your upper decks, on foot and perhaps in the water on a snorkelling experience, keeping your eyes peeled for the next wildlife sighting.
-
Have the chance to learn about the lives and conservation efforts of the giant tortoise on a group excursion to the Charles Darwin Research Station.
-
Galapagos penguins, land and marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, pintail ducks, sea lions – you'll be spotting this and so much more on your cruising expeditions.
-
With a trained and licensed Galapagos guide joining you each step of this adventure, learn all about the flora and fauna of this incredible ecosystem.
Is this trip right for you?
-
Although we don't ask travellers to complete a Physical Participation Form for this trip, we do 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 four decks, and the steps between the decks are steep.
-
You will be entering and exiting a Zodiac boat (panga) during wet and dry landings and when returning from snorkelling. Although the waters we sail are usually calm, there are times when the sea can get rough and choppy. Steady sea legs (and a sturdy stomach) are needed when walking around the boat during bad weather. Rain or shine, your trusty crew will always be on hand to assist you.
-
A typical yacht/boat for sixteen travellers is equipped with eight cabins each with ensuites. They are designed to maximise living area space, so sleeping quarters can be a bit cramped. That being said, the adventure and exhilaration of an authentic Galapagos trip more than makes up for any discomfort.
-
While at sea and when exploring the islands, you may be exposed to the sun for large parts of the day. It’s important to use sun protection and drink plenty of water.
-
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.
-
All of our Galapagos tours begin and end in Quito which is located approximately 2850 metres above sea level so you may experience some altitude sickness.
Gallery








Boats

Grand Queen Beatriz
Experience the ‘Enchanted Islands’ in our new custom-built yacht, the Grand Queen Beatriz.
Itinerary
Accommodation
- Hotel Le Parc, Quito (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
Quito is located at 2850 metres above sea level. At this altitude you may experience some of the milder effects of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, insomnia and a shortness of breath. If so, we recommend you avoid any strenuous activity. Please see the 'Medical & Health Information' section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Accommodation
- M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Please note that all public transportation costs are included.Today is predominately a long travel day with an early morning start. Your first activity on the islands will not commence until after lunch.
The airline we use will provide a small snack but because it is such a long travel day we recommend that you carry your own snacks as well. The snacks they do provide are not gluten free. Please also keep in mind that the Galapagos has strict quarantine regulations for 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.
A USD 20 per person transit card is payable on departure at Quito Airport and a USD 100 per person national park entry fee is payable on arrival on the islands. Please have cash on hand for these transactions as credit cards are not accepted.
Estimated travel time/distance:
Puerto Ayora to North Seymour: 4 hours (35 nautical miles)
Accommodation
- M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla North Seymour - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla North Seymour - Snorkelling (1 hours)
- Isla Mosquera - Snorkelling (1 hour)
- Isla Mosquera - Beach Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Estimated travel time/distance:North Seymour to Isla Baltra: 4 hours (35 nautical miles)
Isla Baltra to Caleta Tortuga: 1 hour (7 nautical miles)
Accommodation
- M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove - Panga ride (1.5 hours)
- Isla Santa Cruz - Cerro Dragon - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz - Cerro Dragon - Snorkelling or swimming (1 hour)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Estimated travel time/distance:Caleta Tortuga Negra to Cerro Dragon: 2 hours (12 nautical miles)
Cerro Dragon to Sombrero Chino: 1.5 hours (9 nautical miles)
Accommodation
- M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Santiago - Sombrero Chino - Snorkelling (1 hour)
- Sombrero Chino - Walk and Panga ride (2 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Rabida - Snorkelling (1 hour)
- Isla Rabida - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Estimated travel time/distance:Sombrero Chino to Isla Rabida: 1 hour (7 nautical miles)
Isla Rabida to Bachas Beach: 1 hour (7 nautical miles)
Accommodation
- Hotel Le Parc, Quito (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Bachas Beach Walk (1 hour) - Wet Landing
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
As you will be leaving the boat this morning, please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip would be very much appreciated by them. As a guideline we recommend each passenger consider USD 15 per day for the crew and USD 10 per day for your guide. You can leave tips in envelopes that are placed in your cabin on the last day of your journey.Today is predominately a long travel day with an early morning start. There will be a short morning activity before our mid-morning flight back to the mainland. The flight back to Quito is not due to arrive until late afternoon getting back to the hotel in time for an optional final group dinner.Â
Estimated travel times/distance:
Queen Beatriz to Isla Baltra: 15 mins
Flight time Isla Baltra to Quito: approximately 3.5 hours (including transit in Guayaquil)
Transfer Quito Airport to Hotel: 1 hour (depending on traffic)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinnersTransport
Minibus, Boat, Plane, ZodiacAccommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Overnight boat (4 nights)Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla North Seymour - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla North Seymour - Snorkelling (1 hours)
- Isla Mosquera - Snorkelling (1 hour)
- Isla Mosquera - Beach Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove - Panga ride (1.5 hours)
- Isla Santa Cruz - Cerro Dragon - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz - Cerro Dragon - Snorkelling or swimming (1 hour)
- Isla Santiago - Sombrero Chino - Snorkelling (1 hour)
- Sombrero Chino - Walk and Panga ride (2 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Rabida - Snorkelling (1 hour)
- Isla Rabida - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz - Bachas Beach Walk (1 hour) - Wet Landing
Dates & availability - 2021 season
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Galapagos Explorer: Central Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz) trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
Jump to a departure month
Important notes
FELLOW TRAVELLERS
Your group will be a mixture of Peregrine booked passengers and other international like-minded travellers from our sister company Intrepid Travel.
GALAPAGOS PARK, TRANSIT CARD & ISLA ISABELA PORT FEES
Before checking in for the flight from Quito to the Galapagos, there is a USD 20 transit fee that needs to be paid. On arrival in the islands you must pay the USD 100 national park fee to enter Galapagos National Park. If your voyage visits Isla Isabela, there is also a USD 10 fee to be paid on arrival at the island.
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, coeliac, vegan, severe food allergies) it's essential that you inform us or your agent of 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.
MINIMUM AGE
The minimum age on this trip is 15. Please note that triple cabins are not available. If travelling with a child, the child will need to share with one of the adults, and the other adult will share with another adult passenger, or pay a single supplement.
SEA SICKNESS GALAPAGOS
Please note that from June to August the water is rougher than usual. Consequently travel times will be longer than usual. If you suffer from seasickness you may want to reconsider travelling during this period.
DIVING IN THE GALAPAGOS
We do not offer diving as a part of our Galapagos program and due to our internal safety policy our leaders are specifically prohibited from recommending or assisting with booking this activity.

Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information