Grand Queen Beatriz Itinerary A - 4 days
ITINERARY A - 4 DAYS
SUNDAY
AM: Baltra Airport: Arrival and Transfer to the boat
PM: Santa Cruz: Carrion Point (HK/SN)
MONDAY
AM: Isabela: Tintoreras (PR)
PM: Isabela: Breeding Center / Wall of tears (HK)
TUESDAY
AM: Floreana: Cormorant Point / Devil's Crown (HK/SN)
PM: Floreana: Post Office Bay / Broness Lookout (SN/HK)
WEDNESDAY
AM: Santa Cruz: Charles Darwin Station (HK)
Baltra: Transfer to the Airport
HK: HIKE / SN: SNORKEL / PR: PANGA RIDE / KY: KAYAK /
PB: PADDLE BOARD
DAY 1: SUNDAY
AM: BALTRA AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO THE BOAT
Welcome to the Galapagos!
On arrival in Baltra Airport you will be met in the arrivals hall and then transferred to your vessel, M/Y Grand Queen Beatriz, anchored a short distance away on Isla Baltra. Once on board you’ll be assigned your cabins, meet the crew members and have a welcome briefing and safety drill, before getting to know your naturalist guide and fellow travelers over a delicious lunch.
PM: SANTA CRUZ: CARRION POINT
Your first stop in the afternoon will be Punta Carrion, located 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 boat, wildlife is plentiful – keep your eyes peeled for occasional sightings of stunning blue-footed boobies, Galapagos herons, great blue herons and, underwater, swim among rays and white-tipped reef sharks.
Tonight, enjoy a welcome cocktail and crew presentation on board.
Included Activities
● Snorkeling Punta Carrion
Meals Included
● Lunch
● Dinner
DAY 2: MONDAY
AM: ISABELA: TINTORERAS
Today, wake up on the south coast of Isla Isabela, the largest of the Galapagos Archipelago. Isabela was formed by five giant volcanic craters, all of which are 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.
This southern coast of turquoise blue waters has the largest area of beaches in the Galapagos. You will visit Las Tintoreras, where from the viewing walkway you can look down into this narrow channel to see a colony of white-tipped reef sharks swimming and sleeping, and the occasional playful sea lion among them. Blue-footed boobies and penguins, marine iguanas and crabs also make their home here. Enjoy a long walk on a path through aa (‘ah-ah’) lava flow and see plenty of marine iguanas. Locally, white sharks are known as 'tintoreras', hence the name of this spectacular site.
PM: ISABELA: BREEDING CENTER
In the afternoon, take a leisurely walk through one of Isabela’s coastal lagoons, where you might catch a glimpse of some flamingos. This mangrove-lined lagoon path leads to Isabela’s giant tortoise breeding centre (Arnoldo Tupiza), where you'll observe tortoises in all stages of development. Here you can see the five sub species of tortoises from Isabela Island, some of which are bred in captivity.
You will then have the choice for optional swimming at the beach or decide to do some shopping in Puerto Villamil.
Included Activities
● Arnoldo Tupiza Tortoise breeding center
● Las Tintoreras visit
Meals Included
● Breakfast
● Lunch
● Dinner
DAY 3: TUESDAY
AM:FLOREANA: CORMORANT POINT - DEVIL’S CROWN
Isla Floreana is a highlight of any Galapagos cruise, rich in natural wonders and a multitude of wildlife, both on land and in the waters surrounding the island. This custom continues to this day with visitors to the Galapagos – post one of your own or see if there are any you could deliver back home! You will also have the chance to go snorkeling with sea turtles.
Today is also one of your best opportunities 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 such as boobies, pelicans and frigates. Red-billed tropicbirds can also be seen nesting in the rocky crevices.
PM: FLOREANA: POST OFFICE BAY - BARONESS LOOKOUT
Enjoy a panga (Zodiac boat) ride to observe 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. The centre of the cone is an outstanding snorkeling spot, perhaps the most remarkable in the entire archipelago, full of sea lions and colourful fish. It is an experience certainly not to be missed.
You will go ashore at Punta Cormorant where the sand is made up of fine olivine crystals, a glassy volcanic mineral, giving the beach an olive-green colour. It is the best place to see Galapagos sea lions.
Included Activities
● Post Office Bay
● Punta Cormorant and Devil's Crown
Meals Included
● Breakfast
● Lunch
● Dinner
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY
AM: SANTA CRUZ: CHARLES DARWIN STATION - TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Today you will visit Isla Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos.
The small town of Puerto Ayora is 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 the best opportunities for close encounters with giant tortoises. You may also see baby tortoises and land iguanas.
This is a great way to complete your time in the Galapagos. This will be your final excursion before you head to the airport in San Cristobal for your flight back to the mainland.
Included Activities
● Charles Darwin Research Station
Meals Included
● Breakfast
