We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The Galapagos Authorities have introduced the Galapagos Transit Control Card, which each person visiting the Galapagos must have. It costs $10 and it will be payable before entrance is permitted.
Please also note that there is an entrance fee to the Galapagos of US$100 per person which must be paid individually on arrival in the Galapagos.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Accordingly, you should allow US$50 for the land portion of the trip and US$70 ($30 for local guide and $40 rest of staff) for the Galapagos portion of the trip for tipping.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Ecuador |
Galapagos Islands |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
|
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$1.50 |
|
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
|
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$2.50 |
|
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$15.00 |
|
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$19.00 |
|
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$20.00 |
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
$10.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
No visa required for citizens of UK, AUS, NZ, CAN or USA. Please ensure your passport is stamped with a T3 permit (for 30 or 90 days) on arrival in Ecuador. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.
Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.
All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.
Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).
For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).
For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Ecuador: Temperature ranges are similar all year round. In the highlands the dry season lasts from June to mid September. November and December are partially dry. The rainy months are October and from January to May, but showers are short and mostly in the afternoons. Temperatures range from 12°C to 24°C. Nights are cold at altitude (8°C - 10°C).
The Galapagos: The hot season is January to April, with largely sunny days and the possibility of heavy showers. The cool season runs May to December and is generally cloudier with much cooler seas. Please note that although it is windier from July to November the sea can be rough at any time of the year. On the mainland the dry season lasts from June to October, though September can be wet.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
One main piece of luggage, an overnight bag (for overnight excursions in the Galapagos) and a daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage – don’t overload yourself.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Daytime clothing should be lightweight and loose fitting, but warmer clothing is needed at altitude and at sea, particularly at night. Long-sleeved lightweight clothes are useful for protection against sunburn. Bring a swimsuit, sunhat and a thick sweater or fleece. Lightweight waterproofs are essential. Remember that altitude can make places much colder, especially at night, so bring something to wrap up in, including a pair of gloves, hat and scarf.
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Footwear
Comfortable walking boots or shoes and trainers or sandals with a good grip. Plastic sandals (not flip flops) are useful for wet landings.
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Equipment
A torch, water bottle, sunglasses, insect repellent, high factor sunscreen, beach towel, waterproof bag for camera and motion sickness tablets/patches for the boat. If intending to snorkel (which we highly recommend), please take your own equipment.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Please note:
Strikes, rallies and road-blocks are quite common forms of protest in Ecuador and there are also certain areas prone to landslides and seismic activity. While we have excellent resources in place to minimise any disruption to the tour, occasionally we have to make changes to our planned route and/or itinerary.
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The boat’s exact itinerary is determined by the Galapagos National Park Authorities and this can make the route subject to change at any time of the year.
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Flight times to and from the islands can change at short notice.
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Country info
Area: 283,520 sq km.
Population: 12 million.
Language: Spanish & Quichua (official).
Religion: 90% Roman Catholic
Local Time: GMT -5.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 120V 60Hz.
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Maps & Books
Recommended Books: Michael H Jackson: Galapagos: A Natural History Guide, Lonely Planet Guide: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, Footprint Guide: Ecuador and the Galapagos, Charles Darwin: The Voyage of the Beagle, Andy Swash & Robert Still: Birds, Mammals and Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands.
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