Details may vary depending on departure date. Please choose
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 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.
From 7th November 2008 the Galapagos Authorities introduced the Galapagos Transit Control Card, where each person visiting the Galapagos must have US$10 This will be payable before entrance is permitted.
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.
Back to top
Visa Requirements
No visa required for citizens of UK, AUS, CAN, USA or New Zealand. Please ensure your passport is stamped with the T3 permit (for 30 or 90 days) on arrival in Ecuador. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Back to top
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.
Back to top
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Back to top
Vaccinations & Protection
We recommend protection against yellow fever, infectious hepatitis, typhoid, tetanus and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice as is always subject to change.
Back to top
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.
Back to top
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/
Back to top
Preparing for your tour
Additional Information for your Boat Journey
Our Galapagos Vessel
Our tours utilise the First Class boat, the Monserrat. It is a comfortable boat with twin-share, lower beds (not bunks), en-suite cabins with air conditioning and hot water. This yacht has indoor dining and lounge areas plus a sundeck for relaxing.
Whilst onboard the Monserrat all drinking water is provided free of charge as is tea and coffee. Any other soft or alcoholic drinks are paid for on a tab system at the end of the week.
Please note that cabins located on the lower deck have small windows/port holes and may be subject to slightly more noise at times, due to their proximity to the engine room. We are unfortunately unable to guarantee the location of your cabin on board. Our vessel normally holds a maximum of 16 passengers plus 8 crew.
As we travel at night, this allows us to make the most of our time in the Galapagos. For more information please take a look at: www.monserrat-cruise.info
Back to top
Climate
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 (4°C - 10°C).
The Coastal Region: From December to May it is hot and wet. From June to November it is generally cool and misty with sudden light showers. Temperatures range from 16°C to 32°C.
The Amazon Area: It is humid all year round. Temperatures range from 16°C to 32°C. From April to August the rainfall is heavier.
The Galapagos: On the Galapagos, the hot season is January to April with largely sunny days and the possibility of heavy showers; the cool season runs from May to December and is generally more cloudy 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.
Back to top
Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to top
Luggage
One main piece of luggage, a soft holdall bag for the Galapagos (space is limited on board) and a daysac. Total allowance 44lb/20kg Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage – don’t overload yourself.
Back to top
Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to top
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, sunglasses 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 and a fleece.
Back to top
Footwear
Comfortable walking boots or shoes and trainers or sandals with a good grip. Plastic sandals (not flip flops) are useful for wet landings.
Back to top
Equipment
A torch, water bottle, insect repellent, high factor sunscreen, ear plugs, binoculars, camera memory card, waterproof bag for camera and motion sickness tablets/patches for the boat. If intending to snorkel (which we highly recommend), there is equipment on the boat, but you may wish to take your own to guarantee the standard of it. You may find a trekking pole useful for hilly walks. Disposable waterproof cameras can be purchased locally. An umbrella during the hot season may be useful.
Back to top
Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to top
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.
Back to top
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. 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.
Back to top
Flight times to and from the islands can change at short notice.
Back to top
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.
Back to top
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, Robert S. Ridgely & Paul J. Greenfield: The Birds of Ecuador Field Guide, David L. Pearson & Les Beletsky: Ecuador and its Galapagos Islands.
Back to top
Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the UK and European website
