Galapagos Discovery

This trip begins in Quito, where elevation can cause altitude sickness regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and health information’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

This trip includes a 17 km hike (approximately 6 to 7 hours) on rocky terrain. We recommend bringing sturdy, comfortable hiking or trail shoes with good support.

This trip involves a lot of travel by speedboat between the various Galapagos Islands. The rides can be quite bumpy at times, but the good news is that seasickness can often be managed with medication. Please consult a health professional to assess your suitability for such medication.

From June to August the water in the Galapagos can be 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.

Proximity to the equator means the sun in the Galapagos is incredibly strong. Ensure you are prepared with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. We also recommend a rash guard.

This trip includes snorkelling on multiple days. Confident swimming skills are required to take part. Alternative activities will not be available.

Many travellers express interest in diving in the Galapagos. We are now able to assist with booking this activity, but only through a provider that meets our internal safety policy. Speak to your agent at the time of booking for more information.

The Galapagos is a great place to switch off and take a break from your phone, as internet access can be patchy and wi-fi is not always available or reliable.

Hot water can be sporadic in some parts of the Galapagos, so there may be a few cold showers on the trip.

If you would like a trip that starts and ends in the Galapagos, please search the website for our trip Galapagos Experience (GGRX).

As accommodation in Quito is twin and multi-share, solo travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender, an excellent opportunity to get to know other like-minded people. Triple-share and quad-share may be used depending on the make-up of the group.

1. Due to limited hotel availability, a single supplement is not available on this trip.

2. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us. This information is necessary to purchase entry permits to certain sites. Delays in providing this information could result in additional booking fees or changes to your itinerary.

3. All visitors to the Galapagos must have a Transit Control Card. We will use your passport details to complete the application process on your behalf. At the Welcome Meeting in Quito, you will be required to pay your leader US$20 in cash to cover the fee.

4. The Galapagos National Park fee (US$200) and Isabela Port fee (US$10) are payable upon arrival to the islands (cash only). These amounts are in addition to your trip payment.

4.Strict rules apply in the Galapagos Islands to protect and preserve its unique biodiversity. Intrepid supports these rules, which range from times of the day that a destination can be visited to the distance kept between people and wildlife. In particular, not removing anything from the environment (shells and corals, for example). All rules will be explained in more detail by your leader when you join the trip. Not adhering to these rules can lead to hefty fines for travellers and Intrepid losing the license to operate in the Galapagos Islands. Failure to adhere to the rules can result in your removal from the trip without a refund.
For more information: http://www.galapagos.org/travel/travel/park-rules/

What you need to bring will vary according to the countries you are visiting, the time of year you are travelling, and your personal preferences. Generally speaking, we recommend that you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry your luggage and walk with it for short distances.

Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, duffle bag or medium to small suitcases with wheels. We recommend bags with carry straps to make handling easier when embarking and disembarking speed boats on this trip.

If you are visiting the Galapagos as part of a longer South American holiday and have larger bags with you, you can store them at your starting point hotel in Quito. If you choose to leave your bags at the hotel, we recommend that you bring a small backpack/duffle bag with you so you can transfer the items you wish to take with you into this bag. We also highly recommend that you don’t leave any valuables such as money, credit cards, electronic devices, laptops, etc. You must bring your passport with you to present upon arrival in the Galapagos and when you return to the mainland. Photocopies of your passport will not be accepted.

The weather in the Galapagos is quite temperate all year round. Most days, you will be doing active outdoor or water-based activities. We recommend lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking/quick-dry synthetics designed for hot weather. Avoid materials that are heavy, non-breathable, and retain heat or moisture, such as nylon, polyester, and denim. You will have opportunities to do laundry during your trip.

ESSENTIALS:
- A smaller backpack to take with you on excursions.
- Lightweight long shirts and pants for protection against the sun and insects.
- Comfortable clothing for hot weather; shorts, t-shirts, activewear.
- Closed-toed comfortable walking shoes to protect your feet in wilderness areas.
- Water shoes or sandals suitable for beach/water activities.
- Light waterproof/windproof jacket for rain and wind.
- Fleece or jumper/sweater for cooler mornings/evenings.
- Sunscreen - biodegradable, reef-safe, and waterproof if available.
- Lip balm to combat the effects of windburn.
- Sun protection – sunglasses and securable sunhat.
- Swimming costume and rash guard.
- Biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, soap, moisturizer, etc.
- Toiletries- toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, nail clippers, etc.
- Reusable water bottle
- Insect repellent

RECOMMENDED:
- Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit, but we recommend you carry items such as mild painkillers, electrolytes, anti-diarrhea, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, after-sun, bandaids/plasters, etc.
- Pegs to hang your swimming costume and wet clothes.
- Trail shoes or hiking boots for the volcano hike(s).
- Spare batteries or power bank
- Binoculars
- Dry bag
- Camera

OPTIONAL:
- Sarong or pareo – beach towels are provided by the hotels.
- Book, journal, music, podcasts, etc.
- Underwater camera or case.
- Ear plugs

PERSONAL MEDICATION
Please ensure you travel with all required medications that you may need while in the Galapagos. If you are prone to motion sickness, you might want to pack some preventative medication. You are travelling to quite a remote destination, and even though there are settlements throughout the islands, they may not stock your required medication.

AIRLINE BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE:
The airline we use for our Galapagos trips allows 23 kg of checked-in baggage per person and 10 kg of cabin baggage per person.

POWER
Electricity in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is 110 - 120V and requires US plugs, so you may need to take an adapter.

Hotel Otavalo Huasi II, Wilson E10-14 & Tamayo, Quito, ECUADOR, Phone: +593 985258669

Hotel Otavalo Huasi IIis a charming hostel conveniently located 36kms from Mariscal Sucre International Airport and just a short walk from El Ejido Metro Station, Ecovia e-bus line, and Supermaxi market. Each guest room features an ensuite. Free wi-fi is available in common areas.

Alternate Joining Point

Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 10 days before your departure.

If you have confirmed an arrival transfer, you’ll be met as you exit the customs hall and head to the airport exit gate. There, you will see a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign. If you cannot find your transfer representative, or if your flight is delayed, please contact our local operations team at +593 9 9401 4877 (call or whatsapp). Neither the driver nor any representative should ask you for additional payment.

If you are making your own way to the joining point hotel from Mariscal Sucre Airport, there are regular airport taxis that charge approximately $30 USD per person to the hotel. The taxis are available right outside the arrivals exit doors. The drive is approx. 45 minutes. Alternatively, Uber ride-share app is available in Quito. We recommend setting up the app, including your payment details, before leaving your home country.

Hotel Otavalo Huasi II, Wilson E10-14 & Tamayo, Quito, ECUADOR, Phone: +593 985258669

Hotel Otavalo Huasi IIis a charming hostel conveniently located 36kms from Mariscal Sucre International Airport and just a short walk from El Ejido Metro Station, Ecovia e-bus line, and Supermaxi market. Each guest room features an ensuite. Free wi-fi is available in common areas.

Alternate Finish Point

A departure transfer from our hotel to the airport is available if arranged 30 days before departure. Please advise your flight details at least 10 days before your tour start date. If you plan to stay longer, this departure transfer can only be offered in conjunction with post-tour accommodation booked through Intrepid. If you have booked a post-trip airport transfer, please ask your leader to confirm the time of departure and meeting place. If you have any problems, please call our operations team at +593 9 9401 4877 (call or whatsapp).

If you are making your own way to the airport, a taxi from the hotel to the airport will cost approximately US$ 30 and take around 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Alternatively, Uber ride-share app is available in Quito. We recommend setting up the app, including your payment details, before leaving your home country.

Check-out time from the hotel is 12 noon. If you depart later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

Breakfasts included: 5

Lunches included: 

Dinners included: 

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in this region. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat dinner together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Please let us know your diet requirements before your trip starts.
Generally speaking, in bigger cities/towns vegetarians can expect a reasonable range of vegetarian venues and/or vegetarian options within tourist restaurant menus. However, vegetarianism is not the norm in this part of the world so options can be limited when eating at homestays, small local restaurants, street stalls, markets, etc.

More restrictive diet requirements (vegans, coeliac, gluten intolerance, fructose intolerance, lactose intolerance, etc.) can also be accommodated along this trip but you should expect a lesser variety than what you can expect at home. We recommend that, if possible, to bring your own supply of snacks with you.

For those on strict Kosher or Halal diets, we understand your dietary requirements are important, however, sometimes due to cultural and language differences these are not always easy to convey when you are travelling. Your guide will do their best to assist you in translating your needs when eating out, but please be aware that these diets are almost unheard of in much of the continent and the best they may be able to accommodate is no pork and shellfish. If this will be a concern for you you may need to consider opting for vegetarian or vegan meals for the included meals in your itinerary. We recommend researching kosher or halal options in your destination country prior to travel to see if you are able to buy snacks once there, otherwise consider bringing some from home. 

PRICES IN THE GALAPAGOS
Please note that prices for food and beverages in the Galapagos are generally more expensive than Ecuador mainland and other parts of South America.

Being located on the equator, Ecuador is a year round destination. In Quito temperatures do not fluctuate that much throughout the year with average temperatures around 19°C to 24°C during the day with lows of 9-10°C in the evening. There are two 'seasons', the wet and dry. The dry season runs from June to September and the wet season is from October through to May. The surprisingly thing with Quito is its altitude and proximity to the equator means that the sun has a little more kick to it so it can feel like it's warmer than it actually is. Even on cooler days, if the sun comes out make sure you use sunscreen.
The Galapagos weather is pretty reasonable all year round, so it is never freezing cold but it can get very hot [February-May being the hottest months]. The seasons are not exactly fixed and weather conditions are changeable around the ends of the seasons. Note that the "wet" season is still drier than many places in the world.
Daily temperatures range from 22°C to 25°C with overnight temperatures dropping to around 10°C. Up in the highlands [which you will cross on your way from Baltra to Puerto Ayora] it is cooler and the garúa mist hangs about as a kind of permanent dampness, and sometimes descends to the coast as well.
The waters surrounding the Galapagos are influenced by the Humboldt Current. Water temperatures sit around 20°C to 24°C from January through to May and drop to 18°C to 20°C from June through to October. Although you may be required to wear a wetsuit at this time of year the same currents that bring the cooler water temperatures also bring nutrients which means wildlife are very active at this time of year.

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.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

For missed transfers or general inquiries once in Ecuador you can reach our local office on the number below:
Available for phone call on +593 994014877

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Available for phone call on +593 981840761

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT NOT AVAILABLE
Due to hotel availability a single supplement is not available on this trip.