Details

Resources to Learn about Ecuador and the Galápagos

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important to review GEEO's Terms and Conditions before signing up for this program.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO by email to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that GEEO has received your cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to the start of your program, all your program fee payments will be refunded excluding your $350 deposit, which is kept on file for future use and never expires.
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.
• If you cancel within 30 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive no refund, but your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.

Trip Notes

1. ITINERARY CHANGES: The itinerary is subject to further changes, dependent upon new regulations made by the Galápagos National Park or seasonal points of interest. The Galápagos National Park Service dictates the itinerary to G Adventures and GEEO, therefore the details of this itinerary could change a bit when you arrive. The content will be pretty much the same, but the order of the activities may change.
2. SEA SICKNESS: The water is unpredictable (sometimes choppy, sometimes not), so definitely bring motion sickness pills for the boat rides between islands.
3. INTERNATIONAL TICKET NUMBERS: Foreign travelers are exempt from paying a tax on domestic flights in Ecuador. To prove that you are indeed a foreign traveler, you must enter your international ticket number (ITN) into the Good To Go check-in system. Travelers who do not submit ITNs at least 30 days prior to Day 1 of their tour will be required to pay the domestic tax on all included flights.
4. LUGGAGE: The maximum baggage allowance for domestic flights between Quito and the Galapagos Islands is one piece of luggage per person weighing a maximum of 23 kilograms (50 pounds), plus one carry-on piece weighing a maximum of 10 kilograms (22 pounds).
5. ALTITUDE: Quito is at a high altitude and can be chilly in the evenings. Make sure you check the weather and have appropriate clothing. Also, you may have a headache and nausea when you arrive, which might be caused by mild altitude sickness. The best thing to do is to take it easy and try not to be too active. See a doctor in the rare circumstance that your symptoms are severe.
6. SAFETY IN QUITO: Please take care when wandering about the city on your own, as pickpockets and purse-snatchers are common, particularly in the Old Town. Be safe and leave your passport, credit cards, and cash you don’t need in the hotel’s safety deposit box. Most Quiteños are honest and genuinely helpful and friendly, but be safe and enjoy the city!

Group Leader Description

All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure’s group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEOs). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Fitness Level

This trip includes light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. Some of the optional excursions on this trip require participants to be in good shape, capable of hiking up to five hours. You are of course welcome to skip these optional excursions if you do not feel up for it. Those who choose to snorkel must be cautious that they can handle the water conditions, as some parts of the waters around the Galápagos have strong currents.

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact the tour operator during an emergency, it is best to first call their local office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS G Adventures Office - Lima, Peru During office hours (weekdays, 9am-6pm local time): +51 1 241 1650 After hours emergency number: +51 99 758 2712 (WhatsApp Available) If for any reason you are unable to reach the G Adventures local office, please call the numbers listed below to connect with their Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618 Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person. The maximum baggage allowance for domestic flights between Quito and the Galapagos Islands is one piece of luggage per person weighing a maximum of 23 kilograms (50 pounds), plus one carry-on item weighing a maximum of 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the traveler. Please note that Galápagos is a protected National Park, so your luggage will be checked before arrival and departure to and from the islands. Don’t bring any food, seeds, or other organic material that could affect the delicate ecosystem of the islands. That said, a participant in 2013 told us, “You can bring any processed food, even packaged nuts—this was very important for someone like me with dietary restrictions. I brought tons of protein bars, nuts, and granola!” Suggested Checklist

• Windproof/waterproof rain jacket (very important)
• Personal clothing for cool to hot weather – we recommend packing 7 or 8 days of outfits so you only have to do laundry once
• Fleece top – it can fall into the 40s Fahrenheit!
• Light hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes
• Sport sandals or flip-flops
• Two bathing suits and a small quick-dry towel
• Daypack
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Water bottle
• Watch or alarm clock
• Toiletries – important: some hotels do not give you soap and shampoo
• Camera
• Motion sickness pills – Dramamine, bring both less-drowsy and regular formulas
• First-aid kit, including contain lip salve, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

Optional Checklist

• Underwater camera or waterproof phone bag
• Snorkeling mask (there will be times where you can go snorkeling, but there might not always be a mask rental available)
• Wetsuit (the water can be chilly, and some have said in the past they wish they had brought their wetsuit)
• Rubber boots – optional: the hikes can be really muddy
• Binoculars
• Travel pillow
• Money belt
• Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
• AirTags or Tile trackers
• Packing cubes
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don’t go crazy
• Ziplock bags
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/baby wipes

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Airline tickets (with photocopies)
• EUR/USD cash
• Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
• G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. You can also use a local laundromat, if necessary. We recommend packing enough clothes so you don't have to do laundry.

Passports and Visas

All participants must have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. U.S. citizens do not require a visa to travel to Ecuador. Non-American participants should check online to determine if they need a visa.

Money Exchange

The local currency in Ecuador is the U.S. dollar, so there is no need to exchange currencies. Make sure you bring plenty of cash to the islands—we recommend around $700-800—as ATMs can be hard to find or out of service, especially on Floreana. Small bills are better, so bring plenty of $5s and $1s. Credit cards are rarely accepted on the islands.

Tipping

It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Tipping is also one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the local community. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels.

Vaccinations

GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting Passport Health (http://www.passporthealthusa.com/), which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the CDC's recommended vaccinations for your destination. Please take this seriously!

Plugs and Converters

Ecuador uses the same plug design and voltage found in the United States (Type A plugs and 120 Volts), so there is no need for electrical adapters or converters.

Weather

Quito, although close to the equator, is at a high altitude. Therefore, the temperature during the day tends to be in 60s F, and at night it can get into the 40s F. Please make sure you have the proper clothing packed! The climate of the Galápagos Islands is tempered by the Humboldt Current, so you will not experience the extreme heat found elsewhere at this latitude. The warmest weather is from December to June, when temperatures range from 72-90° F, and the water temperature is in the mid 70s F. From July to November, temperatures are cooler and range from 60-75° F (18-24°C), and average water temperature rarely reaches 70° F.

Advice From Past Participants

“There are not many alternative activities. If you choose not to do something, you have to sit around and wait for the other people (because tourism in the Galapagos is strictly regulated).” “We did a lot of snorkeling, and I think I would have bought a wetsuit top, if I knew the water was going to be a bit chilly.” "Wetsuits are rentable in the Galapagos." “Quito is a remarkable city and touring it and the surrounding area should not be missed. Visitors should be encouraged to plan to add a day or two to see it.” “It gets cold at night on most of the islands!” “It was much hotter than I thought it would be! I packed more warm things. Also, it is important to have a lot – maybe $700 to $800 – of cash on you. A lot of us ran out of cash, and it was hard to get to an ATM.” “A collapsible walking stick might help with hiking but no need for boots. Bring lots of sunscreen. Also, altitude sickness medicine really helped in Quito. I had a much better time there than other group members because I took it. Also, seasickness medicine is a must for the island boat transfers.” “Be prepared for the hike to the volcano! It was long, and I got soaked by the end, which got cold! Dress in layers. Food in the islands is much more expensive than in Quito. “ “Ecuador and Galapagos are essentially a cash-only destination. Very few places accepted credit cards, and extra activities all had to be paid in cash. I think I spent at least $1,000 in cash during my time in Ecuador/Galápagos. It is very important to emphasize the need to have bills in small denominations.”

Snorkeling and Diving Gear

You can bring your own snorkeling gear and wetsuit, or rent gear in the Galápagos. G Adventures provides the snorkeling gear for free and then you would need to rent a wetsuit for $5-$10 a day. They sometimes don’t have wetsuits for larger people or petite sizes. The water can be cold in the Galápagos, but one participant told me that she did not rent the wetsuit and was just fine without it. While our itinerary does not list much snorkeling, I have been told by our group that there were lots of opportunities for snorkeling on the trip and that they snorkeled on four separate occasions. Some of the locations have a strong current and are too deep to stand, other locations are much calmer and easier to handle. You must use your judgment and tour leader’s advice to determine whether it is safe for you to go into the water. If you wish to go diving, there are dive shops on the islands and your tour leader can help put you in touch with one of them.