Galápagos Islands Multi Activity Tour TRIP DATE April 21-29, 2018 ABOUT THE GALÁPAGOS The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It's considered one of the world's foremost destinations for wildlife-viewing. A province of Ecuador, it lies about 1,000km off its coast. Its isolated terrain shelters a diversity of plant and animal species, many found nowhere else. Charles Darwin visited in 1835, and his observation of Galápagos' species later inspired his theory of evolution. WHAT TO EXPECT Our journey to the Galápagos is land-based in terms of the accommodation yet we have daily explorations on the water and between islands by means of local boats, ferries, kayaks and even snorkel power! This trip is multi activity format which means we ll use various modes of transport to connect with the wonderful nature the islands offer. Hiking, biking, kayak, swimming and snorkelling are built into the tour and the level of expertise, experience and physical output is very low. This tour is not for specialists and no pre-training is necessary. The hiking, kayak and biking days are gentle and designed for novices with our local expert guides leading the way and ensuring we are safe and prepared for the outings. A highlight of this tour is the sheer variety of flora and fauna species and the unique way the tour sets out to explore the region. Having a local, specialist guide from the island is key and we ll benefit from the local knowledge and expertise they provide. Our accommodation is in comfortable island based 3 and 4 star lodgings and all meals are prepared to meet international tour standards. We hope you will join us on this amazingly diverse adventure to the Galápagos in 2018! TRIP HIGHLIGHTS * We utilize 3 Island hotel bases on this tour: San Cristobal, Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands. * Highlight wildlife spotting includes: Fish Species, Giant Sea Turtles, Seals, Wonderful bird life and Reptiles * Highlight physical geography include: Volcanic landscapes, coral reefs, lagoons, beaches and highlands * Local cuisine of protected fish dishes, Ecuadorian staples, Galápagos grown coffee and more! * Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island * Visit to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center * Explorations of volcanic cones and craters in the Sierra Negra * Snorkelling with a huge diversity of sea life in the Tintoreras Islet * Visit to the giant sea turtle breeding center on Isabela Island
GENERAL ITINERARY DAY 1 April 21, 2018: Leave USA for overnight flight to Ecuador Day 2, April 22, 2018: San Cristobal Island You can arrive to the Galápagos only by flight, from either Quito or Guayaquil (air ticket not included). Our local guide will be waiting for us at the airport on San Cristobal Island where the tour will begin. From the airport you will be taken to the hotel to check in to your rooms and leave your bags. After checking in, we will eat lunch in a local restaurant that serves menu of the day style lunches (not a la carte). After lunch we will head to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center where our guide will explain how the Galápagos Islands were formed, the evolution of species, the migration of the animals, and the human settlements within the Galápagos. After visiting the Interpretation Center, we will make our way to Cerro Tijeretas, or Frigate Hill. Here you can do some snorkelling to see colorful fish species, starfish, sea urchins, or to simply enjoy the crystal clear waters. The afternoon continues with a visit to Playa Carola, where you will have time to enjoy the beautiful beach before returning to the hotel to rest and eat dinner (at a local specified restaurant). Accommodation: Hotel Blue Marlin 3+* www.bluemarlingalápagos.ec / Lunch/Dinner included. DAY 3, April 23: San Cristobal: Highlands El Progreso After breakfast the day begins with a short bus or truck ride (depending on the size of our tour group) to visit the Highlands of San Cristobal. Along the way we will make a stop at the Mirador de la Soledad where you may enjoy a magnificent view of the island. Afterwards we will make our way to the Laguna del Junco, the only freshwater lagoon in San Cristobal, and also where frigate birds come to wash their wings. We will then make a short stop at Playa de Puerto Chino before eating a lunch in the Highlands. On the way back you will pass by the spot where the island s locals cultivate their food and the famous Galápagos Coffee. We will then arrive at the hotel to rest and eat dinner at a local restaurant specified by our local guide. Accommodation: Hotel Blue Marlin 3+* www.bluemarlingalápagos.ec / Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included. DAY 4, April 24: Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin St. / Highlands Hike At 6:00 a.m. get ready to go to the dock (wake-up at 5:00 AM for breakfast). We will take the Public speedboat, which leaves at 7:00 a.m. (subject to change), to Puerto Ayora (2 hour estimated travel time). Upon arrival and after breakfast, the guide will have indicated the hour to meet to begin the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to a large a variety of Giant Tortoise representing of each island in the archipelago. We will also listen about the ongoing conservation efforts directed at preserving the Giant Tortoises, as well as the environment of the archipelago as a whole. After this, make a short visit to the Art Galleries of Puerto Ayora and then eat lunch. In the afternoon we make our way to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here you may observe the famous Giant Tortoises in their natural environment, which also known as Galápagos, and from where the name of the Islands derive. Also catch sight of the famous Galápagos Finches, Bird Wizards, as well as endemic vegetation such as Escelacias forests and Matazarnos. After this encounter with the Giant Tortoises, return to Puerto Ayora for lunch. Accommodation: Galápagos Suites Hotel 4* www.galápagossuites.com / Breakfast/Lunch included.
DAY 5, April 25: Tortuga Bay Beach Hike / Transfer to Isabela Island / Visit Flamingos Lagoon In the morning the guide will indicate the meeting time for a 45- minute trip to the beautiful white sand beach called Tortuga Bay. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galápagos; here we can enjoy at the white sand beach and observe pelicans, fish, sea iguanas and other species of wildlife. Return to the hotel to rest. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant indicated by the guide. After lunch, we will embark once again on the Public speedboat towards Isabela Island (at 14:00), for approximately two and a half hours. Once at Isabela, we will take a brief rest at the hotel and then head to the Flamingo Lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galápagos and one of the main reproductive sites for the majority of flamingos. Accommodation: La Laguna Hotel 3+* www.lalagunagalápagoshotel.com / Breakfast/Lunch included. DAY 6, April 26: Isabela Island Early in the morning (8:00 am), after breakfast, you will get ready for the Sierra Negra Volcano hike (comfortable clothes, walking shoes and a light rain jacket are recommended). Make sure your camera is stored in waterproof bags, wear some sunscreen, bring water, and a hat! A box lunch will be prepared by yourself at the hotel with the foodstuff of your choice. We will then travel approximately 45 minutes by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike (appx. 4 hours). The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual. Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will reach Chico Volcano before heading back, which should provide a spectacular view of the incredible moonlike terrain. Once we get back to the hotel we will take a short break to rest. On the afternoon you will get to do some snorkelling in Concha Perla. There you can swim with sea lions, colorful varieties of fish, and with luck sea turtles and rays. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant indicated by the guide. Accommodation: La Laguna Hotel 3+* www.lalagunagalápagoshotel.com / Breakfast/Box Lunch/Dinner inc. DAY 7, April 27: Isabela Island: Snorkel in Tintoreras Islet / Humedales Bike Ride After breakfasts, get ready to visit Tintoreras Islet. First we will make our way to the dock of Puerto Villamil in order to embark on small speedboats (12 passenger capacity). After a short ride (appx. 20 min.) we will arrive at Tintoreras Islet. The name of the islet derives from the sharks that inhabit in the waters surrounding the islet, the famous white-tipped-fin Tintoreras Sharks. The islet is one of the most fascinating places on Isabela Island. Galápagos sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, sea turtles, pelicans, and Galápagos Penguins can all be found in this site. It is also one of main breeding sites for marine iguanas, and a great spot to get a close-up with them. After a hike around the islet, we will get back on the boat and cool off by snorkelling in the waters nearby. Swimming next to multicolor fish, starfish, sea-urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions is a major highlight in this excursion. We will return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon we will get ready with our bikes for a ride towards Humedales Trail Complex. Our first stop is the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela. Here we will be able to see a variety of species of giant tortoises in captivity. We will also hear how this center has successfully been able to breed and raise the giant
tortoises in order to preserve many of their endangered subspecies. We will mount on our bikes to the Lava Tunnel, as well as visits to Mirador Orchilla, Estero de Isabela, and Playa del Amor. After parking our bikes and a short hike we will then reach the 100 meters long and 7 meters high Wall of Tears (Muro de las Lagrimas). Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela Island was used as a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government, and the prisoners were obligated to construct this wall out of the sharp and hard volcanic rocks. The name is derived from the arduous work and harsh conditions in which the prisoners work and by which many lost their lives. We will get back on our bikes and return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner. Accommodation: La Laguna Hotel 3+* www.lalagunagalápagoshotel.com / Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included. DAY 8, April 28: Isabela Island: Kayaks in Puerto Villamil and the Highlands: Campo Duro After breakfast and depending on the tide, we will make our way to the dock and prepare for the kayaking excursion. After listening to the instructions and safety precautions, and once equipped with lifejackets and paddles, you will begin rowing towards Tintoreras Islet where you will be able to observe a variety of fauna from our kayaks, including Penguins, Blue-footed Boobies, and Marine Iguanas. You will make our way up to El Faro before heading back to shore (appx. 2 hours). Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon you will visit and hike in the Highlands of Isabela, specifically Campo Duro inhabited by approx. 42 Giant Galápagos Tortoises in a semi-natural protected environment. On the way back we will visit the Mirador del Mango, La Cueva de Sucre, and then return to the hotel to rest before eating dinner at a local specified restaurant. Accommodation: La Laguna Hotel 3+* www.lalagunagalápagoshotel.com / Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included. DAY 9, April 29: Transfer out to Baltra Airport - Adios Galápagos! On the final day we recommend waking up at 6:00 am to have enough and get ready for the transfer from Puerto Ayora to Baltra Airport. We will eat breakfast there, and then depart for Baltra where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil. Our unforgettable experience now ends at Baltra Airport. Breakfast only included today. YOUR TRIP WHAT S INCLUDED - 7 nights / 8 days of travel - All meals as per above itinerary (stated at the bottom of each day s program) - All group transfers / shuttles from Baltra Airport and during the island tour program - All activities, equipment and local guide leadership on the Galápagos - All entrance fees and regional permits during the island tour program including Galápagos N. Park - Tips for hotel, meals and transport (local guide tips not included) NON INCLUSIONS - Flights to / from the Galápagos Islands (Baltra Airport is the destination point) - Visas for Ecuador (Galápagos) (currently not required for USA passport holders) - Personal travel insurance for health, accident, cancellation, etc. - Drinks and any beverages at all meals (these can be paid directly at meal time) - Personal Expenses - Additional transfers (if arriving to Galápagos late or before / after group transfer times) - Additional nights (hotel stay) in the Galápagos outside our tour itinerary - Tips for local guide services
Cost of trip 10-11 persons $4980 12-15 persons $4610 16+ persons $4320 Pre Departure Information Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the end date of this trip. Per the Ecuador government website, as of June 26, 2017, Ecuador welcomes people from all over the world who wish to visit for a short period of time or to establish permanent residency. If you come to Ecuador as a tourist or on a business trip, you do not need a visa for a stay up to 90 days on a 12 month-period. Money issues The Ecuadorian currency is the US Dollar. Ecuador is becoming more accepting of credit cards, but smaller stores/venders still deal with just cash. ATM machines are available in the larger cities. For a stay of one week 100-150$ will cover your expenses, inclusive drinks with meals, and some souvenirs. But this may not be sufficient if you do a lot of shopping!! Temperatures for Galapagos Islands in April: Average low: 72F Average high: 86F Average water temperature: 76F The Galapagos have a varying climate with a scarcity of rain. April marks the endo of the rainy season and the islands are quite green and full of life. VACCINATIONS & TRAVEL HEALTH Speak to your Physician or a travel health specialist about inoculations for this region. As our zone of travel is in the developing world, The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccines for Ecuador: typhoid, yellow fever, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and influenza. Bottled water is recommended and widely available. Food preparation and quality on our tour is of a very high standard. Per the CDC website: Malaria is not present in the cities of Guayaquil and Quito or the Galápagos Islands. Electrical Outlets Electrical sockets (outlets) in the Republic of Ecuador (República del Ecuador) are very similar to the electrical outlets found in the United States and Canada, and if your appliance has a North American plug, it's possible that you won't need any adapter at all in order to plug in there. However, there are two potentially very important physical differences that may need to be addressed with an adapter: grounding and/or polarization. If your plug has one or both, and the socket doesn't, then the plug may not physically be able to fit into the socket without an adapter. In the case of a North American appliance plug, grounding is accomplished by the third, round pin beneath and below the two vertical blades on the plug. Polarization is accomplished by the left vertical blade being taller than the right, so that the plug can't be inserted upside down. U.S. and Canadian sockets are required to be both grounded and polarized. But in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Japan and other areas which use U.S. style sockets, grounding and polarization often are not required, and in fact, the majority of sockets in many of these areas do not accept the taller blade and/or the third grounding pin. This will prevent a North American appliance plug from being able to plug into these sockets, if the plug is either grounded or polarized. So what it boils down to is this: If your appliance has a North American plug, these adapters serve as a "just in case" fallback. Should you find that either grounding or polarization prevents your appliance from plugging into the Japanese or Central/South American socket at your specific location, these adapters address those issues and allow you to plug in. You may not need them. But for many travelers, it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Below is a photo of the adaptor style you will need.
YOUR LEADERS: LEADER: GINETTE BEAUDOIN Ginette has been a member of the AMC since 1988 and has led several day and weekend trips in the White Mountains of NH, as well as various parts of Maine. She lead an Austrain Alps adventure trip with co leader Don Parker in July of 2011, with Jenni Blumenthal in August of 2012 and co lead the same trip with Terry Peters in July 2009 with 19 participants. She has also lead Adventure travel trips to Yosemite national Park, Easter Island, Peru, Minnesota, Tuscany, Dolomites, Spain, Australia and New Zealand for the AMC. She has participated in numerous AMC Major Excursions to Switzerland and Austria, involving hiking and cross country skiing. She has hiked in the Stubai valley as part of a 2006 Major Excursion and hiked to 20 high Alpine Huts throughout Austria, Germany and Switzerland. She has hiked the NH 4000 footers. Her interests include hiking, photography, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, travel, information volunteer for AMC and introducing others to outdoor activities ADDRESS: 66 Graham Street, Biddeford, Maine 04005 PHONE: (207) 590-4431 EMAIL ADDRESS: ginette4000@yahoo.com CO-LEADER: ANNA PANSZCZYK Anna is a Boston Chapter INTRO (AMC) Leader. Anna has co lead AMC Adventure Travel trips to New Zealand, Australia, Dolomites - Italy, Austria, Azores, Yosemite National Park, Minnesota, Peru, Easter Island, Australia, New Zealand, and Morocco. Anna leads hiking trips in the White Mountains and most recently led an excursion to Waterville Valley and Craftsbury Vermont for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. She has also co led the Claybrook ski trip on previous years. During the summer of 2014, she and the trip leader backpacked the Haute Route from Chamonix France to Zermatt Switzerland as well as Kepler Track in New Zealand. This is in addition to trips that she takes to all corners of the world! Anna has completed SOLO Advanced Wilderness First Aid course as well as CPR training. SPECIALIST TOUR OPERATOR / ADVENTUREBUG WORLDWIDE LTD. Matt Butler will be the specialist guide and logistics coordinator. He was born and raised in Canada and was a former competitive cross country skier, competing at the National and International level and as a non-competitive forerunner for the Canadian Olympic Team in Calgary 1988. During his University years and beyond, he worked 9 seasons with Canada s Provincial & National Park service. He also worked in Public Safety Operations for Parks Canada and contributed to Educational programs and Park conservation efforts in relation to glaciology. He later lived and worked as a teacher in Malawi, China, Great Britain and Spain before retiring from the profession and returning to his roots - guiding and outdoor pursuits leadership training. Matt is the co-founder of Adventurebug Worldwide a Spanish registered Adventure Tourism & Training Company as well as co-founder for Rifcom (www.rifcom.org), a non-profit charity that works with disadvantaged communities in rural Morocco. Adventurebug runs trips and expeditions to all corners of the world most trips are led by Matt himself or a team of his guides.
RESERVING A PLACE AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE The land cost of the trip is $3950 to 4980, depending upon the number of participants, plus estimated airfare of $900 to 1000. To reserve your place, please contact the trip leader or co leader for an application and Indemnity Agreement, or visit our website: ginetteandannaadventurebugtrips.weebly.com Along with this paperwork you will be required to send to the Leader your deposit of $1,000.00 made out to: Ginette Beaudoin. $100.00 of this initial $1,000.00 deposit is a non-refundable administration fee. Once we receive your application and other forms and have approved you for the trip, we'll send you additional information on the trip, including packing list, and travel tips. The maximum number of participants is 18, so apply early to reserve your place. PAYMENTS DUE: $1000 deposit due with application $ 2000 due by Sept 1, 2017 $ balance due by Nov 15, 2017 SOME GALAPAGOS FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE (MINOR ADDITIONS USUALLY), AS THESE ARE RELATED TO TAXES, ENTRANCE FEES, ETC. WE MUST ANTICIPATE THIS AND WE WILL LET PARTICIPANTS KNOW IF THERE IS A SMALL SUPPLEMENTAL FEE WHICH IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL. WE LL GIVE THE EARLIEST, ADVANCE WARNING IF THIS IS THE CASE CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel after being accepted for the trip, $100 is non-refundable, but if you cancel after Nov 15, 2017 minimally $200 is non-refundable, if (and only if) another person takes your place. We will establish a waiting list. Should another person replace you, you will be charged only the $200 cancellation fee. However, your cancellation shall not raise the cost of the trip to any of the participants or the leaders. Thus, if you cancel and are not replaced, you will forfeit the $200 plus the per capita expenses already incurred and any other unpaid expenses for which the trip cannot obtain a refund. You may forfeit the entire trip fee. Flight tickets once purchased become your property and are generally non-refundable. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. PLEASE NOTE: The price of the Adventurebug trip is given in good faith based on current tariffs and rates and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate increases will be passed on to participants. Conversely if the minimum number of participants does not sign up, Adventurebug reserves the right to cancel the trip and refund the amounts paid. If the trip is full, we can put your name on a waiting list, or return your deposit. We look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, Ginette Beaudoin and Anna Panszczyk and Matt Butler