Here is link to complete this form for each passenger to get required QR code to show at mainland airport check-in for Galapagos flight.

https://declaracion.abgalapagos.gob.ec/

Quito Airport Meet & Greet Service

by Galápagos native Tony Sotomayor

After you clear passport control, baggage claim and customs, look for Tony as you enter the airport to greet you. He will assist you in finding the 24/7 free shuttle from the hotel & answer any initial questions on visiting Ecuador you might have.

For your safety, do not exit the airport until you connect with Tony. You may reach him by these clickable links:

• cell/text at 593 99 971 8207

• or same number by WhatsApp call/text.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF ONE OF THE HOTEL CONFIRMATIONS

(see each confirmation attached for confirmation # & room type)

Wyndham Quito Airport
Parroquia Tababela S-N, Vía Yaruquí – Aeropuerto M. Sucre
📞 Reservations: 023 958000
📧 Email: reservas@wyndhamquito.com
🌐 www.wyndhamquito.com
📅 Date Issued: Monday, May 19, 2025

Dear Anna Catherine Van Ess,

We’re pleased to confirm your upcoming stay at Wyndham Quito Airport — we look forward to welcoming you! Please find your reservation details below:

Reservation Details

• Confirmation Number: 412405467

• Room Type: Deluxe – 2 Double Beds, Non-Smoking

• Rate: USD

• Check-in Date: July 22, 2025

• Check-out Date: July 24, 2025

• Nights: 2

• Guests: 2 Adults

💲 Total Lodging Cost: USD
This amount includes:
• Daily buffet breakfast
• Municipal tax
• Hotel insurance
• Legal taxes

Please note: This total does not include any additional charges made during your stay.

Transportation Service

Please provide your airline and flight number as well as arrival time in advance if you wish to arrange airport pick-up.

NOTE: Amy with Galapagos Local Tours LLC will take care of this for you!

Hotel Check-in & Check-out Times

• Check-in: 2:00 PM

• Check-out: 12:00 PM

Non-Smoking Policy

🚭 Wyndham Quito Airport is a non-smoking hotel.
Any violation of this policy will result in a $200 USD fine charged to your account.

Sustainability Commitment

🌱 As part of our sustainable operations, we have eliminated single-use plastic bottles.
We invite you to bring your own reusable water bottle — you can refill it at our water stations throughout the hotel.

Thank you for supporting our eco-friendly initiatives!

Parking

🚗 Complimentary parking is available, subject to availability.

Cancellation, Guarantee & Deposit Policy

• ❌ Free cancellation is allowed until 6:00 PM the day before arrival.

• 🕐 Cancellations after this time will incur a charge for one night + taxes.

• ✅ All reservations must be guaranteed by one of the following:

  1. Valid credit card

  2. Bank deposit

  3. Company letter with current credit terms

  Otherwise, the reservation will be automatically canceled 48 hours prior to arrival.

No Show Policy

If you do not arrive, one night’s rate including taxes will be charged to the guarantee on file.

Identification

🪪 All guests must present valid ID upon arrival — no exceptions.

Additional Notes

• Early Check-in: Available upon request and subject to availability, with an extra charge.

• Late Check-out: Ask our front desk for availability and special rates.

• 🧳 We offer luggage storage after 12:00 PM.

• Early Departure: A fee of one night + taxes will be charged.

• Extended Stay: Subject to availability. Current rates will apply.

We’re excited to host you and hope your stay is exceptional.

Warm regards,
Florencia Burneo
General Manager
Wyndham Quito Airport

Pick up/Drop-off at Hotel

Guide: Sebastián Carrera

& driver with private van for 6 people

Click on these live links to contact:

• Cell: +593 99 991 7691

• or WhatsApp at same number.

Main stops to be confirmed with Sebastian on initial 40 min. drive

·      Mitad del Mundo/Museo Inti Ñan

·      Old Town Quito w/ min. 1 church

·      Lunch at local recommended restaurant

·      Shopping stop(s)

·      TelefériQo Cable Car Ride

·      Ask guide for dinner recommendations after tour (there is restaurant in hotel)

Wear:

• comfy walking shoes

• sunscreen (sun strong year-round at Equator regardless how cool it might be due to altitude)

• bring sweatshirt or light rain jacket (can rain, be cloudy anytime)

• consider money belt to hide more than pocket cash plan to carry

• pockets to hide phone/camera

• keep your hands on top of valuables while walking

Bring:

• water

• snacks if desired

• cash for attractions (about $25pp in small bills), shopping, food & beverages (see detailed tour itinerary for attraction est. prices)

• note all cash should be $20 or less and clean/not torn throughout Ecuador

• credit/debit cards accepted at larger locations with possible card fee up to 22%

Leave:

• valuables at hotel locked in suitcase or room safe or locked suitcase such as watches, your cash stash, most jewelry

• including those that look valuable e.g. gold or diamond look

• you can be more relaxed in Galápagos, just take these normal big city precautions in Quito

ATTACHED--CUSTOM PRIVATE DAY TOUR OF QUITO w/ attraction details

Ms. Gabriela Benalcázar from the Sea Star Yacht will meet you in your hotel lobby at 5:50 am with all your luggage to transfer you to the UIO Quito Airport for your Galápagos flight.

If questions: Ms. Gabiela's cell phone is +593 99-894-9923 (by cell or WhatsApp).

Ms. Gabriela will help you with the extra steps at the airport to enter the Galapagos National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage-protected site:

• TCT card (you prepaid $20pp via Sea Star, Gabriela will give to you). First half of this "Transit Control Card" will be needed to board your Galapagos flight & be taken at the Galapagos airport on your arrival.

• **Be sure to keep the last 1/2 of the TCT in your passport to give at the airport upon departure from Galapagos.

• There is also extra baggage bio-security inspection before you can complete normal check in with the airline & go through airport security to ensure no introduction of species or diseases into the Galapagos ecosystem (no seeds, no animal products).

• Gabriela will explain before you leave Quito how you will enter the Galapagos airport as your Galapagos National Park fee is already paid by the Sea Star.

DOMESTIC AIR TICKETS ATTACHED:

Note one of the flights changed by Sea Star from your first itinerary. Below are baggage allowances from the two airlines (Sea Star got you the max).

• July 24th: UIO Quito - GPS Baltra

  Read here: Avianca baggage & other info

• July 29th: SCY San Cristobal - UIO Quito

  **On ticket says luggage allowance is (1) checked bag up to 50 pounds & (1) personal item like small backpack/purse

GALAPAGOS FLIGHT NOTES:

• NOTE: Most Quito-Galapagos flights briefly stopover in GYE Guayaquil Airport on Ecuador's west coast to drop off/pick up passengers before continuing west on to Galápagos--usually too quick a stop to deplane.

• Note: There will be a light spraying on insecticide on your Galapagos flight right before you arrive into the carry on bins to take care of any insect "stowaways".

WELCOME to Ecuador's Galapagos Province--you are now entering the Galápagos National Park.

**DID YOU KNOW? 97% of this world-unique island archipelago are protected within the Galapagos National Park (GNP).

Here are the GNP rules for visitors so you can help keep this ecosystem safe:

WELCOME TO GALÁPAGOS!!

GPS BALTRA AIRPORT ARRIVAL

You will disembark down plane stairs onto the tarmac of this 1 runway airport.

**PHOTO OP: great quick group photo spot with the plane on tarmac before continue walking on tarmac to airport building (stay in painted pedestrian area)

1st stop inside: Galapagos National Park (GNP) entrance fee ($200pp adult, $100pp child under 12—yours is pre-paid by the Sea Star, Gabriela (Sea Star departure staff in Quito airport) will have told you how to enter the airport as the park staff have your names on a prepaid list--let them know you prepaid via the Sea Star Yacht if any questions come up).

**TIP: if you would like a souvenir stamp in your passport from the park, can do this here

1. There may be quick GNP carryon baggage inspection scan

2. Proceed to baggage claim: if you haven’t already, you should see Sea Star guide here to help you with your bags. Expect to wait for dog inspection of all bags before you are allowed to grab your bag. (There is a restroom here)

3. Exit baggage claim & meet Sea Star Yacht guide in uniform with handheld sign if haven’t already before exit airport.

4. You will proceed to waiting airport bus—make sure all your baggage goes on same bus with you even if Sea Star helping you. $5 bus ride pre-paid by Sea Star.

**TRIP TIP: Keep your valuables & personal bag with you on the bus & all Galapagos transfers or might get mistakenly grabbed by someone else among piles of luggage on different buses/ferries/taxis/boats--good news, theft not an issue in Galapagos.

Most important you want always-easy access to (& to safeguard) your IDs, cash, meds, sunscreen, hat, sunscreen, bottle of water, snacks even if your big bag is stowed out of reach for the excursion.

CONTINUING ON YOUR WAY TO SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

-->Short airport bus ride across Baltra Island

**TIP: you looking at WWII USA air base to protect Panama Canal which is why not allowed to walk on this island due to what military left behind in a rush…and see your first land iguanas) to Canal Itabaca port to meet water taxi. 

**PHOTO OP: as get off bus, bus staff will get your luggage onto water ferry. Meanwhile short time to get a great group photo with Galapagos letters sign before get on water ferry.

-->Take water ferry ride pre-paid $1pp by Sea Star.  Short ride across canal.

·       When get off water taxi, make sure your bags are identified on top of the ferry & taken by Sea Star staff to the bus.

·       Last chance for urgent restrooms, drink/snacks at the pier before go on private Sea Star bus transport.

-->Next to complete your "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" movie style arrival to Galapagos (ask Mom & Dad), you'll take a 40 min. bus ride to Puerto Ayora main town pier to travel across Santa Cruz Island from north to south side. The bus will be climbing up into the highlands and then back again down to sea level.

**TIP: you'll be crossing the micro-climate where the Giant Galapagos Tortoises live in the highlands—watch for them on side of road!

YOU'RE ARRIVING ON SOUTH SIDE

OF SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

-->At the pier located right in the center of Puerto Ayora (Galapagos' largest town), you'll take a rubber "Zodiac"-style tender boat you'll be getting very familiar with to board the Sea Star yacht where you'll meet the friendly staff and other passengers you'll be spending the next 6 days with.

**TIP: This is your last chance while in Puerto Ayora this afternoon visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station as a group with your guide to quickly shop for any critical items you might need--there is a large supermarket called ProInsular you'll see right in front of the pier as well as pharmacies just up the main cross street--ask you Sea Star staff.

From here we have pasted in daily excursion details from Sea Star Itinerary (with bolding of wildlife and underline of activites by Amy with GLT):

When we visit the station, we will have the chance to learn about the role of the Charles Darwin Station (Amy note: newly remodeled & expanded--you'll get to "meet" Lonesome George who I got to see living) in the protection and conservation of the islands. Tortoises from different islands (Santiago, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Pinzon) are present at this breeding center. The National Park service with the help of the Charles Darwin Station helps to restore populations of different species of tortoises, according to the total land surface of each island. After the visit, we will also have some free time to visit the town and shop for souvenirs.

Included Activities:

• Arrival at Baltra Airport (GPS) and transfer to the yacht

• Visit Charles Darwin Research Station – Santa Cruz Island

Meals included:

Lunch and dinner

TIME TO SETTLE IN YOUR NEW COMFY HOME

Cabins Reserved (3 cabins for 6 people total)

(1) cabin w/ King Bed + Seating Area

on Upper Deck (2p)

o   “Sea Star Suite #1”: Carrie & John Uhl

(2) cabins w/ 2 Twin Beds each

on Lower Deck (2p each)

o   “Balcony Suite” #7: Anna & Gerrit Van Ess

o   “Balcony Suite” #8: Lauren & Bailey Uhl

Included in your cruise:

• meals

• snacks

• unlimited water/tea/coffee + fresh juices at meals

• use of kayaks per itinerary (ask guide)

• two jacuzzis on sun deck

• min. 2 guided excursions per day

• snorkel gear (mask, tube, fins)

• towels

• room safe

• hair dryer

• private bathroom w/ hot/cold water

• A/C with room controls

Optional:

• Tips for guide and captain/crew (split among crew) are customary, usually an envelope for each. You may hand tips directly to any crew members you want to especially recognize.

• Quick shopping on short stops in towns of Santa Cruz, Isabela islands and the airports of Baltra & San Cristobal. Ask guide for advice if have heart set on certain souvenir/item needed.

Galapagos/Ecuador souvenirs also available in Quito airport & on your Quito day tour.

Extra Yacht Services Pre-ordered & Prepaid:

(1) gallon of distilled water for Mr. Uhl Jr. --N/C courtesy of Sea Star (added 7/17/25)

(6) wetsuits--unisex sizes with short or long sleeves available

1. Carrie Uhl -- Mens Small

2. Michael John Uhl Jr -- Mens XXL

3. Anna Van Ess -- Mens Medium

4. Gerrit Van Ess -- Mens XS

5. Lauren Uhl -- Mens Small

6. Bailey Uhl -- Mens Medium

Captain Walter Cordova (co-founder of Galapagos Local Tours LLC) & our daughter Floreana @ Sierra Negra Nov 2024

from Sea Star Itinerary

Isabela Island:

Tintoreras Islet, Sierra Negra Volcano and Wetlands

We will have a boat ride to look for blue footed boobies, pelicans, herons and Galapagos Penguins, followed by a dry landing for a loop trail. This small islet is the result of a volcanic uplift and home of one of the eleven sub-species of marine iguanas (baby marine iguanas), lava lizards, Galapagos sea lions and yellow warblers. There is a channel, locally called Tintoreras, after the presence of white-tipped sharks resting on the bottom of this canal.

Sierra Negra is 60 to 40 km wide and with 7 to 10 km length, is the largest and simultaneously the shallowest (elliptical) caldera of all Galapagos volcanoes. It is often said that Sierra Negra is the second largest caldera in the world, but it is not, still, it ranges in the first fifty or so largest calderas of our planet. The caldera itself has undergone several episodes of collapse, upheaval and deformation. To visit this amazing formation, we will land on Puerto Villamil where we will head up by bus ride to the slope of Sierra Negra volcano.

Good hiking shoes and light rain jackets are highly recommended for this hike.

After a dry landing on a jetty, we have a five-minutes bus ride to get to the Jacinto Gordillo breeding center to observe the Galapagos giant tortoises from various sites of Isabela, on different ages which are unique for this island, followed by an interior trail through mangrove forest and wet lands at both sides. Flamingos, herons, marine iguanas, migratory
birds are often seen. This trail will end in front of a beach, where you will have free time to
enjoy the view and the little village can be visited too.

Included Activities:

• Tintoreras Islet wildlife viewing & hike / Sierra Negra Volcano hike – Isabela Island

• Wetlands visit & Giant Tortoise Breeding Center – Isabela Island

Meals included:

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Photo Credit/Copyright: our son Marvi Córdova

from Sea Star Itinerary

Isabela Island: Punta Moreno

and Elizabeth Bay

Wet landing on the lava field for a long walk where we find a great volcanic formation giving the chance to the photographers to take nice photos.

Two types of lava flows are found Pahoehoe and “aa”. Pahoehoe lava has a billowy surface, ropy in places, looking almost smooth enough to be soft, fresh pahoehoe lava has a paper-thin, shiny black glass trust that reflects light in iridescent colors. Cooler lava, pastier and stiffer, tears itself apart through its own forward motion creating rubbly aa.

We have a trail on the bare lava with lagoons to occasionally observe flamingos and wading birds. Boat ride activity to look for the biggest marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, pelicans and blue footed boobies, deep water snorkeling off the zodiac.

Elizabeth Bay is located at the west side of Isabela Island, the use of outboard motors is forbidden, we have a boat ride inside of the bay surrounded by red mangrove trees to observe in the water spotted eagle rays, golden rays, sea turtles, flightless cormorants. This a natural mating area for sea turtles, we will move with paddles only to avoid disturbing the marine wildlife.

Marielas Islets are found in front of the visitor side, where the largest Galapagos penguin colony, big marine iguanas, blue footed boobies and brown pelicans are present.

Included Activities:

• Punta Moreno hike & zodiac ride – Isabela Island

• Elizabeth Bay mangrove exploration (paddle only) – Isabela Island

Meals included:

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

from Sea Star Itinerary

Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza

and Isabela Island: Tagus Cove

Fernandina is the youngest of the Galapagos Islands, and it is considered the best-preserved island in the world. Free of introduced species. Espinoza Point is located in the northeastern part of Fernandina Island.

Over the last 50 years there have been more than ten eruptions. As a result of this volcanic activity, Punta Espinoza has been uplifted 90 cm in 1975. Coral reefs and mangrove roots are exposed to the strong ties which are unable to survive.

Fernandina has a high diversity of species such as Galapagos hawk, two species rodent, one species of snake, lava lizard, flightless cormorant, Galapagos sea lion (baby sea lions enjoying the intertidal swimming pools), sally light foot crab and marine iguana. Snorkeling on the zodiac, it is a great and only chance in your trip to observe marine iguanas and sea turtles feeding on seaweed underwater. Flightless cormorants will show us their extraordinary adaptation to get food underwater having stronger muscles on their feet and legs, giving them the possibility of high-speed diving.

Tagus Cove is located at the northwestern side of Isabela Island, after a dry landing we have a wooden stairway, its name originated when the British vessel “Tagus” visited this cove. Sailors began to make graffiti on the cliff around the cove until the National Park Service decided to stop. The trail leads to Darwin’s salt-water crater lake, excellent views of lava elds and volcanic formations.

We will return by the same path for a boat ride along the shoreline full of marine wildlife, during this activity we will observe blue footed boobies, brown noddies, flightless cormorants and the famous Galapagos penguins which are only 35 cm tall; the only penguin species in the world to live within the tropics having a small colony on the northern hemisphere; 95% of the population is found at the west side of Isabela and Fernandina islands. A great location for snorkeling to look for sea turtles and flightless cormorants in the waters.

Included Activities:

• Punta Espinoza visit & snorkeling – Fernandina Island

• Tagus Cove hike & snorkeling – Isabela Island

Meals included:

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

from Sea Star Itinerary

Santiago Island:

Espumilla Beach and Puerto Egas

Espumilla Beach is located at the northern end of James Bay. It is an important nesting side for marine turtles, a lot of ghost crabs hide in the sand. There is an inland hiking trail when occasionally there are flamingos and Galapagos pin-tail ducks. The trail loops through the arid zone, where you can observe some bird species including Galapagos hawks, Galapagos mockingbirds, Darwin finches, yellow warblers and the Galapagos doves. Optional snorkeling activity.

Wet landing on a black volcanic sandy beach, where is the resting side of the Galapagos sea lions. There is a loop trail, the first section is formed of volcanic ash and the second half is an uneven terrain of volcanic basaltic rock, the coast is home of a variety of animals including sea lions, marine iguanas, sally light-foot crabs, herons, Darwin finches, yellow warblers, migrant birds (whimbrels, ruddy turnstones, wandering tattlers, semipalmated plovers), at the end of this site we have natural volcanic formation called the grottos of Galapagos fur seals.

The interior trail leads to the beach where usually Galapagos hawks are present.
A great location for snorkeling from the beach, playful and curious sea lions swimming around the visitors, colorful tropical fish and occasionally marine turtles and white-tipped reef sharks are found in the waters.

Included Activities:

• Espumilla Beach hike & optional snorkeling – Santiago Island

• Puerto Egas trail & wildlife observation – Santiago Island

Meals included:

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Sea Star guide/staff will transfer you from the yacht to the SCY airport in time for your flight.

They will assist you in the airport with special processes to depart the Galápagos National Park including:

1. Bio-security inspection of your luggage (no natural souvenirs allowed!) before you check in with airline.

2. Collection of 2nd 1/2 of your TCT Transit Control Card.

You will again briefly stopover in GYE Guayaquil Airport on Ecuador's coast to drop off/pick up passengers before continuing on to Quito--usually too quick a stop to deplane.

By the time you collect your luggage and make your way from the domestic to the international terminal, you will have about 6 hours between your flights in UIO Quito airport.

Plan on starting your check in process ~3 hours before your Atlanta flight departure to check any bags with your airline, go through passport control and regular airport security as there can be delays due to internet/electricity outages, airline kiosk breakdowns/shortages.

Good opportunity to do your last souvenir shopping and get a nice hot meal plus snacks/beverages to take with you both before and after security--especially as may not have time to grab anything in Atlanta with 90 min. connection after USA passport/customs entry process.

Have a good trip back and we'd love to see your favorite pictures & hear what you thought about your Galapagos adventure after you return!! (Hey good thing to do on your journey back if too excited to sleep!)

As our sea lion friend is saying, don't be a stranger!! Email us at amy@GalapagosLocalTours.com or give Amy a call after your return: +1 402-429-1950.

Your honest feedback and good reviews (we'll send you a link later) mean everything to allowing us to send more visitors to be served well by our local Galápagos community.

Thanks for traveling with Galápagos Local Tours!!

Diving Blue-Footed Booby

Photo Credit/Copyright: Marvi Córdova

ANSWERS FOR THOSE FAQs!

LINKS

may be interested to read before/during your trip to know more about what you're seeing:

• Charles Darwin Research Station (you are visiting right after you arrive)

• Galapagos Conservancy

• Charles Darwin Research Foundation

• Galapagos Conservation Trust

• Galapagos National Park

ATTACHED INFO BY THE NATIVES OF GALAPAGOS LOCAL TOURS LLC: