A. Download the My Trips app from Galapagos Local Tours on each traveler's cell phone if haven't already:

Apple app store

Google Play store

then click into your itinerary using this link from the same phone which will open up in the app to have full functionality.

Once in your custom Galapagos Local Tours app

1. opt in for live flight alerts--click near each flight

2. before get on 1st flight--click on OFFLINE MODE to download a copy to your phone to use without the internet on plane/boats (& internet just iffy across Ecuador)

3. connect to internet when you can to see any updates

Can't use this app? No worries, you can see the itinerary on your phone easily from link below. TIP: once open link below using any cell web browser, save to your cell home screen so you can easily find it to click in to each day as you go: Link to your custom itinerary from Galapagos Local Tours.

From QR code on your cruise confirmation:

Calipso yacht app link

Enter your trip code into the cruise app to see your itinerary & cruise confirmation:

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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.

You may complete this form starting at 9:30 am on Tuesday, October 14th & ideally before you arrive to check in for your Galapagos flight on the morning of the 16th.

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

***During your layover in Panama--we suggest you call the Wyndham at Quito Airport to provide your airline and flight number as well as arrival time in advance to confirm your late night airport pick-up. See phone number below.

NOTE: You can use the WhatsApp app to call the hotel using WiFi on your cell phone.

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.

You may complete this form starting at 9:30 am on Tuesday, October 14th & ideally before you arrive to check in for your Galapagos flight on the morning of the 16th.

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

ARRIVAL AT QUITO AIRPORT

After you clear passport control, baggage claim and customs, look for the Wyndham's free 24/7 shuttle.

Call the hotel if any questions or issues.

We don't recommend using unknown transport offered at the airport & of course keep your valuables hidden and your bags under your control as you exit the airport.

happy to attach here from your self-reservation if you forward Amy a copy

Pick up/Drop-off at Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel

***Any changes starting Tuesday Oct 14th, including hotel pickup point or times, please communicate first with Sebastian and use Amy as your backup.***

Includes:

• Certified Guide: Sebastián Carrera

• Transport by private car

Guest Pay During Tour:

• attractions entrance fees

• public transport e.g. cable car ride

• food & beverage (guide's lunch has been pre-paid for him to self-pay for himself)

• shopping/tastings

• optional tips for exceptional service

Main stops to be confirmed with Sebastian on initial 40 min. drive, may include:

·      Mitad del Mundo/Museo Inti Ñan

·      Old Town Quito

·      Lunch at local recommended restaurant

·     Tasting and/or Shopping stop(s)

·      TelefériQo Cable Car Ride & Walk

(see more detailed descriptions attached)

·      Ask guide for dinner recommendations after tour (there is nice 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 (attached sample tour is about $25-30pp in small bills), shopping, food & beverages (see detailed tour itinerary for attraction est. prices)

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

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

Leave in Hotel:

• valuables at hotel locked in 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

Arrange with hotel night before for a spot on their shuttle to arrive at the UIO Quito Airport no later than 2 hours before your Galapagos flight.

Tony Sotomayor (photo/contact info below) from Royal Galapagos/Calipso Yacht (who we also know as Walter grew up with Tony on Galapagos) 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 Calipso, Tony 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).

(Calipso staff will meet you at your arriving Galapagos airport to help you with your Galapagos National Park fee ($200pp) you already pre-paid via the Calipso.)

DOMESTIC AIR TICKETS ATTACHED:

• per cruise confirmation: 1 check-in bag 23 kg and one carry-on 10 kg allowed

• Read here: Avianca baggage & other info

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:

ARRIVAL AT SCY SAN CRISTOBAL AIRPORT

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)

1. 1st stop inside: Galapagos National Park (GNP) entrance fee ($200pp adult, $100pp child under 12—yours is pre-paid by the Calipso yacht, don't pay & tell park staff you are with the Calipso Yacht if your Calipso guide hasn’t met you yet).

**TIP: If you would like a souvenir stamp in your passport from the park, can do this here as pay your park entry fee.

1. There may be quick GNP carryon baggage inspection scan

2. Proceed to baggage claim: if you haven’t already, you should see Calipso 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 guide in uniform with Calipso Yacht shirt and/or handheld sign if haven’t already before exit airport.

4. You will proceed to waiting private ground transport.

Calipso staff will meet you at SCY airport to help with your Galapagos National Park entrance fee/process, claim your bags and get you to the Calipso Yacht to embark.

TIME TO SETTLE IN YOUR NEW COMFY HOME

before lunch & first guide briefing on your yacht & first day's activities

Upper Deck Standard Cabin Reserved

(1 cabin for 2 people total)

with 1 Matrimonial bed

Included in your cruise:

• English-speaking Galapagos National Park certified naturalist guide

• meals

• soft drinks

• use of kayaks per itinerary (ask guide if applies to your itinerary)

• on shore excursions daily

• use of snorkel gear (mask, tube, fins)

• use of long wetsuits

• WiFi (connectivity subject to satellite limitations)

• carbon footprint offset

Extra Services you prepaid:

• Transit Control Card (TCT) will be given to you by Tony at Quito UIO airport during Oct. 16th flight check in process ($20pp)

• Galapagos National Park fee ($200pp) will be handled by Calipso staff at the SCY Galapagos arrival airport for you

Not included:

• alcoholic beverages & bottled drinks

• optional tips

• personal expenses

• cancellation & medical insurance

• GoPro or other cameras not available for rent & no digital images included from your tours (some guides might provide as an extra service, but suggest have your own photo/video-taking options with you)

from Royal Galapagos for your Calipso yacht reservation.

This is your receipt that shows you paid not only for the cruise and Galapagos round-trip flights, but also for your TCT and Galapagos National Park fee which is why Royal Galapagos is providing Quito flight check-in service with Tony Sotomayor.

Info on optional expenses:

• Additional services may be available on board on cash or debit/credit card pay basis (shouldn't be extra fee to use cards on board but these fees common in Ecuador):

• Cash 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.

  • From Calipso: Here is a guideline based on past experiences: If the service has been excellent, the average tip would be US$25 per person per day for the entire ship’s crew, and US$15 per person per day for the guide. Please understand that this is just a suggestion: tipping/gratuities are a very personal  matter and it entirely depends on the value of the service the guests received.

• Shopping in Quito or the airports of Baltra & San Cristobal.

• Cash Bar: Menu attached.

Known for stunning, powder-soft white coral sand beach, a historic landing site for Charles Darwin--great intro to Galapagos. What will be your first wildlife sighting today?

See Calipso itinerary for excursion details.

Background reading info, see "Cerro Brujo" is Spanish name from Galapagos Conservancy:

https://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/the-islands/san-cristobal-island/

Your first chance to meet the popular Galapagos penguin with more chances in western Galapagos to follow.

See Calipso itinerary for excursion details

Background reading info from Galapagos Conservancy: https://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/the-islands/bartolome-island/

Chance to see Galapagos fur seals today among other wildlife.

See Calipso itinerary for excursion details

Background reading info from Galapagos Conservancy:

https://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/the-islands/santiago-island/

Home to largest colony of Galapagos marine iguanas and rare pristine ecosystem with no introduced species.

Will you be one of the few lucky Galapagos visitors to witness the endemic Galapagos marine iguana swimming and/or feeding under water while exploring western Galapagos today and tomorrow?

See Calipso itinerary for excursion details

Background reading info from Galapagos Conservancy:

https://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/the-islands/fernandina-island/

You may see graffiti from long-ago visiting pirates today along with more unique wildlife sightings.

See Calipso itinerary for excursion details

Background reading info from Galapagos Conservancy:

https://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/the-islands/isabela-island/

Photo Credit/Copyright: our son Marvi Córdova

In 1954, a sudden volcanic uplift raised the seabed by several meters, pushing the coastline further inland and stranding coral heads above sea level. This has created a distinctive landscape with rare chance to see giant Galapagos land tortoises and Galapagos marine iguanas near each other, among other wildlife.

See Calipso itinerary for excursion details

Background reading info from Galapagos Conservancy:

https://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/the-islands/isabela-island/

Known for striking volcanic landscape of lava fields, lagoons, and mangroves. Great day to see a variety of birds and coastal marine life such as white-tip reef sharks and green sea turtles.

See Calipso itinerary for excursion details

Background reading info from Galapagos Conservancy:

https://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/the-islands/isabela-island/

See the home of some of the largest bird colonies on the Galapagos including the ever-favorite Blue-footed Booby and awe-inspiring "red balloon-throated" Frigatebirds.

See Calipso itinerary for excursion details

Background reading info from Galapagos Conservancy:

https://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/the-islands/north-seymour-island/

Calipso yacht guide/staff will transfer you from the yacht to the GPS 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.

attached here again for your convenience

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.

Diving Blue-Footed Booby

Photo Credit/Copyright: Marvi Córdova

OUR TOP RECOMMENDED LINKS

You may be interested to read before/during your trip to know more about what you're seeing or learn how to contribute to some great orgs working to preserve the unique Galapagos ecosystem:

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

• Galapagos Conservancy

• Charles Darwin Research Foundation

• Galapagos Conservation Trust

• Galapagos National Park

Link to TERMS provided during booking process:

See TERMS at bottom of Galapagos Local Tours web site

Royal Galapagos/Calipso yacht terms