GALAPAGOS PARK, TRANSIT CARD

Before checking in for the included flight from Quito to the Galapagos, there is a US$20 transit fee that needs to be paid in cash. On arrival in the islands you must pay the US$200 national park fee in cash to enter Galapagos National Park.

• Our small ships make cruising from island to island a breeze, so you can spend more time exploring the gorgeous surrounds than stuck onboard. Compact size means that the steps between the decks are steep, and as they are designed to maximize living area space, sleeping quarters are cozy.
• For getting to small islets, coves and prime snorkeling spots, it is sometimes necessary to use a Zodiac boat (panga). You will need to be comfortable climbing in and out of one during wet and dry landings.
• The waters of the Galapagos are generally calm and serene. However, there is always the possibility of choppy water at sea. Steady sea legs (and a sturdy stomach) will be needed when walking around the boat during bad weather. Rain or shine, your trusty crew will always be on hand to assist you.
• Things are never set in stone when you’re traveling on island time. A sense of humor and flexibility will ensure you have a fun, relaxing trip through this beautiful part of the world no matter what happens. While the crew will do their best to follow the itinerary, variations may occur due to weather or under direction from local authorities. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travelers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.
• The maritime component of this trip is operated by a fully licensed Ecuadorian shipping operator. The Captain of the vessel will do all that is possible to adhere to the outlined itinerary however it may be changed without notice due inclement weather or changes to the Galapagos National Park's regulations. We ask you for your patience and understanding with any changes outside our control. Any changes to the itinerary will be undertaken with your safety and comfort in mind.
• There may be some early starts to the day for the scheduled activities to be conducted as per the itinerary due to specific visiting hours for some sites.
• The cabins and communal areas of the Daphne are spread over 3 decks. The steps between the decks are steep however, there are hand railings to hold on to.

Snorkeling

There are many opportunities to go snorkeling on our voyages. Confident swimming skills are required to take part in this activity. Depending on the weather conditions and park regulations, you could be snorkeling twice a day. If you take part in the snorkeling, you will not miss out on any land activities. For those not wanting to snorkel, there will be time to relax on the boat.

Altitude

Quito is located at 2850 meters above sea level. At this altitude you may experience some of the milder effects of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, insomnia and a shortness of breath. If so, we recommend you avoid any strenuous activity.

SUNSCREEN

It's important to always apply sunscreen in Ecuador and particularly when visiting the Galapagos. Beware, the sun is stronger than usual!

MEDICAL

The Galapagos Islands are located about 1000 kms off the coast of Ecuador mainland and many of these islands are uninhabited by humans. The populated islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal have medical facilities however they are limited in what procedures they can perform and have limited medical supplies. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, please ensure you have travel insurance to cover this. Travel insurance should also cover the cost of repatriation or if any additional supplies are needed to be flown in from the mainland.

Food and dietary requirements

All meals are included onboard the Daphne, this includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Tea, coffee and cold water is available at any time during the day [or night].

Most meals are served buffet style. Here is an example of the typical meals served

Breakfast

Toast, spreads, muesli, eggs with fresh fruit and fruit juices

Lunch

A mix of hot and cold dishes plus salads or vegetables and fruit salad and juice

Dinner

Fresh seafood, chicken or pork, pasta, rice, vegetables, salads and dessert.

We will endeavor to accommodate all food requests but please note that we have limited refrigeration and storage space on board the Galapagos boats and there is very limited (if any) access to shops or supermarkets. Vegans, coeliacs or those with specific meal requirements might choose to supplement meals with supplies bought from home, e.g. protein bars.

Accommodation

Le Grande Daphne features en suite cabins all with air conditioning and a safety box. The airconditioning is a centrally controlled system for the lower deck cabins and the upper deck cabins have individually controlled systems. The upper deck cabins have large windows and the lower deck cabins have portholes. Due to the lower deck cabins being close to the water, the portholes cannot be opened.

Transport

Boat, Plane, Bus, Zodiac (Panga)

Le Grande Daphne is a motor yacht. She has a comfortable lounge and dining area, as well as a sun deck where you can view the wildlife or just kick back and relax.

Zodiacs (locally known as pangas) are modest-sized, open, outboard-powered boats which are very common throughout Galapagos. The boats are used to get you to and from the Daphne when you do activities. Depending on the type of activity, this could either be a wet or dry landing. The boat crew are there to assist you getting into and out of the zodiac.

Money matters

The official currency of Ecuador is the US dollar (USD).

Please note that in Ecuador automatic money machines often limit the amount you can withdraw. This can be $100 or $200 per day depending on your card.

ATM's are available in Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Isla San Cristobal however there are no ATM's in Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela.

Credit cards are accepted in some shops and stores in Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo and Puerto Villamil.

For boat trips only:

On board the Galapagos voyage, alcoholic [beer and wine] and soft drinks are available to purchase in cash and if you wish to tip the crew this will also be paid in cash.

Every traveler is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some  travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than others, others prefer to visit more optional sites. Remember that alcoholic beverages are expensive compared to other foods locally. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities.

We recommend you carry at least US$100 to allow for additional meals and snacks. There is a bar on board where the settlement of the bill is by US$ cash only. The Daphne doesn't have credit card facilitites.

Please make additional allowance for bar expenses, however you will find the drinks to be moderately priced.

All prices are quoted in US$.

Cocktails: $10-12

Wine*: $40-50

Spirits: $7-18

Beers: $5-7

Softdrink: $4-7

*Red, white and sparkling wines are available by the bottle only.

It is not possible to take your own alcohol onboard the Daphne.

Please refer to the tipping section for additional information with regards to recommended amounts for tipping.

During stops in Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Isabela Islands, you will have the opportunity to visit souvenir shops and internet cafes.

NATIONAL PARK AND TRANSIT CARD FEES:

Before you check-in for your flight from Quito to the Galapagos Islands you will need to purchase a US$20 transit card [which you will need to hold on to as you will need to present it on your return from the Galapagos].

On arrival in the islands you will purchase the Galapagos National Park entry fee, US$200

If your voyage visits Isabela Island, there is also a US$10 fee to be paid on arrival at the island.

Please make sure you  have clean, unmarked notes to pay these fees.

WETSUIT HIRE:

Wetsuit hire is not included on the Daphne and can be organized on the boat at an additional cost. Depending on the length of time you spend on the boat, the cost will be as per below: 7 day trip: US$25

TIPPING

If you are happy with the services received, providing a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate.  While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations.

Tour Leader/Host:

If you have enjoyed the services provided by your host and leader,  a tip would be very much appreciated by them. As a guideline we recommend each passenger consider  US$8-12 per day for the 2 of them. This can be given on the last night of the trip.

Boat Crew:

If you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip would be very much appreciated by them. As a guideline we recommend each passenger consider US$12-14 per day for the crew (there are 7 crew members) and US$8-10 per day for your guide. You can leave tips in envelopes that are placed in your cabin on the last day of your journey.Restaurants:

Please check the bill and if there's an addition of 10% service charge, there's no requirement for tipping.  Otherwise, 10% of the total bill amount is appropriate.

Markets & local shops:

At local markets, shops & basic restaurants, leave loose change.

Hotel porters/local drivers:

We suggest US$1 - US$2

Please use the amounts listed above as a guide. Tipping is entirely a personal preference; of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip.

Packing

Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage, and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travelers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags!

Although each cabin on the Daphne has cupboard and space to store your bags, space is at a premium so we suggest that you take a back pack or soft sided duffle or sports bag with you. These bags should be easily stored in your cabins. Larger, fixed, sided suitcases are usually too large to store in the cupboard space.

If you are traveling with a larger bag you do have the option of borrowing one of our kit bags [which take approx 12kg] and leave your bag behind at the start hotel. This service is provided by the hotel and although we haven’t had issues with theft in the past we highly recommend that you don’t leave any valuables behind.

Below is a suggested packing list. The weather in the Galapagos is quite temperate all year round. In most cases you will be in water snorkeling or swimming for a portion of the day with the other time taken up with an island visit/walk or time to relax on the boat as you travel between islands.

Many of these things can be found on our suggested Amazon list here https://amzn.to/3Xsis5E

Daypack [a smaller back pack that you can take with you on island excursions]

Comfortable clothing for warmer temperatures [shorts, t-shirts, light long sleeved tops and pants]

A fleece or warmer jumper for the evenings or early mornings

A light rain coat or poncho

Comfortable shoes [trainers or walking shoes are sufficient for most trips]*

Sandals or thongs/flip flops/jandals

Sunscreen [bio degradable and waterproof if available] and lip balm [to combat the effects of wind burn]

Sunglasses

Sunhat [that can be secured as it can get windy out on the water]

Swimming costume

Water bottle [filtered water is available on board the boat]

Bio-degradable conditioner and cleanser [please do not bring facial or body cleanser with microbeads] - shampoo and soap are provided on board

Dry bag

Pegs [so you can hang your swimming costume or towel out to dry]

Insect repellent [for island visits]

US adaptor/electrical plug

For keen birdwatchers, Binoculars

Camera [underwater if you have one]

Earplugs

Please ensure you travel with all required medicines, pain killers and toiletries 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 a number of settlements throughout the islands there are times we it could take a day to reach these towns and even then they may not stock your required medication.

Please ensure you also bring your passport with you as it is an entry requirement for the Galapagos to present your passport on arrival in Galapagos and returning to the mainland [photocopies of your passport are not permitted].

*a number of trips include a volcano walk and some travellers may feel more comfortable in hiking shoes or boots.