This adventure includes a convenient one night pre-trip stay at the Wyndham Quito Airport hotel. As most North American-based flights arrive late in the evening, this will allow you time to reset and refresh for Day Two’s early departure to the Islands.

Plan your arrival to Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). We recommend that all passengers traveling to Galápagos consider two nights in mainland Ecuador prior to their trip to allow for potential flight delays and misconnection – and so that you are well rested and ready to meet your group on Day 2!

If arriving early, you may wish to book yourself into a hotel. Please note that the Quito airport is located 35 km (22 miles) from downtown Quito. Please see the ‘Recommended pre-trip hotel’ section below. Please be sure to indicate in your Travel Details Form which pre or post-trip hotel you’ll be staying at. Remember that you can connect with group members via the Facebook group and may decide to meet up early and share a room!

A transfer will be provided if you are arriving on Day 1, to take you to the Wyndham hotel.

Traveling to Galápagos from Quito:

Do not check into the airline desk or purchase a Tourist Control Card. Your tourist control card is included in your trip, and you will be checked in at the airline counter with our staff’s assistance AFTER your bags are inspected by SICGAL (see below).
When you walk into the Domestic Departures section of the airport, you’ll see a SICGAL inspection area. Please go there with your luggage to have your bags scanned for any illegal substances, like non-native plants and animals. This is required to travel to Galapagos, as the government needs to protect the environment from foreign substances.
A Wild Women Expeditions representative holding a Wild Women Expeditions sign or wearing our t-shirt will meet you. They will assist you with the check-in and provide you with your boarding pass, bag tag and your receipt for the transit card.
Upon arrival on Baltra Island, Galápagos, you will form a line to process passengers for the Park Entrance fee. Inform the park representative that you are traveling with Wild Women Expeditions and that you have prepaid the park fee. They will have a list of prepaid passengers.
Once you go through, claim your bags, and meet your guides outside!

The trip orientation will occur when we arrive at the camp in the Galápagos. Exact flight times might change depending on flight schedule and will be communicated a few weeks before the trip begins.

Group Rendezvous Point:

Date: Day 2 (March 8, 2024)
Time: approximately 7:00 AM or earlier (your morning flight will be confirmed about one month before your trip)
Location: Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO).

RECOMMENDED PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

The following hotels are recommended and all have an airport shuttle service to and from Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)

For convenience:

Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel

Conveniently located next to the airport. Shuttles are free. Please book your shuttle when you make your reservation. To book, click here.

For experiencing Quito:

Patio Andaluz

Patio Andaluz is an elegant boutique hotel located in the heart of Quito’s Historic Center. Just two blocks from the Plaza Grande and within easy walking distance of churches, museums, and historic sites, this colonial style hotel will allow you to experience the true culture of Quito. Enjoy complimentary services and amenities, including free WiFi in all 32 available suites. Relax and enjoy the El Rincon de Cantuna patio restaurant, the Marquez de Jerez Cava bar for wine and tapas, and the Olga Fisch folklore artisan shop. To book, click here.

DEPARTURES FROM THE GALÁPAGOS

The return flight to Quito (UIO) is included and will depart around noon from Baltra, Galápagos Islands (GPS). The flight is around 3 hours back to Quito, with a stop in Guayaquil.

Arrange for your international departure flight from Quito (UIO) for any time after 8:30 PM. Be sure to add your flight departure information to your Travel Details Form.

Alternatively, if you plan on joining our Amazon Rainforest Extension, arrange to spend the night in Quito because the departure for the extension is on the next day. For convenience we reccommend the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel as the morning of the extension will be an early flight.

Drop Off Point:

Day 9
Time: Around 5 p.m. local time
Location: Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)

RECOMMENDED POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

The following hotels are recommended and all have an airport shuttle service to and from Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)

For convenience and airport proximity:

Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel

Conveniently located next to the airport. Shuttles are free. Please book your shuttle when you make your reservation. To book, click here.

For experiencing authentic Quito:

Patio Andaluz

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:

Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel, Travel Specialists

Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel

Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.

Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country's Consulate and your country's travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

Passport:

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Important: A copy of your passport must be emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office by 130-days pre-trip.

Visa:

No visas are required for U.S., Canadian and most European citizens. Visas are required for some Asian, Central American and Eastern European countries.

Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

TIPPING

For guides & crew: Aboard our yacht, gratuities are not included. We prefer that our guests reward our crew based on their performance. Tipping is a personal matter and passengers are encouraged to tip an amount they find appropriate. For those passengers who inquire, we suggest they budget $350 USD to $400 USD in total. This can be divided like so:

$160 USD for crew. Can be placed in an envelope in the tipping box, which will be divided amongst them.
Naturalist Guide can be tipped directly approximately $80
$100 USD for Trip Leader and given to her directly

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

Rooming Arrangements:

All accommodations are shared double occupancy. A limited number of single room upgrades are available for $1,295 USD. Please email support@wildwomenexpeditions.com

Internet / WiFi / Cell Coverage

There is no WiFi service onboard – most telecommunication providers have signal in Galápagos and passengers can use their smartphones that are activated for international calling on days when the yachts are in close range to port (Day 8/9 only).

Potable Water

Filtered drinking water is provided in the dining and bar areas. We suggest you do not drink water from the tap in your cabin. Water bottles can be refilled from the water containers located in the dining and bar areas.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

Lifestraw

GRAYL Canada | OnePress™ Global Protection

Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge

Water-To-Go

Overnight Arrangements During Your Stay

M/C TIP TOP II – YOUR YACHT!

Built in 2008 and completely refurbished in 2016, this 104-foot superior first-class yacht accommodates 16 guests in ten comfortable cabins distributed between the main and upper decks. All cabins feature panoramic windows offering guests the opportunity to enjoy the fascinating landscapes of the enchanted islands from their cabins. All cabins are fully air-conditioned and have a private bathroom (hot and cold water showers), biodegradable soap/shampoo dispensers, hair dryer, closet, drawers, and separate climate controls for your comfort. Our vessel has spacious social areas including indoor and outdoor dining room, a well-stocked bar (*alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are not included), a lounge with a flat-screen TV and small resource library, and a sundeck with lounge chairs.

16-guest superior first-class motor catamaran
10 fully air-conditioned outside staterooms with private bathrooms
Impressive fusion cuisine, wonderfully prepared by our culinary school-trained chefs
Fully-stocked bar, 24-hour coffee and tea station with cookies
Lounge for briefings with TV, DVD, and library
Wildlife observation areas, open and shaded sun deck with loungers

Deck Plan

Sun Deck

Upper Deck

Cabins average 106.35 square reef / 9.88 square meters.
Upper deck cabins include small private balconies, can be requested, and are allocated on a first come first served basis.
Main Deck

Cabins average 97.95 square feet / 9.10 square meters
Single: Middle deck Cabins # 5 & 6 cabins have one double bed and picture windows.

Navigational Equipment

Sophisticated navigational and mechanical equipment meet the highest safety standards found in Galápagos including:

2) 24 mile range Furuno Navnet Radar/Chart Plotter
(2) Furuno-FCV620 Eco sounder, GPS, Furuno NX300 Navtex, Furuno SC-Satellite Fluxgate compass, Icom M802 HF-MF/DSC Radio
(2) Icom M506 VHF/DSC radios, ACR Epirb, ACR Sart

Safety Equipment

All equipment meets SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), International Coast Guard regulations, and ISM standards including:

(2) ACR VHF bi directional rescue radios, Ritchie Magnetic Compass, hydraulic helm, barometer, clock, thermometer, helm indicator, searchlight, horn, fire & smoke detector system
(2) Viking inflatable life rafts for 25 passengers each one
(30) life jackets
Twin 17 feet Caribe Nautica Inflatable boats with 25 HP four stroke outboard motors for 12 passengers each one
All crew members are experienced and trained by ISM and in the regulations that local, Navy and National Park authorities require.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT ECUADOR & THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

Quick Facts
- Full country name: “Republic of Ecuador” or in Quechua, “Ikwadur”
- Capital City: Quito
- Language: Spanish, Quechua, Shuar + 12 other Indigenous languages
- Area: 283,560 km2
- Population: 16 million
- People: 71.9% Mestizo
- 7.4% Montubio
- 7.2% Afroecuadorian
- 7% Indigenous
- 6.1% White
- 0.4% others
- Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
- Government: Unitary presidential constitutional republic – President Rafael Correa
- Major Industries: Petroleum and agricultural products
- Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
- Electricity: 110/AC 60 cycle (plugs are same as in the USA)

Time

Ecuador is in the Eastern Time Zone (GMT-5). Daylight savings time is not observed. Galápagos is one hour behind mainland Ecuador.

Climate & Weather:

Due to the Galapagos equatorial location, it is a destination that can be visited during any season. However, the fall months can create rougher sea conditions.

Between December and May, the islands experience a “wet (but warm) season.” The Galapagos’ climate is more tropical—you should expect daily rain showers and cloudier skies. Bonus: The ocean temperature is much warmer for swimming and snorkelling!

Weather – Galápagos Islands

MONEY MATTERS

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.

Onboard

They accept cash, Visa and MasterCard only.

Currency Exchange Offices & Banks:

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

Credit Cards

Major credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are widely accepted in big cities and resort hotels but not in family-run guesthouses or restaurants.

Cash

The currency in Ecuador is USD.

Be sure to bring small bills ($1, $5, $10 are best – bills over $20 USD are rarely accepted). Automated banking machines (ATMs) are on some of the islands, however bank fees can be as high, there is sometimes a limit on how much you can take out, and sometimes the machines are not well stocked with bills. The only cash machines in the Galápagos are in Puerto Ayora in the Baltra airport and on the main island of Santa Cruz (which is visited on the second to last day of the trip).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Useful Websites:

Galápagos Islands

GETTING FIT

Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.

A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.

Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense. Generally, our expeditions are intended for travelers in reasonably good health for their safety, along with that of their fellow travelers.

Tips:

You don't have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.

That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.

Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

Take every opportunity you can to be active.

You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

Rev up your ticker!

Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.

Join a local walking or running group.

This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

Work on your upper body and core strength.

Weight lifting, yoga and pilates can help with this.

Warm up, cool down and stretch.

If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.

Take a kayak lesson!

Although this trip is beginner friendly and your guides will lead you through a full orientation once on the trip, if you haven’t paddled a kayak before and if you have the opportunity, take a lesson or two with a local kayak outfitter in your neck of the woods. Even a pool session is good! This will give you the basics, boost your confidence which will allow you to enjoy your trip that much more.

Hydration.

When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Nutrition.

Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!

Have fun!

The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.

GENERAL FAQ'S

For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click [HERE].