Galapagos Island Cruise - 5 Days Tour Itinerary

Galapagos Island Cruise - 5 Days Tour Itinerary
REF: SA165D
VERSION: 12

Duration:	5 days - Quito to Quito
Countries Visited:	Ecuador
Age Guide:	18-65 years
Max Group Size:	16
Transport:	Cruise Boat, Minibus, On Foot
Accommodation:	Twin Berth Cabins with Private Facilities (4 Nights)
What's Included:	All Transfers whilst in the Galapagos - Services of Bilingual Naturalist Guide - All Essential Excursions Marked in the Itinerary - All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) in the Galapagos are Included - National Park Entrance Fees are NOT Included, Allow US$110, Payable Locally - Domestic Flights to and from Quito are NOT included. Allow Approximately US$400-500
Local Payment:	NO LOCAL PAYMENT
Highlights:	Santa Cruz - Mangroves - Mating Turtles - White Coral Beaches - Floreana - Sea Lions - Espanola - Albatross Colony - White Sand Beaches - San Cristobal - Blue-footed Boobies - Santa Fe - Sea Lion Colony
Optional Highlights:	No optional highlights
Meeting Point:	The flight to Galapagos departs Quito in the morning of the actual departure date. Please time your arrival into Quito at least one day prior to departure date as you will need to make your way to our agents in Quito to pick up your tickets and receive instructions on how and where to meet your Galapagos boat. PLEASE NOTE: Flights to/ from the Galapagos are not included in the tour price. Kumuka can book Galapagos flights for you, however, full payment is required at the time of booking your flight and flights are 100% non-refundable. There are 2 airport in the Galapagos; Baltra & San Cristobal. Please check the start and end point of your cruise, with Kumuka or your agent, before confirming any flights. Upon arrival at the Galapagos airport, please pay directly in USD cash only for the National Park Entrance Fee, USD $110. Travellers cheques and credit cards are not accepted for: Departure tax from Ecuador USD $25.00 Costs are subject to change. Please refer to your tour voucher for contact details for our local partners who run this trip on behalf of Kumuka Worldwide.
Introduction:	Climb aboard a comfortable cruise yacht and glide from island to island, taking in more rare wildlife against these lunar landscapes. You’re touching hands with prehistory. The Galapagos are a group of volcanic Islands lying 800 kilometres off the west coast of Ecuador. First discovered in 1535 by Fray Tomas de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama. The Galapagos Islands are as fascinating as in Darwin’s Day, due to the protection it receives from its National Park status and designation as World Natural Heritage Site. Since the animals on the Islands have no natural predators they play and relax freely, undisturbed by human visitors. For naturalists, bird watchers, divers and everyone inspired by natural beauty, the Galapagos provide a unique and unforgettable experience. The Galapagos Islands, named after the Spanish word for tortoise, have been colonised by all number of bird, marine, insect and plant life. Charles Darwin first visited the Islands in 1835 describing them as a ‘natural laboratory’. His investigations here formed the basis for his theory of evolution. The following are a description of the islands you may be visiting. Please note that all departures will be different from the one suggested here.
Special Deposit and Cancellation Conditions:	As of 01.04.2011 the following terms and conditions will apply to all Galapagos cruise bookings: Deposit and payment: A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking with full payment being due 95 days prior to departure. Cancellation If you wish to cancel your trip, we require written notice and cancellation is subject to the following charges: Over 95 days prior to departure = Deposit Only 94-65 days prior to departure = 50% of total cost 64 days or less prior to departure = 100% of total cost If cancellation occurs within the 94-day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due. These cancellation conditions override Kumuka's standard Booking Conditions.
Santa Cruz:	Is the second largest but most populated island. It is home to Charles Darwin Research Station at Academy Bay. Land iguanas at Conway Bay, sink holes at Los Gemelos, the Galapagos rail and paint-billed crake in the highlands, Opuntia forests and mangroves, white coral beaches and lava tubes, not to mention sharks, rays and mating turtles at Culeta Tortuga Negra belong to the many highlights.
Santa Fe:	Features tall Opuntia stands, land iguanas in the highlands, a sea lion colony, excellent snorkelling, marine iguanas and an abundance of birds. On the edge of the archipelago Tower (Genovesa) is excellent for sea birds and snorkelling with hammerhead sharks.
San Cristobal:	Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital and is situated here in San Cristobal - the second most populated island. There are many places of interest here, such as the Frigatebird Hill, the beach of La Loberia, sea lions and blue-footed boobies at Isla Lobos, white-cheeked pintails at Laguna El Junco, Cerro Tijeras, Puerto Grande, and the volcanic ash formation of Kicker Rock.
Floreana:	Punta Cormorant offers olivine-tinted beach, Devil’s Crown, a submerged offshore crater, provides outstanding snorkelling and diving around coral formations amongst brightly coloured tropical fish, sea lions and even sharks.
Espanola (Hood):	This is one for the birdlovers - the whole spectrum of Galapagos birdlife is found on Espanola, including twelve thousand nesting albatross pairs. In Punta Suarez, there is a mighty spume-ejecting blowhole, just beyond the spectacular waved albatross colony. Go snorkelling at Gardner Bay with beautiful white sand beach.
Please Note:	Below is a sample itinerary that can change at any time as different boats have different itineraries. We use tourist class yachts between 8-10 twin share cabins with private bathroom facilities and all meals inclusive. Most of the sailing between islands is done at night. Your Galapagos trip is based on twin share cabin facilities. Whilst the vast majority of single travellers are paired up to share a cabin with another traveller of the same sex, we cannot guarantee this unless you request single use of a cabin which would incurr a single supplement. Please consult your consultant at the time of booking. We cruise the Islands witnessing their unique wildlife and stunning scenery not found anywhere else in the world. For our week on these unique islands, your cruise will take in all the important sights of the Galapagos Islands allowing plenty of free time for exploring the beaches, coves and wildlife. You will be escorted by an English-speaking Naturalist/guide who will explain the natural wonders that are the birds and animals on land. Try snorkelling with the prolific underwater wildlife. You’ll be astonished just how close you can get to these incredible animals. Tropical fish and sea lions abound beneath the surface of the water as well as beautiful coral reefs and thousands of crustaceans. The huge Galapagos tortoises are a primitive looking animal and definitely a highlight. Most of the boats carry snorkelling gear on board. Some boats include this free of charge, whilst others charge a small fee for use of snorkelling equipment. This is payable on board. Please note that we are no longer able to offer the option of diving whilst onboard your Galapagos cruise as the Ecuadorian government have revoked the dive licences of the vast majority of boats. At the end of the cruise you will board a flight back to Quito.
Day 1:	From Ecuador’s colonial capital of Quito, a flight (to be paid locally) is taken to Baltra and transfer to the cruise yacht and sail to Santa Cruz.
Day 2:	Floreana
Day 3:	Espanola
Day 4:	San Cristobal
Day 5:	Santa Fe, then sail back to Baltra - Return flight to Quito (paid locally)
What's Not Included:	All optional excursions and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, visas, pre- and post-tour accommodation, National Park Entrance fees, International Flights. Flights to/ from the Galapagos are not included in the tour price. Kumuka can book Galapagos flights for you, however, full payment is required at the time of booking your flight and flights are 100% non-refundable.
Tourist Control Card	From 2008, all tourists visiting the Galapagos have been required to have a Transit Control Card, in accordance with the ojectives of INGALA (National Institute of Galapagos). This card contains a bar code and in order to receive this code, pre-inscription at the INGALA office is required. In order to ensure that you receive your bar code, you need to provide Kumuka with the following information: a.. First names (exactly as typed in passport) b.. Last names (exactly as typed in passport) c.. Passport number d.. Nationality e.. Gender f.. Date of Birth g.. Marital Status h.. Date of entrance to Galapagos i.. Date of departure from Galapagos Our local operator will then fill out a registration form on your behalf and send this to INGALA. They will provide you with your code when you arrive in Quito and pick your tickets up from them. This form and bar code have to be printed out and changed at the INGALA counter at Quito airport, where passengers will receive their TCC card. Without this card you will not be able to check in for flights to the Galapagos. The cost of this card is USD10 and has to be paid for on arrival in the Galapagos,along with your National Park entrance fee.

Pre Departure Information Follows


Pre Departure Checklist:	All passengers must have the necessary travel documents, insurance and immunization certificates for the tour. All passengers MUST bring: Passport Vaccination Certificate Travel Voucher Travel Insurance Policy
Galapagos Islands Flights and National Park Fees:	You must arrive in Quito at least the day before departure and present yourself to our agent to collect your tickets. They will inform you of all details for joining the cruise. The Galapagos Islands National Park entrance fee of US$110 is paid on arrival in the Galapagos Islands in US$ cash only. Please note these amounts are per person costs and subject to increase at any time without previous notice due to the regulations of the local Authorities.
Insurance:	Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office. Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.
Passport:	Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. It must be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate.
Visa Requirements:	It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your South America trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides visa information. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR. Brazilian Visas – All those requiring Brazil visas must obtain these prior to entry; it is strongly recommended these are arranged prior to travel where possible. Obtaining Brazilian Visas in Buenos Aires. Please note: for Kumuka tours entering from Argentina these can be obtained at the Brazilian Consulate. All passengers must make and attend an appointment as well as allow time for the visa to be processed which can take anything from 12 hours up to 5 days, especially during months around Carnival. If for any reason your visa is delayed it may be necessary to make arrangements to meet up with the tour once it has left Buenos Aires. Please see the following website for details on how to make an appointment and what documents are required when applying for a tourist visa. Appointments can be booked online up to a month in advance and the contact numbers will put you through to an English speaker if required. http://www.conbrasil.org.ar/CONSBRASIL/visas_otros01engl.asp Embassy details: Consulate of Brazil Carlos Pellegrini 1363 – 5 Piso Buenos Aires C1011AAA Argentina Tel: +54 (11) 45156500 Contact number for appointments: +54 (11) 4515-6525 (Mon-Fri 9am-2pm/3-5pm) Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.
Medical Information and Vaccinations:	Vaccinations: It is necessary to obtain an International Certificate of Vaccination before travelling. This is a record of your injections and should be issued with your first inoculation. Make sure that after each injection your certificate is dated, signed and stamped. Compulsory Inoculations: Yellow Fever for Bolivia. Yellow Fever certificate also required for Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru but only if arriving from an infected area. Please refer to the Yellow Fever information under the Latest News section on our website. Yellow Fever vaccination is now recommended for parts of Argentina, and parts of Brazil. We strongly recommend that you consult your GP or Travel Clinic at least several weeks prior to departure to check current Yellow Fever vaccination requirements. Your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate should be carried with you at all times. Recommended inoculations: Yellow fever, hepatitis A, diphtheria, typhoid, tetanus and polio. We also recommend: - A dental check-up prior to travelling. - That you know your blood group in case of emergency. - That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking. You can also visit www.kumuka.com. Medical Supplies: We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items: Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills. A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops. Medication requiring refrigeration whilst on tour: Kumuka Worldwide does not take responsibility for client medication during their trip and cannot guarantee refrigeration facilities. It is your responsibility to take the necessary steps to ensure that during your trip, your medication is stored correctly and available for use whenever it is required. • For clients booked on our South America Small Group Tours: Please be aware that these can involve some bus journeys of up to 18 hours. • For clients booked on our South America Overland Tours: Average journey times are 8-10 hours, though some travel days can be considerably longer. • All journey times are approximate and can be subject to delays. • On included excursions such as the Inca Trail, jungle and Pantanal trips we cannot guarantee facilities to be able to keep medication cold. • Not all hotels provide refrigeration facilities. • On all Kumuka Worldwide South America trips, the availability and provision of ice is random, and can be sporadic.
Malaria:	Prophylactic tablets are essential in some areas of South America. They are prescribed by your vaccinating doctor and should be taken as directed.
Security:	We recommend that you do not take unnecessary valuables with you. Wearing jewellery and expensive watches will attract attention. A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money. DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at your own risk. Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care. Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.
Money:	We suggest passengers budget for between US$25-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget. Take your money in US dollars only. This is the only foreign currency readily exchanged in Latin America. Traveller’s cheques should be AMERICAN EXPRESS. American Express is the most widely accepted. Cash is far easier to exchange than Travellers Cheques, but also more risky as once lost, is irreplaceable. However, we do recommend that you take some US dollars cash in small denominations ($10 and $20). In many countries (except Brazil), you may exchange US Dollars traveller’s cheques for US cash, or retrieve US dollars cash from ATMs (with a credit card), usually for a small commission but please do not rely solely on this option. Credit cards are accepted frequently, particularly in the larger cities. They can also be used to get money from ATMs. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are the most widely accepted credit cards. Visa being the most useful.
Luggage and Personal Equipment:	How much should I take? The best rule for packing is to limit your self to a weight limit of 15kg. A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. Please note that we do not recommend that passengers bring suitcases. A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.
Personal Effects:	We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where this is possible. Personal Effects: Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Sewing kit, Sunhat/Sunglasses, Music cassettes /CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen. NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.
Climate Information:	For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com. Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything! In Patagonia temperatures can fall to below zero, even in the height of summer. Be prepared for very cold conditions. You should bring a warm jacket, gloves and woolly hat if you are doing a trip in Patagonia.
Local Customs:	Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.
Time:	For detailed information see www.timezoneconverter.com or www.timeanddate.com
Language:	Spanish is the language most widely spoken in the countries we visit in Latin America but English is spoken a little bit in the larger cities. In Brazil the main language is Portugese. Other languages you may encounter are; Quechua, spoken in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, Amyara spoken in Peru and Bolivia. Welsh is spoken in some of the old Welsh colonies of Argentinean Patagonia, with Guarani spoken in Northern Argentina. The Amazon region of Brazil is also home to many tribal languages, for example, Tupi. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.
Photography:	Most passengers will travel with digital cameras. Should you run out of memory you can download your photos onto CD at the local internet cafes or camera shops on your tour. Alternatively, you may be able to purchase extra memory cards. With regards to film, all types of camera film are readily available in South America. However, it is often cheaper to purchase it in your country of origin or through duty free. Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission. Most Latin American countries have very strict rules about taking photos of army, police or any official personnel; restrictions apply at borders, bridges and any government building. Please exercise care in this regard as the penalty may be to have your camera confiscated. It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installations.
Food:	Latin American food is delicious, nutritious and varied. Vegetarians are easily catered for but please advise your travel agent or Kumuka at the time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements.
Books and Reading Material:	You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.
Pre & Post Tour Accommodation:	All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).
Participation:	The more you put into your tour the greater the experience you will get from your trip. It is all about participation and mucking in with your fellow passengers!
Staying in Touch:	Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this: Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad. Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use. Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!
Tour Feedback:	Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com
Drug Policy:	Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.
Contact Details:	KUMUKA WORLDWIDE UK OFFICE Hillswood Business Park 3000 Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS Tel: +4420 7937 8855 Fax: +442075043782 Email: sales@kumuka.com www.kumuka.com AUSTRALIAN OFFICE Level 5, 387 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: 02 9279 0491 Fax: 02 9279 0492 Email: sales@kumuka.com.au www.kumuka.com.au
Map:

This tour is operated by Kumuka Worldwide. Information given in all brochures, leaflets and dossiers is given in good faith by the company, and is based on the latest information available at the date of publication. The company reserves the right to change any of the facilities or vehicles described in the brochure without becoming liable for compensation or refund.

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