Travel Details

Everything you need to know to book your cruise

Arrival & Departures to Galapagos

You will need to book your international flights to Ecuador to arrive to Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) and spend at least one night at a hotel before departing for Galapagos on Sunday morning although we suggest you arrive two nights prior to the cruise in case there is any delay in your international flight. You can book an evening flight home on Sunday at the end of your cruise provided the departure is 3 hours after the arrival of the Avianca flight.

International Flights to Ecuador are currently serviced by:

  • American Airlines (Miami)
  • Jet Blue
  • Spirit (Fort Lauderdale)
  • United (Houston)
  • DELTA (Atlanta)
  • LATAM (JFK, Lima)
  • AVIANCA (Bogota, Lima, San Salvador)
  • COPA (Panama)
  • GOL (Sao Paulo)
  • IBERIA (Madrid)
  • KLM (Amsterdam)

All international tickets have the airport departure taxes included in the cost of the ticket.  Local customs authorities allow two suitcases with a total combined weight of 60 kilos per person.  Subject to change.

Flight reservations are automatically made by Ecoventura through our allotment of seats on Sundays to/from San Cristobal (SCY). Flights to Galapagos (SCY) for Ecoventura passengers are confirmed on our recommended flights with AVIANCA Airlines from either Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE). Passengers who purchase their tickets through Ecoventura for the AVIANCA flights will receive assistance with check-in and can pre-pay the park tax and transit card. Additionally, a representative from Ecoventura accompanies our passengers on this flight.  Passengers who chose to arrive on any other flight will not be provided with the same services.

View current airfares and schedules, go here.

*Fees do not include the IVA (tax) of 12% and are subject to change.

Flights to Galapagos for Ecoventura passengers are serviced by AVIANCA Airlines from Quito (UIO) and Guayaquil (GYE) to Galapagos (San Cristobal = SCY). Flight reservations for confirmed passengers are made automatically through our seat allotment with Avianca.All passengers who arrive at SCY on AV 1630 on Sunday will receive assistance with the check-in procedure and the option to pre-pay the transit card fee. A representative from Ecoventura accompanies our passengers on this flight. Upon arrival, our crew and guides meet this flight and transport passengers to the yachts. Passengers who chose to arrive on any other flight will not be provided with the same services.

Sundays to/from Galapagos (SCY)

ROUTING FLIGHT DEPART ARRIVE
QUITO – GUAYAQUIL
AVIANCA 1630
8:00AM
9:01AM
GUAYAQUIL – CRISTOBAL
AVIANCA 1630
9:46AM
10:37AM
CRISTOBAL – GUAYAQUIL
AVIANCA 1631
11:23AM
2:13PM
AVIANCA 1631
GUAYAQUIL – QUITO
2:58PM
3:50PM

January 1 – 30 June & September 1 – 31 December

ROUTING ADULT FARE CHILD FARE
QUITO / Galapagos / QUITO
$ 500.00
$ 375.00
QUITO/ Galapagos/ GUAYAQUIL
$ 476.00
$ 360.00
GUAYAQUIL /Galapagos/ QUITO
$ 468.00
$ 352.00
GUAYAQUIL/ Galapagos/ GUAYAQUIL
$ 445.00
$ 336.00

July 1 – 31 August

ROUTING ADULT FARE CHILD FARE
QUITO / Galapagos / QUITO
$ 553.00
$ 411.00
QUITO/ Galapagos/ GUAYAQUIL
$ 525.00
$ 393.00
GUAYAQUIL /Galapagos/ QUITO
$ 518.00
$ 385.00
GUAYAQUIL/ Galapagos/ GUAYAQUIL
$ 490.00
$ 366.00

Airfares include all airport taxes and airfare fuel surcharges. They are subject to change at any time up until the day of departure and even after tickets have been paid in full.

Avianca Airlines have launched a small menu that includes snacks and drinks available for purchase at an additional cost (as of December 2022).

Things to know

We have some exceptional family-focused, and other specialty departure trips, including: culinary, diving, photography and more. Explore more (link a special departures)

Our crew provides world class service and guests reward the crew based on their performance. Therefore, gratuities are not included in the cruise rate, nor do we add an automatic service charge. Tipping is a personal matter, and passengers are encouraged to leave an amount they find appropriate. For those who inquire, a guideline of $300 to $350 per guest per week is sufficient. On charters, we recommend a flat rate with a minimum of $6000 if there are less than 20 guests. Gratuities are divided among all crew members including the naturalist guides. The gratuity can be added to your onboard account and paid with a credit card (MasterCard or Visa only), although our crew greatly appreciates cash and large bills are accepted.

The vessels anchor offshore at two visitor sites or Islands per day. Passengers are ferried to the landing point in a zodiac-style inflatable landing craft, locally called “pangas”. The landings are either wet (where one must step into water anywhere from your ankles to your knees and wade to shore) or dry (where one steps from the Zodiac directly to the volcanic rock). Your guide and Zodiac driver will assist you with a steady hand. On the Islands, one follows marked trails set by the National Park walking at a leisurely pace together with your guide. You will spend 3-4 hours at each site allowing plenty of time to explore and photograph the wildlife. In addition to the guided land excursions, we offer deep water snorkeling, beach swim/snorkel, kayaking, and zodiac rides.

Ecoventura reserves the right, at its sole option and discretion, and that of the Captain of the vessel or National Park impact studies, without liability for damages or refund of any kind, to deviate from the vessel’s advertised or ordinary itinerary for any reason, including mechanical failure. Ecoventura will not be held responsible for any refund whatsoever for changes to the printed or scheduled itinerary.

There are many opportunities to snorkel during the cruise, sometimes twice a day from the beach and in deep water. Masks, fins, and snorkels in average sizes are available on board free of charge for use during the cruise. If you anticipate taking advantage of all snorkeling opportunities, you may prefer to bring your own mask and snorkel for a proper fit.

Full 3mm Scubapro wetsuits are provided for guests to use during the cruise at no additional charge, and there is no need to reserve them in advance. Wetsuits are most prevalent from July to October when water temperatures are between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. We have a large inventory of various sizes, including Men: S, M, MT, L, XL, XXL, XXXL; Women: XS, S, M, MT, L, XL; Children: S, M, L.

The Origin, Theory, and Evolve each have five tandem kayaks and two stand-up paddle boards (SUP) for guests to use during the cruise.

Entry Requirement to Ecuador & Galapagos

A valid passport is required to enter Ecuador. However, passports must be valid for six months and one day after you plan to leave Ecuador. No Visas are required for U.S., Canadian and most European citizens.  Visas are required for some Asian, Central American, Middle Eastern and Eastern European countries. It is the passenger’s responsibility to check with local immigration offices or the Ecuadorian consulate prior to sailing to determine if a visa is necessary.

At check-in for AV flight 1630, a representative from Ecoventura will assist you with your boarding pass, park entrance fee, and transit control card receipts if pre-paid. You may be asked to present a return flight ticket and a medical insurance ID card.  Our crew will be waiting for you when you land to provide a safe and quick transfer to your yacht.

The Islands are part of the Ecuador National Park system, and the entrance fee is $100.00 per person for foreign adults. Children aged 11 and younger receive a reduced rate of $50.00. Starting August 1, 2024, the fee will increase to $200 per adult and $100 for children aged 11 and under. The fee is divided among various entities, including the GNPS, Marine Reserve, agriculture, municipalities, INEFAN, and INGALA.

All visitors to Galapagos are required to purchase a “Tarjeta de Control de Transito” or TCT card for $20.00. This card allows INGALA, the institution that controls migration to the islands, to better regulate the flow of all arrivals and departures to Galapagos. Ecoventura will register all passengers in advance provided the fee is prepaid and we receive the passenger information form.

All passengers will receive a cruise ticket at the airport in Guayaquil or Quito upon check in for the flight to Galapagos. The cruise ticket contains the terms and conditions of the transportation contract. In order to review the terms before you leave home, you can view this on the company web site.

Click here to download the transportation contract.

Travel Insurance

We highly advise travelers to secure travel insurance to safeguard their travel investment. Given the unpredictability of unforeseen events, purchasing travel insurance is crucial. Although there are numerous options to choose from, we suggest the following:

Trawick International

We recommend three of the plans offered by Trawick International; the Safe Travel First Class Plan, the Safe Travels Voyager Plan or the Safe Travel Multinational Trip Protection plan. Please note Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is only available if purchased within 21 days of the initial cruise deposit.

TRAWICK INTERNATIONAL – SAFE TRAVELS FIRST CLASS

  • For US citizens and residents traveling to other countries, coverage benefits and an overview of plan costs can be found. here.

TRAWICK INTERNATIONAL – SAFE TRAVELS VOYAGER

  • For US citizens and residents traveling to other countries, the Safe Travels Voyager plan is designed to offer the highest available benefit limits to protect your trip. This plan also includes a minimum coverage of $2,000 for potential quarantine lodging expenses.
  • Coverage benefits can be found here.
  • The Voyager rates are determined based on the trip cost, age of the traveler, duration, and destination.

TRAWICK INTERNATIONAL – SAFE TRAVEL MULTINATIONAL

  • For non-US citizens up to age 79 traveling outside their home country (and not coming to the USA), coverage benefits can be found here.

Contact Information:

Trawick International, Inc
888-301-9289 or 888-301-9289
www.trawickinternational.com

Contact Information:

Global Rescue
Global Rescue LLC
(P) 617-459-4200
www.globalrescue.com

Check in

On the day of departure, please arrive at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil two hours prior to departure for check-in. A message will be left at your hotel the evening prior with the check-in time. Before proceeding to check-in, your bags must be inspected by SICGAL as required for travel to Galapagos. Look for the Ecoventura representative at the AVIANCA Airline ticket counter to collect your boarding pass, transit card (if prepaid), and to assist you with check-in. If you have already prepaid, do not stand in line to pay the TCT card.

Upon arrival in Galapagos, you will queue to process passengers for the Park entrance fee. The park representative will have a list of Ecoventura passengers who have prepaid the park fee. You will need to claim your bag, and our crew will collect all baggage and deliver them to your cabin. Our guides will be waiting for you with signs and will escort you by bus to the main dock where our zodiacs are waiting.

Guests arriving at Galapagos on an alternate flight will not receive the same Day of Departure services. Ecoventura will not provide check-in assistance at the airports in Ecuador or upon arrival in San Cristobal on alternate flights. If you arrive on Sunday, ensure that you book your flights into San Cristobal (SCY) and not Baltra (GPS). You will not be able to pre-pay the Galapagos park entrance fee or INGALA transit card (TCT) and will need to pay the fees upon arrival in cash only. You will be responsible for getting yourself to the main dock by 12:00 PM to wait for our Zodiac to transport you to the yacht.

Sunday in San Cristobal: Boarding time is 12:00 PM. Guests will not be able to board prior to this time. All guests leaving the yachts must disembark by 8:30 AM mainland time (7:30 AM Galapagos Time).

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