The Galapagos :
Life aboard the vessels cruising the Galapagos ranges from
informal to very informal. Dress is casual - shorts, tee shirts,
swim suits; jeans/slacks and a windbreaker or sweater. Be
sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, ample protection
from the Equatorial sun (including a hat); and it is highly
recommended that you bring a lightweight backpack to carry
your camera, excess film and a towel (for drying off after
wet landings). Do not over pack. There are weight restrictions
on the flights (30 pounds per passenger) and you need only
a minimum of casual clothing. Your excess luggage may be left
at the hotel in Quito or Guayaquil in storage.
Suggested items to pack:
|
Khaki pants and Bermuda shorts |
|
Cotton shirts and T-shirts |
|
Windbreaker or sweater |
|
Good walking shoes (tennis shoes will do) |
|
Rubber-soled shoes or thongs (Tevas are popular) |
|
Small backpack or knapsack |
|
Camera with lots of extra film |
|
Bathing suits (2) |
|
Sunscreen |
|
Snorkeling equipment |
|
Hat or scarf |
|
Underwater camera |
|
Sunglasses/strap |
|
Sea sickness medication |
|
Wet suit (July-November) |
The Amazon :
Please Note: There is a baggage limit of 44
lbs. (20 kg) per person on the aircraft for passengers traveling
to the Ecuadorian
Amazon Basin plus a carry-on bag per passenger. If
you are going to be checking in more weight then the regulations
allow, you will be charged directly by the local airline or
may not be allowed to take it aboard the local airline. This
limit should not pose a problem to most Amazon bound travelers,
and most of the hotels in Quito will store your extra baggage
or dress clothes and heavy jackets for you while you are traveling
to the different destinations within Ecuador.
Suggested items to pack for the Ecuadorian Amazon
|
Good set of binoculars for wildlife / bird-watching |
|
Your camera and personal video gear |
|
3 pairs of lightweight comfortable long pants |
|
2 or 3 long-sleeved lightweight shirts |
|
3 lightweight T-shirts |
|
Lightweight sweater or windbreaker |
|
Rain gear or lightweight poncho |
|
3 or 4 pairs of athletic socks |
|
1 pair of cross-trainer shoes and/or sturdy hiking boots and sandals |
|
Small waterproof day pack for daily excursions |
|
A canteen to carry water on your hikes |
|
Plastic bags to cover glasses and other eye gears |
|
Strong insect repellent product |
|
Small umbrella which is in the common light rains |
|
A hat for sun protection and that will stay on during windy boat rides). |
|
Personal toiletries and prescription medications |
|
Extra batteries, film and video tapes |
Suggested Reading
Field Guides:
|
Darwin's Islands, A Natural History of the Galapagos, by Ian Thornton |
|
Galapagos, A Natural History Guide, by M.H. Jackson |
|
A Field Guide to the Fishes of Galapagos, by Godfrey Merlen |
|
Plants of the Galapagos Islands, by Eileen K. Schfield |
|
A Field Guide to the Birds of Galapagos, by Michael Harris |
Highly Recommended:
|
Galapagos, Islands Lost In Time, by Tui de Roy |
|
Galapagos, Discovery on Darwin's Islands, by Steadman and Zousmer |
|
Galapagos, a Terrestrial and Marine Phenomenon, by Paul Human |
|
Key Environments, Galapagos, by R. Perry |
|
The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin |
Visit the Galapagos Islands book section at:
The Galapagos Archipelago is located on the Equator and its climate is sub-tropical, allowing cruises to operate on a year round basis. Temperatures are determined almost entirely by the ocean currents that are influenced by the trade winds. Generally, December to May is warm and sunny; June to November is cool and breezy. Most birds nest year round, so you can see courtship, mating, chicks hatching and rearing almost any time of the year.
Temperatures are shown in Fahrenheit:
| Temperatures |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
Max. Air Temp. |
84 |
86 |
88 |
86 |
82 |
78 |
76 |
74 |
76 |
77 |
78 |
80 |
Min. Air Temp. |
70 |
74 |
74 |
72 |
72 |
68 |
66 |
64 |
62 |
64 |
66 |
68 |
Avg. Sea Temp. |
74 |
76 |
76 |
76 |
74 |
74 |
72 |
66 |
68 |
70 |
72 |
74 |
Avg. Rainfall (in.) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1.5 |
0.75 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
English and Spanish are spoken aboard the vessels by guides and officers.
GMT-6 in the islands and GMT-5 on the mainland. Ecuador does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
Ecuador has adopted the U.S. Dollar as its currency.
There are worldwide connecting flights to Quito and Guayaquil,
on the Ecuadorian mainland. Specially arranged flights (contracted
by the cruise operators) from the Equadorian mainland serve
the archipelago's two airports. The airports in Baltra and
San Cristobal are served by TAME Airlines. The airport on
San Cristobal is also served by AreoGal airlines. Passengers
fly from the mainland on the morning of the departure date
of the cruise. The cruises sail from Baltra or San Cristobal.
The airport to which you fly will depend upon which ship
you are booked on. The flights to and from the Galapagos
are automatically confirmed when the cruise arrangements
are confirmed. All passengers must arrive on the mainland
at least one day prior to the departure date of the cruise.
Passports for non-Ecuadorian citizens visiting Ecuador must
be valid for at least 6 months from the travelers planed
return date.
As always, if you have any specific questions about traveling to the Galapagos Islands, you may contact us. We would be happy to answer your questions.
