• A professional and qualified naturalist guide

• All activities and excursions listed in the itinerary

• All accommodation as described

• All meals during the cruise

• Bed and breakfast basis for the 2 nights in Quito

• All land transport required by the itinerary

• Return flights from Quito to the Galapagos

• Airport transfers on arrival and departure

• Snorkelling equipment

• Purified water tea and coffee on board the boat

• Travel Insurance

• Visas

• $100 Galapagos National Park fee ($200 from 1 Aug 2024) payable in cash on arrival at the airport on Galapagos

• $20 Transit Control Card (payable in cash on departure from Quito Airport to the islands)

• Some meals as described in the meal plan

• Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional

• Tips / Gratuities to guides and crew

• Miscellaneous personal expenditure - drinks and souvenirs etc.

• Optional wetsuit hire

• Single Supplement

A single transfer from Quito Airport to the group hotel is provided in the morning of Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary. On the last day of the Land Only itinerary, there will be a single transfer back to Quito Airport timed to meet flights departing in the morning.

All meals when on board the Monserrat Yacht are included. For the 2 nights on the mainland the hotel is booked on a bed and breakfast basis.

All meals are provided aboard the Monserrat. The professional chef and kitchen staff will prepare a mix of local and international food to a high standard to be enjoyed either on the boat’s sun deck or the interior dining room. A substantial breakfast, warm lunch and dinner will be served each day. There is no set menu as the chefs creatively adapt to the local produce on offer and the needs of the group. Most dietary needs can be met if the chefs are given enough notice (please inform us at time of booking).

The chefs will also provide a cooking class each departure, where guests learn how to prepare Ecuadorian style Ceviche – a traditional delicacy in which raw fish is cured in citrus juices - on the sun deck.

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide for special diets.  Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your meals with food/snacks from home.  If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice.  Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

For the 2 nights on the mainland we stay in a lodge on the outskirts of Quito, it is situated 20 minutes from the Old Town. During the Galapagos cruise we stay 7 nights on the Monserrat Yacht. All cabins are modern, en-suite and have air conditioning. There are a mixture of twin and double cabins. The 6 upper deck cabins all have windows while the 4 lower deck cabins have portholes with great interior natural light.

The yacht has many social exterior and interior areas for you to enjoy while you relax after a day of excitement and activity. Exterior areas include a sun bathing area in the upper deck, as well as a partially covered area on the sun deck, all with reclining chairs.
If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. If you are planning on extending your holiday additional nights at the group hotel are available on request.

The group will be accompanied by a professional naturalist guide.

The Ecuadorian government currently levies a Galapagos Islands Park entry fee of $100 USD per person (increasing to $200 from 1 Aug 2024). This is payable at the airport upon arrival in the park. It is not included in the cost of the tour, and must be paid in CASH. This fee funds Park maintenance and supervision in Galapagos, as well as ecological study, conservation and infrastructure development in Ecuador's other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the National Park System are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage.

You will need $100 in cash ($200 from 1 Aug 2024) for the Galapagos park fees + $20 Transit Control Cards fee in cash on departure from Quito Airport to the Galapagos. Additionally to these essentials, approximately £350-400 per person (or equivalent in US dollars) should be allowed for tips, soft drinks, snacks, non-included meals and miscellaneous expenses. Alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, and optional activities are additional so you may wish to budget for these.

You should take your money in USD dollars to change into local currency. There will be the opportunity to change money at the airport and during the holiday. You will also be able to get currency from bank ATMs. Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100 USD. Credit cards are useful and it is a good idea to carry one in case of emergency.

Tipping is expected, although not compulsory, and is an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your holiday. As a guideline a per traveller tip of USD 200-400 per week for your guide and boat crew is suggested. Further smaller tips for local boat staff, hotel staff and guides on any excursions should be accounted for as well.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack.

For the domestic flights to the Galapagos you are allowed a maximum of one piece of luggage per person weighing a maximum of 23 kg, plus one carry-on piece weighing a maximum of 10 kg.

For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline.

A good size daypack is also essential. If you don't wish to take all of your luggage with you to Galapagos, please ensure you have an extra bag you can leave behind at hotel storage and pickup on your return.

Please note that Galapagos is a protected National Park so your luggage will be checked before arrival and departure to and from the islands. Don’t bring any food, seeds or other organic material that could affect the delicate ecosystem of the islands.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.