I strive to make booking your dream trip seamless and stress-free. While I’m always here to answer any questions, I also want you to feel confident in the process. Here’s what to expect when you book with Experience Culture Travel:

Complete the registration form and authorize your deposit to reserve your place on this exclusive adventure. Spaces are limited, so early booking is highly recommended!

Your remaining balance will be due 65 days before departure. I’ll send you a reminder a week prior and ensure everything is in place for your trip.

Join us for an in-person or virtual meeting where we’ll meet the other travelers (if in person), go over key details, packing tips, and itinerary highlights, and answer any last-minute questions.

Meet at the airport (MSP for those who packaged flights in as well, otherwise meet at the Quito airport) and get ready to depart! From there, embark on an unforgettable exploration of the Galapagos, complete with breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, and immersive cultural experiences.

From the moment you make your deposit to the moment you get back home, I provide support so you can travel with peace of mind, knowing I'm here to assist you.

Ready to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure?

Meals: 

Breakfast (10) Lunch (2) Box Lunch (2)

Transport:

Private Air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout.

Arrival and departure transfers are included on a group basis.

Leader/Guide:

1-2 English Speaking Leader throughout (depending on group size)

Included Activities:

All activities listed in the itinerary

Optional Airfare:

If you are traveling out of MSP, you can opt to include airfare at $1,305/person.

• Transit control card ($20 per person), payable in destination

• Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($200 per person), payable in destination

• Isabela Entrance Fee ($10 per person), payable in destination

• Any visas required (US citizens traveling to Ecuador for less than 90 days do not require a visa)

• Services not mentioned in the itinerary

• Late check out at hotels

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary

• Drinks with included lunches and dinners

• Tips for leaders, guide and driver

• Expenditure of personal nature (souvenirs, etc.)

• International airfare (unless you've selected the Delta flight add-on)

• Travel Insurance (but can be added on)

• This tour includes adventure activities that may require a certain level of physical fitness. This trip will raise your heart rate. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.This trip includes a 17 km hike (approximately 6 to 7 hours) on rocky terrain. I recommend bringing comfortable shoes with good support.
• This trip involves a lot of travel by speedboat between the various Galapagos Islands. The rides can be quite bumpy at times, but the good news is that seasickness can often be managed with medication. Please consult a health professional to assess your suitability for such medication.
• Proximity to the equator means the sun in the Galapagos is incredibly strong. Ensure you are prepared with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. I also recommend a rash guard.
• This trip includes snorkeling on multiple days. Confident swimming skills are required to take part. Alternative activities will not be available.
• The Galapagos is a great place to switch off and take a break from your phone, as internet access can be patchy and wi-fi is not always available or reliable.
• Hot water can be sporadic in some parts of the Galapagos, so there may be a few cold showers on the trip.
• Ecuador uses the USD for currency, so you will not need to exchange money. For meals not included in the itinerary, you can assume to use about $25-50/person per day. While gratuities are not compulsory, if you'd like to tip you can assume $5-10/person per day for general tips, and $3-6/person per day for the tour guide tip.
• The minimum number of passengers needed for this trip to be confirmed is 10. If we do not get 10 passengers signed up, the trip will be postponed for a later date. Please do not book your airfare (if booking separately from the MSP optional add on) until you have been informed that the tour is guaranteed to go.
• Strict rules apply in the Galapagos Islands to protect and preserve its unique biodiversity. Intrepid supports these rules, which range from times of the day that a destination can be visited to the distance kept between people and wildlife. In particular, not removing anything from the environment (shells and corals, for example). All rules will be explained in more detail by your leader when you join the trip. Not adhering to these rules can lead to hefty fines for travellers and Intrepid losing the license to operate in the Galapagos Islands. Failure to adhere to the rules can result in your removal from the trip without a refund.

• Intrepid requires every traveler to purchase travel insurance. Experience Culture Travel will provide a quote, but you are not required to purchase the quoted insurance. You may purchase insurance elsewhere if you have a preferred travel insurance carrier. Please note: The Galapagos Islands are located approximately 1,000 km off the coast of mainland Ecuador. While the populated islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal have medical facilities, they are limited to in both the procedures they can perform and medical supplies. Please ensure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation by air, repatriation to your home country, pre-existing medical conditions, and, if required, supplies flown to the Galapagos from the mainland.