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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Expedition
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs - M/Y LETTY - in their own words:
Immunizations: No inoculations are currently required for visitors to Ecuador and Galapagos. Please do check with your local health office at least two weeks prior to your departure for an update.
Time Zone: Ecuador is in the Eastern Time Zone (GMT-5). Daylight savings time is not observed. Galapagos is one hour behind mainland Ecuador. On board, mainland Ecuador time is observed.
Local Currency: US Dollar is the monetary unit. Be sure to bring small bills ($1, $5, $10 are best).
Language spoken: English is spoken aboard the vessels by guides and Captains. All crew speak Spanish.
Electricity: 110/AC 60 cycle (plugs are same as in the USA)
Gratuities to guides & crew: Aboard our yachts, gratuities are not included. We prefer that our guests reward our crew based on their performance. Tipping is a personal matter and passengers are encouraged to tip an amount they find appropriate. For those passengers who inquire, we suggest they follow our guidelines of $200.00 per passenger (per week). Gratuities are divided among all crew members including guides.
Travel Insurance: We recommend guests purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy to protect you and your investment before and during your trip. Travel insurance is available through a link on our web site to www.WorldNomads.com for passengers on the Eric, Flamingo & Letty.
Motion sickness: Due to strong currents, there will be moderate movement of the vessel while navigating. Most passengers are not affected. However, if you are prone to seasickness, we strongly urge you bring some type of medication to prevent motion sickness.
Medical facilities on board: The yachts carry first aid kits and medical supplies. The Captain and guides are trained in basic First Aid procedures. All yachts have radio contact with the mainland for any medical emergencies.
Communication: Most telecommunication providers have signal in Galapagos and passengers can use their smart phones that are activated for international calling on days when the yachts are in close range to port. The yachts do not offer WiFi service.
Smoking policy: Smoking is prohibited in enclosed areas aboard the vessels and on the Islands. Smoking is only allowed on the outside deck in a designated smoking area.
Drinking water: Bottled water is provided in your cabin and is free of charge. Filtered drinking water is provided during meal times. We suggest you do not drink water from the tap in your cabin. Water bottles can be refilled from the water container located in the bar area.
Purchases on board: Every passenger has an open tab at the bar and boutique, which are paid the last day of the cruise. We accept cash (US Dollars), Master Card or VISA credit cards only
Island visits/ Activities: Passengers will be assigned by Ecoventura to any of the three identical sister yachts Eric, Flamingo or Letty at the company’s discretion. The vessels anchor offshore at two visitor sites or Islands per day. Passengers are ferried to the landing point in zodiac style inflatable landing craft. 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 panga 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 (dingy) rides. Ecoventura is not currently offering any optional scuba diving until further notice.
Snorkeling equipment: 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.
Wet suits: Full 3mm wet suits are available for passengers to use during the cruise at no additional charge on a first come first serve basis. Wet suits are most popular from June to November when water temperatures are between 65 and 72 degrees.
Reserve a Wet suit: Passengers who would like to reserve a wet suit prior to the cruise may do so for a charge of $25.00 for the week. The fee will be charged to onboard account and paid at the end of the cruise. Reserved wet suits will be removed from the inventory and set aside for your exclusive use during the cruise. In order to reserve a wet suit, we need to know your approximate size (size selection may vary by yacht): Men: S, M, MT, L, XL, XXL, XXXL / Women: S, M, MT, L, XL / Children: S, M, L
Sea Kayaks: Each yacht carries two tandem and one single sea kayaks. They are available at designated sites during the cruise at no charge on a first come first serve basis.
How you can help Ecoventura benefit the local population
Ecoventura has pledged to sponsor the cost of 12 scholarships for one course/ module for local students age 16-17 from the islands of Isabela, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz to study conservation and ecology-related issues. The program is under the auspices of Ecology Project International, a non-profit NGO that has benefited over 600 Galapagos students since 2003. Students spend 50 hours in the field directly involved in conservation actions concerning invasive species and the health and release of turtles into the wild. Galapagos cruise. A $400 donation makes the course possible for one student. Ecoventura passengers can make donations at the EPI web site: www.ecologyproject.org/donate.
Ecoventura has helped to support various initiatives that benefit the local population living in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreano, San Cristobal. With a population of 5600, San Cristobal has the second largest population in the Islands. Through the foundation “Gotitas de Esperanza” (drops of hope), Ecoventura has pledged to sponsor the salaries for teachers and Physical Therapists who work at the Alejandro Alvear School on San Cristobal Island. Ecoventura has teamed up with Pack for a Purpose, www.packforapurpose.org, a charitable organization, By packing up to 5 lbs (2.27 kgs) of supplies suggested on the web site, you can make a big impact. The program is voluntary and available to Ecoventura passengers who would like the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children who live in Galapagos by bringing needed items with you to Galapagos. Ecoventura will collect and deliver supplies to the students at the Alejandro Alvear School.
Help us recycle and conserve energy during your cruise.
Ecoventura has implemented a waste management system and garbage-recycling program on all vessels. Please use the garbage receptacles placed on all decks with separate containers for plastics, paper, glass and organic waste. Organic waste is compacted and discharged according to International regulations and National Park requirements. Inorganic sold waste is classified into paper, glass and plastic and turned into the local municipal waste service and recycling center. Better yet – try to bring any packaging back with you to dispose of in the mainland. Signs are posted in your cabins to remind you to reduce, reuse and recycle. You will find two types of towels in your cabin. The green towels are to be used for the island visits and snorkeling. The white towels are to be used in your cabin only. Our policy is to change your towels daily. However, to conserve energy, only the towels that you place on the floor will be changed.
Follow the National park rules & regulations
The National Park establishes and maintains nature trails and interpretive signs. Signs posted on board our vessels list the National Park Rules & Regulations. During the orientation, your guide will go over the Galapagos National Park rules which you are required to follow. Visitors cannot legally go anywhere in the designated National Park area without being escorted by a licensed guide. During the cruise, listen to your naturalist guide and follow all the National park rules; they are as follows:
1) Please do not disturb or remove any native plant, rock or animal on land or in the water.
2) Be careful not to transport any live material or sand from one Island to the next.
3) Do not take any food or drink except water to the uninhabited islands.
4) Please do not touch, pet or feed the animals. Approaching them too closely or taking flash photography will disturb them.
5) Please do not startle or chase any animal from its nesting place.
6) Please do not leave any trash on the Islands or throw any litter overboard.
7) Please follow the marked trails at all times and do not walk out of their limits.
8) Please stay with your naturalist guide who must accompany all groups on the trails.
9) Please do not buy souvenirs of objects made from native Galapagos products (except for wood) especially black coral, sea lion teeth and shells of the Galapagos tortoises.
10) Do not smoke on the islands.
