GALAPAGOS WILDLIFE CRUISE TRIP NOTES

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1 GALAPAGOS WILDLIFE CRUISE TRIP NOTES Trip Code: WAW (AAW) Country: Ecuador Amended: September 2013 Edition No: VB Valid from: 01 Jan Dec 2014 HIGHLIGHTS An extraordinary two-week cruise in the Galapagos Islands More landing sites on far-flung islands to discover more wildlife and less-visited areas Sail on a first-class schooner with just 16 berths Fantastic on-board service with experienced and engaging naturalist guides SUMMARY The Galapagos Islands lie approximately 1000km off the coast of Ecuador, famed as the location where Charles Darwin researched his seminal work, 'The Origin of Species'. They are one of the few places on Earth where the word 'unique' is no overstatement. Largely overlooked by humans for centuries due to a lack of drinking water or natural resources, the islands have evolved a fascinating array of endemic creatures, including Giant tortoises, marine iguanas and frigatebirds. But there is more here than just the wildlife. The Islands rich human history comes from their coveted status, where people from all walks of life would come. From English pirates and buccaneers to Spanish Bishops, many have dropped anchor here since the discovery in The 'Enchanted Isles,' as they were then heralded, are now one of the world's most celebrated ecotourism destinations. The importance of the Galapagos in Darwin's theories is well known, and stems from the fact that the islands are extremely isolated, with few external predators. The species inhabiting them have developed not only separately from their mainland sources of life, but even from the influences of those on the other Galapagos islands; similar species have undergone different development and show different characteristics from their cousins on other islands. Most people who visit the Galapagos go for a few days in one of the large cruise ships. The most satisfying and environmentally friendly way to see the islands, however, is to go in a small group on one of the local motor yachts, travelling more slowly, taking more time, and having plenty of opportunities to explore each of the individual islands and their wildlife sites. For the serious wildlife enthusiast there is much more to see than can effectively be covered in a week. Our fortnight's cruise allows you to spend time on all of the main islands, including visiting some which are out of range of the shorter cruises, including the beautiful western side of the largest island, Isabela, one of the most volcanically active places on earth. This itinerary is intended for those who have a particular interest in the wildlife, geology and environment of the Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: sales@exodus.co.uk

2 Galapagos and are happy to spend two weeks on a small boat in order to see as much as possible. Our one-week cruises alternate between two itineraries (A and B) covering the eastern and western islands respectively. This trip does both of these itineraries back to back. The eastern islands are older and thus have a greater variety of land animals and birds and it is only possible to see Waved Albatross nesting here (during season). The western islands are much more newly formed, with more striking volcanic scenery, the largest land iguanas and the richest seas, with a greater chance of seeing whales and dolphins. The brochure, the website or our sales team can advise which of the two itineraries each departure of this two-week cruise does first. THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Bartolomé: Galapagos penguins breed here and Green sea turtles nest on the northern beaches. As a result, it's one of the most photographed of all the islands. Española: As the oldest and southernmost island, Española has developed its own endemic flora. Marine iguanas change colour to attract mates, and the only breeding colony in the world for the critically endangered Waved albatross exists here. Fernandina: Known for volcanic eruptions and steaming craters, Fernandina is also one of the richest marine sites due to its westernmost location. Galapagos penguins thrive in the cold waters and Flightless cormorants exist only here and are extremely adapted to swimming. Floreana: One of the first islands to be inhabited, Post Office Bay is located here - partake in the centuries old Galapagos tradition of hand-delivering someone else's mail! Genovesa: Renowned for the sheer number of birds living on its volcanic cliffs, there are large populations of Red-footed boobies, Storm petrels, frigatebirds, tropic birds and nocturnal Swallow-tailed gulls. Isabela: One of the youngest and most volcanically active islands with stark lava fields blackening the landscape, Isabela is larger in size than all of the other islands put together. Five distinct subspecies of Galapagos tortoise are found in the cloud forest, but most wildlife relies on the sea; a great place to see dolphins and whales. North Seymour: A tiny island with a big colony of sea lions and frigatebirds - it's one of the best places to see males displaying their bright red pouches during mating season. You may also get to see an aerial performance as they steal food from boobies or gulls. Rábida: The striking russet sand differentiates Rabida from other islands; rich in iron, this is one of the most colourful islands in the Galapagos. Nesting pelicans can be seen amongst the red cliffs, whilst pink flamingos are found feeding in the island's saltwater lagoon. San Cristóbal: The first landing point for Charles Darwin in Huge numbers of sea lions are present here. Nearby Isla Lobos, reachable by boat, is also a big nesting site for Blue-footed boobies. Santa Cruz: The second largest island in the archipalego, Santa Cruz is home to Puerto Ayora where most Galapagos ships are docked for embarkation. Wild Giant tortoises live in the highlands and the Charles Darwin Research Station is found here. Santa Fe: The dense vegetation of Santa Fe is made up of some of the largest species of cactus, including a forest of Prickly Pear. Large numbers of the endemic Santa Fe land iguana reside here, one of the largest land iguanas found on the islands. Santiago: Home of Galapagos fur seal, which likes the rocky shoreline and shady spots of Santiago. The island is a good place to see Galapagos hawks and Darwin finches, and there's a popular snorkelling site called Chinese Hat where penguins, rays, turtles and playful sea lion pups reside. South Plaza: A tiny island formed of lava and carpeted with cacti and plants which give it a luxurious red surface. There is abundant birdlife on South Plaza including tropic birds and Swallow-tailed gulls. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? In the Galapagos there is quite a lot of walking in rough conditions, such as on sharp lava. Though you do not exactly need to be fit for this trip, you do need to be quite active, used to rough walking, to be able to swim and to withstand high temperatures to enjoy every part of this trip. If you are concerned about anything, the leader will always advise conditions prior to leaving the Cachalote and it is possible to skip any particular excursion if you would rather relax on board the boat. Landings on the islands are divided into two types: wet and dry. For dry landings, Cachalote's panga (motorised dinghy) will take you right up to a landing stage or rocky outcrop, where you can disembark without getting wet. However in some places where there is no landing stage the panga will stop close to a beach and you will be expected to walk through shallow water (generally no more than ankle-deep) to the shore. We offer these cruises in conjunction with our Ecuadorian partners, and Exodus participants will join an international group, not all of whom have booked through Exodus. Occasionally some of these may be younger than Exodus' minimum age for this trip. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Those on group flights arrive in Quito this evening. Day 2 Quito Free time today to relax, recover from the flights and explore this fascinating city. Quito is the second highest capital in the world, standing at 2,850m on the western cordillera of the Andes, and one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals of South America. Because of the altitude, visitors to Quito are advised to take it easy at first. (B) Day 3 Galapagos Cruise Day 1 We return to Quito airport for the flight to the Galapagos and the island of Baltra, which usually flies via Guayaquil. Our luggage will be taken to the boat, whilst we will take a short ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island where we drive to the highlands to look for wild tortoises. We follow this with a visit to the Charles Darwin Centre, where we can learn about the ecology of the islands and visit the centre's turtle hatchery. After this visit, we board the boat at Puerto Ayora, the island's main town. As we won't see our luggage after landing on Baltra until this evening, please make sure that you bring your camera, sun cream and appropriate clothing: comfortable footwear for some short walks (possibly amongst grass), light clothes, a hat/ cap and a light waterproof in case of a shower or mist. Our Galapagos Wildlife Cruise does both of our two seven-night cruising itineraries back-to-back. Whether the cruise does Itinerary A (eastern islands) or B (western islands) first, depends on the departure date of your trip (please ask your sales consultant if unsure). Below we list the schedules for the cruise itineraries A and B for each day. (B,L,D) 2

3 Day 4 Galapagos Cruise Day 2 Itinerary A: Walk on the tiny Plazas Islands to see a cactus forest, land iguanas and seabirds, then cruise to the white sand beaches of Santa Fe. Itinerary B: A short walk on the tiny island of Chinese Hat before snorkelling with sea lions (and penguins if lucky!); on to the dark red beach of Isla Rabida to walk amongst spatter cones, pelicans, Bluefooted and Nazca boobies. (B,L,D) Day 5 Galapagos Cruise Day 3 Itinerary A: A day at San Cristobal Island: the white sand beach, Blue-footed boobies and old cone of Cerro Brujo, Giant tortoise at Galapaguera and crystal clear waters around the striking spear of Kicker Rock. Itinerary B: We start three days exploring the largest island of Isabela with an optional early morning exploration of the mangroves at Los Tintoreras and walk to the huge 5-mile wide caldera on Sierra Negra volcano. In the afternoon it's possible to visit the Giant tortoise breeding centre on Isabela island. (B,L,D) Day 6 Galapagos Cruise Day 4 Itinerary A: Swim with sea lions and marine iguanas at Gardener Bay on Espanola (Hood) Island. In the afternoon, walk amongst Nazca and Blue-footed boobies and nesting Waved Albatross (in season) next to pounding surf at Punta Suarez. Itinerary B: Cruising round Isabela's west side, we hope to see whales and dolphins. We land at Punta Moreno's swirling fresh lava flows and also explore the islets of Elizabeth Bay with the largest colony of penguins in the Galapagos. (B,L,D) Day 7 Galapagos Cruise Day 5 Itinerary A: At Floreana Island snorkel in the spectacular sunken crater of Devil's Crown amongst thousands of fish. We wil then visit the lagoon at Punta Cormorant (often with flamingos) and Post Office Bay, the mailbox used by 18th Century whalers. Itinerary B: In 1954 Urbina Bay was uplifted 4 metres and we walk here amongst exposed coral heads, wandering Giant tortoises and huge land iguanas. We'll then make an afternoon visit to Tagus Cove and Darwin Lake, directly opposite recently active Fernandina Volcano. (B,L,D) Day 8 Galapagos Cruise Day 6 Itinerary A: To Dragon Hill, a nesting site for land iguanas with a large lagoon; dramatic Sullivan Bay with a walk on a huge lava flow only 100 years old before swimming from the white-sand beach in crystal clear waters. Itinerary B: Land at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina in the midst of a huge colony of marine iguanas; the sea life is very rich here and supports a large sea lion and fur seal colony. We then cross the straights and explore the cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela. (B,L,D) Day 9 Galapagos Cruise Day 7 Itinerary A: Less-visited Genovesa (also called Tower) Island is home to an abundance of Red-footed boobies, fur seals, storm petrels and Short-eared Owls. Here, we look for tropicbirds at Prince Philip Steps 3 before snorkelling, whilst at Darwin Bay, Galapagos mockingbirds also await. Itinerary B: Excellent birding on Santiago (James) Island at Puerto Egas followed by an afternoon snorkel and a walk amongst incredible volcanic scenery up little Bartolome Island - cones, lava tubes and Pinnacle Rock. (B,L,D) Day 10 Galapagos Cruise Day 8 Today the Cachalote will return to Baltra via Turtle Cove (Itinerary A) or North Seymour Island (Itinerary B), restock and start the second cruise itinerary of your trip. There will be the option to visit the Charles Darwin Centre again and return to the highlands on Santa Cruz, or else you can chose to take free time in Puerto Ayora (the main port of the Galapagos), where there are many shops, cafes and restaurants (your only chance for some shopping before we return to the islands!) Alternatively, you could visit Finch Bay to observe birds in the lagoon or walk 2.5km along a paved trail to Tortuga Bay this afternoon, where it's possible to see marine iguanas, shore birds and sea turtles on this stunning 1km beach. (B,L,D) Day 11 Galapagos Cruise Day 9 Itinerary A: Walk on the tiny Plazas Islands to see a cactus forest, land iguanas and seabirds, then cruise to the white sand beaches of Santa Fe. Itinerary B: A short walk on the tiny island of Chinese Hat before snorkelling with sea lions (and penguins if lucky!); on to the dark red beach of Isla Rabida to walk amongst spatter cones, pelicans, Bluefooted and Nazca boobies. (B,L,D) Day 12 Galapagos Cruise Day 10 Itinerary A: A day at San Cristobal Island: the white sand beach, Blue-footed boobies and old cone of Cerro Brujo, Giant tortoise at Galapaguera and crystal clear waters around the striking spear of Kicker Rock. Itinerary B: We start three days exploring the largest island of Isabela with an exploration of the mangroves at Los Tintoreras and walk to the huge 5-mile wide caldera on Sierra Negra Volcano. (B,L,D) Day 13 Galapagos Cruise Day 11 Itinerary A: Swim with sea lions and marine iguanas at Gardener Bay on Espanola (Hood) Island. In the afternoon, walk amongst Nazca and Blue-footed boobies and nesting Waved Albatross (in season) next to pounding surf at Punta Suarez. Itinerary B: Cruising round Isabela's west side, we hope to see whales and dolphins. We land at Punta Moreno's swirling fresh lava flows and also explore the islets of Elizabeth Bay with the largest colony of penguins in the Galapagos. (B,L,D) Day 14 Galapagos Cruise Day 12 Itinerary A: At Floreana Island snorkel in the spectacular sunken crater of Devil's Crown amongst thousands of fish. We wil then visit the lagoon at Punta Cormorant (often with flamingos) and Post Office Bay, the mailbox used by 18th Century whalers. Itinerary B: In 1954 Urbina Bay was uplifted 4 metres and we walk here amongst exposed coral heads, wandering Giant tortoises and huge land iguanas. We'll then make an afternoon visit to Tagus Cove and Darwin Lake, directly opposite recently active Fernandina Volcano. (B,L,D) Day 15 Galapagos Cruise Day 13 Itinerary A: To Dragon Hill, a nesting site for land iguanas with a large lagoon; dramatic Sullivan Bay with a walk on a huge lava flow only 100 years old before swimming from the white-sand beach in crystal clear waters. Itinerary B: Land at Punta Espinosa on Fernandina in the midst of a huge colony of marine iguanas; the sea life is very rich here and supports a large sea lion and fur seal colony. We then cross the straights and explore the cliffs of Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela. (B,L,D)

4 Day 16 Galapagos Cruise Day 14 Itinerary A: Less-visited Genovesa (also called Tower) Island is home to an abundance of Red-footed boobies, fur seals, storm petrels and Short-eared Owls. Here, we look for tropicbirds at Prince Philip Steps before snorkelling, whilst at Darwin Bay, Galapagos mockingbirds also await. Itinerary B: Excellent birding on Santiago (James) Island at Puerto Egas followed by an afternoon snorkel and a walk amongst incredible volcanic scenery up little Bartolome Island - cones, lava tubes and Pinnacle Rock. (B,L,D) Day 17 Fly to Quito Itinerary A: We explore the mangroves of Turtle Cove at dawn watching marine turtles rising for air; rays and herons fishing from the trees. Itinerary B: An early morning walk on North Seymour amidst Palo Santo trees and colonies of blue-footed boobies. Both itineraries: After a late breakfast we disembark for the journey back to Baltra to transfer to the airport and the flight back to the mainland. A short stop at Guayaquil is followed by what is often an exciting flight over the volcanoes of the Andes. We shall most likely see glimpses of the two massive volcanoes, Chimborazo and Cotopaxi, which dominate the skyline of this part of Ecuador. (B) Day 18 Fly to London The trip ends today after breakfast. Those on group flights will transfer to the airport for their return flight to the UK. (B) For those on group flights, these depart in the evening and will arrive in the UK the following day. NAPO WILDLIFE CENTRE EXTENSION Please call our Sales team for current prices. Stay in the Napo Wildlife Centre, a 100% community-owned lodge with 82 square miles of private reserve within the UNESCO Biosphere of Yasuni National Park. Our small, comfortable lodge in the Amazon Rainforest is 100% community-owned and so net profits are fed directly to the Anangu community and the preservation of the 82 square miles of pristine rainforest in which the lodge resides. Located inside Yasuni National Park, the Napo Wildlife Centre is perched on a hillside next to the small and picturesque Anangucocha Lake. Its small number of rooms and large private reserve means that visitors have excellent chances of spotting some of the many mammals living in the forest, everything from jaguar to sloths have been spotted here. The lodge also has the two most accessible parrot and macaw clay licks in Ecuador in its reserve and has constructed blinds at both - offering some of the best bird viewing in the country. The lodge has two spectacular canopy towers. The first and smaller is adjacent to the dining room allowing great views over the lake (particularly at sunrise and sunset) whilst the taller (120feet/36m!) is a 20 minute walk deep within the forest and emerges near the top of an emergent Ceiba tree offering a unique wildlife viewing position in an ecosystem that few people get access to. Whilst we generally need to charge a compulsory single supplement, there is sometimes shared accommodation available at Napo in which case this supplement can be completely waived. Please enquire with our sales team if interested. Itinerary: Day 18 Quito. We have a free day to relax or explore Quito and its surroundings. CH (B) Day 19 To NWC. We transfer to the airport this morning for a 40-minute flight from Quito to Coca. A short drive takes us to the dock where board a large motorized canoe for a two-hour ride down stream. At the entrance to the Napo Wildlife Centre reserve area, we transfer to smaller, paddled dugout canoes, so to not disturb the wildlife. This paddle can take anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on what is sighted en-route (a chance of spotting giant otters, whilst monkeys and countless bird species including toucans, parrots and macaws are often seen). Finally, we cross the spectacular Anangu Lake and arrive at the lodge to receive a welcome drink and briefing. SH (B,L,D) Days 20/21 NWC. Choice and flexibility is the key at the lodge. Rather than fixed programmes, the group and guide will design the most suitable programme to match their physical condition and personal interests. The following information, however, gives you an idea of what to expect at Napo Wildlife Centre. Very early starts are necessary to get the best wildlife viewing. The lodge has the most easily accessed and one of the best parrot clay licks in Ecuador. Being just an hour away, we can arrive at the lick before the parrot activity kicks off fully - around 7-8am. The lodge also has a 36m-canopy tower, which offers a fantastic insight into the various vertical layers of the jungle, and their inhabitants. The panoramic view from the top is magnificent, as is the bird viewing. Spider monkeys also frequent the higher canopy searching for fruit. Numerous trails from the lodge offer hikes amongst the primary rainforest and we will head out during the day to learn about the trees and the forest and the night in search of caymen and other nocturnal creatures. Naturally, exploring the lake and creeks by dugout canoe is a highlight and one of the best ways to see larger animals. SH (B,L,D) Day 22 To Quito. We return to Quito the same way we came - paddled canoe down the creek, motorised canoe back up the river to Coca and then a quick drive to the airport for the flight to Quito. CH (B) Day 23 End Quito (B) The return flight to the UK is normally an overnight flight, arriving in London on Day 24. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Cachalote I Offering quality service, our Galapagos boat Cachalote I is a charming 96-foot schooner. Features include panoramic windows in the saloon and dining areas, air-conditioning in every cabin and three spacious wooden decks. She is equipped with eight double occupancy cabins with en-suite WC and showers, seven cabins with lower and upper bunks and one matrimonial cabin. Bunks are reasonably spacious but cabin space is limited (average cabin size is 2m x 2m) and because of this there is minimal storage - we recommend that you pack lightly for this trip. Please note that a lot of the travelling between islands 4

5 is done overnight, so some cabin noise and movement should be expected. On board the Cachalote, meals are all served in a buffet style and there is a wide choice of food available, including vegetarian options. Drinks are available on board Cachalote I (at time of print; US$2 per beer, US$5 per glass of wine and US$5 for selected cocktails) and they ask that you do not bring your own alcohol with you. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements prior to travel. Drinking water is free onboard the Cachalote as well as unlimited tea/coffee. Single Accommodation: All cabins on Cachalote are twin-share, and therefore we can only offer single rooms in the Quito hotel. The single supplement for this trip applies to Quito only - please ask your Sales consultant for details. Extra Accommodation: Extra accommodation is available in Quito for those wishing to spend time in and around this beautiful colonial city. Please enquire for prices. TRANSPORT In Quito, transport is in a private air-conditioned minibuses, and in the Galapagos we use the Cachalote I for our main navigation and small semi-inflatable pangas (motorised boats or Zodiacs) for landings. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY the year at 20ºC, nights 8ºC. Some rain can be expected in February to May and October to November but storms, though heavy, are generally short, and Quito is considered to have quite a pleasant climate. It is possible to visit the Galapagos at any time of year, though the weather patterns are complicated and cannot be reduced to easy formulas. The weather is controlled by the two main ocean currents of the region, the cold Humboldt current and the tropical El Nino, which brings tropical water from the Gulf of Panama. How close to Galapagos they converge (which varies from year to year) is the key to the weather. 'Dry season' Late May to early December is generally the cooler 'dry' season. In this period it is not always dry, as there is a persistent light mist (garua) and drizzle, and the higher mountain slopes are often covered in cloud. The winds are in the southeast and are higher than at other times, so seas can sometimes be choppy during this period - anyone worried about seasickness might be better advised to avoid it. Daytime maximum temperatures lie between 27ºC and 31ºC, the cooler months being July to November. Fairly strong winds in July and August can make it feel quite cold at nights, though throughout the year the official night temperatures vary between 19ºC and 24ºC. 'Wet season' Depending on how close the convergence of the two currents comes to Galapagos, there may or may not be a wet season from January to April or May. Approximately every seven years El Nino actually hits the islands and there will be heavy rains in these months. In other years there is less rain, usually falling sporadically from otherwise clear skies. The ocean temperatures are higher, with generally calm seas and strong sunshine: pleasant, but potentially very hot. Apart from an El Nino year, the weather is usually better from December/January to April/May than at other times even if there is some rain, and most people regard these months as the best time to go. WHEN TO GO In the Galapagos, close wildlife encounters happen in abundance throughout the year and there is no best time to visit. However, seasonal variations do affect what you see and where, and there are climatic changes to be aware of. Here are some of the wildlife highlights throughout the year: January: Nesting land birds; Green sea turtles arrive to lay eggs on the islands beaches; land iguana s start breeding on Isabela. February: Nesting marine iguanas on Santa Cruz; Greater flamingos start nesting on Floreana. March: The bright red throat pouches of frigatebirds are inflated during mating season on Genovesa and San Cristobal. April: Huge numbers of Waved albatross on Española displaying courtship rituals; eggs of Green sea turtles begin to hatch; land iguana eggs hatch on Isabela. May: Courtship of Blue-footed boobies begins on North Seymour; Waved albatross on Española start laying eggs. June: Giant tortoises migrate to the lowlands and start nesting; migrating birds stop in the Galapagos to rest; migrating Humpback whales can often by seen around the western islands. July: Dolphins and whales are more likely to be seen around the western islands; Blue-footed boobies on Española start breeding. August: Nazca boobies nest on Genovesa Island; Sea lions start giving birth to pups. September: Penguins seen in the water when snorkelling around Bartoleme. October: Galapagos fur seals start mating; Blue-footed boobies start raising chicks. November: Curious sea lion pups found in the water amongst snorkelers. In Quito and the highlands it should be warm by day and generally dry. Maximum daytime temperatures are almost constant throughout December: Mating Green sea turtles; Waved albatross chicks fledge. 5

6 the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 3pm. Free Transfers Exodus offers FREE airport arrival and departure transfers on any flight for this trip, so no matter which flight you choose to arrive on you will be met and transferred to your hotel. All those taking advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full flight details for both arrival and departure in advance; unless specified otherwise, the transfer will be to the Exodus start (or pre-tour) hotel; transfers to other hotels in the same city may attract an extra charge; transfers may be shared with other Exodus customers on the same flight, or on a flight with similar arrival times. The cost of a taxi is likely to be about 8-12 (US$12-19) should you decide to make your way independently. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. FLYING VIA THE USA The US is known to have lengthy immigration queues which must be navigated by all passengers, including those in transit. We only book flights that meet the minimum valid connection time and wherever possible we will ensure there is at least a 2 hour window between connecting flights. If your flight to the US is delayed and the connection becomes particularly tight, we advise you to make your way as quickly as you can from the plane to immigration where you should make yourself known to an official in an attempt to move closer to the front of the queue. JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 19 days, normally depart London Mon, return Fri Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of American Airlines or Iberia (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. Flights from London with Iberia may stop in Guayaquil to and from Quito. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Free Transfers Exodus offers free airport arrival and departure transfers on any flight for this trip: please see the Free Transfers section below for more details. JOINING THE TRIP IN QUITO 18 days, normally start Quito Mon, end Quito Thu Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Quito in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. Our motor yacht has received the Smart Voyager sustainable tourism certificate, which awards its seal of approval to tour boat operators in Ecuador who meet a set of strict conservation standards for protecting the environment, wildlife and the well-being of workers and local communities. The crew on board are all excellently trained and friendly locals, whilst our guides have shown a real interest in preservation of the important environment of the Galapagos and not simply earning a living from it. The motor yacht utilises its sails when possible to reduce carbon emissions as it makes its way between sights, although the National Park regulations on being at sights at set times restricts this practice. When motoring, its sleek hull and efficient design (as a fully-functional yacht) results in greatly reduced fuel usage compared to other vessels touring the islands. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. British passport holders do not need a visa for Ecuador. Very few other nationalities need a visa for Ecuador, but if you are in any doubt you should contact the nearest Ecuadorian Embassy. 6

7 Please note that if flying via the US (even as a transit passenger) you must clear US immigration. Most UK citizens are eligible for visafree travel, but you must register on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which costs US$14 and is valid for two years. Please go to for more information. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for this trip. Recommended vaccinations for this trip are: Typhoid, Hepatitis A. We are advised that there is no risk of malaria on this trip. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited on this trip. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. If taking the Napo Wildlife Centre Extension, we recommend a Yellow Fever vaccination. Your certificate of vaccination may be inspected upon arrival at Coca Airport by the authorities. Malaria is present in this region of the Amazon Rainforest and you should seek appropriate medical advice on which prophylaxis to use (no risk in the Galapagos). The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Altitude Warning This trip goes to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Although rare, a number of medical conditions can also reduce your body's ability to acclimatise, and thus will affect your performance at altitude and make you more susceptible to AMS. If you are worried about any preexisting condition (e.g. heart problems), or unsure of your physical ability, we recommend that you seek medical advice prior to booking. Advice varies, but the consensus on how to combat altitude sickness seems to be to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluid (at least 4 litres per day) and rest for the first few hours when you reach altitude. When hiking, do not hurry - take your time, enjoy the scenery and give your body a chance to catch up. If you are breathing hard, you are probably ascending too quickly. If you are not taking out Exodus Travel Insurance, make sure that your policy covers you up to the maximum altitude on this trip, and includes helicopter evacuation. Please take proof of this with you on the trip, as you will need to show it to the leader. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your Post Office. This gives free medical care in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Local Time GMT -5hrs in Quito, and GMT -6hrs in the Galapagos Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 4 and 16 people. There will be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed. The cruise is led by an English-speaking guide registered with the Galapagos National Park service. In Quito there will be a local, Englishspeaking guide. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. SAFETY IN QUITO Quito is a city of almost 2 million inhabitants and as such there is a reasonably high crime rate - incidences of mugging and general pick pocketing are not uncommon. Most accommodation is located in La Mariscal district, a tourist area where there are a number of bars and restaurants. As in other big cities, this area can be a target for crime. Your trip leader will give you advice about the best practices to avoid becoming a victim, but we strongly recommend being careful by acting in the following way: 1. After dinner always take a taxi to your hotel, even if the restaurant is close to your hotel. Ask the restaurant to reserve a taxi and take a business card of your hotel to indicate the address to the driver. 2. Take only the yellow taxis that have a TAXI sign on top of the roof. 3. Take only what you need for the day or evening you are out of the hotel. We recommend taking a copy of your passport (not the original) and just the money you need for that day or evening. Do not wear expensive jewellery or take valuables with you. 4. Travel in groups wherever possible. 5. Keep your belongings such as camera, money and passport in the safe of the hotel wherever possible. 6. In case people want your belongings, do not resist - just give them what they ask for. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Ecuador is the US Dollar (USD), with an exchange rate of 1.56 to the UK. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. You should carry your money in US Dollars cash, since sterling can be difficult to change and may incur a poor exchange rate. Please note that obtaining change for larger denomination banknotes (US$100 and US$50) can be difficult, and in some cases they may not be accepted due to recent increases in the circulation of forged high value banknotes. You should carry a number of small notes (US$1 or US$5) for small transactions, as many small businesses and taxis do not carry large amounts of change. Although we no longer collect local payments on the majority of our trips, there is a compulsory locally payable Galapagos Tax of US$100, which is collected by the National Park Service on arrival at Baltra. In addition, all visitors to the Galapagos are required to obtain an immigration control card in mainland Ecuador - this costs US$10 per person and is also payable locally. Please note that Galapagos taxes are subject to increase without notice, and any such increase will be collected in Quito or Baltra. 7

8 ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques ATMs accepting major credit and debit cards are readily available in Quito: please contact your bank before travel to ensure compatibility. Travellers Cheques can be difficult to change in Quito and we don't recommend relying upon these. Extra Expenses and Spending Money All food is provided in the Galapagos, but for the days in Quito we provide breakfast only and you should budget around US$80 for all meals in Quito. Drinks and incidentals are quite expensive in the Galapagos, as everything is imported from the mainland. Snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) is available free of charge on the Cachalote, but wetsuits are charged at US$5.50 per day. Additional fees apply if the equipment is damaged. Alternatively, you can bring your own equipment to ensure a good fit. It is not possible to pay by credit card or travellers cheques for incidentals or other costs incurred whilst on-board. In February 2013 a new international airport opened in Quito and in April 2013 a new airport opened on the island of Baltra in the Galapagos. Airport tax (normally included within the cost of your ticket) has been subject to an increase as a result of this. Depending on the date that your flight ticket was issued, supplements may apply. At the time of writing, these were US$8.17 for domestic flights and US$15.86 for international flights through Quito, and US$30 for flights through Baltra. We have been updated that in April 2013 the port of Isabella has started charging a disembarkation fee of US$20 which can only be paid locally. Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) The following optional excursions are available from Quito but need a minimum of 2 clients to operate - arrangements can be organised on arrival subject to availability and payment can be made in Quito. Otavalo Day Tour (Saturday only) US$86 per person Cotopaxi National Park Day Tour (Thursday only) US$106 per person Mindo Cloud Forest Day Tour US$192 per person (minimum of 2 people required) Equatorial Monument Tour (3 hours) US$35 per person (minimum of 2 people required) Bellavista Cloud Forest Day Tour US$130 (1 client), US$ 110 per person (2 clients), US$100 per person (3 clients) Tipping (leader and local staff) Tipping is an optional but very much customary practice in Ecuador and forms part of the service culture. Due to the dominance of US visitors in the destination, tips are reasonably high and this is likely to add up during your stay. Please remember that you are never under any obligation to give a tip and you should only do so when you are happy with a service you have received. To show appreciation to local guides on the mainland, a tip of around US$3-5 per day from each group member is sufficient. Drivers and other local staff may be given closer to US$1-2 in tips per day. You may want to form and manage a 'tip kitty' with the other members of the group to facilitate tips. By definition, gratuities are not something we can include in the tour cost. It is also usual for groups to tip the boat crew in addition to the guide. It would be reasonable for each group member to contribute about US$10-15 a day collectively for the crew and staff in the Galapagos. You may also wish to tip the naturalist guides directly and this is at your discretion, but $5 per person per day would be a good gratuity. If your trip visits the Napo Wildlife Centre, you will have two leaders - one is a wildlife guide or biologist who will speak English and the other will be from the local tribe and may not speak English but is highly skilled at spotting and identifying wildlife. The two working together should provide an excellent service and if you think both do a good job, then a tip of about $20 per person to each leader for your stay would be well received. You may also wish to leave a tip for the other lodge staff and a central box is left for this (like the boat, US$10-15 per person per day is a good tip). WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Sunglasses; sunhat; sunscreen; strong-soled shoes for walking on the islands; flashlight. Due to the limited storage facilities available on the boat, hard suitcases will be difficult to store so we recommend that you take a soft holdall or rucksack for this trip. Optional items: Canvas shoes or waterproof sandals for wading ashore if you don't like wet landings; swimming gear; waterproofs; camera with telephoto lens, spare memory cards and batteries; binoculars. Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. Internal flights in the destination country are subject to a weight limit of 20kg. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Reading List: Exodus suggests below a series of books, guides or maps that may be useful or interesting for your trip. The Enchanted Islands: the Galapagos rediscovered, John Hickmann (Bradt Publications), Interesting account of the history of the Galapagos. Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands - a travel survival kit, Rob Rachowiecki (Lonely Planet Publications), Useful and inexpensive guide. Galapagos Guide, White & B. Epler (Available in Ecuador), Inexpensive little guide. Galapagos (Key Environment Series), Perry (Pergamon), Detailed and scholarly study of the ecology and wildlife of the islands. Galapagos: a Natural History Guide, M.H. Jackson (University of Calgary Press), The best guide: a mass of detail in very readable form. The Galapagos Islands, Pierre Constant (Odyssey Passport), Translated into English in A Guide to the Birds of the Galapagos Islands, Christopher Helm (Castro & Phillips) Galapagos: Islands Lost in Time, Tui de Roy Moore (Viking) Tui Moore was brought up on the islands; this personal memoir includes a truly astounding collection of her photographs. The Galapagos Affair, John Treherne (Triad), Mystery story based on actual events: strange and entertaining. Galapagos, Kurt Vonnegut (Grafton), An amusing evolutionary spoof: Darwin in reverse. Field Guide to the Birds of Galapagos, Harris (Collins), Useful and very practical guide. Plants of the Galapagos Islands, K. Schofield (Bradt Publications), A field guide to the flora, concise and easy to use. Floreana Margaret Wittmer (Anthony Nelson), Account of 56 years in the Galapagos by one of the most famous early settlers. My Father's Island, Johanna Angermeyer (Penguin), Same sort of thing, different family. Maps: Galapagos Islands (Explorer) A good general map of the archipelago showing major geographical features and with factual information on fauna and flora, history and geography. For further information contact Stanfords at Long Acre, London, WC2E 9LP. Tel: Website: Exodus Travel Essentials Store: If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our very own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials' in partnership with Amazon. If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', 8

9 HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 9