Guided Touring in Ecuador and Galapagos

Passport

A full passport is required.

Visas

Visas are not required by British passport holders. Other nationalities please check with the visa section of their nearest Ecuadorian consulate.

Visitors are issued with a tourist card on arrival. Keep this safe as you will need to present it on your departure.

Health advice

Before booking, you should check with your doctor to see if any health precautions are needed. The following websites provide a wealth of information on travelling and health: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk  www.traveldoctor.co.uk

Travelling in Ecuador does not carry major health risks, provided simple precautions are followed.

You may feel the effects of altitude on arrival in Quito. The sun can be very strong at altitude, even through cloud cover, and it is recommended that you wear plenty of sun screen or keep covered up. Altitude will not be an issue on the islands.

If arriving into Ecuador from a country with endemic yellow fever you will be asked for a yellow fever certificate. Please consult your GP for up to date details.

Climate

Ecuador’s varied topography results in a variety of climate zones that are encountered on this holiday. Around Quito and the surrounding Andean peaks and valleys temperatures are pleasant and spring-like year round, with temperatures dropping in the mountains at night. The Galapagos Islands experience hot days and nights, due to the proximity of the Equator, although showers and cloudy periods can sometimes occur.

Money

The unit of currency in Ecuador is the US dollar. Traveller’s cheques are more secure than carrying cash (although are harder to exchange). Bills of $20 or more are harder to change so please make sure you bring some cash in smaller denominations for any extras such as drinks and souvenirs. You should ensure that you have access to emergency funds, a credit card being the most convenient.

Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, but a charge will usually be added. Often the most convenient and economical way to obtain money is to use a credit or debit card to withdraw cash from an ATM machine. Visa cards are most widely accepted by ATMs. Cash withdrawals should be done in Quito.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory, but is a means of recognising good service in most countries. Previously we have included tipping in the price of our holidays, but guest feedback has shown that guests would prefer this to be at their own discretion – to give more, or less, as a reflection of the service.

As guidance, we would recommend you allow £70 (approx $10-15 per day) per person for tips on this holiday to cover local staff and services.

For flights information please see Dates and Prices tab