Galápagos & Ecuador Experience

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Please inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday. This is important because our leaders must consider both group and individual safety at all times.
Whilst out with the group, we respectfully request that you:

Please listen to any safety instructions and other directions from the leader
Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor
Please stay where you are if you become separated from the group. The leader will retrace their steps to find you.

Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you in your own kit (see Suggested Kit List).
In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services.. Please then call our emergency number (sent in your final dispatch) and let us know there is a problem.
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Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements and we will do our best to meet your needs.
If you require a specific meal on the flight, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel.
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This information is subject to change. In all cases, we highly recommend you consult your GP both for up to date details and for more information on what is appropriate to your situation. As a rule, travellers should be up to date with their routine vaccinations and boosters as recommended in the UK - including, for example, the MMR and diphtheria, tetanus, polio vaccines.
It is recommended for most travellers to have:

Hepatitis A
Tetanus vaccinations.

Some travellers may require:

Hepatitis B
Rabies
Typhoid
Tuberculosis/TB
Yellow Fever

If you will be arriving into Ecuador from a country with endemic Yellow Fever you will need to provide a Yellow Fever certificate. If you have recently travelled to a country with Yellow Fever - including Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda - you must be vaccinated at least 10 days prior to entering Ecuador and you must always carry an International Yellow Fever Vaccination card.
Requirements can change, and we recommend you check in good time ahead of your holiday.
On mainland Ecuador there is a low risk of malaria; the recommendation is to be aware of the risk and prevent/avoid bites. There is no risk of malaria in the Galápagos Islands.
Parts of Ecuador (including Quito at 2,800m) are at high altitude. Discuss the health risks associated with travelling to high altitude and how this relates to your health specifically with your GP before you travel. The Travel Health Pro website has a factsheet with more information and advice on how to reduce the risk of altitude sickness and recognise symptoms.
The Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism requires all travellers to the Galápagos to provide the following mandatory information before travelling to the islands:

Pre-existing medical conditions and/or allergies
Emergency contact information
Medical/travel insurance information
Advance Passenger Information

This information will be collected on the holiday; your local guide(s) will advise you further.
Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines is banned in some countries. If you will be carrying medication, please check with the country’s embassy/consulate prior to travel. As an extra precaution, it is recommended to:

Keep medication in its original packet
Take a copy of your prescription
If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country you’re visiting

For further information on country specific advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk
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Passports
Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry – this is a legal requirement and you may be denied entry if your passport does not have this.
Visas
Visas are not required for British Citizens, Australian, Canadian and US passport holders. Other British passport holders and nationalities should check the entry requirements in advance.
As of July 2025, all visitors will need to complete a registration card before travelling. The instructions on how to do this are below: 

Visit the official website: www.aduana.gob.ec
Navigate to: Servicio al Ciudadano → Para viajeros: Formulario de Registro Aduane
Create an account using your passport or ID number and a secure password
Complete the entry or exit form with your personal details and declare any goods, if applicable
Once submitted, you will receive a QR code, which must be presented at customs control

The registration card may be submitted up to 3 days before your travel date.
Additional Information:
If you are travelling with over $10,000 in cash, jewellery, or high-value documents, you are required to declare them. This measure is in accordance with Ecuador’s Law on the Prevention, Detection, and Combat of Money Laundering and aims to enhance border security and streamline customs procedures.
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It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.   
Essentials  

Walking boots 
Waterproof jacket 
Waterproof trousers 
Insulated jacket/top 
Walking clothing  
Walking socks (plus spares)  
Sunhat 
Gloves/mitts and warm hat
Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)  
Headtorch 
High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)  
Sunglasses with a dark lens 
Rucksack (15-30 litres)  
Mobile phone 
Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.) 
Passport 
Visa (if applicable) 
Copy of your travel insurance policy 
UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC) 

Recommended

Collapsible walking poles 
Swimwear and travel towel
Snacks
Dry bags
Rubbish bags
Insect repellent

Optional extras

Camera 
Sit mat
Flask for hot drinks 
Durable lunch box
Gaiters 
GPS device (excluding Bhutan, Georgia and India)
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Book your holiday ‘with flights’ and you can choose to depart from a range of UK airports* to your destination. For latest flight times and prices please call us on 0203-974-8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk  
If you choose to book your flights with us, we automatically include return transfers between the destination airport and hotel.  
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If you prefer to book the holiday without flights and make your own travel arrangements you will still be able to make use of the return group transfers between the airport and hotel, which are included in the cost of your holiday. You must contact us on +44 (0)20 3974 8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk at least 8 weeks before your holiday start date to provide your flight details if you wish to join the transfers. If you do not contact us, we will assume you are making independent travel arrangements.
If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the hotel reception for the HF Holidays’ leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group.
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Travel insurance is a condition of booking. Therefore, if you have not already arranged insurance, it is imperative that you do so before you travel.
For more information about healthcare and its costs, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/
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Please be aware that many of Ecuador’s most spectacular destinations are located at high altitude, with some excursions reaching up to 4,000 metres above sea level. At these elevations, the air is thinner and you may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, or mild altitude sickness. We recommend allowing time to acclimatise, staying hydrated, avoiding heavy exertion on arrival, and consulting your doctor before travel if you have any health concerns. Our team will support you throughout your journey, but it’s important to travel at your own pace and listen to your body. Preparation helps ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
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Spanish is the main language. You’ll most likely find many Ecuadorians speak at least some English but a few words in Spanish won’t go amiss – people in Ecuador typically greet one another on the street, wishing each other good day (‘Buenos días’), good afternoon (‘Buenas tardes’) or good evening (‘Buenas noches’).
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Luggage allowance
Please check details of your airline’s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked.
If you have chosen to upgrade your international flight, please be aware that any internal or connecting flights may have a lower baggage allowance. In these cases, the baggage allowance of the internal flight will apply for the whole journey.
Lost/damaged luggage 
If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline’s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport on arrival. They will assess the damage; in some cases, the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately.

You will be given a reference to quote to your insurance company if an immediate settlement is not possible - in many cases, baggage claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport.
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The unit of currency in Ecuador is the US dollar. Bills of $20 or more are harder to change so please make sure you bring some cash in smaller denominations for any extras such as drinks and souvenirs. You should ensure that you have access to emergency funds, a credit card being the most convenient.
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Your budget will depend on your own spending habits – you will need some money for drinks and any souvenirs you may wish to buy, but US$ 200 may be enough.
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Ecuador mainland: GMT/UTC -5 hours
Galápagos Islands: GMT/UTC -6 hours
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Electricity is 120V, frequency of 60hz. Flat two-pin plugs and three pin plugs with two flat and one round pin are used. We suggest you take a universal adaptor.
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Credit and debit cards are generally accepted in cities, but a fee is often added to the cost by the merchant. ATMs are available at most banks in urban areas; make sure you know your PIN.
We recommend you take cash with you to the Galápagos Islands - most businesses won't accept cards so have cash as a backup for any small purchases in case your card isn't accepted. Visa and Mastercard are the best options; a fee is likely to be charged as on the mainland. ATMs can be found in Puerto Ayora.
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