2019 - Escape to the Galapagos Islands ECUADOR’S WRITING ... · up your luggage. Our local representant will take charge of you at the exit of the airport. You will reach the Canal

Ecuador is a country of spectacular variety and beautiful scenery.From beaches to volcanoes, you can expect to find almost any kind ofenvironment here. Ecuador is one of the few countries that has sucha variety in types of regions, the coast, the mountain range, theamazon and in the peninsular area, the Galapagos Islands.This meansEcuador's tourism opportunities are some of the best in the world. Italso means that there are a lot of activities to enjoy in this country.Best of all, Ecuador offers the opportunity to enjoy the ruins leftbehind by the Amerindian cultures that populated this country manyyears ago. It also gives easy access to one of the greatest rainforestsin the world – the Amazon! Besides the Amazon, the Galapagos Islandshave much to offer to the intrepid adventurer. You will never run out ofplaces to discover when you visit Ecuador!Ecuador video presentation

ECUADOR’S WRITING RETREAT APRIL2019 - Escape to the Galapagos Islands

General informationStart date : April 3 - 14, 2019Category : GIR circuitDuration : 12 daysValidity prices : 09/07/18For all public

5 days escape to the Galapagos islands, where Darwin got his inspiration for "The Voyage of the Beagle" and later on "TheOrigin of Species". Without mentionning Herman Melville's "The Encantadas, or Enchanted Isles", or even Kurt Vonnegut's"Galapagos".

Visited countries

Ecuador

Terra EcuadorYour designer : william wadouxCreation date : May 10, 2018

When traveling in Ecuador, a visit of the Galapagos islands is anabsolute must! The archipelago is approximately 1000 km off theEcuador coast and is composed of 3 big islands, 7 small islands and47 rocky islands, with a total surface of 8000 km2. They becamefamous since the exploration by Charles Darwin in 1835 who wasinspired in such a way by this particular natural life, that he wrote histheory about “The origins of species by means of natural selection”.Classified as a World Natural Heritage by the UNESCO in 1979, thearchipelago is a real size observation laboratory for the study of thevegetation and animal life.For the diving lovers, there are many opportunities to discover thegreat variety of sea animals in an unforgettable experience. TheGalapagos islands contain many stunning landscapes: from moon-likeplaces to places of abundant vegetation, they well deserve to benicknamed as the "Wonder Islands".

Regions to discover

The Galapagos

Your itinerary

Your trip summary Day 8 - Wednesday 10/04/19 : Otavalo - Quito Airport - Baltra - Santa Cruz Day 9 - Thursday 11/04/19 : Santa Cruz - Isabela - Puerto Villamil Day 10 - Friday 12/04/19 : Isabela - Puerto Villamil Day 11 - Saturday 13/04/19 : Isabela - Puerto Villamil Day 12 - Sunday 14/04/19 : Isabela - Baltra - Quito Airport

distance : 74milesduration : 02:00

From Otavalo, you will directly go to Quito's Airport.Transport with a spanish-speaking driver to Quito's airport.Domestic flight Quito - Baltra.At the airport, after the payment of the migratory card ($20 per person) and theluggage control (20 kg maximum per person and 10kg for the hand luggage perperson), you can check in and embark for a 3 hours flight.

Arrival at Baltra airport, located on a small island near Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is thesecond biggest island of the archipel by its surface and the most populated. You willpay the entrance fee to the Galápagos National Park ($100 per person) before pickingup your luggage.

At the airport, after the payment of the migratory card ($20 per person) and theluggage control (20 kg maximum per person and 10kg for the hand luggage perperson), you can check in and embark for a 3 hours flight.

Arrival at Baltra airport, located on a small island near Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is thesecond biggest island of the archipel by its surface and the most populated. You willpay the entrance fee to the Galápagos National Park ($100 per person) before pickingup your luggage.

Our local representant will take charge of you at the exit of the airport. You will reachthe Canal of Itabaca in public bus (5 minutes) and you will cross the canal in publicboat. From there, you will continue on the main island in private pick-up to arrive toPuerto Ayora ( 45 minutes)

You will visit the Charles Darwin Station. Here, you can learn about the ongoingconservation efforts on these Enchanted Islands. The Research Station rears endemicGalapagos plants, land iguanas, and giant Galapagos Tortoises for educational,scientific and conservation purposes.

Remark 1: These price can't be paid in advance by our services, they have to be paiddirectly at the spots.

Remark 2: If the arrival time is before 10am, you will make a visit in the Highlands, at theTwin Craters or at Manzanillo ranch to see the giant turtlesin the wild, before reachingPuerto Ayora.

Night in Mainao hotel in Santa Cruz island.

Included: private transport, transfer departure, domestic flight, lunch (no drinks), transferarrival, room, excurs ion (shared), local english-speaking guide

duration : 02:30

For this morning, we will take the public speedboat to Isabela (2:30 approx.), the largestisland of Galapagos and the most wild of the three biggest ones.

At Puerto Ayora harbour, your luggage will be checked again before embarking. You willneed to take a taxi-boat (between $us 0.50 et $us 1 maximum per person) to reach theboat with which you will make the journey between the two islands.This service is to paydirectly on the taxi-boat.

At Ihe arrival in Isabela, you will need to take another taxi-boat (maximum $us 1 perperson) to disembark on the island. You willl also need to pay the local tax ($us 10) atIsabela harbour.

Once arrived at Isabela, you will have some time to rest at the hotel or walk around tothe village.

You can also head to the Concha y Perla lagoon, where you could swim if lucky with sealions, colorful varieties of fish, sea turtles and penguins.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Tintoreras Islet (20 min. from the port). The name ofthe islet derives from the sharks that live in the waters surrounding the islet that havewhit-tipped fins, which are known as “Tintoreras”. The islet is one of the mostfascinating places on Isabela Island and in fact all of the Galapagos. In this one area wecan see sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally lightfoot crabs, seaturtles, pelicans, and Galapagos penguins. As the island is one of the main breedingsites for the marine iguanas, it is an excellent place to see numerous amounts of thesecreatures close-up. After the hike through the islet, we will get back on the boat andcool off by snorkeling in the waters nearby, where we can see multicolor fish, starfish,

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 8 : Wednesday 10/04/19, Otavalo - Quito Airport - Baltra - Santa Cruz

Day 9 : Thursday 11/04/19, Santa Cruz - Isabela - Puerto Villamil

sea-urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions that may swim with usclose up. we ensure you that you will not forget this fascinating experience.

Night in Wooden House hotel.

Included: room & breakfast, lunch (no drinks), dinner (no drinks), boat ticket, excurs ion(shared), local english-speaking guide

After breakfast we will prepare ourselves to depart for the Tunnels | Cape Rosa is a sitelocated at 40 minutes by boat southwest of Puerto Villamil. The sighting of birds andmarine animals from the lava platform is one of the most important attractions. Whilesnorkelling at this site, experience enclose encounters with many species of fish, rays,sea turtles, penguins and sea lions.During the rest of this day, we suggest to visit the Breeding Center of the GiantTortoises and the Humid Lands on your own.Night in Wooden House hotel.

Included: room & breakfast, dinner (no drinks), box lunch, excurs ion (shared), local english-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment

Early in the morning (8:00 am aprox.), after breakfast, we will prepare ourselves for theSierra Negra Volcano hike by putting on comfortable walking shoes and possibly a rainjacket, making sure our cameras are stored in waterproof bags, making sure to bringsunscreen, water, and hats, and finally by preparing our box lunch at the hotel to takewith us.

We will then travel approximately 45 minutes by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike(appx. 3 hours). The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as theinclines and declines are quite gradual. Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largestcrater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. Wewill reach Volcan Chico before heading back, which should provide a spectacular view ofthe incredible moonlike terrain.

Return to Puerto Villamil for free end of afternoon.Night in Wooden House hotel.

Included: room & breakfast, dinner (no drinks), box lunch, excurs ion (shared), local english-speaking guide

duration : 02:30

After a short early breakfast, departure by public boat to return to Puerto Ayora. You willbe taken to Baltra's airport so as to get your flight back to the continent.Domestic flight Baltra - Quito.

Free connection for your international flight from Quito. According to your flightschedule, you will dispose of more or less free time.

Included: boat ticket, transfer departure, breakfast, domestic flight

Day 10 : Friday 12/04/19, Isabela - Puerto Villamil

Day 11 : Saturday 13/04/19, Isabela - Puerto Villamil

Day 12 : Sunday 14/04/19, Isabela - Baltra - Quito Airport

YOUR ACCOMMODATION

Category : 3*☎ : 05 252 7029Calle Matazarnos e Indefatigable, Puerto Ayora, Galapagoshttp://www.hotelmainao.com

This Arabic-Moroccan construction, with peaceful patio, making it theideal place for resting and relaxing.

Information : Available meals : BAvailable services : Air conditioning, Safety box, Laundry.Capacity : 22 rooms (3 Suites, 54 pax)Check in / out : 14:00 / 10:00Access to Internet : Wifi in all rooms.

Category : 3*☎ : 05 252 92351er hotel saliendo del puerto., Isla Isabela, Puerto Villamil, Galapagoshttp://www.thewoodenhouse.com.ec

The Wooden house is located on Isabela Island, in Puerto Villamil on theroad to the dock. The wooden House offers a high quality ecotourismexperience. A hostel where one will feel just like being at home.

Information : Available meals : B / L / DAvailable services : TV, Air conditioned, Ceiling fan, Hot water showersCapacity : 9 rooms for 2 to 4 persons. Max : 30 persons.Access to Internet : Wifi

Certification : Responsible Tourism:

cancellation policyfrom to % comment

60 29 50.0030 1 100.00

Mainao dates : 10/04

The Wooden Housedates : 11/04 - 12/04 - 13/04

Hotels availability

• Hotels are subject to availability at the moment of the reservation / confirmation of your trip. • In case of unavailability at one of the indicated hotels, another option in the same category will be proposed.

Included :

• Hotel and touristic services taxes• English speaking assistance 24h/24 during the trip• Guide, private transportation, entrance fees and the excursions indicated as "included" in each day• All breakfasts (not guaranteed if leaving early the hotel) • Lunch and dinner indicated as « included» in each day• Nights in indicated hotels or equivalent in twin or matrimonial room.

Not included :

• International flight • Domestic flight (in option)• Options• Individual equipment• Hospitalization / medical repatriation insurance (mandatory)• Lunch and dinner not mentionned (around 8 to 16 $US / person / meal) • Beverages • Tips (restaurants, guides and drivers)• Not mentionned visits• Any services not mentionned in section "our prices include"• For a journey to Galapagos, price per person: entrance tax to the Galapagos national park (100 $US), likely to increase anytime without previous notice, migration card (20 $US), any embarkment tax (ex.: Isabela (10 $US), taxi-boats in harbour.

Pictures

This proposal uses pictures that cannot be considered as contractual. They can not reflect changes occured in the sites and

Rates notes

EWR: Escape to Galapagos - Rates per person in doubleroom

for 4 persons: 1 918 $us per person

for 5 persons: 1 918 $us per person

for 6 persons: 1 913 $us per person

for 7 persons: 1 909 $us per person

for 8 persons: 1 906 $us per person

for 9 persons: 1 904 $us per person

for 10 persons: 1 902 $us per person

for 11 persons: 1 902 $us per person

for 12 persons: 1 901 $us per person

Sup. single room: 308 $us

not match exactly to the service, especially in the case of hotels with rooms that can be all different. Therefore they cannotbe used as a base for any claim.

Tips

It is an habit in Ecuador to reward your guide and driver who went with you all along your trip. We remind you that the tips arenot included in this offer : therefore at the end of your stay, do not forget to make a gesture toward whom had attentions foryou, having you discovering their country with passion.

Booking / Payment :

Any reservation must be performed with along a deposit that represents 30% of the total price of the services plus 100% ofthe airtickets; the reception of this deposit implying the acceptation of the booking only if the places are still available. Incase of agreement, the rest of the price of the services will have to be paid 45 days before the effective start of the package.At the confirmation of this proposal, it will be asked to the customer to provide as soon as possible the informationconcerning the travellers (forenames, first names, birthdays, passports number and as quick as possible a scanned copy ofthe passports), so as to guarantee the bookings. Terra Andina Ecuador will no be kept responsible if the information is notreceived on time and if the reservations are impacted.

Terms and conditions of sale :

Any confirmation implies the acceptance of our terms and conditions of sale.

Children in Galapagos

The majority of Operators in the Galapagos impose that the less than 6-year-old children can participate neither in the day-tours on boat nor in the cruises for obvious reasons of safety. If you do not respect this rule, you will be completelyresponsible for any event that may occur.

Natural activity

Ecuador being a country situated in the Andes and thus on a "young" volcanic chain, we are submitted to the fact that theauthorities, which watch the volcanic and seismic activity, decrete at any time the ban on access to certain regions of thecountry, for obvious reasons of security. It concerns just as much the Galapagos, the archetypal volcanic archipelago (inparticular the volcano Sierra Negra). It is then about a case of "force majeure" for which we shall try to compensate at best byproposing you an alternate activity. We shall ask you then for your understanding, being not our responsibility.

In case of emergency

Your international flight

The international flights are not included in these prices y we do not offer this service for not being competitives and not IATAagreed. In general, you can find on internet the best fares and it will be more advantageous to book by yourself the flights.You can visit our website to get more information on the international flights for Ecuador; see this internet platform to find thebest offers : www.vols-internationaux. On the other hand, it will be a pleasure for us to book the domestic flights. Please feelfree to contact us for some help or additionnal information.

Our quality commitment

We invite you to consult our quality commitment, common to all the Terra Group agencies, by clicking on.

Passport

Your passport must be valid 6 months after your date of return to your country. It is of your responsibility to get properinformation concerning a required visa according to your nationality and origin. You may have, as for most of the countries, a90 days turistical visa at the entrance in Ecuador.

Sexual tourism

We condemn any practice linked to sexual explotation of children. Any activity related to prostitution is entirely yourresponsability and will never be proposed by our agency.

Useful links

Notes

Terra Ecuador's ASSETS

- Our local expertise of Ecuador and Galápagos, from Quito.- Our technical knowledge of activities and fine assessment of hotels we carefull pick-up and fine tune specifically for yourtravel- Our meticulous selection of qualitative and confident providers here in Ecuador- Our team, mix of rich personalities, with original experiences and melted profiles… all in love with Ecuador- Our belonging to TERRA network with its own identity and shared values- Our originality through our ability to re-enchant our proposals for any kind of traveler, even atypical.- Our desire to go further to make you discover another hidden Ecuador with authentic and unseen facets (from meetingswith indigenous leaders to private cooking masterclass with a chef, up to adventures raid or survival trek in the jungle …)- Our strong requirements of transparency and integrity to as to promote a responsible, fair and sustainable tourism here- Our customized care before and during your travel, always promoting your well-fare and your security « Together, let's invent a lifetime unique experience here in Ecuador »

Insurance

The Ministry of the Ecuadorian Tourism requires that the tourists entering the country present the proof of a Health insurancewhich covers them during the stay, this from February, 2018.Plan to take with you a document which proves it because it stays of your responsibility.Terra Group in partnership with the french company "Valeurs Assurances" (GAN group) can propose you solutions ofinsurances during your stay, in multi-risks or only health-repatriation and cancellation. Do not hesitate to ask us.

Quotation revision

We remind you that all our programs can be modified before their confirmation. Do not hesitate making usknow your feeling on the suggested itinerary; we can adapt it the times you need it (duration, stages, types of

lodging, activities…) to build, together, the trip you dreamed of.

Terra EcuadorValidity prices : 09/07/18Chimborazo 505 (S1-28) y Francisco de Orellana, 3er piso, Centro Cumbayá,CUMBAYÁ (QUITO), Pichincha, 170901, Ecuadorwww.travels-ecuador.com

+593 (0)26 040 498 - +593 (0)984 654 [email protected]