Galapagos Cruise. Discover The Islands
FAQ
What You Should Know
What to pack
Life aboard all of the Galapagos vessels which are cruising the Galapagos consists of an infomal atmosphere. Dress is casual - shorts, tee shirts, swim suits, jeans/slacks and, a windbreaker or sweater. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, ample protection from the Equatorial sun (including a hat). It is highly recommended that you bring a lightweight backpack to carry your camera, excess film and a towel (for drying off after wet landings). Do not over pack. There are weight restrictions on the flights (30 pounds per passenger) and you need only a minimum of casual clothing. Your excess luggage may be left at the hotel in Quito or Guayaquil in storage.
Suggested items to pack: |
Khaki pants and shorts |
Cotton shirts and Regular T-shirts |
Windbreaker or sweater |
Good pair of walking shoes (tennis shoes will do) |
Rubber-soled shoes or thongs (Tevas are also very popular) |
Small backpack |
Camera with lots of extra film or memory cards |
Bathing suits |
Sunscreen (plenty of this) |
Snorkeling equipment or you may rent this on board many of the vessels |
Hat to cover from sun |
Underwater camera |
Sunglasses/strap |
Sea sickness medications |
Wet suit |
Suggested Reading
Field Guides |
Darwin's Islands, A Natural History of the Galapagos, by Ian Thornton |
Galapagos, A Natural History Guide, by M.H. Jackson |
A Field Guide to the Fishes of Galapagos, by Godfrey Merlen |
Plants of the Galapagos Islands, by Eileen K. Schfield |
A Field Guide to the Birds of Galapagos, by Michael Harris |
Highly Recommended: |
Galapagos, Islands Lost In Time, by Tui de Roy |
Galapagos, Discovery on Darwin's Islands, by Steadman and Zousmer |
Galapagos, a Terrestrial and Marine Phenomenon, by Paul Human |
Key Environments, Galapagos, by R. Perry |
The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin |
Climate
The Galapagos Archipelago is located on the Equator and its climate is sub-tropical, allowing cruises to operate on a year round basis. Temperatures are determined almost entirely by the ocean currents that are influenced by the trade winds. Generally, December to May is warm and sunny; June to November is cool and breezy. Most birds nest year round, so you can see courtship, mating, chicks hatching and rearing almost any time of the year.
Temperatures are shown in Fahrenheit: |
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Temperatures |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEP |
OCT |
NOW |
DEC |
Max. Air Temp. |
84 |
86 |
88 |
86 |
82 |
78 |
76 |
74 |
76 |
77 |
78 |
80 |
Min. Air Temp |
70 |
74 |
74 |
72 |
72 |
68 |
66 |
64 |
62 |
64 |
66 |
68 |
Avg. Sea Temp. |
74 |
76 |
76 |
76 |
74 |
74 |
72 |
66 |
68 |
70 |
72 |
74 |
Avg. Rainfall (in.) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1.5 |
0.75 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
Language
English and Spanish are spoken aboard the vessels by guides and officers.
Time Zone
GMT-6 in the islands and GMT-5 on the mainland. Ecuador does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
Currency
The sucre is the monetary unit of Ecuador.
Getting There
There are worldwide connecting flights to Quito and Guayaquil, on the Ecuadorian mainland. Specially arranged flights (contracted by the cruise operators) from the Ecuadorian mainland serve the Archipelago's two airports. The airport in Baltra is served by TAME Ecuadorian Airlines. Passengers fly from the mainland on the morning of the departure date of the cruise.
The cruises on the "Legend" and the "Corals" sail from Baltra.
The flights to and from Baltra in the Galapagos, are automatically confirmed when the cruise arrangements are booked and confirmed. All passengers must arrive on the mainland at least one day prior to the departure date of the cruise.
Airfares |
Low Season |
High Season |
Guayaquil / Galapagos / Guayaquil |
$375 |
$432 |
Quito / Galapagos / Quito |
$418 |
$488 |
Quito / Galapagos / Guayaquil / Vice Versa |
$397 |
$459 |
MONDAY, TUESDAY AND SATURDAYS | WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY, SUNDAY |
|
Depart Quito at 7:30 am flight EQ 191 |
Depart Quito at 9:30 am flight EQ 193 |
|
Arrival at Guayaquil: 8:15 am |
Arrival to Guayaquil at 10:15 am |
|
Depart Guayaquil at 9:15 am Flight EQ 191 |
Depart Guayaquil at 11:00 am Flight EQ 193 |
|
Arrival at Baltra: 9:45 am (Galapagos Time) |
Arrival to Baltra at 11:30 am (Galapagos Time) |
|
Depart Baltra at 10:45 am (Galapagos Time) flight EQ 190 |
Depart Baltra at 12:30 am (Galapagos Time) flight EQ 192 |
|
Arrival to Guayaquil at 13:15 pm |
Arrival to Guayaquil at 15:00 pm |
|
Depart Guayaquil at 14:00 flight EQ 190 |
Depart Guayaquil at 15:30 flight EQ 192 |
|
Arrive Quito at 14:45 pm |
Arrive Quito at 16:15 pm |
|
High season: Jan.01-05 / Jun.15-Sep.14 / Nov.01- Dec.31 |
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