Galapagos and Amazon Quest

Level of difficulty: Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level Moderate: The hiking in Sierra Negra is moderate but long (muddy during the wet season from July to November). The sea-kayaking on Isabela Island is easy as well as the snorkelling. The jungle walks are moderate, mostly on flat terrain. The trekking in the cloudforest is easy.

Meeting point Sheraton Quito Hotel No. 36 - 212 y, Av. República de El Salvador, Quito 170135, Ecuador Meet at the Hotel Lobby with an Adventure Journeys Representative at 18:00pm on day one, for your welcome briefing. Start time 08:00 AM End point This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Currency used in Ecuador is the U.S. dollar (USD). It is advisable to bring cash, as the trip is to remote places such as the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands, you will not easily find ATM machines.

-IMPORTANT  Passports (and visas) Travel insurance documents Airline tickets Credit or debit card -CLOTHES & IMPLEMENTS  Waterproof jacket Waterproof  trousers Light sweater or sweatshirt Sport sandals Sneakers  Comfy shoes  Breathable wicking layers Thermals (top and bottom, merino ideal) Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts T-shirts Underwear & socks Swimming suit  wide-brimmed or long-billed hat Sunhat Winter hat Gloves  Waterproof boots  - OTHER Universal travel plug adapter Power bank or solar charger Insect repellent Suncream Personal first-aid kit (should contain sea sickness pills, lip salve, aspirin, band aids, antihistamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking) Quick-dry towel Head Torch or torch Reusable water bottle (x1 liter) Biodegradable wet-wipes Camera – waterproof if possible Energy bars and snacks -OPTIONAL Binoculars Earplugs Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary ware etc) Alcohol hand-gel Water purification tablets/treatment system (filtered water is provided but you may wish to bring your own treatment)

Recommended age range from 10 to 65 years old. Note: Under age children must be accompanied by their parents.

When to go to the Galapagos Islands: There is no “wrong” time to visit Galapagos: different times of the year have different things to see and do. The birds, tortoises and dazzling marine life are always there, waiting for their photos to be taken. Its geographical location, right on the equator, makes the temperature variation minimum throughout the year. Rainy season is from July to November, nevertheless, these rains are not strong enough to be a limitation for an excursion. The amount of rain and slight temperature variations mark the seasons in Galapagos. Diving conditions and animal behaviour varies from month to month; for example, in August the Galapagos penguins migrate to the central islands because of cold temperatures. As with the penguins, many other animal behaviours will depend on the month of the year. The best time to go to the Ecuadorian Amazon: Any time of the year is perfect for visiting the Ecuadorian Amazon since the weather varies only slightly from month to month in both rainfall and temperature. Expect some rain (it is the rainforest after all!) but you’ll likely have similar periods of bright sunshine. In general, it’s hot and humid, but not as much as many people imagine. Year-round temperature average is 82°F (28°C) but nights are often cooler. Since Ecuador is located right on the equator, the country does not experience extreme weather changes aside from a slightly rainier and wetter season. During a 4-5 day visit to the Amazon region, you will often see more or less the same amount of rain and sunshine. The Rainier Season in the Amazon Runs from December to June, with temperatures ranging from 23°C (73°F) to 30°C (86°F) and frequent rains throughout April and May. The Rainy Season has its pros as many plants have evolved to fruit and flower during this time – a phenomenon which often attracts birds and primates to the water’s edge and grants visitors the chance to observe them more frequently. The Drier Season in the Amazon Lasts from July to November, with temperatures from 26°C (78°F) to 40°C (104°F), with less rain, though showers are still possible. The Dry Season also offers its own set of benefits, for it’s during this time that the water gets lower and attracts animals that you won’t often see during the rainy season. Beach nesting birds are everywhere, as there are more beaches present during this time. Fish also tend to lay their eggs during this period of lower water levels. Consequently, birds go on a feeding frenzy with the abundance of fish and you’ll often see all kinds of birds flying or muddling about these riverbanks. It’s important to note that the Amazon Crocodile (known as Cayman) is much more prevalent during the dry season.

Foreigners may enter Ecuador upon presentation of a travel document proving their identity. Likewise, the immigration control agent must verify the immigration status invoked by the foreigner at the time of presentation at the official immigration control point. Requirements: -Valid and valid passport (valid for 6 months). -Identity card or DNI for citizens of South America. -Countries that require a visa to enter Ecuador. Interministerial Agreement No. 0000003 - Afghanistan - Angola - Bangladesh - Cameroon - Cuba - Eritrea - Ethiopia - Gambia - Ghana - Guinea - India - Iraq - Kenya - Libyan Arab Jamahiriya - Nepal - Nigeria - Pakistan - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Senegal - Syria - Somalia - Sri Lanka - Venezuela (as of August 26, 2019)

BOAT TRAVEL TIME: 2 hours each way from Isabela to Santa Cruz. TREKKING TIME: Sierra Negra: 30 minutes easy uphill; 1.5 hours on flat terrain; 30 minutes downhill; 2 hours same way back. Amazon: 3 hours moderate. Amazon: 1 hour easy loop for the nocturnal hike in the jungle. Cloud forest: 1 hour easy uphill; 1 hour downhill same way back. KAYAKING TIME: 2 hours.

During your daily activities you should bring a carry-on bag or a kangaroo for your personal and necessary belongings. Your suitcases will be placed in the luggage compartment of the transport.

December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF/ 15ºC to 25ºC.

The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF.

There is no place where clients can experience vertigo or steep drops.

Vegetarians, Vegans and Gluten Free people are very welcome in our trip, our guides are always ready to coordinate with chefs and restaurants for substitute meals for them, as Ecuador is very well known for its great diversity of gastronomy.

Traveling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.

Quito: 2800 m (9,186 ft.). Galapagos: From sea level (most activities) to 1200 m (3,937 ft.) - Sierra Negra Volcano. Amazon: 510 m (1,640 ft.). Papallacta: 3300 m (10,827 ft.).

Check our best recommendations to explore Quito and its surroundings. RECOMMENDED TRIPS FOR YOU (PRICE PER PERSON) Quito City Tour Experience $90,00 Quilotoa Enchanted Crater Lake $165,00 Mindo Cloud Forrest $165,00 Otavalo Market $113,00 Papallacta Hotsprings $165,00 Transfer in / out (per way) 1-2 people max $75,00

Please inform AJ of any existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are recommended when traveling to the tropics. Please ask your doctor for advice.

All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed from the Tourism University to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid respondents. They all have approved several extra training courses for kayaking, rafting, biking and horse riding, besides this they all are Ecuadorian and have a fantastic personality. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips. In some locations and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service and make sure we practice sustainable tourism involving local indigenous people in our operation.

Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.

Clients have the possibility of leaving their extra suitcases at the first hotel in the city of Quito with no additional cost.