WILDLIFE AND EDUCATIONAL EXPEDITION

TO

THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS


MAP OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Bienvenida is Spanish for “welcome” and thestaff of World Discovery Safaris welcomes you on what, we hope, will be a most enjoyable and memorable wildlife and cultural experience in Galapagos Islands. This booklet has been designed to introduce you to these islands, acquaint you with its people, national parks and wildlife and to help you prepare for and get the most from your travel experience. When you selected World Discovery Safaris you chose a company with a long tradition of leadership in natural history related travel. We are proud that this has been accomplished without compromising the concepts and philosophies on which our company was founded. We believe that responsible travel programs must stress the conservation of ecosystems, provide an education for our travelers and an economic benefit for the local people. Our travel programs are greatly enhanced by the participation of the naturalist guides who share their knowledge and help us understand the social customs, conservation issues and philosophies of their countries. Interacting with them helps us to understand and appreciate people whose lives and cultures are often very different from our own.

World Discovery Safaris staff includes professionals in the sciences and education as well as travel. We work together to create an unforgettable, unique travel experience for you, and to produce supplementary informative materials, such as this booklet, to enhance your experience. We are here to answer your questions and look forward to your calls and e-mails because if you feel comfortable and knowledgeable before your departure, you will be free to enjoy your travel experience to the fullest. The information contained in this booklet is designed to assist as you prepare for your journey to theGalapagos Islands. The travel program you are about to depart on is an expedition in the true sense of the word and should not be undertaken casually. We wish for you the same excitement and awe we first experienced when we were introduced to the unique plant and animal life, geology, pristine beaches, underwater world and friendly people found only in theGalapagos Islands.

Is would be a huge understatement to simply say that the wildlife of the Galapagos is unique. Charles Darwin's observations of the plants and animals that are found here, their remarkable adaptation to this hostile environment, and the subtle variations between races of the same species living on different islands led directly to the development of the theory of evolution. The theory helps to explain how the complex living things on Earth have evolved from simple, singled-celled ancestors by the process of natural selection. Without a doubt, the most important event in the five centuries of human history on the Galapagos was Darwin's visit in 1835. However, even without Darwin, the tale of human contact with the Galapagos is a fascinating one, and over the years these enchanted islands have meant many things to many people.

ABOUT OUR GALAPAGOSISLANDPROGRAM

Our travel program to Galapagos has been specifically designed to visit several islands, each with its unique community of plants and animals, scenic attractions, and cultural components.

Physical activities: The pace of our Galapagos Islands travel program is “moderate” and should not be excessively demanding for most. Provided you can walk for two or three hours on the trails in a state or city park you will be able to participate in the scheduled nature walks. Some excursions are more strenuous than others and require the ascent of steep slopes or over rough terrain, however most walks are conducted at a moderate pace with frequent stops during which your naturalist guide interprets what you are seeing. Getting into and out of the small boats (pangas) that ferry you ashore requires a degree of agility, fitness and sure footedness. If you don’t walk, jog, swim or exercise regularly, then you might consider doing some exercises in preparation for this expedition. Being in good physical condition, although not a requirement for this travel program, will certainly enhance your enjoyment of the activities. On most days there are options for morning and afternoon walks or outings to see wildlife. Swimming, snorkeling and sea kayaking are optional activities that add interest to the planned excursions.

Naturalist /Guides:A nature walk on the Galapagos Islands with a well-trained naturalist guide is akin to experiencing a work of art. Even if you don't see a single animal there is drama; there is suspense; you laugh; you cry; you learn things. Yet if you ask most people before the trip what factors they take into consideration to determine what to do on vacation, guides would usually be pretty far down on the list. After the trip, I have asked hundreds of people, what was the single most important factor that determined the quality of their experience? Almost invariably they say, "our guide." Guides take the hassle out of travel. They provide education, insight into the host culture, and, most important, in many cases, friendship. Travelers who have decided to go it alone often end up wishing they had a guide. Each World Discovery Safari group travel program is accompanied by one or more professional naturalist guide(s). These men and women are graduates of an extensive and on-going training program that includes courses in natural history, tourism, culture & history. They are carefully selected for their interpretive skills, knowledge, temperament and ability to communicate. In addition they have had several years of “on the job” training and have advanced to their current position because they have successfully led numerous natural history related programs and demonstrated their ability as charismatic and resourceful leaders. Your naturalist / guide is often the single most important element of a successful trip.

Environmental Sensitivity and Conservation Commitment: World Discovery Safaris recognizes the importance of environmentally sensitive travel toEcuador and the Galapagos Islands. An important aspect of the long-range challenge facing this developing nation is to manage its wealth of wildlife reserves and scenic attractions in a sustainable manner, and to utilize its resources in a way that will create optimum and sustainable living conditions for all its inhabitants. Our participation in the Smart Voyager environmental certification program ensures that the companies we work with and the crew members of the vessels we use are committed to preserving the GalapagosNational Park and respect this fragile ecosystem that, worldwide, is recognized as a "living laboratory of evolution."

Contact Numbers and Addresses:

Ecoventura

Quito Guayaquil

Lourdes Mena Ricardo Carrera

Almagro N31-80 Edificio Venecia Ciudadela Miraflores Avenida Central #300A

Tel: (5932) 2-906-898, 2-907-396 Tel: (5934) 220-7177

Fax: (5932) 223-1034 Fax: (5934) 220-5104

Cell: (5939) 973-0545 Cell: (5939) 806-9085

Email: email:

The cell phone numbers can be used after normal business hours and on week-ends

World Discovery Safaris

2830 Acton Pl.

Birmingham, AL35243

Phone: 205-972-8733

Phone: 866-0899-8733 (toll free)

Cell: 205-873-0174

e-mail -

U.S. Embassy (in Ecuador)

The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at the corner of Avenida 12 de Octubre and Avenida Patria (across from the Casa de la Cultura); telephone (011-593-2) 256-2890, extension 4510, during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 256-1749 for after-hours emergencies; fax (011-593-2) 256-1524; Internet web site - The Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde); telephone (011-593-4) 232-3570 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies; fax (011-593-4) 232-0904. Consular services for U.S. citizens in the Galapagos Islands are provided by the Consulate General in Guayaquil.

Entry & Exit Requirements: A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and depart Ecuador. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less. Those planning a longer visit must obtain a visa in advance. U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Ecuador must obtain a new passport at the U.S. Embassy in Quito or the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil and present it, together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main immigration offices in those cities to obtain permission to depart. An exit tax must be paid at the airport when departing Ecuador. For further information regarding entry, exit, and customs requirements, travelers should contact the Ecuadoran Embassy at 2535 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 234-7166; Internet or the Ecuadorian consulate in Chicago (312) 329-0266, Houston (713) 622-1787, Jersey City (201) 985-1700, Los Angeles (323) 658-6020, Miami (305) 539-8214, New Orleans (504) 523-3229, New York (212) 808-0170, or San Francisco (415) 957-5921.

Health, Medications and Immunizations: All of the vessels and hotels we use for our Galapagos Islands programs maintain very high standards of cleanliness and sanitation. Consequently your risk of contacting diseases from food or the purified drinking water provided by these accommodations is probably not significantly higher than what we encounter in our own country. However, some of the drinking water (including bottled water) available may have a higher or different concentration of minerals than what your system is used to. Drinking very much of this water may have a laxative effect or cause mild cases of constipation, diarrhea or upset stomachs in some people. Taking Pepto-Bismol tablets with meals during your trip may help to buffer your system and prevent some of these discomforts. Dehydration in this warm, tropical environment is also a concern and we encourage everyone to drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Visitors that have not had much recent exposure to the sun should travel prepared to protect themselves from sunburn.

Although, if coming directly from the U.S., no immunizations are required for entry into Ecuador, you may wish to consider getting a tetanus booster and immunizations for hepatitis. Please consult your physician, county health clinic or a traveler’s medical clinic regarding the required and recommended immunizations for entry into Ecuador. Dengue Fever, Hepatitis, Malaria, Typhoid, Rabies, Diphtheria and Cholera are all on this list, however the risk of contacting any of these while on our Galapagos program is very slight.

You may also contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta by calling their toll free number at 1-888-232-3299 or by visiting their web site at and selecting their travelers health section.

Travelers Safety Tips: While safe by comparison with most cities in the U.S., street crime does occur in Ecuador. This is most prevalent in the larger towns and cities and most frequently is theft of one sort or another. We strongly suggest that during your travel program you adhere to the following practices.

  1. Do not open the door of your room without first verifying who is there. We suggest you do not invite strangers

into your room.

  1. When returning to your hotel, especially at night, use the main entrance.
  2. Close the doors and windows whenever you are in your room and use all the locking devices provided.
  3. Before leaving your room check to make sure all your money and other valuables have been put away, out of sight, in a locked suitcase or duffel and that the windows are locked from the inside. Close and lock your door upon departure.
  4. Do not carelessly leave your room keys on restaurant tables, next to your chair, by the swimming pool or elsewhere where they may easily be stolen.
  5. Do not draw attention to yourself by displaying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.
  6. When walking or shopping in the downtown area, stay together. Do not carry a purse or camera and do not wear jewelry or watches. Ladies have had earrings pulled from their ears and necklaces snatched from around their necks. Carry your money and other valuables in an inside pocket where it is relatively safe from pickpockets.
  7. While on the streets you may be approached by people collecting money for various “charities”. Since we have no way of verifying which of these may be legitimate we suggest you simply say “no” to solicitors and keep on walking.
  8. Deposit your passport, airlines tickets, credit cards, traveler’s checks and extra cash in the hotel safety deposit box. Do not leave valuables in your room while you are out.
  9. Be alert for pickpockets and con artists and report any suspicious activity to the hotel or lodge management.
  10. When moving from one location to another make sure your luggage has been brought from the room and loaded into the vehicle, onto the aircraft or into the boat before departure. Although our guides are very good at counting the number of pieces of luggage and seeing that it gets packed into the vehicles, your luggage is not their responsibility.

Clothing, Equipment and Packing

The following is a list of the items we suggest you consider packing for your expedition to theGalapagos Islands. Since some airlines have a weight limit of 20 kg. or 44 lbs. per person of checked luggage, it is important to not bring many extra items. A single water-repellent duffel bag or similar soft-sided piece of luggage is easy to stack in the vehicles. Make sure you can lock your luggage and have luggage locks for all compartments. World Discovery Safaris travel programs do not require dress up at any time and casual clothing is the rule. Cotton shirts, pants and shorts are the most practical. Women may wish to consider packing a single dress or skirt for dinner while in town. The rainy seasons are May through September but it can rain at any time of the year. A lightweight rain jacket with a hood is the most appropriate rain gear. This can also double as a windbreak. Early mornings can be quite cool during the dry season of November thru March. Wear a comfortable, lightweight pair of hiking boots and bring along a pair of running (tennis) shoes and a pair of shower shoes or “flip flops”. We strongly advise you to bring along a wide brimmed hat and a long sleeved shirt for protection from the sun.

-Checklist of Clothing:

-Shirts - two or three short sleeved cotton shirts, two or three T-shirts, one or two long sleeved shirts.

-Jacket or Sweatshirt - one lightweight jacket and /or a hooded sweatshirt

-Pants - two or three pairs of medium weight cotton, long pants, one or two pairs of shorts.

-Dress or skirt – Optional for women.

-Belt - one should do it.

-Swimsuit

-Underwear - enough for about seven days.

-Socks - six or seven pairs of light weight cotton socks.

-Hat - One or two comfortable, wide-brimmed hats (with a chin strap to prevent them blowing away)

-Bandana or scarf

-Raingear - one lightweight poncho or rain jacket with hood. One small collapsible umbrella

-Pajamas - optional

-Shoes - One pair of lightweight hiking boots, one pair of running shoes (tennis shoes) one pair of sandals or shower shoes.

Check-list for Equipment:

-Personal first aid kit - (aspirin, Advil, Band-Aids, comb, hairbrush, Pepto-Bismol, personal medications, motion sickness medication, insect repellent, antihistamine, antibiotic, cortisone cream, vitamins, sunscreen etc.)

-Toiletries - (small bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, dental floss, shampoo, razor, razor blades, hand lotion, personal toilet articles)

-Beach Towel – optional. The boat supplies towels.

-Disposable towelettes (Wash n’Dry) and small packets of Kleenex

-Flashlight - a small one with extra batteries and bulb. (I like the Mini Maglite that fits into a belt holster and uses two AA batteries)

-Pocket knife and / or Leatherman. This must be packed into your checked luggage. (I like the mid-sized Swiss Army knife with a finger nail file and scissors)

-Binoculars - a good quality pair of 7x 35’s or 8x 40’s. (don’t try to get by with a pair of “opera glasses”)

-Travel alarm clock - optional.

-Watch - Water resistant and fairly inexpensive. (You can get an Indiglo Atlantis 100 from K-Mart for under $30.00)

-Reading material/ notebook and pen or automatic pencil (Get a good “brain dead” novel for on the airplane. Bring your bird and Galapagos Islands field guides and a nice notebook in which to record all your experiences)

-Sunglasses with a strap or croakiesand an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lens as needed.

-Plastic bags - two or three sizes of Zip Lock bags, two or three medium sized garbage bags for dirty laundry.

-Daypack - for taking things with you on walks and in the boats.

- Waterproof bag – for you camera and binoculars.