2009 Itinerary

• Indicates day of cruising

Day 1: Greetings in Guayaquil
Tour begins: Hilton Colon Guayaquil. A transfer from Guayaquil International Airport is included to Hilton Colón Guayaquil. Most flights arrive late in the day.
Lodging: Hilton Colón Guayaquil, Ecuador

• Day 2: Galápagos Islands cruise, expedition-style
Fly to Baltra Island in the Galápagos archipelago, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. Board Isabela II, an expeditionary-style yacht ideal for a Galápagos Islands cruise that takes you on island exploration with local naturalists and wildlife experts. You'll board Isabela II via a panga, which is a Zodiac-style raft – be prepared to wade in shallow water if necessary! Set sail for North Seymour Island; this island features one of the largest and most active seabird breeding colonies, including blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. In the evening, your Galápagos Islands cruise gets off to an appropriate start with the Captain’s welcome reception and dinner, as well as a briefing by an on-board naturalist.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Galápagos Islands Cruise aboard Isabela II

• Day 3: Española (Hood) Island
Visit Española (Hood) Island, home to the only Waved Albatross colony in the Galápagos. At Gardner Bay, following a wet landing by panga, you can walk on the white coral beach, go snorkeling, or ride a glass-bottom boat around offshore islets. Later, a dry landing lets you walk on the lava terrain of Punta Suarez to see the famed avian sights, as well as marine iguanas and the island’s famous blowhole. On your Tauck Galápagos Islands cruise, naturalists accompany your excursions ashore.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Galápagos Islands Cruise aboard Isabela II

• Day 4: World's most unusual post office, Floreana Bay
Cruise to Floreana Island where you make a wet landing at Port Cormorant; discover a green beach created by olivine crystals, and see the pink flamingos – they're pink due to the shrimp they eat! Explore some of the fascinating history of the island including Post Office Bay, where a do-it-yourself postal service set up by 18th-century whalers. During your Galápagos Islands cruise, make sure you take the opportunity to gaze at the incredible night skies filled with brilliant stars and constellations from the observation deck.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Galápagos Islands Cruise aboard Isabela II

• Day 5: Santa Cruz Island
A dry landing on Santa Cruz Island takes you first on a journey inland to visit the highlands. Amazing sights include the daisy trees of the Scalesia forest and the volcanic twin-pit craters of Los Gemelos; they share the landscape with myriad birds, wild tortoises and the prickly pear cactus. Following lunch in town, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation projects in the Galápagos and see some of the islands’ famous giant tortoises, members of the successful tortoise breeding program. Residents include Lonesome George, the sole survivor of the Pinta Island turtle subspecies. Take some time to stroll along the streets of Puerto Ayora, the largest town you'll visit during this Galápagos Islands cruise. Return to the ship for the evening; meals aboard Isabela II feature Continental and / or Ecuadorian cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Galápagos Islands Cruise aboard Isabela II

• Day 6: Birds – more birds – and then some unusual birds
Next up on Tauck's Galápagos Islands cruise is a stop at Genovesa (Tower) Island, nicknamed Bird Island as it is home to literally thousands of birds. You may see red-footed and Nazca (masked) boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, storm petrels, short-eared owls, magnificent frigate birds, and perhaps a few of Darwin’s finches that inspired the theory of evolution. The coral beach on Genovesa Island is the place to go for a swim, or you might want to visit a collapsed volcanic caldera that attracts sea lions, fur seals and snorkelers!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Galápagos Islands Cruise aboard Isabela II

• Day 7: A Darwinian day of wild tortoises, iguanas, & snorkeling
Isabela II crosses the Equator today en route to Isabela Island, which is the largest island in the archipelago – it is shaped like a sea horse. The island is home to marine and land iguanas, tortoises, flightless cormorants, herons and a very active volcano! You'll have a chance to do some deep-water snorkeling and kayaking today. Explore the black lava landscape of Fernandina Island, boasting more marine iguanas than any other island; sightings might also include Sally Lightfoot crabs, flightless cormorants and sea lions.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Galápagos Islands Cruise aboard Isabela II

• Day 8: Technicolor vs. black-and-white
Look for marine iguanas, red-and-blue Sally Lightfoot crabs, and Galápagos fur seals on the black lava flows of Santiago (James) Island after you cast anchor. Or look up for a chance to spot Galápagos hawks and doves in the skies. Bartolomé Island is right offshore from Santiago; you may have an opportunity to see the only penguin found in the tropics, the Galápagos penguin, swimming in the waters. Hike up to the island’s summit for dramatic views of surrounding seascapes, the most frequently photographed vista in the islands. 
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Galápagos Islands Cruise aboard Isabela II

Day 9: Farewell to Galápagos Islands cruise
Your Galápagos Islands cruise comes to a conclusion when you disembark from the ship and fly to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city and most important port. Take a tour of the city, then spend some free time before recounting your amazing stories with your fellow travelers at the farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Colón Guayaquil, Ecuador

Day 10: Time to depart for home
Tauck's Galápagos Islands cruise ends: Guayaquil. A transfer is included from Hilton Colón Guayaquil to Guayaquil International Airport; you should allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Your Galápagos Islands cruise is a sweet memory as you travel homeward!
Meals: Breakfast

Note: This is an active journey that includes a fair amount of walking, often on uneven terrain; Zodiac-style rafts are used for shore excursions. We may not visit each of the islands in the order here, but typically visit two different sites per day. Cruise itineraries are approved by the Galápagos National Park Service 30 to 60 days before departure and are subject to change. Inquire upon booking.

Don’t miss the boat – take a Galápagos Islands cruise

and see some of the most unique wildlife in the world!

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and ship accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, land and cruise transportation, sightseeing, shore excursions, luggage handling, and the services of the Tauck Director and local guides are included. Tauck will provide transfers for all arriving guests regardless of the flight, provided we have updated flight arrival information at least two weeks before the tour departure date; all departure transfers are included.

Hotel and Ship Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel and ship accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

On board Isabela II, most staterooms have twin beds that cannot be moved together as they are attached to the walls. Each room has a private bath with shower only, a desk, two bedside tables , a music system, individual climate control and a window or porthole.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Complimentary wine is served with dinner on board the Isabela II.

Tauck Director – “Cruising the Galápagos Islands” is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for hotel, cruise and restaurant staff, the local guides and drivers, and the Tauck Director are included.

No Options Sold - Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

On-Tour Flights

Airfare While on Tour – Two on-tour flights must be purchased through Tauck as part of your tour package. These flights are included in the cost of the tour.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, many quests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following their tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey Thsection on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, departure taxes, visa fees and non-scheduled arrival transfers and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures - In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocket knife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to visit the Transportation Security Administration website at www.tsa.gov.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Cruise Regulations – International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to the cruise line prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to Tauck as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied.

Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of printing.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking. The tour begins upon your arrival at the Hilton Colon Guayaquil on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Your tour ends with your arrival at the Guayaquil International Airport on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow 2½ hours for flight check-in.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing to Go

Air Conditioning – All of the hotel rooms at the Hilton Colon Guayaquil and the staterooms on board Isabela II are air-conditioned for your comfort.

ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be ‘suspicious’ charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Clothing and Packing – Your adventure in the Galápagos is informal and casual. Essentials include bathing suits, tee-shirts, shorts, long and short-sleeved lightweight shirts, long pants and a windbreaker, sweater or light jacket for evenings. There are no laundry facilities on board Isabela II; however, a dryer is located on the sun deck to dry wet clothing.

Most importantly, bring comfortable, rubber-soled walking shoes with adequate ankle support. You will also need reef shoes or aqua shoes for beach landings and walks over rocky, uneven terrain. Your feet will get wet when you transfer from ship to shore on many landings.

Snorkel gear is available aboard the ship; however, if you have prescription lenses you should bring them. Wetsuits are now available on board. You may also wish to bring an underwater camera. Scuba diving is NOT available.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription, or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for travel to the Galápagos Islands:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks and short-sleeve shirts
• A light sweater or jacket for the evenings
• Comfortable, rubber-soled- walking shoes with adequate ankle support
• Aqua shoes or reef shoes
• Bathing suit(s)
• Lightweight waterproof slicker
• Collapsible umbrella
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• Binoculars
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries and plenty of film
• Camcorder
• Battery-operated travel alarm clock
• Small backpack for long walks
• Adequate personal toiletries and sundries
• Zippered plastic bags for protecting valuables
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room or stateroom while traveling

Elevation - The general elevation on this tour is sea level. There are a few climbs of 90 ft (30 m) or more to reach desired observation points.

Health - To fully enjoy this tour’s itinerary, participants must be in good health. This is a rigorous tour and you need to be in good physical condition with good balance as the terrain varies from sandy beaches to uneven lava and rocks. Proper walking shoes with ankle support are essential. There are some walking sticks available on board the ship, but you may want to bring your own. The walks range from 1 to 2 mi (.3 to .6 km) in length and last from 1½ to 2½ hours.

All ship-to-shore transfers use Zodiacs (capacity 9 to 12 persons) or Pangas (capacity 2 to 3 persons). These are safe transports but occasionally you will get wet with spray. Some wet landings require guests to wade through knee-high deep coastal water.

There are three decks on Isabela II; however, there is no elevator.

Tauck is not able to accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. We also regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will help them.

Isabela II does not have mechanical stabilizers because the water around the Galápagos Islands is very calm. However, the ship has a rounded hull that helps minimize rocking. We travel between the various islands so the areas in which we cruise are sheltered. If you are prone to seasickness, bring a non–drowsy, over-the-counter, anti-nausea medication. Anti-nausea wristbands are also a good idea. The anti-nausea patch is NOT recommended for use in the islands as it tends to impair vision in direct sunlight.

Complimentary bottled water is provided throughout the trip, both on board and for shore excursions.

Isabela II does not permit smoking in any interior space. Smoke and open fire will activate the smoke detectors. Smoking is allowed on outside decks only. Please refrain from smoking on shore, in shore excursion vehicles and zodiacs. Please do not throw your cigarettes overboard, as it is a violation of international maritime pollution laws and they can easily be blown back onto the ship. There are ashtrays placed in specific exterior deck areas. Smoking is also not permitted on the motor coaches.

The only islands with bathroom facilities are Baltra and Santa Cruz, where there are visitor centers. Meals are served on board Isabela II, so we will be returning back to the ship for lunch and dinner. Zodiacs or Pangas will travel back and forth to the ship during shore excursions.

The infirmary on Isabela II is staffed by a licensed Ecuadorian doctor. If you avail yourself of his services, a charge will be posted to your personal shipboard account. Isabela II is registered in Ecuador. Please check with your health insurance provider to determine if coverage applies while you are traveling, and purchase appropriate travel insurance if necessary.

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

If you are a citizen of the U.S., no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Ecuador. However, you must provide an International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever if you enter Ecuador from an infected area within 5 days. For complete vaccination information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, , The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the ). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.

If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Ecuador to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for you to visit.

Luggage Restrictions:

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour:
Due to the casual nature of this tour and climate conditions, we urge that only one piece of checked luggage be brought on this trip. Additionally, flights to and from the Galápagos Islands restrict each passenger to no more than 40 lbs (18 kg) of luggage. This rule is strictly enforced, and if you exceed this limit, you will be charged up to $4.00 USD per kilogram over the limit.

If you are taking a carry-on piece with you, it must weigh no more that 10 lbs (4.5 kg ) and its dimensions can not exceed 24 x 15.5 x 8 inches (61 x 39 x 20 cm).

Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.

Carry-on Luggage - General:
Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many intra-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements – If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a valid passport for entry into and Ecuador. You will not need a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

You will also need an International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever if you will be arriving from an infected area within 5 days.

If you are a citizen of another country, you should contact an embassy or consulate of Ecuador to determine what travel documentation is required.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and backsides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Travel with Children

Age Recommendations – Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

Babysitting – Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.

Safety and Welfare Responsibility – We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. For safety and security purposes, children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.

Special Travel Documentation for Children

Authorization for Travel

If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so.

CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.

If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.

All children who are citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.

Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country’s consulate.

Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment

In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

Destination Information

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, during group functions, when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone will operate in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands.

Currency and Exchange Rates - The currency in Ecuador is the U.S dollar. In the main cities most currencies can be exchanged at banks and exchange houses (casas de cambio) at variable commission rates. ATMs are available in the cities, and major credit cards are accepted in tourist areas and large hotels although a commission of 6 to 8% is often charged. Hotels are unable to exchange large amounts of currency.

Shipboard accounts on Isabela II may be paid by U.S. dollars, travelers’ checks, or credit cards. There is no foreign exchange facility on the ship.

To obtain the most current exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the . Please call your local customs office or consult the government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.

If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.

Currently, Ecuador levies a 12% Value Added Tax (VAT) on consumer purchases. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

Electrical Current – In Ecuador and on board Isabela II, all hotel room and staterooms are equipped with 110v, 60Hz, AC, which accommodates U.S.A.-style two flat-pronged plugs. . If you bring electrical devices that are not compatible with this system, you may want to bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

Internet Access is available as indicated below:

Hilton Colon Guayaquil - broadband and wireless internet access
Isabela II - complimentary sending and receiving of email is available 24/7

Time Zones – Guayaquil is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); the Galápagos Islands are 6 hours behind. Ecuador does not have Daylight Savings Time. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com.

Weather – In the Galápagos, temperatures range from 75° to 86°F (24°to 30°C) year round. The weather is hot and sunny in the islands and sea temperatures average 67°to 72°F (19° to 22°C). Most swimming takes place at midday hours.

The Galápagos Islands lie almost on the equator about 650 mi (1,046 km) west of mainland Ecuador. The islands have an unusual climate in view of their proximity to the equator; rainfall is low and temperatures are lower than would be expected. There are no extremes of heat or cold. Although there is more rain on the larger islands which are hilly (such as Seymour Island), rainfall is low at sea level and falls from January through April. Light drizzle and even fog, however, are not uncommon at other times of the year.

	Average Temperature
	Guayaquil, Ecuador		Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	88 / 70	31 / 21	82 / 73	28 / 23
February	88 / 72	31 / 22	85 / 73	30 / 23
March	88 / 72	31 / 22	87 / 74	31 / 24
April	90 / 72	32 / 22	84 / 74	29 / 24
May	88 / 68	31 / 20	82 / 72	28 / 22
June	88 / 68	31 / 20	79 / 71	26 / 22
July	84 / 66	29 / 19	77 / 69	25 / 21
August	86 / 64	30 / 18	75 / 66	24 / 19
September	88 / 66	31 / 19	75 / 67	24 / 20
October	86 / 68	30 / 20	76 / 66	25 / 19
November	88 / 68	31 / 20	78 / 68	26 / 20
December	88 / 70	31 / 21	80 / 70	27 / 21
	Average Rainfall
	Guayaquil, Ecuador		Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	9.1	231	2.7	69
February	9.5	241	3.6	91
March	9.9	251	3.7	94
April	6.0	152	2.8	71
May	2.4	61	1.3	33
June	1.3	33	0.9	23
July	0.4	10	0.6	15
August	0.0	0	0.2	5
September	0.1	3	0.2	5
October	0.1	3	0.2	5
November	0.2	5	0.3	8
December	1.3	33	1.2	30

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers Tauck Travel Protection.

If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties reduced. Click here for more details.

If you choose not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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