Galapagos Islands on the Cachalote

The boat rates includes accommodations and all meals aboard the boat, island sightseeing, all guide and lecture services, transfers in the islands and between the airport and yacht in Galapagos.

Galapagos flights, Galapagos Entrance Fee (includes the municipal tax, currently $100 US payable in cash to the national park authorities in Baltra), tips (it is customary to tip the guide, chef and crew) soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and any other extras not specifically mentioned. There is also a $25 US departure tax from Ecuador on all international flights.

Yacht/Sailboat

8 double cabins each with private bath. Hot / cold water shower.

7 Nights Yacht

6-10

16

L.O.A: 96 ft.
L.O.D 86 ft. 6 in.
Beam: 18 ft. 6 in.
Engines: 280 h.p. Caterpillar diesel engine
Generators: two 50 kilowatt generators for 220 and 110 A.C., 12 volt D.C.
Speed: 9 knots cruising

Captain, multilingual naturalist guide, cook, and three sailors. All of the boats we use employ highly experienced and qualified level II and III naturalist guides who are fluent in English (and often other languages as well).

None

From month to month there are some differences in what you can see in the islands, however ,the differences in the experience itself are small,for example, from April to December you can see the waved albatrosses but not many sea turtles,the rainy season (December to May) is when land birds are mating and in the Dry season (June to November) sea birds have their mating season.
The average year-round temperature is 24°C

96 ft.

Enchanted Expeditions

Q: Where are the Galapagos Islands?
A: The Galapagos Islands (or Archipelago de Colon) is a Province of Ecuador located 600 miles (1000 kilometers) west of the Ecuadorian coast. They lie directly on the equator.

Q: What is the climate like?
A: As the islands lie directly on the Equator, you can expect it to be warm for most of the year. The hottest season is generally from December to April with average temperatures ranging from a low of 70 to a high of 84 F (22 - 31 C). It is during this period that you may expect short but heavy showers. The sea is generally calm this time of the year and the water temperature warmer. May to November is considered the "cool" season with average temperatures ranging from a low of 68 to a high of 82 F (19 – 27 C).

Q: How do we get there?
A: From North America and Europe there are daily flights to Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Q: How do we get to Galapagos from Quito and Guayaquil?
A: Flights to Galapagos depart daily from both Quito and Guayaquil. We will arrange the Galapagos flight for you. As boat owners in Galapagos we will block book spaces on those flights to ensure our passengers are on the flight to meet the boat.

Q: May we fly to Galapagos from Quito and just back to Guayaquil (or vice versa)?
A: Yes, we would be able to arrange that for you.

Q: Are all your prices in US dollars?
A: All of our rates are quoted in US dollars.

Q: What is included in the rates for the boats?
A: The boat rates includes accommodations and all meals aboard the boat, island sightseeing, all guide and lecture services, transfers in the islands and between the airport and yacht in Galapagos.

Q: What is not included?
A: Galapagos flights, Galapagos Entrance Fee (includes the municipal tax, currently $100 US payable in cash to the national park authorities in Baltra), tips (it is customary to tip the guide, chef and crew) soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and any other extras not specifically mentioned. There is also a $25 US departure tax from Ecuador on all international flights.

Q: Can you make hotel and other tour reservations for us in Ecuador?
A: Yes! We will be glad to plan an efficient itinerary and all arrangements that will make the most of the time you have available and at a price you can afford.

Q: How do we receive our vouchers and tickets for the Galapagos and/or mainland Ecuador?
A: We will e-mail (if requested) a receipt and voucher that is valid for all arrangements with us. The ticket for the Galapagos flight will be issued to you once you are in Ecuador.

Q: What level of Naturalist Guide will be aboard the boat and do they speak English?
A: All of the boats we use employ highly experienced and qualified level II and III naturalist guides who are fluent in English (and often other languages as well).

Q: How much should we tip the guide and crew?
A: We recommend that you consider tipping 1) the guide, 2) kitchen staff and 3) the rest of the crew. As a general rule-of- thumb, we recommend between $5 - $8 US from each passenger to each group per day. If you have received very good and exceptional service, please be more generous!

Q: Will there be time for snorkeling?
A: There is plenty of time for snorkeling for those who are interested. Snorkeling gear is provided on our boats. For personal hygiene, we recommend that you bring your own gear.

Q: Is there a rental charge for snorkeling equipment?
A: We charge charge a nominal rental fee $ 15 for 8 days aboard our boats.

Q: How many kilos of luggage can I bring to the Galapagos?
A: No more than 20 kilos of luggage per person may be checked on board flights to the Galapagos Islands. In addition, each passenger is allowed a carryon flight bag and camera case. Arrangements may be made to leave extra luggage at one's hotel or at our office in Quito.

Q: Is a wetsuit necessary for snorkeling?
A: No, a wetsuit is not necessary, but we suggest that you bring a 2mm "shorty" to help keep you warm in colder waters in the months of June through November.

Q: Will we have to exchange any money before we travel to Ecuador or once in the country?
A: Not if you have US dollars. Ecuador has adopted the US dollar as its official currency.

Q: What should we bring to the Galapagos?
A: Guests should bring summer clothing with a jacket or sweater, in a soft bag for easy stowage. Also essential are comfortable walking shoes, sandal's, a hat, bathing suit, sun protection lotion, insect repellent and plenty of film. All boats carry first aid, but guests should bring a supply of personal medicines including motion sickness medication for those who are not accustomed to boating.

*Safety*
All required electronic safety equipment, tenders with outboard motors, life rafts, freezer and refrigerator, desalinator, TV and DVD player. Fully air-conditioned

Your contract is with Enchanted Expeditions Cia. Ltda., trading as Enchanted Expeditions here in after called EE. You, the client are subject to the following conditions, and are deemed to have read and understood the paragraphs under the heading General Information.

1. Payment and Cancellation Policies:

a) Galapagos Charter

To confirm a charter a deposit is required. This deposit is refundable only if the cancellation is received 120 days prior to the sailing date. We retain a service fee of US$ 500 for all cancellations. Balance of payment is due 45 days prior to departure.

If one cancels between 120 and 45 days prior to the cruise, the deposit will be forfeited as a cancellation fee. If a cancellation is received between 45 days and the sailing date, the full cost of the cruise will be charged as a cancellation fee. If we are able to resell the charter, a full refund will be made after the sailing date less a service fee of US$ 500.

b) Galapagos FIT’S (Individual Travels)

To confirm your reservation a deposit is required. In case of cancellation, 10% of the total cruise price deposit will be will be forfeited as administrative charges and the rest of the deposit will be refundable only if the cancellation is received more than 45 days prior to departure date. Balance of payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

If a cancellation is received less than 45 days of cruise date, the full price of the cruise will be charged as cancellation penalty. If we are able to resell the space, a full refund will be made after the sailing date less 10% of the total price of the cruise which will be forfeited as administrative charges.

c) Mainland Services

To confirm your reservation a deposit is required. In case of cancellation, a portion of the total tour price deposit will be refundable only if the cancellation is received more than 30 days prior to departure date. The other portion, typically 10% of the total tour price will be forfeited as administrative charges.
Balance of payment is due 30 days prior to departure.

If a cancellation is received less than 30 days of departure date the full price of the tour will be charged as cancellation penalty.


2. Acceptance

EE reserves the right to refuse any booking from prospective clients whom EE considers unsuitable for the type of travel to be undertaken.


3. Alteration or cancellation after commencement of travel

Any alteration that you request after your tour has commenced, EE will do its best to implement, but we cannot guarantee that it will be possible.

Patchwork amendments after departure are a recipe for disaster. In the event of such amendments being made, you will be liable for any cancellation charges that may be levied for the booking of revised arrangements and the arrangements themselves. As a basic principle, no refund will be paid to clients who do not complete a tour; please see paragraph 6. Refunds, below.


4. Cancellations or Alterations by EE

a) Alterations
EE reserves the right at anytime to make changes to your trip arrangements (including flights, transport, accommodation, or services). Such changes are often minor, but if not, we will advise you or your travel agent, before you depart. If we make a material change, defined as a change before departure involving a significant change of resort or itinerary you may cancel your booking and obtain a prompt and full refund of all money paid by you to EE; provided that you have given us written notification of cancellation within 7 days of the date on which we notified you of all alterations.

b) Cancellations
A small number of the tours in this brochure are based on group arrangements, involving a given minimum number of passengers. If this minimum number is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the departure and offer an alternative date or a refund of all moneys paid by you. Such cancellation will not take place less
than 30 days before departure, and EE accepts no liability for compensations beyond this full refund.

Apart from these few group departures; we will not cancel a tour for reasons within our control after you have made final payment of the balance. We may be obliged to cancel for reasons beyond our control (force majeure).

For the purposes of this contract we define "force majeure" as war or threat of war, insurrection, riots, strikes, civil action, decisions by governments or governing authority, natural disasters, bad weather, technical or maintenance problems with transport, changes of schedules or operational decisions of air carriers, or similar circumstances beyond our control.
In such cases EE shall inform agents and clients who have booked directly without delay, and shall offer an alternative tour of comparable standard, if available, or a prompt refund of all moneys paid. Any such refund shall be sent to agents. EE accepts no liability for compensation beyond this full refund.

If any of the causes for cancellation or amendments occurs after the tour has commenced, we reserve the right to allow our guides or associates to alter the planned itinerary and accommodation on your behalf, and where these amendments are made as a result of force majeure (defined above), no compensation will be paid. Delays in departure and failed transport connections will sometimes make it impossible for a client to use services contracted and paid for and given these circumstances, EE shall be under no liability to pay compensation.


5. Prices

The price of a tour may be varied at any time before we have accepted your booking.
After we have confirmed the booking to you, so long as the itinerary does not alter, we will be bound unconditionally by this price. If we receive clearance of your full payment on or before the 45th day, we guarantee not to surcharge you.


6. Refunds and Compensation

As a basic principle, no refund will be made for any unused hotel accommodation, service or transport. However, where we ourselves are able to obtain a refund from hotels or principals for services not used, we will endeavor to pass this onto the client, less reasonable administration charges. EE's responsibility will not extend beyond this refund (where possible) and no payments will be made, or compensation given in respect of claims for contingent liability or inconvenience experienced by clients. No refund can be made on lost, mislaid or destroyed tickets or vouchers,


7. Variation of Conditions of Contract

No employee, servant, agent or associate of EE may vary the above booking conditions without the written consent of The General Manager of EE.


8. Jurisdiction

All matters concerning the booking shall be subject to Ecuadorian Law.


9. Insurance

It is the responsibility of every traveler that he/she is adequately insured against personal accident and medical expenses during his/her trip to Ecuador.


10. Your Responsibilities

You must ensure that all your travel documents, passports, visas, vaccination certificates, currency and traveler’s cheques (we recommend US $) are in order. EE is able to give general advice on these matters, but cannot be held responsible for any information not stated in writing as indicated. Please note that if you believe that EE has stated orally that a particular facility or service would be available, but it is not in the brochure, EE asks you make a brief reference to it in writing so that EE may confirm it to you when accepting your booking.

The same applies to requests for special diets, or facilities for the disabled. Whilst every effort will be made to meet requests for diets and disabled facilities, they cannot be guaranteed. Where special diets or disabilities are not advised to us at time of booking, EE reserves the right to charge for all out of pocket expenses incurred, in complying with clients needs.

1. Payment and Cancellation Policies:

a) Galapagos Charter

To confirm a charter a deposit is required. This deposit is refundable only if the cancellation is received 120 days prior to the sailing date. We retain a service fee of US$ 500 for all cancellations. Balance of payment is due 45 days prior to departure.

If one cancels between 120 and 45 days prior to the cruise, the deposit will be forfeited as a cancellation fee. If a cancellation is received between 45 days and the sailing date, the full cost of the cruise will be charged as a cancellation fee. If we are able to resell the charter, a full refund will be made after the sailing date less a service fee of US$ 500.

b) Galapagos FIT’S (Individual Travels)

To confirm your reservation a deposit is required. In case of cancellation, 10% of the total cruise price deposit will be will be forfeited as administrative charges and the rest of the deposit will be refundable only if the cancellation is received more than 45 days prior to departure date. Balance of payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

If a cancellation is received less than 45 days of cruise date, the full price of the cruise will be charged as cancellation penalty. If we are able to resell the space, a full refund will be made after the sailing date less 10% of the total price of the cruise which will be forfeited as administrative charges.

c) Mainland Services

To confirm your reservation a deposit is required. In case of cancellation, a portion of the total tour price deposit will be refundable only if the cancellation is received more than 30 days prior to departure date. The other portion, typically 10% of the total tour price will be forfeited as administrative charges.
Balance of payment is due 30 days prior to departure.

If a cancellation is received less than 30 days of departure date the full price of the tour will be charged as cancellation penalty.


2. Acceptance

EE reserves the right to refuse any booking from prospective clients whom EE considers unsuitable for the type of travel to be undertaken.


3. Alteration or cancellation after commencement of travel

Any alteration that you request after your tour has commenced, EE will do its best to implement, but we cannot guarantee that it will be possible.

Patchwork amendments after departure are a recipe for disaster. In the event of such amendments being made, you will be liable for any cancellation charges that may be levied for the booking of revised arrangements and the arrangements themselves. As a basic principle, no refund will be paid to clients who do not complete a tour; please see paragraph 6. Refunds, below.


4. Cancellations or Alterations by EE

a) Alterations
EE reserves the right at anytime to make changes to your trip arrangements (including flights, transport, accommodation, or services). Such changes are often minor, but if not, we will advise you or your travel agent, before you depart. If we make a material change, defined as a change before departure involving a significant change of resort or itinerary you may cancel your booking and obtain a prompt and full refund of all money paid by you to EE; provided that you have given us written notification of cancellation within 7 days of the date on which we notified you of all alterations.

b) Cancellations
A small number of the tours in this brochure are based on group arrangements, involving a given minimum number of passengers. If this minimum number is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the departure and offer an alternative date or a refund of all moneys paid by you. Such cancellation will not take place less
than 30 days before departure, and EE accepts no liability for compensations beyond this full refund.

Apart from these few group departures; we will not cancel a tour for reasons within our control after you have made final payment of the balance. We may be obliged to cancel for reasons beyond our control (force majeure).

For the purposes of this contract we define "force majeure" as war or threat of war, insurrection, riots, strikes, civil action, decisions by governments or governing authority, natural disasters, bad weather, technical or maintenance problems with transport, changes of schedules or operational decisions of air carriers, or similar circumstances beyond our control.
In such cases EE shall inform agents and clients who have booked directly without delay, and shall offer an alternative tour of comparable standard, if available, or a prompt refund of all moneys paid. Any such refund shall be sent to agents. EE accepts no liability for compensation beyond this full refund.

If any of the causes for cancellation or amendments occurs after the tour has commenced, we reserve the right to allow our guides or associates to alter the planned itinerary and accommodation on your behalf, and where these amendments are made as a result of force majeure (defined above), no compensation will be paid. Delays in departure and failed transport connections will sometimes make it impossible for a client to use services contracted and paid for and given these circumstances, EE shall be under no liability to pay compensation.


5. Prices

The price of a tour may be varied at any time before we have accepted your booking.
After we have confirmed the booking to you, so long as the itinerary does not alter, we will be bound unconditionally by this price. If we receive clearance of your full payment on or before the 45th day, we guarantee not to surcharge you.


6. Refunds and Compensation

As a basic principle, no refund will be made for any unused hotel accommodation, service or transport. However, where we ourselves are able to obtain a refund from hotels or principals for services not used, we will endeavor to pass this onto the client, less reasonable administration charges. EE's responsibility will not extend beyond this refund (where possible) and no payments will be made, or compensation given in respect of claims for contingent liability or inconvenience experienced by clients. No refund can be made on lost, mislaid or destroyed tickets or vouchers.