Galapagos Multisport Adventure on the S/C Valkiria

All meals
Accommodation on board
Visits to the islands
English speaking guide
Transfers in Galapagos.

Galapagos entrance fee (USD $100)
Transit Control Card (USD $10)
Alcoholic or extra drinks
Tips
Departure taxes
International flights.

Private Van
Yacht/Sailboat

Each of the five double rooms has a private bathroom. There is also ample group space, including a bar, lounge, small library, and deck space to relax on.

7 Nights Yacht

5 or less

10

Complete navigation and safety equipment, 1 dingy with 10 hp outboard motor,life raft,Radar,Gps,Echo sounder,auto pilot, and class 1 life jackets.

You will be taken care of by a crew of four. On your excursions, you will be led by a bilingual naturalist guide.

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

48 ft.

Aida Maria Travel

Aida Maria Travel/Galapagostours has been providing world class naturalist cruises for over 30 years. The company's roots stem from when the current owner's grandfather arrived in the islands in the 1940´s. Now with a new fleet of boats, which include the First Class Yacht Eden, Premium class Aida Maria, and Tourist Class Rumba, Aida Maria Travel offers tours around the Galapagos for all budgets.For our clients with special interests we have implemented a new line of first class products,the S/C Valkiria and M/Y Maverick to cover multi activities adventure tours and a mixture of the natural wonders of the Galapagos with the local culture.

Our fleet offers a great variety of options for naturalist and special interest cruises in the Galapagos Islands. Nature, advenutre and supreme comfort will be always part of a once in a life time journey.

When is the best time of the year to go to Galapagos?

Absolutely the most frequently asked question. Darwin said it all:
Considering that these islands are placed directly under the equator, the climate is far from being excessively hot; this seems chiefly caused by the singularly low temperature of the surrounding water, brought here by the great southern polar current. Excepting during one short season, very little rain falls, and even then it is irregular.
CHARLES DARWIN, 1845
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

What should I bring in my trip?
We recommend you to pack comfortable light clothes, shorts, T-shirts, swimsuits ,good hiking shoes are required to walk over the lava rock paths as well as sandals(flip flops-tevas) for wet landings and easy walks.
For shore excursions comfortable clothing is a must, preferably easy drying shorts, bathing suit, hats, enough sun screen, tennis shoes, windbreaker/rain jacket, binoculars, camera and lots of film.

Traveling Alone?

No problem,there are two ways you can visit the islands alone,since we operate our own boats we are in charge of the cabins asignment,actually half of our guests are couples and the other half are singles,if you are willing to share a double cabin we will guarantee that the other person in your cabin if of your same gender,if you are not willing to share please contact us for more information and prices.
Do I need a passport or visa to go to Ecuador and Galapagos?

A passport is required,most North American and European countries citizens do not require a visa in advance ,this is issued on arrival for a maximum of 3 months. Your travel agency can advise you of any visa requirements for your particular country when traveling to Ecuador.

Are vaccinations required?

To visit the Galapagos Islands there are no vaccinations neither required nor recommended. If you,are anyway planning to spend more time in Ecuador, especially in the rain forest or amazon area, vaccinations and inmunizationsis strongly recommended. Since this varies from time to time please consult with your local health office (or the Institute for Tropical Diseases) several weeks before your trip.

How are the Flights to the Galapagos Islands?

The flight time depends you departing city ,this Flights to the Galapagos leave from Quito making a stop in Guayaquil so you don't have to necesarily board in Quito to get from Quito to Guayaquil takes about thirty minutes and about one and a half hours from Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands. All flights leave from 7am to 11am in the morning and return between 1pm and 5pm.

How about luggage restrictions on the airplanes?

Only one suitcase 20kg and one carry-on piece are allowed on the plane.

What currency do we use in Galapagos and Ecuador?

Since the year 2000 the Ecuadorian government adopted the US Dollar as the national currency so if you already live in a country where You use them you can just bring them alone,otherwise make sure you exchange money before arrival.

How are the comunications facilities on board and on the islands?

During your Galapagos cruise regardless of the extent,you most likely will visit one of the inhabited islands,most likely Puerto Ayora which is the largest town in the Galapagos,there you can find many internet cafes as well as phone booths to make international calls,while you are onboard you will be able to receive urgent messages inmediately.

Can we smoke on the Islands or on the boat?

One of the main rules for visitors to the Galapagos is that it is not allowed to smoke on the islands. On the boats, however, you can smoke on deck but not in the inside social areas,for sure not in the cabins.

What is the electricity on the boat?

The Aida Maria,Eden,Rumba and Guantanamera have 110v outlets in all the cabins and bathrooms,please keep in mind that the sockets are the american type(flat - not round) so you migh want to bring an adaptor if you have different shaped sockets in your country.

Is there a dress code on the boats?

No dress code is applied on board our Galapagos yachts. The only requirement for lunch and dinner is to wear shoes or sandals.

What is the payment policies ?

Once you have decided to book a cruise 30% deposit is required and after that you will receive a time limit for making the full payment,we will send you the details for making a wire or internet payment to our bank account.

What is included in the price?

Double accommodation with private bathrooms (or single if requested) ,All meals on board ,Guided visit to the islands with english speaking guides ,bottled pure drinking water , coffe and tea at the bar any time, trasnportation in the islands, direct support from our office.

Not inlcuded

Round trip tickets to Galapagos US$ 390.00 per person (subject to change without prior notice) ,galapagos entrance fee US$ 100.00 for per person ,children under 12 years of age US$ 50.00 as well as students with valid international student ID,tips and personal expenses.

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION PROCEDURES

INDIVIDUAL PASSENGERS

PAYMENTS
• A 30% DEPOSIT must be accomplished for confirmation to keep spaces*.
• COMPLETE PAYMENT must be credited in our bank account 45 days prior sailing date*

LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS (within 45 days prior departure)
• Full payment is mandatory within the next 5 days after confirmation.
• NON REFUNDABLE in case of cancellation.

CANCELLATIONS PROCEDURES

In case of cancellation more than 90 days prior sailing date, the penalty fee will be USD 100 per person.

In case of cancellation between 60 to 90 days prior sailing date, the penalty fee will be 25% of the cruise rate.

In case of cancellation between 31 to 60 days prior sailing date, the penalty fee will be 50% of the cruise rate.

In case of cancellation within 30 days prior sailing date, the penalty fee will be the TOTAL cruise amount.


CHARTERS & GROUPS

PAYMENTS
• A 30% DEPOSIT must be accomplished within the next 5 days after confirmation to keep spaces.
• COMPLETE PAYMENT must be credited in our bank account 60 days prior sailing date*

CANCELLATIONS PROCEDURES

In case of cancellation more than 90 days prior sailing date, the penalty fee will be USD 100 per person.

In case of cancellation between 90 to 60 days prior sailing date, the penalty fee will be 50% of the cruise rate.

In case of cancellation within 60 days prior sailing date, the penalty fee will be the TOTAL cruise amount.

*FAILURE TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF A CONFIRMED BOOKING BASED ON THE TIME FRAMES GIVEN, SPACES WILL BE RELEASED AUTOMATICALLY AND CONSEQUENTLY THE BOOKING CANCELLATION.