Ecuador and Galapagos Island Hopper

• Quito: Stroll around the colourful streets of the old town. See Independence Square, La Basilica de Volo Nacional and all the other highlights.
• Quito: Your inner science nerd will love this museum all about the Equator.
• Quito: Here’s your chance to snap up some brightly coloured ponchos for everyone back home.
• Baños: Live out all your rainforest hiking dreams as you climb past this monumental waterfall.
• Baños: Hungry after all that travelling? Fill up on some mouth-watering BBQ seasoned with the freshest Ecuadorian spices.
• Baños: If you’ve always wanted to learn this Latin dance, this is your moment. We’ve booked you in for a lesson!
• Quito: Swoop into the phenomenal Galápagos Islands and start your expedition of these natural wonders. #explore
• Isabela Island: Look out for sea turtles, penguins, sea lions and more as you glide over to the largest island in the Galapagos.
• Santa Cruz Island: You can’t visit the Galapagos without popping by to say hello to its most famous residents.
• Santa Cruz Island: Take a walk inside these incredible tunnels, made from solidified lava.
• Isabela Island: Your chance to get up close with turtles, angelfish, parrotfish and more at one of the world’s best snorkeling spots.
• Isabela Island: Get set for the adventure of a lifetime. Float around the turquoise waters surrounded by penguins, turtles and sea lions.
• Isabela Island: A once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close with endangered Galápagos Giant Tortoises – and see the work that’s being done to save them.
• Santa Cruz Island: Marvel at the beauty. Then hike to a secluded beach with only the iguanas for company (and your Contiki crew, obvs).
• Santa Cruz Island: Support the crucial conservation, restoration and sustainable development work of the Galapagos scientists.
• San Cristobal Island: Grab your camera and get some pics with these charming locals.
• San Cristobal Island: On the surface, this may look like a giant red rock shaped like a shoe. But under the water, it’s a rainbow utopia of marine life.
• San Cristobal Island: Stretch out on the pristine sands with your Contiki crew and take in the peace and tranquility.
• Quito:

• 11 Breakfast (B)
• 5 Dinner (D)

• Lima: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
• Which currency should I bring?? You’ll need to bring USD cash with you, as it’s the only way to pay for the Free Time Add-Ons on this trip. You’ll receive the cost of each option in your Welcome Email. Plus, we recommend you bring Visa and/or Master Card (American Express or Discover cards aren’t widely accepted).
• Can I get access to an ATM when in Ecuador? It really depends on where you’re travelling to. Ecuador has lots of ATMs (just be wary of those sneaky fees). While in more rural places and the Galapagos islands you’re better off carrying cash.
• Iguazú Falls: Is it customary to tip? You’ll usually receive a 10% service charge on your restaurant bill. But tipping isn’t a requirement. Either way, if you’re pleased with your service, a tip will always be appreciated! We recommend tipping 12% of the total bill.
• Iguazú Falls: How much luggage can I bring? You can bring 1 hand luggage + 1 suitcase or backpack per person.  Internal flights are included in this trip (your Trip Manager will have your tickets ready for you). Each traveller is allowed 1 checked bag & 1 carry-on bag/personal item (eg: small backpack/handbag or laptop bag). Our suitcase restriction above means that the checked bag will be within the limitation for this flight. The carry-on bag must not exceed 114 cm (45”). Extra or overweight bags will incur a fee by the airline which is the traveller’s responsibility. Fees range from US$25.00-US$100.00.
• South Plaza Island: What should I pack for my trip? The weather can be quite unpredictable, so it's important to pack appropriately. Please bring these items with you:  - Comfortable walking shoes with good traction - Teva-style sandals (thongs or flip-flop sandals are not suitable for hikes) - Swimming (bathing) suit & towel - Light to medium fleece jacket - Gore-Tex (or similar) rain jacket - Shorts, T-shirts, Long pants, Long-sleeve shirt, Hat or cap - Sunglasses (preferably polarised) - Socks (athletic style socks for walking & hiking) - First aid & medication - aloe vera gel, sunblock or sunscreen of the highest SPF possible, insect repellent, hand sanitiser or gel, moisturising cream, pain relief (e.g. aspirin etc for headaches or muscle pain) motion sickness medication - Reusable water bottle - Plastic Ziplock bags (to protect valuables from drizzle, rain etc)
• Iguazú Falls: Is tap water safe to drink? Drinking tap water isn’t recommend. So, please stick to bottled water (even when brushing your teeth). There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase bottled water during the trip.
• What is the weather like in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands? Ecuador’s climate is tropical but varies by altitude and region. Quito has a subtropical highland climate with daytime temps around 70°F (21°C) and nights dropping to 50°F (10°C). It has a dry season (June -September) and a wet season (October -May). The rainforest stays warm at 84°F (29°C), while the coast, influenced by ocean currents, is hot and rainy from January to April.  The Galápagos Islands? Always warm! Temps hover around 85°F (30°C) year-round, with August–September averaging 77°F (25°C) and March to April peaking at 89°F (31°C). Whether hiking or exploring, it’s always a great time to visit!
• South Plaza Island: Will I need vaccinations prior to travelling? Please check the latest travel info from the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention if you're travelling to Ecuador. We also recommend that you consult your local health clinic or doctor for more details.
• Is there any trip specific information I need to know? The Galápagos Islands have a compulsory US$200 entrance fee to the Galápagos National Park, a US$20 INGALA fee & a US$10 Isabela Island tax that are only payable in cash on arrival (subject to increase). So, please have US$230 cash ready to secure your entry to these locations.  Contiki sometimes uses ground handlers or third parties to assist with the full or partial operation of our products. The ground handler for this trip is Adventure Journeys.
• Iguazú Falls: What is the role of the Trip Manager? Your Trip Manager brings the group together with all the info, fun facts and food recommendations you'll ever need. Plus, they’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and address any issues. They’ll be there with you throughout the trip and will be your go-to person if you need anything. They’ll also fill you in on the cultural and historical context of the places you visit with some informal talks when relevant.
• Iguazú Falls: What power adapters do I need? Most places use similar plugs to the US and Europe, but it’s a good idea to bring a circular two-prong adapter just in case. No voltage converter is needed for devices like phones and laptops, but you may need one for high-powered devices (e.g., hairdryers).
• Baños: What can I expect when travelling in Ecuador? Flexibility is key when you’re travelling in Ecuador. The itinerary will give you a good idea of what your trip is gonna look like. But routes, schedules, hotels & modes of transportation may be subject to change without prior notice because of local circumstances or events beyond Contiki’s control.

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