FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About this Page

In order to help make the best of your Trip, we at Zenith are continuously compiling a list of Frequently Asked Questions from our travelers. If your question isn't listed on this list, please feel free to contact us using the Live Chat, office, phone or contact forms available throughout our site. We'll be happy to assist you.

Who is GalapagosGps Travel?

We are an independently owned Travel Agency, Tour Operator & Destination Management company with over 15 years of experience providing great vacation deals to our select destinations in Ecuador and Galapagos Islands, as well as some occasional extended destinations

Why should I choose you versus others?

Our primary focus is for you and your group to have a great trip from start to finish. Our years of experience speak miles ahead of many of our competitors.

Where are you located?

Our office is conveniently located near the most lively tourist area of the city, just a few blocks away from La Marical. (Quito - Ecuador).

This zone is great because of its high availability of hotels, restaurants, shopping and transportation for you, as well as to keep us within walking distance if you need face-to-face assistance from our office.

In the Uk. We are located in Manchester - Blackley / Apartment, N. 32, Block 1 - Lakeside Rise.

+44 75653733203

fernando.yanez@galapagosgps.com

Do you have tours to the Ecuador Coastal Cities?

We do upon traveler request and are mostly recommended for travelers who want a little bit of R&R.

While the Ecuador Coastal Beaches and cities are gorgeous in nature, we want to encourage you to visit the breath taking enchanted Galapagos Islands which offer a great deal of adventure, discovery and memorable sites to see.

For available destinations and to plan your coastal vacation, give us a call and we'll happily assist you with something that best suits your needs.

What time zone are the Galapagos Islands in?

UCT (GMT) -6 Hours. Time on the Ecuadorian mainland is -5 UCT (GMT). Basically one hour behind the mainland time.

When is the best time to visit Galapagos?

Because the islands are situated along the Equator, it makes no difference what time of the year you visit. We just suggest planning your adventure around what you want to do and see:

- The warm season goes from December to May with an average temperature of 30°C (86°F). The seas are also calmer and warmer during these months. The Galapagos cool season starts in June and wraps up in November. The average temperature is 25°C (81°F) and is typically overcast and very occasional rain.The seas are rougher at this point, especially from July through September. However, the Humboldt Current brings colder water that is rich in plankton, which means more marine life is present to behold. Blue footed boobies also mate during this season.

- If you're an avid snorkeler, then we sugest visiting during January through March, when underwater visibility is at its best. This is also the mating season for land birds and sea lions, and nesting season for Sea Turtles.

- If flowers and lush vegetation are your thing, then visit the islands from February through April, when the island is in full bloom. March and April are great months to get up-close-and-personal with sea lion pups.

Are the animals on one island the same as another, even if the same species?

One of the most amazing discoveries by Charles Darwin at the Galapagos Archipelago was how each species evolved to adapt to its environment. So even if an island has finches, they may have some different traits, compared to the finches on another island. This is one of the main reasons tourists and researchers come back to Galapagos and visit as many islands as they can.

In some cases, there will be a new evolution within just a few years between visits.

It could be said that the islands may seem similar on a surface level view, yet once you look closely, they are so very different from each other.

Is the Amazon Rainforest Dangerous?

The select locations we offer are some of the safest areas in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest Jungle. The most you'll have to worry at these places are bug bites or too much enjoyment.

While these areas are safe, we highly emphasize to listen to your guides to ensure your safety. Exploring on your own beyond the permitted boundaries should be very obvious, but must still be disclosed.

Will I see a lot of wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest?

The amount of animals you see on a daily basis will highly depend on the time of year, mating seasons and area in the Amazon you are visiting. This is one reason it is common for our travelers to visit multiple times during different times of the year.

Your guide will usually point out the most hidden animals and insects during your trailing, but you may also spot some new and rare species for an amazing photo op!

Are there any immunizations required / recommended?

For the Galapagos Islands there are no required or recommended immunizations. If you, however, intend to spend more time in Ecuador, especially in the jungle, immunization is highly recommended.

As this changes from time to time, please check with your local health office (or the Institute for Tropical Diseases) preferably a few weeks in advance of your trip.

If we are aware of any specific immunizations your country or ours is requesting for the destinations of your travel, we will inform you whenever possible.

What if I need special medication?

First step is to inform us of any ailments that you may have that could potentially affect your travel experience. We will do our best to adjust your trip accordingly.

Second step is for you to ensure you have all medication you may need prior to starting your trip. If possible, keep a doctor's prescription note, ideally with the generic name of your medicine, in case you have to buy it at a local pharmacy.

Your safety is important to us, so please make sure to let us, your guide or group know if for whatever reason during your trip you are not feeling well, to give you the proper care when possible.

Do I need Travelers Insurance?

It is highly recommended to get some sort of traveler insurance, but not mandatory. The decision is truly up to you, but it's always bet for the safest option.

Depending on your travel insurance provider, it may compensate you partially or in full for lost and stolen items; or may provide some financial assistance with medical emergencies.

Please keep in mind that if you opt to not have any sort of traveler insurance, all expenses will be your out of pocket responsibility.

What should I bring to the Amazon Rainforest Jungle?

While we will provide you with pretty much all that is needed during your visit, you are responsible from bringing your own bug repellent, comfortable shoes, change of clothes, batteries, hat and other personal items.

Now, as the name suggests, it is the rainforest, so waterproof footwear, trousers and rain jacket or poncho are highly advisable. Depending on the location, some of these may be available to borrow, for rent or purchase.

If in doubt, we highly recommend you contact us with your questions about proper Amazon Attire specific to your Zenith Destination.

What should I wear to the Andes Sierra Tours?

The Sierra has a nice comfortable weather all year round. In the coldest days you'll just need to wear a jacket and on the warmer days you'll be fine even with long pants.

Depending on your travel destinations, you'll be fine with pretty much any clothes you wish to bring. Just make sure you include at least one light jacket or sweatshirt.

When in doubt, just call or write to us and we'll gladly assist you with your travel planning.

Do you service more destinations than those listed on the website?

Our website packages are our most popular destinations in Ecuador, Galapagos and Peru, but if you have specific needs, we will gladly work out an itinerary that is unique to just you and your travel party.

As a Destination Management company, we will ensure to provide you the best travel experience that best suits your taste. Let us know if you wish to focus on art, culture, adventure, exploration, etc., and we'll work alongside with you for the best unique travel experience.

Call or write to us today to enjoy of our best of the season special pricing!

What transport is available between islands if I am not on a cruise?

The most cost-effective and reliable form of transport between the islands are the speedboat ferries. There are ferries that run every day between Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Isabela Islands - check local information in Galapagos for up-to-date timetables.

There are also occasional small aircraft flights that operate between the main islands with EMETEBE airline. Again, it is best to check local information in Galapagos for up-to-date timetables.

To visit islands other than these main 3, it is possible to organize da-tours with agencies based in Puerto Ayora.

What are the Galapagos National Park Rules?

When visiting the Galapagos Islands, a National Park and World Heritage Site, all visitors are expected to act responsibly and to treat the environment with respect. Below are 14 rules of the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) that all visitors are expected to abide by while in the Islands:

1. Visitors to any protected areas within the Galapagos National Park must be accompanied by a naturalist guide authorized by the GNPD.

2. Travel only with tour operators and/or boats authorized to work in the protected areas of Galapagos.

3. Remain on marked trails at visitor sites and respect signs at all times for the protection of wildlife, and for your safety.

4. Maintain a distance of at least six feet (two meters) from wildlife as best as possible, to avoid disturbing them, even if they approach you.

5. Never feed wildlife, as this can cause health problems.

6. Flash photography is not permitted when taking photos of wildlife. Professional photography and videos recorded for commercial purposes must be authorized by the GNPD.

7. Camping is only allowed in a few authorized areas in the Islands. Request authorization to camp at the Galapagos National Park’s offices at least 48 hours in advance.

8. It is your responsibility not to introduce food, animals, or plants into the Archipelago. Cooperate fully with all environmental inspection and quarantine officials during your visit.

9. Do not take or buy any products or souvenirs made from banned substances, including black coral, shells, lava rock, animal parts, or any native wood or vegetation prior to leaving Galapagos. This is illegal and must be reported.

10. Practice “leave-no-trace” principles in order to maintain the beauty of the environment.

11. Pack out all trash and dispose of or recycle it in the populated areas or on your tour boat.

12. Smoking and/or campfires are strictly prohibited within the Galapagos National Park, as fires poses a serious risk to the flora and fauna of Galapagos.

13. Fishing is only permitted on recreational tour boats authorized by the GNPD.

14. Motorized aquatic sports, mini-subs, and aerial tourism activities are not permitted in the Galapagos National Park or Marine Reserve.

Failure to adhere to these rules may sometimes lead to warnings, fines, prison, deportation or banning from the islands, based on the severity and potentially malicious intention of the deed.

While it's extremely rare for people to break these rules, it is mostly common sense and good will from all our travelers.

I sent you an email, why haven't you replied?

We answer all emails in the order in which they are received. Sometimes the volume may exceed our staff possibilities and could take longer than usual.

In rare cases, your email may have been sent to our spam box and may take slightly longer to review. We will do our utmost to reply to you within the same day.

Emails sent past office hours may not be replied to until the next day.

It is more than 48 hours since my last email, what happened?

Please check your spam/junk mail folder in case our message was sent there by mistake. To ensure your mail is properly delivered, please add our email or domain zenithecuador.com to your safe senders list. This will vary depending on the mail client software you use.

During weekends and special holidays, email reply may be slightly slower than normal, but we will try our best to reply as soon as possible.

Why did email get sent to the junk folder?

As software gets upgraded, so do their mail filters, which may be producing false-positives.

Sometimes when our emails include words such as "payment", "vacation", or other common words for Travel Services, the spam filter of your software or email provider may trigger a flag, deleting it or sending it to the junk folder.

To prevent this from happening, please make sure you add galapagosgps.com to your safe senders list.

I have additional questions. Who can answer them?

For most questions, our GalapagosGps agents and operators will be able to help you directly. If necessary, they'll provide you with the contact of the entity that'll be able to answer your question.

You may start by filling out the contact forms on our site with your inquiry, or contact us directly at our main office, provided phone numbers or live-chat tools.

GalapagosGps

Our agency acts exclusively as an agent with legal limitations which, having exercised all possible precautions, is not responsible for injury, damage, loss, additional costs, delays or any other irregularities, which may be caused either by voluntary acts or omiissions or by the negligence of companies or individuals who provide transportation, accommodation or any other service related to the program, due to unforeseen circumstances or any other factor outside its control.