During this travel foray we will explore Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Additionally, we will investigate one of the largest indigenous markets in South America. Then the real adventure begins when we explore the diverse wildlife and volcanic landscapes of the amazing Galapagos Islands. 

Visa Requirements:  U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to visit Ecuador. However, one must complete an online Customs Registration Form (Formulario de Registro Aduanero – FRA)

Registration and Deposit

Q: What should I expect after registering and paying the deposit for the tour?

A: You will receive a confirmation email welcoming you to the tour. This email will include a link to a 'Manage Booking' page where you can view and edit all your trip details. Also included is your deposit receipt, payment schedule, and information for purchasing travel insurance through Travelex. Imprint Tours STRONGLY recommends purchasing trip insurance.

Q: Is my deposit refundable?

A: Your deposit is refundable for 30 days, after which it is non-refundable for any reason.

Flight Information

Q: Are flights included?

A: International Flights to/from the tour are NOT included.

Q: What airport do I use to join the tour?

A: The tour starts in Quito (UIO) on Sept 18 (late afternoon).

Q: Should I arrive early for the tour?

A: When you arrive is entirely up to you. Most Imprint travelers arrive 1 day early.

Q: What airport do I use to depart the tour?

A: The tour ends at Quito airport on Sept 28, in the late afternoon.

Q: Does Imprint provide or arrange airport transfers?

A: No, airport transfers to join or depart the tour are the traveler's responsibility to arrange. Basic information will be included in the 8-Week Letter. 

Q: Does Imprint provide advice about airlines, routing, or booking?

A: No, Imprint does not provide these services.

Q: When should I book my flight?

A: Avoid booking flights before Jan 18 2026 unless you confirm the tour status.

Q: Do I need to check the tour status after Jan 18?

A: No, if you have not received a cancellation notice from Imprint by Jan 18, you may assume the tour is a go.

Tour start/end

Q: What time will the tour start on Sept 18?

A: 17:00 (5:00PM) 

Q: What time will the tour end on Sept 28?

A: 17:00 (5:00PM)

Payment: Early Pay Discount (EPD) and Full Price

Q: How do I take advantage of the Early Pay Discount (EPD)

A: To receive the $300 EPD, you must register for the EPD price and pay in full by the designated date. You will receive a notice of final payment due one week prior. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions regarding EPD as cancellation incurs a penalty.

Q: If I’ve chosen to take advantage of the Early Pay Discount (EPD), and subsequently cancel, what penalties will I incur?

A: If you’ve opted for the EPD and paid in full, but then cancel, your deposit plus $400 of the EPD price is non-refundable. If no deposit has been paid, $1000 of the EPD price is non-refundable.

Q: If I have registered for the EPD price, but then need to switch to 'full price' and pay my balance later, can Imprint accommodate me?

A: Yes, we can switch packages for you. Simply send us an email - info@imprinttours.com

Q: Can I pay with a Credit Card?

A: Yes, you can opt to pay via Credit Card. However, you must pay the Credit Card fees, which are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. 

Q: Can I avoid the Credit Card fees?

A: Yes, you can pay via ACH transfer without fees. 

Q: Can I choose to delay final payment until May 4, 2025?

A: Yes, you must register for a Full Price package, then pay your balance due by May 4. You will receive a notice of final payment due one week prior.

Q: Is there any penalty for cancellation of a non-EPD registration?

A: No, there is no penalty for cancellation until May 4. However, your deposit is forfeit if the 30 days has elapsed (see above).

Q: What if I have to cancel after May 4?

A: After May 4, 2025 all payments are final and non-refundable for any reason. 

Pre-Departure Information

Q: What should I do to prepare for the tour?

A: About 8 weeks before departure, you'll receive a detailed email with a packing list, sightseeing suggestions, and other important information. Meanwhile, ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date and has two clean pages for visa stamps.

Pre- and Post-Tour Hotels

Q: Since Imprint is unable to assist with pre- and post-tour hotel bookings, how do I book non-tour hotel nights?

A: For pre-tour nights, book the [ ] For post-tour nights, we will be using [ ] . Bookings are under Intrepid DMC Ecuador and Imprint Tours, standard rooms. Final hotel bookings with roster names will be made about 60 days prior to the tour start.

Q: If I want to book pre-tour nights in Quito can Imprint assist in making sure I stay in the same room when the tour begins?

A: No, Imprint is unable to assist with this. You must deal directly with the hotel to make any special arrangements.

Q: What if the first and/or last tour hotels are fully booked for the pre- and/or post-tour nights I am interested in?

A: You must make your own alternative arrangements. We suggest using your favorite hotel booking engine to choose an accommodation with the location, price, and standard of your choice.

Tour Hotels

Q: If I need a complete list of tour hotels, where do I find that?

A: On the Galapagos Tour ITINERARY page on the Imprint website or the Itinerary listing on this We Travel registration portal.

Important Reminders

Q: Are there any critical things I need to keep in mind?

A:

• Print and keep the confirmation letter for reference.

• If your passport will expire between now and 6 months beyond your intended departure from Ecuador, it is your sole responsibility to update your registration information in We Travel. You can use the link in your confirmation email to return to your account to make edits. Imprint Tours is not responsible for reminding you to update your information nor for any problems with booking delays, mistakes, or omissions due to incorrect passport data.

• Add reid@imprinttours.com to your email address book.

• Download & activate Whatsapp for essential on-tour communications.

• Check your bank’s policy on international ATM withdrawal and/or Credit Card fees.

Health and Safety

Q: What health precautions should I take?

A: Visit the CDC website or your local travel medicine clinic for suggested inoculations for Ecuador. We cannot advise on inoculations due to liability concerns.
This tour involves moderate to demanding physical activity, including walking tours, climbing steps, and excursions to natural sites with uneven terrain. Participants should be in good health and capable of handling such activities.

Tour Member Expectations

Q: What mindset should I have for the tour?

A: Be flexible, independent, and personally responsible. Expect challenges and surprises, especially in less-developed areas. Positive, flexible attitudes contribute to a better group experience.

Travel Insurance

Q: Why is travel insurance important?

A: Travel insurance protects your investment against unforeseen events like flight delays, baggage loss, or sudden illness. We recommend Travelex.

In case you haven’t read our Terms and Conditions carefully, we would like to repeat the

importance of purchasing trip insurance. We have partnered with Travelex, a leader in the travel insurance industry. We have chosen Travelex for their very high rating, their record and

reliability of processing claims, and their excellent customer service. Travelex is proud to offer

you a variety of travel protection plans to fit your travel needs. We understand your plans can

change quickly and unforeseen events could impact your travel plans. We feel it’s important to consider purchasing a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment.

Travel protection plans help provide coverage for:

- Trip Cancellation

- Trip Interruption

- Emergency Medical Expenses

- Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains

- Travel Delay

- Baggage & Personal Effects

- Baggage Delay and more

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SERVICES*: With a Travelex Travel Protection Plan, emergency assistance and travel services are just a phone call away from virtually anywhere in the world.

For more information on the recommended plans or to enroll, CLICK HERE or contact Travelex

Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0252.

Please Note:

Travelex Insurance Services plans are only available to U.S. Residents. To be eligible for a

waiver of the pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the Ultimate protection plan must be

purchased within 21 days from the time you make your initial trip deposit. However, plans can

be purchased any time up until the day prior to departure.

*Travel Assistance Services are provided by the designated provider as listed in the policy. The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York), 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196. Certain coverages not available in all states.

Day 1 Quito
We will gather in our hotel for a get-acquainted meeting and then enjoy our first Ecuadorian meal together.

Day 2  Quito
Intinan; Casa Agave
In the morning we will visit the Intiñan museum. This fun museum features life-size dioramas depicting Ecuadorian daily life and interactive demonstrations designed to test the unique physical forces at work in the equatorial region. Next we will visit Casa Agave, a fascinating museum project dedicated to preserving Agave culture, one of the oldest of the Andes.

Day 3  Quito
Otavalo
The northern indigenous town of Otavalo is known as the handicraft capital of Ecuador. Today we’ll explore the fabulous local market, the largest in Ecuador. You can shop for or simply photograph the colorful hand-made textiles and explore family artisan workshops. You can sample the Andean cuisine for which this area is known, including the tasty Biscochos de Cayambe. Enroute we’ll make a photo stop at San Pablo lake, with its dramatic backdrop of Imbabura volcano.

Day 4  San Cristobal
Flight; Interpretation Center; Tijeretas Hll; Punta Carola
We begin this day with a flight to San Cristobal Island, with its dramatic landscapes and pristine shores. After settling into our accommodation, we commence with a visit to the Galapagos Interpretation Center, learning about the islands' ancient origins and their ongoing role in ecological research and conservation. Then we ascend Tijeretas Hill, a vantage point offering panoramic views of the island. Next up, Punta Carola's sandy shores provide an idyllic evening retreat, with possible spottings of sea lions and marine iguanas. 

Day 5  San Cristobal
Lobos Island; Manglesito Beach
Today we embark on a journey to Lobos Island, named after its impressive colony of sea lions. We’ll have the chance to hike the island's trails while observing its diverse and exotic birdlife. We’ll experience the beauty of the island's rich marine life as we snorkel the island’s pristine waters. We conclude our visit at Manglesito Beach, where you can relax on the sandy shores or do more snorkeling.

Day 6  Isabella
Floreana Island Excursion
On this morning a speedboat transfers us to Floreana Island where a world of contrasts awaits. We’ll visit black sand beaches and enjoy more snorkeling opportunities. A communal lunch with island residents provides a glimpse into their unique way of life, a delicate dance with nature. In the afternoon our trusty craft will speed us to Isabela Island, the largest and most dramatic of the Galapagos.

Day 7  Isabella
Sierra Negra & Chico Volcanos; Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center
Isabela Island's Sierra Negra Volcano looms on the horizon, its immense caldera promising an otherworldly experience. We’ll hike through lush highland vegetation to the rim, where we are rewarded with panoramic views of the crater. We continue on to Chico Volcano, where fumaroles and lava tunnels reveal the forces that shaped the Galapagos. We conclude our day with a visit to the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center where we will see the emblematic giant tortoises, symbols of the archipelago's conservation efforts.

Day 8  Isabella
Los Tuneles
Another boat journey transports us to Los Tuneles, a maze of naturally formed lava tunnels and arches. Potential snorkeling encounters beneath these geological wonders include seahorses, reef sharks, and the iconic Galapagos penguins. In the afternoon you are free to relax or enjoy the beautiful beach and have some time on your own during the sunset.

Day 9  Santa Cruz
Darwin Research Station; Tortuga Bay
This morning we will transfer to Santa Cruz Island. A visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station provids insights into the ongoing conservation of the Galapagos and the opportunity to see giant tortoises again. We will also visit Tortuga Bay with its pristine beach.

Day 10  Santa Cruz
Full day island tour
Today we will explore one of the nearby uninhabited islands. Our choice will be determined by weather conditions, seasonal opportunities, and what we have already seen in the islands. Options include:

Seymour Island
Seymour is home to many different species of birds and animals. It is a good place to spot frigates, blue footed boobies, iguanas, sea lions, and fur seals. In the afternoon we’ll sail to Bachas’ beach, a nesting area for sea turtles.

Santa Fe Island
Highlights include a beautiful bay where we can snorkel with eagle rays, sting rays, sea turtles, and lots of fish. Santa Fe is known for its large colony of sea lions and there are several excellent hikes available.

South Plaza Island
South Plaza boasts one of the most concentrated wildlife environments in the Galapagos. Encounters might include sea lions, iguanas, swallow-tail gulls, frigates, pelicans, and other tropical bird species. We will sail to Punta Carrion for more snorkeling.

Bartolome Island
Bartolome is the most recognizable and photographed island in the archipelago thanks to its distinctive pinnacle rock. We’ll hike along a wood trail to the top of this once-active volcano, observing the different lava formations on the way, for a fantastic panoramic view. Later, we’ll take a zodiac in search of Galapagos penguins, and then disembark on the beach for some snorkelling. This is a great place to see white tip reef sharks, sea turtles, many fish, and maybe swim alongside sea lions.

Day 11  Quito
Flight
After breakfast we’ll be transferred to the Baltra airport for our flight back to Quito. The tour ends upon arrival at Quito’s international airport. The tour ends upon arrival at Quito’s international airport (scheduled arrival time: 16:15).  

[Itinerary specifics and hotels are subject to change.]

What’s Included:
10 nights hotel accommodation; All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners; All tour transportation (bus, boat, airplane, transfers, and port fees); All tips (Imprint escort, tour director, local guides, drivers, group meals, hotel staff); Full-time services of Ecuadorian tour manager and Imprint escort; All entrances: Intinan, Casa Agave, Galapagos NP; All activities: Otavalo market; Galapagos coach, boat, and snorkeling excursions.
*Note: All boat excursions are subject to weather.

Important Exclusions
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, expenditures of a personal nature, snorkeling equipment, and flight baggage overage fees.