Booking Terms
& Conditions

Booking & Confirmation

• All quotations are stated in USD and remain subject to availability until the required deposit has been received and Galapagos Trails issues written confirmation.
• A 60% deposit is required to confirm the reservation.
• Hotels, vessels, guides and schedules remain subject to operational availability unless specifically confirmed in writing.
• If a selected service becomes unavailable before confirmation, Galapagos Trails may propose a comparable alternative and will communicate any material price difference before proceeding.

Payment Terms

Cancellation by the Traveler

Non-refundable bank, credit-card and payment-processing fees are excluded from refundable amounts.

Optional Resale Assistance

If a traveler has an unexpected problem and must cancel during a non-refundable period, Galapagos Trails may voluntarily attempt to help resell the reserved space.

Changes Requested by the Traveler

• Date, passenger-name, hotel, activity or itinerary changes remain subject to availability.
• Fare differences, supplier penalties and additional operational costs may apply.
• When a supplier does not permit the requested change, the request may need to be treated as a cancellation.

Weather, Operational Changes & Force Majeure

• Galapagos itineraries may change because of weather, sea conditions, safety considerations, Galapagos National Park instructions, mechanical issues, airline or ferry changes, natural events or other circumstances outside reasonable control.
• When necessary, the order, timing, route, activity, vessel or accommodation may be modified.
• Galapagos Trails will seek a reasonable comparable alternative whenever operationally possible.
• If a booked service is cancelled and no suitable alternative can be provided, any refund or credit recoverable from the responsible supplier will be passed on according to the applicable conditions and law.

Wildlife, Visitor Sites & Activities

• Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
• Animals move freely and natural conditions vary throughout the year.
• Visitor sites, routes, snorkeling locations and schedules remain subject to National Park regulations, permits, environmental conditions and safety decisions.
• Travelers must follow instructions from guides, crew, park authorities and safety personnel.

Flights, Ferries & Baggage

• Air and ferry schedules are controlled by third-party carriers and may change.
• Travelers must respect the communicated check-in and meeting times.
• Baggage allowances vary by carrier and route.
• Excess baggage or additional carrier charges are the traveler's responsibility unless expressly included.
• Galapagos Trails will assist with reasonable reorganization following carrier delays or cancellations; however, additional unrecoverable costs may remain the traveler's responsibility.

Accommodation

• Hotel category represents the agreed level of accommodation.
• A specific hotel is guaranteed only when named in the final written confirmation.
• If a confirmed property becomes unavailable for operational reasons, a comparable property in the same or higher category may be proposed.
• Bedding, connecting rooms and special room requests remain subject to hotel configuration and confirmation.

Government Fees & Items Not Included

• Government, conservation, migration, airport, port, water-taxi, local transportation or similar charges are included only when expressly listed in the quotation.
• Official fees, taxes and regulations may change without notice.
• Travelers are responsible for items listed as “Not Included” in their quotation or itinerary.

Traveler Responsibilities & Travel Insurance

• Travelers are responsible for valid passports or identification, immigration documentation, return or onward tickets and any requirements applicable to their nationality.
• Travelers must comply with Galapagos entry, Transit Control Card, biosecurity and other official procedures in force at the time of travel.
• Travel insurance is strongly recommended, including medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation or interruption, baggage and missed-connection protection.
• Relevant medical, mobility, dietary or activity-related considerations should be disclosed before travel so that suitability can be reviewed.

Diving & Specialized Activities

• Diving may require valid certification, minimum logged dives, recent diving experience or medical documentation depending on the site and operator.
• The dive operator, instructor and guide retain final authority to determine whether a participant may safely participate.
• Safety decisions made by the dive team or vessel crew are final.

Third-Party Suppliers

Galapagos Trails coordinates travel services directly and through hotels, vessels, guides, airlines, ferry operators and other independent suppliers.

• Supplier-specific operational rules and booking conditions may apply to their services.
• Galapagos Trails remains responsible for its own obligations and local coordination.
• Third-party services remain subject to the supplier's operational rules and all mandatory protections under applicable law.

Personal Information, Complaints & Applicable Law

• Personal information may be used to process the reservation and shared only where reasonably necessary with suppliers, guides, hotels, carriers and authorities involved in the trip.
• Any concern should be communicated as soon as possible during the journey so the local team has an opportunity to assist.
• These booking terms are governed by the laws of Ecuador.
• Nothing in these terms limits mandatory consumer rights that cannot legally be waived.