WHAT TRAVELERS ARE SAYING
“Every part of the trip was well coordinated. All three guides (Sergio, Roberto & Jorge) were communicative and friendly and kept us informed throughout the trip. We will definitely plan our next trip with OneSeed. This was the best guided trip I have been on, thanks for offering it!”
“Our guide and assistant guide were the absolute best - they were extremely knowledgeable about the park, were fun companions during the hike, very helpful with everything we needed, and made sure we had an amazing experience. ”
“I would strongly recommend OneSeed Expeditions because I love its philosophy and business model. It is good to know that my travel adventure has a positive impact in the community and that the guides and porters are treated fairly. ”
Read More Reviews
WHAT TO BRING
You are responsible only for personal clothing and gear listed below. We'll take care of everything else. A gear check will be completed before you depart for the trail. This list does not include additional clothing/items you may want for travel or for your time off the trail.
Packing System: This expedition is vehicle-supported. You are responsible for carrying a day pack each day.
Don't forget
We need you to have everything on the list below for our expedition to go smoothly, so there is no one item that is more important than another. Double-check your entire list and make sure to have/review these important items below.
Valid Passport
Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your arrival date in Ecuador.
Medical insurance card
Should anything happen, we can get you the care you need.
Required Vaccinations
It is important to receive required (or recommended) vaccinations before traveling abroad. Check the CDC's recommendations for Ecuador.
The List (check it twice)
Trekking Gear
(2) pairs of lightweight hiking pants
(2) pairs of shorts
(2) bathing suit
(4) non-cotton T-shirts
(1) cotton T-shirt
(1) water T-shirt
(1) fleece
(1) rain jacket
(2) buffs
(1) pair of tennis shoes
(1) pair of water sandals
(1) pair of flip flops
(1) cap or hat
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Mosquito repellent
Camera
Head lamp
Optional binoculars
NOTE: Laundry is available almost at every location, this helps traveling light too.
Documents and Logistics
International flights booked and confirmed into Quito
Passport valid for 6 months after arrival date (*Passport and entry receipt must be carried at all times during expedition!)
Photocopy of passport
Medical insurance card
Cash for tipping guides, buying souvenirs, incidental costs, etc.
Note: Please bring crisp US bills. Many places will not accept torn, wrinkled, or worn bills
Other (optional)
Pack liner and/or pack cover in case of rain
Gaiters
Reading material for the trail
Guidebooks
Camera
Trekking poles
Shorts
Pajamas/Loungewear for the the evenings
Bandana or buff for dust and wind
Energy/protein bars
Zip-lock bags for waterproofing passport and other valuables
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter what time I arrive or depart?
- If you arrive/depart at any time on the scheduled start/end dates of your trip, OneSeed will arrange for airport transfers. Pickup will be arranged to efficiently transfer clients with flight times in close proximity (generally within one hour of each other). If you plan to arrive before the scheduled start date or stay past the end date of your trip, you will need to coordinate your own airport transfer or purchase a trip extension through OneSeed.
Do I need a visa? And what about passport requirements?
What happens if my trip is altered due to unforseen circumstances?
Per the Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver Agreement, if your expedition must be altered at any point, you are responsible for any additional costs.Canceled flights and transportation strikes happen. We do our best to ensure that your experience is unaltered by handling the situation efficiently and smoothly. For complete terms and conditions, see here. We recommend reviewing optional trip cancellation and interruption insurance to cover expenses in these instances. Some instances that have come up are:
- A twisted ankle one week before a trip
- Power outages in the Atlanta airport leaving travelers stranded
- Burst appendix!
- Earthquakes or floods cutting a trip short
DO I NEED ANY IMMUNIZATIONS OR MEDICINE?
Talk to your physician and follow recommended CDC guidelines found here.
WILL WE NEED TO FILTER WATER?
Drinking water is provided throughout your expedition.
WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE?
- You will be staying in hotel with private bathrooms throughout your trip.
WHAT FOOD SHOULD I EXPECT TO EAT ON THE TRIP?
- Most meals are either in restaurants or on your own. You have many options in Santa Cruz and Isabela.
- OneSeed is able to accommodate most allergies and dietary preferences. If you didn't include this information on your registration form, please email info@oneseedexpeditions.com.
How many people will be on my expedition?
- We generally cap our group departure dates at around 10, though some may be slightly larger depending on the expedition.
- We guarantee all group departure dates whether there are 1 or 10 travelers signed up. We recommend asking our team how many people are in your group when you sign up for a departure date. Keep in mind, travelers may join or cancel at the last minute! If you are the only one in your group, we are happy to work with you on changing your travel dates if no deposits have been made.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
- Please refer to our Terms & Conditions here: www.oneseedexpeditions.com/terms-of-service
DO I NEED TO TIP MY GUIDE?
Tips are always appreciated. We have developed the chart in the blogpost below to act as a guide. Averages below are based on per person recommendations.
www.oneseedexpeditions.com/blog/tipping/
DOES SOMEONE CARRY MY PACK?
- This expedition is vehicle-supported. You will only carry a day pack each day.
CAN I LEAVE SOME OF MY LUGGAGE IN THE HOTEL DURING THE TRIP?
- Yes. You can leave any extra luggage in Quito.
HOW SHOULD I TRAIN FOR MY TREK?
- All activitites (hiking, kayaking, and biking) require no previous experience but you should be in good physical health and able to move across a variety of terrains.
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?
- Weather in the Galapagos is always unpredictable. Please pay close attention to the packing list provided.
ANY OTHER TIPS?
- We always ask that you stay safe on the trail by drinking plenty of water, eating well, and communicating openly with your guide about any issues that arise. Be sure to take care of your belongings, be respectful of your travel companions, practice your Spanish with people you meet along the way, and respect the natural landscape that you're exploring.
