Galapagos Islands ~ June 14-24, 2010

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The Plan	Your Pre-Departure Checklist	Other Liveaboard Trips

Your Pre-Departure Checklist

• Thoroughly read this website, as well as the Aggressor's Galapagos: Know Before You Go and Tentative Reservation Planner factsheets.
• Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in Quito.
• Book your internationals flights in and out of Quito. Remember that you’re required to stay in Ecuador at least one night before and one night after the Galapagos trip. At least two nights before is probably better, if you can, in case of flight delays, missed connections, or lost luggage.
• We will arrange everyone’s Ecuador domestic flights reservations. For payment, you have two options: pay onboard (if paying onboard they add a $10 surcharge), or pay us (we add it to your invoice and you send us the money together with your final trip payment). Let us know which option you prefer.
• Book your Quito accommodation. We’ve given details of recommended hotels.
• Let us know your international flight details and where you will be staying in Quito.
• Let us know your passport details so that we can book your domestic flights: name as it appears on passport, passport number, nationality, date of birth. Please send us this by February 15th.
• Please complete Aggressor’s Application and Liability Waiver by March 16th. It can be completed and submitted online, but doesn't work in all browsers; if you have any trouble, let us know. When completing the form, the confirmation number for our trip is 25790, and the ship is Galapagos Aggressor II Galapagos Aggressor I (both ships have identical layout and specifications). Under payment method, choose "unknown at this time", as we will be paying them direct. If you don't complete this form before March 16th Aggressor will deny you boarding!
• DAN (or similar) dive medical insurance is a must. Please make sure you get it; if you already have it, check to make sure it won't have expired by the time the trip starts.
• Please consider getting travel insurance as well: flights get cancelled, pockets get picked, luggage gets lost, and volcanoes explode. It’s very affordable peace of mind when you compare it to the overall price of this trip.
• If you are considering a side trip into the Amazon, ask your doctor for advice on anti-malarials and vaccinations; some vaccinations need to be done several months before departure.
• Get a clean, crisp $100 note for the Galapagos Park entry. And get a clean, crisp $10 note for the Galapagos Control Visitor's Card. For petty cash while in Quito or Guayaquil, bring plenty of small notes ($1 and $5) because taxis and small establishments never seem to have change.
• Send us a photo and a blurb about yourself, and we'll add it to the Who's Coming page.
• Please make your final payments by February 15th.
• Don’t forget to pack your Certification, Nitrox, and DAN cards.
• Think about what else you need to pack for Galapagos.
• UPDATE January 2010: Check whether you'll need a yellow fever vaccination card to re-enter your home country after travelling to Ecuador.
• UPDATE January 2010: The US government has implemented their mandatory Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). It applies to all non-USA passport holders visiting or transiting through the USA. If that's you, you'll need to register for the ESTA at least three days (or 72 hours) before flying. You can apply online via the official ESTA website. There is no fee for the ESTA. Beware of unauthorised websites that charge a fee for submitting their ESTA application.