POLICY INFORMATION

Before start with the information about our policies, it is very important to mention the main rules that apply to visiting Ecuador, the beaches, Protected Areas, cities, native communities, the Amazon Rainforest and the Galapagos National Park; for all tourists and the tours to do.

Rules of Galapagos National Park

All tourists are welcome when visiting Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands, which is a National Park and World Heritage Site, so all visitors must act in a responsible manner, treating other tourists, local people and the environment with respect.

Here are the 15 rules of the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) that all visitors must follow while in the visit:

Visitors to any protected areas within the Galapagos National Pa#00b0f0rk must be accompanied by a naturalist guide authorized by the GNPD.
Travel only with tour operators and/or boats authorized to work in the protected areas of Galapagos.
Remain on marked trails at visitor sites and respect signs at all times for the protection of wildlife, and for your safety.
Maintain a distance of at least six feet (two meters) from wildlife to avoid disturbing them, even if they approach you.
Never feed wildlife, as this can cause health problems.
Drones and Flash photography is not permitted when taking photos of wildlife. Professional photography and videos recorded for commercial purposes must be authorized by the GNPD.
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.
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.
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 Galápagos. This is illegal and must be reported.
Practice “leave-no-trace” (no trash) principles in order to maintain the beauty of the environment.
Pack out all trash and dispose of or recycle it in the container on populated areas or on your tour boat.
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.
Fishing is only permitted on recreational tour boats authorized by the GNPD.
Motorized aquatic sports, mini-subs, and aerial tourism activities are not permitted in the Galapagos National Park or Marine Reserve.
IMPORTANT: It is strictly forbidden to introduce food, foreign animal and plant species into the Galapagos National Park, and it is also illegal to take out unique animal and plant species from the Islands to the Continent. Passengers who fail to comply with this rule will be sanctioned according to law with fines and imprisonment for several years. Avoid inconveniences and respect all the rules and regulations of the Galapagos National Park & Ecuador.

Policies

We organize the tours with great joy and do our best to make the adventure complete and fun, however in the case of cancellations for tours operated directly by A.R. Tours Galapagos (in the day tours in Ecuador mainly) with 2 weeks or less before the services, unfortunately we could not help with any refund. We would have to check if it is possible to help with a date change, but everything depends on the availability of guides, transportation, etc.

There are occasions where we may have to cancel a tour, due to external circumstances. In that case we will contact the passengers to inform them about the cancellation and the reasons for it, only in that case there would be a refund or a replacement tour could be offered if it is available.

For jungle tours, each Lodge has its own policies and we abide by those rules. Once you make a quote or reservation with A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador, our Travel Agent will send you the respective information.

In the case of the Galapagos Islands, the rules are different and we are based on the cancellation policies of the National Park & the owners of the Cruises, boats, hotels, the guides, the transports, etc. which are different from those of the Continent.

Cancellations for tours outside the Galapagos Islands

For cancellations of a tour not operated directly by A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador, the cancellation policy of the specific service provider or tour operator will apply.

Cancellations for tours inside the Galapagos Islands

Unfortunately, we cannot offer a refund as soon as you make your reservation or request a refund for a Cruise, tours, flight, etc. Since the cancellation policies for Galapagos cruises and land tours are different and are handled under each operator owner & the National Park Rules.

Possible changes during the travel

The operator may cancel or modify the tour itinerary due to health emergencies due to viruses, biological emergencies, diseases (Pandemics), force majeure situations such as wars, internal unrest, protests or strikes, terrorism, fires, natural disasters, decisions of public authorities, politicians or any other extreme circumstances; this may include a change of a Cruise, guide, hotel, transportation, meals or tourist destinations.

Prices & Payments with Credit card or Bank Transfers

A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador does not publish prices because sometimes we have changes in the local taxes, we have different prices accodding the season (high or low) & normally we have special deals or promotions, for this reasons we prefer to receive the request for a tour and at that time verify the availability of spaces, the best options, promotions and prices to offer to our tourists, with always updated prices.

Likewise, we will promptly inform the cost of additional supplements for high season and Bank transfer fees for reservations.

For payments by credit card, a 6% service charge will be added to the price. The additional costs for each transfer made to A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador, are assumed by the passengers, as well as local taxes.

According to current regulations, we are required to charge an additional 15% VAT (Subject to change by the Goverment) for each payment made ONLY for Ecuadorian citizens.

Payments

If you wish to make a reservation months before your trip, a deposit is required to start the booking process and then our Travel Agent will send all payment schedule information. Full payment must be made before the start date of your trip according to the payment policies of each service provider.

Confirmations, vouchers or airline tickets cannot be sent until full payment has been received.

A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador reserves the right to cancel the trip if full payment has not been received before the start date of your adventure.

As we reported, we require a deposit to make a reservation which is 30% of the total of the program (Non refundable) and if the service includes airfare, payment of 100% to will be sent to the airline for the emmision of flight ticket is required, then your Travel Agent will inform you about the payment schedule that may vary according to the policies of the owners of the Hotels, Boats, transportation, guides, etc; normally the second deposit of 30% of the total of the program is requested 120 days before the start of the tour and the final payment of 40% is required 60 days before the start of the tour.

For tour confirmations 90 days before the start of services, full payment is required in order to make a reservation.

Full payment must be made before the start date of your trip, if you have not made the final payment, unfortunately we cannot send the flight tickets and service vouchers. Likewise, A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador reserves the right to cancel a trip if payments are not received on the required dates or before the start date of a tour.

Travel Insurance

In accordance with current regulations, all our tourists must have adequate and valid travel insurance. In order to accept a reservation, the client must already have adequate and valid travel insurance for their reservation before the start date of their adventure in Galapagos and Ecuador.

Travel documents

We provide basic information to tourists regarding passport and visa requirements; however, it is best for each tourist to consult directly with their Embassy, Consulate or Foreign Affairs Office regarding the exact requirements for the chosen program and travel date. These entities manage the updated information for each country in case there are updates specific to each region, which are often not reported in time to Tour Operators such as A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador.

Each tourist is responsible for ensuring that they have an updated passport and visas with the correct expiration date in order to travel and enter Ecuador. A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador is NOT responsible for any inconvenience that these important details may cause to travelers, likewise we DO NOT assume any cost for loss, theft or damage to personal documents that may occur during the tourists' visit, we DO NOT offer any refund or cost that this may cause, such as losing a tour or tourist service due to the time it may take to fix a documentation problem, etc.

We cannot assume any responsibility for any non-compliance that causes costs or fines. The recommendation to our tourists is that they consult first with their Embassy, passport office or consulate in advance if they have doubts or any questions about documentation to travel to Ecuador.

We are happy to provide basic information about mandatory health requirements, however, we are not medical professionals, so we advise tourists to ensure that they obtain adequate and detailed medical advice at least two months before travel to find out about the latest health requirements, recommendations for their destination and costs, this is the responsibility of each tourist. Please remember that countries reserve the right to refuse entry to tourists who do not meet health requirements, or if they have any contagious disease, or if they suffer personal injury or death as a result of not making personal enquiries before their trip, unfortunately we will not be liable for any costs, losses or damages suffered by the travellers, nor can we refund the costs of any unused portion of their travel arrangements.

Passengers with existing medical conditions, pregnant women, and anyone who has recently visited other countries should check with their GP about requirements before travelling to Ecuador, taking into account that we have cities over 2,500 meters above sea level, mountains and lagoons over 3,200 meters, and volcanoes over 4,500 meters above sea level. Our intention is to inform passengers well in advance, who should make sure they have all the information and details in their countries about the requirements and documentation they need to visit the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador; this way they can have a very pleasant and fun experience, without any inconvenience.

Conduct & Proper Behavior during the travel

It is necessary to inform our tourists that we proceed with a reservation with the strict understanding that all travelers will comply with the laws, rules, customs, traditions, respect for local people and indigenous communities, also with currency exchange, illegal drug use and all other regulations of Ecuador, as well as with all sanitary provisions, hygiene, safety and protection regulations.

If any passenger commits any disrespectful & illegal act at the time of tour & if the guide considers that his behavior is offensive, disruptive, threatening, abusive, if he is causing or is likely to cause danger, distress or discomfort to other people, we reserve the right to cancel your travel plans without any refunds or claims & any responsibility on our part.

If this occurs, the tourist will be responsible for his own return transportation.

Also, if the tourist is affected by any condition, physical, medical or otherwise, that could affect the enjoyment of the tour and that of other tourists, he must inform about this in advance before making a reservation or in the beginning of a tour.

Requirements for making a reservation

All tourists are required to inform before making a reservation that they are in good physical condition and are capable of completing the itinerary of the program they have chosen. Persons who suffer from mobility problems, illnesses or disabilities or who are receiving treatment for any physical or medical condition must inform (declare) the true nature of such condition at the time of reservation and make the necessary arrangements for the provision of any medication or other treatment that may be necessary during their visit to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador.

About damage & loss

If a passenger loses, breaks or damages any property or equipment provided (lent) to them for a tour, they will be required to pay the full cost for the replacement or repair of the broken, lost or damaged property or item.

Claims or Complains

If a passenger has any problem or is not happy with any service within the tour, please inform the guide as soon as possible so that we can contact you and help you with a possible quick solution during your tour.

Please note that the guide is always the first person who can help us with any inconvenience since he is trained for that and also because he is in direct contact with the passengers on the tours. If you wish to make a formal notification of any service, we will gladly receive your request in writing to the email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , so we can make inquiries and confirm any situation that may have occurred during your tour, then we will help with a response within a maximum of one week (or perhaps a couple of days more, if necessary) after receiving the written request, depending on whether we already have all the information collected to send an adequate response.

We appreciate you cooperating with our procedures and we will strive to resolve your complaint in a fair and timely manner. Please, remember that we are always subject to the policies of each service provider and this also applies in the case of complaints or claims.

About Returns or Refunds

Our passengers must understand that we as a local Tour Operator, are intermediaries to offer the services of air flights, hotels, restaurants, transportations, tours, Jungle Lodges, Galapagos Cruises, etc… and each of them manages their own cancellation and refund policies, which will be sent at the time a passenger wishes to make a reservation.

For this reason, in case of any inconvenience related to refunds, A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador will act as an intermediary in negotiating refunds with the owner of the service or the service provider operator on behalf of the passenger or client.

In no case can A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador ensure a successful response or a refund from the operator. However, we will try to do the best for our tourtist.

General Details:

If you wish to cancel, it is always best to inform us before the reference number of days that we are going to mention is met to avoid inconveniences, since as previously reported, each service provider handles its own cancellation policies and penalties:

In case of cancellation of airline tickets issued at the time of confirmation, a cancellation penalty of 100% of the total of each airline ticket applies, and the airline's policies also apply for any changes.

For cancellations 120 days before the start of the tour, spaces may be released and a 20% (of the total) administrative service fee will be applied, taking into account the work that was done and that the services involve reservations of hotels, boats, lodges, transportation, guides, restaurants, etc. (each one handles different service provider policies that could apply). If the provider reviews the options and analyzes the costs, a 10% refund could be applied, only if the owner of the service agrees or accepts. Unfortunately, that decision is NOT the responsibility of A.R. Galapagos & Ecuador Tours.

For cancellations less than 120 to 90 days before the start of the tour, a 50% cancellation penalty fee of the total will be applied. If the provider reviews the options and analyzes the costs, a 10% refund could be applied, only if the owner of the service agrees or accepts. Unfortunately, that decision is NOT the responsibility of A.R. Galapagos & Ecuador Tours.

For cancellations less than 90 to 60 days before the start of a tour, the cancellation fee will be applied and the 60% deposit will not be refunded (or a cancellation penalty fee equal to the deposit paid will be charged).

For cancellations 60 days before the start of the tour already confirmed and with a departure date is considered as firm and the 100% cancellation penalty fee will be applied (the total negotiated rate will be charged).

IMPORTANT:

Payment policies for Galapagos cruises may vary or change according to each boat owner-operator.

No cancellations, refunds or compensations are issued by A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador if a Force Majeure event, Health or Biological Emergencies, natural disasters, etc. occurs that prevents the provision of service to tourists and each case will be analyzed by one of our Travel Agents & with the service provider to make a decision and inform if there is a possibility of rescheduling the tour or services with new dates.

If so, it will be submitted to the client's consideration, always subject to availability of spaces according to the Tourist Season when the tour was to be carried out, since the rates are not the same in Low Season compared to a High Season.

For cancellations of promotions and special offers, the full payment made is unfortunately non-refundable. Since special offers only apply to specific new reservations, in these offers the spaces are limited for this type of services and offers may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Different offers cannot be combined.

Unfortunately, A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador cannot be responsible for granting refunds in any of the following situations:

Changes in the itinerary before or after departure.
Mechanical problems affecting any form of transportation on the trip.
Substitution or replacement of facilities or staff.
Late arrival or no-show to a tour or service by the passenger or client.
If a passenger decides to leave the tour early or miss any activity, meal, accommodation, service, etc. during the tour.
If the passenger or client travels without the necessary documentation, including passport, visas, immigration documents or vaccination certificates.
Price differences paid by different passengers on board the same tour, including last-minute special rates.
Third-party decisions affecting the normal operation of the tour, including the operator, the Ecuadorian government or the authority of a National Park or Protected Reserve.
Any other circumstance during your trip that may happen, is beyond our hands and control by A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador.

In the case of refund requests for Galapagos Cruises and Jungle Lodges, remember that each one manages individual and specific policies, many of them apply rules of NO refunds for cancellations; regardless of the cancellation date. The policies will be sent at the time the tourist makes a reservation or you can ask our Travel Agent to send you the Cruise or Lodge policy information you chose in advance, when you make a tour request or quote.

We always try to do our best effort

& offer the best quality services on our tours,

throughout your adventure…!!!

POLICY INFORMATION

Before start with the information about our policies, it is very important to mention the main rules that apply to visiting Ecuador, the beaches, Protected Areas, cities, native communities, the Amazon Rainforest and the Galapagos National Park; for all tourists and the tours to do.

Rules of Galapagos National Park

All tourists are welcome when visiting Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands, which is a National Park and World Heritage Site, so all visitors must act in a responsible manner, treating other tourists, local people and the environment with respect.

Here are the 15 rules of the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) that all visitors must follow while in the visit:

Visitors to any protected areas within the Galapagos National Pa#00b0f0rk must be accompanied by a naturalist guide authorized by the GNPD.

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

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

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

Never feed wildlife, as this can cause health problems.

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

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.

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.

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 Galápagos. This is illegal and must be reported.

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

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

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.

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

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

Policies

There are occasions where we may have to cancel a tour, due to external circumstances. In that case we will contact the passengers to inform them about the cancellation and the reasons for it, only in that case there would be a refund or a replacement tour could be offered if it is available.

For jungle tours, each Lodge has its own policies and we abide by those rules. Once you make a quote or reservation with A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador, our Travel Agent will send you the respective information.

In the case of the Galapagos Islands, the rules are different and we are based on the cancellation policies of the National Park & the owners of the Cruises, boats, hotels, the guides, the transports, etc. which are different from those of the Continent.

Cancellations for tours outside the Galapagos Islands

For cancellations of a tour not operated directly by A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador, the cancellation policy of the specific service provider or tour operator will apply.

Cancellations for tours inside the Galapagos Islands

Unfortunately, we cannot offer a refund as soon as you make your reservation or request a refund for a Cruise, tours, flight, etc. Since the cancellation policies for Galapagos cruises and land tours are different and are handled under each operator owner & the National Park Rules.

Possible changes during the travel

Prices & Payments with Credit card or Bank Transfers

Likewise, we will promptly inform the cost of additional supplements for high season and Bank transfer fees for reservations.

For payments by credit card, a 6% service charge will be added to the price. The additional costs for each transfer made to A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador, are assumed by the passengers, as well as local taxes.

According to current regulations, we are required to charge an additional 15% VAT (Subject to change by the Goverment) for each payment made ONLY for Ecuadorian citizens.

Payments

Confirmations, vouchers or airline tickets cannot be sent until full payment has been received.

A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador reserves the right to cancel the trip if full payment has not been received before the start date of your adventure.

For tour confirmations 90 days before the start of services, full payment is required in order to make a reservation.

Travel Insurance

In accordance with current regulations, all our tourists must have adequate and valid travel insurance. In order to accept a reservation, the client must already have adequate and valid travel insurance for their reservation before the start date of their adventure in Galapagos and Ecuador.

Travel documents

We cannot assume any responsibility for any non-compliance that causes costs or fines. The recommendation to our tourists is that they consult first with their Embassy, passport office or consulate in advance if they have doubts or any questions about documentation to travel to Ecuador.

Conduct & Proper Behavior during the travel

If this occurs, the tourist will be responsible for his own return transportation.

Also, if the tourist is affected by any condition, physical, medical or otherwise, that could affect the enjoyment of the tour and that of other tourists, he must inform about this in advance before making a reservation or in the beginning of a tour.

Requirements for making a reservation

About damage & loss

If a passenger loses, breaks or damages any property or equipment provided (lent) to them for a tour, they will be required to pay the full cost for the replacement or repair of the broken, lost or damaged property or item.

Claims or Complains

If a passenger has any problem or is not happy with any service within the tour, please inform the guide as soon as possible so that we can contact you and help you with a possible quick solution during your tour.

We appreciate you cooperating with our procedures and we will strive to resolve your complaint in a fair and timely manner. Please, remember that we are always subject to the policies of each service provider and this also applies in the case of complaints or claims.

About Returns or Refunds

For this reason, in case of any inconvenience related to refunds, A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador will act as an intermediary in negotiating refunds with the owner of the service or the service provider operator on behalf of the passenger or client.

In no case can A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador ensure a successful response or a refund from the operator. However, we will try to do the best for our tourtist.

General Details:

If you wish to cancel, it is always best to inform us before the reference number of days that we are going to mention is met to avoid inconveniences, since as previously reported, each service provider handles its own cancellation policies and penalties:

In case of cancellation of airline tickets issued at the time of confirmation, a cancellation penalty of 100% of the total of each airline ticket applies, and the airline's policies also apply for any changes.

For cancellations less than 90 to 60 days before the start of a tour, the cancellation fee will be applied and the 60% deposit will not be refunded (or a cancellation penalty fee equal to the deposit paid will be charged).

For cancellations 60 days before the start of the tour already confirmed and with a departure date is considered as firm and the 100% cancellation penalty fee will be applied (the total negotiated rate will be charged).

IMPORTANT:

Payment policies for Galapagos cruises may vary or change according to each boat owner-operator.

If so, it will be submitted to the client's consideration, always subject to availability of spaces according to the Tourist Season when the tour was to be carried out, since the rates are not the same in Low Season compared to a High Season.

Unfortunately, A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador cannot be responsible for granting refunds in any of the following situations:

Changes in the itinerary before or after departure.

Mechanical problems affecting any form of transportation on the trip.

Substitution or replacement of facilities or staff.

Late arrival or no-show to a tour or service by the passenger or client.

If a passenger decides to leave the tour early or miss any activity, meal, accommodation, service, etc. during the tour.

If the passenger or client travels without the necessary documentation, including passport, visas, immigration documents or vaccination certificates.

Price differences paid by different passengers on board the same tour, including last-minute special rates.

Third-party decisions affecting the normal operation of the tour, including the operator, the Ecuadorian government or the authority of a National Park or Protected Reserve.

Any other circumstance during your trip that may happen, is beyond our hands and control by A.R. Tours Galapagos & Ecuador.

We always try to do our best effort

& offer the best quality services on our tours,

throughout your adventure…!!!