We’re truely dedicated to make your travel experience as much simple and fun as possible!

At Discovering Americas, we create unique, authentic, transformative, and memorable travel experiences that connect your passengers with the local culture.

We contribute to the growth of tourism in Latin America, increasing the number of travelers to non-traditional destinations.

We develop Fair Trade practices with local communities and contribute in a direct and real way to their growth.

We work to reduce the carbon footprint on our trips. We motivate clients to compensate for it with contributions to the restoration and conservation of forests.

How Our Adventure Started

We have been involved in the Hotel and Tourism Industry for more than two decades, we collaborated for some big hotel chains and local/regional incomings in Ecuador. We were colleagues, clients, suppliers but overall  we are friends. 

Friends sharing the same vision, we discussed about entrepreneurship, quality and authenticity and we realized that most travel companies are not the richness multiplicator that tourism is supposed to be. Most of companies just include light visits to local communities and leave just a little and in the majority of cases nothing at all. 

We then decided that our company be a real generator of welfare for the small providers and communities involved in tourism activities.  

We founded Discovering Americas with the purpose of making the dream of those who seek unique experiences in this diverse and colorful continent come true.

For this reason, we handle a responsible and conscious tourism model that allows conservation and retribution to the local communities that lend us their environments and share their ancestral knowledge.

We want to be a true generator of wealth and transformation for visitors and local communities.

Come and feel the marvelous experiences in our unique destinations!

Sandra & Wendy

 

Our Sustainability Promise

Our  DNA is composed of sustainable and conservation practices that involves:

- Genuine and Transformational activities with our visitors which promote the exchange  with the local communities.

- Conscious, and fair trade practices with our providers. We benefit local providers that have like-minded practices and handles fair work conditions and ecofriendly and sustainable protocols

- Our experiences generate a true understanding and respect between visitors, and local communities. We include retribution activities to value and keep alive their ancestral traditions

- We include compensation activities for the restoration of forests and environment to Offset Carbon Footprints.

-  As a part of our commitment to sustainability and travelers comfort, we have introduced our new eco-friendly welcome kit.

Included in your welcome kit is a cutting-edge water bottle crafted from biodegradable wheat fibers. This innovative material aligns perfectly with our efforts to minimize our environmental footprint.

Our Certifications

We are have engaged with with the Travelife  for Tour Operators & Travel Agent scheme. Travelife is an internationally recognized, GSTC -Global Sustainable  Tourism Council accredited trainning, management & certification program in sustainability in tourism.

Travelife is a three-stage Certification program for Tour Operators and travel agents : (1) Travelife Engaged ; (2) Travelife Partners and (3) Travelife Certified. We are at stage 1 - Travelife Engaged . We are working to move forward to stage 2 - Travelife Partner. 

 

FOR ECUADOR

Passport and Visa

Visitors must be in possession of a passport with a minimum validity of six months after the date of return.

Notes: Please contact the local Ecuadorian Embassy /Consulate in your country of residence.

Insurance

We strongly recommend passengers take trip cancellation insurance (it will reimburse the cost of air tickets and non-refundable trip payments). We also recommend the following insurances: life, international medical, baggage loss & baggage delay, and personal belongings.

Discovering Americas assumes no liability for lost or stolen personal objects during the length of the trip.

Health

Vaccines: No type of vaccine is required to enter Ecuador. It is recommended to check with your physician for yellow fever if traveling to the Amazon Rainforest.

Altitud Sickness: In highland areas such as Quito, Cuenca, Riobamba (2,850m), altitude sickness  (headache or nausea) can happen but doesn’t last long; as far as possible, it is advisable to go up by steps, eat little (because digestion is slower in high altitudes), it is also recommended to hydrate and relax on arrival at altitude. 

Any traveler with heart problems or high blood pressure should check his physician before starting a journey in the Andes

Water

It is recommended to drink bottled water during your stay in Ecuador. Tap water is not safe and can cause diarrhea and abdominal pain. However, tap water may be used for brushing teeth.

Special Diets

If any passenger has special dietary requirements, we need to be advised at least 30 days before arrival in order to comply with their requests, based on product availability in Ecuador.

Adventure Activities Programs - Warning

Passenger participation in water sports, snorkeling, skin diving, kayaking, etc., is made under their own responsibility and requires a Release of Responsibility Agreement to be signed by both parties.

Currency 

The official currency is the U.S. dollar.

Credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted in most tourist towns and there are also ATM machines where you can withdraw money in cash with these cards.

Time Zone 

GMT - 5:00  in continental Ecuador and -6:00 in the Galapagos Islands

Clothing 

It is recommended to bring clothes for both temperate to hot climate and cold (see details about conditions above). It is also recommended to wear in layers

The Amazon region has a warm and humid climate; therefore you will need light clothing, as well as in the Coast region.  

The towns of the Andean region have temperate to cold weather according to the season, dry or rainy. It is advisable to bring warm clothes even though sunny days can be followed by rain. Evenings can be cooler.

Traveling to Galapagos

It is recommended participants be in good physical health and condition to enjoy a Galapagos program. Irregular terrain walks, embarking/disembarking on slippery and wet lava rocks, or yacht ladders can be challenging. To fully enjoy a Galapagos adventure, we advise passengers to get into an exercise program for their own safety and enjoyment.

If a passenger suffers from any medical condition, we advise him/her to consult a physician about joining a Galapagos Expedition.

Itineraries in the Galapagos Islands

Readjustment of National Park policies, safety reasons, seasonal changes, and weather conditions may require schedules to be changed without prior notice. These decisions are made in order to provide safety to visitors and to protect the fragility of the environment

Taxes in Galapagos

Upon arrival at the airports (Baltra or San Cristobal) in Galapagos, you will have to pay taxes in USD and in cash money

- An entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park (100 USD/person)*

- The Migratory Control Card (20 USD/person)*

* The Galapagos Islands and/or other tax fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Tipping

Allow between 5 and 10 dollars per day per person for the guide and 3-5 dollars per day per person for the driver. 

Tipping in the Galapagos Cruises

In Galapagos, this practice is commonly accepted in all cruise vessels. The recommended amount is approximately 15 - 18 US $ per day and per passenger (8 - 10 usd for the guide and 7-8 usd for the cabin crew members). This is a personal decision based on the quality of service received by the guide and the cabin crew members.

All programs and Itineraries are valid until 31 Dec 2023. Prices are subject to availability (Please contact us for additional information)

Liability

The description of the program must be considered under ideal conditions, Discovering Americas and/or any of its agents will not claim any responsibility for injury, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or other irregularities which may be caused either through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of companies or individuals providing or engaged in transportation, accommodations or other services related to the execution of the tour, or through natural calamities and other factors beyond its control.

We will do our best to follow the program. When this is not possible, the traveler will be immediately informed.

Discovering Americas reserves the right to change any tour if considered necessary in order to provide better service to its clients.

All services offered by Discovering Americas are detailed in the program description. Any service not specified in the program and/or represented as not included in our services must be assumed by the customer.

It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure that his travel documents: Personal ID or Passport are valid, to check if he requires an entry visa into the country, and to check the luggage franchise permitted by airlines (any extra charge are to be paid by the client)

Discovering Americas and its affiliates are not responsible for any extra cost or supplements caused by:

- Delayed or Cancelled flights, maritime, ground, lake or river transportation, due to schedule changes, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, strikes or civil government, cases of force majeure,

- The delay or loss of luggage due to the airlines operating international or domestic flights in our countries of operation.

- The illness of a passenger, we strongly recommend to check with your medical doctor before traveling

Prices are subject to adjustment in the event of any change, without notice.

Discovering Americas strongly recommends that customers brings a travel insurance to avoid financial loss in case of inconvenient.

 

Booking and Cancellation Conditions.

How to book land services

In order to book services, we will require following information of passengers:

• Names and Last names of the passenger(s) as written on their passport.

• Date of birth

• Passport Number (Travelers must be in possession of a passport with a minimum validity of six months after the date of  return.

• Nationality

• International flights information ( Flight number, timing).

It is important to mention that names and last names must be exact as it is shown in the passport, in case of errors, penalties to change names will be applied and in some cases a new ticket will be required to be issued at the best available price.

 

Payment Conditions

For FIT’S

- A deposit of 30% of the total invoice must be paid at time of booking

- Balance required 45 days prior to the arrival of passengers.

For GROUPS (from 10 paxs up)

- A deposit of 40% of the total invoice must be payer at time of booking

- 30% Deposit  is required 90 days prior to the arrival of clients

- 30% Balance together with corresponding rooming list must be sent 30 days prior to the arrival of the group.

 

Cancellation Conditions

For  FITS                             

- 61 days prior passengers arrival, no cancellation fees will be charged

- 60 days to 31 days prior arrival 50% of the total amount will be charged

- 30 days to 16 days prior arrival 75% cancellation fees will be charged.

- 15 days before arrival 100% cancellation fee will be charged

For GROUPS     

- 61 days prior group arrival, there will be no cancellation fees.

- 60 to 31 days prior group arrival 50% cancellation fees will be charged.

- 30 days or less, 100% cancellation fees will be charged.

Specific Booking & Payment Conditions for Galapagos services and Cruises, Amazon Lodges.

- A request can be put in option (according to the availability) for a week at the time of the request. Beyond this "Time Limit", and without news (request of extensión, confirmation, cancellation of the option)  from you, the option will automatically be released. It is possible to renew the option, subject to availability

- To guarantee the booking of the granted options, an initial payment of 30 % of the total amount per person is to be paid immediately

- For the reservations summited  60 days or less before the date of the beginning of the services,  the TOTAL payment must be made at the time of booking.                      

 

Cancellation Conditions

We will send you specific cancellation conditions for these products at time of booking.

 

Special Cases: Air Flights

Domestic  flights will have to be bought by Discovering Americas to guarantee the logistics of the program. Penalties can be applied by local Galapagos Operators if clients issue directly the tickets.

Air flights rates for domestic and international flights are subject to the availability at the time of reservation.  Rates are given as reference and are subject to change according to airlines conditions.

Once tickets have been issued, these are not reimbursable or transferable, in the case of changes, cancellation charges will be applied according to airline’s stablished policies

Important Notice:  DISCOVERING AMERICAS strongly suggests passengers to obtain a trip cancellation insurance before departure

 

Complaints

Every complaint for no execution or bad execution of the travel contract has to be directly signaled at our guides or at the local receptive, so they can bring a solution to the problem if possible.

The complaints on the proceeding of the trip have to be given to us in the best delays by certified letter with acknowledgement of receipt of the evidence attachments or by email.

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REGISTRO TURISTICO: 1792729114001.001.9004844