Last Minute Specials on the Galapagos Multisport Adventure 7-day

Awesome Last Minute Specials on the Galapagos Multisport Adventure 7-day in May!

The Galapagos Multisport Adventure 7-day trip is one of the best ways for active people to experience the Galapagos Islands. Rather than sleeping on a yacht, you will stay in hotels on 3 different islands. Rather than a couple of nature walks each day like on the yacht trips, on the multisport you will spend your days sea kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, mountain biking, and riding horses in some of the best destinations in the islands. You will still see the famous wildlife of the islands with a naturalist guide, but will spend more time out recreating than on yacht trips.

Last Minute Specials:
May 17-23, 2008: $1500.00 per person, 1-8 people*
May 26-June 1, 2008: $1600.00 per person for one person, $1500.00 per person for 2 or more*

*Single supplement of $300.00 applies for single travelers not sharing a room with another traveler

Book today to reserve your spot on this amazing trip at these fantastic prices!

Another Holiday in Ecuador May 1

May 1 is Labor Day in Ecuador, a national holiday. This means that most local travel companies' sales offices will be closed on May 1. If you are waiting for information about booking a trip, please note that offices will be closed and no one will respond until May 2 (some offices are closed on the 2nd also, so you may not get a response until next week).

It seems like Ecuador has a lot of holidays--I think I need to move there!

Earth Day 2008!

Today is Earth Day! Take a moment to review your life to see how you can make small changes that can have large impacts on the environment. Explore walking, riding a bike, or taking public transportation to work. Eliminate unnecessary driving trips for groceries, errands, etc, by going to the store only once a week, or by patronizing stores closer to home, allowing you to walk.

Personally I am researching making my own biodiesel from waste vegetable oil (used oil from restaurants) and also installing a solar water heating system for both domestic hot water and radiant heat in our home's family room. There are some good loan programs here in Montana to help finance the solar hot water systems, and we love the reduction in natural gas this can provide. We'd love to add photovoltaics to the home but just can't justify the expense right now.

Detour has just moved to Helena, MT, from Denver, and we are exploring how to minimize our carbon footprint in our new home and office. Helena is a small enough town that we can get most places on foot or bicycle. Additionally, our new office will be centrally located in downtown Helena where it will be easy to access by all staff. My wife and I will be able to carpool on days when we need to drive (only 1 mile from home). We are really happy to eliminate vehicle miles from our daily lives, and in fact have just cut down to only one car.

Ecuador Raises Tax on Wine and Liquor with New ICE Tax

As a result of Ecuador's recently-approved ICE tax (special consumption tax), the prices of wines and liquors have increased between 10 and 20%, depending on the type of wine or liquor. As a result, the prices of the drinks and wines offered on board Galapagos ships will increase between 10 and 20%.

Ecuador seems intent on raising taxes and fees for foreign visitors, and does not give much warning on imposing these fees. Travelers on Ecuador Tours and Galapagos Tours are advised to expect unannounced price increases in Ecuador due to new government initiatives.

Galapagos Transit Control Card Limits Date Flexibility

Transit (Migration) Control Card Regulations Eliminate Date Flexibility in the Galapagos Islands

Travelers must know their specific departure date before entering the Galapagos Islands. In the past many people visiting the Galapagos Islands would change their return flight date to extend their stay in the Galapagos after their cruise. Unfortunately, the Transit Control Cards have eliminated any date flexibility, meaning that travelers can't just decide to extend their trip while they are in the Galapagos.

Travelers arriving to the Galapagos must specify to the Galapagos authorities their exact departure date from the Islands, as the Transit Control Card (issued on the mainland) will contain their departure information. Any travelers found on the Islands after the departure date specified on their Transit Control Cards will be fined and sent back to the mainland on the first flight from their corresponding airline.

While this change eliminates a great deal of flexibility, any attempts by the Ecuadorian authorities to protect the Galapagos Islands must be appreciated and supported. If you think you may want to extend your stay in the Islands we suggest you book this in advance of your trip. This will also allow you to be sure you can get the return flight you prefer and the hotel of your choice.

Inca Trail Permits Selling Fast for 2008

See the latest on Inca Trail Permit availability here: Inca Trail Permits
Inca Trail trekking permits are selling exceptionally fast this year. Permits are already sold out through the middle of August, with the first permits available for trips starting on August 23. September and October have plenty of permits available, so if you really want to trek on the Inca Trail you should plan for a fall trip at this time.

Alternatively, there are a number of fantastic treks on non-permitted Inca Trails that offer solitude, Andean scenery, culture, and Inca and pre-Inca ruins that don't require Inca Trail permits, and are available all summer long. Some of these treks end at or near Machu Picchu, and all can be combined with a visit to Machu Picchu, so don't postpone your Peru trip just because Inca Trail permits are sold out. Local trekking guides and well-traveled trekkers often feel these other trails are actually more interesting than the famous "Inca Trail." Check out these treks here:

http://www.detourdestinations.com/categories/Inca_Trail_Non_Permitted_Treks_350/index.html