Robin Melavalin/N/A
Galapagos and Chocolate: Ecuador's Islands and Amazon
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Galapagos and Chocolate: Ecuador's Islands and Amazon
Leader Robin Melavalin
Co-leader N/A
Quito, Galapagos, and Napo Province in the Ecuadorian Amazon
July 4-15, 2017
Total # of days 12
Backpacking
Bicycling-Mountain
Bicycling-Road
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Camping
Cultural
Family
Hiking
Paddling-Canoeing
Paddling-Sea-Kayaking
Skiing-CrossCountry (Nordic)
Trekking (e.g., hutto-hut)
Other
Minimum 11
Primary type of trip
Number of participants
(excluding leaders)
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
When should the trip notice be
published in AMC Outdoors?
Do you wish to have your trip
listed online before it is
published in AMC Outdoors?
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
Skiing-Downhill
Snorkeling
(Alpine)
Walking
Other – please describe
Yacht transportation in Galapagos
Select one of those checked above.
Maximum 13
$ 6149
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$ 600-900
Will leaders assist participants with flights? Yes
No
approx.
international,
plus $600 internal
First Appearance: Month May
Year 2016
Last Appearance: Month May
Year 2017
Note: AMC Outdoors is only published in Jan., March, May, July, Sept., Nov.
Yes
No If yes, please list the approximate month and year when it should
be posted on line. April 2016
Is this proposal for a small group trip – i.e., less than 14 participants and 2
leaders or 7 participants and 1 leader? Yes
No
If yes, why is a small group proposed?
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain why?
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid
training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Form Revised September 2015
Robin Melavalin
11 Cuthbert Road, West Roxbury, MA 02132
Rmelavalin@rcn.com
Home 617-780-5362
Work 617-928-4624
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: March 2019
Cell 617-780-5362
CPR
BLS
Expiration: March 2018
If this is your first Adventure Travel trip as a Leader you must be present at the AMCATC meeting at which the trip proposal is considered.
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, dates and number of participants. Feel free to list additional
trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate experience related to the trip you are
proposing.
Trekking Peru: Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, May-June 2014,
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 7
Robin Melavalin/N/A
Galapagos and Chocolate: Ecuador's Islands and Amazon
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip
experience
12 participants
Kilimanjaro: Crown of Africa (single leader), 2013, 9 participants
Kayaking and Whale Watching in Baja, Mexico, 2012, 10 participants
Morocco Trek and Sights, 2009 and 2010
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
N/A
Home
Work
Cell
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration:
CPR
BLS
Expiration:
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be an Adventure Travel
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application. Also, it is strongly
recommended that you be present at the AMC-ATC meeting at which the trip proposal
is considered.
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, dates and number of participants. Please indicate if you were
the leader or co-leader.
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Scouting
Have either of you led this trip
before or traveled to this area?
Languages
Does either the co-leader or
leader speak the local language?
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Private trips Do either of you
lead trips that are private - not
sponsored by the AMC?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
Robin was in Ecuador in 2008 and has basic Spanish language ability.
Co-leader: Yes
No
Leader: Yes
No
Not applicable:
Yes
No
If yes, please list who has agreed to be your back-up in case one or
both of you need to drop out. This is required for approval!
Yes
No
If yes, please note that you cannot advertise AMC and private
trips together unless there is a clear distinction between the two in any materials
you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Summary
Please provide a description
of the trip and the activities
planned. If available, please
include or attach an itinerary.
Form Revised September 2015
This trip brings participants to Ecuador to experience the Galapagos Islands and the
Amazon to learn about sustainable, fair trade chocolate production from seeds/soil to
taste buds. It includes 2 nights in Quito with a day trip to the equator, visit to an artisan
chocolatier, and introduction to the cultures of Ecuador. Then we visit the Ecuadorian
Amazon for 3 days/2 nights: drive from Quito through spectacular Andean mountain
pass to Santa Rita and Tena area in Napo Province where we will learn from locals,
including indigenous Kichwa farmers, about the cultivation, harvest, roasting, grinding,
preparation and export of cacao, as well as sustainable farming practices, workers rights
and fair trade cooperatives. Visit the Garden of Cocoa. Taste chocolate beverages and eat
foods with chocolate, and do a hands-on activity preparing artisan chocolate. Optional
chocolate face massage from local indigenous women. Return to Quito for 1 night.
Depart from Quito by air (2.5 hour flight) for 6 day/5 night yacht tour of the Galapagos
islands, arrive at Baltra Airport and transfer to boat. Bilingual guides and naturalist will
guide us as we explore these unique islands by boat, foot and snorkle to see tortoises,
Darwin's finches, blue-footed boobies, iguanas and other iconic flora and fauna. Depart
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 7
Galapagos and Chocolate: Ecuador's Islands and Amazon
Accommodations
Please describe your plans for
accommodation(s)
Meals: Please describe your
plans for providing meals. If
the budget includes any funds
for leader meals not shared
with the group please justify.
Local Transportation
Please describe your plans for
local transportation
Will leaders or participants be
drivers of motor vehicles?
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Robin Melavalin/N/A
Galapagos and return to Quito for 1 night, then return to USA. Before the trip we will
gather in the Boston area for a tour of the Taza chocolate factory. In addition, readings
and films will be recommended to those who express interest in applying for the trip.
Quito: 4 nights (2 upon arrival, 1 between Amazon/Galapagos, 1 between Galapagos and
return to USA) in Hotel Fuente de Piedra or similar.
Amazon: 2 nights in Ecuadorian Amazon east of Tena at Shandia Lodge.
All rooms are double occupancy. Single supplement $146.
Galapagos: 5 nights on a 90-person yacht, double occupancy. Single rooms not available.
Quito: Breakfasts provided in hotel. We will have 4 lunches and 4 dinners with group,
paid onsite by participants.
Amazon: Breakfasts, lunches and dinners included. Beverages and tips not included.
Galapagos: All meals, coffee, tea, snacks and filtered drinking water are provided while
on the boat. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks not included.
Quito and Amazon: Private van will be used for all of our group's transportation needs,
including airport transfers and the drive between Quito and the Amazon area.
Galapagos: Flights from Quito to Baltra to Quito are provided by the yacht company and
included in the price. We will be picked up at the Baltra airport in a van for airport
transfers to/from the yacht.
Will leaders be drivers?
Will volunteer participants be drivers?
If so, MVR checks will be needed. See Appendix S1.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
Galapagos Park Fee $104 and INGALA Tourist Migration Card $20 are both included in
the cost and are purchased by the outfitter.
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
Snorkeling gear is available for rent on the yacht. Participants will be asked on the
application whether they have snorkeling experience.
Special experience
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
Does the trip require special
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
skills on the part of the
Participants will be asked on the application whether they know how to swim and are
participant?
comfortable swimming in the ocean with easy access to reboard our boat.
Pre-trip activities
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Do you plan to get your group Those who can come to the Boston area will participate in a group meal and tour of the
together before the trip for an
Taza Chocolate Factory in Sommerville, MA to learn about chocolate marketing and fair
activity or social event?
trade practices from the perspective of the end producer.
The Galapagos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers an unparalleled
Conservation, education and
opportunity to learn about evolution and engage with the unique flora and fauna
recreation
How will this AMC-AT trip meet the
of these famous islands. Environmental characteristics include isolation,
mission of the AMC?
volcanoes, the confluence of 3 ocean currents, and both land and underwaterwww.outdoors.org/about/mission.cfm
protected areas. This trip will increase awareness of the environmental
consequences of eco-tourism and the Ecuadorian government’s strategies for
balancing visitor impact and conservation. There are advisories that in the
coming years the Ecuadorian government will reduce tourism to protect the
environment, which will limit access and increase the price significantly. In
addition, we will study of the production of cocoa, sustainable agricultural
practices, and the nuances of “fair trade” which in some cases protects workers
as well as environmental interests. Learning about chocolate will be a whole
body experience by interacting with cocoa with all of the senses, and will give
participants a greater appreciation for the importance of their role as consumers.
Form Revised September 2015
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 7
Robin Melavalin/N/A
Galapagos and Chocolate: Ecuador's Islands and Amazon
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
This section should be completed if the trip will be using a tour operator, outfitter, guide service, travel agency or
other such company or person(s) for a significant part of the trip or for the entire trip. Any person(s) or companies
that are handling a significant portion of trip funds or arrangements need to be vetted. If there is more than one
tour operator please provide this information about each such entity.
Will this trip require a tour
Yes
No
operator or guide service
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
during part of or for the
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
This is a one-leader trip to save costs for participants, so a bilingual guide will be with
entire trip?
our group at all times while on land except during the evenings in Quito. Our guide will
meet the group in Quito and accompany us during the Quito and Amazon components of
the trip. We will travel from Quito airport to the Galapagos without a guide. Once we
arrive in the Galapagos we will be met at the airport and have bilingual guides from the
yacht, which include on-island naturalists.
Name of tour operator/guide Andean Treks, Watertown, MA
service
www.andeantreks.com
Tour operator website
Andean Treks has been organizing tours in Ecuador and the Galapagos since 1980. Their
Safety record
Please provide information
guides are all trained in wilderness first aid. The guides are familiar with handling issues
about their safety record.
common to North Americans such as gastro-intestinal problems, insect bites and
acclimatization.
Insurance
Liability? Yes
No
Maximum amt: $ $2 million
Do they have liability
Are they willing to list AMC as an
Yes
No
insurance?
additional insured?
While in Quito and the Amazonian areas of Tena and Santa Rita we will use regional
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
clinics and hospitals for minor health and safety problems. The guides carry a
response plan in the case of an comprehensive medical kit and a cell phone. After stabilizing the situation, the guide
emergency.
makes an incident report to the 24-hour operations team. Evacuation to Quito will be
provided if needed. While in the Galapagos, the doctor on the yacht provides 24/7
assessment and medical care. Evacuation utilizes the network of boats or via air transport
if needed, but air is very expensive so the purchase of additional air evacuation insurance
is encouraged.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks and hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it may affect your trip.
Devise a plan to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary. Please be very specific for each section
if applicable.
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
The elevation in Quito is 9,400 feet which may cause some altitude discomfort such as
headaches and digestive issues. The Galapagos islands are volcanic rock with abundant
wild animals that are not afraid of humans. While in the Ecuadorian Amazon, there will
be insects including spiders and mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus, malaria, dengue,
chikungunya and yellow fever. Volcanic activity is not uncommon but is unlikely to be a
problem for us.
Response
Participants will be encouraged to have a thorough doctor exam and do medical and
health preparation for travel to a developing country and preparation for exposure to
yellow fever as well as travel to a high altitude environment. While in the Galapagos, our
participants will be required, according to Ecuadorian federal law, to stay on the marked
trails and well-traveled walking areas and to keep a safe distance from animals. It is well
known that the animals in the Galapagos, though wild, are not aggressive to humans;
however, appropriate distance and cautions will be advised. Quito's altitude is higher
than mosquitoes fly. Before the trip, participants will be encouraged to bring insect
repellant with deet and clothing treated with permethrin. While in the Amazon
participants will be reminded to prevent mosquito bites by wearing hats, long sleeves and
pants, socks, and closed-toe shoes, as well as to use insect repellant on all exposed skin.
Form Revised September 2015
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 7
Robin Melavalin/N/A
Galapagos and Chocolate: Ecuador's Islands and Amazon
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Response
Transportation
Potential hazards
Response
Participants
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
The hotels in the Amazon provide a full mosquito net for each bed.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
The local language is Spanish. The Department of State warns about pickpockets and
petty crime and the US Embassy in Quito issued this security message in March 2016:
"In light of recent media reports regarding the robbery and murder of two foreign tourists
in Montañita, a beach popular with tourists, the U.S. Embassy in Quito and U.S.
Consulate General in Guayaquil would like to remind U.S. citizens of the critical crime
threat present in Ecuador. The threat of street crime is higher in tourist areas, and U.S.
citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of your
surroundings at all times, and take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security."
Participants will be encouraged to become familiar with basic Spanish before the trip,
travel in groups, and to be vigilant at all times. They will be advised not to bring
valuables, to store their passport and any valuables in the hotel room safe, to carry only
the amount of money they need for the day, and to use a concealed waist belt. We will
have a safety orientation by our guide upon arrival in Quito and will contact the U.S.
Embassy in Quito if needed.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Roads in Ecuador are narrow, mountainous, and have significant traffic.
We will not be driving at night. Vehicles are chartered. We use transport subcontractors
who are in full compliance with all statutory safety and insurance regulations. These
include carrying liability insurance for every passenger, seat belts for every seat, and
drivers with all current licensing and documentation.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Accidents while swimming or snorkeling.
Participants will be asked about their abilities and comfort with swimming in the ocean
with our boat close by for safe return, as well as their snorkeling experience.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Isolation of islands and approximately 600 miles distance from land while in Galapagos.
Network of boats is readily accessible and air evacuation is available if required.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Give as much detail as possible and list any special
communications equipment you may need to ensure the safety of your participants. DO NOT LEAVE THIS BLANK
Guides carry cell phones and the accommodations have land lines. The Galapagos yacht
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
has an on-board doctor for 24/7 medical care. Quito and the Galapagos have hospitals.
documentation, distance from
The US Embassy in Quito is at Avigiras E12-170 y Eloy Alfaro, Phone (593-2) 398emergency services
5000, email ACSQuito@state.gov, website http://ecuador.usembassy.gov/
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
aid or communication
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
evacuation from the
backcountry location if
applicable?
Medical care
Please describe the medical
care available in the area(s)
where you will be traveling
and list names and telephone
Form Revised September 2015
Leader will carry a first aid kit and has Wilderness First Responder certification as of
March 2016. Will carry the AMC satellite phone if it is available and advised. Guides
carry first aid kits and the yacht has basic medical provisions.
While in the Amazon, evacuation is by automobile to Quito. In the Galapagos,
evacuation will be provided by network of boats and, in extreme situations, could be
provided via air to Guayaquil or to the USA. Participants will be encouraged to purchase
travel insurance that includes air evacuation.
According to the US Embassy in Ecuador info at travel.state.gov:
"In the Galapagos Islands, medical resources are severely limited. Acute surgical,
cardiac, and specialty medicines are not available. The only hospitals are located on
Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands. These facilities have limited resources, and often
do not have the basic medical supplies required to treat serious injuries. Some cruise
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 7
Robin Melavalin/N/A
Galapagos and Chocolate: Ecuador's Islands and Amazon
numbers for these facilities.
vessels have on-board physicians available for fee-based services. Serious injury or
illness in the Galápagos typically requires costly medical evacuation to the Ecuadorian
mainland or the United States for treatment. Medical evacuations by air ambulance take
at least 48 hours to arrange. For that reason, the purchase of traveler’s health insurance
that includes air evacuation is strongly recommended."
There may be a medical doctor on board the yacht in the Galapagos.
In Quito for a medical emergency American citizens can reach an ambulance by 911 or
102 (Quito Fire Department), dialing 131 (Red Cross) or 101 (Police).
Medical care is available in Quito and Guayaquil (from the Galapagos) at local hospitals,
though medical supplies are limited and may need to be purchased by the patient.
Private and public hospitals are available.
Quito: Private Hospitals
Metropolitano Av. Mariana de Jesús y Occidental 431520
Militar Queseras del Medio y Av. Occidental
568152
Voz Andes
Villalengua 267 y 10 de Agosto
241540
While in Napo Province (Amazon region), the medical facility listed on the US Embassy
website is Clínica Amazonas, Socopron Gil Ramirez Davalos s/n y Tena, 062-922-480.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Ecuador uses the US dollar currency. There is no need to exhange any
Foreign currencies
For int’l trips list each foreign currency, the
money. ATMs are readily available. Payments to tour operators are in
current $US dollar exchange rate and what
US dollars.
contingencies you have if that rate changes. If
a tour operator or agent is being used, what
currency is the agent to be paid in?
For the yacht, $700 per person deposit will be paid at the time of reservation to hold a
Group Trip Deposits
What deposits will be required
minimum of 12 spaces as a block. $437 of this is non-refundable. The remaining $263
from you by airlines, hotels, tour is refundable up to 6 months prior to departure. At 6 months prior to departure, full
operators, etc., and when?
payment for the yacht is due and will be non-refundable. The outfitter deposit is an
additional $200 per person so they can purchase permits and make deposits, which
becomes non-refundable after October 1, 2016. International and domestic flights will
be purchased once we have the minimum number of participants (11) confirmed.
As soon as the reservation deposit is paid for the yacht, $437 per person is nonGroup Trip Refunds
What is the latest date you can
refundable. There does not seem to be a way to have a 100% refundable trip to the
cancel and still receive a full
Galapagos.
refund of any deposits?
$1000 due with application. Balance is due in 2 equal payments on October 1, 2016
Participant deposits
What are the initial deposit and
and January 1, 2017.
your schedule of payments by
participants to you?
Cancellation after deposit will lose $437 of the $700 deposit for the yacht.
Cancellation policy
What will be your cancellation
Cancellation after October 1, 2016 will result in loss of $900 (including $200 to
policy for the participants?
outfitter). Any additional refunds will only be made if it does not raise the cost of the
trip to other participants or leaders. There is a possibility that participants may not
receive any refund, so it is strongly recommended that they purchase trip cancellation
insurance.
Minimum numbers
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
Will you still run the trip if you
Will consider running it with fewer than 11 if it is still possible as determined by the
do not get the minimum number? date this becomes a question and based on space availability on the yacht. The leader
Form Revised September 2015
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 6 of 7
Galapagos and Chocolate: Ecuador's Islands and Amazon
Robin Melavalin/N/A
will consider paying for a portion of the cost if necessary.
Reference web links:
AMC-ATC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
AMC-ATC Chair:
Form Revised September 2015
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/committee/proposals/
nholland@outdoors.org
scohen1234@gmail.com
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 7 of 7