Getting your suitcases ready can be an exciting time in your vacation preparation, but there’s no worse feeling than getting to your destination and realizing you forgot something! Use this packing list to get everything together at least a week before you leave, and you’ll be ready to enjoy your luxury Galapagos cruise!

When you pack for any trip, it’s easiest to break it down into categories – clothes (from head to toe), toiletries & hygiene items, accessories, carry-on bag, documents, and miscellaneous.

Clothes

Footwear:

• Closed-toe sandals (for walks along the beach)
• Shoes with ankle support (for hikes)

Pants:

• Convertible/ lightweight pants (for hiking)
• Shorts
• One pair of jeans or heavier pants
• Belt

Shirts:

• Lightweight/ wicking tees
• Lightweight long-sleeve shirt

Overwear:

• Wide-brimmed hat
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Windbreaker
• Sweater, sweatshirt, or hoodie

Swimwear:

• At least two bathing suits (wear one while the other is drying)

Undergarments:

• Hiking socks
• Wicking (or comfortable) underwear
• Bras/ Sports Bras

Toiletries & Hygiene

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Personal hygiene items
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Any personal medications
• Motion sickness treatment
• Deodorant

Accessories

• Glasses or contacts & contact kit
• Waterproof watch
• Daypack
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Camera & accessories (tripod, lenses, memory card, chargers)
• Phone (you won’t be able to use this on your cruise, since you will be out of range, but you might be able to get a connection to WiFi in port or in mainland Ecuador)
• Any chargers
• Flashlight

Carry-on Bag

• Wallet
• Travel Documents
• Leisure reading
• Any electronics you’d like (i.e.: iPad)
• Change of clothes (in case your suitcase gets delayed)

Documents

• Passport (make sure it has at least 6 months’ validity or you will be denied entry)
• Airline tickets & reservations (even if these are on your phone, it’s good to have a print copy as well, just in case).
• Transit Control Card (you’ll pick this up at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil).
• Enough cash for your trip – $100 cash/ person for the National Park Entrance Fee; $20/ person for the transit control card; $10/ person/ day for gratuities for your crew and guide; any money you need for souvenirs.

Miscellaneous:

If you have everything on this list, you’ll have everything you need; but if there’s something else you always travel with – whether it’s a lucky rabbit’s foot, a special lens for your camera, or something else, make sure you bring it along.

Don’t Bring…

One of the advantages of luxury cruises is that most things are provided for you, which should make packing easier! Here are a few things you will have on your cruise that you should not bring along:

• Hairdryer
• Shampoo/ soap
• Towels/ bathrobes
• Wetsuits/ snorkel/ flippers (unless you only feel comfortable on your own)
• Formal clothes (it’s a vacation – no need to get dressed up!)
• Makeup/ perfume
• Anything you would be heartbroken to lose (a camera can be replaced, but a family heirloom not as much).