Other Information

Your Flight to Ecuador

There are no direct flights from the UK to Ecuador; whichever airline you use, you will have to change planes. Our holidays are scheduled to use British Airways via Miami; Iberia via Madrid; or KLM via Amsterdam and the Caribbean island of Bonaire, depending on the departure date. We will advise you at the time of booking.

Flying with British Airways, it is possible to add a stopover in Miami. The flight from Miami to Quito is operated by American Airlines. Flying with KLM, it is possible to add a stopover in Bonaire on your return journey. KLM flights also stop briefly in Guayaquil on the outbound flight to Quito.

Regional Departures

British Airways

British Airways offers connections to Heathrow from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Belfast. However, departure times often mean that it is necessary to spend a night in London or Miami. There is a supplement of £100 for regional airports (£150 from Belfast).

KLM

KLM offers regional departures to Amsterdam, although this sometimes involves a long wait in Amsterdam. Airports available are Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Norwich, Manchester, Leeds/Bradford, Humberside, Durham Tees Valley, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. There is a £50 supplement for regional departures (£25 for Birmingham and Manchester).

Iberia

Iberia offers connections to Heathrow from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle. However, departure times often mean that it is necessary to spend a night in Madrid. There is a supplement of £80 for regional airports.

Note: Timings may vary on some dates and will be confirmed when you book.

Payment by credit card

You can pay for the deposit or balance of your holiday by cheque, credit card or debit card. We accept personal Visa and Mastercard credit cards, subject to a handling charge of 2%. There is no charge for debit card payments.

What's included in the price

Prices are based on two persons sharing a room and include all flights, transfers and accommodation. The UK departure tax and other flight related charges are included (APD £40; £80 business class), but not the tax levied on the international flight departure in Ecuador which you must pay in cash at the airport. This is currently approximately US$44. If your holiday includes Bonaire, the Bonaire airport tax of US$20 must be paid on departure in cash. Where applicable, entrance fees of Galapagos National Park $110, Machu Picchu $40, Inca Trail and Short Inca Trail $80 and Cusco Tourist Ticket $40 are included.

Please also read 'Our prices' section in our booking conditions

Passports and Visas

Visas are not required in advance for British passport holders for Ecuador or Peru. For British passports endorsed in any way and all other passports, please consult the Ecuadorian consulate (Tel: 020 7451 0040), or the Peruvian embassy (020 7235 1917). To avoid any problems, you should have a full 10 year passport valid for 6 months after your return to the UK.

To issue some of the tickets in Ecuador, we need to take passport numbers, nationalities and ages when you book. If you subsequently change your passport, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you fly with British Airways, your flight will involve a stop in the US, so you will be subject to US immigration control upon entry to the US. If you are a British citizen, you will require a machine readable passport to qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (so you do not require a visa to enter the US). A machine readable passport has the holder's personal details (name, date of birth, nationality and passport number) contained in two lines of text at the bottom of the photo page. This appears as two lines of letters, numbers and chevrons (">>>>>") printed across the long edge of the photo page.

Additionally, if the passport was issued, renewed/extended between October 26, 2005 and October 25, 2006 it must contain a digital photograph. If the passport was issued, renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2006, it must be also include an integrated circuit chip capable of storing the biographic information from the data page, a digitized photograph and other biometric information.

Note: a passport indicating that the bearer is a British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) Citizen, or British Protected Person does not qualify for travel without a visa. A passport which states holder has Right of Abode or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom does not qualify for visa free travel.

Many European, Australian and New Zealand passport holders qualify for the Visa Waiver Program as long as the passport is machine readable and fulfills the relevant criteria above. Please see the US embassy website (details below) for a list of countries which qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. It is important that you check the website of the US Embassy in the country of passport nationality for any further changes before you travel.

If you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, or if your passport does not meet the relevant criteria, then you will require a US visa.

If you have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction, or if you have a criminal record, you will need a visa.

Full details can be found on the US embassy in the UK’s website at: www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.htm

The US State Department has introduced a mandatory electronic system to help speed up the US immigration process for travellers on the Visa Waiver Program.

All Visa Waiver Program travellers departing after 12 January 2009 must fill in an online form. Click here for further details.

Hotel grading

Official hotel ratings vary from city to city in Ecuador. Our standard hotels are tourist class hotels. Superior hotels usually offer better facilities and more comfort.

Hotel rooms

Some hotel bathrooms have showers instead of baths. If you prefer a bath, please ask when you book.

If you have a preference for a twin or a double room, please let us know and we will request this. However, we cannot guarantee this as hotels do not allocate rooms until the day of arrival.

Despite costing more per person, single rooms do not always offer the same level of comfort as double rooms.

If you arrive at a hotel before check-in time, your room may not be ready. You will be able to use the hotel facilities until your room is ready.

Tickets and vouchers

You will receive your tickets approximately two weeks before departure, along with detailed information on transfers, accommodation and excursions in Ecuador. Our agents in Ecuador will give you your hotel and excursion vouchers when you arrive in Quito. Please ensure you check your airline tickets carefully in case timings have changed after we issued your confirmation.

Excursions and Extensions

Excursions are operated on a group basis with other holidaymakers. These will usually be in English, although groups are sometimes a mixture of English and Spanish speaking. All entrance costs are included. A minimum of 2 people is required for some extensions.

Tourism information

The Ecuadorian Embassy can provide tourist information on 020 72584 2648.

Insurance

Adequate travel insurance is essential. The travel insurance market is very competitive and a wide range of policies are on offer. As customer requirements vary, Llama Travel does not sell or recommend any specific insurance policy. A list of insurance companies that our customers have found suitable is available from us.

Please advise your insurer of any pre-existing medical conditions and, if you are booking the Canyons & Craters Trail, make sure that you are covered for trekking up to 4,800 metres. Note that cancellation cover is normally only available if insurance is purchased within two weeks of booking your holiday.

Age and fitness limitations

For most of our holidays, age is not a concern. However, a reasonable level of fitness is required, as even relatively mild activities can appear strenuous at altitude. Many of the places you visit require some walking uphill. If you are planning on walking the Canyons and Craters Trail, please bear in mind that the altitude means this is more strenuous than equivalent length walks in the UK.

Health and vaccinations

Please consult your GP or a travel clinic about health and vaccination requirements. Advice for travellers is available at www.nhs.uk/livewell/travelhealth. Yellow fever and malaria precautions are necessary for visiting the jungle and some other parts of Ecuador. Some GPs do not recommend yellow fever vaccinations for travellers over 65 years old. Please seek medical advice if you are planning on visiting the jungle.

Much of Ecuador, including Quito, is at high altitude. Most visitors do not suffer major problems due to the altitude. However, shortness of breath is common and we advise you to take things calmly during your first day at altitude. If you suffer from a heart or lung condition, or if you think that you may suffer due to the altitude, please consult your GP before travelling.

When visiting South America, stomach illnesses are not uncommon due to changes in diet. We suggest you only drink bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you are unsure if salads and fruit have been washed in purified water, it is best to avoid them.

If you suffer from any disability or condition and are concerned whether this will affect the enjoyment of a holiday in Ecuador, please call us on 020 7263 3000. We will do our best to help. We recommend that you bring any medicines you require from the UK.

Outside of major cities, medical facilities can be basic necessitating a lengthy transfer if hospital attention is required.

Your safety and security

Ecuador is a relatively safe country to visit, and most people experience no problems during their stay. However, as is the case anywhere in the world, crime can be a problem. Tourists can appear attractive targets to criminals. To minimise the risk, use common sense. Do not display obvious signs of wealth, such as expensive looking jewellery or cameras. Avoid empty streets, especially on your own. Take a taxi after dark, especially in Quito. By taking sensible precautions, you should have a trouble-free holiday

Each country has its own standards for health and safety, but in less developed countries these are often not as good as those in the UK. We take this into account when selecting hotels and request that they comply with all local regulations, but cannot guarantee that these are equivalent to British standards. Please take reasonable precautions to protect yourselves whilst on holiday, e.g. by locating fire exit routes.

To make the most of your trip, we recommend that you check the Foreign Office advice to travellers at www.fco.gov.uk, on BBC2 Ceefax page 470 onwards or on 0870 606 0290.

Booking conditions

Your contract is with Llama Travel Limited, registered in England and Wales, number 4370517. The following conditions will form part of your contract and should be read carefully.

1. Booking your holiday

To book your Llama Travel holiday, please phone our sales line on 020 7263 3000. These booking conditions will apply to your booking and cannot be varied. A contract will exist when we accept your booking and issue our confirmation invoice. The contract and all matters arising from it shall be governed by English law and be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. All correspondence will be sent to the lead passenger of the booking unless otherwise indicated. You must be over 18 to book a Llama Travel holiday. Llama Travel holidays are not for resale.

2. Deposits and final payments

A deposit of £150 per passenger is required (£300 for holidays including the Galapagos). On some occasions, a higher deposit may be required to secure flight seats: we will advise you at the time of booking if this is necessary. When this payment is received, we will issue a confirmation invoice. The balance of the payment must be paid 90 days before departure, unless the booking is made less than 90 days before departure, in which case full payment must be made when booking. Credit card payments are subject to a handling charge of 2%.

3. Our prices

Brochure prices are based on the latest known information at the time of preparation – 1 October 2008 (£1 = US$1.768, Brent Crude oil $93.80 per barrel) but can go up or down. Before making a booking, please call to check the correct up to date price of your chosen holiday on our telephone sales line.

Once you have made a booking and we have issued our confirmation invoice, your holiday price can only be varied due to a significant increase in our costs or an increase in charges, fees, taxes or similar items as a result of governmental action. Where applicable, the following entrance fees, taxes and charges are included in our prices at the rates advised to us at the time of preparation: Galapagos National Park $110; Machu Picchu $40; Inca Trail and Short Inca Trail $80; Cusco Tourist Ticket $40; UK air passenger duty (£40, £80 business class). An adjustment will be made to your price if any of these charges change before your holiday. We have been advised that the Galapagos National Park entrance fees may increase to US$210 in 2009. Other than for increases in entrance fees or tax increases, such as in APD or VAT, we will absorb any increase up to 2% of your holiday cost. If there is a surcharge of more than 10% of your holiday cost, you will be entitled to cancel within 7 days of being notified of the surcharge and obtain a full refund. No surcharge will be made less than 30 days before the start of your holiday.

4. Alterations or cancellations by you

If you wish to alter your holiday arrangements in any way before departure, we will do our best to help. An administration fee of £25 per passenger will be charged, together with any additional costs incurred as a result of the change. If you make any alterations within 60 days of departure, we may treat this as a cancellation, and cancellation fees may apply. Scheduled airlines treat name changes as a cancellation and rebooking; any alteration is likely to incur a 100% cancellation charge. Please make sure that all names you give us are spelled exactly as they appear in passports.

It is not normally possible to make alterations after commencement of travel. If you do wish to make alterations during your holiday, cancellation fees for services booked may apply. Refunds cannot be made for any unused accommodation, services or transport.

If you wish to cancel your holiday, you must let us know in writing. The following cancellation charges apply:

In addition, where one person in a party cancels and others still wish to travel, single room supplements will be payable if this results in single rooms being used.

We recommend that you take out full travel insurance, including cover against loss of deposit or cancellation penalties.

5. Alterations or cancellations by us

Llama Travel makes careful arrangements with airlines, hotels and service operators to ensure that we are able to provide you with the holiday exactly as we have described it. However, in exceptional cases, it may be necessary to make changes to your holiday arrangements (including flights, accommodation, transport or services) due to circumstances beyond our control. Flight times are given only as indications, and finalised times will be shown on your tickets.

When minor changes are made, we will do our best to ensure that they do not affect your holiday. If a major change is necessary (defined as a change of city or resort, a significant change of itinerary, a change of accommodation to a lower standard or category, a change of flight time of more than 12 hours or a change of airport except between London airports) or if we have to cancel your holiday, we will contact you and offer you the choice of:

1. Accepting the changes to your holiday;
2. Purchasing another available Llama Travel holiday;
3. Cancelling your holiday with a full refund.

If we have to cancel or make major alterations to your holiday less than 60 days before departure, you will also be entitled to compensation at the following levels:

NOTE: Compensation will not be paid in cases where alterations or cancellations have to be made due to force majeure, including war, threat of war, civil unrest or strife, decisions by governments or governing authorities, industrial disputes, natural disasters, fire, bad weather, terrorist activity, nuclear disaster, technical or maintenance problems with transport, changes of timetables of airlines, or other causes beyond our control.

6. Our responsibilities and commitment to your holiday

Llama Travel is dedicated to ensuring that your holiday is as described. If a part of your holiday is not provided as promised, and this affects the reasonable enjoyment of your holiday, we will pay compensation appropriate to the circumstances, limited to a maximum of twice the price of the service concerned.

Llama Travel accepts responsibility for illness, personal injury or death caused as a direct result of the direct acts and / or omissions of our employees, agents, suppliers or sub-contractors while acting in the course of their employment to provide services or arrangements for your holiday that you have booked with us in the UK. We do not accept responsibility for illness, personal injury or death where there has been no fault of our employees, agents, suppliers or sub-contractors, or as a result of taking part in any activity which does not form part of the holiday booked through us in the UK. Where illness, personal injury or death arises in the course of air travel, rail travel, sea travel or hotel accommodation, the amount of compensation you may receive is limited in accordance with the provisions of any International Convention. If illness, personal injury or death is suffered as a result of taking part in an activity where a third party is involved, we shall, at our discretion, offer advice and assistance to aid in the resolution of the issue, provided you inform us within 90 days of the occurrence. Our costs in respect of the above on behalf of you and your party shall not exceed £5,000 in total. If you are able to make recovery of these costs whether from the third party or from a policy of insurance, you may be asked to refund our outlay.

7. Your responsibilities

Clients are responsible for ensuring that all immigration and health requirements are fulfilled, for obtaining travel documents, including passports, visas and vaccination certificates, and for ensuring that these are all in order. If the name on your airline ticket does not match that on your passport, you must inform us as soon as you receive the ticket.

We require your passport number and the issuing country to issue some tickets. If your passport details change after you have given these to us, you must inform us.

It is your responsibility to behave in a responsible, restrained and sober manner when dealing with local authorities, fellow travellers and our local representatives.

By taking a Llama Travel holiday, you agree to accept the authority and decisions of our employees and representatives. If, in the opinion of such people, your behaviour or health before the departure of a tour is likely to threaten the safety, comfort or progress of that tour, then you may be excluded from the tour without refund or compensation. It is your responsibility to obey local laws, otherwise you may be excluded from the holiday and we will cease to have any responsibility for you.

If you have a complaint about your holiday whilst abroad, please bring this to the attention of our local representatives, who will do all they can to ensure the swift and satisfactory resolution of any problem. Please bear in mind that travel in Latin America is not the same as travel in the UK, and minor inconveniences and delays may arise due to weather conditions, strikes, demonstrations or the poor state of roads or for other reasons. By travelling with Llama Travel, you are implicitly accepting this part of the Latin American way of life.

8. Flights

Please bear in mind that we have no direct control over international or national air carriers, and therefore schedules may change due to no fault of our own. We will do all we can to ensure the smooth flow of all your transport connections, but it is your responsibility to check exact times of flights and reconfirm these. This is particularly important for internal flights within Latin America, which sometimes are rearranged at short notice. Llama Travel accepts no responsibility for the consequences of flights missed due to the client’s failure to reconfirm.

When you travel with an airline, the Conditions of Carriage of that airline apply, some of which will limit or exclude liability. These conditions are the subject of International Agreements between countries.

Flying to Latin America involves long flights and may require changes in other airports. It is the client’s responsibility to arrive at the departure airport at the appropriate time and to check in for your international flight, and to change aeroplanes if necessary at intermediate airports. If you wish to sit in a specific seat or section of the plane, or wish to sit with other people on the flight, it is strongly recommended that you check in early or check in online. It is often possible to reserve seats directly with the airline by telephone or online prior to travel.

9. Baggage allowance

Most scheduled airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kg per passenger. Please bear this in mind when packing, as carrying excess baggage will normally incur an expensive additional cost payable at check in. Additionally, certain excursions have a limited baggage allowance. Where this is the case, you will usually have an opportunity to leave the rest of you luggage in storage. Llama Travel accepts no responsibility for the loss or damage of luggage.

10. Insurance

It is a requirement that all Llama Travel travellers have adequate insurance provision to cover the cost of assistance, including emergency repatriation, in the event of illness or other problems occurring during your holiday.

11. Complaints

If you have any complaints about your holiday arrangements when you are abroad, these can usually be sorted out by talking to the supplier (e.g. hotel) and our local representatives or by informing us directly. If this is not done, Llama Travel accepts no responsibility for the situation, as we will not have been given the opportunity to rectify the problem. If you do not inform us, your consumer rights to compensation may be affected. If you have tried and failed to rectify the situation whilst abroad, please send us your complaint in writing within 28 days of returning to the UK. We will then follow up your complaint. Communication with Latin America is often slow, so we may not be able to resolve the situation as quickly as you would like.

12. Financial security

The holidays in this brochure are ATOL protected, since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 5804. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.

13. Brochure and website information

The information in our brochures and on our website is, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of going to press. However, details of flights or hotels may vary during the lifetime of a brochure. These changes will be reflected on our website, www.llamatravel.com, where possible.

The copyright on all material in our brochures and on our website, including text, photographs, maps and layouts is held by Llama Travel Limited. No part of these publications may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any way without the prior written permission of Llama Travel. Some photographs are courtesy of PromPeru.

14. Data Protection

The information we ask you to provide, including personal information about you and members of your party, is necessary for us to arrange and operate your holiday. By booking a holiday with us, you agree to our processing this information, including, where appropriate, its transfer outside of the EU.