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This page is designed to help you prepare for your trip to Galapagos Island with Quito and Machu Picchu
if we don't answer your questions here, text or call and we'll add them to the list. A. Frequently Asked Questions B. Travel Hacks C. Health & Well Being D. Packing List 
1. Are visas required for any of our destinations? No visas are required. However, there is a Transit Control Card (TCC) required to fly from Quito to the Galapagos Island and that will be provided with the tour. 2. Is there a luggage limit on our flights? It's always a good idea to pack as light as possible, but the airlines we are flying on have the standard weight for bags-- 50 lbs. checked bag & 22 lbs. carry-on. You can read the details here: https://www.avianca.com/en/information-and-help/baggage/ for the airline between Quito and Galapagos. ALSO: there is NO LAUNDRY service aboard the Coral yacht. Most hotels do NOT have laundry rooms we can use but do have "room service" laundry service. SEE #7 for more details on laundry. 3. What kind of electrical outlets will there be in Equador and Peru and what is the electric current? In Ecuador, types A & B are the official standard (same as U.S.A.). The voltage is 110 the same as in the US. In Peru, they use both A & B as well as C which is the two-pronged European style plug. The voltage is 220 so you'll need a converter for everything other than phones and computers if they aren't duel voltage. 4. Why use air tags? In case your luggage is delayed or lost, air tags or air tracker tags (they don't have to be Apple) can make the difference in you getting your luggage before the end of the trip. Recently our customers had luggage lost in San Francisco and only because they had air tags that were actively identified were they able to get their luggage back. We highly recommend you put an air tag in each piece of luggage and track it. https://a.co/d/7VKWIUi 5. What cell phone service do you recommend? We use T-mobile because of their good international coverage and free texting around the world. This is an individual choice. We ask everyone to have WhatsApp on your phone. We use it extensively before, during and after the tour to keep in touch with you and let you know the daily and hourly schedule as it changes regularly. Please make sure you have phone service that works internationally. 6. What cash do we need for tips and other things like wet suits? Here's what we just got from Adventure life:
Ship (Corals): Purely OPTIONAL depending upon service. Consider what they ask you to pay for on the ship as "extras" when calculating tips.
Peru: depending upon your satisfaction level of service -- you may wish to reward some extra services even more
Note from Liz: bring several hundred dollars in small denominations and bring a debit card with a pin so you can get local currency from ATM's that will be available. 7. Will there be opportunities to do laundry on this trip? To get laundry services near the Wyndham Costa del Sol in Cusco, you can use the hotel's on-site laundry service or find local laundromats, which are common in the city and often provide same-day service for a price per kilo. You should inquire at your hotel's front desk for specific recommendations and to confirm services and prices. 1. Hotel's On-Site Laundry Service How it works: Most hotels, including the Costa del Sol Wyndham Cusco, offer in-house laundry services for guests. Inquire: Ask the front desk at the Wyndham Costa del Sol for details on their laundry service, as it's usually the most convenient option. 2. Local Laundromats Availability: Cusco has many local laundromats, with services being quite common for travelers. Pricing: Expect to pay per kilogram of clothing, with prices generally ranging from 3 to 10 soles per kilo. (1 kilo = 2.2 pounds) Service: Most local laundromats offer a quick turnaround, with many providing same-day or next-day service. You can often drop off your laundry in the morning and pick it up later that day or the following morning. To find a local service: 1. Ask your hotel concierge or front desk at the Wyndham Costa del Sol can recommend local laundromats. 2. You can look for signs indicating "lavandería" or "lavandería y planchado" (laundry and ironing) as you walk around the area. ( Or check google maps OR ChatGPT) 8. How can we prepare for the high altitude we will be experiencing in Quito and Cusco? A. Stay Well Hydrated The dry mountain air and increased respiration can lead to dehydration more quickly. Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid caffeine as these can worsen dehydration & symptoms. B. Take It Easy the First Day. Even if you feel fine on arrival, give your body time to adjust: walk slowly and avoid strenuous hikes or carrying heavy luggage. C. Try Coca Tea or Coca Products Locals commonly drink mate de coca (coca leaf tea) or chew coca leaves to help with mild altitude discomfort. It’s available in the airport, hotels, restaurants, and markets throughout Cusco. Buy some as soon as we arrive in Cusco or Lima and start taking it as soon as you can to get the most benefit. But don't try bringing any home with you. It's not legal here. D. Consider Medication if Needed. Your doctor may recommend acetazolamide (Diamox): This prescription medication speeds up your body’s acclimatization. It’s usually started a day before arrival and continued for the first 1–2 days at altitude. Talk to your healthcare provider before your trip to see if it’s appropriate for you. Over-the-counter meds are helpful: pain relievers like ibuprofen can help manage headaches and meds such as Pepto Bismo and Loperimode for diarrhea help with the upset stomach that most travelers experience due to the altitude. Plan on being among these and come prepared with these meds. E. Sleep Considerations - Often travelers find they sleep lightly or wake often the first night or two at high altitude. This is normal and tends to improve after a day or so. Rest during the day can help make up for any lost sleep. F. Recognize symptoms early; Mild symptoms are common and usually improve with rest: Headache Fatigue Dizziness Shortness of breath during activity If symptoms worsen—such as persistent vomiting, severe headache, confusion, or shortness of breath at rest--seek medical help immediately. Cusco has clinics experienced in treating altitude illness, and oxygen is widely available in hotels and airports. QUICK ACCLIMATION CHECKLIST Drink extra water Take it slow on Day 1 Try coca tea Consider medication if recommended Listen to your body and rest when needed Get help if needed. 9. Will we be attending church while on this trip? We arrive on a Monday and our last day in the Galapagos Islands is Sunday where we drive through Santa Cruz island to Baltra Island where we get our flight back to Quito arriving there in the afternoon. So no time for church that day--we'll do a devotional meeting that evening. The following Sunday we are in Cusco after having been to Machu Picchu. And this is a FREE DAY. There are at least 5 wards in Cusco with one building being about a 20 minute walk from our hotel in the Historic District. Church services are all in Spanish and one ward is at 9 AM and the other at 11 AM. We plan to attend the 11 AM service but won't understand much of anything. So it's up to you, but we don't like to miss taking the sacrament and feeling the Spirit with our brothers and sisters in the lands we visit. So you are welcome to join us. More Questions? Text us at 801.669.1777 or 801. 440.3272 & we'll be happy to answer as well as post your questions here . 
These are links to videos we've found that can be helpful in planning for international travel. There are many more online -- when you finish one you may find more by the same person that are good updates on travel. 1. Travel Tips for Bringing Medicine Through Airport Security
youtu.be/PBwmUX3PpGk?si=DMcERkVzas759rOV 2. 5 Airport Secrets They Don't Want Us to Know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR1N4JLcp-4&t=313s 3. What to wear (and not) when flying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwf2GAZWdgg&t=300s 4. 3-1-1 Rule -- Airline guides for carrying liquids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-Ga-v5kCSc 5. Airline Rules https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz0oDYs1mNk&t=181s 6. Cell Phone Security https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heeaS7vgLvY 7. 5 Packing Tips for Your Next Trip youtu.be/GS5FFxl8e2I?si=3QI_o2r3OUB9YKpF 8. Travel updates for 2025 https://youtu.be/Dj-GASJCeaQ?si=JVWdbh3rr_jwnJG7 
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Take a screen shot of this discount or save the image and take it in to the Spanish Fork Prime IV - tell them Mark & Liz sent you and get a free injection.
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From Liz: I've added some links to Amazon products because some have asked me for suggestions, but these are not required in any way and are just here to give you ideas. You should use your own judgement and experience.
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1. Swim suit and accessories (the ship will supply fins and masks for everyone, but you may want to bring your own if you are hard to fit). In addition, we recommend:
A. Swim gloves - you can bring a pair of swim gloves to enhance your swim stroke if you want to have some real swim time. Here's a link to some you can purchase: https://a.co/d/fkqubYA B. Head band/face mask for swimming and for wind protection https://a.co/d/5kIStQU 2. Sandals, walking shoes & flip flops 3. Bug repellant -- we won't see a lot of bugs, but be prepared just in case. Here's a link to some bug repellant: https://a.co/d/dkmycdr (This is the stuff the church gives their employees who travel for them) https://a.co/d/dkmycdr 4. Sun screen- REEF SAFE-- you'll need protection on this trip +SPF Lip Balm 5. Hats (one needs to tie on) 6. Sun glasses 7. Water bottle - you'll need one for both sides of the trip. 8. Water proof poncho https://a.co/d/0aPbnXk
9. Tide sticks -,we swear by these https://a.co/d/f6XCvDS 10. Clothes line -- for doing laundry in your room (underwear especially) a.co/d/6spXv0E 11. Laundry soap -- I use these all the time at home and on trips a.co/d/5jEcwOx 12. Wrinkle Release Spray (sorry it won't help our faces) a.co/d/2PAgeGO 13. Flashlight -- this one is rechargeable & can charge your phone a.co/d/2Ya68vO
14. Mini Portable Chargers for phone https://a.co/d/5xAHuZJ 15. Electric transformer -- needed for electrical appliances other than computers & phones ca.co/d/cVDO5ec 16. Plug adaptor (Type C ) https://a.co/d/93yVV1z for Equator & Peru 
17. Medicines & vitamin suppliments -- with pill bags to organize them compactly a.co/d/iWkVhss 18. Nasal Spray or swabs for plane to avoid getting sick in crowded areas 19. Melatonin & sleep aids --we recommend Costco Sleep Aid -- to sleep on the plane and to sleep through the nights when jet lag wakes us at 3:00 AM (see photo on right)
20. Face masks -- in case of illness https://a.co/d/5xSidzxa.co/d/5xSidzx 21. Hand sanitizer https://a.co/d/5zSOLBua.co/d/5zSOLBu 22. Disinfectant wipes for plane (get at the supermarket travel section) 23. Eye mask & ear plugs for sleeping https://a.co/d/cKPdQRua.co/d/cKPdQRu 24. Ziplock bags -- you'll be surprised how much these are used
25. Snacks -- nuts, jerky, protein bars, etc. 26. Book of Mormon to give away 27. Binoculars for bird watching 28. Lightweight waterproof backpack for islands & Machu Picchu https://a.co/d/dCMmZhk 29. Pictures of your family -- on your phone and/0r hard copy to show -- bring a photo of yourself as a youth: teen or young adult that you can share with us. |
phone chargers
Transformer for multiple outlets
Sleep aid we use all the time
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Galapagos & Machu Picchu SUGGESTED CLOTHING PACKING LIST (this is just a suggestion)
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Clothing
• 4–5 quick-dry shirts (short & long sleeve) • 2–3 pairs shorts • 2 pairs lightweight pants • 1 light fleece or sweater (cool nights, boat decks) • 1 light windbreaker/rain jacket • 2 swimsuits + 1 rash guard • Hat with chin strap • Sleepwear, underwear, socks • Skirt or shirt & tie for church in case we attend local branch |
Shoes
• Sturdy walking shoes or hiking sandals • Water sandals/reef shoes (for wet landings) • Flip-flops (boat use) Gear (these are all optional) • Wetsuit (rent on tour for $25) • Hand gloves for swimming (see above) • Snorkel mask (personal fit, optional fins) these will be available on the boat or bring your own if you prefer • Underwater camera / GoPro + waterproof case OPTIONAL • Binoculars (bird + wildlife spotting) • Daypack + dry bag (protect electronics) • Sunglasses |
Machu Picchu SUGGESTED PACKING LIST |
This list is for the day trip only
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■ Clothing & Gear
• Moisture-wicking top • Long-sleeve sun shirt • Light fleece/sweater • Waterproof shell or poncho • Quick-dry pants/leggings • Good walking shoes with grip (stones can be slippery) • Hat + sunglasses • Light scarf or buff ■ Sun & Bug Protection • Sunscreen (high SPF) • Lip balm with SPF • Insect repellent • Hand sanitizer & tissues ■ Food & Hydration • Reusable water bottle (no single-use plastic) • Electrolyte packets/tablets (optional) • Snacks (energy bars, nuts, fruit) |
■ Electronics
• Phone/camera fully charged • Portable battery + charging cable • Headphones/earbuds (optional for train ride) ■ Just in Case • Basic first-aid kit (band-aids, blister pads, ibuprofen) • Personal meds (altitude, pain relief, etc.) • Small pack toilet paper ■ Don’t Pack • Large backpacks (>20L) • Walking sticks/trekking poles (unless permitted) • Umbrellas with sharp tips • Single-use plastic bottles • Drones • Picnic-style meals • Tripods/selfie sticks • Heavy jackets or jeans • Unnecessary valuables • Big toiletry items |