Cancellation & Refund Policy
Evolving Tours
Last updated: March 2026
At Evolving Tours, we coordinate tours, transportation and travel experiences in the Galápagos Islands through licensed local operators, vessels and certified guides. Due to the limited availability of spaces, park permits and operational logistics required to organize these activities, the following cancellation and refund policy applies to all reservations.
By confirming a booking with Evolving Tours, participants acknowledge and agree to the conditions described below.
1. Booking Confirmation
A reservation is considered confirmed once payment has been received and the service has been secured with the corresponding operator.
Confirmation may be issued through any of the following methods:
• online payment platforms
• secure payment links
• credit card payments
• bank transfers
• authorized booking systems
• direct confirmation through written communication (including email or messaging platforms)
Once payment is received and the reservation is confirmed, the spaces are secured with local operators and the booking becomes subject to the cancellation policy described in this document.
2. Cancellation Policy for Advance Reservations
For reservations made in advance, the following cancellation conditions apply:
45 days or more before the service date
Full refund minus administrative and payment processing fees.
44 – 30 days before the service date
30% of the total reservation value will be retained.
29 – 15 days before the service date
50% of the total reservation value will be retained.
14 – 3 days before the service date
75% of the total reservation value will be retained.
Less than 72 hours before the service date
The reservation becomes 100% non-refundable.
These conditions apply to all tours, excursions, transfers and travel services unless otherwise specified.
3. Last-Minute Reservations in the Galápagos
Reservations made while the traveler is already in the Galápagos Islands or within 10 days of the first scheduled service are considered last-minute bookings.
Due to operational commitments with local operators, vessels, guides and park permits, last-minute reservations are final and non-refundable once confirmed, even if the services occur on different dates.
This includes reservations made:
• directly in the Galápagos Islands
• through hotels or local representatives
• within a short time prior to the scheduled service
• same-day bookings
4. Multiple Services Reservations
When multiple tours, excursions or services are purchased together as part of a single reservation, the booking is considered one confirmed reservation.
Although services may occur on different dates, the reservation is treated as a single operational booking with secured spaces across multiple operators.
5. Partial Cancellations
Partial cancellations are not permitted for reservations that include multiple tours or services confirmed as a single booking.
If a participant decides not to participate in one or more services included in the reservation, those services will be considered voluntarily unused and remain non-refundable.
6. Late Cancellations
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time are considered late cancellations and are not eligible for a refund.
At this stage, tour operators have already secured the reserved spaces and operational costs have been incurred.
7. No-Show Policy
Failure to appear at the designated meeting point at the scheduled time will be considered a no-show.
No-shows are 100% non-refundable.
Participants are responsible for arriving on time at the indicated meeting location.
8. Unused or Partially Used Services
No refunds will be issued for services that are voluntarily not used by the participant.
This includes situations such as:
• deciding not to participate in an activity
• discomfort during the excursion
• seasickness or personal conditions
• personal travel changes
• early departure from a tour
• personal decisions not to continue a tour
Once a service has started, the service is considered delivered.
9. Safety and Operational Decisions
Tours in the Galápagos Islands operate in a natural environment where weather conditions, sea conditions, wildlife activity and safety considerations may require operational adjustments.
Captains and guides may modify routes, activities or itineraries when necessary for safety reasons.
Such operational decisions do not constitute grounds for refunds if the service has been provided.
10. Weather and Natural Conditions
Galápagos tours operate in a natural environment and may be affected by weather conditions, sea conditions or park regulations.
These circumstances are beyond the control of Evolving Tours and do not qualify for refunds when services have been delivered.
11. Force Majeure
Evolving Tours shall not be held responsible for disruptions caused by circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to:
• extreme weather conditions
• sea conditions
• flight delays or cancellations
• government regulations
• Galápagos National Park restrictions
• natural events or unforeseen operational circumstances
Whenever possible, alternative solutions may be offered.
12. Credit Card Disputes
Payments made by credit card are subject to this cancellation policy.
If a participant files a credit card dispute or chargeback after services have been delivered or after a late cancellation, Evolving Tours reserves the right to contest the dispute by submitting booking confirmations, communication records and operational evidence.
13. Policy Acceptance
By confirming a reservation and completing payment, participants confirm that they have read, understood and accepted the Cancellation & Refund Policy of Evolving Tours.
14. Payment Confirmation
Payment of the reservation constitutes acceptance of the booking and cancellation policies, regardless of the communication method used to confirm the reservation.