During the months of both May and June, Air Journey operated journeys to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador on the equator. Both journeys were set up to visit three destinations initially—Cartagena, Colombia, on the way south followed by an overnight in Guayaquil, Ecuador, before our commercial flight to the islands of the Galapagos. We had to fly commercial because fueling of private planes isn’t available on the islands. After a return to the mainland, a flight to Panama was scheduled before returning home.
As Air Journey consistently evaluates the evolution of the COVID pandemic and the changes in the different rules to go in and out of various countries (related to PCR or antigen test requirements, etc), one trip ended up going to Panama first, then Ecuador, the Galapagos, and back through Costa Rica. The other trip first went to Colombia, then Ecuador, and back up through Costa Rica. This is the beauty of having a small travel organization – we are able to easily and quickly make calculated changes based on our situation, in this case the pandemic. The same can be done for other situations, such as weather or political issues.
Air Journey organized the required testing and confirmed that proper documents were provided. On this particular journey, nearly all the countries required a PCR test no older than 72 hours prior to arrival in the country. Additionally, for the safety of the group, on the day we met in Florida we organized another antigen test to make sure that nothing had happened between the PCR test and the day of departure. This was required regardless of vaccination status.
The program is usually consistent, no matter the circumstances: We have an extensive briefing in Florida the night before our scheduled departure. The first leg, whether going to Cartagena or Panama, is about 1,000 nautical miles, which is easily accomplished nonstop by most airplanes. In case of any weather on arrival or any range issues, a very easy stop can be done in Jamaica with a fast turnaround in Kingston.
Air Journey organized the overflight permit with the Cuban Civil Aviation Authority. Along the way, English is spoken on the radio, of course with a Spanish accent over Cuba and in most of the South and Central American countries.
The stops in Cartagena and Panama are filled with exploration, private tours, incredible meals and in the case of Panama, an amazing visit to the canal, one of the manmade wonders of the world. Since we traveled during COVID, there were fewer tourists in the different places, giving us the impression that we had the different towns to ourselves.
From Panama or Cartagena, the flight to Guayaquil skirts the Andes Mountains. We usually have a little game in the cockpit with either a G1000, G3000, or any other kind of GPS, asking every pilot to take a photo showing when they cross the equator with an even 00.00.00 latitude. With the speed our airplanes are moving, good luck!
Landing in Guayaquil at this time of the year the weather is usually hazy, and ATC lined us up on the ILS from 3,000 feet. Clearing customs, immigration and the health department was a breeze on both of the journeys with all of the prepared documents, and shortly after refueling we were on our way to the hotel with private transfer. We organized one transfer per airplane.
After an overnight in the beautiful Parque hotel in Guayaquil, the next day we flew commercial to the Galapagos Islands and the Baltra airport. The distance is a mere 620 nautical miles which can be done by most general aviation airplanes, but there is no fuel available there, and parking is very limited. The fees for parking and handling exceed $3,000 per airplane, making the commercial flight the attractive option.
After arrival we transferred to the Elite private yacht, an eight-cabin luxury Galapagos catamaran with a dedicated staff. It was absolutely incredible and made the experience of the Galapagos very unique and memorable. For the next five days/four nights we cruised along the islands and had wonderful excursions and snorkeling time. We saw sea lions, frigatebirds, land and marina iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, green sea turtles, Darwin’s finches, giant tortoises, blue and red-footed boobies, and many more.
The most amazing part is that none of the animals are afraid of human beings. They have never been hunted. You can get as close as six feet (per law) and they are not bothered at all. It’s incredible.
After five days, it was time to go back to Guayaquil for the night. We briefed for the next flight back through Costa Rica, about 800 miles over water from Ecuador.
Landing in Liberia with beautiful weather, we proceeded to our hotel, the Four Seasons in Papagayo, for three nights of relaxation on the coast of the Pacific.
Along the way, the flying is pretty easy. Through Central America CENAMAR is the name of the air traffic control center. They take flights all the way up to the VOR of Liberia for the VOR/DME arc approach.
When it was time to leave Costa Rica and head back home, we have a straight shot toward Florida, and depending on range and overflight permit the airplane can go to Key West, south Miami, or even all the way up to Fort Pierce. If you happen to have an overflight permit, which sometimes we at Air Journey can organize, you can go even farther inside the country.
On the most recent journey the only test required in Costa Rica was a PCR test just prior to us flying back to the US, but thanks to the most recent rules for those who are vaccinated, this no longer is a requirement.
Because of the success of these two journeys, we have five Galapagos journeys scheduled for 2022 and one in the late fall of 2021.
Looking forward to sharing this exciting program with you!
Guillaume Fabry is on the staff of Air Journey. For more information on guided flying tours, see www.airjourney.com.
