Description

Ecoventura is a family-owned company based in Guayaquil, Ecuador. In business for over 15 years, Ecoventura owns and operates a fleet of four expedition vessels in the Galá;pagos Islands with high environmental standards.

Ecoventura's fleet of identical expedition vessels Eric, Flamingo & Letty are superior first-class 20-passenger motor yachts. Built in 1991 and refurbished every year, each features ten double outside facing cabins over three decks with polished teak interiors.

Small guide-to-passenger ratios (one expert guide for every ten passengers) ensure intimate visits on shore. Two new clear-bottom tandem kayaks are provided on each yacht. Passengers are also supplied with custom 3mm wet suits, masks, fins and snorkels, beach towel and mesh bag with each package. A diving add-on option is available for an additional charge.

Departures are every Sunday from San Cristobal on comprehensive 7-night itineraries including the outer, most popular islands in the archipelago.

Itinerary:
SUNDAY: Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, SAN CRISTOBAL Island, the crew is waiting at the airport to escort you to your yacht. You will set sail for Playa Ochoa, where you have a chance to snorkel and swim with sea lions. At sunset, cruise around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a vertical tuff cone formation that juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean.
MONDAY: Spend the entire day on TOWER (Genovesa), considered to be one of the most spectacular Islands in Galá;pagos for bird species. This morning, you'll have a dry landing at Prince Philip’s Steps. You will visit an open lava field. After lunch, sea kayaks are available to paddle along the shoreline. A snorkeling opportunity is offered along the inner rim of the volcanic crater. You will land on Darwin Bay, a coral sand beach with tide pools. Enter a forest of Optuntia cactus and mangroves. Swim from the beach with sea lions.
TUESDAY: This morning, you will visit Las Bachas. There is a long stretch of a soft white-sand beach and interior lagoons where you'll have the opportunity to see flamingos. There is also a chance to snorkel here from the beach. This afternoon, you disembark on North Seymour, a small geological uplift. After a dry landing, follow a trail that leads to swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies and the endemic land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds found in Galá;pagos.
WEDNESDAY: This morning, you will visit Tagus Cove, located on the western Island of ISABELA. On your walk, discover a salt-water lagoon, a scenic overlook with a spectacular view, lava fields and volcanic formations. Explore the Cove in pangas or sea kayak to find Galá;pagos penguins and other seabirds. After lunch, you will cross the Bolivar Canal. Be on the look-out for whales and dolphins. You'll disembark at Punta Espinoza, FERNANDINA, the youngest and most pristine Island in the Galá;pagos. You will see hundreds of marine iguanas, also sea lions, Flightless Cormorants, and Galá;pagos Hawks.
THURSDAY: This morning, stroll along the shore at Puerto Egas, SANTIAGO (James), looking for sea life caught in the tide pools. The walk ends at the grottos, deep pools of clear water where you'll encounter fur sea lions. Before returning to the yacht, there is a snorkeling opportunity with loads of tropical fish. On Bartolome, it seems like you are walking on the moon because it is inhospitable to most plants and animals. After a dry landing, climb 30 minutes up stairs leading to the summit of a once active volcano. Down below, crystal clear water is an invitation to snorkel with schools of tropical fish and Galá;pagos Penguins, and you will also encounter sea turtles and white tipped sharks.
FRIDAY: You will travel by bus to the highlands of SANTA CRUZ Island. From June to January, you can find giant tortoises on a private farm in the highlands. You will visit Los Gemelos, a pair of large pit craters. You'll stop at "the tunnels", the largest lava tubes found in Galá;pagos. After lunch on board, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Scientists from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research. Visitors can now see Lonesome George, the last surviving member of the Pinta Island giant tortoise subspecies. Stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora (population: 15,000) the largest town in the Galá;pagos.
SATURDAY: This morning, step onto Gardner Bay, ESPANOLA (HOOD). Swim with sea lions from the beach. There’s an excellent snorkeling site off Gardner Islet with a colorful diversity of sea life with caves covered with invertebrates.This afternoon, disembark at Punta Suarez, ESPANOLA, where you will witness the highest rate of endemic species in Galá;pagos. From April to November, the waved albatross, found only on Espanola, perform their wild mating ritual.
SUNDAY: This morning, you'll drop anchor in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, SAN CRISTOBAL. You will visit the Interpretation Center. Here you'll gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the Islands. Afterwards, you'll head straight to the airport for your flight back to the mainland.