Letty Galapagos Cruise

(26 customer reviews)

A First-class 20 passenger yacht that offers active and very personalized tours due to a small guide to traveler ratio (1 naturalist per 10 travelers). Great guides, great itineraries, great service make this a memorable trip, and this is the first yacht in the Galapagos to have Stand Up Paddle boards.

Trip Length: 8 Days
Destination: Galapagos Islands
Accommodations: 20 passenger, First Class Yacht
Activities: Wildlife viewing, naturalist walks, snorkeling, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding

WHY THIS TRIP

The Letty, a 20-passenger first-class yacht, is one of our traveler’s favorite Galapagos boats. In addition to a great reputation for its guides and comprehensive 8-day itineraries, you’ll have 1 naturalist guide per every 10 travelers (compared with the usual 1:16 ratio), plenty of snorkeling excursions and opportunities to kayak and now even Stand Up Paddleboard. During school holidays the boats offer family trips with guides and food that kids will love, and the guarantee to have other families on board with you. You’ll also be supporting one of the most environmentally friendly Galapagos cruises out there.

WHY CHOOSE THE LETTY YACHT?

Watch this video to hear what our Expert Travel Advisors have to say:

 

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Ecoventura has a well-deserved reputation for offering quality trips while also being leaders in sustainable tourism. They are dedicated to using tourism in the Galapagos as a means to protect the islands for perpetuity, and were among the first Galapagos companies to receive the Smart Voyager certification.

A trip on the Letty will be a top Galapagos cruise experience, as the boats have well thought out itineraries designed to allow passengers to really experience the best of the Galapagos Islands. They visit many of the more remote but less visited sites in the islands.

Additionally, the Letty has 20 passengers so that there are 2 naturalists on board, giving a guide to passenger ratio of 1:10 instead of the standard 1:16 on most other boats.

The Letty has ten double cabins on 3 decks; upper level cabins are either twins or double beds and have large picture windows; main level cabins have double beds and picture windows; lower deck cabins have portholes and bunk beds, with triples available. Each cabin has air conditioning, private bathrooms with hot and cold water and hair dryers. The rooms also have storage cabinets and drawers, and have separate climate controls.

The Letty has polished teak interiors with spacious shared areas for passengers to relax, sit outside to watch wildlife while traveling, or to watch movies or play games in the conference area. The upper two decks have large picture windows so passengers are always able to look out and enjoy the sights of the Galapagos Islands.  The yachts were built in 1991 and are upgraded and refurbished yearly.

Menus have recently been updated to provide more fresh tasty food, and dining will be a highlight of the trip.

Ecoventura welcomes families with children ages twelve and up on all expedition vessels throughout the year. Families with children ages five and up can travel on any of our designated Family Departures. Family departures, including Family TEEN departures and Family College departure are geared towards families who prefer to travel with other families with similar aged children. Designated family departures are offered over school breaks and feature age-appropriate activities depending on the ages and number of children on board. Our naturalists know how to bring these Islands they love to life and to balance learning with fun for the entire family.

The use of snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel), wetsuits, beach towels, kayaks  and even stand up paddleboards (SUPs) are all included in the cost of the cruise. Likewise mineral water, soda, juice, coffee and tea are available at no cost.

Stand Up Paddle Boards and Kayaks can be used at these sites:

  • Itinerary A: Gardner Bay, Floreana, and Cerro Brujo San Cristobal
  • Itinerary B: Tagus Cove, Isabela and Darwin Bay, Genovesa (Tower)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • One naturalist for every 10 passengers
  • Observe amazing wildlife
  • Excellent meals and snacks
  • Hike volcanoes
  • Comfortable accommodations
  • Snorkel with sea lions
  • Visit historic, interpretive and cultural centers
  • Explore remote coves and beaches
  • Kayak or SUP beautiful bays

LOCAL OPERATOR: ECOVENTURA

Since 1990 Ecoventura has been providing thoughtful, fun cruises in the Galapagos Islands. For travelers who appreciate small groups, quality accommodations, ideal guide-to-passenger ratio and eco-friendly, sustainable cruises, a trip on the Eric, Letty and Flamingo Galápagos Yachts provides a safe, thrilling adventure in which great care is taken to keep the Galapagos biologically pristine. The cruise ships are comfortable, eco-friendly and becoming friendlier in order to further reducing the company’s carbon footprint. The company supports environmental education and marine conservation projects in the Galápagos and Galápagos communities by employing locals, purchasing local supplies and sponsoring a local school and a nonprofit.

Itinerary

Click the Abbreviated Itinerary to see the Detailed Itinerary



DAY 1 (Sunday): San Cristobal Airport & El Junco Lake

Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, the crew is waiting at the airport to escort you by bus to the main deck and then by zodiac to your yacht anchored in the bay. After the welcome briefing and safety drill, a delicious buffet lunch is served. Before the yacht pulls anchor, you’ll return to San Cristobal to explore El Junco Lake.  Spanish for “sedge”, El Junco is the caldera of an extinct volcano and only sizable fresh water lake in the Galapagos.  Listen for the calls of sea lions – they may try to approach, and as you ride the zodiac and you’ll see them lounging on the boats docked in the harbor. Upon your return to the yacht, the Captain and crew will welcome you on board with a cocktail, and a briefing of the next day’s activities.  With the small number of passengers on your yacht, you’ll have an opportunity to dine with the captain later in the week. But for tonight, enjoy meeting your fellow passengers as our kitchen staff treats you to a multi-course dinner complete with complimentary wine. (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Monday): San Cristobal: Cerro Brujo & Punta Pitt

You’ll start your exploration today with a Zodiac ride to look for wildlife at Cerro Brujo, which translates to Wizard Hill. Your guide will point out the wide variety of birds soaring around you, from brown pelicans and brown noddy terns to blue-footed boobies dive-bombing the water around you as they fish. Look for different color patterns that indicate age – for example, a brown pelican will have a white neck when it’s mature. Sally lightfoot crabs, black when they’re young but extremely colorful once fully grown, scurry all over the rocks. Your guides will also point out unusual geological formations, including the Cathedral, jokingly called Darwin’s Pants. After the Zodiac tour, you’ll be able to take in the gorgeous coral sand beach at your own pace. Take a peaceful walk along the beach, swim with sea lions or you have the option to paddle board or kayak. Paddleboards are beginner-friendly, with the option to kneel if you aren’t comfortable standing. This is a good opportunity to become familiar with your snorkeling gear from the beach before snorkeling in deep-water.  Your guides will teach you about the various species of fish you’ve encountered so far. If you’d like help identifying any of the fish in your photos, they’ll be happy to lend their expertise.

Return to the yacht for a BBQ lunch served on the sun deck (weather permitting) before going ashore at Punta Pitt for a hike. This is considered one of the best sites for bird-watching, primarily because it is the only place where you’ll see all three species of boobies: the blue-footed, the red-footed, and the Nazca. Look for baby blue-footed boobies, fully grown after just a couple of months but fluffy and white until their feathers come in. Your guides will also point out frigates, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels, brown pelicans. At Pitt Rock, we can snorkel with sea lions and colorful fish such as King Angel and Surgeon fish.  A Zodiac will transfer you back to the boat for a briefing and dinner.  As the yacht sets sail, choose from a selection of guide books or fiction in the library, or climb to the top deck for a distant view of “Sleeping Lion”.  Join your guide on deck for an exploration of the Southern skies full of stars if weather permits. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 (Tuesday): Espanola Island: Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay

This morning you’ll land at Punta Suarez on Espanola (Hood) Island. Your guides will point out the large number of endemic species living here, such as the waved albatross. These gorgeous birds spend the first several years of their lives in the open ocean and return to land to mate. If your visit is between April and December, you will witness the well-known courtship dance. As you walk, take care not to step on the marine iguanas sunbathing on the dark rocks. These iguanas are usually black but acquire bright red and green coloration during mating season from the algae they eat. Follow the trail to the dramatic ocean blow hole, watch for colorful sally light-foot crabs crawling along the shoreline. We also find Darwin’s Finches, Hood mockingbird, Galapagos Doves, red-billed tropicbirds, Galapagos Hawks, Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gull in the world.  Return to the yacht for a BBQ lunch served on deck (weather permitting) and a cooking demonstration on how to make Ecuadorian ceviche. 

After lunch, you’ll have the option to snorkel at Tortuga Rock and explore the caves covered with invertebrates. Disembark at Gardner Bay, site of a beautiful white-sand beach where colonies of sea lions dot the shoreline. The dominant males of a sea lion colony keep watch over their harems to keep them safe.  Here you’ll have the option to snorkel from the beach, kayak or paddle-board, or simply walk along the beach, sunbathe or explore the Darwin Finches, Espanola mockingbird and Galapagos hawks. After the activities, return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner. Your guide will offer an  enrichment lecture tonight after dinner. Informative and entertaining, the topic for this evening is on marine currents and climate or Geology of the Islands. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4 (Wednesday): Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant, Devil’s Crown OR Champion Islet & Post Office Bay

Step ashore at Punta Cormorant’s olive-sand beach with the sounds of sea lions, lava herons, yellow-crowned night herons and blue-footed boobies as you walk around Floreana (Charles) Island. The green mineral you’ll see on the beach is caused by a high concentration of iron and manganese from the same basaltic lava found in Hawaii. As you walk to a brackish lagoon, home to Bahama ducks, common stilts, Galapagos flycatchers and bright pink flamingos, the guides will point out the rich variety of plant life, including morning glories, cut-leaf daisies, mangroves (black, red and white), palo verde and Scalesia.  The trail leads to a beach where sea turtles lay their eggs in the powdery sand dunes and sting rays swim in the shallow water. Don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel at Devil’s Crown or Champion Islet, a shallow sunken crater colonized by a brilliant array of colorful fish and coral, white-tipped sharks, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and sea stars. Return to the yacht for lunch and a brief history of the human history of Galapagos and explain the fascinating story of why this island is sometimes called the Island of Mysteries.

In the afternoon, you’ll be able to participate in a thrilling Galapagos tradition. Floreana is home to Post Office Bay, the site where English whaling vessels erected a post barrel in the late 18th century. When you drop a postcard in the barrel, no postage is required. You’ll search through the postcards left by previous visitors, and if you see one addressed to a location near your home, you may choose to take it with you and deliver it in person. Similarly, your note will be delivered by future visitors. Postcards will be provided on board by your guides. Take a Zodiac excursion at Baroness Point to look for sea turtles and rays. If you have an underwater camera, you’ll be busy snapping photos of sea stars and a brilliant array of colorful fish. Return to the yacht for a briefing followed by dinner and a fun filled entertaining pirate themed party – participation is optional. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5 (Thursday): Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Center

When you look outside this morning, your view will be completely different from the last few days. A harbor full of boats is bustling with activity at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, a town with a population of 24,000. You’ll travel by bus to a higher altitude with beautiful geological formations including the lava tunnels at El Mirador and Los Gemelos (the twins), a pair of massive craters. Your guides will explain how they were formed. The highlight of the morning is a visit to a privately-owned ranch where tortoises roam free. These slow-moving giants can grow to be over 500 pounds!

Lunch will be served back on board the yacht, and in the afternoon you’ll learn about the most famous visitor to the Galapagos – Charles Darwin – as well as current conservation efforts, when you visit the Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena and Charles Darwin Research Station. Visit the exhibit honoring Lonesome George, whose death marked the extinction of his species of tortoise from Pinta Island. There’s another story with a happier ending: Diego, a tortoise from the San Diego zoo, brought his species back from the brink of extinction by fathering hundreds of offspring.  You’ll have free time to explore the town as you walk back to the main dock, the distance of about a mile. If you’re looking for a souvenir, this is the perfect time. Stop at the artisan chocolate shop to select a truffle, with dozens of flavor options, or visit an art gallery for a painting or ceramic piece. Along the way there will be cafes with coffee, ice cream and internet. You’ll have the option to stay on land for dinner with transfers provided by Zodiac. Otherwise, return to the yacht for the usual delicious multi-course dinner.  Today’s daily briefing will be held in the afternoon to allow for extra time in the evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 6 (Friday): Bartolome Island & Black Turtle Cove

When you wake up this morning, you’ll be in solitude once again, with no other boats in sight. You’ll have two options for a morning activity. Today’s hike is a challenge, with about 400 wooden steps winding around Bartolome island, ending in a gorgeous panoramic view of Pinnacle Rock.  Your guide will stop along the way to describe the geology of the landscape – mini lava cones and bombs formed by flowing magma from past volcanic eruptions. If you’d rather skip the hike, enjoy a Zodiac ride around the island to look for penguins.  You’ll see these adorable animals – the second smallest type of penguin – swimming and diving playfully or grooming themselves on rocks.  Crystal clear water beckons you to wade in from the beach (1). Snorkel with schools of tropical fish, white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos Penguins.  Return to the vessel for a BBQ lunch served on the sundeck (weather permitting).   

This afternoon we take a zodiac excursion at Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) through a series of coves and inlets surrounded by mangroves. You’ll navigate slowly along the shoreline, listening for the telltale deep inhale of a sea turtle and watching for the wings of a school of golden rays. Your guide will offer an enrichment lecture tonight after dinner. Informative and entertaining, the topic for this evening is on Charles Darwin and evolution or social/ environmental projects that are supported by Ecoventura (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 7 (Saturday): South Plazas Island & North Seymour Island

This morning you’ll start out at South Plaza, a small islet with tall cliffs and a trail with a variety of plants and animals. This island’s species of “Opuntia” or prickly pear cactus has been decimated by invasive species, so you’ll see young plants surrounded by nets to protect them. Look for nests for a variety of birds, such as swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters, small ground finches, and red-billed tropicbirds.  This geological uplift is home to a colony of bachelor sea lions, with dominant bulls in various stages of recovery from battles over prime beach territory.  You’ll also have an opportunity to see land iguanas up close, and your guides will describe what differentiates them from marine iguanas.

During lunch, you’ll sail to North Seymour Island, where a spectacular sight awaits: frigate birds with red sacs on their chests inflated, seeking mates.  At the height of mating season, you’ll be surrounded by dozens, but no matter what time of year you visit, there will be individuals seeking mates. The Galapagos Islands are home to two different species of frigates, Great and Magnificent, and your guides will teach you to identify the difference. You’ll have a final opportunity to snorkel in deeper water. Look for sharks, sea lions, and starfish, along with a variety of tropical fish.  Before dinner, the captain and crew  join you for a champagne toast to celebrate a wonderful week during the Captain’s farewell party. During the briefing, and you’ll receive detailed instructions for disembarking the next morning, After dinner, there is a special presentation from your guides. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 8 (Sunday): San Cristobal Interpretation Center & Airport

This morning you’ll disembark the yacht after breakfast.  As a perfect way to sum up the trip, you’ll visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal to learn more about the human history of the Galapagos Islands. There’s also a paved trail where you can enjoy a brief walk before a bus ride to town. You’ll have some free time for last-minute photos before your transfer to the airport. It’s a quick flight back to the mainland, but you’ll be bringing lifelong memories with you!(Breakfast)

* 7-day/ 6-night cruise option (Sunday to Saturday)
Passengers can disembark on Saturday from Baltra for a shorter, 6-night cruise. This is available only on seasonal or peak departure dates and not on holiday weeks. The 6-night rate is a 10% discount off the 7-night cruise rate and cannot be combined with any other promotional or child discounts. For passengers departing early who require a transfer to the airport, there is an additional charge of $15 per person (2 passenger minimum, or $30). The return flight from Baltra is subject to availability and confirmation is requested at the time of booking.


 

DAY 1 (Sunday): San Cristobal Airport & La Galapaguera Cerro Colorado

Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, the crew is waiting at the airport to escort you by bus to the main deck and then by zodiac to your yacht anchored in the bay. After the welcome briefing and safety drill, a delicious buffet lunch is served. The group travels by bus to the highlands to visit Centro de Crianza Jacinto Gordillo aka La Galapaguera Cerro Colorado where the national park has established a breeding program for the giant land tortoises that you will encounter in their natural habitat. Learn about their origin, evolution and threats by introduced animals at the information center. Along the trail, you find the San Cristobal (Chatham) mockingbird and Calandrinia plant, both endemic to this island. After joining your fellow yacht mates this evening for the island briefing, you will enjoy our captain’s welcome cocktail party and dinner prepared by our well-trained chefs. (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2 (Monday): Tower (Genovesa) Island: Darwin Bay & Prince Philips Steps

Spend the entire day on Tower Island (Genovesa), considered to be one of the most spectacular Islands in Galapagos for bird species. Your wet landing at Darwin Bay will land you on a coral sand beach where Swallow-tailed and Lava gulls gather near the tide pools. Enter a forest of Opuntia cactus and mangroves where colonies of Great frigate birds nest. The males inflate their red-throated pouches to attract the females flying overhead. The trail leads through a rich intertidal zone with a wide diversity of wildlife. After lunch and a dry landing at Prince Philip’s Steps, a trail leads to Red-footed boobies nesting in Palo Santo trees and Nazca boobies nesting near the trail. In an open lava field, find large numbers of Storm petrels. If you are lucky, we will see the elusive Short-eared owl. Chose to have a picnic lunch on deck or dine inside. Look for the beautiful Red-billed Tropic bird found in the crevices along the cliff by kayak or Zodiac. You can choose to swim or snorkel from the beach with sea lions in these northern warmer waters or for those with experience, we offer snorkeling in deeper water. Return to the yacht for briefing and dinner before we cross the equator. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3 (Tuesday): Santa Cruz Island: Las Bachas & Cerro Dragon

Today we visit Las Bachas (“the barges”). Just off this long stretch of beach with soft, white sand are interior lagoons where the Greater flamingo forages for food. This stop also provides a wonderful chance to snorkel from the beach. At Black Turtle Cove aka Caleta Tortuga Negra we have a zodiac ride through a series of coves and inlets surrounded by mangroves. Here you can view pairs of mating sea turtles (Sept to Feb), white-tipped reef sharks and golden cow-nosed rays. Located on the northern tip of Santa Cruz is Cerro Dragon aka Dragon Hill. Along the trail, we find Darwin Finches, Galapagos Flycatchers, Yellow Warblers, Audubon Shearwater and the endemic land iguanas, orange-yellow in color with large spines along their backs, were once part of the Darwin Station’s breeding program. We find pink flamingos feeding in the salt-water lagoon as well as other lagoon birds; stilts, pintail ducks, sandpipers and more. From the top of the hill, we enjoy a majestic view of the bay island covered in Opuntia cactus, Palo Santo and Cordia Lutea (muyuyu). After the briefing and dinner, we sail toward the western islands and cross the equator line for the second time. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4 (Wednesday): Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza & Isabela Island: Urbina Bay

Today you start with a semi-wet landing at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, the youngest and most pristine Island in Galapagos where no mammals were introduced. Recent lava flows formed by an active volcano stretch around the coast. Hundreds of Marine iguanas, members of the largest colony in Galapagos, bask in the sun along the rugged shoreline. Observe sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory. Flightless cormorants build their nests on the point and Galapagos hawks fly overhead. There is a chance to snorkel here with sea turtles. After lunch, you will cross the Bolivar Chanel where whales are often spotted and dolphins ride the bow wave.

We disembark at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island, where four miles of coastal seabed and its marine life was exposed due to a dramatic uplift in 1954 when the volcano erupted. The marine remnants of coral skeletons, some of them waist-high, are visited after a wet landing on the beach. Urbina is home to the very large and colorful Galapagos land iguana. You will osee here occasionally giant tortoises and Darwin finches. Brown pelicans and Flightless cormorants nest here, and giant Marine iguanas are seen along the coast. You may encounter penguins while snorkeling here. At Punta Vicente Roca, a Zodiac ride offers an incredible view of the tuff walls, and can enter the wave-sculpted cave where a sea turtle could be lurking. You may spot the dorsal fin of a Mola Mola, an odd-looking giant sun fish. You return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5 (Thursday): Isabela Island: Elizabeth Bay & Tagus Cove

Today you visit by zodiac Elizabeth Bay on Isabela Island, starting with a visit to a secluded cove lined with large red mangrove trees. Here, turtles, rays, and shore birds can be seen. You then motor to the rocky islets known as “Las Marielas,” where a colony of nesting penguins, Flightless cormorants and giant Marine iguanas are found. Isabela was created when six volcanoes flowed together and formed the largest island in Galapagos.

You have a dry landing at Tagus Cove, a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers over the centuries. Old graffiti dating back to the 1800’s is written on the rocky cliffs. Explore the coves by zodiac or kayak to find Galapagos penguins, boobies, pelicans and other seabirds. An uphill hike brings you to a salt-water lagoon, a scenic overlook with a spectacular view of the ocean, lava fields and volcanic formations. An excellent snorkeling site is offered from the zodiac or, if you prefer, take a kayak and explore the shoreline. After dinner, a sky full of stars beckons all on deck to observe the galaxy while crossing the equator for the last time. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 6 (Friday): Santiago Island: Puerto Egas & Rabida Island

 We stroll along the shoreline at Puerto Egas on Santiago Island (James) looking for octopus, starfish and other sea life caught in the tide pools. At low tide, catch a glimpse of marine iguanas as they feed on exposed green algae. Watch for great blue herons, lava herons, American oystercatchers and yellow-crowned night herons. Our walk ends at the grottos, deep pools of clear water where you encounter fur sea lions. Before returning to the yacht, there is a snorkeling opportunity. After lunch, take a seat on deck to view the dramatic landscape and dolphins that are often spotted here. You begin the day by disembarking on Rabida Island (Jervis), located near James Island. Rabida is considered the geographic center of Galapagos because this island sports the most diversified volcanic rocks. The dark-red sand beach originated from the high content of iron in the volcanic stones. While strolling along the trail, you may find Marine iguanas, mocking birds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin finches leading to a saltwater lagoon where Greater flamingos migrate. After the walk, there is not-to-miss snorkeling option with a large colony of sea lions. You return to the yacht for the Captain’s Farwell cocktail party and dinner as well as a special slide show presentation by your guides. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 7 (Saturday: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Station

The bus takes the group to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The scenery gradually changes as the route winds through all seven vegetation zones found in the Galapagos. Here, you visit the tortoise reserve at Las Primicias, one of the private farms in the highlands where giant tortoises are found in their natural habitat. Next, a stop at “the tunnels,” which are the largest lava tubes found in Galapagos. Then it’s off to visit Los Gemelos (“the twins”), a pair of large pit craters where the bright red male vermilion flycatcher is right at home. After lunch, a visit to the Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena (aka the Charles Darwin Research Station) puts you among several tortoise species and the breeding center where new hatchlings are studied and protected until they’re released back into the wild. Scientists from across the globe work at the station where they conduct biological research from anatomy to zoology. A stop at Van Straelen Hall provides the opportunity to view exhibits and a presentation. Visitors can observe the tortoise and land iguanas. Puerto Ayora is the social heart of the islands with the largest population of 24,000 people. This evening you have the option to return to the yacht for a buffet dinner or remain in town on your own account. Those who return to the yacht will be provided zodiacs to return to town to shop for souvenirs or to stop in at an internet café and connect with home. Zodiacs will return you to the yacht. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 8 (Sunday): San Cristobal Interpretation Center & Airport

By bus you visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island. Opened in 1999, here you gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the islands. Afterwards, you spend some time in port prior to heading to the airport for your flight back to the mainland. (Breakfast)

* 7-day/ 6-night cruise option (Sunday to Saturday)
Passengers can disembark on Saturday in Baltra for a shorter, 6-night cruise. This is available on seasonal or peak departure dates only and not holiday weeks. The 6-night rate is a 10% discount off the 7-night cruise rate and cannot be combined with any other promotional or child discounts. For those passengers departing early and require a transfer to the airport, there is an additional charge of $90 for three or fewer passengers. The return flight from Baltra is subject to availability and confirmation is requested at the time of booking.


travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip: 

The trip begins with the flight to the Galápagos from either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, on the first morning of the trip, and ends with the return flight from the Galápagos to either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, on the last day of the trip, arriving in the late afternoon. These flights are not included in the trip price, but they will be arranged for you and the cost added to your bill.

You need to overnight in your choice of departure city, either Quito or Guayaquil, at least one night before the trip begins as you will fly to the Galápagos early in the morning of the first day of your trip. At the end of the trip we recommend overnighting in Ecuador one night before moving on to your next adventure or flying home, although it is possible to catch a late night flight out on this day.

We do not sell international airfare but partner with a flight specialty company, Exito Travel, who can arrange all of your flights for you, simplifying the process of this part of your trip.

Trip Start: Trip begins on the first day with flight from Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, to the Galápagos (flights arranged for you). You will need to overnight in either Quito or Guayaquil the night before this flight (see our Quito and Guayaquil packages here).

Trip End: Trip ends with the flight from the Galápagos to either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, arriving late afternoon on the last day of the trip. You may want to overnight there that night (see our Quito and Guayaquil packages here) before continuing with your adventure.

Complete Your Trip

This trip is sold a la carte, meaning it is just the yacht trip and does not include hotels or services before or after the trip. We sell the trip this way so you can choose whatever hotels or services you want, rather than us forcing you into something particular. You will need to overnight at least one night in Quito or Guayaquil before the cruise, and one night after the cruise. That said, to make it simple for you to complete the package, we offer Quito Hotels and Tours.

In addition to the Galápagos cruise, we suggest you visit the Amazon jungle, the highlands of Ecuador, or Machu Picchu in Peru.

 

Prices & Dates

2023 PRICES:

Prices are per person and based on double occupancy. 

8 Day / 7 Night Cruise

Iguana Deck Cabin: $5,050.00
Booby Deck Cabin: $5,500.00
Dolphin Deck Cabin: $5,950.00

Child Discounts

Teens (Ages 12 – 17): 15% off
Children (Ages 7 – 11): 25% off

Holiday Week Departures

Holiday Weeks fall over Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. These departures have an additional supplement of $250 per person (subject to change). There are no child or teen discounts for the Holiday Week Departures, and single cabins have a supplement of 100% of the cruise price. 15 Day itineraries have an increase of 5% over Holiday Week Departures.

Note On Child / Teen Discounts

We allow one child/teen discount per one adult rate with a limit of two discounts per family. The cruise operators may limit the total number of child discounts permitted on any departure. Children & teens under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. No child discounts are given on holiday weeks. Ages refer to the age of the child at the time of the trip.

 

2024 PRICES:

For 2022 pricing, please inquire using the “I am Interested” button above or by calling 1-866-386-4168.

 

 

 

 

What's Included / Not Included

INCLUDED: 
  • Cabin accommodation in a single, double, or triple cabin, featuring picture windows or porthole windows, located on three decks.
  • Cabin amenities – nightstand, reading lights, closet, drawers, private bathroom with hair dryer, towels (bath and beach), bio-degradable soap and shampoo
  • All meals and after excursions snacks are creatively prepared using fresh local ingredients from sustainable providers.
  • Dinner is a beautifully plated four course menu and BBQ lunch is served on the sun deck.
  • There is a cooking demonstration and snacks are available at the bar.
  • Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktail, and house wine & local beer served during dinner
  • Juice, sodas, filtered water, non-alcoholic beverages, coffee and tea are available
  • Guided shore excursions twice daily, evening briefings and enrichment lectures
  • Guided snorkeling excursions
  • Exploration of the shoreline by Zodiac
  • Kayaks (two doubles and a single), two stand up paddle boards,
  • Wet suits (full 3mm) and snorkeling equipment (mask, fins and snorkel)
  • Transfers in the Islands between the airport with meet & greet and the dock in Galapagos (only on our days of operation and if your roundtrip flights to/from the Galapagos are booked through the cruise operator and Detour)
  • Personalized check-in at the airports in Quito and Guayaquil (only on our days of operation and if your roundtrip flights to/from the Galapagos are booked through the cruise operator and Detour)

View Terms and Conditions:
http://detourdestinations.com/terms-and-conditions/ecoventura

 

NOT INCLUDED: 
  • International flights to/from Ecuador (these can be booked on your own, or with our flight partners at Exito Travel – for a quote, please let us know your home airport
  • Hotel accommodation and services in mainland Ecuador (can be quoted for and arranged upon request)
  • Flights from Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos and return: about $500* per person (this flight will be booked through your cruise operators, via Detour)
  • Galapagos Park entrance fee (park tax): $100* per adult, or $50* per child ages 11 and younger
  • Migration control Transit card (also called TCT or INGALA) fee: $20* per person
  • Tips to guides and crew: Suggested at $250-300 per travel for the entire cruise
  • Purchases from the bar for wine and spirits or purchases from the boutique (can be paid in US Dollars, Master Card, and VISA)
  • Travel & Health Insurance – highly recommended to protect your travel investment in case of cancellation or delays
  • Wet suits by Scuba Pro – available to use during the cruise at no additional charge on a first come first serve basis. Guests who would like to reserve a wet suit may do so at a charge of $25 per wet suit. The fee will be charged to the account on board and paid at the end of the cruise. Reserved wet suits will be removed from the inventory in your closest approximate size and set aside for your exclusive use during the cruise. Men’s: S, M, MT, L, XL, XXL, XXXL / Women’s: S, M, MT, L, XL / Children: 10 (S), 12 (M), 14 (L)
  • Communication – The Letty does not offer Wi-Fi. Most telecommunication providers do have a signal in towns in the Galapagos and guests can use their mobile/cellular phones that are activated for international calling on days during the week when the yachts are in close range to port.

Accommodations

DOLPHIN DECK

The Dolphin Deck is the upper deck, just below the top sun deck. These cabins have large picture windows and a mix of double beds and twin beds. Cabins average 95 square feet / 8.8 square meters.

Dolphin Deck Twin Cabin
Dolphin Deck Cabins 1, 3 & 4 have two twin lower beds or one double bed and picture windows
Dolphin Deck Double Cabin
Cabin 2 has one double bed and picture window.

BOOBY DECK

The Booby Deck is the middle deck, on the same level as the dining area, bar, and lounge. But the entrances to the cabins are accessible from the outside deck, making them relatively private. These cabins have large picture windows and double beds only. Cabins average 90 square feet / 8.4 square meters

Booby Deck Cabin
Booby Deck Cabins 5 & 6 cabins have one double bed and picture windows.

IGUANA DECK

The Iguana Deck is the lower deck, right at the water line. The engines room has noise dampeners, so these cabins aren’t any louder than the rest of the ship. Iguana Cabins have twin beds or bunk beds only, and there is a mix of double cabins and triple cabins. Cabins average 110 square feet / 10.2 square meters.

Iguana Deck Twin Cabin
Iguana Deck Cabins 7 & 8 have two twin lower beds and porthole windows.
Iguana Deck Cabin
Cabins 9 & 10 have two twin lower beds and one upper berth with porthole windows, and can be triple or double cabins.  

DECK PLANS:

Rooming Options

ROOMING OPTIONS: Double, Triple, Single, Willing to Share, Single Supplement

 

26 reviews for Letty Galapagos Cruise

  1. Rachael –

    I just got back from a cruise on the Letty, and it was INCREDIBLE. The boat was beautiful, the crew was fantastic, the food was great, and most importantly the cruise itself was truly magical. The itinerary was well planned and jam packed. We were up and out early every day, hiking during the coolest part of the day (and also the time with the best light for photos) with a nice long siesta after lunch to nap and recharge, and also avoid the hottest temperatures. In the afternoon we’d swim or snorkel, and then sometimes hike some more. Each activity was well timed and paced, and there was enough variety to keep everyone happy. Our trip had 19 guests from 24-70+ years old and everyone was able to participate in all the activities and enjoy themselves. I really can’t say enough wonderful things about the crew on board- they were kind and attentive and kept everything running seamlessly. Not only would I not hesitate to recommend Ecoventura to anyone interested in going to the Galapagos, but I’ll be using them again myself. I normally don’t like to go back to a place I’ve been even if I loved it (there’s so much of the world to see!) but I would go back to the Galapagos again in a heartbeat.

  2. Carol G. –

    It has always been a dream of mine to go to the Galapagos. If you have to have one thing in your bucket list, definitely the Galapagos it is. Our vessel was the Letty and we were very pleased with the service we got. The crew was amazing. I’ll start with the guides – Ceci and Gaby. Both of them with so much knowledge and a pleasant attitude for everything. The housekeeper Claudia was exceptional. We never found our room dirty and she made sure we had everything we needed. Roland – the bartender/waitress/host was so pleasant and very efficient. It was nice to see how nice he treated everyone. Chef Robert was extraordinary. Since I’m lactose intolerant, he made sure, as soon as he was told that I couldn’t have dairy, to make special meals for me. He and Roland made sure that I wasn’t deprived from any meals because of my dietary restrictions. The food was out of this world and I would have brought him back with us if that could have been possible. The captain and his crew were all so attentive and my family and I were so delighted to be in this vessel. I don’t know about the other boats, but I strongly recommend the Letty. A couple of things that I need to point out, without taking the 5 star rating, are: 1) The snorkeling excursions could be longer, it felt a little rushed. They were too short. 2) The kayaking excursions could also be a little longer. 3) The wet suits could use a little more cleaning in between groups. I know it’s hard to do, but they kind of have a moldy smell and some of them were in very bad shape. 4) I wish the afternoon gap wasn’t that long after lunch and before activities, for it would be nice to do more. I was so glad we got to see all the wild life we saw. I fell in love with this paradise on earth and I am not sure how one can top this trip. Gracias por todo!

  3. John G. –

    Our Ecoventura tour of the Galapagos Islands was fabulous and it is hard to think of what could have been better. Our two naturalists (Yvonne and Adrian) were very knowledgable and enthusiastic about their islands and the beautiful wildlife. The size for the tour groups of 10 people that accompanied each naturalist was perfect, giving everyone a chance to hear them talk. The trails on each island were actually easier to walk than I had expected. The crew of the Flamingo was excellent. Diego the bartender was a lot of fun, and always had snacks and drinks ready for us when we returned after an outing on the pangas. The food was out of this world, I even took a picture of the dessert on the last night because it was so beautiful. The highlight of the trip was, of course, the animals. The animals were everywhere and beautiful far beyond what we had expected. We would take this trip again and again, and recommend it to our friends!

  4. Joyce –

    The Ecoventura trip was a very enjoyable week.  We would have liked more kayak trips, as there was only about a hour and a half of time, and the boat that we were on, The Flamingo 1 could have used a little refurbishing.  Al and I did some snorkeling, but if we didn’t go there was nothing to do other than just remain on the boat.

  5. Cynthia –

    We enjoyed our trip to the Galapagos and give the overall experience high marks!  Our guide was excellent and the activities kept us very active! The food and service on board was very good. We lucked out with a small group of 11 and enjoyed the company of our fellow travelers. The only negative was the boat had just come from dry dock and there were smells of varnish and the shade canopy on the sun deck was missing for us. Loved seeing all the animals and while the water was quite cold, the snorkeling was fun! We covered 500 Nautical miles and crossed the equator 6 times with a couple of nights of real rocking and rolling due to rough seas but the trip certainly met our expectations!

  6. Cathy –

    We were on the Letty the beginning of May and had a wonderful time We had a triple cabin because we brought our adult daughter with us. The itinerary and activities were great. Everything was extremely well organized. Our fellow cruise mates were all lots of fun, enthusiatic and everybody seemed to get along well. Our guides, Ceci and Gaby, were just wonderful – really, they made the whole trip. I can now understand why good guides are so important on a vacation such as this. As well, it was nice having a guide with only ten people in each group. The accommodations were fine, small but adequate. Our cabin was cleaned every day and a small cocolate bar on each bed at night. The crew (although I didn’t see alot of them because the majority were working behind the scenes) were great, though, because everything seemed to run smoothly. Any request was dealt with promptly. I was not a big snorkeler but definitely enjoyed it on this trip. Be sure and give it a try. The whole trip was amazing .. no wonder they call it a trip of a lifetime.
    (submitted June 2013).

  7. Jan B. –

    All staff were pleasant, helpful and did a great job. One of the guests contracted a nasty flu just prior to her arrival on the boat, but her room was bleached on a daily basis and even her roommate did not get sick. This was not much short of a miracle and testimony to the outstanding effort put forth to take care of the guests. It was the best week of meals of my life. Guides did a great job finding the wildlife and were knowledgeable about it. The snorkeling with sea lions, golden rays, sea turtles, penguins and a zillion fish was a highlight for me. The hot climate made us really appreciate being greeted with cold beverages, tasty, interesting snacks, and air conditioning upon our arrival back on board after outings.

  8. Dorothy –

    My trip was fantastic. It was everything I hoped for and more. My 10 year old granddaughter was delighted – and learned so much!!!

  9. Layna –

    We had a great time on the trip. We were so impressed with the naturalists. They were amazing and they really made the trip! We had Ceci and Yvonne. Their knowledge and the way they ran the trip was so impressive and professional. Overall the crew was great and I would definitely recommend this trip.

    The Galapagos are incredibly beautiful. I was so impressed with the beauty of the island and was surprised by how different the islands were.

    The hikes and snorkels were great. I wished the water was warmer but nothing anyone can do about that.

  10. Marc L –

    Well run, hard working crew, demanding turnover for them.

    However, the last 24 hrs felt to us like a waste of time – perhaps somewhat unavoidable due to getting our group out and the next in, but still 1 of 7 days at what the trip costs, is significant.

    And, although our boat only had 19 tourists, we were a group of 60 when we showed up at any given location due to the two sister ships (and sometimes the 4th dive boat). The visits were staggered, but often the 60 people were visible, or we passed them, etc. Is this unique to Ecoventura or if it was not sister ships, would it be 60 people from three different companies? Hmmm.

    Tipping (how much to whom) again became all people talked about, worried about the last day: seems an unfortunate that last thoughts about a trip are about money.

    Ceci (guide) and Jairo (waiter/Bar tender) were standouts – but the whole crew worked very hard at doing a good job and making us feel welcome. Kitchen made a consistent effort to provide vegetarian dishes.

    Re the itinerary: without having been to other places it is hard to judge, but the feeling is that due to Park restrictions? – or what works for Ecoventura? – or the length of the motoring? that there might have been some improvements.

  11. Rita W –

    I have to tell you we had the most wonderful trip. The five of us were blown away by the whole adventure. Every time we thought that we saw wonderful things, something better happened. The snorkeling was beyond incredible. On our last day of snorkeling, we were playing with two seal lions. It is hard to describe how surreal it is to share a habitat with wild animals. Ecoventura was the best. The boat was fine, the food was excellent – better than we could have hoped and our naturalist guides were top notch. Casa Aliso in Quito is a gem and should be highly recommended. The only complaint I have is that the representative from Ecoventura never met us at the airport in Quito. The company should be aware of that. I would not hesitate to book with Detour again if this is the quality type of trip you can provide. Thanks for all of your help.

  12. Lois K –

    Excellent trip. Great itinerary, efficient crewf on boat and lots of birds, sea lions, penguins etc.

    The only problem we had was a virus that spread rampantly through passengers and crew, but the captain dealt with it very efficiently and even brought a doctor on board to assess everyone. Because I (Lois) was one of the first to get sick and had it for most of the trip, I did manage to do one activity a day. I saw the red footed boobies, blue footed boobies, frigate birds, sea lions and even swam with the penguins. It was a great trip overall.

    Thank you for all your help in planning our trip. We now have thousands of photos and 10 hours of video to go through. I would recommend all of our tour companies and of course Detour Destinations to anyone planning a trip. I really enjoy picking and choosing what I want to see and do and also I like to visit my destinations in more detail than most tour companies allow. All our pickups and drop-offs went extremely well and the hotels we stayed in were great. Also all our local tour guides and drivers were very knowledgeable about the local history and nature.

  13. Michael G –

    A GREAT experience, passengers and crew a pleasure to deal with. Professionally run!!!!

    Everyone is now exchanging DVD’s of the trip.

    The trip was GREAT, the weather was good, it was a memorable experience. All the passengers got along and everyone made sure to switch tables each meal to spent time with the others – MOST IMPORTANT. The itinerary was reasonable and we got to a good number of places that were on my wish list. I found the level of difficulty to be very easy, but that’s me and I know for others it was a strain. For those who have not snorkeled before they should be warned to learn before they come on a trip like this. I hadn’t snorkeled before but my wife and I took to it right away and we were able to stay in the water for over an hour each time. We were twelve passengers with one guide which at times was a little thin, I believe that a few people felt their noses out of joint because of this but for me it was passable. The Galapagos is a gift and a wonder. I felt privileged to have been able to experience it. Thank you for helping make it happen. A few of the 1500 photos I took are attached. It’s a photographers paradise!!!

  14. Abbi P –

    This was a dense, active and visually and experientialy amazing trip! A nature walk on steroids. Loved the biodiversity, incredible landscapes, deep water snorkeling, the wow factor at every turn. I was happy to be with a small group of 19 active adults (no kids) and more often than not, we were the only group visiting a particular site. This was a great trip!

    Would have liked more local dishes, but food was plentiful and good.

  15. J McCabe –

    We had a wonderful time in the Galapagos Islands. Pictures and words cannot describe the islands and innocence of all the different kinds of wildlife. Snorkeling with the many variety of aquatic mammals and fish is another world. Ship accommodations were above our expectations. Weather was great. Our vacation could not have been more eventful. In 15 plus national and international travel trips, this is the first time we rate a destination Excellent.

  16. Detour’s Review –

    Ecoventura is one of the premier agencies operating Galapagos trips. They have been leaders in sustainable tourism in the Galapagos Islands, and continue to add environmental initiatives to help protect the fragile ecosystem of the islands. They are well-known for providing top-quality Galapagos tours. Small guide-to-passenger ratio (one expert guide for every 10 passengers) ensures intimate visits on shore.

    Their trips emphasize outdoor activities, such as nature walks, snorkeling, and kayaking, in addition to birdwatching and marine biology. All cabins onboard are outside-facing with a window or portholes, air-conditioning and private bath, hair dryers and beach towels.

    Ecoventura is the only company in Galapagos that provides snorkeling equipment (masks, fins and snorkels), custom wet suits (in various sizes for men, women and children) and clear-bottom sea kayaks (two doubles per yacht) at no additional cost.

  17. jillmiller –

    Great trip – excellent size of boat; excellent itinerary (this may change with new 15 day routes); excellent (level 3) guides; excellent staff; excellent daily plan of activities; very good matching of passengers’ interests and ages across 3 boats; much appreciated free sea kayaks, wet suits and snorkeling equipment;; good but not great food; adequate staterooms and bathrooms but small beds.

    Moderate level of exertion involved in both hiking and snorkeling, but guides very good at accommodating passengers who chose not to participate in the most difficult activities.

  18. Lorie B –

    First of all, arrangements through Detour were great! Kate and Allie were extremely helpful and patient, and they never made us feel guilty about calling or asking a lot of questions.

    As far as the experience with Ecoventura, I do not know how the decision was made regarding exactly who went on which of the boats (Eric, Letty, Flamingo), but we feel we were exceptionally lucky to have secured a slot on the Flamingo! The itinerary was fabulous and the crew was exceptional, making sure that they provided a quality experience for us. We know that the Eric had difficulty as they did not even depart for their cruise when scheduled (which seems grievously irresponsible) and they also grounded the ship which resulted into a huge misfortune and disappointment for the passengers. I would be curious as to if they appropriately remediated the situation for the passengers involved and it would be important in deciding to commit to the company for a future vacation. Although we experienced a fabulous trip, I would be cautious about future plans.

    A huge part of why we booked specifically with Ecoventura was because the itinerary offered on their ships, which seemed to be superior to others that were available. We actually incurred a higher price than alternative options to secure accommodations because this factor was extremely important.

    I must also make mention of our guides Ivan and Karena, who were amazing together! I think because they are brother and sister they added an intangible chemistry that proved invaluable! Their knowledge, personality and enthusiasm was absolutely contagious and they definitely contributed to the positive experience of a most incredible adventure!

    For us personally, big THANKS in appreciation for the help offered by Detour and the crew and guides of the Flamingo who gave us a most memorable experience!

  19. Fred B –

    I want to particularly thank the Detours staff for taking the
    initiative to contact my daughter and let her know that you had been informed that everyone was safe after the Tsunami scare that occurred during our trip. That was thoughtfulness “above & beyond”.

    Thanks for everything. We have been singing the praises of both Detours and Ecoventura to all our friends.

  20. Susan D –

    Our family had an awesome time on our trip to the Galapagos Islands. We had great guides and unbelievable experiences.

  21. Joyce P –

    The trip was fabulous!! We were on the Letty and everything was perfect. The weather even cooperated. Our naturalists, Ceci and Maria, were wonderful. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone. All the arrangements worked great and I thank you.

    Again, this was a trip of a life time. Thanks Detour!

  22. badger1 –

    Our tour of the Galapagos Islands on the Flamingo I was a trip of a lifetime. We went in mid-September, which is the low season in the Galapagos Islands, because the temperatures are a bit cooler (highs usually in the mid-70s) and the open seas are a bit rougher than at other times of year. But we found it to be a wonderful time to visit, and a great trip. At that time of year the blue footed boobies were not mating, so we did not see their dance, but frigate birds on one island were mating, so we saw their inflated pouches on their necks. And we saw amazing wildlife of all other sorts. On land we saw thousands of marine iguanas, along with a much smaller number of land iguanas, as well as turtles and sea lions. We also snorkeled and dove with playful sea lions, saw innumerable red footed boobies, blue footed boobies, frigate birds, herons, penguins, flightless cormorants, finches, hawks, and other birds. Snorkeling and diving we saw not only the sea lions, but also swimming penguins, more colorful tropical fish than I expected, schools of eagle rays, manta rays, eels, many, many turtles, and probably about a dozen sharks (white tip reef sharks, black tip reef sharks, galapagos sharks, and some in our group saw hammerheads), among other things. While on the Flamingo I we were also very fortunate to see whales on several occasions, and twice we saw pods of dolphins.
    This trip has a particularly attractive itinerary, compared to some of the other itineraries offered by other companies. In addition to the usual islands visited by most companies, Ecoventura boats travel to some of the more distant islands, including Genovesa and Fernandina. Genovesa was the only place we saw red footed boobies, and had some of the best up-close encounters with large numbers of birds. Fernandina is a very beautiful island with huger numbers of marine iguanas, impressive lava formations, and lots of sea turtles. I would not want to miss either island.
    The boat and crew were fantastic. The boat is very spacious and comfortable. Our cabin was on the dolphin deck, which is the top deck. Our cabin was clean and attractive, and had a large picture window that offered beautiful views. The public areas–including the ship-top decks and the bar, lounge, and dining areas, were also attractive and comfortable. The crew was friendly and a lot of fun, including offering some surprise entertainment that was a lot of fun. The food was always delicious, abundant, and presented beautifully. Our guide was knowledgeable and spoke English well, even though it obviously was his second language. I have noted that other reviewers have not been fully satisfied with their guides. I did not have that experience, but do note that the guides in the Galapagos are not regular employees of the various trip providers. Rather, they are all independent contractors who move around from boat to boat. Therefore, I don’t think you can get a guarantee of a good or a bad guide on any of the trips with any of the companies. On our trip, we had good guides.

  23. Judy W. –

    Ecoventura offered exactly the itinerary we were interested in. We saw the islands we wanted to see with excellent interpretation from our guides. The hiking and snorkeling were first rate. The food was excellent and abundant,
    the crew was friendly and helpful.

    We would have preferred not to have been in the farthest forward cabin on the lower deck – we kept being awakened by the slapping of the waves against the bow. Also, when the anchor was raised or lowered it was VERY loud!

    However, that didn’t interfere with our total enjoyment of the trip. The small size (20 passengers) was ideal. Ecoventurarepresentatives in Guayaquil were very helpful in getting us on our flight to the islands. We also really appreciate the environmental consciousness of this company.

    Katie French with Detour was very helpful to us in booking our trip. It was a great experience all the way around!

  24. Wendy K. –

    We had a great time on the Galapagos Cruise. Our guides were very engaging and informative and everything was timed just right. We had the right amount of activity, food and leisure time every day. We are not “cruising” people and were apprehensive at first about being stuck on a boat for 7 days but we didn’t feel “stuck” given the number of excursions we had each day and the fact that we snorkeled at least once or twice a day. We also extended our trip on the Islands and stayed at a hotel but definitely would recommend a cruise over staying on the islands. The islands gets very hot and there are lots of mosquitoes but on the boat there is shade, wind and no bugs! Great amount of variety of animals and geography we saw. Sad to leave!

  25. Jamie B –

    This trip was a gem for people like us who like nature, hiking andsnorkeling. It had 20 guests on board with eight crew. The ship was very
    well laid out with room for sunning or shade. The guides were EXCEPTIONAL!!! They set the tone of the tour. They were fun, knowledgeable
    and tried to make your trip a pleasure. Please understand the ship is not a luxery cruise ship, but it was clean, comfortable and able to get us in close to all island destinations. From there we would take a zodiak raft to shore. With just 20 passengers this was accomplished very quickly. The islands were everything we had imagined and more. There were tons of birds,
    reptiles and fish to see. All the time. The snorkeling was a great way to see some that you see on land operate in the ocean, ie: penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas. The fish were large, in large schools and many
    beautiful colors. In short, we would highly reccommend the destination and the ship too.

  26. Stacy A –

    The trip was fabulous. I appreciated that the boats were divided up by age. Our group was well matched and we got along very well. The activities were great fun and the staff were a part of the fun. They got along well and enjoyed each other which made our trip even better. Loved the snorkeling and the animals. So amazing. Thanks for such a great trip!

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