Ecoventura: What Is It Really Like on a Galapagos Cruise?

 

What is a trip on Ecoventura’s Letty Ship Like?

Moist, breezy air flows thru my Michael Kors bathing suit cover-up made of an animal print design, as I squint my eyes looking at the sky on the yacht’s top deck. I am lying here trying to decide what to tell you first about what a wonderful adventure I went on for an entire week with Ecoventura to the Galapagos Islands on the ship Letty. I also took a trip on the Ecoventura yacht Theory, so you can read a complete guide to Galapagos Cruising here.

Learning about Galapagos

One thing you need to know about before planning your trip to Galapagos is the requirement that you must have a Naturalist with you at all times when you go to each of the protected islands in the Galapagos. You cannot just purchase a ticket to San Cristobal and expect that you will be touring the different islands alone. Only about 3% of the islands allow you to go and stay on them without having a guide.

The Galapagos National Park Service manages the majority of these pristine islands. They monitor the number of people and yachts allowed on the land and in the water. However, you don’t have to worry about that, because Ecoventura will take care of all that for you. They have pre-purchased all the permits that you will need in order to visit the islands. They will also have the schedule of each of the islands that you will be traveling to during your visit.

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There is no place quite like the Galapagos!

Hay no lugar como Galapagos!

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Galapagos Excursions

Day to day, each island is quite unique in its own way. I spent time exploring the different landscapes, from lunar to lush, to cliffs and white sandy beaches. I also had time daily with two specialty-trained Naturalists on board the Ecoventura’s Letty ship.

Listening to them gave me quite an education about the islands and her long history. I learned everything from the animals that are endemic to the islands, to the mating habits of different animals, to the various island’s histories, to Darwin’s theories. There is a plethora of things to learn when coming to the Galapagos Islands and these Naturalis will teach you so many things you didn’t know.

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“A little world within itself.” – Charles Darwin

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Let me tell you a bit about the yacht I was on in the Galapagos for one week. Ecoventura is one of the official tour companies that can take you on a 7-day trip through the Galapagos Islands. They own 4 yachts: THEORY, Origin, and the Letty. The fourth yacht is their dive boat Galapagos Sky. Each yacht holds up to 20 passengers each. There are a few decks on each yacht.

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Ecoventura just built and put into the water their new mega luxury yachts: Theory & Origin 

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Letty Galapagos

My outside facing cabin on the Letty was on the 3rd deck and had a full-sized bed, a small closet, and a tiny bathroom. But don’t worry about a small area, as you will barely have time to do anything but sleep in this small room, as the world of Galapagos awaits you!

Letty was built in 1991 and has been refurbished annually, so it is in good condition with polished teak wood interiors and shiny brass fittings. I can vouch for the fact that the crew is continuously cleaning, and then cleaning again. In fact, we were not allowed to bring in sand on our feet and legs and upon each return from the panga to the yacht our feet and shoes were sprayed with water hoses to minimize the amount of sand brought onto the boat (which is a good idea considering how much you bring back with you on each excursion).

Letty Dining

Once onboard, there is a full-sized dining room downstairs, where we had many a tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner. We rotated tables so that over the course of the week we would meet the other passengers, but you could have a seat alone or with your travel companion if you prefer. They have a full-time chef to meet your taste buds with an Ecuadorian twist and also have snacks prepared for you upon your return from every excursion.

They also have a fully-stocked bar, and they serve wine throughout dinner. There is a lounge with a flat-screen TV in which we gathered each night for briefings. It is here that they tell you what is on the itinerary for the next day, what to bring, and what type of landing (wet or dry) you will have.

Letty Excursions

Ecoventura has planned excursions every day and then more in the afternoon and you can choose to go on as many as you wish and all are at no additional charge. This would include anything from hiking on the islands to snorkeling excursions. I went on all of them but one and most likely you will want to go on as many as you can.

Ecoventura Letty’s Sundeck

I also spent some time on their marvelous sundeck that was perfect for lounging, admiring the sunsets, and then watching the sky full of stars at the end of the night. I particularly enjoyed watching the massive birds that would fly overhead in the backwind of the boat. A few times, I would notice the female bird land on the boat, where her male counterpart would fly right above our heads for at least an hour before flying away.

So there you have it, I can easily recommend Ecoventura yachts for your next Galapagos adventure.

Disclosure: My visit to the Ecoventura yacht was courtesy of them, but the joy I felt on this trip of a lifetime, which involved many encounters with the earth’s natural creatures, was all my own!

Recommended Reading about Galapagos:

Through the eyes of a Galapagos Gringa

Post Office Bay, Floreana, Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands, Like No Other Place on Earth

 

Other articles about Ecuador:

Chordeleg:  A Day Trip from Cuenca

 Ahh! The Foods of Ecuador

Quito: A Visit to the Middle of the World

Montanita, Ecuador:  Out of My Comfort Zone