DECK	DOUBLE	TRIPLE	SINGLE
IGUANA DECK	US$5050	US$4850	US$8900
BOOBY DECK	US$5500
DOLPHIN DECK	US$5950

Included in Cruise Rate

• Cabin accommodation, in a deluxe stateroom on the Beagle deck with either two twin beds or a King size bed with large windows providing an unobstructed view of the ocean.
• All meals and after-excursion snacks, creatively prepared by our culinary school-trained chefs using ingredients sourced from local, sustainable producers.
• All beverages including an open bar policy, featuring wines and spirits, soft drinks, fresh juices, tea, and coffee served complimentarily and the Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktail parties.
• Guided shore and Zodiac excursions twice daily with two expert naturalist guides (one for every ten guests), the lowest ratio in the Galapagos.  Nightly briefings and lectures providing enrichment on topics relevant to Galapagos throughout the week.
• Instruction in snorkeling technique and use of stand-up paddleboard and multiple kayaks for optional water-based activities.  Use of glass-bottom boat for excursions to view marine life.
• Use of wetsuits (3mm full style) and snorkeling equipment (masks, fins, and snorkel).
• Use of all amenities on board including the library, Jacuzzi and Fitness Center equipped with a treadmill, elliptical, free weights, yoga mats, and more.
• Transfers in the islands between the airport with meet & greet services and dock to the vessel in Galapagos.
• A crew of 14 including your Captain, two guides and a full-time concierge to attend to your every need.

Not included in the Cruise Rate:

• International Airfare to Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil)
• Hotel accommodation in Ecuador the night before your cruise (although we can assist you with your selection and reservation)
• Airfare from Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) to Galapagos (SCY), although we can book your flights through our allotment of seats on Sunday with Avianca.
• Galapagos Entrance fee or Park Tax: The entrance fee to the National Park is $100 for adults and $50 for children 11 and younger and is not included in the cruise rate.
• Transit Control Card – A TCT card or tarjeta de control de transito is $20 per person and is required by INGALA for all visitors to Galapagos to control migration to the Islands.
• Note: the Park tax and TCT will be automatically added to your invoice and prepaid by Ecoventura for your convenience, and we take care of your paperwork, unless you decline. For those who do prepay, Ecoventura will register and pay your fees for you. Only those passengers flying to Galapagos on Sunday on Avianca can pre-pay the park tax and TCT. Rates are subject to change at any time until day of departure.
• Gratuities to guides and crew –  We believe our crew members provide world-class service and we hope you agree. We do not add an automatic service charge to your account as we prefer that guests reward our crew solely based on their performance at the end of their cruise. If you would like to do so, any amount you feel appropriate is truly appreciated. However, for guests who might wonder what the typical amount is, at the Origin we suggest each of our passengers leave in between US $300 – $350 per week which is the international standard for a luxury vessel like this. If you would like to leave your gratuity in cash, please feel free to use the envelope provided and drop it in the gratuity box that will be located in our lounge area. You could also charge the gratuity to your credit card by using your Visa or MasterCard.  Gratuities are distributed among all crew members including naturalist guides.
• Purchases from the bar for premium branded of wine or spirits that are available but not included in the open bar policy.
• Purchases from our boutique offering high-quality local handicrafts, sundries and gift items.
• Satellite communications (Wi-Fi) – additional charge of $100 per day or $300 for the entire week is limited for one PIN card per cabin.
• Laundry service – available Monday to Friday only and limited to 5 items per day per cabin.
• Travel insurance – we highly recommend that you protect your investment in case of cancellation or delay through World Nomads or other travel insurance company.
• We accept cash in US dollars or Visa or Master card only on board as forms of payment. 

 

Family Departures:

(some of these will be on Letty, others on the Luxury Yacht ‘Origin’)

Jan 05-12 (A)

Feb 16-23 (A)

March 8-15 (B)

March 15-22 (A) Letty

March 22-29 (B)

March 29-05 April (A) Letty

April 5-12 (B)

April 12-19 (A)

June 7-14 (A) Letty

June 14-21 (B)

June 21-28 (A)

June 28- 5 July (B)

July 05-12 (A) Letty

July 12-19 (B) Letty

July 19-26 (A)

July 26-2 Aug (B) Letty

Aug 2-9 (A) Letty

Aug 9-16 (B) Letty

Aug 23-30 (A)

Oct 18-25 (B)

Nov 22-29 (A)

Dec 13-20 (B)

Dec 20-27 (A)

Dec 27-03 Jan (B)

 

Regular departures on Letty 2020:

Letty is in Dry Dock until February 16th, 2020

Feb 16-23 (A) – sold out

Feb 23-01 Mar (B) – sold out

Mar 01-08 (A) – sold out

Mar 08-15 (B) 

Mar 15-22 (A) (Family)

Mar 22-29 (B) (Single)

Mar 29-05 Apr (A) sold out

Apr 05-12 (B) (Family)

Apr 12-19 (A) sold out

Apr 19-26 (B) sold out

Apr 26-03 May (A) sold out

May 03-10 (B) sold out

May 10-17 (A) sold out

May 17-24 (B) sold out

May 24-31 (A) sold out

May 31-07 Jun (B) sold out

Jun 07-14 (A) (family)

Jun 14-21 (B) sold out

Jun 21-28 (A) sold out

Jun 28-05 Jul (B)

Jul 05-12 (A) (family)

Jul 12-19 (B) (family)

Jul 19-26 (A) (private charter)

Jul 26-02 Aug (B) (family)

Aug 02-09 (A) (family)

Aug 09-16 (B) (family)

Aug 16-23 (A) (family)

Aug 23-30 (B)

Aug 30-06 Sep (A) (maintenance)

Sep 06-13 (B) fall promotion

Sep 13-20 (A) fall promotion

Sep 20-27 (B) fall promotion

Sep 27-04 Oct (A) fall promotion

Oct 04-11 (B) fall promotion

Oct 11-18 (A) fall promotion

Oct 18-25 (B) fall promotion

Oct 25-01 Nov (A) fall promotion

Nov 01-08 (B) fall promotion

Nov 08-15 (A) (private charter)

Nov 15-22 (B)

Nov 22-29 (A) Thanksgiving

Nov 29-06 Dec (B) fall promotion

Dec 06-13 (A) fall promotion

Dec 13-20 (B) fall promotion

Dec 20-27 (A) holiday terms

Dec 27-03 Jan (B) holiday terms

2021 Letty will be retired in February 2021!

Jan 03-10 (A)

Jan 10-17 (B)

Jan 17-24 (A)

Jan 24-31 (B)

Jan 31-07 Feb (A)

Feb 07-14 (B) (private charter)

Feb 14-21 (A) Final Voyage of Letty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children age 11 years and younger at the time of sailing are entitled to a 25% discount off the cruise rate %50 park fee and and 30% discount off the airfare with photocopy of the child’s passport showing date of birth.

Children ages 12-17 years are entitled to a 15% discount off the cruise rate only.
Child discounts are applied to cabins on the iguana deck unless not otherwise available. No child discounts are permitted on “Holiday departures” (Christmas & New Year).

Age restrictions: Children age 5 and under are only permitted on an exclusive charter basis when parents or legal guardians sign a waiver.  It is highly recommended that children age 11 and younger confirm only on a designated family departure.

Other conditions: We allow only one child discount to be given per every adult fare paid. And, Ecoventura may limit the number of child discounts permitted on any one departure. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult over age 21. Children under 12 cannot be confirmed on Booby deck cabins or occupy a cabin by themselves as a single. Families who want to be on the same deck as their children need to book both cabins on the dolphin deck. On Family departures, iguana deck cabins are used to confirm children and triples only, not adults, unless dolphin and booby are sold out. When children are accommodated in a triple cabin, the discount is calculated from the double iguana deck rate.

 

These identical superior first-class sister yachts accommodate no more than 20 guests and feature three decks of spacious staterooms with polished teak interiors trimmed with shiny brass fittings. Accommodations include ten double outside-facing cabins with a window or porthole view, one double bed or two twins lower beds, fully air-conditioned with private bathroom (hot and cold water showers), bio-degradable soap/shampoo dispensers, hair dryer, closet, drawers, intercom and separate climate controls for your comfort. There’s a dining room, well-stocked bar and conference area with a flat screen TV, library and panoramic picture windows. Or you can relax in a lounge chair on the sun deck, enjoying sea breezes and a sky full of stars.

 

DOLPHIN DECK

Cabins #1,3 & 4 have two twins lower beds and picture windows.
Cabin # 2 has one double bed and picture window.
(cabins average 95 square feet)

 

BOOBY DECK

Cabins # 5 & 6 cabins have one double bed and picture windows.
(cabins average 90 square feet)

 

IGUANA DECK

Cabins #7 & 8 have two twins lower beds and port lights.
Cabins # 9 & 10 have two twins lower beds and one upper berth with port lights. These two cabins can be used as triples.
(cabins average 110 square feet)

 

SINGLE

Single cabins are assigned to the best cabin available at the time of sailing.

Dress code is casual and comfortable, and informality is basic to all activities. We recommend you use a collapsible, soft-sided suitcase. Checked bags should be securely locked for your security.

• LONG PANTS (lightweight, khakis)
• SHORTS (Bermudas or other)
• SHORT SLEEVED SHIRTS, T-SHIRTS
• LONG SLEEVED SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRT (JUL-NOV)
• LIGHTWEIGHT WATERPROOF WINDBREAKER
• BATHING SUITS (2)
• WALKING SHOES OR LIGHT HIKING BOOTS
• RUBBER-SOLED SHOES OR BOAT SHOES
• SPORTS SANDALS WITH A VELCRO STRAP
• SMALL BACKPACK or KNAPSACK
• WATER BOTTLE
• WIDE BRIMMED HAT, BANDANA
• CAMERA (with extra memory cards, polarized lenses, and waterproof bag)
• UNDERWATER CAMERA
• SMALL PAIR OF BINOCULARS
• POLARIZED SUNGLASSES/ STRAP, SUNSCREEN
• SEA SICKNESS MEDICATION
• INSECT REPELLANT
• PERSONAL MEDICATION

Beach towels, water bottle, wetsuits (3mm), mask, snorkel, flippers and hair dryers are provided and therefore it is not necessary that you bring these items.

Climate & Marine Currents

Located on the equator, the Galapagos Islands have a surprisingly cool, sub-tropical climate. The larger islands with volcanic peaks have a variety of climatic zones. The coastal areas are arid and covered with plants adapted to desert conditions. The highland areas receive moisture almost all year round, which support lush vegetation. Temperatures are determined almost entirely by ocean currents, which are influenced by the trade winds.

There are two seasons, both of which have some precipitation. The Galapagos get an average of ten inches of rain per year, so it is never considered “rainy”. Unlike most equatorial regions, the Galapagos are not hot and humid; they lie instead in one of the Pacific’s “dry zones” where temperatures remain abnormally low, cooled by upwelling in the sea. The Galapagos cycle through two distinct seasons: the warm/wet season (January to June) and the cool/dry season (July to December).

From June to November, the cold Humboldt Current sweeps northward from Antarctica. When it reaches the northern tip of Peru, the southeast trade winds push it toward the Galapagos. This mass of cold water cools the air and creates an inversion layer over the islands. The inversion upsets the usual weather pattern associated with the tropics. While the lowlands are experiencing drought, the highlands receive misty precipitation locally known as “garua” (pronounced gah-ru-ah) season, which means mist in Spanish.

During the months from December to May, the cooling current subside, temperatures rise and the southeast trade winds and the Humboldt Current vanish. Warm waters flow south from Panama. Periods of rain are strong but are of short duration. Temperatures are warm and sunny days outnumber cloudy days. Some years, the flow of warm water is greater than normal and a phenomenon known as “El Niño” results. Surface water temperatures climb higher than usual and rainfall greatly increases. Life on land flourishes, but seabirds and marine life frequently experience extreme breeding failures.

 

Water Temperatures

• May to November at Wolf & Darwin: 74-78 degrees F
• May to November in Central Islands: 65-72 degrees F
• December to April at Wolf & Darwin: 76-80 degrees F
• December to April in Central Islands: 75-78 degrees F

 

Galapagos Seasons

 

January

Warm marine currents arrive. Land birds start nesting On Espanola, the adult male marine iguanas become brightly coloured. The green sea turtle arrives at the beaches of Galapagos to lay their eggs. Land iguanas begin reproductive cycles on Isabela. Water and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June. Warm waters are comfortable for snorkelling.

February

On Floreana, Greater flamingos and White-cheeked pintails start their breeding season Nazca boobies on Espanola are at the end of their nesting season. Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz. Highest water temperature reaches 25°C (77°F) and remains until April. Galapagos dove’s nesting season reaches its peak.

March

Sporadic tropical rains and intense sun. Air temperature can reach up to 30°C (86°F), water temperatures reach their maximum. Marine iguanas nest in Fernandina. On March 21st, the summer equinox signals the beginning of Spring. The waved albatross arrive in Espanola to begin their breeding cycle.

April

Massive arrival of waved albatross to Espanola to begin their courtships. Hatching season ends for giant tortoises. Green sea turtles eggs begin to hatch. Land iguanas hatch on Isabela.

May

North Seymour’s blue-footed boobies begin their courtship. Sea turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay and Punta Cormorants. Palo santo trees begin to shed their foliage. Albatross on Espanola start laying their eggs. Band-rumped storm petrels begin their first nesting period.

June

Beginning of the dry season with the arrival of the Humbolt current. Giant tortoises migrate from the highlands to lowlands for suitable nesting places to start the nesting season.

July

Seabirds are active, especially blue-footed boobies on Espanola Flightless cormorants court and nest on Fernandina. It is possible to find oystercatchers nesting on Puerto Egas. Lava lizards initiate mating rituals until November. Whales and dolphins are more likely to be observed, especially off the Western coast of Isabela.

August

The Galapagos hawks court on Espanola and Santiago. Large colonies of Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa. The temperature of the ocean sinks to 18°C (64°F) which obviously varies depending on the geographic zones within the islands. Migrant shore birds start to arrive and stay on the islands until March. Giant tortoises return to the highlands.

September

The peak of the dry season. The air temperature reaches its lowest (19°C / 66°F). Penguins demonstrate remarkable activity on Bartolome until December. Sea lions are very active, females give birth, especially in the western and central areas of the Archipelago. Most species of marine birds remain active at their nesting sites.

October

Lava herons nest until March. The Galapagos fur seals begin their mating period. Boobies raise their chicks on Espanola.

November

Sea lion pups are active on the Eastern part of the Archipelago. The breeding season of brown noddies and Band-rumped storm petrels begin their second nesting period.

December

The islands receive warm waters from the basin of Panama; the Panama Flow. Hatching of the giant tortoises’ eggs begins and lasts until April. Green sea turtles display their mating behaviour. The warm season begins and all of the plants of the dry zone produce leaves. Galapagos ‘turns green’. The first young albatross fledge.

Among Galapagos Tour Operators, Ecoventura is a leader in best practices for sustainability, conservation and social corporate responsibility, and they have been since they first started out in this very competitive business.

 

Charles Darwin Foundation