[ survival of the fittest ] “It’s not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” – Charles Darwin GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, BEYOND DISCOVERY | 1-5 THE ECOVENTURA EXPERIENCE | 6-11 SIGNATURE YACHTS: M/Y ERIC, FLAMINGO I & LETTY | 12-17 DIVE LIVE-ABOARD: M/Y SKY DANCER | 18-19 EXTENSIONS IN ECUADOR AND PERU | 20-23 WWW.ECOVENTURA.COM GALAPAGOS ISLANDS | 1 GALAPAGOS a world of evolutionary enchantment Wildlife wanders freely and almost fearlessly in the Galapagos. This remote island group with its dramatic and desolate beauty is home to some of the M/Y Eric and Flamingo I, anchored at Española (Hood Island) most unique species in the world. Many are endemic such as the Galapagos tortoise, marine and land iguanas, the flightless cormorant and, of course, Darwin’s famous finches. Darwin noted that different species adapted to fit different niches on individual islands, which gave rise to his idea of [ expedition cruising with ecoventura ] natural selection. You may glimpse a frigate bird in courtship, his bright-red breast puffed Meet face-to-face with a giant tortoise. Snorkel with penguins and dive with sea lions. Hike along up in a dazzling display, or the spectacular dive of a blue-footed booby fishing ancient lava tunnels and back to the beginning of time. Ever since Darwin boarded the Beagle over close to shore, or the graceful waved albatross - so comical and clumsy 170 years ago, exploring the Galapagos Islands has remained one of life’s great adventures. when taking flight. It’s all here in the Galapagos, a treasure-trove of natural Since 1990, Ecoventura has been leading the way in expedition cruising in the Galapagos. Our history awaiting your discovery. first-class fleet includes three identical motor-yachts and a custom-designed dive boat - all unmatched for comfort and safety. Sailing with only 20 fellow guests, venturing ashore in small groups of ten, you’ll experience these islands in a highly personal, close-up way. And you’ll also be pleased to know of our reputation for environmental integrity. We’re committed to preserving the Galapagos galapagos penguin National Park and we’ve received many plaudits for our efforts. While all penguin species are only found in the Come let our experienced naturalist guides share the secrets of the islands with you. Venture to Southern Hemisphere, the Galapagos Penguin is the the most spectacular sites on land or beneath the sea. Enjoy the courtship dance of the blue-footed only one to live near the equator. Endemic to the boobies or massive waved albatross. Dive with a hammerhead shark or whale shark. Come be amazed. islands, at approximately 14 inches in height it is smaller and more duck-like than its southern cousins of the Antarctic. GALAPAGOS ISLANDS | 3 GALAPAGOS WWW.ECOVENTURA.COM | 2 Darwin galapagos islands (Culpepper) [ archipiélago de colón ] Wolf (Wenman) Pinta (Abington) Marchena (Bindloe) Genovesa (Tower) Flightless Cormorant, Punta Espinosa, Fernandina Island Pta. Mejía Pta. Espejo Prince Philip’s Steps Darwin Bay [ a living laboratory of natural selection ] Pta. Albermarle Ecuador Volcano Wolf Volcano Cape Marshall equator Pta.Vicente Roca Located about 600 miles west of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands were created five Buccaneer Cove Darwin Espumilla Beach Tagus Cove million years ago by undersea volcanic eruptions. In 1535, Tomás de Berlanga, Bishop Volcano James Bay Santiago Sullivan Bay Pta. Espinoza Puerto Egas (James) Bartolome of Panama, floated into this archipelago and named it Galapagos after the giant tortoises Pta. García North Seymour Sombrero Chino Mosquera La Cumbre Alcedo Daphne he encountered. Pirates used the islands for refuge and to bury their stolen treasure, Volcano Turtle Cove Volcano Rabida Cerro Dragon Baltra (Jervis) Bachas Beach Canal de Itabaca but it wasn't until the end of the 19th century, when it became a regular port of call Guy Fawkes San Cristóbal Fernandina (Chatham) (Narborough) Pinzon Santa Cruz (Duncan) (Indefatigable) Plazas for whaling fleets, that the wildlife was threatened. Elizabeth Bay Leon Dormido Pta. Pitt Cerro Brujo Pta. Moreno The islands’ most celebrated visitor was Charles Darwin, who arrived aboard the Puerto Ayora Playa Ochoa Sierra Negra Volcano Academy Bay Isla Lobos HMS Beagle in 1835. The rare life forms he encountered helped him formulate his Santa Fe Cerro Azul Chico Volcano (Barrington) Pta. Cristóbal Volcano Loberia theory of evolution, which he published in The Origin of Species by Means of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Natural Selection. Pto.Villamil pacific ocean Isabela After visiting the Galapagos in 1941, Herman Melville entitled his book The Encantadas. (Albemarle) Devil’s Crown But it wasn’t until 1959 when it became part of Ecuador’s national park system that this Pta. Cormorant Champion Española Post Office Bay Enderby (Hood) fragile ecosystem with its rare and endemic species came under protection. In 1979 Black Beach Gardner Pta. Suárez Gardner Bay Watson the Galapagos archipelago was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Floreana Pta. Cevallos (Santa Maria, Charles) giant tortoise The giant tortoise is probably the best known of all Galapagos animals and even gave the archipelago its name; Galapago means “saddle” in Spanish which refers to the saddle-back shape of the shell.They can weigh up to 250 kg. and live for more than 100 years. WWW.ECOVENTURA.COM | 4 Red-billed Tropicbird ISLANDS | 5 GALAPAGOS “Ecoventura has demonstrated its commitment to the conservation of natural the galapagos islands resources and social well-being in Ecuador. Its proactive stance has been a source of inspiration for conservation organizations that believe in the development of [ journey to the unknown ] sustainable tourism.” — Ronald Sanabria, Sustainable Tourism Director for the Rainforest Alliance THE ECOVENTURA EXPERIENCE | 7 THE ECOVENTURA WWW.ECOVENTURA.COM | 6 [ greening the galapagos ] Ecoventura is committed to preserving the Galapagos Islands as a unique and priceless UNESCO World Heritage site.Through various efforts in conservation and sustainability, we are able to offer highly personalized eco-adventures aboard our fleet of modern motor-yachts while at the same time abiding by our claim as a responsible tour operator. SMART ECOLOGICAL CERTIFICATION GALAPAGOS MARINE BIODIVERSITY FUND Smart Voyager is a Galapagos conservation program Ecoventura guests have the opportunity to support created by the highly respected Rainforest Alliance a new fund administered by the World Wildlife Fund organization and its Ecuador-based partner, Conservación in support of the Galapagos National Park Service. y Desarrollo. Smart Voyager awards its green seal of The fund targets environmental education and marine approval to tour operators who meet a set of conservation by strengthening the local communities’ conservation standards. Ecoventura was one of the ability to manage natural resources. GMBF puts donated first to receive Smart Voyager certification. In addition, funds to work on the ground, addressing critical issues, in 2005 the Rainforest Alliance awarded Ecoventura’s reversing ecological damage and conserving Galapagos president, Santiago Dunn, the prestigious Individual for the future. Sustainable Standard-Setter award. ECUADOR’S FIRST CARBON NEUTRAL COMPANY The Carbon Neutral Company is a leading provider of strategic solutions to help companies assess and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2006, Ecoventura became the first “carbon neutral” company in Ecuador by measuring the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from their four boats and reducing them wherever possible. We then offset the unavoidable emissions through a portfolio of climate-friendly projects including reforestation in Chiapas, Mexico, renewable energy projects in Sri Lanka and India, and methane recapture in the U.S. THE ECOVENTURA EXPERIENCE | 9 THE ECOVENTURA WWW.ECOVENTURA.COM | 8 some people sail through life [ others experience it ] Experience moment after moment of wonder in a land where time stands still. Our comprehensive 7-night cruises explore the entire archipelago. And thanks to an outstanding guide-to-guest ratio, you’ll venture ashore in small groups of no more than ten fellow explorers, experiencing this magical realm in the most authentic and educational way possible. We offer all kinds of active exploration. Go on a nature walk and marvel at pre-historic land iguanas and lava lizards. Slip into a sea kayak and discover hidden tide pools, mangrove forests, beaches of red, green and black sand and the hardened lava fields smeared into the edges of the shores. Swim ecoventura welcomes families back and forth across the equator with sea lions that perform an underwater ballet. Go birding to look for the Nazca booby. Or put on your own mask and enter the delicate balance of life underwater, Families with children are welcome throughout the year. However, during watching schools of graceful spotted eagle rays gliding beneath you. school breaks, there are designated family departures that offers the best of a Exploring the undersea is a major part of the Galapagos experience where cold and warm waters science museum, zoo, aviary, marine park and a cruise vacation all rolled into one. intermingle and where fur sea lions, sea turtles, dolphins, whales and tame reef sharks thrive. Our naturalists know how to bring these Islands they love to life and to balance We provide complimentary snorkeling equipment, wet suits and kayaks. learning with fun for the entire family. After dinner, attend a briefing by one of our naturalists. With so few guests, your guide can take These departures feature age-appropriate activities and kid-friendly meals. the time to explore a topic that interests you personally. They are geared toward helping younger children and teens to understand and appreciate the delicate balance of this fragile ecosystem. On board, children are welcome to visit the bridge and learn about astronomy, navigational charts and tie nautical knots with our Captain.They can enjoy special parties including movies and popcorn, ice cream sundae social and our special King Neptune costume party and talent show.