I just returned from Ecuador last Friday. What a fabulous trip! We enjoyed it tremendously! I can’t wait to review the hundreds of photos we took in the Galapagos and Ecuador.
Thanks for your pleasant help. The staff couldn’t have been more helpful, the crew of the Eric were awesome! This was a thought provoking and wonderful experience.
Thanks again!
-Julie Hoisington -
M/Y Eric January 2013
Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that Vicki & I had a fantastic time in Ecuador. The crew on the Letty was great!! Our guides were great, enthusiastic and full of information. The accommodations on the Letty were very nice. The meals were excellent.
We also had a wonderful time at the Sacha lodge. It was a fantastic
introduction to the Amazon rain forest. Our guide was very knowledgeable
and truly enjoyed introducing us to all of the animals and plants in the rain forest. The lodge was very comfortable.
We also have high praise for Le Parc. It is a fantastic boutique hotel.
The staff were very helpful. The rooms unique. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is staying in Quito. The hotel shuttle was great. I wish we could have stayed a day or two longer to enjoy the hotel and all that Quito has to offer. We really enjoyed the Museo de Banco Central.
We will definitely recommend you to anyone interested in going to Ecuador and the Galapagos.
Thanks Again for all your help.
-Mark Sperry-
M/Y Letty January 2013
I have to say that our recent adventure to the Galapagos Islands was much more than we anticipated. The four of us agree that we can't find one negative thing to say about our trip. Our hats are off to the crew of the Flamingo I; they were fantastic, hard-working, knowledgeable and fun. The food was delicious, the cabins were comfortable (Maria is amazing!), and the frigate birds arrived daily to guide us from island to island. Karina and Janeth were among the best guides we have ever had and made it obvious that they love their jobs. They never tired of sharing the wonders and excitement of the islands with us. They were always thoughtful and patient. We also liked that this was a very active vacation with physical activities every day. Of course, the most amazing part of the trip was the chance to see up- close flora and fauna that is endemic or native to the Galapagos.
Thanks to everyone for a marvelous holiday trip!
Sincerely,
-Jan Herman-
M/Y Flamingo December 2012
My son and I were guests on the M/V Letty that departed San Cristobal on 8/12/2012. I felt compelled to write and express to you our complete enjoyment of our trip.
Every moment of our week was a truly amazing experience. Not only was the boat well maintained and comfortable, but the excursions were unbelievable and breathtaking. I truly believe that our unforgettable experience would not have been remotely possible had it not been for our crew.
Every crew member, from Jose taking such good care of our cabin, to our more than attentive dining staff, to the sure hands of our panga drivers, to the extreme knowledge and kindness of our guides Ceci and Gabi, and to our most capable Captain, demonstrated nothing but professionalism, kindness, and the utmost competence in their respective positions. Without their expertise and guidance our week would not have been anywhere near the lifetime experience that it became. I truly was impressed by each and every one of them and will remember them fondly.
I would like to especially acknowledge our guides who were most impressive in not only their knowledge of the islands, the wildlife, and the history, but also in how they were able to relay all this information with the utmost ease and most pleasant manner. I am so thrilled that not only did I come away with a wealth of knowledge about the Galapagos and Ecuador, but so did my 16 year old son. Ceci and Gabi brought any prior knowledge he had about the Galapagos to life and instilled in him an eagerness to learn much more.
We eagerly participated in every excursion and soaked up all the information Gabi and Ceci relayed. These two women were very professional, articulate, conscientious, and kind. Ceci and Gabi skillfully imparted on us their love and knowledge of the islands, so much so that my son and I developed a deep respect for Ecuador and the protection of the Islands. We will never forget them or anything they taught.
Your employees made our trip a true once in a lifetime experience. They were a truly remarkable group of people. Our trip was everything we hoped it would be. Please know that because I felt so strongly about our experience, I highly recommended without reservation your company to more than a few friends and colleagues who are planning to take their families to the Galapagos within the year.
We would like thank all of them profusely for a very memorable trip and extend a world of thanks to you and Ecoventura for having such professional, competent, and kind employees.
-Deniz Brink-
MY Letty August 12-19 2012
My husband Tim, 14–year-old son Matthew and I just returned from our August 12-19th trip on the Letty. I would like to thank all the staff of the Letty for making our trip so memorable.
Ceci Gerrero and Gaby Espinoza were our naturalist guides. They are both very knowlegeable naturalists, and their enthusiasm was infectious. Both Gaby and Ceci are very keen on preserving and sharing the beauty and unique qualities of the Galapagos islands. They willingly shared their knowledge in a way that was both entertaining and interesting for both the teens and adults on the trip. I am not an avid naturalist, however the way Ceci and Gaby explained things made it absolutely fascinating for me.
Ceci and Gaby worked very well as a team, providing excellent briefings on what awaited us the next day. They also led us on interesting hikes through the islands, calling our attention to many things that we would otherwise have missed. Ceci and Gaby both have a tremendous range of knowledge, spanning geology, ecology, conservation, plant life, birds, reptiles, mammals and fish.
Gaby and Ceci are also very good at working with people. We found them very responsive to special requests, such as when we asked to disembark an hour earlier than planned in Puerto Ayora to allow us to spend more time at the Charles Darwin Research Station, or when a group of passengers asked whether it would be possible to sail from Isabela to Bartolomé earlier than planned that evening to avoid a very rough night of sleep. Both requests were accommodated with a smile, and we were very pleased.
We would also like to acknowledge the professionalism of our Captain Homero, 1st and 2nd mates Eugenio and John, the chef Arturo, Jairo our waiter/bartender, and all of the other crew members Sergio, Jose, Victor and Belfor. They worked very well together, exceeding our expectations regarding the quality and presentation of the food, their helpful and attentive attitude, as well as their concern for our safety, comfort and enjoyment of the time we spent on the boat and during the expeditions ashore and touring via the pangas. Our Galapagos voyage on board the Letty was fabulous. This is an experience that should have been on my bucket list, but wasn’t until I actually went on this trip!
-Margot Almond, Tim Spence and Matthew Spence-
MY Letty August 12-19 2012
The Galapagos Holiday Cruise exceeded our expectations. Our naturalist guides, Karina Lopez & Ivan Lopez, were extremely knowledgeable (wildlife, geology, history) and enthusiastic about the Galapagos Islands. The crew (Marlon, Jorge, Maria, Diego, Jimmy, Eduardo, Julio, Rene and , of the "Flamingo I" was great. They worked together to meet our every need, making this an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The wildlife and snorkeling were exceptional. We swam with penguins, sharks, rays, turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish. The cabins on board "Flamingo I" were cozy and comfortable. The food was great and the activities were incredibly enjoyable, filling our cruise days with continuous hours of delightful excursions on land and in the water. I would recommend this trip, this crew, and these naturalists to anyone who loves nature and is interested in the Galapagos Islands. We enjoyed a party on board one night, had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner and received a very special slideshow gift from Karina at the end of the cruise.
-Dave Runker-
M/Y Flamingo December 2011
As a repeat customer I have been impressed by the improvements Ecoventura has done between my last two trips. The trip in 2006 was great the last trip was awesome. Keep up the good work, all passengers left reluctantly the yacht but happy. I think there are many details of the trip to be mentioned and credit due to the respective party:
- Assembly of groups in the three yachts: Eric had the hard core photographers and nature interested persons, Flamingo families, good job by the office staff in assigning people to yachts based on interest.
- M/Y Eric: Nice upgrades with alternative energy but also the new main saloon layout seems more functional and looks less cluttered. The staff really took care that the vessel looked at its best and all worked. Also emphasis was made on conservation and environmental impact.
- Naturalists: Either Ecoventrura has a good staff or I’m lucky to get always great guides. In my first trip I had Renato Perez, this time Cecibel and Alexis, both excellent naturalists and crowd pleasers.
- Food/hotel services: this is the area where I saw the most improvement between my two trips, every meal was great and Apple strudel in Galápagos, out of this world.
- Boat crew: all very professional and helpful. One crew member was commenting he left another company to join Ecoventura since Ecoventura provided him with career development opportunities. I think the willingness of this individual to learn is an asset that Ecoventura should consider seriously: career development fosters a happy crew and creates a good reputation for the company in this area.
- Captain: My second sail with Peter Vallejo and as usual he glided the Eric safely through the archipelago.
Friends and coworkers have been asking about the trip and the operator, and I stated I will tell them after the trip since many things can change over time. With the experience of last week I have no hesitation to recommend Ecoventura to any associate.
Keep up to good work, I think the approach that Ecoventura is taking is the proper one.
Muchas gracias, Feliz Navidad y a ver cuando cruzo caminos con el Eric nuevamente,
Sinceramente,
-Uwe Haller-
M/Y ERIC November 2011
Just wanted to thank you Paulina & Irma for the GREAT service.
I was on Eric and my two guides, Malena & Karina, were amazing.
They were above and beyond expectation, as was the entire crew, and made this trip very special.
True professionals- Lovely People-Extensive Knowledge-Excellent Customer Service.
I will most certainly refer this operation to my friends.
Best regards,
-Julie Lane-
M/Y Eric Aug 28-04 Sep. 2011
We really liked Ecoventura's organization. The Eric was excellent and our cabins were what we expected. It was nice to be on the upper deck. The crew was fantastic-- they liked each other and work as a unit. Peter, the captain, was entertaining and helpful. Luis as our waiter and bartender worked hard and was excellent. Our tag team naturalist guides were perfect ---they were exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly and we hope our friends can go on a trip that they lead in the future. Of course, we are referring to Harry and Cachito (Pepe).
We also enjoyed the mix of passengers on the boat. It was truly international with people from England, France, Switzerland, Israel, Alaska, Colorado and California. The age mix was also excellent.
Thank you, Irma, for putting us on the Eric with this group.
We loved the Galapagos-- It was a very special experience for all of us.
-Samuel Pearl-
Eric Sept. 2010
I am writing to let you know what a delightful time I had on my recent Galapagos tour with your company. My family and I were passengers aboard the Eric from Feb 14-21, 2010, and at the end of the trip, I was so busy saying goodbye to everyone and packing that I did not have time to call out how great your staff was in the written evaluation. The entire crew was friendly and accommodating. Both I and my brother-in-law have restricted diets, and I was very impressed with the quality and the diversity of the customized meals your chefs prepared for us. The guides went out of their way to help everyone have a good experience. Lourdes was particularly great about helping those of us who walked a little slower than the rest of the group. Both she and Alexis were incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
They were able to explain everything from biology and geology to human history and conservation efforts. My whole family has never had so much fun while learning so much. We are all absolutely recommending Ecoventura to our friends!
Sincerely,
-Robin Mayes-Seattle WA USA
I wanted to write and express my appreciation for the wonderful cruise that I enjoyed last week on the M/Y Eric. It was my second trip to the Galapagos in three years, and I enjoyed this voyage even more than my initial visit. (Which I didn't think was possible since I had an amazing time in 2006 with Lindblad Expeditions.)
The crew was wonderful and took excellent care of us. Captain Peter was very gracious and welcoming to us. Hugo worked endlessly to ensure that our meals were enjoyable and that everyone had all the refreshments they wanted. The kitchen crew was amazing and made us an unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner. Probably the best turkey I have ever had....I wish I could cook my turkey to perfection like that!
The naturalists, Alexis and Pepe, were amazing. The ship had a wide range of passengers, from a 7 1/2 year old to a 65 year old, and yet they were able to explain things in a way that was interesting for everyone. Their knowledge and interaction was fun and kept the group interested. They were kind to everyone and made sure that each passenger had an amazing experience.
The zodiac drivers and stewards were also terrific. Luis and Diego made sure that every landing was smooth and that everyone got a chance to take a photo if we were on zodiac cruise. They did an excellent job.
Thanks to all for an unforgettable Galapagos adventure!
Sincerely,
-Julia Simpson-
M/Y Eric Voyage November 22-29, 2009
The trip was FABULOUS and far exceed our expectations at every level! The Letty was so comfortable and inviting that we didn't want to return to land. We were really pleased and impressed with how you managed to get us on a boat where every family was traveling with teens. Our sixteen year old LOVED having so many other kids her age on board. They played cards to the wee hours while Jorge provided them with drinks and snacks.
Now our daughter has Facebook friends in Denmark, UK and Germany. We couldn't have dreamed up a better group of fellow travelers. We especially appreciated Jorge making sure the kids were entertained, nourished and hydrated. Efran (the boat man) always had the warmest smile when we boarded his Zodiac. Our guides, Harry and Pepe,were great. We appreciated that they both grew up on the Islands. They were knowledgeable, entertaining and fun. Harry in particular was extremely engaging, and just has a great way with people. Most of all, we loved Harry's wake up calls "the voice of the Galapagos Islands."
We felt the tour was extremely well-organized. Most of the time we had an island or a snorkel spot to ourselves and only occasionally had to share with another boat. Again, the way Ecoventura broke the passengers into groups for each of the 3 boats was inspiring. While the Letty was the designated teen boat, we noticed the ERIC had families with younger children, and the FLAMINGO had all adult couples, so that was very well organized. The food was great and plentiful. Our daughter is a vegetarian and Jorge made sure she always had great things to eat. We had a good choice of entrees for most dinners. We loved the Ecuadorian dishes, especially the ceviche with popcorn.
It was the perfect size vessel for a perfect adventure. We saw some bigger boats disgorge their 80 or so passengers at one island and thanked our lucky stars that we booked a smaller vessel. We watched the sunset on the sundeck every night while frigate birds flew along side (when they weren't perched on the railing) and whales and dolphins breached in the distance. I have seen pictures of the wildlife on the islands of course but I was simply blown away by how close we could get to courting boobies and baby sea lions ---not to mention life in the water. I've been on trips that say they have "snorkeling opportunities" but this was a snorkeler's paradise: we snorkeled with sea lions and sea turtles every day. We swam with penguins, sharks, rays and huge schools of fish. We timed a marine iguana eating under water. He stayed there over 5 minutes. It was truly fantastic!
- Patricia Perkins, USA, M/Y LETTY JULY 2009
I wanted to thank you for the excellent service you provided re: our recent trip to Ecuador. You were organized, efficient, knowledgeable and responsive to my questions and concerns. Your attention to everything allowed us a worry-free vacation. The Hotel Oro Verde was great- wish we had planned more time in Guayaquil than just the one night. The shuttles worked smoothly, and we were met at the airport by your Ecoventura representative as promised. Our guides, Ivan and Harry were wonderful: informative, skilled, caring, prepared, and funny; and their command of the English language was perfect. My daughter and I appreciated you assigning us to an adults only boat, and we were very happy and grateful that you upgraded us to the Dolphin Deck. The Flamingo crew were terrific: all of them were warm, friendly, proficient and showed a genuine concern for making sure that all onboard had a great time. This vacation was one that my daughter and I have talked about since she was a little girl.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime amazing experience! I took 1031 pictures!
Again, thank you for everything!!
- Dr. Susan Albert, USA
Flamingo July 2009
I have been sorting through all the photos from our trip and remembering the great time we had on the Flamingo with our guides Harry and Ivan. The Flamingo was a beautiful boat and exceeded my high expectations. The naturalist guides, Harry and Ivan really made the whole trip very delightful and memorable. I have attached a photo of me with our guides that really sums up the relationship that they managed to foster with every passenger on board the Flamingo. I enjoyed all the food - especially the soup each evening and the yucca balls that the chef served us after each snorkel dive.
The whole tour was well organized and very professional.The birds, iguanas, and marine life that we experienced on this trip is better than anything I've seen on six continents. We even saw a mother sea lion give birth to a pup right in front of us! I have been diving on the Great Barrier Reef, the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and the California coast and have never seen anything like the varied marine life around the Galapagos Islands. We had sea lions, penguins, and sea turtles swimming right along with us in the clear water. I have already recommended this trip to friends and family and have had many ask me about the trip after viewing my photos on my gallery. The whole trip was arranged by my son, Nathan Cannon and it was a great father and son experience. Thanks for the wonderful memories!
- Russ Cannon, M/Y Flamingo June 15-22
Our holiday fully lived up to expectations - it was absolutely fantastic. The Galapagos Islands were stunning - we had no idea that all the beasts were so tame and allowed one to approach so close. Ecoventura & Flamingo 1 were really excellent. This size boat was ideal as we visited several islands where larger ships weren't allowed. The crew & naturists were amazing and worked so hard 24 hours a day.
- Mr. John Crafts, Flamingo May 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed my cruise on the Eric. The crew was competent and friendly and a did a great job. The guides, Lourdes and Karina, were super knowledgeable and pointed out flora and fauna that I might have missed. My only complaint is that the week seemed to go so fast! I chose Ecoventura based on what I read in guidebooks and on internet travel sites. The great itinerary was also another prime consideration. I would heartily recommend your company to anyone who is planning a Galapagos cruise.
- Mr Charles Lewis, May 2008 M/Y ERIC
The trip was amazing and went far beyond our expectations! It was something that we shall never forget. The yacht was very comfortable, the crew was so kind and accommodating and extremely knowledgeable. They left nothing undone, no matter what we needed they made sure we were comfortable and well taken care of. The cabin was comfortable and well tended. The dinghy rides were so convenient to get us ashore. Ivan and Lolita were great guides and Victor was a wonderful captain. To sum it all up the trip was FANTASTIC!!! Ivan as not only knowledgeable but also quite charming. He entertained us with his singing and his guitar playing. He made sure we were always safe and he taught us so much about the flora and fauna. He also instilled in us a love of the Galapagos Islands and a true respect for nature.
The food was always delicious and plentiful. Having snacks available to us upon our return from an island excursion was such a treat. Having fresh cold drinking water always available was such an important touch. We have recommended the trip to many of our friends, I can't think of anything else you could have done to make the trip better for us. The outings were well organized. The use of the snorkeling gear was great an the way to organize the life vests was clever. Not a single detail was missed. You could also feel the happiness of the crew and their camaraderie thanks to the leadership of Victor. This made our trip even happier because everyone got along so well and looked after one another.
- Cathy Swami, May 2008 FLAMINGO
“The trip was everything and more than we could have expected. First of all, our guides—Ivan and Jaime were sensational. They really are Galapagos naturalists rather than guides. Their knowledge of the islands and its fauna and flora was outstanding. Their patience and ability to get along with everyone was remarkable. They gave you the feeling that they were seeing things for the very first time—even though they obviously had led many trips. Ivan particularly had a personality and sense of humor that is rare and refreshing. This aspect alone was worth the price of admission! The rest of the crew—Luis, the bartender, Maria, Pablo, the captain, both Jorge and the everyone else were very polite and helpful. There was nothing they were not willing to do for you.”
- Arnold & Joanne Miller, M/Y Flamingo May 2008
The Letty exceeded our expectations. Everything was well maintained and kept very clean. Claudia and Jorge stood out, but everyone was just great. Lourdes was an absolute delight. She was clearly passionate about the Galapagos and was really fun, too. We were not expecting the food to be nearly as good as it was. The quality, freshness and preparation were all great. We especially enjoyed the Ecuadorian meal. We would recommend Ecoventura without any hesitation. We already have and will continue to do so. From the phone call to our hotel the day before departure to the return to Quito everything was well organized and thorough. We were delighted with all aspects of our trip. We cannot imagine a better Galapagos experience. We did a lot of research before choosing Ecoventura and it really paid off. You turned out to be a great choice!!!!
- Joe Lane, March 2008, LETTY
“The Letty was FABULOUS!!! I keep telling everyone that if you can only take one vacation for the rest of your life, go to the Galapagos Islands and go on an Ecoventura boat. I especially loved the 20 passenger limit. The small boat experience can't be beat. Another thing I found to be so impressive were the ecologically responsible policies you adhere to. I can never say enough positive things about your company.”
- Valerie Morillo
“This turned out to be the trip of a lifetime. I cannot say enough good things about the quality of the Ecoventura staff. Everyone from the booking agent, to the crew on the Letty, to the naturalists who accompanied us on all our adventures, were truly extraordinary people.”
- Jennifer Rennet
“We just returned from celebrating our honeymoon on the Flamingo I in the Galapagos. Besides having a phenomenal visit with the wildlife (in and on the water) and reveling in the scenery, we also thoroughly enjoyed the social life.We've never toured with a more across-the-board delightful group of employees than we found on the Flamingo I.”
- Maria Doyle and A.J. Rogers
“We enjoyed the luxuries of the Eric, the good food and great level of service provided by all the crew. More importantly, the manner in which Ecoventura makes it possible for visitors to experience nature in small groups when traveling on the Flamingo I is a rare and greatly appreciated experience.”
- Emilie Barber