Ecoventura MV ORIGIN Galapagos

The 2016-built MV ORIGIN is the first of all three identical ultra-luxury superyachts operated by Ecoventura Galapagos. The boat's sisterships are the same-designed MV THEORY (2019) and MV EVOLVE (2023). Ecoventura used to operate also the 1994-built MV Letty (IMO 8978942).

MV ORIGIN vessel (IMO number 9802190) is currently Ecuador-flagged (MMSI 735059381) and registered in Guayaquil.

In order to make the three fleetmates absolutely identical (by design and amenities), in 2022 Ecoventura conducted two drydock refit and refurbishment projects (for the boats ORIGIN and THEORY). MV THEORY's Jacuzzi (originally positioned on Darwin Deck/deck 3, behind the Wheelhouse) was relocated to the Sun Deck. MV ORIGIN's Deck 3 layout (behind the Wheelhouse) was also modified to be identical to THEORY's and EVOLVE's layouts.

Ecoventura Company (history and ownership)

The shipowner is Servicios Internacionales Turisticos Situr SA (Samborondon Ecuador-based) and the company operates its boutique luxury ships under the subsidiary and travel brand Ecoventura Galapagos. Situr SA was founded in 1980 (incorporated in February) and currently has 22 employees. Situr's headquarters are in Samborondon, near Guayaquil (Ecuador's largest city and principal seaport).

Ecoventura's Founder, CEO and President is Santiago Dunn. The family-operated company was founded in 1991 and also has a sales office in the USA (Miami Florida). Since 2022, Santiago Dunn is also A&K South America's CEO.

In late-December 2022, the USA-based A&K Travel Group Ltd (the parent company of Abercrombie & Kent) signed an equity partnership agreement with Ecoventura SA, thus making the small Galapagos company part of A&K Travel Group. In 2022, A&K also acquired Crystal Cruises (previously owned by the 2022-bankrupted GHK/Genting Hong Kong). In 2019, A&K acquired Cox & Kings Travel Ltd (UK-based luxury operator part of Cox & Kings Ltd) via A&K's subsidiary C&K Luxury Travel Ltd. Cox & Kings Ltd is a 1758-founded (as an army agency, cargo/insurance/travel agency, shipowner, bank and publishing house) Indian luxury travel company (Mumbai-headquartered) that in 2020 declared bankruptcy. Cox & Kings now operates in 22 countries, specializes in leisure travel and package vacations and has fully-owned subsidiaries in North America (USA and Canada), Europe (UK, Netherlands), Asia (UAE, Japan, Singapore), Australia and New Zealand.

In 2009, Ecoventura received two prestigious global travel industry awards - Conde Nast Traveler's "World's Savers Award" and Travel+Leisure's "Global Vision Award for Green Cruising".

The company is a devoted supporter of CDF-Charles Darwin Foundation (1959-founded nonprofit organization) headquartered at CDRS-Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island). The 2006-established Galapagos Marine Biodiversity Fund is a partnership between Ecoventura and WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature Inc/1961-founded non-governmental organization specializing in wilderness preservation). The 2017-established GBESF (Galapagos Biodiversity & Education for Sustainability Fund) is a partnership between Ecoventura, CDF and GANP-Galapagos National Park.

In October 2022, Ecoventura signed a partnership with Avianca Airlines (Colombia's biggest airline and the country's flag carrier) to develop a recycling center in the Galapagos to ensure that all waste from the islands is transferred to the mainland.

Ecoventura is a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux Association (1954-established) that currently groups 580+ companies (in 68 countries) that manage individually owned luxury hotels and restaurants (chain hotels are not permitted to membership) in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. Relais & Chateaux members are often renowned hoteliers, chefs and restaurateurs. Their properties are usually listed as historic landmarks (castles, manor houses/mansions, townhouses) and offer exquisite haute cuisine and high-end amenities. Ecoventura was granted membership of Relais & Chateaux for the brand's exceptional service, unique experiences and sustainability/environmental commitment (conservation efforts in the Galapagos).

Most of Ecoventura's cruise customers are young couples and families, and often the superyachts are guested by celebrities and famous billionaires. The company offers the Galapagos' lowest guide-to-passenger ratio (1:10/one naturalist for every 10 tourists). Each yacht is served by 13 crew/staff, including one dedicated concierge and two guides.

Decks and Cabins

MV ORIGIN staterooms (a total of 10 passenger cabins) are all outside and located on Beagle Deck (main deck 2). All cabins provide luxury hotel amenities and unobstructed ocean views. Four pairs (8 cabins) are with interconnecting doors making them ideal for families.

All crew cabins (8 total) are on Finch Deck (lower deck 1).

The boat has 4 decks, of which 2 are with cabins (one for the crew, one for the passengers). All passenger cabins being on a single deck is rather unusual (especially for a Galapagos-based ship), as opposed to other ships (superyachts and even smaller boats) where guests' accommodations spread on two or three decks, and some are with small Portholes (round-shaped windows).

Cabin amenities include King-size double beds (convertible to twins/single beds, premium linens, duvets, 3 pillows per berth), leather headboards, bedside cabinets (with a drawer), wall-mounted reading lamps, hardwood flooring, 2-3 large windows (non-opening, with shades), a small corner table/writing desk (stool, binoculars, magnifying mirror, reusable water bottles), radio/alarm clock, TV, in-built sound system, mood lighting, individually controlled air conditioning.

Cabin bathrooms also have a large window (non-opening) allowing natural light directly into the shower cubicle. Cabin showers are with sliding glass doors, the WCs are wall-hung toilets. All toiletries are biodegradable and include soap, shampoo, conditioner. Premium bathrobes and sleepers are also provided.

Triple cabins additionally have a fold-away bed (concealed in the ceiling).

Landry service is provided complimentary.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Ecoventura's newbuild yachts boast well-designed interiors (spacious public spaces and chic venues) and all-outside staterooms with contemporary furniture and premium hotel amenities. The boats are often privately chartered by small groups or affluent individuals to accommodate special events like parties, celebrations, business conferences.

Onboard venues and facilities include Bar Lounge, Dining Room, Library, Boutique Shop, Sauna Room, small Fitness (Gym Room equipped with 1x workout bench, 1x elliptical trainer, 1x exercise bike, free weights). The yacht has two Zodiacs (large-capacity RIBs/rigid inflatable boats stored forward on Deck 2) used for passenger transportation (ship-island-ship) and also for near-shore cruising tours. Each boat/group is led by a professional naturalist. Besides the Zodiac tours to the islands, Ecoventura also complimentary provides all tourists with snorkeling gear and sea kayaks. The cruise ship sails between the islands overnight.

Ecoventura's vacation travel experience features daily shore excursions (usually starting at dawn, after the buffet-style breakfast) as passengers are ferried via the Zodiacs to the island's landing point. The Zodiac landings are two types (depending on the island/destination) - wet (you must step into the water and wade to shore) and dry (you step from the boat directly to the rock). Around 3-4 hours are spent ashore at each site. In addition to the guided tours are complimentary offered activities like deepwater snorkeling (sometimes twice daily), beach swimming, kayaking, and boat rides.

Upon return to the yacht are offered snacks and fresh juices, leisure activities (swimming/snorkeling/kayaking near the ship or sunbathing/relaxing on the Sun Deck), follows BBQ lunch, and another set of land tours. Dinners (at ~7 pm) are served and with freshly prepared a-la-carte meals (including vegetarian and vegan dishes) prepared by the ship's chefs with the freshest (mainly locally sourced) ingredients and inspired by Relais & Chateaux.

The ship's top deck is a spacious sundeck/outdoor area for relaxation and sunbathing. The Sun Deck features a round Jacuzzi (bow-facing whirlpool bath) and is served by its own Bar (poolside wet bar with stools). Sun Deck's flooring is of premium teak and the furniture includes 4-seat tables, sofas, daybeds, padded lounge chairs, two hammocks.

The MV ORIGIN yacht is equipped with 2x Zodiacs/RIBs (aka pangas), 1x glass-bottom boat, 5x tandem kayaks and 2x SUP boards (stand-up paddle boards/surfboards) which are provided to passengers free of charge during the entire voyage.

Onboard dining (all meals and beverages) are included in the Econventura's fares. The food is freshly prepared using only sustainably sourced meats and seafood. All snacks are complimentary and available at the Bar throughout the day. Ecoventura's Open-Bar policy provides complimentary beverages (wine by the glass, beers, spirits, cocktails, fresh juices, sodas, brand coffees and teas). Aslo included in the cruise tickets are the Wi-Fi Internet (shipwide coverage), kayaking and snorkeling equipment (masks, fins, snorkels), wet suits (available on a first-come-first-serve basis), Galapagos land transfers (airport-ship-airport) and all guided shore excursions/boat tours.

Not included in the cruise fares are the airfare and Galapagos park fees. Crew gratuities are recommended and ~US$35-50 per person per day (~US$250-350 per voyage). Onboard payments are usually made in cash (suggested). Crew gratuity could be also charged to credit cards (Visa or MasterCard). Gratuities are equally distributed among the ship's entire crew, including the tour guides.

Ecoventura's Open-Bridge policy allows passengers to visit the Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge forward on Deck 3) and engage in conversation with the Captain and the officer on duty.

On Deck 1 are the crew quarters and the mess hall/dining room (midship), machinery rooms (aft) and the Gym and Sauna (forward).

Itineraries

MV ORIGIN yacht was officially commissioned/entered service for Ecoventura on January 3, 2016.

Ecoventura Galapagos departures are always on Sundays (regularly scheduled and 100% guaranteed). The itineraries are 1 week (7 days) or 2 weeks (14 days/B2Bs) in length, in order to reduce the number of flights.

Ecoventura's island tours offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities, including marine fauna (whales, sharks, dolphins, penguins, sting rays, sea turtles, sea lions), birds (flamingos, frigates, storm petrels, brown pelicans, albatrosses, gulls, short-eared owls, finches, doves, hawks, mockingbirds, blue- and red-footed boobies), iguanas.

Itinerary A

Ecoventura's Itinerary A (7-day) departs roundtrip from San Cristobal/Chatham (DAY 1/Puerto Baquerizo Moreno) and visits the islands San Cristobal (DAY 2/Punta Pitt), Espanola/Hood (DAY 3/Punta Suarez, Gardner Bay), Floreana (DAY 4/Punta Cormorant, Post Office Bay), Santa Cruz (DAY 5/Charles Darwin Research Station), Bartolome and Chinese Hat/Sombrero Chino (DAY 6), South Plaza/Sur and North Seymour (DAY 7/Captain's Dinner), and returns back to San Cristobal (DAY 8).

Itinerary B

Ecoventura's Itinerary B (7-day) starts on San Cristobal (DAY 1/Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapaguera Cerro Colorado nature reserve), Genovesa/Tower (DAY 2/Great Darwin Bay, Prince Philip's Steps), Santa Cruz (DAY 3/Las Bachas Beach, Cerro Dragon), Fernandina/Narborough and Isabela/Albemarle (DAY 4/Punta Espinoza, Tagus Cove), Isabela (DAY 5), Santiago/San Salvador and Rabida/Jervis (DAY 6/Puerto Egas), Santa Cruz (DAY 7/Puerto Ayora, Rancho El Manzanillo, Charles Darwin Research Station), and ends in San Cristobal (DAY 8/Isla Lobos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno).

B2B/Back-To-Back Cruise

Ecoventura's 2-week itinerary is a B2B that combines both itineraries (A + B).

Ecoventura's fares in 2023 started at ~US$9500 per person with double occupancy (for a 7-night voyage) or ~US$1360 pp per night.

Ecoventura Galapagos flights (Avianca schedule and airfares/2023)

Flight reservations for booked customers are automatically made through Ecoventura's seat allotment agreements with Avianca. At San Cristobal Airport, Ecoventura cruisers receive check-in assistance from the company representative who accompanies them on the flight. Upon arrival at the airport, the ship's crew and tour guides meet the guests and transport them to the yacht. If you fly with another airline, these services are not provided.

Flights (by Avianca) are between Galapagos (San Cristobal Airport) and Guayaquil (Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport) and Quito (Mariscal Sucre Airport). Flights from Quito are with a quick stopover in Guayaquil.

Sunday flights to/from Galapagos (San Cristobal Airport) are two.

• Flight "AVIANCA 1630" is from QUITO to GUAYAQUIL (departure 8 am, arrival 8:55 am) and continues from GUAYAQUIL to CRISTOBAL (departure 9:50 am, arrival 10:40 am).
• The return flight "AVIANCA 1631" is from CRISTOBAL to GUAYAQUIL (departure 11:35 am, arrival 2:20 pm) and continues from GUAYAQUIL to QUITO (departure 3:20 pm, arrival 4:15 pm).

As of 2023, Avianca's Galapagos airfares are as follows:

LOW season airfares: QUITO roundtrip (US$ 500 per adult, and US$ 375 per child), QUITO-Galapagos-GUAYAQUIL (US$ 476 and US$ 360), GUAYAQUIL-Galapagos-QUITO (US$ 468 and US$ 352), GUAYAQUIL-Galapagos-GUAYAQUIL (US$ 445 and US$ 336).

HIGH season airfares: QUITO roundtrip (US$ 553 per adult, and US$ 411 per child), QUITO-Galapagos-GUAYAQUIL (US$ 525 and US$ 393), GUAYAQUIL-Galapagos-QUITO (US$ 518 and US$ 385), GUAYAQUIL-Galapagos-GUAYAQUIL (US$ 490 and US$ 366).

The above airfares are inclusive of all airport taxes and fuel surcharges.