Ecoventura to Mark Darwin Bicentennial in the Galapagos

In honor of Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday observance and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his “Origin of Species,” small-ship Galapagos expedition operator Ecoventura announced its clients’ favorite Galapagos wildlife encounters.

Four exotic birds and a giant tortoise made the final cut. With 27 species of reptiles, 29 types of land birds, 19 different sea birds and dozens of land and marine mammals to choose from Ecoventura passengers recommend these top five favorites:

With special lectures, books, posters, DVDs, maps and certificates, Ecoventura plans to mark and celebrate several milestones during the 2009 season including the 200th birthday or bicentennial of Charles Darwin’s birth (Feb. 12, 1809); the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s “Origin of Species” (Nov. 24, 1859); the 50th anniversary of the Charles Darwin Station and National Park Service; the 30th anniversary of the Galapagos being declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site; and Ecuador’s 200th anniversary of independence (Aug. 10).

Ecoventura is a family-owned company based in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with sales offices in Quito and Miami. In operation since 1990, the Galapagos cruises company transports more than 4,000 passengers annually aboard a fleet of three expedition vessels –identical, superior first-class 20-passenger motor yachts with 10 double cabins.

The company also operates the Sky Dancer, a 16-passenger dedicated dive live-aboard offering seven-night weekly itineraries visiting the northern islands of Wolf and Darwin. All of its vessels have been purposefully retrofitted to meet or exceed the highest possible environmental standards.