The Galápagos Islands - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 404

ment, wildlife conservation, and the well-being of workers
and local communities.”
The process of eco-certification is long and expensive, which
makes it difficult for tour operators without resources to be
involved. The main focus is actually on the larger
Galápagos cruise vessels, those that carry more than 16
passengers and can have the greatest negative impact. But
these are the operators that have the resources to operate
responsibly and some have taken the initiative to do so. To
learn more about the program standards and the very real
negative impacts of travel to the Galápagos and elsewhere,
visit the website at www.rainforest-alliance.org.

Angermeyer's Enchanted Expeditions , in Quito, Foch 726 and Av.
Amazonas, /fax [phone], www.angermeyer.

com, [e-mail], also offers well-recommended
mid- to upper mid-range tours with quality service.

2-2256-9960,

Galacruises is in Quito at J. Washington 748 between Amazonas
and 9 de Octubre,

2-2556-036, [e-mail], www.
Galapagosseaman.com.ec. They operate the comfortable mid-range
vessel called Sea Man . Freddie the panga boat driver is always good
for a laugh.

Quasar Nautica-Galápagos Expeditions is in Quito, 2-2441-

550, or in the US, 800-247-2925, Av. Los Shyris 2447, Edif

Autocom, www.quasarnautica.com, [e-mail]. They offer
luxury-class yachts and sailing vessels with excellent guide and crew
services. Inquire about their diving tours.

For first-class, luxury travel try Metropolitan Touring (they are as
big as their name implies), in Quito at Av. República de El Salvador
970, /fax [phone], www.metropolitantouring.

com. Metropolitan offers some of the best vessels and tours in the
Galápagos, but you pay for what you get. Although I would tend to
question companies that bring such large numbers of people on a
cruise to these delicate islands, Metropolitan seem to be one of the
stronger proponents of conservation in the region.

2-2464-780,

Adventure Life , an American company, offers 10-day and seven-
day all-inclusive Galápagos tours, as well as trips to the Andes and
the Amazon rainforest. Contact them at

800-344-6118 or info@ad-
venture-life.com. Their website, www.adventure-life.com, provides
complete information.