Abercrombie & Kent has expanded its portfolio in the Galápagos Islands following the launch of a new expedition vessel from preferred partner Ecoventura.

The luxury operator’s parent company, A&K Travel Group, announced an equity partnership with Ecoventura last December after signing a deal with the Galápagos-based yacht brand's chief executive Santiago Dunn.

The luxury line’s newest vessel, Evolve, joins sister yachts Origin and Theory and brings the fleet’s total to three. The yachts are the only vessels in the Galápagos to be accepted into the Relais & Châteaux collection. 

Guests can book individual cabins or reserve an entire yacht for private charter.

The yachts rotate between two seven-night itineraries – Northern & Western Route and Southern & Central Route – which can also be combined into a two-week voyage.

Each yacht carries 20 guests across 10 staterooms, all of which are located on the same deck and feature full-length windows and ensuite bathrooms with rainfall showers and ocean views. 

Onboard amenities include a concierge, fitness centre, sundeck with loungers and daybeds, a Jacuzzi and sustainably sourced cuisine. All meals are a la carte, with four-course plated dinners and barbecue lunches. The onboard team includes two naturalists. 

Ecoventura said sustainability features on each yacht reduce fossil fuel consumption by more than 30% via a stabilising system and specialised bow design for “smoother and faster sailing”.

In September 2022, the line installed two new recycling machines on the island of San Cristobal and, in partnership with Avianca, returns 100% of all recyclable materials to continental Ecuador, ensuring no waste produced is sent to landfills in the Galápagos. 

A&K Travel Group also owns luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises and group touring specialist Cox & Kings.