The following tips are from Ecoventura, a travel company that leads carbon-neural cruises into the Galapagos.

1. Prior to your trip, calculate the carbon footprint you will produce from the non-cruise portions of your trip to Ecuador and then use a reputable company, like Native Energy (www.nativeenergy.com) to purchase offsets.

2. Pack only biodegradable sunscreens and lotions. Ecoventura provides all passengers with biodegradable soap, shampoo and conditioner.

3. Bring a non-polycarbonate plastic water bottle that can be refilled each day, eliminating disposal plastic water bottles.

4. During your cruise, listen carefully to your naturalist guide and closely follow all of the stated National Park rules as listed on www.galapagospark.org.

5. Be careful not to transport any live material, rocks or sand from one island to the next. Ecoventura ensures that all passengers rinse their shoes after every shore excursion by providing a hose on the vessel’s landing platform.

6. When visiting the uninhabited islands, don’t take any food or drink except water. While there and in other parts of the Galapagos, don’t touch, pet or feed the wildlife and don’t disturb or remove any native plant, rock or animal on land or in the water.

7. Except for items made of wood, please try not to purchase souvenirs made from native Galapagos products: black coral, sea lion teeth and shells of the Galapagos tortoises.

8. Do not leave any trash on the Islands or throw any litter overboard. Participate in the garbage-recycling program onboard your vessel.

9. Don’t smoke while ashore. Adhere to your vessel’s smoking policy. On Ecoventura cruises, smoking is permitted on the outside decks, only in designated areas

10. Join the World Wildlife Fund (www.wwf.org), or better yet, make a donation to the Galapagos Marine Biodiversity Fund that specifically targets environmental education and marine conservation by strengthening the local communities’ ability to manage natural resources. On an Ecoventura cruise, passengers will meet with a local WWF representative.