We Operate THE Most Ecologically Sound Galapagos Travel Option

Locally owned and operated (Come To Galapagos CIA.LTDA, ruc#1792072298001), licensed and insured in the US (Come To Galapagos, LLC, CST#2083876-40), promoting sustainable economic practices within the Galapagos. Come to Galapagos customized land based tours, Galapagos family vacations and Galapagos tours have infused more than a million dollars into the local economy. With the exception of insurance, air flight and a very small sales budget every one of your tourist dollars ends up in the hands of the inhabitants, the true custodians of these islands. We are unlike the majority of other companies offering Galapagos tours where less than 5% of the visitor generated income touches the hands of the inhabitants. Every effort is made to purchase locally grown produce, goods and services and to promote “best practices” with regard to farming, fishing, water use and disposal of wastes etc. We are with your help actually changing things for the better.

 “About us, should be a story about the people of San Cristobal that work with us or as my wife likes to refer to us all, “The family Come To Galapagos”. Our job, aside from marketing, correspondence and accounting is basically the coordination of services. And while we personally meet and check in daily with our “hearts”, these services are provided by our friends and neighbors and as no chain is stronger than its weakest link, the people whose work bind the great vacations we provide together, they are us. Please see "Galapagos Family".

For all of us the goals are simple.” 

Our Goals:

• To provide visitors the option of experiencing the Galapagos on a more intimate and comfortable level than would otherwise be available to them on traditional “cruise tours”.
   
• To empower the true custodians of these islands (the inhabitants) to not only take part, but take the lead in the care of their islands and the future of their families and culture as they transition to the sustainable economy of tourism.
   
• To educate visitors about: the history, natural wonders and the ecological/political challenges confronting these islands.
   
• To have a good time, enjoy and share where we live with you.

Rick and Bere’s job begins with getting you here, the family “Come To Galapagos” job is to be sure you have the vacation of your life and send you back with good stories, photos, and fond memories. We are a family company with strong community and local government ties and years of experience in tourism.

Rick and Berenice Schleicher (or here in Ecuador, Richardo Schleicher and Berenice (Bere) Schleicher Norris) are “Colonial Permanentes” of Galapagos (legal residents of The Galapagos). Their 16 month old son as of (Oct. 5, 2008) was named after his grandfathers. Roland Norris and Robert Schleicher, so technically his name is Roland Robert Schleicher Norris Crespo Van Horn and his parents often add for fun “of the Galapagos”. He is also a Colonial Permanente and a US citizen as the son of his father.

Berenice (Bere) Schleicher Norris opened the first Bed and Breakfast establishment here in San Cristobal five years ago. She created and developed the local association of bed and breakfasts. If you choose to visit Galapagos with us, you may be staying in one of these, though they tend to be far more apartment like than the traditional idea of B&Bs, but they are picturesque in their locations and the people who run them. Bere has a Bachelor's degree in tourism administration (or the Ecuadorian equivalent) from UCT University in Quito and has traveled extensively throughout South America, Europe and the United States. She brings a positive energy and open heart to her work and is known as the person you talk to if you want to get something done here in San Cristobal.
 

Rick Schleicher had the luck of falling in love and marrying Bere. He has a Master’s Degree in English/Creative Writing from SFSU, a California State Brokers License and California State Contractors license. His previous work was twenty years purchasing and developing commercial and residential real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area. His final three year project there was the development of a Cottage/Bed and Breakfast property in Olema (small town within the Point Reyes National Park, Marin County California). For a look go to www.olemacottages.com. An avid ocean man, surfer, fisherman, swimmer, snorkler and US Coast OUPV Captain, he brings his zestful “can do” attitude, ocean experience and open heart and hands to all the various facets of managing this company.

Roland (Erey) Schleicher accomplishments include, charming the pants off baby sea lions, personally inspecting a baby octopus, pointing to and naming a boobie, well, truth be told pelicans, albatross’, gulls, frigates, finches also to this point have the same nomenclature and his coup de gras, driving his parents three times up and down the walls of fear, joy and patience.

You might wonder why a couple of educated, experienced, semi-sophisticated people have chosen to live and raise their family on a small group of islands six hundred miles off the coast of a third world nation most famous for bananas. Come and find out! Clue, it’s not the bananas.

See our Customer Testimonials and Mission Statement