SOAMES SUMMERHAYS

Soames Summerhays, a marine biologist and award-winning filmmaker, is passionate about the Galápagos Islands. After studying for a master’s degree in oceanography, Soames spent more than two years leading visitors through the islands. In 1982, Soames returned to the archipelago to create a highly acclaimed IMAX® film on the Galápagos. His latest large-format film, Ocean Oasis, won an award at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and recently earned a “Green Oscar” at the Wildscreen Film Festival in England.

Soames will accompany the October 14, 2005 and February 18, 2006 departures.

KITTY COLEY

Naturalist Kitty Coley explored and dived throughout the Galápagos in 2001. Trained as a geologist, Kitty’s knowledge of volcanoes combined with her love of nature and ornithology make her ideally suited to introduce your family to the volcanoes, birds, and marine mammals of these remarkable islands. An avid bird-watcher and butterfly expert, Kitty is an enthusiastic teacher who will share her great love of nature, geology, and the wildlife of these magical islands.

Kitty will accompany the November departure.

SYLVIA EARLE

Marine biologist Sylvia Earle is an explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society. Named one of Time magazine’s "Heroes for the Planet" in 1998, Sylvia has pioneered research on marine ecosystems. Former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, she is the author of more than 125 scientific and popular publications. Sylvia most recently worked with the society as project director of Sustainable Seas Expedition.

Sylvia will accompany the February 3 departure.

Day 1 Miami/Guayaquil, Ecuador
Depart Miami for Guayaquil, Ecuador. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel.
Hotel Hilton Colón

Day 2 Guayaquil/Galápagos
This morning, fly to the Galápagos Islands and board the comfortable 80-passenger expedition ship Polaris. During lunch we sail to Santa Cruz Island for a magnificent introduction to the varied wildlife. Spend the afternoon exploring the shoreline of Cerro Dragon, looking for land iguanas, sea lions, a variety of birds, and schools of golden rays.
Polaris (B,L,D)

Day 3 Isla Española
A paradise for bird lovers, Isla Española is home to Darwin's finches, Hood mockingbirds, blue-footed boobies, and waved albatrosses. You'll also see Española marine iguanas, which develop vivid green and red coloration from their food, a coastal seaweed that blooms in iguana mating season. This afternoon, snorkel along or stroll one of the Galápagos' best white-sand beaches.
(B,L,D)

Day 4 Isla Floreana/Isla Isabela
Early risers can take a Zodiac ride to Post Office Bay. If you see a letter addressed to someone who lives near you, the tradition is to deliver it to them by hand. Afterwards, snorkel among sea lions or take a glass-bottom boat cruise and perhaps see a hammerhead shark, and visit a flamingo-filled lagoon. Later, sail for Isabela. Walk the streets of the small town of Puerto Villamil and visit the nearby salt water lagoons, home to flamingos and many shore birds, or simply stroll along a beautiful beach.
(B,L,D)

Day 5 Isla Fernandina/Isla Isabela
This morning, explore Punta Espinosa on Isla Fernandina—the youngest, most pristine, and most volcanically active island in the Galápagos. Through a grove of white mangroves lies the largest colony of marine iguanas in the Galápagos. Sea lions play along the coast, and flightless cormorants hunt from their nesting site at the end of the point, while Isla Isabela’s volcanoes create a dramatic backdrop. In the afternoon, explore Isabela’s caves and shoreline, and search the waters for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and the astonishing ocean sunfish—the mola-mola.
(B,L,D)

Day 6 Isla Santa Cruz
On Santa Cruz Island, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a research and breeding station for endangered native species. Join a staff member for an introduction to the Darwin Foundation’s pioneering ecological studies and giant Galápagos tortoise breeding program. Later, travel into the highlands and roam the moss-draped landscape where wild tortoises often forage. In the evening, members of the research station or the national park headquarters join us for a talk.
(B,L,D)

Day 7 Isla Genovesa
Genovesa, a collapsed volcanic caldera, is one of the most isolated islands, making it the perfect starting and stopping point for many flocks of migratory birds. Along trails through the saltbushes, you may spot red-footed and masked (Nazca) boobies, as well as frigatebirds, storm petrels, yellow-crowned night herons, or lava gulls.
(B,L,D)

Day 8 Isla Bartolomé/Isla Santiago
Bartolomé's landscape is an enchanting convergence of lava flows, mangroves, and beautiful white-sand beaches. After a short walk, relax on the beach or snorkel—you may have the opportunity to swim with Galápagos penguins. Later, cruise to Santiago in search of Galápagos fur seals, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and other endemic species along a path following a series of pools and underwater caverns offering some of the best “tide pooling” in the islands.
(B,L,D)

Day 9 Galápagos/Quito
After breakfast, disembark the Polaris and fly back to Quito. The evening is at your leisure.
Hotel Hilton Colón (B,L)

Day 10 Quito/Miami
Depart Quito for Miami this morning, arriving in the early afternoon.
(B)

The 80-passenger Polaris features Zodiacs, a glass-bottom boat, snorkelling gear, wet suits, video microscope, hydrophone, and SplashCam. The ship has a doctor's office, gift shop, e-mail station, and library. The main lounge hosts films, slide shows, and lectures. All 41 cabins face outward and each has its own bathroom climate control. All meals are served in a dining room with wraparound views.

[TOP]