Discover, Plan & Go!

The perfect blend of activity and education. The 80 passenger Polaris is one of the best first class expedition vessels in the Galapagos Islands. The Expedition Leaders and naturalist staff are reknown experts. Enjoy snorkeling, hiking, diving, glass-bottom boat and more.

The moment you step foot on your first island here you'll see that freedom and fearlessness are a way of life. Whether strolling the islands' pristine beaches, searching for the spectacular waved albatross, having a "chat" with a particularly friendly sea lion, or snorkeling with Galapagos penguins, a glorious feeling of uninhibitedness abounds. And, thanks to the legacy of Jacques Cousteau, we are able to keep that feeling alive as we make wide use of our fleet of nimble Zodiacs that can nose into landfalls and cruise along reefs, which afford us intimate views of "the action." Meanwhile, our expert naturalists are always there to point out particularly unusual wildlife behaviors and characteristics so that you may observe, inquire and react as it unfolds before your eyes. Their specialized knowledge and interests - marine biology, zoology, botany, and geology - will transform your experience into a biology class in real-time. Here in Darwin's natural laboratory, the animal world is your oyster.

Day 1 - Miami / Guayaquil, Ecuador

Early this evening we fly on American Airlines from Miami to Guayaquil, the principal port of Ecuador, with a flying time of approximately four hours. Once we arrive, we're just a five-minute drive to the Hotel Hilton Colon where we'll spend the night.

Accommodations: Hotel Hilton Colon

Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Guayaquil/Baltra, Galapagos/Embark Ship

This morning we fly to the Galapagos and by dinner time, you will have already made the acquaintance of some of the exotic animals you've come here to fraternize with. Flying time from Guayaquil is approximately one and a half hours, and upon arrival on the island of Baltra, you'll immediately board the Polaris. After settling into your cabin, join us in the ship's lounge for a refreshing welcome drink and a general orientation about life aboard ship. During this time, your luggage will be delivered to your cabin.

As we sit down to lunch, we'll sail from the flat island of Baltra to our first port of call, the northwestern corner of Santa Cruz Island. This afternoon, we'll meet again in the lounge for an introduction to the Galapagos Islands and the philosophies of the Galapagos National Park, the organization that protects these fragile islands. Immediately after our gathering, we offer a Zodiac cruise along the northwest coast of Santa Cruz. We'll head toward the mangrove-flanked channels and the shores of Cerro Dragon, looking for land iguanas, sea lions, sea turtles and many varieties of birds. This cruise will give us our first impressions of the dramatic volcanic landscape of the Galapagos.

By sunset, everyone will be back on board to join the Captain for a cocktail party during which he will be introduced to you along with his officers and natural history staff. Dinner follows at 7:30 after an exhilarating first day in the Galapagos.

Accommodations: Polaris

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Espanola

It seems we have entered another world; one where iguanas bask on rocky shorelines like sculpted dragons. A world where sea lions play, sleep and romp like pups and where birds peck around our feet with no more fear than a barnyard flock. This is the world that Charles Darwin visited in 1835, which shaped evolutionary science forever.

During this full week, we will visit all of the most important islands in the group and our first full day will be spent on the southeastern island of Espanola. After an early breakfast, we land at Punta Suarez, one of the richest wildlife locations in the Galapagos. Sea lions and marine iguanas will greet us here as we step ashore. Further along the trail, we will find blue-footed and Nazca boobies. It's easy to admire these larger creatures, but be sure to take notice of the smaller denizens of this island: the lava lizards, mockingbirds and Darwin's finches, which are unique to Espanola. Our naturalists will tell you where to look to find creatures both big and small. And once you find them (and in the Galapagos, you will most likely be sidestepping them), our staff will tell you everything you'd like to know. With experts in biology, zoology, botany and geology, plus an expedition leader licensed to guide you in the Galapagos, the options will be many and knowledge will always be at the ready.

The complete walk of about one mile leads you through shrubs and along a boulder-strewn shore to a breezy cliff edge where swallow-tailed gulls and many other seabirds soar on the wind. At times, the blue-footed boobies are literally everywhere. As they whistle and honk, we watch them perform their comical courtship, oblivious to our presence. If the tide and swells are right, a powerful blowhole blasts misty fountains high in the air. There's also an option of a shorter stroll and time spent on the beach quietly observing everything with a naturalist. Every step of the way, we are aware that we are visitors in an extremely delicate environment, one of the best managed and most carefully protected national parks in the world. Our visit must have zero impact on these islands as it's the animals and plants who have the right of way at all times.

This afternoon takes us to another part of the island called Gardner Bay where we stroll along a dazzling white beach, followed by swimming or snorkeling in the turquoise shallows. More experienced snorkelers can take a Zodiac to the small offshore islet of Tortuga where fish life abounds in the deep waters around the islet. Non-snorkelers can take a ride in our glass-bottom boat to peek at the life below the surface without even getting a toe wet. If you would like to learn how to snorkel, a naturalist from the beach will expertly instruct you. No matter where you are snorkeling throughout the week, a Zodiac will be nearby at all times should you want to rest.

Cocktails begin at 5:30 in our beautiful teak bar on the stern deck followed by the day's recap and dinner.

Accommodations: Polaris

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Floreana/Isabela

This is a peaceful, rolling island dotted with numerous extinct volcanic cones amidst a variety of scrubby vegetation. Its colorful human history goes back almost two centuries and, at times, verges on the bizarre: from marooned whalers to prisoners and colonists, and from a toothless dentist to a self-proclaimed empress. Our view of Floreana will be considerably more gentle than its past!

We start the day with an optional early morning landing at the Post Office Barrel, an old mail swap tradition that goes back to whaling days. Imagine, if you can, what it must have been like for sailors to be away from home for years, sometimes with no news from family or friends. This barrel was a place where passing ships could leave mail or pick it up, to be delivered upon their return. During our stop, we can leave mail ourselves and see if it gets delivered. Or we can take mail, which has an address near our homes and deliver it once we return, keeping this old tradition alive. When you come back on board for the morning repast, the ship repositions itself to a small offshore volcanic cone named Champion Island. This is the only island where a small population of the Floreana mockingbird still exists (they're extinct on the main island of Floreana). With some luck, you might see one of these rare creatures.

The rest of the morning will be spent snorkeling and swimming from the Zodiacs. Here is where you can experience something truly unforgettable: swimming with the extremely playful sea lions. Their amusing vocalizations and movements make them perennial favorites of our guests. They have a kind of charisma that's entirely contagious. The young lions are extremely playful, with each other and with us. It is their way of learning how to socialize with the group they belong to. While we're snorkeling in their aquatic domain, they twist their bodies into myriad contortions, zip past like torpedoes, even blow bubbles in our faces. As one of our naturalists said, "It's not easy to describe how enthralling the experience of swimming with sea lions can be. You have to live it to believe it."

For those who'd rather stay dry, glass-bottom boat excursions will be an option as long as the sea conditions cooperate. For those who want to seek out the Floreana mockingbird, we will have Zodiac cruises along the cliff side where they congregate. A sighting is truly a feather in the cap for any serious birder.

During lunch, we will lift anchor and set sail for Isabela, keeping a lookout for dolphins, whales and other marine life that are often spotted in these rich waters. Upon arrival in Isabela, we'll walk the streets of the small town of Puerto Villamil, visit the nearby salt water lagoons, home to flamingos and many species of shore birds, or simply stroll along a beautiful beach before returning to the small ship Polaris in time to see the sunset. The teak bar opens at 5:30 where we can relax before dinner.

Accommodations: Polaris

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Fernandina & Isabela Islands

During the night we cross the equator going northward, and by daybreak find ourselves in the westernmost part of the Gal�pagos. The environment here is quite different from the rest of the archipelago. Here, the frigid waters of the deep Cromwell Current, also known as the Equatorial Countercurrent, rise up along the western edge of the undersea Galapagos Platform. At times, this upwelling phenomenon can be responsible for thick sea fogs and cool sea temperatures, which can go as low as 63 degrees. It is these conditions, however, that are at the heart of the area's rich marine eco-system, attracting both dolphins and whales to this region.

This morning, we will be up soon after daybreak to urge anyone interested to join us on deck as we navigate close to Volcan Ecuador, a spectacular shield volcano on Isabela Island, which is actually bisected by the line of the equator. Wind and sea conditions permitting at Punta Vicente Roca, a panga ride (the local name for our Zodiacs) is a possibility right after breakfast. We may see our first Galapagos penguins here or the flightless cormorants as we explore the shoreline at the base of the steep cliffs of the volcano.

We'll sail onward to Fernandina Island, another imposing volcano rising to nearly 5,000 feet. The volcano has a history of erupting every few years and is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Its flanks are streaked with fresh lava flows, most of them still black and lifeless. In the afternoon, we land at Punta Espinosa; marine iguanas lie basking on the dark lava making for quite an unforgettable sight. Sea lions, penguins, herons and sea turtles are also likely to be seen. The late afternoon in this dramatic landscape can be quite beautiful, so it's a good idea to plan to be out until sunset. The walking takes place mostly over solid black slabs of lava referred to by the Hawaiian term pahoehoe. Most of this is quite flat and there are also short stretches of sand making the route quite easy to negotiate. The walk is always accompanied by a Zodiac cruise along the shoreline to look for those two Galapagos oddities, the third smallest penguin in the world and the flightless cormorant. Those who wish may take a longer Zodiac cruise and skip the walking altogether.

Stark lava flows. A towering, active volcano. The only flightless cormorants in the world. It's been a day of exotic sights on this speck of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles from the nearest mainland. We talk about where we are and all we've seen so far over cocktails.

Accommodations: Polaris

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Santa Cruz

Today, a very different experience awaits us as this will be our only chance to see the human side of the Galapagos - as well as the lush, cool highlands. Puerto Ayora on the southeast corner of Santa Cruz Island is home to some 10,000 inhabitants and is the economic hub of the archipelago. We start the day by landing with our Zodiacs after breakfast at the Galapagos National Park dock. We take a short, quarter-mile walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station where scientists gather information for the conservation of the island's unique resources. We visit one of the most significant and successful programs in the ecological restoration of the islands: the giant tortoise breeding program. Not only will we see massive adults, but also small hatchlings destined for repatriation to their islands of origin.

After the Darwin station visit, you can walk or take a ride back through town, which is just a mile and a half long. At the main plaza we board buses for a half-hour drive to Altair, a charming highland restaurant where we'll have lunch surrounded by moss-draped woods, perhaps watching some finches and other small indigenous birds. The restaurant has a swimming pool for those who would like to take a dip, as well as a Jacuzzi and a volleyball court.

After lunch, we'll give you several choices for spending the afternoon. If you want to do it all, you will continue by bus further into the highlands for a visit to a pair of huge pit craters called Los Gemelos, which are surrounded by a forest of ferns and orchids. Small birds such as vermilion flycatchers and several species of Darwin's finches are found here. The woodpecker finches are especially worth looking for. On our way back down, we'll visit the farm of a Galapagos native which just happens to be right in the middle of the tortoise migratory route. This outing involves a mile walk over rocky ground and muddy pastures (we will provide a pair of rubber boots for you!) but it's worth the effort for those who want to see the giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. If you go this route, you will reach Puerto Ayora at around 5:00 p.m., spend a little more time doing shopping. You can also return directly to the ship. Another option is to drive right to the farm to search for tortoises without visiting the craters. That will put you back in town by 4:00 pm, giving you a bit more time to look around before returning to Polaris. The third choice is to go right into Puerto Ayora after lunch for a free afternoon browsing through the many souvenir shops, sampling the sidewalk cafes or returning directly to the ship. Zodiac shuttles to the ship will be available from the public dock every hour on the hour with the last one returning at 6:00 pm This evening, we have invited a representative from the Charles Darwin Research Station to come on board for a question and answer session, and after dinner we enjoy a bit of local color with a performance of Ecuadorian music by the excellent group EcoArte.

Accommodations: Polaris

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Genovesa

Our day at Genovesa, otherwise known as Tower Island, will present another seabird experience. From frigates, red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls to storm petrels and tropic birds, this low brushy island serves as a beacon to myriad winged ocean wanderers. Early in the morning, the Captain of the Polaris will carefully line up the ship with a few navigational towers in order to make the tricky crossing over the wall of an immense underwater volcano, entering the semi-circular bay formed within. It is an extremely precise maneuver, which is quite interesting to watch. The day-to-day workings of our small ship are often of interest to our guests and our crew is always available to explain what's going on behind the scenes - or right before your eyes.

After breakfast, we will make a wet landing on a small coral beach tucked away in the corner of Darwin Bay. The first part of the trail this morning is along the sandy beach where walking is easy. We will all have ample time to stop and contemplate, pause and wonder and study the actions of some of the fascinating birds around us. The more eager hikers can continue beyond the beach area over lava among the brushy vegetation, ending up along a slight cliff edge. After the walk, there will be a chance to swim and snorkel from the landing beach in the nearby shallows. For advanced snorkelers, a Zodiac will take us across the bay and we will snorkel in the deep water at the base of the cliffs of Darwin Bay.

In the afternoon, our Zodiacs will take us along the cliffs to a landing spot on the rocky shoreline. After a dry landing on a ledge, we follow a steep path with handrails up to the top of the 80-foot cliff. The trail then takes us through a forest to a colony of storm petrels. Along the way, we pass boobies and frigates and maybe even a hunting owl. A Zodiac cruise along the base of the cliffs will also be offered where nesting seabirds may be seen.

Accommodations: Polaris

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Bartolome/Santiago

Our last full day in the Galapagos will take us back to the central part of the archipelago, where we'll enjoy a combination of activities centered around walking, swimming and snorkeling. As day breaks, we pass Bartolome, a lovely volcanic islet just off the east coast of Santiago Island. Few plant species can withstand the drought conditions that exist here, thus it is a volcanic moonscape of sooty lava flows where erosion has created graceful lines in the soft volcanic ash. Several gold-tinged beaches bordered by green mangroves add some color to this extremely unusual land.

This setting will be the focus of an optional early morning dry landing, which leads to an energetic climb to the summit, which is 359 feet high. To control erosion here, the National Park has built a 372-step wooden staircase over the steeper inclines making the walk relatively easy, though heart pumping. The view from the top, however, is worth every breath so we encourage all who can make it to join this pre-breakfast outing. After breakfast, everyone will have a chance to land on the golden beach for swimming and snorkeling in the nearby shallows. Flitting penguins may join you during your swim. If the water is clear, there will be a final opportunity for an outing in the glass-bottom boat, departing from either the beach or the ship.

Lunchtime will find us sailing along the northern coastline of Santiago Island and past scenic Buccaneer Cover, a one-time pirates' haunt. We'll anchor at Puerto Egas on the southwestern end of James Bay. Here we'll start with snorkeling and swimming from the stark black beach in the early afternoon. Walk the indented shoreline, the haunt of coastal birds and marine iguanas where deeply carved sea-level grottoes may be housing sea lions or fur seals. At the end of the day, you are invited to join the Captain for farewell cocktails and our final dinner aboard Polaris.

Accommodations: Polaris

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Galapagos/Disembark Ship/Guayaquil

This morning disembark the ship and fly to Guayaquil. The late afternoon and evening free to explore the city and prepare for your journey home. If you would to visit Quito, please inquire about our optional Quito extensions.

Accommodations: Hotel Hilton Colon

Meals: breakfast and lunch

Day 10 - Guayaquil/Home

This morning fly home - or anywhere else you might have decided to go.

Accommodations: n/a

Meals: none

OPTIONAL MACHU PICCHU EXTENSION

Day 9 - Galápagos/Guayaquil/Lima, Peru

You'll leave Galápagos this morning and fly to Lima, Peru via Guayaquil, arriving in the early evening. The night will be spent at the gracious Orient Express Miraflores Park Hotel located in one of Lima's most exclusive residential neighborhoods. On Sunday you'll be getting up early for the flight to Cusco, so you are on your own for dinner in the hotel or at one of the restaurants in the neighborhood. (B,L)

Day 10 - Lima/Cusco/Sacred Valley of the Inca

This morning, we fly from Lima to Cusco and take a spectacular one and a half hour drive via motor coach through the green mountains to the Urubamba River Valley — the Sacred Valley of the Inca. Along the way, we'll stop for some coca tea — a local remedy to help you adjust to the altitude. As soon as you see the mystical beauty of this area with its verdant vistas and fertile lowlands, you'll understand why the Incas considered it to be sacred.

Our first stop is Chinchero, which sits high on a plateau at 10,368 feet above sea level. After walking through a narrow pathway, we'll arrive at the church, a bright white edifice gleaming against the bright blue sky. From the side of the church, there are sweeping views of the valley. This church is home to a striking gold altar and exquisite frescoes painted by the Cusquenian Indians, making them the oldest examples of paintings of the Cusco School of Art. The local food market, which is set up right at the church's entrance, also makes for some interesting browsing before we travel the few miles to our hotel, arriving just in time for lunch. The Sol y Luna is owned by a French and Swiss couple who have brought their love of the Sacred Valley into the design of the hotel with adobe construction, local stone, wood and ceramics — all a reflection of the region. It is set where the Vilcanota River runs through the Sacred Valley, so the location is superb. Take the afternoon to explore the Valley on your own, or relax on the hotel's grounds — stroll through the gardens, take a swim or simply take it easy while adjusting to the altitude. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Sacred Valley of the Inca

Today, we'll visit the town and important archaeological site of Pisac. Gateway to the Sacred Valley, Pisac has an "old town" with one of the most beautiful Inca complexes, and a "new town" from the Colonial era. The market in Pisac is quite famous and even on days when it is not in full swing, there are a number of interesting stalls and shops selling Peruvian handicrafts. There will be a late lunch at the Hacienda Orihuela, where the Orihuela family continues a 350-year tradition of farming. In addition, they have amassed a valuable collection of Colonial art, which is housed in their country mansion. This collection of folk art, gathered over a 50-year period, includes pottery, porcelain, paintings and stone relics, some dating back to the 17th century. The house is beautifully set atop a hill from where you will be treated to one of the best views of the Sacred Valley. Members of the family will host our lunch, featuring home-cooked fare made with fresh produce from the plantation. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Machu Picchu

This morning, we set out for the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo. There are several temples among the ruins including the amazing Sun Temple, a profile carved out of the peak of a steep mountain. Most miraculous and mysterious is the fact that the stone used for the terraces here originated on a mountain top more than five miles away. The sheer feat of moving these huge granite blocks across river and valley without any modern equipment is truly mind-boggling. After exploring this site, we board the train for the one and a half hour ride to Machu Picchu.

We'll first have a guided walk, but the real magic happens between 4:30 p.m. when the last train departs and 10:00 a.m. when the first morning train arrives. Between these hours, most of the visitors are gone. Here's what Machu Picchu holds in store:

The citadel known as "The Lost City of the Inca" straddles a mountain ridge surrounded by lush tropical forest. Machu Picchu means "manly peak" and was constructed between 1460 and 1470 A.D. It is thought to have been a royal estate and a religious retreat populated by up to 1,200 women, children and priests. The 200 buildings were mostly residences. The granite blocks used in the construction were cut with bronze or stone tools and fit together perfectly without any mortar whatsoever. Notice that the joints are so close that even a thin piece of metal could not fit between them. The architecture is beautifully integrated into the landscape with many elements carved into the rock and temples hanging over steep mountainsides.

We'll overnight at the atmospheric Orient Express Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located near the entrance to the ruins. You'll revel in the quiet, the sense of having this once-sacred place to yourself, as twilight comes to the citadel and night descends upon this legendary spot, high up in the Andes. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Machu Picchu/Cusco

Watching day break over the quiet ruins is an almost mystical experience for many. When Machu Picchu was in its heyday and winter arrived with its waning sunlight, a priest would hold a ceremony to tie the sun to the great stone intihuatana or hitching post of the sun, located inside Machu Picchu. The morning is free to continue exploring Machu Picchu. After lunch on your own, we'll reboard the train for our journey to Cusco. This exciting train ride takes about four hours and travels along the Urubamba River, through fertile valleys with steep, towering mountains on either side of the train. We spend two nights at the Orient Express Monasterio Hotel, a unique hotel in the heart of the city that was originally built as a monastery in 1592. This gracious, old structure has a quiet elegance making your stay here a memorable one. The manicured gardens around the hotel make for lovely views from the spacious rooms. They're also a beautiful place to walk or sit and have a drink. (B,D)

Day 14 - Cusco

The Inca Empire's capital, Cusco, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. The heart of the city, as in Inca days, is the Plaza de Armas. Visit the magnificent early 17th-century cathedral built on Inca foundations on the north side of the Plaza. The cathedral takes the shape of a Latin cross. Constructed over a century, between 1566 and 1669, it has many beautiful paintings and an intriguing combination of architectural styles. We'll also explore one of the most important temples of all, Koricancha, a fine example of Inca and Western cultures coming together. In its day, the temple walls were reputed to have been covered in silver and gold. The temple was dedicated to sun worship and could only be visited by the era's highest-ranking luminaries. After the Spanish Conquest, a great deal of the temple was torn down and rebuilt as the Church of Santo Domingo, which we will also visit.

Sacsayhuaman means "satisfied hawk" in Quechua, the language of the Inca, and it's the name of the vast fortress we'll see just outside the city. This imposing fortress, designed to protect the city from marauding jungle tribes, is a premier example of Inca stonework. Made from huge granite blocks, the fortress is divided into three terraces with immense stone walls on either side. We'll return to the city — for an afternoon of exploring on your own. Dinner is also on your own — feel free to choose from several restaurant options. (B,L)

Day 15 - Cusco/Lima

This morning we return to Lima and explore this beautiful city founded in 1535 by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Although Lima is Peru's cultural and business center, it seems to enjoy a more leisurely pace than other South American cities. Visit the 17th-century San Francisco Monastery and its unique cloisters, stroll to the Plaza Mayor to see the Government Palace and the Cathedral. Lunch, a somewhat late one as is traditional in Latin America, will be a combination of food and museum, in a sense, at Casa Aliaga. Don Jeronimo de Aliaga, a nobleman from Castille, Admiral of the Seas, co-founder of Lima and founder of the first university in the Americas, built his house in 1535 on the grounds where the last Inca governor resided. Home to 17 generations of Aliagas, this ancestral mansion is the oldest private household in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. It is not open to the general public.

This evening, which we will spend at the Miraflores Park Hotel, you are on your own to prepare at your own pace for tomorrow's departure. Miraflores, the neighborhood where our hotel is located, is Lima's central cultural district where many fine restaurants are located. Lima has a wonderful array of penas or bars featuring Creole and folk music and restaurants known for excellent cuisine. Comida criolla is a local specialty of spiced meats, seafood or poultry, and small restaurants specializing in fresh seafood offer yet another choice. (B,L)

Day 16 - Lima/Miami

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll drive the half hour to the airport where we'll board our flight to Miami. Before long, you will be rising above the clouds, aware of the magical places that lie below, and perhaps have a new perspective on time, and the abilities of humankind. The almost six-hour flight arrives at approximately 2:00 p.m. (B)

Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be flexible makes our style of cruising unique.

Single and Triple Travelers: If you wish to share accommodations, we will be glad to make arrangements at the double occupancy rate in Categories 1 and 2 only. Triples are allowed in Category 5 cabins only. Third traveler receives 50% off cruise rate.

Land Cost Includes: 2 nights hotel in Guayaquil, all airport/hotel transfers, Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100: adult, $50: child), Galapagos cruise including all meals while aboard, Expedition Leader and experienced Galapagos Islands naturalist guides, use of snorkel equipment and wet suits.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Guayaquil; roundtrip Galapagos flight; excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Quito; SCUBA fees; gratuities to Naturalist Staff and crew; items of a personal nature such as emails, alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A special cancellation policy applies to all Galapagos trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. If you cancel your voyage:

• 120 or more days out, you receive a refund of your deposit minus $250 which is given to you in the form of a travel certificate.
• between 119 and 90 days out, you forfeit your deposit amount.
• between 89 and 60 days out, you forfeit 25% of the total voyage cost.
• between 59 and 30 days out, you forfeit 50% of voyage cost.
• 29 days or less, you forfeit the entire voyage cost.

Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with

Accommodations Aboard: The Polaris accommodates 80 guests. Accommodations are in double cabins, each with toilet and shower. The crew includes: the captain, multilingual naturalist guides, barman/waiter, cook, engineer and deckhands. All meals are prepared and served by the crew on board. Alcoholic drinks and beer are available for purchase on board.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in pangas (dinghies). Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining this trip with our Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu extensions.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today