The Galápagos archipelago, Darwin's living laboratory, is host to an abundance of wildlife. Isolated from the mainland for millions of years, it is one of the rare wildernesses where animals have no instinctive fear of humans. Experience an up close, personal encounter with many unique species, such as flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, and domed giant tortoises.

ITINERARY: 10 DAYS

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 Isla Santa Cruz 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)

Days 3-8— Exploring the Galápagos

In keeping with the nature of an expedition, our itinerary is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of this extraordinary wildlife sanctuary. Each day you will have the opportunity to take nature walks with local naturalists, swim, snorkel, or explore the waters by kayak, glass-bottom boat, or Zodiac.

(B, L, D daily)

We plan to make the following stops during this voyage:

Isla Bartolomé

Bartolomé's landscape is an enchanting convergence of lava flows, mangroves, and beautiful white-sand beaches. Here, you may have the opportunity to swim with Galápagos penguins.

Isla Santiago

Santiago offers some of the best "tide pooling" in the islands. Follow a path along a series of pools and underwater caverns in search of Galápagos fur seals, sea lions, and Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Isla Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is home to 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.

Isla Isabela

Anchor off the picturesque port of Puerto Villamil. Walk the streets of this small town, and visit the nearby saltwater lagoons, home to flamingos and shore birds. Visit the island's tortoise breeding center. Explore Isabela's caves and shoreline, and search the waters for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and the astonishing ocean sunfish—the mola-mola.

Isla Fernandina

Today, explore Punta Espinosa on Isla Fernandina—the youngest and most pristine 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, while Isla Isabela's volcanoes create a dramatic backdrop.

Isla Floreana

At Champion Islet, just off the eastern shore of Floreana, snorkel among sea lions in these clear waters, or explore by glass-bottom boat while keeping an eye out for flamingos, pintail ducks, and various shore birds. Hike to a lovely white-sand beach, a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Those interested 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.

Isla Española

A paradise for bird lovers, Isla Española is home to Darwin's finches, Hood mockingbirds and blue-footed boobies. 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.

Day 9 —Galápagos/Guayaquil

After breakfast, disembark the Polaris and fly back to Guayaquil. The evening is at your leisure.

Hotel Hilton Colón (B)

Day 10— Guayaquil/Miami

Depart Guayaquil for Lima this morning, arriving in the early afternoon. (B)
- continue to Macchu Piccu