April 6, 2004

Tahoe City, CA > The Galapagos Islands have long been a haven for naturalists and explorers alike, with over sixty islands and islets that are home to a diverse and exotic array of plant and animal life, many found nowhere else on earth. Beginning this year, eco-tourism specialist, AdventureSmith Explorations, is offering a new 11-day Galapagos Explorer program featuring the newly renovated, 32-passenger Evolution, bringing travelers into intimate contact with the unique ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands and the creatures that inhabit them, while cruising in comfort with a small number of fellow adventurers.

The journey begins with a guided tour of colonial Quito, Ecuador's capital city and designated World Heritage Site. Guests then board the Evolution for eight days of cruising the islands, with a full range of daily activities that bring passengers up-close to the unique flora and fauna of the region including blue-footed boobies, giant tortoise and Galapagos penguins. The ship carries a fleet of clear acrylic sea kayaks for “glass-bottom” viewing as well as “snuba” gear (breathing underwater through a hose attached to an air compressor) for longer, deeper visits with underwater life. Passengers may also enjoy snorkeling with sea lions, relaxing on the beach and hikes ashore led by a team of naturalist guides that share their in-depth knowledge of the islands of the archipelago.

Formerly the Heritage, the totally refurbished Evolution is modeled after the private luxury yachts of the 1920s in the spirit of bygone oceangoing luxury. Its 32- passenger capacity fills a new, unique niche in the Galapagos, with vessels currently at 20 or 48-passenger capacity. The Evolution offers the luxury of a large ship, yet retains the intimacy of a small ship, with just 14 cabins, two suites, indoor and outdoor dining areas with daily gourmet meals prepared by the ship's crew, a library, observation deck, sundeck with a small hot-pool and canopied roof-deck bar. All cabins feature a private bathroom, hot showers and air conditioning.

AdventureSmith Explorations offers its Galapagos Explorer program year-round featuring a number of small ships and yachts to choose from in addition to the Evolution, with prices starting at $3,495 per person, based on double occupancy. The 11-day program includes a city tour and one night's accommodation in Quito, one week's cruise accommodations, onboard meals and off-vessel activities plus round trip flights from mainland Ecuador. In addition, the company offers special family departures.

For reservations or more information, call 1-800-728-2875, email travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com, write to PO Box 1696, Tahoe City, CA 96145 or visit AdventureSmithExplorations.com.

AdventureSmith Explorations is a new ecotourism company founded on the ideal of utilizing soft adventure travel to create connections with the world's exotic natural environments and native cultures. The company's founder, Todd Smith, utilizes his years of experience in the adventure travel industry as well as his expertise as a professional naturalist to distinguish AdventureSmith Explorations by combining fun and exciting activities such as sea kayaking, hiking, small ship cruising and rafting in places not found on more conventional itineraries; extraordinary places in such destinations as Alaska, Costa Rica, Belize, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Guatemala and New Zealand.

Attention Media: For more information and downloadable, hi-res images, view the media resources in our Press Room at AdventureSmithExplorations.com.