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The Galpagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago, located either side of the equator out in the Pacific Ocean.
In terms of sovereignty, it is officially part of the Republic of Ecuador, which itself is in the north-west of South America, and the nearest landmass to the islands.
Adventure travel specialist World Expeditions has launched an exclusive opportunity to experience the Galapagos with naturalist expert, Jaime Dominguez, on the purpose-built first-class yacht, Solaris.
The team at World Expeditions says "Jaime is widely regarded as one of the best Galapagos guides, counting one-time world's richest man, Carlos Slim, amongst his private clients."
Additionally, "He holds the highest certification possible for a naturalist guide in the Galapagos," they continued.
"Jaime uses his exceptional photography to document and inspire those who have not yet visited this incredible ecosystem, and his work has featured in publications such as the Charles Darwin Research Station Calendar."
The endemic species on the Galapagos were studied by Charles Darwin while he was with the second voyage of HMS Beagle, and his observations here contributed to his theory of evolution by natural selection.
As you are discovering this amazing region for yourself, "Jaime is well placed to provide a few tips on what passengers on this cruise can expect, having helped visitors make sense of the wonders - and weirdness - of the archipelago's unique fauna for more than three decades," the team at World Expeditions explained.
"It's a good idea to pack all the cameras and lenses you have, and it's best to wear adventure clothing, so you can explore everywhere you want to," Jamie says.
"Cruising the Galapagos can be quite emotional for some people - seeing so much natural beauty," Jamie continued.
As an example of that beauty, "It's incredible to watch the birds dancing and baby sealions sleeping," Jamie says.
"Swimming with sealions, manta rays, dolphins and turtles is an unforgettable experience, and the sunsets with the volcanoes coming out of the sea are so beautiful," Jamie concluded.
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The cruise
While many consider the Galapagos a first-class destination at any time of the year, World Expeditions says "this cruise has been carefully timed to coincide with the start of the marine iguana mating season on Espanola Island, a colourful time when the marine iguanas change colours, displaying bright reds and greens in an attempt to attract mates."
The brand new Solaris yacht offers ample space to rest and relax and includes a sundeck, an outside bar and lounge areas.
Importantly, this exclusive luxury vessel only accommodates 16 passengers, allowing for what World Expeditions describe as a more personal and intimate experience.
"All 11 cabins are spacious and air-conditioned, with first class private facilities and ocean views," they explained.
Five cabins provide single beds, with no single supplement surcharge required for solo travellers.
"The Galapagos archipelago represents a striking world of volcanic landscapes and fearless animals, and a cruise through this spectacular wildlife sanctuary on board Solaris promises to be an unforgettable experience" the team says.
Their eight-day first class Galapagos cruise departs one of Ecuador's large cities (either Quito or Guayaquil) on January 28, 2020, and currently costs $7,990 per person, which includes internal flights, all meals and accommodation on the brand new yacht, Solaris.