The Luxury Travel Bible - DOLORES DIEZ (Galapagos)

Dolores Diez (Galapagos)

Company: Quasar Expeditions (Galapagos and Patagonia)
In The Luxury Travel Bible's opinion there are not enough adventure guides who are women, so we rate Dolores Diez as particularly special, as well as amazingly well qualified for the title of super-guide. As a Latin American woman and founder of Quasar Expeditions with guests from all over the world Dolores Diez has helped set the standard for successfully combining environmental preservation and education with eco-tourism. Her career literally grew up in cooperation with the Galapagos National Park, helping to define the eco-tourism industry. Her key to success has been in never losing sight of the fact that preserving the unparalleled Galapagos habitat comes first and foremost and provides the basis for the amazing animal encounters and one-of-a-kind classic yacht expeditions that she is known for.
My most luxurious and adventurous trip: It was in 1989 when we cruised the Galapagos on board motor yacht Parranda. We had a family who chartered the yacht. The main reason for the cruise was because the mother had muscular atrophy and Galapagos had been on her 'visit list' for many years. She could barely walk but she was extremely comfortable in the water. Nature offered us everything that it had. It was a spectacular cruise and we finished up sitting on the beach drinking a glass of champagne (at that time you were allowed to take drinks ashore) attempting to keep the sea lions and mockingbirds away from our glasses.
We had to gulp down the champagne or it would have been lost to the wildlife. When she passed away, she left a message that her time in the Galapagos with me had been the best experience of her life. Her family sent me this beautiful message, which we keep deep in our hearts - it was a job well done!
My favourite place in the world: Las Marielas - Western Isabela Island in Galapagos. Swimming with penguins, flightless cormorants and marine iguanas.
Posted 1/7/13