Every voyage of the Integrity is lead by a highly trained naturalist guide. Integrity's naturalists share scientific and historical knowledge blended with insights and humor.
Richard Polatty
Originally from Atlanta, Richard now lives in Ecuador and has been guiding exclusively for INCA since 1985. Educated at Vanderbilt and Emory Universities, Richard can delve in depth in any number of scientific disciplines relevant to Galápagos, such as natural selection, evolutionary biology, geology, volcanology, plate tectonics, ocean currents and climate. Richard currently sits on the Board of Directors of Galapagos Conservancy.
Richard has also been an expedition leader on four different ships and is a veteran of nearly 60 Antarctic expeditions. As a Research Associate for the Oceanites Foundation, Richard has conducted research for the Antarctic Site Inventory, funded by the National Science Foundation since 1992.
An avid astronomer, Richard has ground his own telescope lenses, constructed telescopes and taught astronomy classes for the Galápagos National Park Naturalists Course. He has traveled internationally to witness and photograph seven total solar eclipses. Richard is also an active pilot with land and seaplane ratings in the US and Ecuador, and also serves as a patrol plane pilot with Galápagos National Park Service.
“I learned more from Richard about a wide variety of subjects than any guide I have ever been with. He is truly a renaissance man.” - Terri E.
“Richard is my idol. What an amazing amount of information he was able to share in an interesting and engaging manner.” - Tammy B.
“Richard is far and away the most knowledgeable and articulate guide we have ever had on an trip like this where knowledge of the history, geology, climate and biology is an essential part of the overall experience.” - Keith T.
Greg Estes
Born in the United States, Greg Estes first arrived in Galapagos in 1982 leading the Cambridge Darwin Centenary Galapagos Expedition to conduct research on the feeding ecology of marine iguanas. With a degree in Biology from the University of London, England, Greg stayed to assist with several other ecological projects, including studies on sperm whales and the endangered Galapagos petrel. For the past few years Greg and his wife Thalia have been retracing Darwin’s footsteps through Galapagos using information from his original notebooks and manuscripts of the famous voyage.
Greg has served as a licensed naturalist guide of the Galapagos National Park Service since 1982 and continues to work as naturalist and expeditions leader in the islands. He is in high demand by university and natural history organizations alike. Among the institutions he has guided/led are the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Nature Conservancy, St. Louis Zoo, Chatham College, Agnes Scott College, Washington & Lee University, New York Botanical Gardens, New York Audubon Society, Milwaukee Zoo, Staten Island Zoo, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, Georgia Conservancy, University of Georgia, and the Dayton Museum of Natural History. Notable people Greg has guided include Richard Leaky, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Sir John Krebs, Craig Venter, Sylvia Earle and Dan Rather. He has also worked with several film companies including the BBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, NOVA and VPRO. He has guided actors Richard Gere, Richard Dreyfuss, Cliff Robertson, Elkie Sommer and Emmy Award winning film producer Howard Hall.
“Can't say enough positive things about Greg. It quickly became apparent that the quality of the naturalist guide made the trip. Standing ovation to Inca for having guides like Greg on your list.” - Steve Z.
“Greg is an excellent naturalist and very passionate about his work. I’m glad we had someone so detailed and knowledgeable.” - Linda N.
"I chose this trip because of what I had heard and read about Greg. He was outstanding. I have used guides in travel and hiking multiple times. He was among the best. If I return to the Galapagos, I'll do it with Greg." - John M.
Patricia (Pati) Stucki
Patricia Stucki was born and raised in St. Gallen – in the eastern part of Switzerland. Her interest in Galápagos was awoken when she was a girl selling Swiss chocolates to protect this archipelago.
Working as a journalist for the Swiss news agency and newspapers as well as writing articles for magazines awoke in her a genuine fascination for travel and natural history.
Her journeys took her to Asia, Australia and Central America and finally in 1996 landing in the Galapagos where ocean and islands captured her awe. Her work as a naturalist and dive guide in the islands are coined through her passion for flora and fauna. When she’s not on board guiding she enjoys her home, garden and a little Cocoa plantation in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. She’s dedicated to photography on land as well as underwater and active as a conservationist. She speaks fluently Spanish, English, German and French.
“Pati was truly brilliant - a thoughtful, generous, witty, well-informed and warm individual.” - Robert T.
“Pati was fantastic & full of knowledge! - Heather R.
“Loved Pati, a talented, committed and a super outstanding genuine professional. 5 star rating.” - Vin M.