If youre looking for an adventurous way to spend the winter holidays, Vaya Adventures is offering a Dec. 23 departure for a cruise on the Beagle through the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The eight-day itinerary begins on Santa Cruz Island with a tour of the Charles Darwin Research Center and the field work being done to preserve the Galapagos ecosystems. Other stops include Espaola Island and its colonies of blue-footed boobies; South Plaza Island, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galapagos as well as yellow and red land iguanas; and North Seymour Island, the largest nesting ground of frigate birds in the islands.

The Beagle, named for Darwins schooner, is a refurbished 105-foot-long yacht that holds a maximum of 14 passengers in seven air-conditioned cabins with private bath. Dates: Dec 23-30. Price: $4,180 per person. Includes bilingual naturalist guides on daily land expeditions. Does not include park fees (about $110 a person) and international airfare. Info: Vaya Adventures, (800) 342-1796

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Ecuador: Take a holiday cruise through the Galapagos Islands