Guides
Our Staff, Guides & Associates
Providing trouble-free, enjoyable adventures requires constant attention to details where it counts—at the trip location. So we carefully select some of the most critical people on your trip—our overseas partners, who work exclusively for INCA travelers. Our thoughtful and caring friends in Ecuador, Perú, Galápagos, and Turkey do it all—from getting roses for your sweetheart to tracking down missing luggage to finding a doctor. They're on call 24 hours daily to take care of you.
In our Oakland office, we plan and organize your trips in exact detail. We build and maintain close relationships with each vendor to ensure you get the best service through our partnerships. INCA employees regularly travel to the destinations to further their knowledge of the wildlife, guides, museums, site visits, yachts, hotel accommodations, and trip content to ensure our adventures continue exceeding INCA standards.
The naturalist guide is the most important element in any trip, especially with a destination like the Galapagos. Were it not for the right person to reveal the hidden secrets of the landscape and animals, the Galapagos may all seem a bit boring. These talented teachers make the landscape come alive and reveal what Darwin learned from this magnificent landscape.
Richard Polatty – Galapagos & Antarctica
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 travelled internationally to witness and photograph 7 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.
Greg Estes – Galapagos
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.
Greg and his wife, Thalia Grant, spent several years retracing Charles Darwin’s movements through the Galapagos using information extracted from Darwin’s original notes and manuscripts from the famous voyage of HMS Beagle. Their research was the basis of their book, “Darwin in Galapagos: Footsteps to a New World.” This book has been widely read by visitors to Galapagos and is often used by naturalist guides for interpreting the wildlife and geology of Galapagos in the context of Darwin’s work.
Greg has served as a licensed naturalist guide of the Galapagos National Park Service since 1982 and continues to work as a naturalist and expeditions leader in the islands. He is in high demand by university and natural history organizations alike.
Patricia Stucki – Galapagos
Patricia Stucki was born and raised in St. Gallen – in eastern Switzerland. Her interest in the Galapagos was awoken when she was a girl selling Swiss chocolates to protect this archipelago.
Working as a journalist for a Swiss news agency and newspapers and 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 the ocean and islands captured her awe. Her work as a naturalist and dive guide in the islands is 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 and underwater and is active as a conservationist. She speaks Spanish, English, German, and French fluently.
Bihter Kuranel – Turkey
Born in 1974 amidst the captivating allure of Istanbul, Turkey, Bihter embarked upon a journey of intellectual pursuit and passion. She attended Bosphorus University and graduated in 1996 with a degree in economics.
Bihter wanted to combine her education with her passion to build a career. Her love for hiking and history made a perfect fit for becoming a tour guide. In 1977 Bihter became an officially licensed tour guide and began leading tours around Turkey. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a career dedicated to illuminating the past and the outdoors for curious travelers.
Over the years, she has become a seasoned expert in archaeology, art history, botany, and culinary culture. She offers guests a rich tapestry of knowledge distinguished by an unwavering commitment to delivering an informative and engaging experience. Bihter’s decades of glowing guest reviews attest to her deep understanding of historical and modern Turkey and her ability to convey nuances with clarity and grace.
Outside the world of tourism, Bihter’s love for the outdoors finds expression in her leisure activities. She cherishes moments spent in nature and has a special fondness for cultivating strawberry plants that have taken over her flowerpots! In addition, she loves to cook and, when she has time, she loves to curl up with a good book.
As far as language proficiency goes, Bihter is fluent in English and Turkish, and possesses a basic understanding of French.