galapagos photography tours

Don Mammoser Photo Tours

Galapagos Photo Tour

Galapagos photography tour.

April 6-15, 2024

SOLD OUT – I am not running this tour in 2025, or 2026. Check back for possible 2027 dates.

Download the Galapagos PDF Here

Incredible Wildlife

This is a unique Galapagos photography tour – planned and led by a professional. The stunning and World-renowned Galapagos Islands are best visited by small yacht which can cruise to outer islands in order to be amongst the incredible displays of tame and awesome wildlife. There’s nowhere like the Galapagos Islands. This is truly a trip of a lifetime!

Immersive Experience

During this Galapagos photography tour, we’ll live aboard a 16 passenger yacht while being catered to by a wonderful crew of 9 including a licensed Galapagos park guide.  I promise you amazing photo opportunities and a completely unique experience as we cruise the Galapagos Islands and photograph everything.

The itinerary you choose in the Galapagos is by far the most important aspect of any trip there. You can certainly find a boat and subsequent itinerary which caters to those wishing for a week of crowded sunbathing beaches, or parties and nightlife.

For photographers, however, I know well that we all want an itinerary which gives us the best possible chance to interact with and photograph the highest number of interesting and unique species and island scenes. And we don’t want to be crowded out by other people and/or boats while trying to get our photos.

Yes, you can get a spot on an everyday Galapagos boat for less than the cost of my trip, or you can get on board a budget priced ‘cattle-call’ boat (or not-so-budget-priced, i.e. “name-brand” boat) with hundreds of other passengers, but as a photographer, you don’t want that. I have worked hard with my contacts in Ecuador, a boat crew, and a naturalist/guide to come up with the best possible 8 day cruise for maximizing our time among photogenic animals, good snorkeling sites, and scenic island locations. This is a Galapagos itinerary made by a photographer for photographers.

We will live aboard a “tourist superior” class yacht for this Galapagos photography tour. The yacht holds just 14 participants in 7 comfortable cabins (plus myself in a cabin). You’ll find the accommodations onboard are not overly opulent, but they are very clean, modern and comfortable. Each 2-person cabin has its own bathroom with shower and hot and cold water. The food will be ample, fresh, varied, local and delicious. Our guide will take us to locations a bit earlier or we’ll stay a bit later than most other tours because she knows that we are interested primarily in getting great photos. And we visit places that not every boat goes to and that certainly the larger ships can’t even get close to.

Below is the itinerary I have worked out for my group. This trip visits the best of the best of what makes the Galapagos so unique. It is by far, the best 8 day Galapagos photography tour itinerary I could ever have dreamed of. I can’t wait to share these places with my clients! 

Galapagos Photography Tour Quick Menu

This is an itinerary made by photographers for photographers

April 6, 2024 : Arrival day into Ecuador: Guayaquil, Ecuador Arrive today on your flight from the USA to Guayaquil’s Jose Joaquin De Olmedo Airport. ( A irport code GYE ) This airport is very close to the downtown area of Guayaquil. Because many flights from the USA to Guayaquil arrive in the evening, and since our flight to the Galapagos Islands departs early tomorrow morning, we’ll simplify things by staying very close to the airport tonight. Our hotel is just a 5-10 minute drive from the international airport. Our hotel has a 24 hour ($3/person) airport shuttle. Meet and greet, dinner and relax tonight.

April 7, 2024 : Day 1 – Arrival in Galapagos and transfer to boat: Early morning transfer from the hotel to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos. Airplane will be a ‘typical’ 3 rows per side/aisle in the middle, aircraft. (Airbus A320 or similar). Baggage allowance is 66 lbs. total (44 lbs. check in and 22 lbs carry on). Pass Galapagos customs (US $100 cash only payment required), park entrance formalities, etc., then transfer to our yacht.

North Seymour Island Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lavas containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.

Highlights: Land & marine iguanas, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions; snorkeling: rays, reef sharks, fish, garden eels. Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride & hiking (1.5 mi/2.5 km) Type of Landing: Dry landing Difficulty: Moderate/difficult

April 8, 2024 : Day 2 – First Location: Sombrero Chino One of the most recognizable Galapagos Islands, its name means “Chinese Hat.” It’s easy to see why: this islet off of Santiago is shaped like an old-fashioned Chinaman’s hat, a gently sloping cone rising out of the clear Galapagos water. In spite of its good location, Sombrero Chino receives fewer visitors than other Galapagos sites. This is because it’s semi-protected by the Park service.

Highlights: Marine iguanas, Sally lightfoot crabs, Sea lions, Lava cactus, Wading birds, views; snorkeling: reef sharks, fish, Galapagos penguins Activities: Snorkeling, hiking (1 mi/1.6 km) Type of Landing: Wet landing Difficulty: Moderate

April 8, 2024 : Day 2 – Second Location: Bartholomew Island Home of the famous Pinnacle Rock, Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs leads to the summit of the volcano, boasting one of the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling and possible sightings of the Galapagos penguin.

Highlights: Pinnacle Rock, panoramic view, moonlike landscape, penguins, pioneer plants, lava cactus; snorkeling, reef sharks, rays, and great colorful fish. Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling & hiking (1.25 mi/ 2km) Type of Landing: Dry and wet landings Difficulty: Moderate/difficult. Walk to the top of volcano 114 meters, 375 wooden steps

April 9, 2024 : Day 3 – First Location: Genovesa Island – Darwin Bay This white sand coral beach has a half mile trail (0.75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted here. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view from a cliff.

Highlights: Nazca boobies, red- footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, mangroves, coral pebbles beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish and hammerhead sharks Activities: Hiking (0.9 mi/1.5 km), snorkeling, & dinghy ride Type of Landing: Wet landing. Difficulty: Easy/moderate

April 9, 2024 : Day 3 – Second Location: Genovesa Island – El Barranco Also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, El Barranco’s steep, rocky path leads up to a high cliff-face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to palo santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves.

Highlights: Red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves Activities: Hiking (0.9 mi/2 km) Type of Landing: Dry, difficult landing Difficulty: Moderate

April 10, 2024 : Day 4 – First Location: Santiago Island – Egas Port Also known as James Bay, Egas Port is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur sea lions bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.

Highlights: Fur sea lions, Galapagos sea lions, tidal pools and “grottos”, Galapagos hawks, oyster catchers, marine iguanas, finches; snorkeling: reef sharks, turtles, rays, nice underwater formations. Activities: Snorkeling, hiking (1.25 mi/2 km) Type of Landing: Wet landing Difficulty: Easy /moderate

April 10, 2024 : Day 4 – Second Location: Rábida Island Rábida Island (Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago and a great snorkeling site. Its famous maroon sandy beach and stunning lookouts provide wonderful landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.

Highlights: Finches, Galapagos hawks, white-cheeked pintail ducks, penguins; Snorkeling: colorful fish, sea lions, brackish water lagoon Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride & short hike (0.6 mi /1 km) Type of Landing: Wet landing Difficulty: Easy/ moderate

April 11, 2024 : Day 5 – First Location: Santa Cruz Island – Charles Darwin Station The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Sub-species of tortoises interact with one another and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans, stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.

“Turtles” live in water and “tortoises” live on land. You cannot touch the tortoises (or any other animals) in the Galápagos.

Highlights: Giant tortoises in captivity Activities: Walking Type of Landing: Dry landing Difficulty: Easy

April 11, 2024 : Day 5 – Second Location: Santa Cruz Island – Santa Cruz Highlands Reached by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green, contrasting beautifully with much of the dry, lower islands. The dominant vegetation in the highlands is the Scalesia trees, creating the lush green color. The lava tubes, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience.

Highlights: Lava tunnels, wild tortoises, tortoise breeding center. Activities: Hike (1.5 mi/ 2 ½ km) Type of Landing: Dry landing Difficulty: Moderate (long)

April 12, 2024 : Day 6 – First Location: Española Island – Gardner Bay Gardner Bay, on the eastern side of the island, is the breeding site of nearly all of the world´s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. It has an ample white sandy beach with a myriad of sea lions, perfect for relaxing. Its rocky shores make this site a great place for diving and snorkeling.

Highlights: White sandy beach, breeding albatrosses, sea lions, mockingbirds; snorkeling: colorful fish, sea lion nursery Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride, short hike of (0.6 mi/1 km) Type of Landing: Wet landing Difficulty: Easy

April 12, 2024 : Day 6 – Second Location: Española Island – Suárez Point This area is great for spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies. A beautiful site on the oceanfront, the large waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air. This site presents wonderful photograph opportunities.

Highlights: Hood mockingbird, Nazca boobies, waved albatross, red-billed tropicbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawk, blue-footed boobies, blow hole, amazing landscape Activities: Hike (1.9 mi/3 km) Type of Landing: Dry Landing Difficulty: Difficult

April 13, 2024 : Day 7 – First Location: Santa Fe Island Santa Fe (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails, one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.

Highlights: Land Iguanas, giant Opuntia cacti Activities: Hiking Type of Landing: Dry landing Difficulty: Moderate

April 13, 2024 : Day 7 – Second Location: South Plaza Island This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.

Highlights: Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon´s shearwaters, swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, amazing landscape with cliffs Activities: Hike (2 ½ km /1.55 mi) Type of Landing: Dry landing Difficulty: Moderate

April 14, 2024 : Day 8 – First Location: (and then transfer to airport for flight to Guayaquil) Santa Cruz Island – Black Turtle Cove Black Turtle Cove is situated in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a safe haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.

Highlights: Hammerhead shark babies, rays, sea turtles, sea birds Activities: Dinghy ride Type of Landing: No landing Difficulty: Easy

April 14, 2024 : After Galapagos Flight from Galapagos to mainland Ecuador, then transfer to our familiar Guayaquil hotel again. Optional final group dinner or get-together. You may also choose to fly home this day after 8pm.

April 15, 2024 : Final Goodbyes Morning breakfast and goodbyes to those leaving on flights elsewhere today. 

• Tour begins and ends in Guayaquil, Ecuador (airport code GYE).
• You should arrive into Guayaquil as early as possible on April 6th in order to attend the initial meet/greet at 6pm that evening.
• Our hotel in Guayaquil has a 24 hour shuttle service ($3) to take you to the hotel. They will meet you just outside the arrivals area.
• Round-trip airfare from Guayaquil to the Galapagos islands is included!
• A travel Visa is not currently required for citizens of the US or Canada to visit Ecuador as a tourist.
• Outbound flights should be booked for April 15th anytime.
• You can download a detailed Galapagos Photo Tour PDF Here.
• All photo locations require walking over uneven pathways or up boardwalks with lots of steps. The longest hike is 2.0 miles, but we never move very quickly and always take LOTS of time to photograph or learn abou the natural history of what we are witnessing along the way.
• Trails can be wet and slippery – bring proper hiking footwear.
• Tropical heat can be tiring for those not acclimitized.
• Drinking plenty of water or energy drinks helps. – Bring a refillable water bottle.
• Variable skies, some sunny, some cloudy, some rainy with daytime temperatures in the 80’s Fahrenheit.
• Early morning/nighttime temperatures generally in the 70’s Fahrenheit.
• Rainstorms can (and will) hit anytime in the tropics, and this means wet, slippery trails, boardwalks and walkways.
• Digital camera body or 2 in order to have a backup
• Wildlife zoom lens such as a 200-600mm, 100-400mm or similar
• Wide angle scenic lens such as a full frame equivalent of 17-40mm or 28-200mm
• Small tripod (optional) or perhaps a monopod but most photography is easiest handheld
• Polarizing filter for your wide angle lens
• Extra batteries and battery charger – the yacht has the same type plugs for electrical equipment as those in North America
• Plenty of memory cards – you might shoot up to 5,000 images/day
• 9 nights accommodations* as follows – 2 nights in Guayaquil, Ecuador (1 before and 1 after the nights on the yacht)                      
• 7 nights aboard the tourist superior-class yacht “Angelito”.
• Round-trip airfare from Guayaquil, Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands.
• All meals, snacks, water, tea, coffee while on board the yacht.
• Semi-private (2 persons/cabin) berth with full en-suite bathroom with hot water shower aboard the yacht, 1 or 2 beds depending on cabin configuration.
• No bunk beds.
• All cabins have air conditioning and ample storage for gear.
• Services of yacht crew of 9 professionals including licensed naturalist/guide.
• Use of a wetsuit and snorkeling gear while on board the yacht.
• Photography expertise and leadership from Don Mammoser.
• All guided activities such as island walks, natural history lessons, and snorkeling while on board the yacht.

*Accommodations are based on double occupancy. For those not traveling as a couple I will accommodate you with a participant of the same sex. Rooms in Guayaquil have 2 beds. Cabins aboard the yacht have 2 beds (or 1 larger bed for couples if preferred).

Not Included

• Air fare to Guayaquil, Ecuador (Airport code GYE)
• Meals or optional activities while in Guayaquil
• Airport Transfer ($3/per one way)
• Passport or visa fees (visas are not required for US or Canadian citizens)
• Galapagos National Park entry fees of $100 USD payable upon arrival in cash only
• TCT card upon arrival in Galapagos – $20
• Travel insurance
• Gifts and items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc. 
• Gratuities to yacht crew and guide

Images From Galapagos Photo Tour

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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: Extraordinary wildlife photography in the footsteps of Darwin

Mother and pup (Image by Mark Beaman)

Focal plain shot of a Ghost Crab (image by Inger Vandyke)

A Land Iguana wanders past some remarkably red vegetation (Image by Mark Beaman)

Nazca Booby in flight (image by Inger Vandyke)

One of the most charismatic Galapagos seabirds is the Blue-footed Booby (Image by Mark Beaman)

Even inhabited islands like Isabela are still wild over large areas (Image by Mark Beaman)

They also qualify as one of the most raucous. Note those huge eyes, ringed in red, for this species feeds mainly at night (Image by Mark Beaman)

Swimming with sealions in the Galapagos. It's hard to know if they entertain you or if it's the other way round (image by Inger Vandyke)

A Galapagos Shearwater brakes with its feet as it approaches its nest site (Image by Mark Beaman)

Brown Noddies are common in the islands (Image by Mark Beaman)

The lovely Darwin's Flycatcher (Image by Mark Beaman)

Frigatebirds are well-known for stealing food from other seabirds, but in Galapagos they often hunt for themselves (Image by Mark Beaman)

The most iconic creature of Galapagos must surely be the prehistoric-looking Marine Iguana (Image by Mark Beaman)

Graceful Red-billed Tropicbirds sail past the cliffs (Image by Mark Beaman)

Brown Pelicans are the largest fish-eaters in the islands (Image by Mark Beaman)

As loud as it is goofy (Image by Mark Beaman)

Galapagos Shearwaters stream along the red cliff edges (Image by Mark Beaman)

The dramatic volcanic scenery of the Galapagos Islands (Image by Mark Beaman)

The spectacular Kicker Rock at sunrise (image by Inger Vandyke)

Galapagos has many seabird riches, including nesting Red-footed Boobies (Image by Mark Beaman)

Watching its waddling display with wings open and bill pointed to the sky is one of the best wildlife experiences in the islands (Image by Mark Beaman)

The rather solitary Galapagos Penguin (Image by Mark Beaman)

Nazca Booby (Image by Mark Beaman)

They have developed an unusual habit in the Galapagos; perching on pelicans' heads hoping to snatch a tidbit or two (Image by Mark Beaman)

There is much displaying going on, with loud calling (Image by Mark Beaman)

Galapagos Hawk enjoying his Lava Lizard dinner (image by Inger Vandyke)

Even if you are a Flightless Cormorant, those stumpy little wings still have to be dried (Image by Mark Beaman)

Land Iguanas like to eat the prickly pears (Image by Mark Beaman)

As with all albatrosses, there are affectionate greetings between pairs (Image by Mark Beaman)

The Galapagagos Islands have no fewer than 30 endemic bird species, most of which, like this Lava Heron, are not seabirds (Image by Mark Beaman)

A Green Turtle swims past our yacht in the crystal clear Galapagos water (Image by Mark Beaman)

A small flock of Galapagos Flamingos on one of our photography landings in the islands (image by Inger Vandyke)

The Galapagos Hawk is incredibly tame on the uninhabited islands (Image by Mark Beaman)

Just when you think you are having a nice sleep in the sun... (Image by Mark Beaman)

Cetaceans are quite common in Galapagos, but not easy to photograph. This is a Bryde's Whale (Image Mark Beaman)

The dance of Waved Albatross during their courtship display (image by Inger Vandyke)

While colourful Sally Lightfoot Crabs scurry about the rock pools (Image by Mark Beaman)

Large Tree Finch, as the name suggests it is a forest critter (Image by Mark Beaman)

One of the finer older gents of the Galapagos. Portrait of an elderly Galapagos Tortoise (image by Inger Vandyke)

On some islands colourful endemic Brachycereus cacti are to be found (Image by Mark Beaman)

Galapagos Sealions are numerous, inhabiting just about every beach and many rocky areas (Image by Mark Beaman)

and sky-pointing (Image by Mark Beaman)

There is a wide variation in colour from black and grey... (Image by Mark Beaman)

Marine Iguanas swim as well as any fish, diving to the bottom to feed on algae (Image by Mark Beaman)

Another much-loved Galapagos seabird is the huge Waved Albatross (Image by Mark Beaman)

Magnificent Frigatebirds are nesting everywhere (Image by Mark Beaman)

But all that clumsiness on land disappears when it plunges like a dart into the ocean in pursuit of prey (Image by Mark Beaman)

Of all the many scenic spots in the Galapagos, Kicker Rock is surely amongst the top five. You can even sail a large yacht down the narrow cleft between the rock stack and the main island! (Image by Mark Beaman)

Galapagos Shearwater gliding above the equatorial seas (Image by Mark Beaman)

The males inflate their large red gular pouches until they are as large as balloons (Image by Mark Beaman)

Everything is fine in Galapagos until one of those damn Espanola Mockingbirds climbs on your back! (Image by Mark Beaman)

A white morph adult Red-footed Booby (Image by Mark Beaman)

Down on the beach, ghost crabs dig new burrows (Image by Mark Beaman)

This one is bringing a small stone back to its nest site for the special egg platform (Image by Mark Beaman)

Or one of those creepy little lava lizards wants to play 'king of the castle' (Image by Mark Beaman)

Once in the rocky crevice they nest in, that tail must go somewhere... (Image by Mark Beaman)

Wildlife means me chaps... (Image by Mark Beaman)

Even using a compact underwater camera, you can have a lot of fun photographing Galapagos sealions underwater (image by Inger Vandyke)

An Elliot's Storm Petrel 'dances' on the water as it feeds (Image by Mark Beaman)

The uncommon San Cristobal Mockingbird (Image by Mark Beaman)

Sunset Iguana (image by Inger Vandyke)

The pretty Galapagos Dove (Image by Mark Beaman)

In flight they are even more striking (Image by Mark Beaman)

Blue-footed Booby satisfying an itch (image by Inger Vandyke)

It is hard to tell if Nazca Boobies in Galapagos are being affectionate or squabbling... (Image by Mark Beaman)

The Spanish name for the islands, Galápagos, means riding saddle and probably derived from the appearance of some of the endemic Giant Tortoises (Image by Mark Beaman)

The birds raft offshore before visiting their breeding colonies (Image by Mark Beaman)

These ponderous leviathans still survive on some of the islands (Image by Mark Beaman)

In places heaps of them bask together, snorting the accummulated salt from their nostrils (Image by Mark Beaman)

A young Great Frigatebird yawns during the long wait for its next meal (Image by Mark Beaman)

Sealion portrait (Image by Mark Beaman)

One of the most beautiful Galapagos seabirds is the Swallow-tailed Gull (Image by Mark Beaman)

...to red and brown (Image by Mark Beaman)

A female Large Ground Finch, one of a large series of 'Darwin's Finches' species that have shown remarkable adaptive radiation on the islands (Image by Mark Beaman)

Often they loll in groups to get warm; Galapagos waters are cool (Image by Mark Beaman)

Waved Albatross head (Image by Mark Beaman)

The Galapagos have many endemic plants, including a variety of prickly pears (Opuntia species) (Image by Mark Beaman)

A sea lion comes ashore in the evening light (image by Inger Vandyke)

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS WITH WILD IMAGES

The Galapagos archipelago is an outstanding place to visit for wildlife photography, being special in so many ways. Dedicated Galapagos photography tours are the best way for photographers to explore the islands. The Galapagos Islands have one of the highest rates of endemism of any island group in the world and harbour many unique creatures, including several forms of Giant Tortoise, the strange but wonderful Marine Iguana and no fewer than 30 endemic species of birds, not to mention a huge array of other endemic wildlife and plants and photogenic creatures of wider distribution. The Galapagos, even today, is largely unspoilt by development, its ecology has not been extensively disrupted or even destroyed by harmful introductions of alien species and it is renowned for the total fearlessness of its wildlife, allowing extremely close yet harmless approach and thus some of the best wildlife photography opportunities on earth. Moreover, it is a starkly beautiful group of islands with some truly superb landscapes.

The islands are also justly famous as the birthplace of Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution through natural selection and the inspiration for his book The Origin of Species , formulated after his visit in 1835. This world in microcosm is situated on the Equator some 1000 kilometres (600 miles) out into the Pacific Ocean off Ecuador. Here Darwin found a raw, active volcanic world that was geologically young and had never been joined to the continents. He found it inhabited by a strange, almost random, selection of plants, reptiles, birds and mammals – all of which had apparently reached the islands by chance and were in the process of ‘coming to terms’ with their new-found environment, slowly evolving into new species that would be adapted to an often harsh and demanding habitat.

Thanks to the isolation of the archipelago, its general inhospitability to man and the generations of zoologists who followed Darwin and made the world aware of the unique phenomenon that is the Galapagos, many of the islands can still be seen in a fairly similar condition to that which Darwin viewed them in 1835. Although depredations by whalers, sealers, settlers and passing mariners took their toll on the wildlife in the past, the Ecuadorian government declared most of the 8000 square kilometres (nearly 3100 square miles) of the archipelago, which consists of over 50 islands, a national park in 1959. Most of the archipelago and its important wildlife is now carefully protected as one of the most precious of the world’s natural showpieces. Thanks to this foresight, the Galapagos now attracts wildlife photographers from around the world who want to get up close and personal with its extraordinary, utterly tame inhabitants.

On some of the flatter Galapagos islands, recent lava flows, some smooth and rope-like, others jagged and clinker-like, still await their first covering of vegetation, while older flows nearby are already thick with cacti, spiky shrubbery and white-barked Palo Santo trees adapted to the arid climate. The volcanic peaks rise to over 1700m (5578ft) and the scant upland soils support a thicker, lusher vegetation that benefits from a more humid climate. Along the coasts, beautiful white, black and red sand beaches contrast with mangrove-fringed lagoons and tall cliffs of volcanic cinders. Isabela, one of the more recently formed islands, is the largest in the archipelago at over 100 kilometres (60 miles) long, and at the other extreme are tiny eroded islets, remnants of old volcanic cones, that now support large and spectacular seabird colonies. This variety of terrestrial habitats combined with surrounding cold oceanic currents with their abundant marine life makes for a rich pattern of wildlife. The isolation of the Galapagos has of course stimulated the evolution of endemic plants and animals – many confined to single islands within the archipelago. This will make every day of our Galapagos wildlife photography tour a unique experience in itself, as we sail from island to island finding new sights and new species at each.

A visit to the Galapagos provides an unforgettable, absolutely fantastic wildlife photography experience for every type of natural history enthusiast. Our tour has been specially designed to be the ultimate in wildlife photography tours to the Galapagos, aiming to provide opportunities to have extended landings on all of the most interesting islands from a photography stand point. Being part of a dedicated natural history and wildlife photography group charter on a 15-passenger first-class yacht makes it possible for our Wild Images participants to experience the Galapagos in a way that is simply not possible on the large cruise ships, which take up to 100 or more passengers (many with little interest in wildlife), whose much shorter periods ashore inevitably make for a rushed and incomplete experience.

We shall be travelling on a very comfortable motor yacht, allowing us to visit areas only accessible to smaller boats (and get there without spending too much time over it). Our special Galapagos itinerary has been carefully worked out to ensure that we visit all the key sites and that we have plenty of time at each place we go ashore to see the wildlife and to appreciate it in our own way. Our special Wild Images itinerary will give us the chance to find and photograph all of the islands’ accessible endemic birds, a number of more widespread seabirds (including the wonderful boobies and Waved Albatrosses) and many of the endemic reptiles, including both Marine and Land Iguanas, and the famous Giant Tortoises that gave their name to the archipelago (galápagos means ‘riding saddle’ in Spanish and is probably a reference to the shell shape of some of the endemic forms).

During our wildlife photography voyage through this magical archipelago we plan to visit Seymour (or North Seymour), Genovesa (or Tower), Isabela (or Albemarle), Fernandina (or Narborough), Floreana (or Charles), Española (or Hood), Santa Cruz (or Indefatigable) and San Cristóbal (or Chatham). Cruising amongst the islands is an intensely exciting experience, yet at the same time wonderfully relaxing, with time between landfalls to watch this strange world pass by (and admire the local cetaceans and seabirds), and whilst at anchor, get into the water and snorkel amongst beautiful tropical fish and ever-curious sealions. Of all the wildlife photography journeys we make on this marvellous but threatened planet of ours, we rate our Galapagos voyages amongst the most amazing and most memorable experiences.

Our handsome, first-class motor yacht, the Nemo III, has 8 cabins available for either twin or single occupancy and comfortably takes up to 14 passengers. Five cabins have two single berths and three have a double berth for couples. The pleasant cabins are air-conditioned, have ample storage space, a private bathroom with hot shower, and 110v AC electrical outlets (with USA-type sockets). On-board instrumentation includes satellite navigation, radar, sonar, single sideband radio and cellular phone. Being a catamaran, Nemo III is a very stable boat (so there is minimal chance of seasickness unless you are unusually prone, or there is atypical weather for this time of year!) and is spacious overall, with a large outdoor viewing/lounging area, and a spacious inside dining and lounge/bar area. The boat carries a crew of seven plus a university-level naturalist-guide.

If you want a very special Galapagos wildlife photography adventure, Nemo III can surely provide it. For full details and images of Nemo III, one of the best modern yachts available in the Galapagos, have a look at http://nemogalapagoscruises.com

For anyone with a keen interest in wildlife photography, it is vital to select a yacht which has an authorized itinerary that includes all the key islands, and in particular both Genovesa (or Tower) and Española (or Hood), deservedly renowned as the very best of the Galapagos ‘enchanted islands’! Our special charter itinerary on Nemo III has the necessary permissions to achieve the perfect itinerary for keen wildlife photographers.

We have operated Galapagos Islands photography tours since 1989.

Accommodation & Road Transport

For our wildlife photography cruise in the Galapagos Islands we shall be based on Nemo III, our first class motor catamaran (a twin-hulled yacht) with twin or double berth cabins (available for either twin or single occupancy) with private bathroom. The hotel near Quito airport is of good standard. The few roads in the islands are of variable quality, as are those in the Quito region. Road transport will be by small coach or minibus (and ‘truck-bus’ on Floreana).

The walking effort in the Galapagos Islands is mostly easy, but some nature trails on the islands are over rougher terrain where a little agility, or a stick, are required.

From sea-level to moderate altitudes in Galapagos it is predominantly warm or hot all year. Sunny and overcast conditions tend to alternate (but rain is only likely at these elevations between January and April, when the humidity is rather high). Conditions in the highlands are similar but cooler and there can be rain showers at any time of year (with frequent rainfall between January and April). From May to December, low cloud often shrouds the highlands, but the lowlands are usually sunny.

Wildlife Photography

Opportunities for wildlife photography in the Galapagos Islands are simply outstanding (there are few if any places in this world that are better!). Landings on our photography tour are of longer duration than those made by most visitors (we start earlier and end later than they do), thus maximising opportunities for our group members. Early in the morning, we often have landing sites to ourselves, and with the best light!

Photographic Equipment

If you use a DSLR for wildlife photography you should bring telephotos (and converters) that will (with a full-frame body) cover the range 200-500mm or 600mm or more. Even a short telephoto of around 100-135mm can be great in certain circumstances in Galapagos, as so much wildlife is fearless. You will also find a wide angle lens good for landscapes and close up photography of boobies and some other birds. There will be quite a few opportunities to use a macro lens. If you bring a good quality bridge camera instead of a DSLR (and this is a perfectly good option in the Galapagos Islands, where so much wildlife photography involves close encounters) it will be best if it has an optical zoom of 18-20x or more, combined with a reasonable wide-angle at the other end of the zoom range. Be sure to bring plenty of spare battery power. If you would like to talk over suitable equipment, please contact our office. We will be happy to advise.

Photographic Highlights

• Our Galapagos expedition uses a comfortable, first class catamaran that takes only 14 passengers and so is allowed to make landings at prime photography sites that are off-limits to larger vessels
• Awesome close-up encounters with all kinds of wildlife
• Boobies displaying virtually at your feet and nesting just as close
• Frigatebirds nesting and displaying at eye-level
• Heaps of Marine Iguanas sunning themselves
• Strange little Darwin’s Finches hopping everywhere and showing adaptive radiation, something that helped Darwin formulate his evolutionary theories
• Crazily tame mockingbirds perching on lenses or your feet
• The wonderful courtship displays of the Waved Albatross
• Beautiful Red-billed Tropicbirds and Swallow-tailed Gulls along the cliffs
• Wild volcanic landscapes
• Sealions up close and personal and retiring fur seals
• Lurid Sally Lightfoot Crabs and fast moving Ghost Crabs

OUTLINE ITINERARY

• Day 1: Evening tour start at Quito.
• Day 2: Morning flight to Baltra in the Galapagos. Board Nemo III and depart.
• Days 3-8: Exploring the Galapagos, including Genovesa, Isabela, Fernandina, Floreana, Española and San Cristóbal.
• Day 9: Return to Baltra, disembark and transfer to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, exploring the highlands en route.
• Day 10: Santa Cruz, then return to Baltra and fly back to Quito.
• Day 11: Morning tour end at Quito.

To see a larger map, click on the square-like ‘enlarge’ icon in the upper right of the map box.

To see (or hide) the ‘map legend’, click on the icon with an arrow in the upper left of the map box.

To change to a satellite view, which is great for seeing the physical terrain (and for seeing really fine details by repetitive use of the + button), click on the square ‘map view’ icon in the lower left corner of the ‘map legend’.

PRICE INFORMATION

Wild Images Inclusions: Our tour prices include surface transportation, accommodations and meals.

Our tour prices also include these flights: Quito-Baltra (Galapagos)-Quito.

Our tour prices also include all tips for local drivers and accommodation/restaurant staff in Quito and while ashore on inhabited islands in Galapagos.

Galapagos national park fees of US$100 (subject to change) are payable by the individual passenger at passport control in the Galapagos, or before boarding the flight to Galapagos at Quioto, and are not included in the tour price.

Gratuities on board the yacht for the naturalist-guide and crew are not included in the tour price. The staff work very long hours to make such cruises a success, including a great deal of night sailing, and each passenger usually gives gratuities totalling around US$200 at the end of the cruise.

Deposit: 30% of the total tour price. Our office will let you know what deposit amount is due, in order to confirm your booking, following receipt of your online booking form.

Tour Invoice and Cancellation Charges: For this tour, as it involves a special yacht charter, the tour invoices are sent out five months before the tour start. The cancellation charge for cancellations made 6 months or less before the tour start date is 100% of the total tour price.

TO BOOK THIS TOUR: Click here (you will need the tour dates)

Reduced Rate Cabins: Cabins 7 and 8 are smaller than the other cabins. Cabin 7 has twin beds and Cabin 8 has one smaller double bed. These cabins are accessed off Nemo’s dining area by sliding hatches rather than conventional hinged doors. They are also a bit noisier than the other cabins. These cabins are available for twin or double occupancy at a reduced rate of 80% of the standard twin/double-share tour price per person.

Single Occupancy: The single supplement quoted above only applies to the nights ashore in Quito and Santa Cruz.

If you would like guaranteed single occupancy of a cabin onboard the boat, there are two cabins available for single occupancy. Cabins 7 and 8. Please see details above. These cabins are available for single occupancy at an additional charge of 25% over and above the twin/double-share tour price. [Single occupancy of any other cabin can also be arranged but the additional charge will be 90% of the twin/double-share price.]

Please note that if you opt to share a cabin you will not have to pay the single occupancy cabin supplement even if you do not end up with a cabin-mate.

This tour is priced in US Dollars. Amounts shown in other currencies are indicative.

Air Travel To & From The Tour: Our in-house IATA ticket agency will be pleased to arrange your air travel on request, or you may arrange this yourself if you prefer.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR: DETAILED ITINERARY

Our Galapagos wildlife photography tour begins in the evening at Quito, the capital of Ecuador, where we will stay overnight.

This morning we will take a flight to the island of Baltra (which lies just off the northern coast of the much larger island of Santa Cruz (or Indefatigable: most islands in the Galapagos having both Spanish and English names). Here we will board the yacht Nemo III, our home for the next seven nights. During this period we shall cruise amongst the ‘Islas Encantadas’ or ‘Enchanted Islands’ as the Galapagos are known, for much of the time leaving the inhabited and greatly transformed larger islands behind and exploring the natural wildlife paradise that still survives on the smaller islands. Much of our travelling will be done at night so that we can maximize our time for photography ashore, but even daylight hours at sea are not wasted as we can enjoy encounters with pelagic seabirds such as the critically endangered Galapagos Petrel, which breeds in just a few colonies in the highlands of the Galapagos, and cetaceans such as Bryde’s Whale and Common Bottle-nosed Dolphin.

This afternoon we may make our first landing at nearby Seymour (or North Seymour), a small island that epitomizes the abundance and fearlessness of the local wildlife. Within minutes of landing we shall be stepping over and around nesting Blue-footed Boobies. Whilst we have to adhere to designated footpaths to minimize damage to the environment, the boobies know no such rules and are content to raise their comical looking chicks in the centre of the main thoroughfare. In low Cryptocarpus (saltbush), both Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds nest at eye-level and within arm’s reach. Here we should be able to enjoy watching and photographing the spectacle of the males waggling their grossly inflated red throat pouches and see the ungainly young on the tiny stick nests awaiting the next instalment of fish stolen by their parents from the hapless boobies. We should also come across some large and impressive Land Iguanas, which make for some great photography if you get down low.

A long stretch of boulder beach is home to dozens of Galapagos Sealions, an immensely appealing and photogenic animal that we will encounter many times during our cruise and surely have some close encounters with. Here, if sea conditions are suitable, we can watch them body-surfing through crashing, sunlit rollers. We should also find some Galapagos Fur Seals trying to shelter from the sun. While they have a total Galapagos population close to that of the sealions, they are much more shy and less often encountered, possibly because of the slaughter of tens of thousands in the past for the fur trade.

Rubbing shoulders with the seals will be a small number of endemic Lava Gulls. This is possibly the rarest gull in the world, numbering just 300-400 pairs. The intertidal zone is also a good place for the endemic Lava Heron and Yellow-crowned Night Heron, both feeding on the abundant, brilliant red Sally Lightfoot Crabs.

Elliot’s Storm Petrel is a common inshore species in Galapagos, and we may well find a group pottering right around our yacht (storm petrel photography can be a challenge, but the results can be very appealing), but surprisingly its nesting locations in the islands have never been found. We are also likely to see the breeding-endemic Galapagos Shearwater (split from Audubon’s), which nests in the coastal cliffs, Brown Pelican and the endemic Small Ground Finch.

This evening we will most likely set sail for one of the most remote islands in Galapagos, and surely their ultimate seabird colony, Genovesa (or Tower).

We shall spend this period cruising the Galapagos Islands. (The order in which the islands are visited may have to change, to comply with Galapagos National Park requirements.)

Genovesa (or Tower) is magnificent and remote, and every inch seems covered with birds. Many Galapagos cruises miss it out, yet it offers some unique creatures and experiences, and is one of the two best islands in the entire Galapagos for wildlife photography.

During our exploration of Tower we shall be sure to visit El Barranco, which is reached via Prince Philip’s Steps, named after the Duke of Edinburgh following his visit to Genovesa. Here Nazca Boobies nest in fair numbers (including right on the path we must follow), whilst Red-billed Tropicbirds prefer the narrower ledges along the cliffs which they share with exquisite Swallow-tailed Gulls, virtually a Galapagos breeding endemic (a few nest on tiny Malpelo island off Colombia) and possibly the most beautiful gull in the world. Another attraction here is the vast colony, numbered in tens of thousands of pairs, of Band-rumped (or Madeiran) and Wedge-rumped Storm Petrels. The latter species is unusual in being active at the colony by day, and the air is full of these tiny whirring seabirds weaving in and out on their way to and from their nest holes, and occasionally falling prey to the Galapagos form of the Short-eared Owl.

On landing at Darwin Bay, we step ashore on a white coral beach to find a mass of nesting Red-footed Boobies – one of the main reasons for our visit. This species, most of which are of the brown phase in the Galapagos, nests only on the outermost islands and is unusual for a booby in that it nests in low trees and shrubbery. Amongst these absurdly confiding birds, which we can approach and photograph at extremely close range, nest good numbers of Great Frigatebirds.

The main landbird specialities here are the endemic Genovesa Ground Finch and the endemic Genovesa Cactus Finch, both confined to Genovesa. The Darwin’s finches are a complex and unique group (with all but one species endemic to the Galapagos archipelago), perfectly illustrating adaptive radiation. On Genovesa the Genovesa Ground Finch and Genovesa Cactus Finch share the limited resources with Large Ground Finch and Grey (or Dusky) Warbler-Finch. The Genovesa Cactus Finch has evolved a bill midway between the huge, parrot-like bill of the Large Ground Finch and the slim bill of the other two species.

There are no such identification problems with the ever-present Mangrove Warbler and the endemic Galapagos Dove, both of which are very tame and make attractive subjects for photography

After we leave Genovesa we should encounter both Band-rumped Storm Petrels and Galapagos Shearwaters out at sea.

Along the spectacular west coast of Isabela (or Albemarle) a series of volcanic peaks tower up to 1707m (5601ft) above this largest of the Galapagos islands. At Punta Vicente Roca, at the northwestern tip of Isabela, nesting Brown Noddies are abundant on the impressive tuff (volcanic ash) cliffs, their smoky brown plumage well camouflaged against the rock, and endemic Galapagos Penguins hide in the recesses.

The coastal mangroves of Isabela hold almost all of the remaining population of the very localized and declining endemic Mangrove Finch (the population on Fernandina is thought to have become extinct, but reintroduction is being attempted). The park authorities nowadays only rarely allow visits to the best remaining sites for this species, in an effort to prevent disturbance to this critically-endangered bird, but we will request permission and we could get lucky!

We will likely visit one or more areas on the western coast of Isabela. At Tagus Cove one can see a natural harbour with ancient graffiti from ships’ crews dating back to 1836. A walk here to a tuff cone will turn up various finches and other landbirds. There is even a fair chance of encountering the uncommon endemic Galapagos Martin.

Isabela is dominated by a chain of huge volcanos that rise up to 1660m (5446ft) above sea-level. We will drive by ‘truck-bus’ (a truck converted to carry passengers) from Puerto Villamil up to the end of the road on the slopes of Volcán Sierra Negra (or Santo Tomás) and then walk up to the rim of the immense crater for spectacular views over this dramatic island. Reaching 1490m (4889ft), Sierra Negra is the second highest of the five huge volcanic cones that dominate Isabela, and in particular is a good spot for the rather elusive Galapagos Martin and the uncommon Vegetarian Finch. Other birds we are likely to encounter include endemics such as Galapagos Hawk, Large-billed Flycatcher, the lovely but rapidly declining Darwin’s Flycatcher, Galapagos Mockingbird, Medium and Small Ground Finches, Large Tree Finch, Woodpecker Finch and Green (or Olive) Warbler Finch, as well as Dark-billed Cuckoo. We will also have our first chance here for the delightful little endemic Galapagos Rail, which is sometimes quite unconcerned by its huge admirers, making a very close approach. It tends to skulk in the vegetation, unlike virtually all other Galapagos birdlife, making photography a challenge.

Fernandina (or Narborough) is one of the most recently active volcanic areas of the Galapagos and also one of the most magical islands. Here we will land at Punta Espinosa. Areas of bare lava are just beginning to be colonized by the first intrepid plant species such as the Brachycereus cactus. Where the lava reaches the sea there are some of the most impressive and photogenic gatherings of Marine Iguanas in the Galapagos. Hundreds of them lie motionless, basking in the sunshine, with just the odd snort as they sneeze away excess salt through their nostrils. Some are scattered across the flat, rocky platform while others are packed together in an intertwined mass. As almost always in Galapagos they are very approachable and make for some wonderful photography.

In this area we can also expect stunning, close-up encounters with endemic Flightless Cormorants. With the world population of less than 1000 individuals confined to this northwestern part of the Galapagos, it is one of the world’s rarest seabirds. The Galapagos Penguin, which occurs here in some numbers, is yet another Galapagos bird with a claim to fame, being the most northerly penguin in the world. The tidal pools often attract Green Turtles, while along the shoreline we may find shorebirds such as American Oystercatcher, Semipalmated Plover, Wandering Tattler and Ruddy Turnstone.

At Floreana (or Charles), the Floreana (or Charles) Mockingbird is now confined to the tiny offshore islets of Gardner and Champion, where this critically endangered species can be observed and photographed reasonably closely from a zodiac cruise early in the morning (as landings are not permitted). Afterwards we can enjoy some superb snorkelling. At Punta Cormorant we may visit a mangrove-fringed lagoon where a number of impossibly pink American Flamingos and White-cheeked Pintails should be present, along with waders such as Least and Spotted Sandpipers and Black-necked Stilt.

Floreana has a fascinating and intriguing human history including numerous attempts by colourful characters to settle the island, mysterious disappearances and unsolved murders! During the afternoon we will go ashore at the settlement and travel by ‘truck-bus’ into the comparatively luxuriant highlands. Here we should encounter Medium Tree Finch, which is only found in the higher parts of this one island. We will also be able to see the primitive cave dwellings used by the first settlers on the island.

Española (or Hood) is the most southeasterly island of the archipelago. By this time, many of us will be assessing which has been our favourite island or most memorable experience – wait until Española before making any decisions!

At this low-lying island some 15 kilometres (9 miles) long and totally uninhabited, we shall be greeted at Gardner Bay by the customary palaver of honking sealions, but amongst them are the distinctively heavy-billed Española (or Hood) Mockingbirds, phenomenally inquisitive, running up to peck at loose shoe-laces and discarded rucksacks, or climb onto unattended lenses and tripods!

Our visit to Española will reach its climax at fabulous Punta Suarez. Here can be found the huge-billed Española Ground Finch (confined to this one island), the largest of the endemic lava lizards and some particularly fine examples of Marine Iguanas with a bright reddish hue to the sides of their bodies. The Galapagos Hawks here are remarkably tame as they have never been persecuted, unlike the situation on the inhabited islands, making for some wonderful photography.

The real photography highlight of Española, however, will be that most special of all the Galapagos seabirds, the Waved Albatross (which breeds only here and, in much smaller numbers, on Isla de la Plata off the coast of Ecuador). At this time of year many of the adults will be incubating, but some will still be displaying as they greet each other when their partner returns from a feeding trip and they switch places. Watching them and photographing them as they point their bills skywards while stretching out their long wings and making their strange wailing cries is an experience one never forgets. Ungainly on land, once these leviathans have waddled rapidly across the rocks and taken to the air they become transformed into huge but graceful creatures that ride the updrafts along the cliffs.

This fantastic wildlife paradise also has some spectacular mixed colonies of Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, Red-billed Tropicbirds and Swallow-tailed Gulls. Offshore, we can often get quite close to rafting albatrosses.

San Cristóbal (or Chatham) is the most easterly of the Galapagos islands. One morning we will be off Punta Pitt at sunrise. We will go ashore and head inland to look for the endangered endemic San Cristobal (or Chatham) Mockingbird, found only on this one island. We should also see a small colony of Red-footed Boobies, probably the first we will have encountered since our visit to Genovesa. If sea conditions permit, we will also make a zodiac cruise to Pitt Rock to enjoy some photography with the fantastic number of nesting seabirds.

We will then navigate down the west side of San Cristóbal in order to make a landing at Cerro Brujo where there is a dramatic, eroded volcanic tuff cone. This was one of the first places visited by Charles Darwin, as he explored the islands on the Beagle, and the beach and lagoon here hold Brown Pelicans and a variety of shorebirds, not to mention many Red Ghost Crabs. Finally we will visit Kicker Rock (or Leon Dormicida, ‘Sleeping Lion’), just in time to admire and photograph this extraordinary and spectacular cleft pinnacle in the late afternoon light. Band-rumped Storm-Petrels and Bryde’s Whales are regularly seen in this area.

This morning we return to Baltra, where we say goodbye to our boat and crew before taking the airport bus the short distance to the narrow channel that divides Baltra island from the much larger Santa Cruz island, one of only three inhabited islands in the Galapagos. After a short ferry ride we will take a private transfer to Puerto Ayora, where we will stay overnight in a comfortable hotel.

From the bustling harbour of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz (or Indefatigable), we will make an outing to the highlands. We will certainly want to visit Los Gemellos, where some enormous, spectacular sinkholes in the limestone rocks are surrounded by beautiful forest that holds such endemic birds as Small Tree Finch and the famous Woodpecker Finch.

We will also have the opportunity to search for Giant Tortoises. Formerly common and widespread on many islands in the Galapagos, they are now either extinct or scarce. Tens of thousands were taken up to the 19th century by passing mariners. Stored live in ships’ holds for months with no food and water, they provided a ready source of fresh food and were also used as ballast! We shall visit a reserve area set aside for these prehistoric, painfully slow and cumbersome relics. At a marshy pool, where the tortoises often come to cool off, we are likely to enjoy some close-up photography with these leviathans. We will also keep a lookout for Paint-billed Crake (a recent colonist from the mainland) and both Common and Purple Gallinules.

Another interesting bird on Santa Cruz is the endemic Galapagos form of the American Barn Owl, and we will have further chances here to encounter Galapagos Rail and Galapagos Martin. In addition, we are likely to come across Western Cattle Egret and Smooth-billed Ani.

Providing we have time, we will pay a short visit to the Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, which offers excellent displays of material explaining Galapagos geology and ecology. The breeding programme for Giant Tortoises is open to the public, and we can mingle with some huge specimens from various islands displaying a great variety of adaptation of shell shape to environment.

After some final exploration on Santa Cruz we will return to Baltra airport and take a flight to Quito for an overnight stay.

Our Galapagos wildlife photography tour ends this morning at Quito.

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November-December 2024

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February 2025

JAPAN: WINTER WILDLIFE SPECTACULAR – Cranes, Eagles, Swans & Snow Monkeys

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Galapagos Photography Cruises

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As a traveler aboard Quasar Expeditions’ photography cruises, you will learn how to capture the beauty of Galapagos from the best in the industry. Guided through the archipelago by renowned professionals like Tui de Roy and Harry Skeggs, you will be reliving your journey through exceptional photographs for years to come.

From otherworldly wildlife to breathtaking scenery and extraordinary underwater landscapes, the Galapagos is an internationally-renowned destination for photographers. Whether you’re an amateur or budding professional, a photo cruise is an adventurous way to sharpen your skills with hands-on guidance from landscape and wildlife photography specialists.

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Offered on all Quasar departures, guests of any experience level are invited to explore the ins and outs of Galapagos. From crystal clear waters to calm inlets, sea kayaking offers insider access to secluded coves, mangrove estuaries, and beautiful beaches.

Experience the Galapagos by foot, guided by naturalist guides with 15+ years of experience touring the islands. With colorful plantlife, inspiring wildlife encounters, and other-wordly terrain, Guests of any age enjoy land excursions on every island.

Explore the vibrant underwater world of the Galapagos from the ship or shore. One of the most renowned daily activities in Galapagos, snorkeling requires no prior experience and can be enjoyed immensely by guests of all ages.

At Quasar Expeditions, our vision is to create authentic, meaningful land and sea experiences for our fellow travelers – unforgettable dining experiences included. The sustainably-sourced, thoughtfully-prepared cultural cuisine we serve pays tribute to the unique history, gastronomy, people, and agriculture of our destinations.

Feast on freshly caught tuna, sip on locally-grown coffee, and enjoy Ecuadorian flavors brand new to your pallet. Our menus are carefully crafted by celebrated chefs to nourish our Guests and fuel your Authentic Experiences and Lifetime Memories.

Each of our naturalists have over 15 years of experience providing Guests with an insider understanding of the Galapagos. All are level-3 certified, the highest level of guide expertise attainable in the archipelago.

The most knowledgeable, friendly team of local experts and hospitality specialists in the region has been selected to enhance your M/Y Grace experience. Prepare to be delighted by the friendliness and great service of one of the best crew teams in the Galapagos.

Bird watchers delight in daily opportunities to see some of the most rare, bizarre, and exotic bird species in the world. Keep a lookout for the quirky Flightless Cormorant, which due to the lack of predators, has lost its ability to fly.

Galapagos skies are starry and bright. Enjoy star-gazing experiences during several nights of your cruise, led by our experienced naturalists guides.

The location of the archipelago right at the equator, combined with the absence of light pollution, makes Galapaogs skies ideal to witness the constellations of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

An internationally famous photography destination, the Galapagos Islands are packed with unique landscapes, captivating wildlife, dramatic sunsets, and otherworldly terrain. Kodak moments await around every twist and turn.

Scuba diving is offered as an additional activity for those guests seeking full Galapagos immersion. With vibrant marine life encounters and radiant coves, this world-class experience is a Guest favorite.

Please inquire for full details on how to book a dive trip directly with island based diving outfitter.

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Ultimate Galápagos

Two weeks by luxury private yacht.

Straddling the equator 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador are  Las Islas Encantadas —the Enchanted Islands. Better known as the Galápagos Archipelago, it is one of the premier nature photography locations in the world, and a must-see for anyone who enjoys experiencing wildlife at close range, warm tropical weather, snorkeling with colorful fishes, and al fresco dining under the stars.

Participants see virtually all of the famous Galápagos wildlife specialties, and photograph many of the incredible and unique life forms that captivated Charles Darwin. One of the great joys of a visit to these islands is the remarkably unwary seabirds, which include such photogenic favorites as the red-footed, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, as well as the flamboyant magnificent frigatebirds with their scarlet throat pouches and aerial acrobatics. These birds of the open ocean allow human approach within a few yards during courtship and breeding. In addition there are elegant swallow-tailed gulls, handsome waved albatrosses, red-billed tropicbirds and flocks of resplendent American flamingos in their feathered finery.

Our extended tour includes the less-visited western side of the archipelago where we photograph, and possibly snorkel with, endearing Galápagos penguins and comical flightless cormorants—both of which are rare endemics of the archipelago. The islands are also home to those marvels of evolution, “Darwin’s finches,” as well as lumbering giant tortoises, marine and land iguanas, colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs and abundant sea lions with their doe-eyed pups. Each island is its own microcosm, different from but integrally linked to, the others of the group.

Our comprehensive schedule is arranged for early morning and late afternoon photography—the best times for observing and photographing animals and shooting landscapes. Whenever possible between morning and afternoon shooting sessions, we take time to snorkel in the coastal waters of the islands, searching for green sea turtles and enjoying the myriad coral reef fishes that bejewel the clear water.

We have timed the trip to coincide with one of Nature’s busiest seasons in the islands. Early summer is a time when warm weather, calm seas, blue skies and occasional showers combine to stimulate elaborate courtship displays in the birds and cloak the desert landscape in greenery, Chick rearing has begun, and we will see chick feedings as well as frigatebirds chasing food-laden gulls, terns, pelicans and boobies. 

We cruise aboard the aptly named  M/V TipTop II —a safe, comfortable, and upscale catamaran that combines a casual barefoot cruising style with spacious cabins and common areas.  Like a floating safari lodge,  TipTop II  offers an excellent “platform” from which to base this exciting photo cruise.  Our roomy vessel provides plenty of outside deck space yet is small enough to reach secluded anchorages that only a smaller ship can provide.

This voyage has been designed as our Galápagos dream trip. Most trips to the islands are a week in length and confine themselves to the eastern half of the archipelago. These days, popular landing sites have restricted access to make the nature experience a wilder one. Therefore, on weeklong trips, many of the best photo locations may be excluded from an eastern-oriented itinerary to cut down on visitor traffic. Our route and landing permissions take us to all the best visitor sites in the east, but also include Fernandina Island and the western shore of Isabela. In addition to the penguins and cormorants we see there, the area offers great opportunities to shoot American flamingos and rugged volcanic landscapes. We go where the majority of tourists never go and see the islands as they really should be seen—with a small group, at a relaxed pace, and on a new and comfortable boat.

Join us for this exceptional opportunity to photograph all of the extraordinary wildlife of the Galápagos, without sacrificing time to relax, snorkel and get a true “sense of place.”

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 (May 29, 2024) Depart home for Quito, Ecuador. Arrive in late evening and transfer to our hotel.

Day 2 Following breakfast, meet in the hotel lobby at 9 AM.  A comprehensive city tour of Quito provides opportunities to photograph regal metropolitan landscapes and pleasing architectural details in this beautiful colonial city nestled in the slopes of the Andes at 9,200 feet. (NOTE: The tour begins with a walk in the Old City.)

Those who would like to rest in lieu of the city tour can meet the group in the lobby at 7:30 PM for dinner at our hotel. (B, L on city tour, D)

Day 3 Fly to San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos, complete national park formalities and embark our comfortable vessel.  Following lunch, we make our first photography landing in the archipelago. (B at hotel, then all meals aboard ship)

Days 4–16 We have 13 days to photograph at the following productive sites:

Kicker Rock The remains of an eroded lava cone, two towering basalt monoliths rise 500 feet out of the sea—an excellent location for sunset photography.

Santa Cruz Island From the dock at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, we have two options—drive into the highlands or visit the town and Charles Darwin Research Station.

In the highlands we explore the lush  scalesia  forests, investigate volcanic craters and lava tubes, and visit a tortoise reserve to photograph these charismatic animals in the wild.

In the small city of Puerto Ayora, we spend time at the Charles Darwin Research Station, which plays a major role in the environmental monitoring of the archipelago.  Here we see rearing pens for giant tortoises from the different islands and have another chance to photograph the large reptiles at close range.  We usually end the day on Santa Cruz in town with time to shop before returning to our vessel for dinner.

South Plaza and North Seymour Islands The Plaza Islands are flat, gently-tilted, lava fault blocks uplifted from beneath the sea.  Our visit is particularly interesting because of several hundred land iguanas that live there among the island’s giant cacti.  Our landing beach is a whelping area for sea lions, and the steep wind-blown cliffs along the southern coast are one of the best locations in the islands to photograph flying red-billed tropicbirds with their elegant streaming tail feathers.

Genovesa Island Genovesa Island is the summit of a partially submerged volcano and circular caldera which has been breached by the sea.  Gentle slopes covered with sprawling  Opuntia  cacti and silvery  palo santo  trees rise 200 feet above the rugged shoreline.  We go ashore at dawn to explore a coral-covered beach and tidal lagoons.  This is the best spot in the islands to photograph great frigatebirds, yellow-crowned night herons and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as lava gulls.  With a total population of just 400 pairs, the sooty-plumaged lava gull is the rarest gull in the world.  In the afternoon we climb the spectacular cliffs of the caldera and hike through a  palo santo  forest, photographing Nazca and red-footed boobies, Galápagos doves and mockingbirds.  There are at least four kinds of Darwin’s finches and the possiblility of finding the endemic race of the elusive short-eared owl.

Close by is the the stark volcanic terrain of Sullivan Bay.  Two hundred years ago an eruption covered the area with molten rock leaving behind dramatic examples of ropy lava and spatter cones, all of which are a graphic photographer’s dream.  We also expect to find Galápagos penguins.

Rábida and Santiago Islands Rábida Island lies at the center of the Galápagos Archipelago.  The reddish sand beach always has clusters of sea lions lounging and loafing in the surf and brown pelicans commonly nest at shoulder height in saltbushes close by.  The island is a good location to search for Galápagos hawks, some of which may perch right over our heads.

A stroll along the intertidal rocks of Puerto Egas on Santiago Island reveals black sand beaches which were the site of a small salt mining industry in the 1960s.  A hike in the area should provide an excellent opportunity to see finches, doves and hawks.  Along the coast, basking marine iguanas, gaudy orange Sally Lightfoot crabs, and feeding American oystercatchers keep us busy until we reach a colony of Galápagos fur seals resting on the black lava rock at the end of our walk.  Snorkeling is good in the waters near our landing beach.

At Urbina Bay, we search for land iguanas and possibly more giant tortoises.  In the afternoon we explore the beautiful mangrove channels of Elizabeth Bay where we again encounter flightless cormorants.  The sheltered waters are an important mating area for green sea turtles, and snorkeling among the mangroves can be an exciting and novel experience.  At sunset we board pangas to explore three small islets known as Las Marielas ,  home to one of the largest concentrations of Galápagos penguins in the islands.

Punta Moreno is perfect for an afternoon outing.  The stark barren beauty of the lava landscape is dotted with brackish ponds where we search for “shocking pink” American flamingos, as well as ducks and a variety of shorebirds.

Floreana Island Floreana rises to a height of 2,100 feet and is studded with volcanic cinder cones. “Post Office Bay” is one of the key historic sites on the islands.  In the early 1800s, whalers in the area were the first to use an old barrel as a post box to send their mail home to family and friends.  The tradition continues today.  Search the barrel for mail directed to an address near your home, then deliver it when you return. You can also drop off a postcard to see how long it takes to be delivered to you!  Of course, as everywhere in the Galápagos, there is plentiful wildlife here as well.  Darwin’s finches abound and, in a small lagoon behind the beach, herons and shorebirds frequently rest in the vegetation.

An old, eroded volcanic cone offshore is called the Devil’s Crown, and is a roosting site for boobies, pelicans and frigatebirds.  The center of the “crown” provides some of the best snorkeling in the Galápagos.

At Punta Cormorant there are forests of  palo santo  and  scalesia  that harbor the endemic medium tree finch.  The pale green sand beaches and shallow lagoons are home to flamingos, as well as ducks.

It is hard to resist the antics of the lounging sea lion pups as they frolic in the shoreline surf, wrestle and play with each other, and pester their mothers at Gardner Bay.  All of this is set against a backdrop of turquoise water and azure sky.

Day 17 We return to San Cristóbal Island and visit Puerto Baquerizo Moreno’s Interpretation Center.  Our 10:05 AM flight takes us to Quito by 2:50 PM.  Meet in the hotel lobby at a time TBD to go to dinner in the hotel restaurant.  (B, L on the plane, D)

Day 18 (Jun 15) Depart for home. (B)

Please Note :  Participants should allow for flexibility due to changes in weather, natural history events or other logistical arrangements deemed necessary by our leaders. Final determinations are subject to permits issued by the Galápagos National Park Service.

Our Ship—Tip Top II

The luxurious 104-foot  Tip Top II  offers the elegance and amenities to make your cruise a comfortable and unforgettable experience. Six cabins have twin or king beds, large windows with expansive ocean views, private baths and air conditioning. There are two single cabins with large windows with expansive ocean views, private baths and air conditioning. The yacht’s spacious cabins are much more akin to cabins on a cruise ship rather than the small cabins with upper and lower berths featured on most vessels operating in the Galápagos.

There is a spacious air-conditioned dining room with an excellent dining experience, a well-appointed lounge area and bar, plus many decks—outstanding platforms for photography—with comfortable lounge chairs from which you can enjoy the relaxing sparkle of equatorial waters, discuss photography and natural history with our leaders and fellow travelers, as well as search for seabirds and whales.

Click to view larger image

Tour Details

2024 Ultimate Galápagos: Easy Activity Level: Luxury yacht, bus, and commercial aircraft transportation. Hiking on sandy beaches, rough lava, and rocky trails. Generally short slow walks infrequently for up to two miles round-trip during a few landings. Transfer from boat to shore in “Zodiac-style” pangas. Occasional wildlife and landscape photography from the pangas. Our pace is relaxed and very conducive for photography, but Gálpagos regulations require the entire group must stay within sight of our local Galápagos guide, and not leaving designated trails. Snorkeling from the boat and beaches in chilly water usually requiring thin wet suits.

Special Terms and Conditions Apply

Tour Highlights

• Fourteen luxurious cruising days , with plenty of onshore time to explore virtually all of the most photogenic wildlife locations in the Galápagos, as well as the amazing “forgotten” islands of this famous archipelago
• Cruise in a comfortable and spacious vessel with just 14 photographers and two outstanding leaders.
• Catamaran provides plenty of outside deck space for photography
• Colorful boobies, albatrosses, gulls and frigatebirds in courtship display within a few feet of your camera
• Snorkel with Galápagos penguins, sea lions and spectacular colorful fish
• Trip includes all meals and shipboard lodging, three nights hotel accommodations in Quito, round-trip flights to from Quito to the Galápagos, Quito city tour, Galápagos National Park fees, Zodiac transportation, photo guides and instruction

Tour Leaders

Wayne lynch.

and local Galápagos naturalist guide

YouTube Video

Testimonials

If you love nature, close encounters with birds, seals, tortoises and flamingos (to name a few) and would enjoy staying on a luxurious yacht with all the amenities in one of the most unique and beautiful places on earth, this trip is for you! Photo ops were phenomenal, good times and memories outstanding! — B. & R.

Rarely does one take a trip in which the details are so totally handled that there is an environment provided for really creative photography. —E. J.

The Galápagos Islands are a must-see for any nature photographer. The trip with Van Os was outstanding in every way and provided incredible photo opportunities. —Peter. B

Trip Reports

Ultimate Galapagos 2022 Trip Report

Joseph van os photo safaris enrollment information, 2024 ultimate galápagos.

May 29 – Jun 15 2024

ENROLLMENT CONDITIONS 1. REGISTRATION A deposit and completed and signed Registration Form are required to reserve a place on a Van Os Photo Safari.

2. PAYMENTS, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS All prices are quoted in US dollars and all payments must be paid in US dollars. For deposits only we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Final payment of the trip fee is due 120 days prior to departure and may be paid by check or bank transfer. If you wish to make your final payment with a credit card a 3% convenience fee will be charged.

We must receive written notice of your cancellation. Based on the cancellation date the following applies:

Trip deposits are non-refundable . 150-91 days before the trip start date: We will refund any payments made exceeding 50% of the total trip cost. 90-61 days before the trip start date: We will refund any payments made exceeding 75% of the total trip cost. Within 60 days of the start of the trip: No refund.

If, on the trip start date , your space has been resold and the tour is full—as designated by “Limit” number of travelers on the tour website page—we will refund your payment, minus the non-refundable trip deposit and any discounts given to resell your space.

No partial refunds are made for unused portions or services of a trip for any reason. Trips are sold as a package only. This policy also applies to tour extensions and independent travel arrangements. Cancellation fees are not transferable.

Emergency evacuation insurance is REQUIRED for this tour. Upon request, we can provide travel insurance options that includes the required medical evacuation insurance. Participants purchasing trip insurance on their own should confirm that emergency evacuation is included in their policy.

3. TRIP INSURANCE We strongly encourage you to protect your travel investment and purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage.     We can provide travel insurance options, or it can be purchased online. A CANCEL FOR ANY REASON policy is available. Trip participants without travel protection insurance are considered “self-insured.” Without insurance you assume all risks and losses for any conditions requiring your cancellation.

4. HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS Van Os Photo Safaris are within the capabilities of average people in good health. Some of these trips require the capability of walking for several miles over uneven trails, stepping from a small boat to a wave-washed rocky beach, flying in small planes and helicopters, and occasionally hiking at high elevations—all while carrying an assortment of camera equipment. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/or fitness as it relates to a trip, please inquire with our office before reserving a space. By forwarding a signed Registration Form and trip deposit, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you, or other trip participants and you agree to inform our office in writing if changes in your health, including viral illnesses, occur any time prior to the tour. We reserve the right to request a doctor's statement of good health. The company's or trip leader's judgment shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual's ability to embark upon or to continue a trip. Once a trip has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements. Tour members are asked to refrain from smoking with or near the group.

5. CONTACT SCHEDULE Participants will receive three emails before the trip departs: 1. Initial Tour Information sheet confirms the deposit and provides pre-departure information. 2. Invoice/Practical Information provides clothing and photo gear recommendations, climate data, and applicable health advisories. Visa information will also be included (if applicable). 3. Final Tour Information includes arrival instructions, itinerary revisions (if any), hotel addresses, trip telephone contact information and participant list. We provide the trip leader's telephone number(s) and/or email address with final documents so you can inquire about special photographic questions you may have regarding your trip. We welcome your calls or email messages to [email protected].

6. PHOTO SAFARI TRIP FEE INCLUSIONS Information supplied upon enrollment describes the specific details that are included in your trip fee. Generally, these include lodging in double room occupancy, all meals (specified in the itinerary as BLD denoting breakfast, lunch, or dinner), ground transportation during the trip in vans or small busses, internal tour air transportation as specified, meal and baggage tipping, and guide services provided by the trip leaders. Not included are airfare or other transportation from your home to the trip staging location, airport departure taxes, insurance, alcoholic beverages, and bar expenses (plus bottled water and soft drink expenses on international tours outside of North America), tips and gratuities to local guides, phone calls, passport or visa expenses, laundry, or items of a personal nature. Gratuities to Van Os Photo Safaris trip leaders are optional and always appreciated. Rates are based on group tariffs; if the trip does not have sufficient registration, a small party supplement may be charged.

Most of our trips are priced in double occupancy (shared) accommodations. Single accommodation is available for a supplemental cost in many locations; see the pre-departure trip information or call our office for details. You will be charged the single supplement fee if you desire single accommodation or if you wish to have a roommate, but one is not available. In some remote locations, clients with single rooms are infrequently compelled to share a room due to circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, appropriate per diem refunds will be made reflecting the direct cost of the single room at the facility where clients are required to share. There is no additional single supplement fee on ship-based cruises if you request a roommate and one is not available.

Cost increases may occur unexpectedly due to rising costs of airfares, ground transport, fuel surcharges, accommodations, and currency fluctuations, among others. Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. may be compelled to amend prices, and we reserve the right to do so without prior notice. An increase in trip prices shall not be sufficient grounds for any refund of funds paid for the trip other than as determined by the terms of our cancellation policy.

7. LOGISTICS Whenever possible, our trip participants are lodged in comfortable, modern hotels. We select among the best available accommodations but refrain from extravagance. Some interesting photographic destinations are far removed from modern amenities, however, and where necessary we will be accommodated in rustic country inns, cabins, or tented camps.

Meals are always a special part of our trips for the camaraderie they engender and the opportunity they provide to try new foods from different areas. Depending on the trip and specific locale, participants order restaurant meals from the full menu or, less frequently, table d'hôte. Some trips include picnic lunches in the field. Fruit juice for breakfast and coffee or tea is included with the meals. Soft drinks are included with meals on tours within North America. Participants are responsible for their own bar tab (including bottled water, soft drinks, as well as alcoholic beverages on tours outside of North America) at restaurant lunches and dinners.

Our itineraries are intended as examples only. Participants should allow for flexibility due to changes in weather, natural history or cultural events, or other logistical arrangements deemed necessary by Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., or our leaders.

The second tour leader (and any subsequent additional leaders) listed for each trip on the website will be added as the group size warrants. If only one space remains on a trip, and logistics permit, we accept two people traveling together, even if it exceeds the trip maximum.

8. RESPONSIBILITY Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. and/or their Agents act only as agents for the passenger (trip participant) in regard to travel including, but not limited to, sightseeing, meals, lodging, transportation, and all other services whether by railroad, motor coach, automobile, van, boat, ship or aircraft or any other conveyance, and they assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts, bankruptcy or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the trip.

They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay, cancellations or changes in flights or other tour services, and by force majeure including sickness, weather, strike, war, volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine, epidemics, pandemics and outbreaks, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as trip fees provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.

The right is reserved to 1) substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed necessary, or caused by changes in flight schedules or equipment substitution; 2) cancel any trip prior to departure due to low enrollment, in which case full refund of the paid trip funds will be given, but Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. is not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees, travel insurance premiums and medical related expenses; 3) At the company’s sole discretion, suspend or postpone any trip due to force majeure or disease outbreak in which case the trip may be rescheduled, or a refund issued less any non-refundable deposits paid to tour component providers on behalf of the passenger, or a travel credit given, but Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. is not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 4) substitute trip leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitution is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund other than provided by our normal cancellation policy; or 5) accept or retain any person as a member of any trip.

Trip prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein.

A signed Registration Form with the Enrollment Conditions and Release and Assumption of Risk sections must be returned by each participant prior to the commencement of the trip. Participation by any trip member will be declined in the absence of the signed Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk section, with no trip fee refund. No modification to the Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk section will be accepted.

Should Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., or anyone acting on their behalf be required to incur attorney's fees and any costs to enforce this agreement, the enrolling trip participant(s) agree(s) to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs. In the event a lawsuit is filed, the enrolling participant(s) agree(s) to do so solely in the County of Lewis in the State of Washington.

ENROLLMENT CONDITIONS AGREEMENT & RELEASE & ASSUMPTION OF RISK

I have read, understand, and agree to the terms, conditions, and provisions of the enrollment information, as stated on the Van Os Photo Safaris Inc. website and the Enrollment Conditions section of this form, especially noting the policy on cancellations, refunds, and limitations on responsibility.

I am aware that during any trip or tour that I am voluntarily participating in under the arrangements of Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., a Washington corporation, and its employees, agents and associates, certain risks and dangers exist while traveling in the United States, foreign countries, and wilderness areas in any country or territory that include the possibility of property damage, bodily injury, and death. There is a possibility of accident or illness occurring without access to immediate or timely medical treatment or facilities. There is a risk of tropical or communicable diseases that may require quarantine and removal from the tour at my expense, food-related illnesses, the risk of personal injury and property damage or delay or inconvenience by forces of nature, wildlife or wildlife models, quarantine, political instability, acts of terrorism, strikes, government restrictions or regulations change, thefts, and the risk of accidents during travel while on foot or by aircraft, train, automobile, van, bus, boat, ship, or other conveyance. I understand that such risks cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of this trip or tour.

In consideration of, and as part payment for the right to participate in such trips, tours and/or other activities and services arranged for me by Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, agents and associates, I have and do hereby assume all risks, and hereby release Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, shareholders, agents and associates, and will hold them harmless from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, debts, claims, and demands of every kind and nature, howsoever caused, which I now have or which may arise of or in connection with any of my trips or tours and participation in any activities arranged for me by Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, agents and associates.

Should Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this Agreement, I agree to indemnify them and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs. In the event any lawsuit is filed, I agree to do so solely in the County of Lewis in the State of Washington and further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict-of-law rules of that state. The terms hereof shall serve as a release and assumption of all risk for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, and for all members of my family.

Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. may take photos and video during your photo tour and use them for promotional purposes. By making a trip reservation with us, you agree to let us use your name and likeness in any images and video in which you may appear, for our promotional materials, website, or advertising. We may also use any written reviews or photos and video you may provide us with for use on our website and in any advertising and all other forms of publicity. If you prefer to be excluded from this proviso, please let your tour leader know at the beginning of your trip.

If any part, article, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this Agreement is not enforceable, the affected provision shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within the requirements of the law, and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, shareholders, agents, and associates, based on any and all claims from which I have released them.

[email protected] | +230 452 3731

Galapagos Photo Tours

The galapagos islands have some of the most interesting birds and reptiles on the planet. the good news is – most of them are very approachable and easy to photograph.

The archipelago is teeming with wildlife, both above and below the water. This will most definitely give us great encounters and full memory-cards. ORYX Photo Tours has extensive experience in the archipelago and has customized this trip for photographers to provide for some extraordinary days in this paradise in the middle of Pacific Ocean.

We have selected the best local guides, and the best ship for our purpose, so that we will enjoy some very special photography and unique opportunities. On most days we will do early morning landing and evening landings, as well as snorkeling activity in the middle of the day. We expect to see all the land animals found on the islands and a vast variety of the marine wildlife as well.

There are currently no set departures to Galapagos. Please contact the ORYX office at [email protected] and we will be delighted to tailor-make your dream Photo Tour to Galapagos.

Galapagos Photography Tour Gallery

Destinations

• Argentina & Chile
• Papua New Guinea
• South Africa
• South Georgia

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Tour: 14-Day Galapagos Photo Tour

• Hands-on photography workshop
• Sunrise and sunset activities
• Snorkel with sea lions, sea turtles and marine life
• Daily photography critiquing by expert photographers
• Visits to San Cristobal, Floreana, Isabela, Santa Cruz and Seymour Islands

Tour Itinerary

Dinner is Provided.

Arriving from all over the world, you and your fellow travellers will come together for an evening meal and official briefing with Ivan Kashinsky and Karla Gachet. If you arrive early, you can use your free time to get aquatinted with one of the highest capitals in the world sitting at just over 9,000 feet above sea level. The city is nestled in a long, narrow valley of the Andes and flanked by the Pichincha Volcano to the west. For a great view and a little exercise, Pichincha is easily accessible for a day trip.  If you’re in a cultural mood, head to the Old Town to stroll through the magnificent cathedrals and take in the colonial architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. El Panecillo or 'the Little Bread Loaf,' is located high atop a hill in the Old Town and is a major Quito attraction boasting a panoramic view of the city. Museums are scattered throughout the New and Old Town as well as local artisan markets that are great for picking up souvenirs. The New Town is teeming with cafes and restaurants and is a vibrant mix of locals, expats, and fellow travelers. New Town and Old Town are easily accessible by trolley or taxi. If you’d prefer, we’d be happy to help arrange these pre-tour activities for you. We can also assist in booking any accommodation you may need if arriving earlier or staying later in Quito. 

NOTE: Quito, like most major cities, is not without its pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Leave your valuables and passports in your room or hotel safe and only carry what you need just to be safe. See our  Travel SMART  section for more safety tips.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Provided.

Let the photo adventure begin! You will be picked up at the hotel this morning to head off to the Galapagos. Typically a morning flight, you can expect to arrive in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno around lunchtime. For lunch, you'll be treated to a typical island meal at a family-run restaurant.

A visit to the Interpretation Center starts off your afternoon, where you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the human and geological history of the islands. Afterwards, a walk along a vegetation-lined path to Tijeretas will keep you busy looking for lava lizards and unusual cacti formations. 

As the sun gets closer to the horizon, you will spend time at Carola Beach, home to plenty of inquisitive (and sometimes noisy) sea lions.

Photography Presentation: Light

Breakfast and Lunch Provided.

Taking advantage of early morning light, the day begins with a boat ride out to visit Kicker Rock, also called Leon Dormido. You’ll start the morning with a calm, introductory snorkel along the coast. It is common to spot blue-footed boobies and pelicans diving for fish, as well as photogenic sea lions swimming below surface. From there, you’ll continue on to Kicker Rock. Here, you may see a variety of seabirds on the sheer cliffs of this compacted ash formation. Put on your snorkel gear and dip into the ocean for your first deep-water snorkel to see what waits below the surface. Kicker Rock is a popular destination for spotting sea turtles and sharks.

Optional activity: For anyone who is interested in diving, the option to dive at Kicker Rock (instead of snorkeling) may be available. Divers will visit Kicker Rock separately from the snorkelers and re-join the group after lunch. Please inquire in advance.

After lunch on board in a stunning, sandy bay, you'll head back to port and enjoy free photography time in the afternoon.

Photo Presentation: Working with People

If you want to get up early today, an optional sunrise kayak can be arranged.

In the morning, you'll head into the highlands of San Cristobal. Stopping at Soledad, you'll be perched high above the coastline, overlooking Leon Dormido / Kicker Rock.

Continuing on, you will visit a highlands farm, to see first-hand how the farmers of the islands live. A surprising variety of fruit and vegetable crops are grown in the lush highland soil on San Cristobal Island, creating an opportunity for capturing colorful images.

After your farm visit, it is free time in the afternoon to review your photos or explore town.

In the evening, we head to La Loberia before sunset. Don't be surprised if your sunset time on the beach is shared with sea lions, marine iguanas and birds such as blue-footed boobies, yellow warblers and finches.

Photo Presentation: Composition

As you speed away from San Cristobal Island towards Floreana Island, keep your eyes on the ocean as dolphins, jumping rays and whales have frequently spotted during this crossing.

Back on dry land, you'll have time to enjoy lunch and wander around the beach or tiny town of 200 people, looking for subjects to photograph. In the afternoon it is off to the highlands by chiva, the open-air transport vehicles used on the islands. If you're feeling adventurous, you may be able to ride on the roof and get a 360 view of the surrounding countryside.

In the highlands you'll find a lush forest that is home to a giant tortoise sanctuary as well as some interesting historical 'hideouts'. You'll learn a bit about the pirate history of the island and visit some old pirate caves before heading back down to Puerto Velasco Ibarra for some evening photography around town.

Photo Presentation: Point of View

A morning walk to the Loberia brings you to a seaside area that is commonly frequented by marine iguanas and sea lions. It also provides you with a great backdrop for some morning shooting.

As Floreana is easily the 'sleepiest' small town of the Galapagos Islands, be sure to get some final town shots, as you'll be heading to Isabela Island after breakfast.

A visit to the giant tortoise-breeding center is on the schedule this afternoon. The facility on Isabela Island breeds a number of species and is your best opportunity in the Galapagos Islands to see tortoises at all ages and stages of development – from month old babies to 70 year old adults.

Your first day on Isabela will end at the beach in town, where you'll enjoy some sundowners and dinner at Beto's Beach Bar.

Optional activity: Time permitting, you can sneak off in your free time for a visit to the Wall of Tears. Built by convicts in the 1940’s and 1950’s, this landmark is a remnant of Isabella’s penal colony past. Prisoners were forced to build a lava rock wall and what remain today is approximately 100 meters long and 7 meters high. Make sure you watch your step – this is an area where juvenile giant tortoises have been reintroduced to the wild.

The path to the Wall of Tears is a lovely walk or bike ride even if you don’t go all the way. There are several stop offs that look into the brackish lagoons like Poza de las Diablas and tucked away beaches like Playa del Amor.

Photo Presentation: * Tonight there will be no presentation. If you haven’t decided on your final project theme already, tonight’s the night to make a decision! Tomorrow you’ll schedule your one-on-one session with the photography leader.

Get your hiking boots / shoes ready today, as you'll be hiking up and around the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano, which last erupted in 2005.

The path can be slippery and muddy as the crater rim is usually shrouded in mist in the mornings. Hiking along the one edge of the crater, you'll stop at various lookout points along the way. On clear days you can see across most of the Sierra Negra crater, which is the second largest volcanic crater in the world (after Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania).

You'll trek onwards to Chico Volcano, where you'll cross fields of lava and small lava tunnels. Both ah-ah and pahoehoe lava flows have occurred here, creating an otherworldly looking landscape. On a clear day, you may catch a glimpse of Elizabeth Bay and the Alcedo Volcano in the distance.

Colorful minerals can be found in some lava rocks here and volcano vents dot the landscape. It's a good trek to get here, as the crater rim trail is roughly 9km in length, so the hike back down is done at a leisurely pace. Watch for birds in the shrub lands and trees on your way down as the Vermillion Flycatcher and other rare species may be spotted here.

After your trek and a filling lunch, you have free time back in town to explore Puerto Villamil. Head to the beach, wander the streets or take a boardwalk trail out past some brackish lagoons, where flamingos, ducks and other bird species live. Your evening is free to explore, photograph and dine where you desire.

Photo Presentation: Portraits

Today you're off to one of the most amazing places in the Galapagos Islands – the Tunnels. Arches, tunnels and other interesting rock formations are found here, remnants of past volcanic activity that formed this island. The water in this area is also usually exceptionally clear, making it an ideal location for water and underwater photography.

Depending on what activities you enjoyed on previous days, your afternoon can be spent enjoying free time at the beach, visiting the Wall of Tears or catching up on photo editing.

Photo Presentation: Editing

Breakfast Provided.

Your day will start around sunrise with a pre-breakfast kayak around the sheltered bay area of Puerto Villamil. Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and rays frequent these shallow waters and frigate birds or pelicans may be seen resting in some nearby mangrove trees.

Once you're done kayaking, a well-deserved breakfast will be provided. With your photography lessons and tour more than half over now, this is the day for catching up and re-visiting any assignments you wanted to practice more.

You’ll find that Isabela is the most welcoming island in terms of taking time to get to know the locals, so spend some time taking in a soccer game or wandering around the town square and market. Today’s task is about using your photographic eye and taking photos that your typical “tourist” would never capture.

If you haven’t made it to the Wall of Tears yet, this is your last chance!

Photo Presentation: Think Outside the Box

*Most one-on-one private sessions will be scheduled for today.

In Santa Cruz, the tourist capital and most populated island in the archipelago, your guide will give you a briefing of the town to help you get your bearings, and then you're free to explore the streets and shops. A popular stop that may be of interest is the fish market, which attracts all sorts of wildlife and birdlife as fisherman come in with their daily catch.

The scheduled activity for this afternoon is heading to one of the finest beaches in the Galapagos – Tortuga Bay!

It is a bit of a walk to get to Tortuga Bay from town, yet the reward is well worth it. A leisurely 45-minute path leads to the beach area and along the way you may spot lava lizards and birds in the surrounding trees. Upon arrival at the first soft, white sandy beach, you'll be greeted by some rough surf that is home to marine iguanas and blue-footed booby birds.

Further along, past this beach you can reach Tortuga Bay, a calm bay that is sheltered by mangroves and perfect for swimming or snorkeling.

Photo Presentation: Future of Photography

Wake up early to visit the market for some unique photo opportunities, or take it easy and relax before your scheduled visit to the highlands.

The Highlands on Santa Cruz are home to some immense farms where giant tortoises still roam free. This is the only place where you can easily see them soaking in mud pools, munching on grasses and enjoying their natural habitat. Photography options are endless. Nearby are also some huge lava tunnels that you can walk down into to gain a better appreciation of the natural forces that created these islands.

As your evening and sunset hours are free today, you may want to head to the popular Charles Darwin research Station. It is an enjoyable walk to the outskirts of town with some great prickly pear cactus along the way. The CDRS is not only home to Giant Tortoises (this is where Lonesome George lived), there is also a Land Iguana breeding program here.

Optional activity: Saturday mornings is market day in Santa Cruz. You can venture toward the fruit and veggie market for some pre-breakfast photo opportunities if you’re keen to see the locals in action. Located on a small street that’s shut down nightly and turned into open-air dining, Saturday evening is also the most popular night for the street kiosks.

Photo Presentation: * Tonight there will be no presentation. Tomorrow is the final project show and tonight is yours to finish selecting and editing your final project.

If you’re keen to get an early start today, you have some time to do a sunrise visit to Tortuga Bay, otherwise enjoy your early morning before we head to Seymour Island for a day trip.

A small island, Seymour Island is a place where frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls and blue-footed boobies are found in great numbers. On your final full day of exploring and photographing the Galapagos Islands, you may also come across a new animal not usually seen on any other islands you've visited -– the Galapagos Land Iguana!

Your time on Seymour will be spent meandering along a pathway about 2km in length, taking you along rocky coastlines and across the island. The plant life here may also be of interest, especially the prickly pear cactus, a favorite food of the land iguanas.

A day of exploring Seymour Island will also have you enjoying a final snorkel in the Galapagos. If lucky, sea lions and sharks may join you in the water. If you're looking for some final images to complete your photography project, Seymour is the perfect place to capture some unique images and round out your Galapagos photography portfolio. 

You’ll return to Santa Cruz late afternoon to enjoy your last night in the Galapagos admiring the images captured by the group and your photography guides, Ivan and Karla.

Photo Presentation: Final Project Presentations by the Group, Show off your Images!

After spending more than 12-days exploring the Galapagos Islands and gaining a deeper understanding of the art of photography, it is time to head back to Quito. You'll leave the islands with a new network of passionate photographer friends with whom you'll be able to share ideas and photography tips. 

Most flights depart around midday, so you may have an hour or two of free time in the morning to pick up some souvenirs and bid farewell to the people and animals of the Galapagos. Your transfer to the airport will take 60-90 minutes depending on local bus and ferry crossing schedules.

Upon arrival in Quito, you'll be transferred to your hotel and have some time to explore the city before your Farewell Dinner in the evening.

Today is the last day of the photography workshop tour. If your flight home is scheduled in the morning, an included transfer to the airport is provided for your convenience. Alternatively, if you are spending more time in Ecuador, you may want to book a day tour or excursion to see another part of the country.

• 13 Nights Accommodation
• All activity fees
• All meals, except where indicated
• Daily photography workshops
• Drinking water
• Internal flights to and from Galapagos
• Tips for local support crew
• Transportation between and on islands
• $100 pp park entry fee - cash only
• $20 pp Ingala fee - cash only
• 3 evening meals (budget $5-$15 per person per meal)
• Drinks other than water
• Optional Diving (Please inquire in advance)
• Tip for tour leader/guide

Four of the islands in the Galapagos are inhabited, yet the first inhabited island has the smallest population!

Tortoises live in the water and turtles live on land?

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Galapagos Photography Tours

Capture close-up images of wildlife for the ultimate travel photography experience.

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Galapagos Photography Tours – created by the experts

A Galapagos photography tour ranks high on the bucket list of any wildlife photography enthusiast. For nature photographers, capturing close-up images of wildlife is the ultimate travel photography experience. It is safe to say there is no better place on earth to get amazing full-frame shots of unique and fearless wildlife than in the Galapagos.

The first trips Think Galapagos organised were specialist Galapagos photography tours back in 1997! So you can safely say that we are Galapagos photography tour specialists with more than twenty years of doing this under our belts! We understand that photographers need to travel in a different way to most other Galapagos guests and use our understanding and unrivalled network of local contacts to ensure that as a photographer you have the very best Galapagos holiday experience possible.

Company founder and Galapagos expert, Rachel is on hand to help you plan your trip of a lifetime!

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“We understand travelling is more complicated now than before COVID. That’s why you need to use a company you can trust every step of the way.”

Travel in a time of uncertainty…

Now travel has resumed, planning your Galapagos holiday should be a source of excitement, but making sense of all the travel regulations can be a headache. We follow developments in Ecuador , Peru and Galapagos incredibly closely so we have all the latest information on hand.

Having all the latest information and expert teams on the ground helps us take the uncertainty out of your planning and give you the confidence to book, secure in the knowledge we have you covered! If you want to find out the latest advice on travel to Ecuador, Galapagos and Peru please contact us

Ecuador and Galapagos Photography Tour Ideas

Andes to amazon & galapagos, cloud forest, birding andes to amazon and galapagos, why choose us.

We listen to you. We take the time to understand what you want your Galapagos trip of a lifetime to be. We then we use our decades of experience and unrivalled network of local contacts and team of top guides to make it happen.

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Galapagos wildlife cruises.

All our Galapagos wildlife holidays have a naturalist-led cruise at their heart. Because the islands are spread over more than 200 km, by visiting on board a live-aboard Galapagos wildlife cruise, this enables you to reach the most remote and pristine parts of the archipelago

Navigating mostly at night means you to spend the best parts of the day for wildlife watching with early morning and late afternoon land visits. Then in the middle of the day you can experience some of the amazing Galapagos wildlife below the water, with some of the best snorkelling in the world.

Luxury Yacht Charters

First class yacht charters, mid-range yacht charters, when to visit.

There is no right answer to this. Galapagos truly is a year round destination thanks to its location on the equator and each month has its own special highlights. Depending on what your particular wildlife interest is, some times of the year may be better for you than others and we would be able to help guide you on this.

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Want to chat through your plans face to face? Fill in our form and request a video chat and we’ll be in touch with the details.

Galapagos Photography Travel Guide

As well as unique and fearless wildlife, Galapagos is also a stunningly beautiful group of islands with some truly superb landscapes. From volcanic craters to stark lava fields, to mangrove lagoons and crystalline turquoise waters with some fascinating and unique plant life and a rich host of underwater life offering an exceptional wildlife photography experience for every type of natural history enthusiast.

The best way to start planning your Galapagos photography holiday is to give us a call or contact us via email. We are genuinely delighted always to answer any questions and help get you started planning your trip. But in case it is helpful, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about photography holidays in Galapagos and the best way to combine it with some time in mainland Ecuador.

Although Galapagos is up there as one of the top wildlife holiday destinations in the world, Ecuador itself has some extraordinary opportunities and makes for a great addition to your Galapagos trip. Each Galapagos holiday must start and end in mainland Ecuador anyway, so it definitely makes sense to add in at least a few days here if you can.

The cloud forest area of Mindo just 2 hours drive West from Quito has some amazing hummingbird photography opportunities as well as a host of other amazing plant and birdlife photography options.

Another favourite photography spot close to Quito is Guango Lodge on the Eastern slopes of Ecuador’s Andes , which offers an amazing array of hummingbird species and is just over a one hour drive from Quito. Two hours to the north of Quito and you have Hacienda Zuleta, with virtually guaranteed chances of seeing wild Andean Condors every day, with some spectacular scenery into the bargain too!

Just a short flight from Quito, is another wildlife photographers dream destination, the Amazon Rainforest . Although photography here is more challenging due to the light conditions and often the distances to the species, it still makes for some stunning wildlife photography experiences.

For some inspiration, why not check out the Flickr page from Think Galapagos co-founder Santiago Bejarano and see some of the shots he has taken on our trips with guests over the years.

Because you can get surprisingly close to the wildlife, you can pack reasonably light for the Galapagos Islands allowing for more adaptability and flexibility with your photography. Although photographic styles and conditions on the ground vary, here are some tips from us as a general guide to help choosing your camera gear for Galapagos

• Ultra wide angle: whilst wide flat vistas mean an ultra-wide lens isn’t necessary for landscape shots, actually it can be very helpful when photographing the wildlife at close range, getting wide landscape in the shot at the same time.
• Wide angle zoom: one of the best lenses for Galapagos – the greater the focal range the better.
• Zoom telephoto: another great lense for Galapagos. Although you won’t need it for animals very far away it is helpful for zoomed in shots of wildlife to fill the frame. We would suggest a 70-300mm or a 100-400mm will be sufficient for most shots and for some a 70-200mm lens would be enough, given that you have to consider weight.
• Extra batteries and memory cards: People are often surprised at how many photographs they actually take in Galapagos, so we would suggest taking twice as much memory as you think you will need! Good to have one or two extra batteries but no need to have more than that.
• An underwater camera: If you plan on snorkelling during your trip, then this is a must! The wildlife of Galapagos is as fascinating and unique below the water as it is above and it is no longer strictly necessary to spend a lot on your underwater camera, as there are now some great sports cameras (like GoPro) which produce excellent results for the price tag and can take great underwater video.
• Pre-Trip Information

This downloadable pre-trip information document will help you plan for your Galapagos wildlife holiday as well as answering some key questions you may have. Despite being quite long it is by no means exhaustive, so please do get in touch with any questions you may have and we would be delighted to help.

wildlife Check List

These downloadable wildlife check lists gives you all the plants, animals and birds to look out for on your trip.

Ecuador Bird Check List

Insider tips for your Galapagos photography holiday

Whilst keeping the gear covered provides the best protection, it also interferes greatly with picture taking! Our recommendation is that after exposure to any degree of spray, wipe camera and lens with a freshwater-dampened cloth (not forgetting the retractable parts of zoom lenses). Then dry carefully with an absorbent, lint-free cloth. Try to avoid opening cameras or lens-changing at the water’s edge or wherever spray may be in the air!

Photography Etiquette

This all really goes without saying, but just in case! Always be conscious of other photographers, allowing others to get a clear shot before walking into their view. Also, be conscious of those using video cameras to record both the sights and sounds of Galapagos. Never surround a single animal or animal group. The best way is to form a semi-circle, which is better for the wildlife and leaves an unspoiled background. No wildlife should ever be harassed for the sake of photography. Approach slowly, leaving a distance of 10-15 feet (3-4 Meters) from nesting birds and crawling seals.

Unless you are planning to shoot a lot of video, or extending your trip to photograph some of the wildlife of mainland Ecuador, there is no need to bring a tripod thanks to the high light levels in Galapagos.

The Galapagos National Park have a ‘no flash’ rule. With the light generally being very good and being able to push the ISO setting, it is easy to manage without flash. For cameras with an automatic flash built in, the flash should be switched off.

Discover... Blogs

Read more about Galapagos trips in our expert blog posts.

Our Top 10 Galapagos Photographs

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THE BEST Galapagos Islands Photography Tours

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1. Day Tour to Santa Fe Island and Hidden Beach with snorkeling and fishing

2. Beach Wildlife and Snorkel Adventure with Underwater Specialist

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Virt​ual Tours

Live streaming from the islands with National Park Guide Daniel Fitter Angermeyer 

ABOUT YOUR VIRTUAL TOUR  

Take a live streaming Galapagos Virtual Tour, getting to know five of the Galápagos islands, Genovesa, Bartolome, Fernandina, Española and Santa Cruz, with a qualified guide who explains over 35 species that live on them. Featuring 95 photographs covering birds, replies, mammals, marine life and volcanology. Also, biology, ecology, and conservation of this archipelago.  The tour concludes with an exclusive 10-minute video followed by the opportunity for all guests to ask questions, Duration of the tour is approximately 2 hours with a ten-minute break 

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All tours are presented by Daniel Fitter Angermeyer.   A   Licenced  Galapagos National Park Guide  with more than 30 years experience.

Daniel was born in the Galápagos. His grandfather, one of the early settlers, arrived on the islands in 1937 after leaving Germany. Growing up on the islands, kindled Daniel’s interest in their flora and fauna and his adventures exploring the islands made his love for them grow strong.  All tours exclusively features his photography and first hand knowledge of island life. 

LEARN ABOUT

The various birds that are present in the Galapagos are categorized as: land, shore, or sea birds.

Of the 56 native species of birds in the Galapagos. 45 of these are endemic to the archipelago, which means that they can’t be found anywhere else in the world!

Red Billed Tropic Birds

These isolated islands have become the home to many species of sea birds.

A WORLD YOU'VE NEVER SEEN

A school of Golden Rays gliding through the quiet mangrove lagoon at Elizabeth Bay.

Tour the GALAPAGOS ISlandS, LAND, sea and air

Our Virtual Galapagos Tours are streamed live from Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos. Click below to view upcoming dates and availability. Feel free to contact us if you have questions or wish to book by email.

Learn about the differences, characteristic and species of the iconic Iguanas throught the islands.

lava lizards

Whats a press up contest? How long do they live and when are they active?

MARINE IGUANAS

 The only sea-going lizard in the world (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) An extraordinary animal that lives on land but feeds in the sea, grazing on a variety of seaweed

THE GALAPAGOS GIANTS

Giant tortoises show large variation in size and shape and can live over 100 years.  

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You can help Preserve, Protect, and Restore the Galapagos Islands. Click to view the latest Conservancy News...

10 DAYS – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS,  ECUADOR

Tour details.

T he Galapagos Islands are considered one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife photography. The incredible diversity of plant and animal species that inhabit this exotic ecosystem, many of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world, are sure to amaze even the most seasoned world traveler.

On this journey your head must always be on a swivel, the action is happening around us. Whether we are at sea aboard our privately chartered catamaran yacht photographing vibrant sunsets and seascapes, or walking along the beaches with sea lions soaking up the sun, there is always something to capture with your camera. Prepare for the fast-flying Magnificent Frigate birds as they perform breathtaking aerial maneuvers, or as males display their bright red pouch as they attempt to attract mates. Also, get ready to surround yourself with dozens of incredible Galapagos’ Marine Iguanas.

Pack extra memory cards and keep your batteries charged because there is truly no other place in the world like the Galapagos.  Join us on the Archipell 1, our hand-picked privately chartered catamaran yacht for this 10-day photographic adventure.

Images From Galapagos Photography Tours

Testimonials.

“I have participated in 9 of Aaron’s Photo Tours over the last few years and I have already booked several more!  Aaron is the best photography tour/workshop leader I have ever met.  His personal concern for, and dedication to, his clients is extraordinary.  The pre-trip planning and attention to detail make every trip enjoyable and productive.  He has trained himself on virtually every camera/system that he might encounter, so that he is able to help each client as they need it.  On his trips we always find the birds and wildlife we are looking for and usually in the best lighting scenarios possible.  I would be remiss not to mention Sarah in the office and her exceptional work answering all my questions pre trip and helping me prepare for them.” 

“Aaron Baggenstos is one of those rare individuals who is super-talented with photographic, instructional, as well as superb people skills. Combined with his cutting edge technological approach to photographing nature, his advocacy of the environment and his sheer methodological genius, he sets himself apart from his peers. This is a young man who is definitely leading the photographic revolution in nature and I count myself amongst the lucky ones who have learned more in one week than I have in one year with other photographic instructors and courses. The aurora still shines brightly from one of the most fantastic photo tours I have ever participated in. In large measure, it is directly related to the the sage-like wisdom of Aaron.”

Itinerary Includes

9 nights accommodations, round trip airfare from Quito to Galapagos ($540), meals, transfers in Quito and the Galapagos, Galapagos entrance fee ($100) and tourist transit card ($20). Itineraries are subject to change without notice (for safety, environmental or any other reasons).

Itinerary Does Not Include

International Airfare to/from Quito; items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, etc.) gratuities for your guides & lodge staff, recommended travel insurance, lunch on the last day, optional wetsuit for snorkeling, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. The tuition does not cover any price increases from the national parks between now and the tour.

Registration

If you would like to register for this workshop or have additional questions, please fill out the form using the sign up button below.  Please specify the date of the tour you prefer. Please also take a minute to review our  Terms & Conditions , containing important information about our cancellation and refund policies.  Refer to our  workshop information section  to learn more about the  registration process  and our  frequently asked questions .

Highlights:

• Experience one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife photography alongside Aaron. We will shoot in the best light possible accessing the islands early and staying late
• Our hand-picked privately chartered deluxe catamaran yacht is one of the of the most comfortable and stable ships in the Galapagos
• English/Spanish natural history tour guide
• Allow our scouting and meticulous trip planning lead you to the adventure of a lifetime

Dates: May 25-June 3, 2022 ( Sold Out )

Group Size:  12-15 Participants

2022 Cost: $7995 (If you are not traveling with someone we will assign you a roommate, depending on group makeup one Single Supplement may be available for 1.5 times the regular rate on a first come first serve basis. Single Supplement available in Quito for $395.)

We are not planning to run this trip in 2023.

Payment Terms: 25% Non-Refundable Deposit, Rest Due at 180 Days Before Departure

You can join the wait list for any sold out trip here .

2021 Itinerary:

In the last 10 years Aaron has led over 200 wildlife photography tours around the world. He has earned a reputation for his gracious teaching style to photographers of all skill levels and extensive knowledge of Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Olympus, and Sony digital cameras.

Galapagos Photo Workshop, West Islands Route | Small-Group Galapagos Photography Tours

In Galapagos Photo Workshop , Upcoming Workshops by Matt Shetzer May 26, 2022

Important Details

• $7,995 USD per person
• Single supplement (private cabin) option of $2,995 USD.

Deposit: $1,000 USD

Limit: 14 guests with 2 guides

Duration: 9 days/8 nights. 8 day/7 night cruise

Skill Level: Beginner to Pro

• Non-photographers get $250 USD off!
• Extend your adventure at a special rate. Stay an extra week in the Galapagos or join an Ecuadorian hummingbird tour and save $500 USD!

Trip Leader: Matt Shetzer

The incredible diversity of the Galapagos Islands will amaze you. It’s unlike any other location on the planet!

The animals have little fear of humans or other predators, providing nature photographers with up-close and personal opportunities to encounter the species that call this amazing place their home.

Galápagos West Islands Route: Photo Tour Highlights

• The Galapagos Islands, a small archipelago, have been preserved to the highest conservation standards. They’re a pristine environment where life flourishes, famous for inspiring Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection during the legendary voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle.
• Many species are only found in the islands’ untouched beauty, such as the Galapagos Penguins and Sea Lions and the prehistoric-looking Marine Iguanas .
• During the day, we’ll take the yachts’ two zodiacs (pangas) and land at multiple island locations to find the best photo opportunities. Our destinations have no signs of civilization — just wildlife photography as it should be. These efficient boats quickly get us to the locations, maximizing our time ashore.
• We’ll visit many locations during the week to photograph a wide range of animals, such as the Galapagos penguin, the only one in the Northern Hemisphere. We’ll also get chances to shoot beautiful beaches and volcanic landscapes.

Why Choose Our Galapagos Workshop?

• Each day, you’ll receive expert guidance from professional nature photographer Matt Shetzer in the field and learn from him in the evenings during our workshops.
• Our Galapagos photography tours are limited to 14 guests, with two photography guides and a naturalist so that everyone gets personal attention from our instructors and crew.
• Photography is our priority, and we schedule our shoots for the best light and conditions to get you those award-winning images.
• Smaller tours, like ours, are better for wildlife photography. They reduce the impact on the animals and produce superior images.
• Our naturalist on the yacht will share information about the island’s geology, history, and the animals we photograph. They’ll also guide us on the islands to help protect the wildlife, find the best locations, and follow all the rules that keep the Galapagos such a magical and natural place.

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Over 90% of Our Clients Are Repeat Customers

Here’s why.

Wildlife images worth sharing and beyond: Matt tailors his expert guidance to your needs

Matt is that person who exceeds at providing a well-organized photographic expedition … he guides you through his evening classes, nightly photo reviews, and on the scene attention in order for you to get the right exposure and composition resulting in photographs that you will want to hang on your wall at home or share with friends and relatives. If you’re looking for workshop that encompasses all the minute details to get the photos you want to be proud of, then Matt Shetzer is the photographer you want to sign up with!

from Nebraska

Elevate your skills and get stunning shots: Matt’s hands-on help makes his tours worth the investment!

Matt is tireless in making sure all his guests are well accommodated and that they are getting good photos. He makes it easy to get good shots. He conducts very useful workshops in the evening that help prepare you for getting the best possible photos. The trips are dedicated to photography which means lots of time shooting at the best sites … But the most important measure of the success of the trips is the large number of excellent photos I got, which exceeded my expectations!

from California

Clients rate our photo tours five out of five stars on Google .

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What Photography Skills You’ll Gain

• While in the field, you’ll have hands-on photographic instruction to help you obtain the best possible images.
• Once the sun sets, we’ll spend our evenings in photo workshops, discussing techniques for photographing the wildlife and landscapes we see each day. We’ll discuss camera settings, compositional ideas, and different techniques to create those stunning, once-in-a-lifetime images.
• As the week progresses, we’ll focus on image post-processing techniques that help you get the most out of your images.

Wildlife Photos From Our Galapagos Photo Tour

Wildlife photography here is spectacular. We get so close to the wildlife, sometimes just feet away, that you don’t need long lenses for this photography tour.

If you join us snorkeling, you’ll be amazed at the colorful underwater wildlife. Large marine creatures, such as sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays, and colorful tropical fish, swim right by you.

The West Route Species List

The islands have the highest level of endemic species of any location on the planet. Endemic species exist only in one geographic region and can be found nowhere else on Earth.

The islands’ endemic species include 22 birds, 19 reptiles, and seven mammals. In addition to all the endemic species, many species found elsewhere are native to the Galapagos. And they live naturally without any human influence.

• Galápagos Penguin (endemic)
• Blue-footed booby (native)
• Greater flamingo (native)
• Galápagos mockingbirds (endemic)
• Darwin’s Finches or Galápagos Finches (endemic)
• Flightless cormorant (endemic)
• Galápagos Green Turtle (endemic sub-species)
• Giant Tortoises (endemic)
• Galápagos Sea Lion (endemic sub-species)
• Galápagos Hawks (endemic)
• Great frigatebird (native)
• Magnificent frigatebird (native)
• Galápagos flycatcher (endemic)
• Vermilion flycatcher (endemic sub-species)
• Land Iguana (endemic)
• Franklin’s gull (native)
• Galápagos Dove (endemic)
• Galápagos Gull or Swallow-tailed Gull (endemic)
• Galápagos heron or Lava heron (endemic)
• Smooth-billed ani (introduced)
• American oystercatcher (native)
• Brown Pelican (native)
• Brown Noddy (native)
• Galápagos Petrel (endemic)
• Yellow-crowned night heron (native)
• Sharp-beaked ground-finch or Vampire finch (endemic)
• Warbler-finch (endemic)
• Lava Cactus
• Marine Iguana (endemic)
• Sally Lightfoot Crabs
• Lava Lizards (endemic)
• Elliot’s Storm Petrel (native)
• Galápagos martin (endemic)
• Galápagos petrel (endemic)
• Galápagos shearwater (endemic)
• Great blue heron (native)
• Lava Gull (endemic)
• Semi-palmated plover (migrant)
• Whimbrel (migrant)
• Wilson’s phalarope (migrant)
• Sanderling (migrant)
• Bottle-nosed Dolphin
• Short-finned Pilot Whale
• Spotted eagle rays
• Lava cactus
• Hermit crabs (native)
• Yellow warbler (endemic)

Trip Itinerary: Created by a Photographer for Photographers

From the moment you arrive in Quito, Ecuador, we take care of everything. You can concentrate on your photography and have a fantastic time in the wildlife photographer’s dream location.

• We’ve designed the workshop to put you in the best locations, with superb comfort and fantastic food during the trip.
• Our nine-day, eight-night photography tour includes eight days and seven nights aboard our specially chartered catamaran. For those who get a little queasy, a catamaran is the best option, as it does not pitch and roll like a monohull.
• When we visit the islands each day, beach landings will be easy and quick. The ship sports a pair of ten-person Zodiac pangas (dinghies) with eco-friendly Yamaha engines.
• When we have clear skies at night, enjoy the rare equatorial chance to see Northern and Southern Hemisphere stars in the sky overhead.
• In addition to photography, we offer many other activities, such as hikes and snorkeling, making this trip ideal for both couples and non-photographers.

Your Floating Hotel for the Week: Luxury Meets Adventure for a Unique Experience

Our yacht for the week blends luxury and comfort. With only 14 guests and eight crew, the ship provides excellent service, accommodations, and fine dining over the course of the trip.

The crew of 8 includes a captain, first mate, machinist, two sailors, cook, auxiliary cook, and naturalist, mostly locals from the islands.

The yacht has ten cabins, all with private bathrooms, hot water, and air conditioning.

On the top floor of the yacht is a roomy sundeck, where you can take in the views and relax in the warm sunshine. Next to the dining room is the comfortable main salon, which doubles as our workshop meeting room.

More Nature Images From Our Workshop

Ready to Start Your Photographic Adventure?

This workshop is a can’t-miss experience for wildlife and nature photographers. It’ll surpass your expectations and help you capture your dream images with thoughtful, expert guidance.

Join us at one of the best wildlife photography locations in the world, for our nine-day, eight-night Galapagos photo workshop!

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Our Expertise

At Photo Tour Galapagos Islands, we are a team who has a passion for capturing life's most precious moments. We have the experience and knowledge to help you produce stunning photographs that you will cherish for years to come.

Our Approach

We understand that everyone has unique needs and preferences when it comes to photography. We work closely with you to ensure that every detail is perfect and take 

advantage of the unique beauty of the islands.

We use the best yachts to ensure that our clients receive the highest quality service. 

Tip-Top Cruises is a pioneer company in the 

Galapagos Islands for more than 50 years. 

Ivan Lasso-Photographer

• I'm a professional photographer with 30 years of experience in Advertising photography and a REI photographer for more than 20 years. I have published the following books about the Galapagos Islands since 1998.
• Latitude O ˚ The Galapagos Islands
• Enchanted Galapagos
• My Unforgettable Journey 

Discover the unique beauty of the Galapagos Islands.

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Galapagos 2025-08: wildlife & photography adventures, tour focus / birds & photo.

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• GALAPAGOS 2025-08: Wildlife & Photography Adventures Quantity Deposit/Payment per Person:

2025 :: August 30 - September 10

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SCHEDULED TOURS

Trip leaders, kevin loughlin, pedro guaycha, john sterling.

From: $10,500  (See details) Cost is per person, double occupancy from Quito, Ecuador (UIO)

8 - 14  Participants

AVAILABILITY

14 Spaces Available

PRIVATE TOUR OPTION

This tour is available as a private trip for any size group. The tour cost will vary with the number of people and any custom requests.

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TESTIMONIALS

The best trip ever! The birds, animals, geology, and plant material are totally unique to the area and amazing. Kevin Loughlin, Pedro Guaycha, and John Kricher were wonderful leaders who were very knowledgeable, patient, and fun to be with. The yacht was extremely comfortable and the crew could not be more accommodating. In summary this was a great trip and would not change anything about it.

We didn’t just see, or tour, the Galapagos Islands with Wildside Nature Tours…we experienced the Galapagos Islands with all five senses, such that it will live in our memories as vivid as it was those magical twelve days of August, 2017, aboard the our yacht…may we yet again be so fortunate as to undertake such an adventure.

You know how much this trip meant to me. It was so much more than I would have ever even imagined. I was a little worried that I would be disappointed because I held Galapagos on such high expectations. I feel silly for even thinking that!

I never felt so close to nature in my life. From the Sea Lion that happily played with us in the water to the Mockingbirds coming right up to my camera to the Boobies who had no worry about us passing right by, even when they had young with them. The s(…)

A small group tour of the Galapagos on a private boat is definitely the only way to go. To visit these enchanted islands with a leader as experienced as Kevin Loughlin means that you will almost always be in the right place at the right time to catch all the action at the best times of day in the best light.

I took the Galapagos trip that began June 16, 2019. The trip exceeded my expectations and they were already pretty high. Everything was praiseworthy–the logistics, the ship, the crew, the food, and the guides. Kevin Loughlin, Pedro Guaycha and John Kricher are all so experienced and knowledgeable, and fun to be with. Kevin is a very relaxed but efficient leader, so the atmosphere is always enjoyable. The photo opportunities were of course spectacular.

The pace was not leisurely! Early m(…)

I was not sure what I was getting into with this tour, as this was my first guided trip. I feel that I had gotten pretty far with photography on my own, and have built a bit of a following. That said, I also felt I’ve hit a bit of a plateau with processing and creativity in the field.

Working with Kevin in the field and seeing what he was able to create in the situations given was inspiring to say the least. This gave me a bit of re-kindled spirit towards(…)

We had extremely high expectations, and they were easily exceeded. We loved everything about the trip. Probably what impressed us the most is the way Kevin and his folks made sure everyone’s interests were a point of focus. As birders, we felt like we received all the help we could have asked for, and I’m sure the photographers felt the same way.

The trip exceeded my expectations. The leaders [Kevin Loughlin & Pedro Guaycha] were patient and answered all questions. The yacht crew were attentive and well trained. Food onboard was well prepared and satisfying. The time passed too quickly and every day brought new adventures.

This is our fifth trip with Wildside. All five trips were fabulous and Kevin and his guides are terrific. This trip to the Galapagos is in a class of it’s own and the trip every birder and nature photographer must do!! Kevin Loughlin, Pedro Guaycha and John Kricher were exceptional guides and hosts. The new boat, staterooms, staff and fresh food were all first class. I cannot recommend this trip enough. The wildlife was up close and amazing. We even got to snorkel with sea turtles, sea lion(…)

The Galápagos Islands are a unique destination that requires an experienced tour company to expose you to all its wonders. Kevin of Wildside Tours knows this place as well or better than anybody! You will be totally immersed in the wildlife and scenery-a sensual experience that will have you re-telling your trip over and over to friends and family. It couldn’t get any better than what we experienced. My wife says NOTHING will ever top this as a birthday gift. Wildside is the best!!

Highlights of GALAPAGOS 2025-08: Wildlife & Photography Adventures

• Enjoy our spacious, first class yacht, the Solaris.
• All cabins above deck with ocean view and NO bunk beds!
• Limited single cabins available, too!
• You’ll get personal attention from two tour leaders PLUS our local Galapagos naturalist
• Kevin has been to the Galapagos 40+ times and knows the best yachts and itineraries
• Wildside spends more time on the islands than any other company
• Our groups typically arrive 90 minutes before any other boat and stay long after they leave
• We visit the islands at the best times of day for wildlife activity and good light for photography

Description of GALAPAGOS 2025-08: Wildlife & Photography Adventures

Everyone should visit the Galapagos Islands… the experience is magical! During our adventure we will seek out the endemic species of birds and other animals of the Galapagos. Some of the bird species include Darwin’s finches, Galapagos Penguin, Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Dove, Swallow-tailed Gull and Waved Albatross—doing their wonderful courtship dance! Other creatures we will see include Land Iguanas, Marine Iguanas, Lava Lizards and two endemic species of butterflies.

Galapagos Photography

Photography opportunities abound as each day will include land excursions on different islands. Most days will also include snorkeling opportunities to enjoy swimming with sea lions, sea turtles and hundreds of species of fish… so bring an underwater camera, too. We will also fit within our schedule mini photography workshops to help you get the best images of each location we visit while learning more and improving the quality of your photography.

Galapagos Bird & Wildlife Observation

Seeing birds and wildlife in the Galapagos can be easy… however, the slower we go the more we will see. Bird and nature enthusiasts will enjoy quiet observation as we enjoy our incredible surroundings. While taking our time, we will seek birds as well as Galapagos wildlife like butterflies, reptiles and mammals.

NEW BOOK AVAILABLE!

Please help your local book stores by ordering through BookShop.org [ ORDER NOW! ]

A richly illustrated nature tour of Galápagos–now expanded, thoroughly updated, and with more than 650 color photographs

Galápagos experts John Kricher and Kevin Loughlin have thoroughly revised the original text, bringing all the taxonomy up to date and adding a wealth of new information. Individual chapters cover geology, ecology, human history, Darwin’s finches and how Darwin came to his theory of natural selection from his visit to the islands, Galápagos tortoises, marine and land iguanas, mammals, seabirds, landbirds, marine life, and conservation challenges and initiatives. The concluding chapter covers each of the individual islands, including landing sites, unique plant and animal species, and points of interest, and serves as a wonderful guide for visitors as they move from island to island or plan a trip to Galápagos.

With its combination of rich text and splendid photos, Galápagos is essential reading for the ecotraveler and nature enthusiast alike.

Length of Tour

12-days/11-nights

Basic Galapagos Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Quito

Day 2 – Hummingbirds (and other species) of the Andes.

Day 3 – Fly to Galapagos – Baltra / Santa Cruz

Day 4 – North Seymour & Mosquera

Day 5 – genovesa.

Day 6 – South Plaza / Santa Fé

Day 7 – San Cristóbal

Day 8 – española, day 9 – floreana, day 10 – isla santiago / bartolomé.

Day 11 – Black Turtle Cove / Baltra / Quito

Day 12 – Return to USA

Detailed Galapagos Itinerary

Day 1 – arrive quito.

Arrive in Quito at any time. Our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel.

Day 2 – Papallacta Pass and Guango Lodge hummingbirds

Today we will drive east through Papallacta Pass at nearly 13,000ft where we have seen Andean Condors on occasion. Continuing east we will arrive at Guango Lodge to enjoy Hummingbirds in their gardens and at their feeders. Incredible photo opportunities abound as we try to capture images of these wonderful creatures. We will have lunch at the lodge and enjoy a walk along the river before we return to Quito for dinner.

Day 3 – Baltra / Santa Cruz

Early flight to Baltra, in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival meet our naturalist guide who will assist with the transfer to our yacht, the Solaris.

The national park charges a visitor fee of $100 USD, payable on arrival, which funds Park maintenance and supervision in the Galapagos, as well as ecological study, conservation and infrastructure development in Ecuador’s other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the National Park System are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage.

Our first excursion, after lunch, will be to the highlands of Santa Cruz to enjoy the amazing Giant Tortoises in the wild. Here we will also explore the beautiful Scalesia Daisy Tree Forest to seek many of the endemic finches.

North Seymour Island, flat and rocky, is littered with Blue-footed Booby nests, and these birds can often be seen doing their comical courtship dance! In the surrounding saltbush we can find nesting Great and Magnificent Frigatebirds, males often with their bright red throat pouches inflated.

After a bird ID class and/or photo workshop on board the yacht, we will explore Mosquera, a tiny spit of land perfect for practicing what we learned as boobies and frigates fly by while shorebirds, sally lightfoot crabs and sea lions line the beach and rocks.

Land at Genovesa Island, an old imploded volcano, to observe the massive colonies of Frigate Birds, Boobies and other seabirds as well as striking volcanic cliffs rising from the ocean.

Well to the north of the main Galapagos Island group, Genovesa is the shape of a horseshoe given it’s volcanic history. The island has a volcanic caldera whose wall has collapsed, forming the Great Darwin Bay, surrounded by cliffs. Lake Arcturus, filled with salt water, lies in the centre, and sediment within this crater lake is less than 6,000 years old. Our first excursion in Darwin Bay provides us some fantastic snorkeling opportunities within the a partially eroded crater.

In the afternoon there will be an excursion to “El Barranco,” otherwise known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, on the southern tip of the island. This is an extraordinary path that leads through a seabird colony full of life, up to cliffs that are 75ft high. At the top, the trail continues inland, passing more seabird colonies in a thin palo santo forest. Storm-petrels nest here and can sometimes be seen avoiding their chief predator, Short-eared Owls.

This island is also known as Bird Island, because of the large and varied bird colonies which nest here, and the whole ecology is made of birds and marine iguanas, no mammal. There are an abundance of frigatebirds and it is the best place to see Red-footed Boobies in the Galapagos.

DAY 6 – South Plaza / Santa Fé

One of the smallest islands in the Galapagos, South Plaza has one of the largest populations of Land Iguanas. A large colony of noisy sea lions has its prime habitat on these smooth rocks. Walk along a path through a cactus forest and view a combination of dry and coastal vegetation. The small cactus forest is populated by land iguanas, which can be seen sunning themselves or feeding on opuntia pads and fruits. Swallow-tailed gulls, which nest on the rugged southern cliffs, are usually seen, along with Red-billed Tropicbirds and Galapagos Shearwaters. During the garua season you can see the sesuvium turn bright colors of red, orange and yellow, like an Autumn day in New England.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Santa Fé, a fairly small and dry island. Also called Barrington, Santa Fé Island is well-known as a great place for watching (and swimming with) sea lions. Santa Fé was formed from an uplift (rather than a volcano) giving the island a relatively flat surface rather than the typical conical shape of the other islands. Introduced goats were eradicated in 1971, and Santa Fe is now home to a number of endemic species, which have bounced back from the outside threat, including: Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Snake, Galapagos Rice Rat, Galapagos Mockingbird and a variety of finches.

Hiking towards the cliffs along the island’s northern shore you can view the forest of giant Prickly Pear Cactus. A member of the cactus family their name comes from the pear shaped fruit the plant produces. Santa Fe is home to an endemic Land Iguana. Once back at the beach there is normally plenty of free time to snorkel back in the lagoon. Playful sea lions pups and bright-colored fish make for fascinating company.

We will pass by Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), which is a magnificent rock in the middle of the sea, set in a shape resembling a sleeping lion (or for the not-so-creative, a shoe. Hence the english name Kicker Rock). The rock rises nearly 500ft above the ocean surface and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel navigable by small vessels. We also visit Cerro Brujo, where there is a chance to go hiking, swimming and snorkeling. The sandy beach is home to Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Brown Pelicans, Blue-footed Boobies and many sea lions.

The town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal is the capital and administrative centre of the Galapagos Islands. From here, in the afternoon, we will visit a newer site near Cerro Colorado where we can find the San Cristobal variety of saddlebacked Giant Tortoises.

At Gardner Bay on Española Island (also called Hood Island) we’ll walk along one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago. Sea lions and bird life will keep us very occupied, but there will also be the opportunity to go snorkeling.

Punta Suarez on the western side of Española is spectacular: gargantuan waves break on jagged cliffs and large bird colonies thickly populate the interior of the island; there is a distinct feel of desolate wilderness here. The Waved Albatross is seen here from April to December during its mating/nesting season. This bird leaves land between January and March each year to make its annual odyssey far out to sea. Amazingly, Española is the nesting site to virtually the entire world population of this species, with more than 12,000 pairs residing here. Large numbers of Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies are also found here, Red-billed Tropic Birds dash madly through the air, and both Marine Iguanas and sea lions are common. A huge blowhole, where the surf is forced through a natural rock formation spouting seawater 50 or more feet into the air, adds to the island’s impression of untamed beauty.

Make our way to Punta Cormorant on the northern part of Floreana. The landing is on a beach of greenish sand, colored by olivine crystals, volcanic-derived silicates of magnesium and iron. The trail leads to a lake normally inhabited by flamingos and other shore birds and continues to a beach of fine white sand particles known as “Flour Beach”, an important nesting site for turtles. Around the point, Devil’s Crown derives its name from the broken remains of a partially submerged volcanic cone. This is a perfect spot to go snorkeling from the boat, as the waters are home to a multitude of colorful fish and sea lions. Please make sure you are a comfortable swimmer, however, as despite the protection from the open sea provided by the “crown,” the water here can be rough and the currents strong.

Later in the afternoon we stop at Post Office Bay. A barrel was placed here in the late 18th century by English whaling vessels to be used as a post office. Passing ships would stop to leave mail for loved ones, collecting at the same time any mail destined for ports on their itineraries. Today the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. The remains of a Norwegian canning factory are the only evidence of the Island’s history prior to its designation as a protected area.

The history of Floreana Island (also called Charles) has gradually evolved to reach near mythic proportions. The story begins when a baroness and her two lovers, a German doctor and his mistress, and a German couple and their young son all came to settle on this land. Their dalliances and disasters, shrouded in mystery, were chronicled in John Treherne’s book The Galapagos Affair. Descendants of the German family, the Wittmers, still live on the island in the small community of Puerto Velasco Ibarra. Mrs. Margaret Wittmer has also written a booked entitled “Floreana.”

Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island offers striking lava formations. Very few plants have managed to survive on this island due to the harsh environment and relatively new lava floe, about 110 years old.

Bartolomé Island has two main areas of interest. A hike to the summit of the island provides a clear perspective of the islands’ not-too-distant volcanic origins, and the panoramic view is one of the best among the islands. From here are visible the double-sided beach of Bartolomé directly below, the volcanic tower rising out of the water next to it, and Santiago in the distance. After the summit hike, stop at the beach to relax in semi-tropical tranquility. There is great snorkeling among the submerged volcanic rock and around the base of the tower. A short hike to the beach on the opposite side is worth the minimal effort. It is not unusual to see sharks in these shallow waters.

Day 11 – Black Turtle Cove / Baltra / Quito

Early morning we’ll visit Black Turtle Cove, a nursery area for not only Green Turtles but many sharks and rays as well. We will motor through the mangroves enjoying views of many birds as well. After our visit we will disembark at Baltra and transfer to the airport for our flight back to Quito.

In Quito we will have our final evening meal together .

Day 12 – Return Home

Departures throughout the day…

Cost Details

Cost is $10,500 per person, based upon double occupancy, from Quito, Ecuador (Airport code UIO. This trip ends in Quito, Ecuador (Airport code UIO).

Single Cabins, Shared Cabins & Suites

Our yacht for this tour, the Solaris, has three single cabins available as well as two suites with queen-sized bed and four shared cabins with two beds.

PRICED PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY – 4 Twin share standard cabins – 2 beds in each: $10,500 per person – 2 Suites: $11,250 per person (double occupancy) – 1 ‘matrimonial bed’ in each suite, plus a sofa/sitting area

SINGLE CABINS PRICED PER PERSON SINGLE OCCUPANCY – 2 Single cabins: $11,250 each – includes single hotel room as well

Additional Costs

– $100 Galapagos Islands National Park Fee (subject to change) – $300 (Recommended Gratuities) $200 for Boat Crew & $100 for local naturalist – $75 Wet suit rental (mask & snorkel are free)

Minimum Number

If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.

Tour Costs Include

Local Galapagos/Quito flights, Tourist Card fee ($20), all airport transfers, all accommodations (hotel and yacht), all meals from breakfast on Day 2 through dinner on Day 10, all permits, all land transportation.

Tour Costs Do Not Include

International flights, passport and/or visa fees, additional hotel nights, additional snacks or bottled drinks, alcohol, laundry, phone calls or anything of a personal nature or not specifically mentioned as included.

Deposit Requirements

A $1,500 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.

How to Book

In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.

Final Payment

For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.

For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.

NOTE : If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.

Accommodations

Garden hotel san jose de puembo.

In Quito we will enjoy the wonderful Garden Hotel San Jose de Puembo, located only 15 minutes from the new airport near Quito. Spacious rooms and an excellent restaurant sit in a small town surrounded by rolling hills. Birds, llamas and beautiful flowers can be found in the hotel’s gardens. While here, enjoy the relaxing hot tub.

SOLARIS YACHT (Click for yacht web site)

Category – First Class motor yacht

Length – 118 ft

Beam – 29 ft

Capacity – 16 passengers

Accommodations – All cabins are all above deck with doors that open outside to the deck. Each has private bath, hot showers and air conditioning. A top sun deck and large bow and stern area offer great pelagic viewing. Comfortable bar and lounge areas with TV and projector for presentations round out our boat.

Crew – Captain, 5 sailors, 2 chefs and 2 mechanics plus our National Park naturalist/guide.

Electricity – Two 110v/220v generators, standard USA three-prong receptacles throughout the yacht.

Activity Level

Activity level rating:  3  (note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult).

• Some trails on the Galapagos will be very rocky. • We will need to board and disembark from zodiacs to the yacht as well as to shore.

Skill Level and Photo Equipment Recommendations

Gear for birding and wildlife viewing in the galapagos.

• Be sure to bring good, waterproof binoculars. Yes, much of the wildlife is close, but some is not, especially when viewing sea birds from the yacht.

• Spotting scopes are not typically needed as there will only be a couple locations where migrating shorebirds may be too distant for binoculars. None of the Galapagos endemics will require a scope. We will have a scope for use on our pre-Galapagos Hummingbird Day.

Photography Gear for the Galapagos Islands and Hummingbird Day

The best camera is the one you have with you! That said, we will help you get great photos no mater what camera you use.

For those with DSLR or Mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses, here is what we recommend that you bring two bodies to reduce changing lenses and just in case of accidental damage to one.

Recommended Lenses

• 24-105mm (or equivalent) • 100-400mm (or equivalent)

In addition you may also want to have an ultra-wide lens equivalent to about 16-35mm.

Other Accessories

• Tripod for longer exposures and steady video • Rain cover for camera • Weather resistant Camera Bag (Backpack style is best) • Polarizing Filters • Batteries and chargers • Lots of memory cards! • Laptop or other downloading device

Additional Information

GALAPAGOS: A NATURAL HISTORY by John Kricher and Kevin Loughlin

This is one of the best books to get to know the islands well before your visit.

Kevin’s favorite guide to the flora and fauna of the islands.

Purchasing Flights

Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.

Detailed Trip Information

Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.

Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.

Travel Insurance

As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance .

Passport & Visa

US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.

Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.

Itinerary Changes

The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.

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