Intimate encounters, prolific wildlife, endemic subjects, and surreal landscapes... the Galapagos Islands excel in creating an evocative haven for wildlife photographers. On this eight-day photography tour to Galapagos and Ecuador, you explore the sublime sites that lie both above and below the water. The remarkable wildlife congregations are devoid of other tourists and there's no need to rush. Zicasso's tours of Galapagos...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Quito - Resting and Relaxing in an Ancient Colonial City
A relaxing first day, as you and your photography equipment are picked up from Quito International Airport and transferred to a boutique spa hotel close to the city. Llamas roam the grounds and provide your first wildlife photos while the distant peaks of snowy volcanoes stand effervescent in the distance. Your guide will greet you as you enjoy a traditional welcome dinner before a relaxing evening at the hotel.
What's Included:
Day 2
Quito - Hummingbirds in the Cloud Forest
Day 3
Galapagos Islands - Iconic Introductions to Galapagos Wildlife
Day 4
Galapagos Islands - The Spectacular Nesting Grounds of Genovesa
Day 5
Galapagos Islands - Intimate Photos of Land Iguanas and Marine Worlds
Day 6
Galapagos Islands - Endemic Flightless Cormorants and Galapagos Penguins
Day 7
Galapagos Islands - Surprising Variety Amongst Evocative Volcanic Landscapes
Day 8
Galapagos Islands - Red Sand, Sea Lions, and Outstanding Underwater Photos
Day 9
Galapagos Islands - Photographing Wild Giant Tortoises
Day 10
Otavalo - Colorful Market Scenes
Day 11
Otavalo - The Villages of the Andean Highlands
Day 12
Otavalo - Departure
Trip Highlights
- Spend eight days exploring all regions of the Galapagos archipelago on a custom photography cruise
- Savor intimate moments with the islands' iconic wildlife and photograph everything from seabird mating displays to camouflaged rays
- Snorkel in small groups to enjoy near-exclusive access to the Galapagos's vibrant marine world, where sharks, rays, and sea turtles swim before your camera
- Explore the cloud forest of Mindo and photo one of nature's most challenging yet rewarding subjects: hummingbirds
- Experiment with the settings as you explore some of the planet's most intriguing landscapes, like red beaches filled with sea lions and evocative lava cones
- Enjoy incredible access to rare and endemic species like the giant tortoise, marine iguana, and flightless cormorant
- Complete the tour with two nights in the Andean highlands, where colorful markets, indigenous people, and historic haciendas round off the photography experience
- Share experiences and knowledge with other wildlife photographers and hone your skills at some extremely unique destinations
Detailed Description
Wildlife photography tours should always offer new and interesting subjects, intimate encounters, plus surreal landscapes that challenge and reward your skills. The Galapagos Islands excel on all these promises, taking you into a realm of prolific wildlife and mystical backdrops. On these isolated volcanic pinnacles, you're close enough to hear the delicate interaction between mating seabirds. You're close enough to reach out and touch giant endemic reptiles. And you're close enough to take your time and truly savor the photographic challenge. There's no waiting for tourists to depart the frame as this custom photography tour to Galapagos and Ecuador takes you in a small group to the iconic locations on the islands. At each wildlife site, you have near-exclusive access to its prolific wildlife, whether that's a mass seabird breeding ground or magical marine realm.
Your tailored itinerary is centered around an eight-day yacht cruise through the Galapagos Islands. This length of time enables you to visit the fringes of the archipelago and its rarest sights, like the red-footed boobies of Genovesa as well as the penguins and flightless cormorants of Fernandina. Panoramas of the islands come from the upper sundeck while the well-appointed ensuite cabins ensure you're fresh for each early-morning of wildlife photography. Snorkeling excursions are a huge part of the Galapagos experience, and you'll be in the water every day, capturing pelagic creatures like rays and reef sharks. Dolphins and whales are also regularly encountered so always have the camera to hand. Over the eight days, you tick off all the iconic Galapagos creatures, culminating with thousands of giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island.
The Galapagos provides a fresh alternative to other popular wildlife photography destinations. There's no guessing about what you will see. Guides already know exactly where these rare species will be found. There's also no need to fumble and rush your first glimpse of an animal; while the range of most species is small, they inhabit the Galapagos in their tens of thousands. Patience isn't as compulsory as many other wildlife destinations. And neither is a gargantuan zoom lens. You're guaranteed to get within just a few meters of almost all the archipelago's famous characters. Our Galapagos Islands tour companies and agents ensure that you get the closest and most exclusive peek at the endemic wildlife.
On either side of the luxury cruise, there are two very different subjects to photograph. Spend a day with hummingbirds in the Mindo cloud forest, attempting to capture the rapid wings of a dozen different species. Then complete the trip in the Andes, where colorful markets and quiet traditional villages fill another camera roll. A historic hacienda offers pristine views of the mountains and a gentle two-night base for scrolling through and selecting the best photos from this 12-day trip.
Starting Price
$14,700 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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