Galapagos Photography Tour
April 6-15, 2024
$7995
SOLD OUT – I am not running this tour in 2025, or 2026. Check back for possible 2027 dates.
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. (Airport 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.
- Mid-High.
- 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
Includes
- 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
