Epic Galápagos Photography Expedition
Overview
Highlights
- Explore the Galápagos archipelago and undersea in great depth with hikes and Zodiac cruises
- Tour paced for photo ops and timed to take advantage of the best light.
- Shoot with and learn from top National Geographic photographers and the Lindblad-National Geographic Director of Expedition Photography
- Go on daily photo assignments to help build your personal portfolio with wildlife legendary for uniqueness and lack of fear of humans - allowing for up-close and magical photo opportunities with blue-footed boobies, sea lions, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and more.
- Enjoy a mid-voyage photo seminar with our expert photographers and a special photography tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station.
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Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- Accommodations
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Pre-departure information
- Entrance fees, excursions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary
- Ground transportation during the expedition
- Transfers to and from group flights where applicable
- Services of an adventure consultant, guides and any other staff, and on designated “Photography” departures, a National Geographic Photographer
- Taxes, port charges, baggage handling, and service charges
- Itineraries that include camping, camp and cook staffs, tents, kitchen and dining tents and necessary Trip equipment (e.g., sea kayaks, rafts, personal floatation devices, etc.) are provided.
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Itinerary
Depart the U.S. and arrive in Guayaquil by late evening; it’s a short drive to the Hotel Hilton Colon, where we spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a short flight to the Galápagos, we’ll board the National Geographic Endeavour and begin to explore the Galápagos with a landing at the beautiful Las Bachas beaches, lined with endemic coastal plants and protected saltwater lagoons.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
North Seymour Island is an uplifted piece of seafloor, home to land iguanas, sea lion colonies, blue-footed boobies and frigate bird nesting colonies. We will spend the morning observing and photographing the rich wildlife of thi...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fernandina Island is the youngest and most pristine island in Galápagos. The stark black lava flows are home to some of the largest marine iguana colonies in the archipelago, and the peculiar-looking flightless cormorants nest al...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Land on a turtle nesting beach of black sand, and choose from various hiking options to look for the wildlife of the area including a large land iguana nesting colony and occasional giant tortoise sightings. In the afternoon the ...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike up into a coastal forest behind one of the largest turtle nesting beaches in Galápagos, explore the spectacular Buccaneer Cove by Zodiac and kayak, and enjoy snorkeling among the dense schools of reef fish that find refuge i...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Santa Cruz is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galápagos National Park Service. You’ll learn about the science and conservation work undertaken in the islands, and meet some of the key players in the local conserva...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Punta Pitt with its fascinating geology, also the only site where all three booby species that occur in the Galápagos nest together. Take hikes up to the plateau for wonderful views, and Zodiac cruises along the base of the...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The morning will be spent at the spectacular Gardner Bay, home to a pristine white sand beach inhabited by extensive sea lion colonies. Activities here include exploring the beach, deep-water snorkeling, and kayaking. The afternoon will be spent hiking among the sea bird colonies at Punta Suarez.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
During an early morning hike at Punta Cormorant you’ll observe flamingos and shore birds, a turtle nesting beach, and fascinating vegetation. Later, while at Champion Islet, you’ll spend time looking for the endangered Charles mo...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You’ll leave the ship early and head into the lush highlands where giant tortoises forage. Visit a charming sugar cane mill located in the highlands called El Trapiche, then continue to the coast to spend the rest of the afternoon at the picturesque El Garrapatero beach.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will hike through giant cactus and incense tree forests to reach Dragon Hill, the habitat of the colorful Santa Cruz land iguanas that have been brought back from the brink of extinction. Later you will have the opportunity to snorkel along the steep, invertebrate-coated walls of the islets of Guy Fawkes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you will visit Bartolomé, an enchanting landscape where lava, mangroves, and golden sand converge. You will have the opportunity for an early morning hike to the summit of the cone, with stunning views of the famous ...
Sail into the caldera of Genovesa, known as “bird island”, where you’ll enjoy hikes among nesting colonies of swallow-tailed gulls, frigate birds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, all while keeping a look out for hunting short-eared owls. Ride Zodiacs and kayak along the base of the caldera wall, and snorkel among large schools of parrot fish and other tropical species.
Meals: Breakfast
Disembark and fly to Guayaquil. The afternoon and evening are at yours at the Hotel Hilton Colon.
Meals: Breakfast
Depart Guayaquil this morning, arriving home the same day.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with National Geographic Expeditions.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- The “Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner” notations apply to the period during the expedition only and do no any meals on flights to/from the Trip.
- International airfare
- Optional gratuities
- Personal items
Accommodation
The National Geographic Endeavour is a premier expedition ship that accommodates 96 guests in 56 outside cabins. Single cabins in Category 1 are highlighted in bright blue and include cabins 219, 222, 309-312, 314-316, and 318. Single cabins in Category 2 are highlighted in bright pink and include cabins 124, 126, 127, and 205. The ship is fully stabilized, allowing for smooth passage from one island to the next. It carries snorkeling gear, wet suits, kayaks, a fleet of Zodiacs, and a glass-bottom boat. Public areas include a lounge and bar, a library, a gift shop, a fitness center, a sauna, and a swimming pool. Services include a full-time doctor and a wellness specialist, Internet access, and laundry.
15 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches and 13 Dinners
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