Trogon Photo Tours

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

November 7-18, 2020

Mainland Extension

November 18-22, 2020

Summary:  On this tour you will have lots of time and opportunities with Blue-footed Boobies, 2 species of Frigatebirds, Marine and Land Iguanas, Galapagos Sea Lions, Galapagos Tortoises (in the wild) and many other species of birds including many of Darwin's finches.  We will have a day trip to visit Hood Island and photograph the nesting Galapagos Albatrosses.  On Isabela Island we should have some nice opportunities with Galapagos Penguin and we will try for Galapagos Hawk as well as Galapagos Rail.   The vast majority of the wildlife in the Galapagos is tame, so you don't need a monster lens, I use an intermediate zoom most of the time. During your extra day in Quito you will be staying at a lodge where you can photograph hummingbirds.  This is a hotel based Galapagos photo tour.  We will stay in highly rated hotels on 3 different islands, San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Cruz and visit several other islands on this tour.  Staying in lodges versus on a boat gives us the advantages of being able to spend more time at the right time of day for photography in many locations and it gives us more comfort with larger rooms.  It's also much less expensive for those wanting a single room.

Tour Leader: Charles Gangas.  Charles is a full time nature photographer based out of Stowe, Vermont.  Our Galapagos guide has more than 20 years experience guiding in the islands and is an excellent birder. 

What to Expect: We will be staying in highly rated hotels on San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands.  Our activities will include morning and afternoon photography sessions either on the islands we are staying or on boat trips to smaller islands which are nearby.  A zoom lens is perfect for much of the photography.  In the past I have mostly used my Sigma 150-500 zoom.  Although especially with the tortoises I often use a wider lens as well.  There will be plenty of opportunities for snorkeling if you are interested in that.

Maximum participants: 10 total with a maximum of 6 photographers. 

Cost: $5,700, single supplement of $900.  Nonphotographer spouse $4,900, Deposit $1,500.  Cost includes all lodging including 8 nights on the islands and 3 nights in Quito, Ecuador.  It includes all meals, activities, transportation besides flights, guiding and instruction.  Cost doesn't include flight to/from Ecuador from your home, Quito-Galapagos-Quito flights, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, drinks, tips and items of a personal nature. 

Contact: Nate Chappell at nchappell@trogontours.net or 281-778-1486 to sign up or if you have questions.

Itinerary:

Nov 7th: Arrival to Quito, transfer from airport to Zaysant Ecolodge. 

Nov 8th: Rest and photograph a few birds in the garden at Zaysant or take an optional trip to Alambi Lodge in the Tandayapa Valley where up to 20 species of hummingbirds can be photographed.  Return to Zaysant Ecolodge in the afternoon. 

Nov 9th: Flight from Quito to San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos.  Afternoon van trip to photograph Frigatebirds which drink from a lake in the highlands followed by photographing Blue-footed Boobies in the setting sun on the east end of the island. Hotel: Galapagos Eco Friendly Hotel, highest rated San Cristobal lodging on TripAdvisor. 

Nov 10th: Full day boat trip to Hood Island to photograph nesting Galapagos Albatrosses, Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies and many other species.  Return to San Cristobal in the late afternoon.  Hotel: Galapagos Eco Friendly Hotel. 

Nov 11th - In the morning we will visit Los Loberias, a wildlife area close to town that hosts many Galapagos Sea Lions, Marine Iguanas and other birds.  A hike to a nearby cliff gets us to nesting Swallow-tailed Gulls and Red-billed Tropicbirds.  In the afternoon we will have a boat transfer to Santa Cruz Island.  Hotel: Isla Azul. 

Nov 12th - This morning we will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to photograph several species of endemic finches including the rare Woodpecker Finch and Warbling Finches.  After lunch we will have a boat transfer to Isabela Island.  Just before sunset we will visit a lake which attracts waterbirds including American Flamingoes. Hotel: Rincon de George, rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. 

Nov 13th - In the morning we will visit the Las Tintoreras, we will take a small boat trip here which is excellent for photographing Galapagos Penguins and those interested can go snorkeling, often accompanied by Sea Turtles.  We will also have a short hike to a lagoon where you can photograph sharks silhouetted swimming in crystal clear waters below.  In the afternoon we will visit the tortoise breeding center and then the flamingo lagoon.  Hotel:  Rincon de George. 

Nov 14th- In the morning we will visit the highlands of Isabela Island on the lookout for Galapagos Hawks and the elusive Galapagos Rail, on a clear day we will have great views of the volcanoes.  In the late afternoon we will photograph in the harbor area at Santa Cruz, this is an excellent spot to photograph then endemic Lava Heron.  Hotel: Isla Azul, the 3rd highest rated bed and breakfast on Santa Cruz Island. 

Nov 15th - Today we will visit a ranch where many Giant Tortoises roam in the wild, it's also a good spot for endemic land birds.  In the afternoon we will visit another lagoon which is good for Flamingos and Marine Iguanas. Hotel: Isla Azul

Nov 16th - Today we will have a boat trip to North Seymour Island and Bachas Beach.  North Seymour has nesting Great and Magnificent Frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies and other seabirds, it's also the best location to photograph Land Iguana.  Bachas Beach is always productive for a variety of waterbirds.  Hotel: Isla Azul

Nov 17th - This morning we will visit a different Giant Tortoise ranch, this one has a lake with red algae that they often bathe in.  In the afternoon we will catch our flight back to Quito.  Hotel: Zaysant Ecolodge

Nov 18th - Fly home or we can arrange a few days photographing the hummingbirds, tanagers and other great birds of mainland Ecuador with one of our photography guides. 

Extension - Nov 18th-22nd

Spend 4 days and 3 nights photographing at Sachatamia Lodge near Mindo, Ecuador, this is our favorite lodge for bird photography in Ecuador.  We will do multi-flash hummingbird photography and photograph the numerous birds which come to the blind and at the fruit feeders.  Spectacular hummingbirds include Violet-tailed Slyph and Booted Rackettail.  On the 21st we will return to Zaysant Ecolodge near the airport so you can fly home on the 22nd.  If anyone wants to spend a few more days photographing in Ecuador we can arrange several options for you.  Cost of extension $1,195, single supplement $150.