Trogon Photo Tours

 


PO Box 1505
Fresno, TX 77455-1505

ph: 281-778-1486

nchappell@trogontours.net

  • Home
  • Uganda
  • Orcas EaglesClick to open the Orcas Eagles menu
    • Orcas Eagles Sign Up
  • OlympicsClick to open the Olympics menu
    • Olympics SignUp
  • San DiegoClick to open the San Diego menu
    • San Diego SignUp
  • MalheurClick to open the Malheur menu
    • Malheur Sign Up
  • WA EaglesClick to open the WA Eagles menu
    • WA Eagles Sign Up
  • NW RaptorsClick to open the NW Raptors menu
    • NW Raptors SignUp
  • GrouseClick to open the Grouse menu
    • Grouse Sign Up
  • ColoradoClick to open the Colorado menu
    • Colorado Sign Up
  • YellowstoneClick to open the Yellowstone menu
    • Yellowstone Sign Up
  • GalvestonClick to open the Galveston menu
    • Galveston Sign Up
  • TexasClick to open the Texas menu
    • Texas Sign Up
  • NomeClick to open the Nome menu
    • Nome Sign Up
  • ArizonaClick to open the Arizona menu
    • Arizona Sign Up
  • EcuadorClick to open the Ecuador menu
    • Ecuador Sign Up
  • South Ecuador Click to open the South Ecuador  menu
    • South Ecuador SignUp
  • Costa RicaClick to open the Costa Rica menu
    • Costa Rica Sign Up
  • GalapagosClick to open the Galapagos menu
    • GalapagosSignUp
  • Brazil PantanalClick to open the Brazil Pantanal menu
    • Brazil Sign Up
  • Brazil RainforestClick to open the Brazil Rainforest menu
    • Brazil Rainforest SignUp
  • PeruClick to open the Peru menu
    • Peru Sign Up
  • Colombia Click to open the Colombia  menu
    • Colombia Sign Up
  • SloveniaClick to open the Slovenia menu
    • Slovenia Sign Up
  • Spain Raptors
  • HungaryClick to open the Hungary menu
    • Hungary Sign Up
  • Hungary SummerClick to open the Hungary Summer menu
    • Hungary_Summer_SignUp
  • Greece/BulgariaClick to open the Greece/Bulgaria menu
    • Greece/Bulgaria SignUp
  • ThailandClick to open the Thailand menu
    • Thailand Sign Up
  • AustraliaClick to open the Australia menu
    • Australia Sign Up
  • Testimonials
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • GalleriesClick to open the Galleries menu
    • Galveston
    • Texas
    • Uganda
    • South Africa
    • Costa Rica
    • Thailand
    • Brazil
    • Hummingbirds
    • Ecuador
    • South Ecuador
    • Galapagos
    • Peru
    • Colombia
    • Arizona
    • Australia
    • Spain
    • Slovenia
    • Hungary
    • Winter Europe
    • Colorado
    • Amazon
    • Botswana
    • Yellowstone
    • Eagles
    • Cranes
    • Malheur
    • Atlantic Forest
    • San Diego
  • NewslettersClick to open the Newsletters menu
    • May 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • August 2018
    • May 2018
    • March 2018
    • January 2018
    • October 2016
  • FAQ/Policies

Galapagos photo tour

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

November 6-17, 2022

November 4-15, 2023

Mainland Extension

November 17-21, 2022

November 15-19, 2023

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. 2023 Leader is Javier Zurita.

Tour Sign up

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. 2023 Cost is $5,950.

Itinerary:

Nov 6th: Arrival to Quito, transfer from airport to Zaysant Ecolodge. 

Nov 7th: Rest and photograph a few birds in the garden at Zaysant.  Vermilion Flycatcher, Black-tailed Trainbearer and Western Emerald are a few of the more exciting species possible. Chuck will give a presentation on photograhing birds in the wild. Hotel: Zaysant Ecolodge.

Nov 8th - This morning we will fly from Quito to the Galapagos.  After checking in to our hotel, we will visit a ranch where Giant Galapagos Tortoises lounge in a lake with red algae.  There are numberous birds here as well.  Hotel: the excellent Hotel Coloma 

Nov 9th - 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: La Laguna, a beautiful hotel with views to the flamingo lake. 

Nov 10th - 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:  La Laguna

Nov 11th- 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.  Then we return to Santa Cruz Island.  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: Hotel Coloma, one of the highest rated hotels on on Santa Cruz Island. 

Nov 12th - 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: Hotel Coloma

Nov 13th - 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: Hotel Coloma

Nov 14th: Morning ferry ride from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island.  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 15th: 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 16th - 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.  Then we have an afternoon flight back to Quito.  Hotel: Zaysant Ecolodge. 

Nov 17th - 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 17th-21st

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: Cost: $1,495, supplement $300.  2023 Extension: $1,695.

 

 

Blue-footed Booby

Red-billed Tropicbird

Land Iguana

Swallow-tailed Gull

Galapagos Tortoise Cactus Finch

American Flamingo

Marine Iguana

Galapagos Penguin

Buff-tailed Coronet 


 

Copyright Trogon Photo Tours, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

PO Box 1505
Fresno, TX 77455-1505

ph: 281-778-1486

nchappell@trogontours.net