Discover the extraordinary wildlife and volcanic landscapes of the Galápagos Islands on a bird photography expedition unlike anywhere else on Earth. From intimate encounters with Blue-footed Boobies, Magnificent Frigatebirds and Darwin’s Finches to dramatic colonies of Marine Iguanas, Galapagos Sea Lions and Giant Tortoises, every island offers remarkable photographic opportunities at exceptionally close range. Photograph wildlife against a backdrop of black lava fields, turquoise bays, cactus forests, white-sand beaches and rugged volcanic peaks shaped by millions of years of isolation in the eastern Pacific. Calm seas, golden light and unique endemic species combine to create ideal conditions for both wildlife and scenic photography. Designed specifically for bird photographers, this journey combines carefully selected landings, zodiac excursions and relaxed field time to maximise opportunities for compelling natural history images throughout the archipelago.
Seabirds: (i) Boobies: Blue-footed Booby, Nazca Booby, Red-footed Booby (ii) Frigatebirds: Great Frigatebird, Magnificent Frigatebird, (iii) Tubenoses: Waved Albatross, Galagapos Shearwater, Galagapos Petrel, Wedge-rumped Storm Petrel, Elliott’s Storm Petrel, Band-rumped Storm Petrel.
Waders & Waterbirds: (i) Waders: American Oystercatcher, Black-necked Stilt, Semipalmated Plover, Whimbrel, Sanderling, Least Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Wandering Tattler, Ruddy Turnstone, Pacific Golden Plover (ii) Waterbirds: Swallow-tailed Gull, Lava Heron, Great Blue Heron, American Flamingo, Brown Pelican, Galagapos Rail, Paint-billed Crake, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, American Coot, White-cheeked Pintail, Common Gallinule.
Darwin’s Finches: (i) Ground Finches: Small Ground Finch, Medium Ground Finch, Large Ground Finch, Sharp-beaked Ground Finch, Common Cactus Finch, Large Cactus Finch (ii) Tree-Finches: Small Tree Finch, Medium Tree Finch, Large Tree Finch, Woodpecker Finch, Mangrove Finch, Vegetarian Finch (iii) Warbler-Finches: Green Warbler-Finch, Grey Warbler-Finch.
Other Birds: Galagapos Hawk, Galagapos Dove, Brujo Flycatcher, Galagapos Flycatcher, Galagapos Mockingbird, San Cristobal Mockingbird, Yellow Warbler, Dark-billed Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Ani, Short-eared Owl, American Barn Owl.
Non-avian Wildlife: (i) Marine Iguana (ii) Galagapos Land Iguana (iii) Galagapos Giant Tortoise (iv) Galagapos Lava Lizard (v) Galagapos Racer (vi) Galagapos Sea Lion (vii) Bottlenose Dolphin (viii) Common Dolphin (ix) Manta Ray (x) Whale Shark (xi) Scalloped Hammerhead (xii) Galagapos Shark (xiii) Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
The pricing for this tour is based on a group of 4-PAX.
(i) Guiding Fees (ii) Ground Transportation (iii) Domestic Flights (iv) Accommodation (v) Meals (vi) Entrance Fees (vii) Hide Fees.
(i) International Flights (ii) VISA Fees (iii) Travel Insurance (iv) Tips for Local Guide (v) Items of a Personal Nature.
Pricing is based on 2-4 participants. Solo travellers, i.e. tours with 1-PAX only, are subject to an additional Single Participant Surcharge.
Days 1-2 Quito, Ecuador [1N, 0D, 1S]: Arrive Mariscal Sucre International Airport and transfer to hotel for a domestic flight the following Day 2 to the Galapagos Islands [Overnight: Quito].
Days 2-6 San Cristobal Island [4N, 3D, 7S]: Domestic flight to San Cristobal Airport and transfer to hotel [Overnight: San Cristobal]. One day-trip scheduled to Espanola Island. Photographic Highlights: see below.
Days 6-8 Isabella Island [2N, 1D, 3S]: Boat transfer from San Cristobal to Floreana Island (3-hours) and then onto Isabella Island (2-hours) and transfer to hotel [Overnight: Isabella]. Photographic Highlights: see below.
Days 8-10 Santa Cruz Island [2N, 1D, 3S]: Domestic Flight from Isabella to Santa Cruz (30-minutes) and transfer to hotel [Overnight: Santa Cruz]. Photographic Highlights: see below.
Days 10-11 Depart Ecuador [1N, 0D, 1S]: Domestic flight from Santa Cruz to Mariscal Sucre International Airport for international departures on Day 10 Quito [END].
Photographic Highlights:
(i) Endemic Darwin’s Finches (14-species): Small Ground Finch, Medium Ground Finch, Large Ground Finch, Sharp-beaked Ground Finch, Common Cactus Finch, Large Cactus Finch, Small Tree Finch, Medium Tree Finch, Large Tree Finch, Woodpecker Finch, Mangrove Finch, Vegetarian Finch, Green Warbler-Finch, Grey Warbler-Finch.
(ii) Endemic Seabirds and Waterbirds (8-species): Waved Albatross, Galápagos Petrel, Flightless Cormorant, Galápagos Penguin, Lava Gull, Swallow-tailed Gull, Lava Heron, Galápagos Rail.
(iii) Other Endemic Birds (9-species): Galápagos Mockingbird, San Cristóbal Mockingbird, Floreana Mockingbird, Española Mockingbird, Galápagos Martin, Galápagos Flycatcher, Galápagos Yellow Warbler, Galápagos Hawk, Galápagos Dove.
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / S: Session / Half-Day]
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his methods reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
One of the visits to Sierra Negra Volcano includes hikes along trails with uneven uphill terrain, at times steep.
