Galapagos & Mindo Photo Tour 2026

After arriving in the South American nation of Ecuador’s major airport, Mariscal Sucre International Airport (IATA: UIO), you will be collected and transferred the short distance to your hotel for the night, conveniently located around 5 minutes from the airport.  

This morning you fly to Baltra Island in the Galapagos. Baltra Island is one of the main ports of entry to the Galápagos, lying slightly north of the large island of Santa Cruz.    Some of the highlights for the day include:    Highlands of Santa Cruz: A stark contrast to the coastal areas of the island, the highlands are home to some interesting scenery including the collapsed twin lava chambers known as Los Gemelos (“The Twins”), which are surrounded by Scalesia trees (these are giant daisies, endemic to the Galápagos) which form forests inhabited by the special endemic Darwin’s Flycatcher and Galápagos Giant Tortoise. You may visit a lava tunnel should time allow.   The Galápagos Tortoise, or Galápagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis niger), is a huge reptile that has 15 subspecies, with 13 extant (2 unfortunately extinct), and holds the title of the largest living tortoise, weighing up to 417 kg (919 lbs)! These are the largest terrestrial ectotherms (cold-blooded animals) alive today. It is for these amazing creatures that the islands were named by 16th-century Spanish explorers – after the Spanish word galápago, meaning "tortoise." Renowned for their longevity, the Galápagos Giant Tortoise can live over 100 years in the wild, with some captive individuals reaching up to 177 years!    These tortoises are native to seven Galápagos Islands, and they show significant variation in shell shape and size depending on their environment. Tortoises from islands with humid highlands are typically larger, with domed shells and shorter necks, while those from arid lowlands have "saddleback" shells and longer necks. Charles Darwin’s observations of these differences during his 1835 voyage on the Beagle contributed significantly to his theory of evolution.    Charles Darwin Research Station: Located on the southern side of Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos, this is a renowned scientific facility dedicated to conservation and research. Established in 1964 by the Charles Darwin Foundation, the station focuses on preserving the unique ecosystems of the Galápagos through research, restoration projects, and educational outreach. It plays a crucial role in protecting endangered species, such as the Galápagos Giant Tortoises, through captive breeding programs and habitat restoration. Visitors can explore exhibits on the islands' biodiversity, learn about ongoing conservation efforts, and see iconic species up close, including juvenile tortoises bred at the station before being released into the wild. The station is an essential hub for science and sustainability in the archipelago.    You will board the Cachalote Explorer later in the day. The Cachalote Explorer, originally built in 1988 in Vancouver, Canada, is a spacious motor yacht designed for comfort and stability. Converted into a passenger vessel in the early 2000s, it accommodates 16 passengers across 8 cabins, each equipped with private bathrooms, hot and cold showers, and air-conditioning. With a large salon, dining area, and expansive deck spaces, it provides ample room for relaxing, dining, and socialising.   Originally constructed for the rugged Canadian West Coast, this First-Class yacht is designed to offer a stable and smooth journey, making it ideal for your intimate and comfortable Galápagos expedition.    Cruising through the Galápagos offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore remote parts of the archipelago accessible only by liveaboard vessels. This is the best way to fully immerse yourself in the region’s incredible wildlife, both on land and in the water. Each morning, you will wake up in a new location and before, and after breakfast to maximize perfect lightning situations and have the islands all to ourselves.    After lunch, the boat relocates to another site, giving travellers time to relax and watch for whales and dolphins from the deck, while overhead, armadas of frigatebirds and pelicans drift by. In the afternoon, guests venture out for another nature walk, with the possibility of a second zodiac (panga boat) / snorkelling or swimming session to round off the day. 

Floreana Island has arguably the most fascinating human history of all the Galápagos Islands. It became home to the first “post office” in 1793, set up by whalers, and was where the first Galápagos resident, an adventurous Irishman named Patrick Watkins, lived from 1807 to 1809. In 1832, Floreana was the first island to be colonised by Ecuadorians, initially as a penal colony, though it was soon abandoned due to the lack of fresh water. Today, most residents of Floreana are farmers (about 100 people live on the island).    Current conservation efforts are aimed at restoring healthy populations of species such as the Galápagos racer (snake), hawks, barn owls, rails, three types of finches, and especially the Floreana mockingbird (although extinct on Floreana’s main island, the Floreana mockingbird survives on two small populations on nearby satellite islets). Conservation work also focuses on educating the local population about sustainable agriculture, effective waste management, and methods for collecting and filtering drinking water, all to ensure a more sustainable future for the island.    Punta Cormorant: Best known for its Galápagos Flamingos, which wade through a brackish lagoon. A number of other bird species can be seen here including American flamingos, pintail ducks, and herons. It is also home to playful sea lions, reef sharks, rays and sea turtles, and additionally, the area is one of the better from a plant perspective, including some endemic to the point and surrounding area!   Devil’s Crown  Devil’s Crown is a marine site, and is the remnants of an ancient volcanic crater, eroded by the ocean, leaving jagged rocky spikes that rise above the water in a semicircular formation. Inside this natural crown lies a snorkeler’s paradise, home to vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Here, you can encounter playful Galápagos sea lions, colourful King Angel Fish, Balloon Fish, hawkfish, Yellowtail grunts, Tiger Snake Eels, White-tipped Sharks, Eagle Rays, amberjacks, wrasses, Hammerhead Sharks, and sea turtles. The sea lions are endemic to the Galápagos Islands and Isla de la Plata (which is located closer to the Ecuadorian mainland), and are one of two species of pinnipeds found in the Galápagos Islands. They are widespread in the Galápagos, and are often encountered. Males are larger than females, and can reach around 360kg, although they are they are the smallest species of sea lion.    The rocky outcroppings of the volcano also provide a sanctuary for seabirds, including boobies, pelicans, and frigatebirds, while Red-billed Tropicbirds nest in the crevices.    Post Office Bay  This unique site offers a rare glimpse into the islands' human history. In 1793, a group of whalers established a makeshift "post office" by placing a wooden barrel here. Sailors would leave letters in the barrel, hoping that passing ships heading in the right direction would pick them up and deliver them. Today, visitors continue the tradition by leaving their own postcards and searching through the pile for any they can hand-deliver.    In addition to its postal history, this site was the location of an unsuccessful Norwegian colonisation attempt in 1926. Just a short walk from the famous Post Office Barrel is a lava tube, which visitors can explore by descending a ladder. The tunnel extends several hundred yards **please bring a flashlight!**. The bay’s sandy shores and surrounding areas are home to iconic Galápagos species, including Pacific green sea turtles (they nest here in the summer months), marine iguanas and sea lions.   

Isabela Island, the largest in the Galápagos, is shaped like a seahorse and was originally named Albemarle Island by explorer Ambrose Cowley in 1684, in honour of the Duke of Albemarle. Spanning 120 km in length, boasting the highest point in all the Galápagos (Wolf Volcano at 1,707 metres / 5,600 feet above sea level), and larger than all the other islands combined, it has a rich history that dates back to its early days as a haven for pirates, buccaneers, and whalers. Tagus Cove, on the island’s northwestern side, provided sheltered anchorage for these seafarers and was famously visited by Charles Darwin in 1835.   Today we will visit Punta Moreno and Elizabeth Bay.    Punta Moreno  This black lava flow is dotted with lagoons, often containing flamingos, pintails and other waterbirds.    Elizabeth Bay  This visit is done by dinghy (no visitors are allowed on land), but snorkelling is allowed. Elizabeth Bay's lagoon serves as a tranquil resting and feeding area for sea turtles, with the bay surrounded by red and black mangroves. This biodiverse spot offers visitors the chance to spot various wildlife, including rays, Galápagos penguins, pelicans, and lava herons. It is also a good place to see the flightless cormorant, which is endemic to the Galápagos and is the largest extant species in the family. It is the only known cormorant that is flightless, sporting wings that are estimated to be around a third of the size needed for a bird of its size to fly! They are found mainly on Isabela and Fernandina islands.    Just beyond the bay, the Marielas Islets are a prime habitat for penguins, which can often be seen both on land and swimming in the surrounding waters. 

On the cards today are visits to Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove. Urbina Bay: A long loop trail takes visitors from the beach into the island’s arid zone, where they might spot giant tortoises, land iguanas, and, near the coast, flightless cormorants. The standout feature of Urbina Bay is the dramatic geological uplift that occurred in 1954, when a 6-kilometer stretch of coral reef was raised 5 meters above sea level, leaving the coral heads stranded with the new coastline more than a kilometer away. Tagus Cove: A favoured spot for early pirates and whalers, many of these visitors etched their names into the cliffs along the shore. Some of the oldest inscriptions include the "Phoenix" from 1836 and the "Genie" from 1846. The name "Tagus" comes from an English warship that sailed by the islands in 1814 in search of giant tortoises. A short but steep hike leads to Darwin Lake, a saltwater-filled tuff cone approximately 9 meters deep. Visitors may also encounter land iguanas or giant tortoises. A dinghy ride along the cliffs offers a closer look at the area’s fascinating geological formations and wildlife, including penguins and various bird species. This site is excellent for spotting landbirds such as hawks, large-billed flycatchers, yellow warblers and “Darwin’s finches” in the form of ground and tree finches and occasionally the elusive woodpecker finch. Darwin's finches are a group of about 15 species of passerine birds found primarily on the Galápagos Islands, and they are famous for their role in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. These finches, though similar in appearance, exhibit remarkable variation in beak shape and size, adaptations that allow each species to exploit different food sources like seeds, insects, cactus flowers or even the blood of seabirds! This diversity in feeding strategies has enabled them to thrive in distinct ecological niches across the islands. Darwin’s finches are an iconic example of adaptive radiation, showcasing how environmental pressures can drive evolutionary change.

Continuing up the western side of Isabela Island, you will reach Fernandina, which is the westernmost island in the Galápagos Archipelago, is geologically the youngest (thought to be less than a million years old), and is the most active volcanically, with the last eruption being in April 2009. It first appeared on navigational charts in 1684, thanks to British buccaneer Ambrose Cowley, who originally named it Narborough Island after Sir John Narborough, a 17th-century English naval commander. Its current name, Fernandina, honours King Fernando of Spain, the monarch who sponsored Christopher Columbus' voyage. Fernandina is best known for its active volcanic landscape, which has been shaped by numerous eruptions over time. Early visitors often remarked on the island’s changing terrain, smoking craters, and dramatic volcanic activity. Fernandina Island is renowned as the most active and pristine of the Galápagos volcanoes. With the exception of a single visitor site on its northeastern edge, the island remains largely untouched, preserving its natural beauty. It is home to a substantial population of land iguanas, which nest both along the caldera rim and within its depths. Land Iguanas can be quite long-lived, reaching 55 years of age! The waters surrounding Fernandina and western Isabela are among the richest in the archipelago, thanks to the cold, nutrient-rich upwelling from the subsurface Cromwell Current. This influx of cold water creates an ideal habitat for the unique Flightless Cormorants and Galápagos Penguins, making the area a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Punta Espinoza: This visitor site features two main attractions: a short walk around a small peninsula and a longer hike inland to the edge of a large lava flow. Throughout its geological history, this point has experienced several significant shifts in elevation, the most recent occurring in 1975 when it rose approximately 40 cm, exposing corals and red mangroves. Along the coast, visitors can observe Marine Iguanas and Flightless Cormorants. The Marine Iguanas nest h ere in early spring, with hatchlings typically emerging around June, during which time snakes are often spotted in the nesting area. Other wildlife highlights include Galápagos penguins, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and occasionally Galápagos hawks and land iguanas. Punta Espinoza is also renowned for its Lava Cactus, one of the first species to colonize young lava flows, capable of thriving on minimal water. The inland trail mainly traverses a pahoehoe lava field and culminates at an impressive wall of aa lava. Fernandina Island also boasts two excellent dive sites: the first located near the land site at Punta Espinosa and the second further south at Punta Mangle. Both sites provide fantastic opportunities to observe Flightless Cormorants, Galápagos penguins, seahorses, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and various species of sharks and rays Punta Vicente Roca: Visits to Punta Vicente Roca are exclusively conducted in the water. The impressive geological formations create a stunning backdrop for a variety of nesting birds, including Blue-footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, storm petrels, and Brown Noddy terns. The cold waters of the western archipelago, influenced by the upwelling of the Cromwell Current, provide a rich food supply for marine life. This often leads to spectacular "feeding frenzies," where groups of whales, dolphins, sea lions, tunas, and various marine birds like Blue-footed and Nazca boobies and pelicans can be seen feeding together. Additionally, a small colony of Galápagos fur seals resides to the south of the cove. Galápagos fur seals are mainly found on the western side of the Galápagos and are the smallest of the “eared seals”, males reaching around 60kg in weight and females around half that. Although their numbers are thought to be similar to Galápagos sea lions, they are seen far less frequently, preferring rocky areas and often feeding at night. Galápagos fur seals are typically smaller than Galápagos sea lions, with broader, shorter heads. They have prominent, bulging eyes and more noticeable external ears, along with larger front flippers that help them navigate rocky terrain.

Bartolomé Island: This is named after Sir Bartholomew James Sulivan—a close friend of Charles Darwin and the principal surveyor aboard the HMS Beagle—is a striking barren islet located in Sullivan Bay, to the east of Santiago Island. One of the island’s most iconic features is Pinnacle Rock, a volcanic cone that emerged when magma was expelled from an underwater volcano. The surrounding sea cooled the hot lava, causing explosive reactions that ultimately formed this remarkable structure, composed of many thin layers of basalt. Visitors to Bartolomé will likely recognize the island and Pinnacle Rock from the 2003 blockbuster film “Master and Commander,” making it not only a geological wonder but also a cinematic landmark in the Galápagos archipelago. You may pay a visit to Isla Bartolomé. Visitors arrive at a small bay across from Pinnacle Rock, where they embark on a 600-meter hike to the summit, which stands 114 meters high. This trail features a wooden staircase constructed by the Park Service to minimize erosion and protect the island’s delicate ecosystem. From the summit, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of Pinnacle Rock, the vast black lava flows at Sullivan Bay, and the surrounding landscapes of Santiago Island, including Daphne Major and Minor. As they ascend, guests will encounter various volcanic formations, including spatter and tuff cones, as well as lava flows. This climb also offers valuable insights into species adaptation; for instance, the Tequila plant, often mistaken for dead brush, is actually composed of leaves covered in small grey hairs. These adaptations help prevent moisture loss and reflect sunlight, showcasing the resilience of life in this unique environment. Visitors may also visit the beach adjacent to Pinnacle Rock. Swimming is allowed on the beach north of the pinnacle; note this is one of the smaller nesting sites for Green Sea Turtles in the archipelago, with nesting occurring from January to March. Guests can enjoy swimming alongside vibrant fish, playful sea lions, and even Galápagos penguins, while also having the opportunity to snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are often spotted frolicking. A short trail through the lush vegetation leads to the southern beach, where swimming is not allowed. However, this area offers a chance to observe stingrays, Spotted Eagle Rays, and Black-tipped Sharks. White-tipped Sharks can also be seen close to shore at both beaches, making for an exciting and diverse marine experience. Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino) Chinese Hat, or Sombrero Chino, is a small, picturesque island located about 200 meters off the southeastern coast of Santiago Island. This charming islet, named for its distinctive volcanic cone that resembles a traditional Chinese hat when viewed from the north, offers a stunning snorkeling experience in its turquoise waters. Along the Santiago coast, snorkelers can encounter a variety of marine life, including sharks, sea lions, penguins, and rays. The island itself is composed of delicate lava formations and spatter cones, highlighting its volcanic origins. A short visitor trail runs along the western coast, providing an intimate opportunity to explore the unique geological features of this secluded gem in the Galapagos archipelago.

You have two island visits scheduled for today, namely to Rábida Island and North Seymour Island. Rábida Island: This is located just 4.5 km south of Santiago Island, is one of the most geologically diverse islands in the Galapagos archipelago. Originally named after British Admiral John Jervis, it now bears the Ecuadorian name Isla Rábida, after the convent where Columbus left his son during his historic voyage to the Americas. A visit to Rábida begins with a wet landing on its unique maroon-coloured beach on the northern coast, where marine iguanas and sea lions can often be found lounging in the shade of nearby caves. Behind the beach, Brown Pelicans nest in the salt brush, making Rábida one of the best spots to observe these majestic birds up close. The cliffs above are frequented by Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies, adding to the island’s avian appeal. Just beyond the beach lies a saltwater lagoon, which, depending on the season, serves as a feeding and breeding ground for flamingos. These striking pink or reddish birds get their colour from their diet of shrimp larvae and water boatmen. Although the number of flamingos varies from year to year, other species, like Pintail Ducks and Common Stilts, are often seen feeding in the lagoon. A short inland trail provides opportunities to spot land birds such as finches, Galápagos Doves, Yellow Warblers, and mockingbirds. The island’s vegetation includes Opuntia cacti, Palo Santo trees, and scrubby bushes, all contributing to its rugged charm. To see lava gulls, various coastal birds, and vibrant Sally Lightfoot crabs in their natural habitat. The visit typically concludes with a refreshing swim or snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, which are excellent for observing marine life. North Seymour Island: Named after Lord Hugh Seymour, emerged from a series of submarine lava uplifts, forming flat plateaus along with Baltra and parts of northeastern Santa Cruz. In the 1930s, about 70 land iguanas were relocated from Baltra to North Seymour by the Hancock Expeditions to escape habitat destruction caused by invasive goats on Baltra. Land iguanas are not native to North Seymour but were moved for better survival prospects. There are two land-based trails that you may explore on North Seymour. The trail on North Seymour offers visitors a choice between a short loop and a longer alternative, allowing ample opportunities to witness the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Galápagos, alongside blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, sea lions, and marine iguanas along the coastline. Notably, marine iguanas on North Seymour have occasionally been spotted engaging in the unusual behavior of eating land vegetation, a rare sight for this species. You may also visit Mosquera, which is a small flat islet measuring 120 meters by 600 meters, located in the channel between Baltra and North Seymour. Almost devoid of vegetation, it boasts one of the largest sea lion populations in the archipelago. The sandy expanses of Mosquera provide an excellent vantage point for observing sea lion behavior, along with opportunities to see lava gulls, various coastal birds, and vibrant Sally Lightfoot crabs in their natural habitat.

From North Seymour, you head south towards Santa Cruz Island, with your last stop today at Black Turtle Cove prior to making your way to Baltra. Black Turtle Cove: A dinghy ride into Black Turtle Cove, nestled on the north coast of Santa Cruz just west of Baltra, offers a serene escape into one of the Galápagos' hidden gems. Upon entering the cove, the boat's engines are turned off, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the tranquil surroundings of this mangrove-fringed haven. Here, you can observe sea turtles as they feed and mate in the calm waters, while three species of sharks—black-finned reef sharks, white-tipped reef sharks, and Galápagos sharks—gracefully glide through the depths. It's also common to spot groups of spotted rays, along with egrets and lava herons, creating a vibrant tapestry of wildlife in this enchanting cove. You will disembark at Baltra and make your way to GPS airport and then fly to mainland Ecuador, where you will overnight outside of Quito. Your accommodations for the night are a restored 18th century building around 15 minutes away from the airport.

After an early breakfast this morning, you depart Quito, and head west to Mindo. Your drive will take you through dissected terrain with steep Andean Mountains as a backdrop, and as you descend in altitude, so the number of species of bird, mammal, reptile and frog increase. Your destination today is located on the west slope of the Andes, on the edge of the Chocó-Andean bioregion. The Chocó covers the west slope of the Andes and is shared between north-western Ecuador and Colombia (with an ever so slight spill over into Colombia’s northerly neighbour, Panama). It is extremely biodiverse, being one of the most biodiverse on the planet, and is home to a number of endemic species as well. Mindo began gaining momentum as a birdwatching and natural history hotspot in the 1980s and 1990s as Ecuador’s rich biodiversity started attracting international attention. The annual Christmas Bird Count, first held in Mindo in the late 1990s, cemented its reputation when it consistently recorded some of the highest species counts worldwide. Today, Mindo continues to draw more birders and photographers from around the world, visitors reveling in the network of reserves only a few hours drive from Quito and providing easy access to some of the most biodiverse forests on the planet. Your accommodations are located on Septimo Paraiso Cloud Forest Reserve, which is a hidden gem for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Located a short distance outside of Mindo, this lush, biodiverse reserve spans over 300 hectares of cloud forest, with elevations ranging from 950 to 1,650 meters. You will photograph around the lodge this afternoon, focussing on the many feeders that attract a plethora of hummingbirds, tanagers and toucans.

While in the Mindo area, you will visit a number of sites that vary in altitudinal range and species composition. Some of the sites you may visit and species you may search for include: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock You have an early start as you drive a little ways away from your accommodations to an area that is renowned for its Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek. This spectacular species belongs to a family known as the cotingas, which are restricted to the neotropics. Cock-of-the-Rocks are noisy, brightly coloured birds – males are quite large (the size of a small chicken) and are gaudy orange. Males aggregate in areas known as leks, where they display hopefully to female birds in the vicinity. They are most active around dawn, which makes for challenging photographic conditions, however with luck you may capture images of birds that land close to your position. Other species that may be seen in the area include a number of shy, attractive birds, including Giant Antpitta, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Crimson-rumped Toucanet and Blue-winged and Black-chinned mountain-tanagers. Plate-billed Mountain Toucan You may visit a blind that offers chances to photograph the handsome Plate-billed Mountain Toucan – one of the “holy grails” of the Andean cloud forest of Ecuador and south-western Colombia. This species can be difficult to see in the mossy, misty forests that characterise neotropical cloud forest, however strategically placed feeders in the Mindo area have meant that this iconic species can now be reliably seen and photographed. Feeders You will visit a number of nectar feeders that offer incredible opportunities to photograph “hummers” (hummingbirds) throughout the Mindo area. Many lodges place feeders out for these high energy birds, with the result being that an exceptional number can be photographed. Some of the species that are often encountered include Empress Brilliant, Violet-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, Purple-bibbed Whitetip and Velvet-purple Coronet (the latter a stunning Choco endemic hummingbird). The feeding stations also provision fruit, and this can attract beauties such as Flame-faced and Blue-necked tanagers, which are quite partial to banana placed on the feeders. Toucan Barbet, another amazing cloud forest bird (only found in Ecuador and Colombia) that is iconic for the region, also visits feeders. Your ORYX leader will ensure that there are opportunities to photograph species on perches that yield natural looking pictures (rather than on plastic feeders or wire perches). The feeders also attract mammals, and during daylight hours you should see Red-tailed Squirrel and may even see a Tayra, a large and agile member of the weasel family that is a good climber and whose omnivorous diet sometimes leads to it visiting the feeders to feast on banana. Another diurnal visitor is the agouti is a small, burrowing rodent found throughout Central and South American tropical forests. They are shy, agile and resemble large guinea pigs and feed mainly on fruits, nuts, and tubers. They possess sharp teeth, allowing them to chew into hard nuts and are important seed dispersers (often burying seeds for later consumption). They are partial to banana and thus visit the feeders also! The cloud forests are home to a huge assortment of butterflies and frogs, and macro photography is very productive! The forests, draped in a rich assortment of epiphytes, are very attractive, and this addition to the Galapagos will be hugely rewarding indeed!

Today, at a time to be determined, you will head back to Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito where this amazing tour sadly draws to a close.