Photo tour Ecuador & Galapagos: Unique flora & fauna in the smallest Andean country
Following the successful debut of the Ecuador & Galapagos photography tour in November 2025, we are offering a new edition in 2027 with a further refined itinerary. Ecuador is the smallest country in the Andes, but that does nothing to diminish its charm. On the contrary, Ecuador is certainly one of the most diverse travel destinations in South America, and the legendary Galápagos Islands are considered THE ultimate dream destination for nature photographers. It is therefore no surprise that we have scheduled an entire week to explore this natural paradise.
Thanks to its unique flora and fauna, the archipelago in the Pacific is one of the most fascinating photo destinations in the world. Due to its isolated location approx. 1000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, a flora and fauna has developed that is unique in its diversity and characteristics. It is therefore not surprising that Darwin’s theory of evolution, among other things, was significantly influenced by his visits to the islands.
During the land excursions, we will photograph the gentle giant tortoises, fearsome marine iguanas and land iguanas as well as numerous bird species, including the photogenic blue-footed boobies. While snorkeling, we dive into the fascinating underwater world off the coast of the Galapagos Islands. With a bit of luck, we may encounter penguins, sea lions and cormorants and who knows, we might even spot dolphins or even whales from the boat?
This photo tour is complemented by an attractive land program in Ecuador, which includes all the important highlights and sights. On the mainland, snow-capped peaks of the Andes, shimmering emerald green lagoons, mighty volcanoes and charming colonial towns await us. We will explore thundering waterfalls, immerse ourselves in mystical cloud forests and also go on some easy hikes in picturesque surroundings.
The itinerary naturally includes the famous Cotopaxi National Park with its namesake volcano, as well as the mysterious landscape and untouched nature of Antisana National Park, set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Antisana volcano. We’ll also visit the mystical and biodiverse cloud forests of Mindo and go on a bird-watching expedition.
In Ecuador’s capital, Quito, we’ll immerse ourselves in the bustling city life and be enchanted by the historic charm of the old town. The well-preserved colonial-era city center, with its many churches from the 16th and 17th centuries, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dream destination Ecuador & Galapagos: experience it now!
All in all, this 17-day trip offers an incredible variety of motifs and experiences that will make the hearts of wildlife and landscape photographers beat faster. The itinerary is carefully planned and designed with photographers in mind, thanks to the support of my travel agency partner who specializes in South America.
Would you like to discover the fascinating Ecuador & Galapagos with me and embark on an unforgettable adventure full of unique photo opportunities with a small group of like-minded people? Then sign up for the Ecuador and Galapagos photo tour right away and experience all the highlights of this photogenic Andean country.
How much does the photo tour Ecuador & Galapagos cost?
On all my photography tours, it is important to me to offer a comprehensive package tailored to the needs of photographers at a fair price. I am neither a fan of luxury trips at exorbitant prices, nor do I wish to engage in price dumping at the expense of the local population, our local partners, or the safety of my participants.
Our photography tour through Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands covers all the major highlights and sights and offers a high level of personalized attention. As always, this trip is planned so that we have ample time for photography. This is especially true for our visit to the Galápagos Islands, which is an absolute highlight for any nature photographer.
By choosing a small catamaran for the cruise to the Galápagos Islands, we guarantee exclusivity and, above all, ample time for wildlife photography.
The tour price for the two-and-a-half-week Galápagos Ecuador trip is €7,490 per person in a double room for 6–9 participants. There is no small-group surcharge.
As with all my trips, “shared double rooms” are available upon request, meaning two travelers of the same gender can share a room and thus avoid the single room supplement.
Please note: On this trip, single rooms are only available during the land program! The supplement is €390 per person. Accommodation on the ship is exclusively in double cabins with private bathrooms.
What services are included in the tour price?
The tour price includes carefully selected upper middle class standard accommodation with breakfast. Also included are all transfers, flights within the country, boat trips, day trips, entrance fees to the national parks, local tour guides and photographic support throughout the trip.
The 8-day cruise through the Galapagos archipelago is full board with water, coffee and tea. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are subject to a charge.
Not included are all other meals and the international flightas well as extra activities, tips, souvenirs and any costs for visas.
When does the Ecuador & Galapagos photo tour take place?
The next photography tour to Ecuador will take place in November 2027. It will last 17 days and includes an 8-day cruise to the southwestern islands of the Galápagos Archipelago, as well as a one-week land-based itinerary featuring all the must-see highlights of this country, which is so diverse in terms of topography, culture, and climate.
The current date of the Ecuador & Galapagos photo tour is: Nov, 21nd to Dec, 8th 2027
We also offer you an optional extension to the Amazon rainforest. The focus is on animal observations in the Yasuní National Park with its incomparable biodiversity. The main focus is on exotic animal species in the rainforest habitat. Monkeys, sloths, caimans, giant otters and, of course, numerous birds such as parrots and toucans can be observed and photographed.
If you would like to book the trip, please fill out the contact form below. If you are interested in extending your trip to the Amazon, please let us know in the comments and we will be happy to make you an offer.
Please note that both the travel organization and the payment are handled by my travel agency partner Andean Expeditions and the terms and conditions of the tour operator apply.
The itinerary of the photo tour Ecuador in detail:
(Legend: B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner)
Day 1 (Nov. 21, 2027): Departure from Europe and arrival in Quito in the evening of the same day. Transfer to the hotel. Group dinner and briefing on the itinerary, including a presentation on landscape and wildlife photography. Note: Flights must be booked individually! (B)
Day 2 (November 22, 2027): After breakfast, we pack our bags and drive via Mitad del Mundo to the cloud forests of Mindo. We make a brief stop at the Equator to take photos of the iconic monument before heading to Mindo to enjoy the great outdoors. In the afternoon, we’ll go on our first birdwatching tour in San Tadeo. With a little patience, you can not only photograph hummingbirds here but also feed them by hand. A once-in-a-lifetime experience! (B)
Day 3 (November 23, 2027): We set out early in the morning on a birdwatching tour: hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers—the biodiversity is impressive! After the tour, we head to breakfast, where the hummingbirds keep us company on the terrace. The cloud forests offer plenty of photo opportunities for the rest of the day: atmospheric lighting in the rainforest, long exposures at waterfalls, macro photography of butterflies. We are guaranteed not to get bored in this natural paradise. If it rains, we can also visit a chocolate factory, where we’ll learn how cocoa beans are processed into high-quality chocolate products. Another night in Mindo. (B)
Day 4 (November 24, 2027): A leisurely breakfast on our hotel’s terrace, accompanied by hundreds of hummingbirds. Afterward, we head back to Quito, where we’ll arrive around noon. Following a quick lunch, we make our way to the Old Town for a guided tour of Quito’s historic center. We’ll marvel at the magnificent colonial-era buildings, climb the towers of the Basilica del Voto Nacional, and visit the courtyard of the Archbishop’s Palace. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Basilica of San Francisco, the most significant part of the Franciscan monastery of El San Francisco.
In the evening, we’ll head to a restaurant with a spectacular view of Quito’s illuminated old town. Before dinner, we’ll have plenty of time to photograph the sunset and the blue hour that follows. (B)
Day 5 (November 25, 2027): Today we’ll be heading up to lofty heights of over 4,000 meters, so be sure to dress warmly! After a hearty breakfast, we’ll set off toward Antisana National Park. Located north of Quito off the beaten path, the park captivates visitors with its pristine natural beauty.
On the way there, we’ll stop at a bird-watching station where we can photograph hummingbirds once again. With a little luck, we’ll also spot deer, condors, and other wildlife on our drive to Lake La Mica. At the lagoon, depending on how the group is feeling, we’ll take a short hike (about 1.5 hours) to capture the beautiful landscape—which strongly resembles Scotland—with our cameras. In the late afternoon, we’ll head back to our lodging. (B)
Day 6 (November 26, 2025): Today we pack our bags again and head to the next national park, home to the legendary Cotopaxi volcano. At Limpiopungo Lagoon, we’ll take an easy hike and enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-capped volcano. We’ll have lunch at the idyllically situated Hacienda Porvenir. In the afternoon, another highlight is on the agenda: We hike to the “Cascada Fuego” waterfall, where we can take spectacular long-exposure shots. We’ll spend the night at the idyllically situated Hacienda Mortiños to capture the evening and morning moods around Cotopaxi with our cameras. (B)
Day 7 (November 27, 2027): We photograph the morning atmosphere at Cotopaxi from the terrace of our accommodation. After breakfast, we continue toward Quilotoa Lagoon. This is one of Ecuador’s best-kept secrets, off the beaten path. Depending on the sunlight, the crater lake shimmers emerald green or turquoise. An impressive and very “Instagram-worthy” sight. We stop at a viewpoint with a panoramic view of the spectacular surroundings and, if desired, take a hike down into the caldera or along the crater rim.
Note: The itinerary is weather-dependent and can be swapped with the next day’s itinerary if necessary. (B)
Day 8 (Nov. 28, 2027): Weather permitting, we’ll find a scenic spot to watch the sunrise over Quilotoa Lagoon. Before heading back to Quito, we’ll stop at a traditional indigenous market in Pujili (or, alternatively, the market in Zumbahua on Saturday). The roads through the highlands are spectacular, offering stunning views and plenty of opportunities for landscape photography. A special highlight is definitely Toachi Canyon, which winds through Ecuador’s lush green landscape. Return to Quito in the late afternoon and another overnight stay. (B)
Day 9 (Nov. 29, 2027): Transfer to Quito Airport & flight to San Cristobal + transfer to the boat and first excursions on the Galápagos Islands. (B, L, D)
Day 10 to Day 15 (November 30 to December 5, 2027): An exclusive cruise departing from San Cristobal aboard the catamaran Archipel I through the southwestern archipelagos of the Galápagos Islands, home to unique flora and fauna. We will visit, among others, the islands of Santa Fe, South Plaza (with its famous marine iguanas), North Seymour, and Isabela. In addition to shore excursions, we have planned kayaking trips and snorkeling with sea lions. With a little luck, we’ll also see penguins, reef sharks, and rays. We’ll also visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz. The cruise will be accompanied by a local ranger who will plan the daily itinerary and answer all our questions.
You can read more about the planned route and the cruise itinerary here.
Day 16 (December 6, 2027): The last morning on the boat. We’ll go on one more excursion and enjoy our final hours in the natural paradise of the Galápagos. In the morning, transfer to the airport and flight from Baltra to Quito.
Day 17 (December 7, 2027): In the morning, we’ll have time to visit the “Mercado Artesanal” to shop for souvenirs. In the afternoon, departure from Quito or onward travel for an individual extension.
Day 18 (December 8, 2027): Arrival in Europe
What is included in the photo tour Ecuador?
- 9 nights with breakfast in upper middle-class hotels
- 7 nights with full board during the cruise through the Galapagos Islands
- 2 domestic flights: Quito - San Cristobal | Baltra - Quito
- City tour in Quito
- All transfers (mostly private) & excursions
- Entrance fees to the national parks
- Local tour guide
- Lecture on landscape photography and photography support throughout the trip.
What is NOT included in the Ecuador & Galápagos photo tour?
-
International flight (USA - Quito | Quito - USA)
- All meals and drinks not mentioned in the tour description
- Insurance (we recommend an international health insurance, as well as travel cancellation insurance)
- Any vaccinations (no special vaccinations are required for Ecuador, but up-to-date protection against tetanus is strongly recommended)
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Any costs for visas
- Souvenirs and other personal expenses
- Tips for local guides, drivers tour leader
Notes on camera equipment
Like all my photo tours, my photo tour Ecuador is open to everyone. Accompanying persons are welcome to participate as long as they understand the needs of photographers. This means that we often stay in one place for a longer period of time to get the best possible shot of a subject and often set off early to take advantage of the beautiful morning light.
Wildlife and landscape photography is the main focus of this trip and I will do my best to help you improve your photography skills significantly during the trip.
To get the most out of this trip, I recommend the following equipment:
- A camera that allows manual settings (ISO, aperture, shutter speed).
- A standard zoom that covers a focal length range from slightly wide-angle to slightly telephoto. With full-frame cameras, for example, we are talking about a 24 - 120 mm lens, with APC this would be approx. 16 - 85 mm focal length.
- A telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 300 mm for wildlife
- Various filters: polarizing filters, ND- filters (ND64 and ND1000), possibly graduated ND-filters and UV filters (to protect the lens) for the standard lens mentioned above should not be missing in your camera bag! When buying screw-in filters, make sure you have the right thread size!
- Lens hoods for all lenses
- A cleaning set with bellows, brush and cleaning cloths
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A tripod for shooting with ND-filters and any long exposures
- Spare batteries
- A remote shutter release for long exposures (alternatively, your camera's self-timer will do)
- A power bank for charging
- Sufficient memory cards (I recommend several 32, 64 or 128 GB cards)
- A sturdy camera bag or rucksack. In contrast to the Patagonia photo trip, no multi-day hikes are planned and the weight plays a subordinate role (nevertheless, observe the hand luggage regulations on the plane!).
If you would like to purchase a filter or two before your photo trip to Ecuador, you will receive a 5% discount on your purchase with my discount code “NOWNISI” at nisioptics.at.
Free shipping to Austria and Germany!
Important additional information about the photo tour Ecuador
The photo tour Ecuador & Galapagos has a proud price. This is mainly due to the 8-day cruise through the Galapagos Islands. Most providers offer a maximum of 5 days or only visit the islands as part of day trips. We, on the other hand, booked a catamaran with a total of only 8 cabins. This means that more than half of the boat is reserved for our group and we spend 7 nights / 8 days on the boat to visit the most beautiful places in the south-western archipelago. The program includes numerous shore excursions, snorkelling trips and kayak tours.
Of course, there would also have been larger, cheaper ships. But for photographers in particular, it makes a significant difference whether a boat with 100 passengers or just 16 docks on an island. This allows us to concentrate fully on our photography without having to compete with selfie-takers for the best spot.
By choosing this boat, we have more exclusivity, more time and more peace and quiet to photograph and observe the animals. You can find more information about our boat here.
In addition, the 7 nights on the boat are full board including drinks such as water, coffee and tea. As with all South America trips, the size of the group is limited to 10 people, which ensures an intimate travel experience among like-minded people.
About tour leader:
Lisa has been intensively involved in digital photography since 2008. In recent years, she has attended countless courses and photo workshops and has also expanded her knowledge through self-study on numerous trips around the world. She has now successfully completed a diploma course in photography and regularly photographs for companies in the travel and tourism industry. Since 2019, she has been leading photo tours in small groups around the globe.
She started this travel blog together with her brother Philipp in 2014, initially with the idea of having a platform to share her travel photos with friends and family.
Over time, however, the part-time blog imprintmytravel.com developed into one of the most successful Austrian travel blogs, which now has over 50,000 page views per month and is growing rapidly.
About the travel agency partner:
Andean Expeditions Dirninger S.A.
Represented by the Austrian Michael Dirninger and his Bolivian team. Michael’s fascination with South America began about 15 years ago on a trip through this unique continent. Since then, it has never let him go! Michael knows the world-famous cultural highlights and natural spectacles that you have to see on a trip to South America.
And he also knows the secret places, off the beaten tourist track, that you should visit if you really want to experience South America in all its diversity.
Booking form photo tour Ecuador
Are you convinced? I’m already incredibly excited and very much looking forward to traveling with you to fascinating Ecuador and the natural paradise of the Galapagos Islands. I am aware that booking a trip is a matter of trust, so transparency and openness are of utmost importance to us. If you have any questions or concerns or if something is unclear, please send me an email and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Book the photo tour to Ecuador & Galapagos
The current dates for the Ecuador photography tour are November 21, 2027 (departure from USA/Europe and arrival in Quito) through December 8, 2027 (arrival in USA/Europe).
To register for the Ecuador & Galapagos trip, please fill out the form below carefully.
If you have any questions in advance, please feel free to contact me by email or phone (What’s App, Facetime for international calls).
As soon as the minimum number of participants has been reached, we will inform all participants and a deposit of 25% of the tour price will be due. The remaining amount must be paid into the account stated in the booking confirmation no later than 21 days before the start of the tour.
The general terms and conditions of the travel agency partner apply.
Your data will of course be treated as strictly confidential.
At the moment there are 7 spots available. The minimum number of participants is 8 people.
