General Information
Few places on Earth offer the wildlife diversity found in Ecuador. This exclusive photography expedition combines two of the country's most remarkable natural treasures: the cloud forests of Mindo and the unique Galápagos Islands.
Your journey begins in Mindo, a lush cloud forest nestled within the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve. Renowned among wildlife photographers, Mindo is considered one of the world's premier destinations for bird photography. Here, vibrant tanagers, toucans, and dozens of hummingbird species thrive among mist-covered forests, while cascading waterfalls provide outstanding opportunities for landscape photography.
From Mindo, we continue to the Galápagos UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a destination that needs little introduction. Isolated in the Pacific Ocean and shaped by volcanic forces over millions of years, these unique islands are home to some of the most iconic wildlife on Earth. Blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, and countless other endemic species that can't be found nowhere else on the planet.
Led by pro photographers Simon d’Entremont, and Terra founder Jonas Paurell, this expedition is designed for photographers who want to elevate their craft while exploring two of the world's most extraordinary natural environments.
In Mindo, you will stay at a comfortable ecolodge nestled within the cloud forest, providing the perfect base for early morning bird photography sessions, excursions, and immersive encounters with the region's remarkable biodiversity. From there, you will explore the Galápagos Islands aboard a luxury yacht, traveling through the archipelago and waking each morning to new landscapes, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and endless photographic possibilities.
Throughout the journey, Simon and Jonas will guide you to the most photogenic locations and share practical insights on camera techniques, composition, and the art of storytelling through photography. With a small group size, the expedition is crafted around your needs, ensuring personal attention and meaningful instruction from both Simon and Jonas.
This is really a wildlife and landscape photography journey that delivers on Terra’s goal of providing the ultimate experience.
Guides
Simon d’Entremont
Pro Photographer
Simon is a Canadian professional nature and wildlife photographer, known for his passion for capturing the wild beauty of our planet. He started sharing his photography journey on YouTube, creating tutorials, behind-the-scenes adventures, and inspiring others to get outside and start shooting. His work and influence earned him the distinction of being named a Canon Ambassador.
Today, Simon travels the world, from the rugged mountains of Svalbard to the vast savannas of Africa. Whether it’s teaching composition, mastering camera settings, or waiting patiently for the perfect moment, he loves helping others elevate their photography skills and experience the magic of the natural world firsthand.
Through his workshops, online courses, and content, his goal is to inspire and equip photographers of all levels to push their creative boundaries, capture images they’re truly proud of, and respect and protect the ecosystems around us.
More info here.
Jonas Paurell
Creative Guide & Expedition Leader
Jonas is the founder of Terra Photography Expeditions. He has been a photographer for well over 20 years. He is a certified International Mountain Leader (UIMLA) that has spent a lifetime exploring the world's wild areas.
Jonas loves working with photographers to strengthen their technical foundation and support them to unleach their inner creativity. Jonas achieves this through engaging talks, educative assignments and hands-on teaching in the field. Jonas will also be sharing his knowledge and expertise from several years of photographing the Galapagos Islands.
More info here.
Itinerary
Day 1 | March 6, 2028 | Arrival Day in Quito
All-day arrivals and pick-up from Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO) in Quito, Ecuador. On arrival, you will be transferred to our hotel in the centre of Quito.
If you’re eager to explore Quito’s rich culture and history, consider arriving a couple of days early to experience the beautifully preserved colonial Old Town, one of the most charming in all of South America.
Day 2 | Quito – Mindo Cloud Forest
After breakfast and a trip briefing, it is time to travel to our first location: Mindo. It is a paradise for birdlife deep in the cloud forest of the Choco Andino Region. A unique ecosystem, more often than not covered in clouds. Located in between the cold highlands and the warm, humid coastal rainforest. Around a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Quito, we will arrive at our comfortable cloud forest lodge, our base for exploring this remarkable environment over the coming days. Our first photography session is in the late afternoon for exciting birdlife.
Day 3 to 5 | Mindo Cloud Forest
For the coming days, we will get immersed in the enchanting cloud forest of Mindo, a biodiversity hotspot full of avian wonders and mossy nature. Expect to photograph a plethora of hummingbirds covered in colourful feathers, toucans sorting their way through the trees, and (if we are lucky) the iconic Andean Cock-of-the-rock and the Umbrellabird. In the evenings, we will enjoy the food and the company of our fellow travellers.
Day 5 | Mindo - Quito
After a final morning of photography in the cloud forest, we return to Quito. The afternoon is yours to relax, review your images, and prepare for the next stage of the expedition. Tomorrow, we set off for one of the world's most extraordinary wildlife destinations, the unique Galápagos Islands.
Day 6 | Quito – Galápagos | Embarkation Day
Our day starts early in the morning, with breakfast, and then a flight to the Galápagos Islands. As we arrive on the islands, we will have our first glimpse of a unique array of wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. This living laboratory of evolution, which inspired Darwin’s groundbreaking ideas, is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its global ecological significance.
Day 7- 12 | Expedition Cruise
The animals here aren’t shy. With no natural predators, many species have little fear of humans, meaning you will often find yourself just a few feet away from your subject. This rare intimacy is what makes the Galápagos so rewarding for photographers: eye-level portraits of marine iguanas, close encounters with curious sea lions, and quiet moments with nesting seabirds.
Every day brings us to a new island with a new ecosystem. You will explore the islands on foot, Zodiac, and by sea. Land excursions reveal the textures and colors of the terrain, while snorkeling immerses you in the marine world below, where fish and playful sea lions may swim around you. It’s a full-sensory experience and one of the richest photographic environments anywhere on Earth, a place where landscapes and wildlife come together in a unique way.
Day 13 | March 18, 2028 | Galápagos – Quito
We will enjoy one final outing before disembarking and saying farewell to the islands. A return flight will bring us back to Quito in the late afternoon. From there, you can catch an international connection or stay the night in the city. You’ll leave the Galápagos with full memory cards, new skills, and a gallery of incredible images.
Curriculum
All Terra Photography Expeditions follow a proven curriculum that aims to teach the theory behind photography in a dynamic way that directly translates into easily actionable processes in the field. As we move through nature we also go through an introduction to the skills and knowledge required to be safe in the great outdoors.
Photography Techniques Covered on the tour:
Storytelling - Telling stories and evoking emotions within the context of landscape and wildlife photography
Composition - A comprehensive introduction to the theory of composition, including the elements of art and principles of design
Wildlife Portraits and Environmental Portraits - How to make your wildlife photography stand out
Process - Learning and implementing a process to achieve consistent quality in landscape and wildlife photography
Focusing - A science-based method for focusing to make your images sharp
Processing Techniques:
Workflow - Full post production workflow in Lightroom
Colour Balance - Using Lightroom to get the colour right
Contrast - Using Lightroom to apply contrast
Shaping Light - Using local adjustments to shape and sculpt the light
Luminosity Masks - Using luminosity masks in Lightroom
HDR Images - Different techniques for blending multiple exposures of the same image
Panoramas - Stitching multiple panoramas together
Sharpening - Sharpening techniques
Black & White - Editing for powerful BW images
Accommodation
For our stay in Quito, we will be lodged in a quality hotel conveniently located near the airport. In Mindo, we will stay at a unique lodge in the cloud forest, providing easy access to the region's incredible birdlife, and natural beauty. In the Galápagos, we will be staying aboard a well-equipped and comfortable 5-star yacht chartered exclusively for our group. With amenities such as a jacuzzi on deck, you'll be able to relax in comfort while enjoying spectacular views of the archipelago.
Additional Information
The Weather
Mindo:
Located in Ecuador's cloud forest region at an elevation of approximately 1,250 meters (4,100 ft), Mindo enjoys a warm, humid climate year-round. In March, daytime temperatures typically range between 22–27°C (72–81°F), while evenings are pleasantly cool at around 16–19°C (61–66°F). Rain showers are common and help maintain the lush vegetation that makes the region so biodiverse A light rain jacket, quick-drying clothing, and waterproof protection for camera gear are recommended.
Galápagos Islands:
March is a fantastic time to experience the Galápagos Islands, as the archipelago is still within its warm season. Conditions are typically lush, vibrant, and full of activity, with warmer ocean temperatures, calm seas, and excellent opportunities for wildlife encounters both on land and underwater. Expect a combination of sunny skies, tropical warmth, occasional cloud cover, and passing rain showers, which are usually brief and can create beautiful dramatic light for photography.
Sea conditions during this time of year are generally calm, making navigation comfortable and snorkeling especially enjoyable. Water temperatures average around 24–27°C (75–81°F), while daytime air temperatures typically range between 28–31°C (82–88°F).
Quito:
Thanks to its equatorial location and elevation at 2,850 meters (9,350 ft), Quito enjoys a mild spring-like climate throughout the year. In March, daytime temperatures generally range from 18–22°C (64–72°F), with cooler evenings around 9–11°C (48–52°F). Afternoon showers are relatively common during this season, though they are often short-lived. Layered clothing and a lightweight waterproof jacket are recommended to stay comfortable in changing conditions.
Food
All main meals are included, starting with breakfast on day 2, and finishing with breakfast on day 13. Kindly be in touch with any dietary restrictions.
Partners are Welcome
The focus of this expedition is on photography - as all expeditions by Terra. But that doesn’t mean that this isn’t perfect for your partner as well! As this is a true once in a lifetime opportunity, accompanying partners, adult children, or friends, whether they are photographers or not, are also welcome. There is plenty for non-photographers to experience on this adventure. For non-photographers we do recommend brining binoculars and a smartphone camera.
Leave No Trace Policy
Terra Photography Expeditions has a strict leave-no-trace policy. This policy is also applied to how we share information about fragile ecosystems that we gently and respectfully visit. This means that we have withheld exact locations from the itinerary. This is because we do not want to contribute to large-scale tourism. You are welcome to get in touch if you'd like to discuss the itinerary before applying to join. Thank you for your understanding.
How Challenging?
This expedition has a Lowland Workshop effort level.
Our Lowland Workshops are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of participants. This is a ship-based expedition. All excursions from the ship will be done using a zodiac/dinghy (an inflated rubber boat) and landings will be on beaches and rocky shorelines. It is crucial that you can get in and out of a dinghy with ease and have a good sense of balance and a good general state of fitness. The longest walk that we will do on land will be approx. 3-4 hrs in a slow pace that allows for photography.
Price & Details
Included:
Wildlife and landscape photography in unforgettable locations
Expert guidance from professional photographers and naturalist guides who know the islands inside out
Guided photo walks and dinghy excursions led by certified guides
Snorkelling sessions accompanied by a qualified guide
All park entrance fees (except the Galapagos Tourist Tax, currently $200, payable in person)
A structured photography curriculum to strengthen your wildlife and landscape skills
Post-processing workshops in Lightroom, including screen recordings for participants to keep
All accommodations in Quito, Mindo, and on the private yacht throughout the program
Daily breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (from breakfast on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 13)
Airport transfers to/from Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito on Days 1, 6, and 13
Round-trip economy flights between Quito and the Galapagos, according to the itinerary
Round-trip transfers between Quito and Mindo, according to the itinerary.
An additional post-tour night on March 18, 2028 at the Holiday Inn Quito Airport is available upon request at no additional cost.
Excluded:
Photo equipment
Outdoor clothing and equipment
Snacks to bring on the excursions
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Flights to and from Ecuador
Galapagos Tourist Tax (at the moment 200 USD and can only be paid in CASH on arrival in the Galapagos - credit cards are not accepted by the authorities)
Insurance. All participants are required to have their own insurance appropriate for this tour such as health, accident, repatriation, cancellation, personal liability, etc.
Price: 17495 USD
30% deposit is due to secure your reservation, remaining 70% is due 180 days before the start of the tour. The price includes shared twin room (or double room if travelleing as a couple). Single occupancy is only possible by purchasing 2 spots for single use.
Cancellation Terms:
Once the expedition status is "confirmed" the deposit is non-refundable. The balance payment is refundable up to 180 days before the start of the expedition, after that the full payment is non-refundable and cancellations are not accepted. This is due to the special rules and arrangements for this unique expedition in the Galapagos and the chartering of an entire private yacht. We strongly recommend all partipants to have traveller's insurance that refund your non-refundable payment if you need to cancel a trip for unforeseen reasons.
Expedition Status: PENDING
Tour Operator: Terra Expeditions LLC, this tour is governed by Terms and Conditions
Participants: Minimum 10 - Maximum 12
Start: Quito - Ecuador, March 6, 2028 - Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport - All-Day Pick-Ups
End: Quito - Ecuador, March 18, 2028 - Arrival back at UIO airport in the late afternoon (time TBC)
We reserve the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.