General Information
The Galapagos Islands are a living showcase of evolution in action, a place where nature still writes its story untouched. For photographers, it is a rare paradise, overflowing with life, light, and moments that feel almost primordial.
For centuries, these remote volcanic islands have drawn scientists and explorers searching to understand the forces that shaped our planet. Lying in the Pacific Ocean just off Ecuador’s coast, the Galapagos archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most extraordinary natural laboratories. Its wildlife has inspired generations, from Charles Darwin to modern explorers like Tim Laman, whose photographs reveal the islands’ wild and intimate character.
This expedition offers a rare chance to immerse yourself fully in this extraordinary world. Guided by field biologist and National Geographic photographer Tim Laman and Terra’s founder, Jonas Paurell, you’ll refine your craft, explore the most photogenic locations, and create a portfolio that captures the spirit of the islands — from close encounters with wildlife to the shifting moods of volcanic landscapes.
A private 4-star yacht will be our base, giving us the freedom to wake each day to a new island, a new shoreline, and a new ecosystem waiting to be explored.
More than a workshop, this is a journey into the heart of wild creation, staying true to Terra Photography Expeditions’ mission to deliver the ultimate nature photography experience.
Guides
Tim Laman
Creative Guide
Tim is a National Geographic photographer, field biologist and film-maker. He is driven by his curiosity about the natural world and a love for exploring the wild corners of the planet, Tim has put his background as a field biologist to good use working on assignments for National Geographic, seeking out and telling photographic stories about some of the most endangered, hard to find, and difficult to photograph species on the planet. Besides 25 published feature stories in National Geographic magazine, he has also worked on major nature documentaries for the BBC, Netflix, and National Geographic Wild.
Tim’s work has garnered numerous awards, including the overall Wildlife Photographer of the Year title in 2016. Though he has broad interests across nature and wildlife photography, Tim has a special fascination with photographing birds and primates, leading to such projects as hornbills, birds of paradise, proboscis monkeys, and orangutans, among others. His goal is to combine a thorough understanding of his subjects with an artistic photographic vision to create memorable images that tell stories and have an impact for conservation.
Tim is a veteran leader of natural history and photographic tours for National Geographic, Lindblad Expeditions, and the Harvard Museum of Natural History to places as varied as Antarctica, the Amazon, New Guinea, the Galapagos, and French Polynesia. He enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for photography, his technical expertise, and his passion for wild nature with his fellow photographers.
More info:
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 developing photographers to strengthen their technical foundation and support them to unleach their inner creativity. Jonas achieves this through engaging lectures, educative assignments and hands-on teaching in the field. Jonas will also be sharing his knowledge and expertise from photographing the Galapagos Islands.
More info here.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival Day in Quito | 17 April 2027
All-day arrivals and pick-up from Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO) in Quito, Ecuador. On arrival, you will be transferred to our hotel close to the airport for easy transfer for our early morning flight to the Galapagos Islands the following morning.
Day 2 | Quito – Galapagos | Embarkation Day
In the early morning, we meet for a short briefing and then catch a flight towards the Pacific Ocean and our yacht. As we arrive in Galapagos, we will encounter a unique array of wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. It's no surprise that Charles Darwin drew inspiration from this archipelago, leading to the development of the theory of evolution. It’s also why UNESCO has recognized the significance of the Islands, declaring them a World Heritage Site.
Upon arriving in the Galapagos, we will board our ship, settle into our cabins, and enjoy a lunch onboard. As the day transitions into the afternoon, we'll soak in the warmth of the Galapagos Islands, get our cameras ready for a first shoot, and perhaps a first swim in the warm Pacific Ocean.
Day 3 - 8 | Expedition Cruise
The Galapagos Islands have it all for photographers and every day will offer new encounters with endemic wildlife and volcanic landscapes. For our journey, we will explore truly iconic locations that will show you the vast life that is contained here.
On land, dramatic lava formations and volcanic craters rise from the earth, giving us an insight into its fiery past. We will encounter marine and land iguanas basking on the shores, their prehistoric appearance is a stark contrast to the playful penguins next door. Witness sea lions on sandy beaches, capture the mesmerizing dance of colorful birds like the nazca boobies with their bright red feet and the famous blue-footed boobies, engaging in their distinctive courtship displays, snorkel alongside playful sea lions and colorful fish in the warmth waters of the Pacific Ocean, and hike through unique cactus forests, volcanic rocks and paths where lava use to flow once.
This is an otherworldly place, where you will be able to compose otherworldly images with an incredible array of elements. On top of that, it is one of the few places on earth where wildlife is used to human presence, so this experience allows us to truly immerse and become part of the ecosystem. Wild animals will often be just 6 feet from your camera lens!
Throughout the expedition we will mainly do three type of excursions: Landing, Dinghy Cruise and Snorkelling. A Landing is a a walk on shore exploring wildlife and landscapes. Typically the walks are 2-3 hrs in lenght. A Dinghy Cruise is a cruise with the dinghy (an inflatable rubber boat) to explore wildlife on the sea cliffs. Typically 1.5 - 2 hrs in lenght. Snorkelling doesn't need much introduction but is an essential part of any Galapagos adventure. The marine life is so rich that the experience cannot be missed - don't forget to bring your GoPro or other underwater camera if you wish to document the marine world.
Day 9 | Galapagos – Quito | 25 April 2027
After our last excursion, we’ll say goodbye to the Enchanted Islands. Our journey will come to an end upon our arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito, scheduled for around 5 PM (exact arrival time to be confirmed). It's from there that we will head back home, carrying with us unforgettable memories—and plenty of photographs! An optional night at the airport hotel is included in the tour price - just let us know well in advance if you are going to use it.
Photographs from the Galapagos Islands © Tim Laman
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
Sharpening - Sharpening techniques
Black & White - Editing for powerful BW images
Accommodation
For our stay in Quito, we will be lodged in a hotel not far from the Airport of Quito. In Galapagos, we will be staying in a well-equipped and comfortable private 4-Star yacht that has been chartered for our group. With ammenities like a jacuzzi on deck, you'll be able to relax with beautiful views.
Additional Information
The Weather
Galápagos:
April is a fantastic time to explore the Islands. Expect warm days, calm seas, and the occasional tropical shower — though the sun often returns quickly. Temperatures range from about 21°C (70°F) to 30°C (86°F). This is one of the very best months to visit the Galápagos.
Quito:
Perched high in the Andes near the equator, Quito enjoys a mild climate year-round. In April, temperatures typically range from 10°C (50°F) to 21°C (70°F). Weather conditions can shift quickly, so it’s wise to bring a light rain jacket or umbrella when exploring the city.
Food
All main meals are included, beginning with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on Day 9. Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Partners Are Welcome
While the heart of this expedition is photography (as with all Terra journeys), it’s also an incredible experience to share with a partner, friend, or adult child. Whether or not they’re photographers, there’s plenty to enjoy: wildlife encounters, island walks, snorkeling, and unforgettable landscapes. For non-photographers, we recommend bringing binoculars and a smartphone camera to make the most of it.
Leave No Trace Policy
At Terra Photography Expeditions, we follow a strict Leave No Trace policy. This applies both to how we travel and how we share information about the fragile ecosystems we visit. To protect these environments, we intentionally keep some exact locations private in our public materials. This helps us avoid contributing to large-scale tourism in sensitive areas. You’re always welcome to contact us if you’d like to discuss the full itinerary before applying to join. Thank you for your understanding, and for helping us protect these extraordinary places.
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. All excursions from the ship will be done using a 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 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 and on the private yacht throughout the program
Daily breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (from breakfast on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 9)
Airport transfers to/from Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito on Days 1, 2, and 9
Round-trip economy flights between Quito and the Galapagos, according to the itinerary
Excluded
Personal photography equipment
Outdoor clothing and gear
Meals on the arrival day
Snacks during excursions
Alcoholic and soft drinks
International flights to and from Quito, Ecuador
Galapagos Tourist Tax (currently $200, cash payment upon arrival)
Gratuities for local crew and staff
Personal travel insurance — required for all participants (must include health, accident, repatriation, cancellation, and personal liability coverage)
Price: 11995 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 your participation for unforeseen reasons.
Expedition Status: CONFIRMED!
Tour Operator: Terra Expeditions LLC, this tour is governed by Terms and Conditions
Participants: Minimum 10 - Maximum 12
Start: Quito - Ecuador, 17 April 2027
End: Quito - Ecuador, 25 April 2027
We reserve the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, and unforeseeable circumstances.