Amazon jungle and Galapagos Islands
This incredible journey will take us into the Amazon jungle to photograph local communities, wildlife and amazing landscapes and then on to one of the most photogenic locations in the world for exotic wildlife, the Galapagos Islands.
After a short internal flight from Quito to the north of Ecuador, followed by a transfer in local transport, we’ll motor along the Cuyabeno River in our canoe relaxing and taking in the sights and smells of the Amazon rainforest.
This spectacular and unspoilt area is rich in wildlife including pink dolphins, caiman, anacondas, sloth, monkeys, tapir, sea cow and many more. Additionally, there are over 500 bird species resident in the reserve and you can expect to spot Toucan, parrots, cormorants, Amazon Kingfisher and Tiger heron to name but a few. The journey to our secluded lodge will be the start of an adventure that will take in night walks, boat trips and a visit to a local community.
After our return to Quito we will fly out to the Galapagos Islands to begin stage 2 of our amazing expedition for 7 nights cruising the islands by boat.
Following in the footsteps of Darwin we’ll be looking for giant tortoise, Iguana, Darwin Finches, Boobies, the flightless Cormorant, turtles, penguins as well as Galapagos sea lion and Fur seals. In the water are numerous coral, shark, dolphin and much more.
No other journey combines so much of the natural wonder of South America with its diverse wildlife, peoples and environment.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Quito.
Arrive in Quito and transfer to a comfortable hotel. In the evening we will have a meeting to run over the itinerary in detail, check out our kit, give advice and generally prepare. Afterwards we will all head out for dinner.
Day 2: Transfer to the North of Ecuador and in to the Amazon.
We’ll take a morning flight to Lago Agio which is a short hop of around 40mins from Quito International airport. Once there we will be met by our local transport that will drive us to Cuyabeno. A brief lunch stop there and meet our bi-lingual guide who is a trained naturlist and local expert. Then it’s into the canoe for the trail down river to our secluded lodge. Of course we will be shooting on the way. Our first shoot will be around the lodge with our guide.
Day 3: Amazon wildlife and landscape shoots.
After a relaxing evening of settling into the lodge we’ll have a hearty breakfast and head out on to the water. Our guide and boat crew will take us to some local hot spots where we can seek out spectacular shots of wildlife, fauna and the general landscape. As is usual on a Creative Trails trip we will not generally be shooting in the middle of the day due to the poor light so it will be lunch in the lodge and review some of our first takes. In the afternoon we will head out again to capture the sunset over Laguna Grande and hopefully spot some of the gentle and graceful pink dolphins.
Day 4: A dawn shoot and night time jungle walk.
An early start as we aim to be on the water for first light. There should be plenty of opportunity to catch some of the local activity and where appropriate we’ll be shutting down the boat engine and paddling around the margins and into the many creeks as silently as possible. Expect to see troops of monkeys, active birds and perhaps some of the notoriously difficult to spot reptiles. We’ll be back at the lodge and reviewing our shots again during the day or for those that prefer, utilising the 24 metre high spotting platform that rises just above the canopy. In the evening, we’ll head out into the backwaters, our boatman pushing the canoe through overhanging trees and shrubs in to the brackish stillwater of the margins. Here we will be looking out for Caiman and if we are lucky some action shots as our guide offers them up a free meal. Following this, we’ll be doing a night hike on a jungle trail. Here you will truly appreciate the skill and expertise of our guide as he helps us spot numerous insects, amphibians and other night life.
Day 5: Today we meet the local Ciuna peoples.
After our usual hearty, all you can eat breakfast, we’ll head off further down river to visit the local community. We are always welcome here and they have embraced controlled tourism as a beneficial and sustainable source of income for the community. They are relaxed with us shooting and you can expect to be mobbed by curious children, dogs and pet monkeys. Get some shots of the locals playing football, repairing a fishing net or just generally going about their business. After a few hours we’ll join one of the local women to dig up some Yuka root and she will show us how to make bread, a staple food for most of the inhabitants. After a beer or two with some of the village men and our boxed lunch, we will head out again to visit a shaman, the natural healer. Our guide will translate and of course answer any questions. We will then be free to look around his extensive garden and examine at close quarters some of the 550+ plants used by Shamans in their traditional cures.
Day 6: After a final morning shoot we travel back to Quito.
One last shoot in the jungle and then we head back to Quito and our hotel. Time to go over our takes and edit some of the keepers or just relax and reflect on our visit to one of the truly marvellous natural wonders of the world.
Day 7: Transfer and internal flight to the Galapagos.
We have already done so much but now our trail heads out to the famed Galapagos Islands. A late morning flight will take us to South Seymour. Now we enter a new world. Without any natural predators, the wildlife here is famously tame and easily accessible. However it can be deceptively difficult to shoot. Of course, we’ll have a local guide with us and he will be giving us some tips and guidance on how to get the best out of our trip and what we should be doing to leave virtually no trace or impression of our presence.
Day 8 – 14 Islands boat cruise.
For the next 7 days we will be visiting a wide selection of islands and key photographic points. We will have a local naturalist guide who will help us get to the best spots at the right time. Our proposed itinerary is;
- Baltra, North Seymour
- Santa Cruz, Bachas, Dragon Hill, Eden
- Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Station, Twin craters, Primicias ranch
- Floreana: Post Office Bay, Cormorant Point, Devils Crown
- Espanola: Suarez Point, Gardner Bay
- San Cristobal: Interpretation Centre, Islas Lobos
- Santa Fe, South Plazas
- Black Turtle Cove, Baltra
This extensive tour using one of the best boats and highly knowledgeable guides will make this a journey of a lifetime. During our time aboard there will be regular talks both on photography skills and technique as well natural history and geography. We will also spend time reviewing and perfecting our shots from the day.
Day 15: Return to Quito and flight home.
We bid farewell to the Islands and their unusual inhabitants and make the journey back to Quito. From there you will connect for your flight home or onward journey.
If you wish to book this incredible adventure of a lifetime it is important to do so early. Alternatively, if you would like to be kept informed of updates regarding this trip please fill out the contact form with the letters A+G in the subject field and we will add you to the list for this trail.
Please note: You must have a valid Yellow Fever certificate to travel to the Galapagos Islands.
What’s included
- All of the accommodation listed in the day to day itinerary, which is based on twin share.
- A twin share cabin aboard our boat for the Galpagos cruise.
- Services of the Creative Trail leader, local guides and drivers.
- Park entry fees, permits where applicable.
- All meals listed in the day to day itinerary.
- Ground transport from the joining location to the departure location, unless otherwise noted in the itinerary and all during the trip, including car, bus, coach, boat, canoe, flights, guided walks.
- Photography tuition and guidance from your leader.
Not included
- International flights to and from Quito, Ecuador.
- Travel insurance.
- Visa costs and airport taxes.
- Tips and local payments to guides, porters and drivers.
- Meals, other than those listed and drinks, bar bills or snacks.
- Souvenirs, curios or other purchases.
- Payments, other than those listed, for taking photographs of local people, events, museums etc.
- Any optional tours or activities not included in the itinerary.
- Personal expenditure such as laundry.