When I visited the Galapagos some years ago, I was working in Ecuador so I arranged my trip through the hotel where I was staying in Quito. I got a pretty good rate that way. I wouldn't recommend that method unless you have a lot of time on your hands. Most tours are either one week or two weeks, which determines the islands that will be visited. Outside of that you won't have much choice. I have a fair number of books on the islands, and I would recommend getting "A Traveller's Guide to the Galapagos Islands" by Barry Boyce ISBN:1-55650-850-6. It describes the individual islands and what may be seen there from a photographer's perspective. The other one is "The Galapagos Islands" by Pierre Constant. ISBN: 962-217-580-5. It is a particularly good reference to the indigenous flora and fauna. There is an advantage on taking a smaller boat through the islands as there won't be as much pressure to hurry up so the next group from the boat can go ashore: Only one group from the boat is allowed at one time! (I would suggest a boat that carries no more than 16 passengers.) Don't bother with a tripod, but a monopod that can be used as a walking stick would be my choice. As you cannot get off the marked trails a long lens will prove its worth. I would suggest a 300mm, and maybe a 1.4X TC. Take lots of film!
The Galapagos are a wonderful experience. One of the few places that you can see evolution in action.
Sixteen people is slightly too many, in my opinion. I think that only groups smaller than 12 or 13 can do some landings (like Daphne Major, site of the research behind Beak of the Finch). I went with Ted Cheeseman last year (www.cheesemans.com). The Cheesemans put on a very long tour at a good price (for what you get). Ted is an excellent photographer both above and below water, and Cheesemans' trips regularly draw serious amateur and pro photographers. But, they are not strictly photo tours. We went ashore at daybreak most days, but not on one critical day (Espanola). This would be less important during the garua season (roughly July to December), when the coast tends to be overcast. If you want strictly a photo tour, check out Arthur Morris (www.birdsasart.com). Not only is Artie a top bird photographer, but right now I don't know of anyone else from the U.S. scheduling serious Galápagos photo tours every year.
I wouldn't go to the Galápagos (or anywhere else) without a tripod. I bought the Gitzo 1325 for the trip and found it delightfully easy to carry compared with my older, larger Gtizos. It's so effective I now use it even with the 600 f4 unless I know I'm going to be shooting subjects well above eye level.
Posted by Alex Lofquist on June 24, 2006 at 10:43 PM
To Cliff:
I agree that 16 is really too many if you have a choice. I was lucky to get on a small boat that only had 8 people. They were all much younger than I (I was in my 70s when I was there) and could barely keep up with them without my carrying a tripod. Still a great experience!
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on June 24, 2006 at 11:35 PM
Andy's at the top of my list for a Galapagos cruise - whenever I do finally get a chance to go..
Easy going personality, pays a lot of attention to detail, makes sure that the needs of digital photographers in remote locations are met.
When my wife and I went a few years ago, we opted for a slightly longer tour (11 days vs. the standard 8 days) since it got to some of the more outlying islands that shorter tours skip. It also makes good sense if you're going to all the trouble to get there, might as well spend as much time as possible in the islands. We went with Galapagos Travel (Barry Boyce's company) and were extremely satisfied with the experience. I think now they have 11 days as their shorter tour, and also offer 15 days, which would be even better.
The boat is also pretty important, since it will be your home for 1-2 weeks. Having seen several other boats during our tour, I will just say that the size and stability varies widely. It's nice being a small group on a larger boat (as we were on the Sagitta) because you have lots of room, and larger boats are generally smoother in rough seas.
Photographically, I would recommend a monopod vs. a tripod, to have maximum mobility and space. Trails are narrow and a tripod will get in the way of others. The animals are quite close, and mostly unafraid of humans, I found that my 80-200 was fine most of the time, with a 1.4x occasionally. I'm unsure if it would have been worth it to lug around the 300, I didn't often find myself wishing for more reach.
Discussion
7 repliesJack
The Galapagos are a wonderful experience. One of the few places that you can see evolution in action.
That would be creation actually not evolution. But of course Religious discussion are not allowed so I'll leave it at that.
I wouldn't go to the Galápagos (or anywhere else) without a tripod. I bought the Gitzo 1325 for the trip and found it delightfully easy to carry compared with my older, larger Gtizos. It's so effective I now use it even with the 600 f4 unless I know I'm going to be shooting subjects well above eye level.
I agree that 16 is really too many if you have a choice. I was lucky to get on a small boat that only had 8 people. They were all much younger than I (I was in my 70s when I was there) and could barely keep up with them without my carrying a tripod. Still a great experience!
http://www.andybiggs.com/2007_galapagos.html
Andy's at the top of my list for a Galapagos cruise - whenever I do finally get a chance to go..
Easy going personality, pays a lot of attention to detail, makes sure that the needs of digital photographers in remote locations are met.
Downside - he's usually booked far in advance.
The boat is also pretty important, since it will be your home for 1-2 weeks. Having seen several other boats during our tour, I will just say that the size and stability varies widely. It's nice being a small group on a larger boat (as we were on the Sagitta) because you have lots of room, and larger boats are generally smoother in rough seas.
Photographically, I would recommend a monopod vs. a tripod, to have maximum mobility and space. Trails are narrow and a tripod will get in the way of others. The animals are quite close, and mostly unafraid of humans, I found that my 80-200 was fine most of the time, with a 1.4x occasionally. I'm unsure if it would have been worth it to lug around the 300, I didn't often find myself wishing for more reach.