New Galapagos adventure from September 3-11, invites beginner and practiced photographers to build wildlife portfolios with hands-on instructions

The experts of Galapagos travel, Metropolitan Touring, have partnered with photography masters for a 9-day/8-night adventure in the famed archipelago. Like the feathered, furry and four-legged subjects you snap, your photographs of the endemic species of the fabled islands will be amongst the highlights on the new Galapagos Photography Masterclass cruise on the Yacht Isabela II from Metropolitan Touring. Covering ground and sea from mainland Ecuador to the volcanic archipelago in the Pacific, the 9-day/8-night adventure features hands- and eyes-on instruction from renowned wildlife photographers and exquisite accommodations and dining both onboard and on land.

The Masterclass is designed for beginners and practiced photographers to excel, with an array of experiences and opportunities to create superb imagery and polish skills. Leading the program is Lucas Bustamante, co-founder of the nonprofit Tropical Herping and Savia Fund, is leading the program, both dedicated to the legal defense of nature. Bustamante’s conservation-driven wildlife photography has been widely exhibited and featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Audubon, and Smithsonian. Peruvian wildlife photographer Frank Pichardo will also bring experience with photo tours and ecotourism earned over two-plus decades framing wonders of the Upper Amazon of Peru and Ecuador.

Together, the photographers will focus on maximizing technique to ensure guests get the best images of extraordinary wildlife. Instruction will be on location throughout the Galapagos and aboard Isabela II, as they work on curating your images, postprocessing, and building a portfolio, while offering feedback and tips and tricks for improving pictures before and after each outing.

The Masterclass adventure begins far from the Galapagos with a trip to Antisana National Park, located in the foothills of Ecuador’s fourth-highest volcanic mountain and home to rare flora and fauna, including the Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas) and the graceful endangered Andean Condor.

Upon reaching the Galapagos on Day 3, the Masterclass comes alive, with Isabela II sailing across the archipelago to explore visitor sites brimming with wildlife on six islands: Fernandina, Santiago, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Española, Floreana, and Isabela. Capture a range of the Galapagos’ most renowned fauna, including Blue-footed booby, American flamingo, land iguana, Galapagos giant tortoise, Galapagos penguin and Galapagos sea lion – the last either swimming around guests while snorkeling or making photo-perfect models sunning themselves on rocks or sandy beaches.

Guests will also have the opportunity to build on days in the Galapagos with continued instruction via a weeklong Masterclass Extension on the mainland. Destinations will include Old Town Quito, UNESCO’s first World Heritage Site city, with overnights at the historic mansion hotel Casa Gangotena on iconic San Francisco Plaza, followed by a visit to the Mashpi Reserve within the cloud and rainforests of the Ecuadorian Andean Chocó, a Biodiversity Hotspot and UN Biosphere Reserve.

Details, Details

Metropolitan Touring will debut the Galapagos Photography Masterclass cruise on Yacht Isabela II from September 3 to 11, 2025. The cost per person is $8,499 based on two people sharing. The Masterclass Extension will be available from September 11 to 16, 2025. The price per person is $3,878. Each tour will include instruction from two professional wildlife photographers, all meals, transportation once the itineraries begin, and accommodation.