Galapagos Islands
Premium Photo Experience
A 5-star luxury expedition to photograph rare wildlife and breathtaking landscapes with acclaimed photographer, Paul Zizka.
May 13-20, 2028
Galapagos Islands:
Unparalleled in Every Way
Few destinations on earth offer the kind of photographic access that the Galapagos Islands do. Located in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 kilometres west of Ecuador, the archipelago is UNESCO-listed and home to an astonishing density of wildlife that evolved in near-complete isolation — and shows it. Iguanas, giant tortoises, frigatebirds, and penguins go about their lives with a remarkable indifference to human presence, offering compositions that feel both intimate and entirely unhurried. The underwater world is equally compelling, with sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, and rays moving through water that can shift from tropically warm to surprisingly cold within a single dive. Experiencing all of this from a yacht like The Evolution means waking at anchor in places few photographers ever reach.
Learn more about this experience below.
A five-star floating hotel designed for island access.
A Photo Journey through
Darwin's Archipelago
10 spots only on Photo Program
(partners/family welcome)
Starting from* $13,650 USD - $15,750 USD, pending cabin choice
Photo Program Fee: $2500 USD (included in price above),
not applied to non-photo program guests
Deposit: $1,800 USD per person
Registration Notes:
This experience is hosted by Quasar Expeditions and Paul Zizka Photography aboard The Evolution, a luxury yacht with space for 32 guests on board.
To register, secure your place in the Photo Program with a deposit through Paul Zizka Photography. You will then be introduced to the team at Quasar to select your cabin (first-come, first-served) and proceed with all arrangements.
All payments for this experience with Quasar will be in USD.
While there are only 10 spots available on the Photo Program, we can host additional family members and partners! You may place a deposit for them when you sign up, or contact Quasar to add them to your booking. Please note, they will enjoy separate excursions during our Photo Program excursions, but you will have plenty of time together on the boat.
If you have any questions about the Galapagos experience, please contact Karen at karen@quasarex.com or book a call.
*Single Supplement Surcharge:
A 75% single supplement surcharge applies to all cabins & suites for this cruise date.
Experience Includes
Daily photo instruction, mentoring and 1:1 guidance from Paul Zizka
Expert guidance and service from your own personal Expedition Designer at Quasar
Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($200 USD adults / $100 USD children) *
Galapagos Transit Control Card ($20 USD per person) *
Starlink® Internet / Wi-Fi Connection throughout cruise
Select wines, local beer, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks, juice, coffee, hot chocolate, water and tea are included throughout the cruise
Comprehensive pre-and post-cruise information material
Daily served meals or buffet offering a wide choice of dishes
Naturalist guides & activities throughout the cruise
All transfers (with rest of group) while in Galapagos
Nightly lectures and entertainment onboard
Snorkelling equipment (masks, snorkels & fins) and wetsuits (3mm long wetsuit)
Sea kayaks, paddle boards & other equipment
Not Included
Flights, accommodations, meals, excursions and transfers other than those included in the itinerary.
International air tickets to either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
Gratuities to guides, crew and staff.
Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
Trip insurance and medical evacuation insurance
Personal travel insurance
Premium brands of wines, beer, or spirits
Mainland Ecuador arrangements (Quasar will be delighted to arrange these for you)
Galapagos flights (Guayaquil-Galapagos-Guayaquil $473 USD adults/ $360 USD children or Quito-Galapagos-Quito $530 USD adults/children $404 USD) *
* Subject to change. Please read the complete Terms & Conditions as Quasar is not responsible for coverage of possible increases.
Your Vessel: The Evolution
In the Steps of Pirates & Darwin
Itinerary
Starts: Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador; ship departs from Baltra Island
Ends: Guayaquil or Quito, Ecuador
Find this itinerary and a map on the Quasar website.
Legend: Walks & Hikes (WH), Snorkelling (SN), Kayaking (KY), Panga Ride (PR) Paddle Boarding (PB)
Day 1: Saturday
AM: Arrive Baltra Island
PM: Daphne Island or Bahia Borrero (PR)
Day 2: Sunday
AM: Isabela (Albemarle) Island: Punta Vicente Roca (SN, PR)
PM: Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza (WH, SN)
Day 3: Monday
AM: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay (WH, SN)
PM: Isabela Island: Tagus Cove (WH, SN, KY, PR, PB)
Day 4: Tuesday
AM: Bartholome: Pinnacle Rock & Overlook (WH, SN, PR)
PM: Santiago (James) Island: Sullivan Bay (WH, SN)
Day 5: Wednesday
AM: Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach (WH, SN)
PM: Rabida Island (WH, SN, KY, PR, PB)
Day 6: Thursday
AM: Santa Cruz Island: Breeding Center (Charles Darwin Research Station) (WH)
PM: Santa Cruz Island: Pit Craters, Highlands, Wild Tortoise Reserve (WH)
Day 7: Friday
AM: Española (Hood) Island: Punta Suarez (WH)
PM: Española Island: Gardner Bay/Gardner Islet/Osborn Islet (WH, SN, KY, PR, PB)
Day 8: Saturday
AM: San Cristobal (Chatham) Island: Kicker Rock and Interpretation Center (WH)
Late Morning: San Cristobal Island: Depart for Mainland Ecuador
About your host, Paul Zizka
Paul Zizka is an award-winning mountain landscape and adventure photographer and photo educator based in Banff, Canada. A prolific adventurer, Paul’s journey to capture the “under-documented” has taken him to all seven continents, as well as to each of Canada’s provinces and territories. He is frequently published in some of North America’s top magazines, including National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, Alpinist, Maclean’s, Summit, Canadian Geographic, and Outdoor Photographer, and has published four coffee-table photography books. His client list includes leading national and global brands such as Canon, Apple, Dell, NHL, WestJet, Arc’Teryx, Panasonic and MEC. In his latest project, Cryophilia, Paul is documenting vanishing ice around the world to showcase its beauty and raise awareness of our changing landscapes.
A sought-after educator, Paul hosts a robust photo community of over 24,000 subscribers on Substack called Fuelled by Creativity. He leads workshops and creative retreats in the Canadian Rockies and abroad, focusing on the technical aspects of photography, as well as the “intangible” elements of the craft.
Bio photo by Stasia Schmidt.
Trip Dates:
May 13-20, 2028
Investment:
To register, secure your place in the Photo Program with a deposit (in Canadian funds) through Paul Zizka Photography. You will then be introduced to the team at Quasar to select your cabin (first-come, first-served) and proceed with all arrangements.
Starting from* $13,650 USD - $15,750 USD, pending cabin choice
Photo Program Fee: $2500 USD, included in price above (not applied to non-photo program guests)
Deposit: $1,800 USD per person
Single Supplement Surcharges:
A 75% single supplement surcharge applies to all cabins & suites for this cruise date.
For final balances: 35% of the total cruise price due 210 days prior to departure, followed by final payment at 90 days.
Cancellation:
*Deposits and installments are non-refundable, unless this experience does not achieve its minimum by August 31, 2026, when we are due to confirm with our operator, Quasar. In that case, deposits will be refunded. No deposits or installments will be refunded once the sailing is officially confirmed.
This workshop requires a minimum of 8 participants to run.
Click button to register or use the form below.