WILD WONDERS: GALAPAGOS & AMAZONIAN ECUADOR ADVENTURE, 1 - 14 January 2026. Book your spot now with a deposit of $5,100.00! Only three places left.

**ONLY THREE PLACES LEFT - one twin single female, and one other cabin for two** 

Book your place now for this bucket-list nature adventure! Journey through the remarkable Galapagos Islands and Amazonian Ecuador and explore spectacular scenery, natural wonders and incredible flora and fauna of these world-renowned wildlife destinations. 

• Dates: Thursday 1 January - Wednesday 14 January 2026
• Destinations: Galapagos Islands and mainland Ecuador (with options to add your own travel extensions while in South America). 

Your experience begins in the city of Quito, before flying to Baltra on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands. Our journey includes the luxurious privately chartered 16-passenger catamaran yacht Seaman Journey with onboard dining, accommodation and on-deck facilities. We will have shore visits to over thirteen locations with short walks, panga rides, kayaking and snorkelling opportunities. 

Our Galapagos 7-day program takes you on a journey to the remotest corners of the archipelago. From Santa Cruz Island we visit the far west islands of Isabela and Fernandina which are the youngest, where lave fields are common, and scarce vegetation has driven wildlife to adapt the most. Flightless cormorants and penguins share the rocks and waters of Bolivar channel. Fernandina island is the youngest island and perhaps the most unique. We also visit Santiago Island on the north-eastern side, circumnavigating the main islands of the archipelago. 

Expect to see the famous Giant Galapagos tortoise, marine iguanas, Blue-footed boobies, Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Hawk, Darwin finches, Mockingbirds, Flamingo colonies, Great Blue herons and many other unique birds. There will be opportunities to see beautiful marine life of the islands with some of the best snorkelling in pristine waters. Watch sea lions basking on rocks, sea turtles, seahorses, rays, sharks and the incredible Mola-Mola (sunfish). 

We will then travel via Quito to the small riverside town of Napo to begin our Amazon adventure. Here we will travel along the Napo River with a motorised canoe to reach our destination in the middle of the Amazonian jungle. We will have walks, canoe trips through tributaries, and lots of opportunities to see brightly coloured macaws, Blue-headed parrots, Orange-cheeked parrots and many others. We will also see many of the unique primates including the Golden-mantled tamarins, White-fronted capuchins monkeys, two-toed and three-toed sloths, and squirrel monkeys. Expect to also see extraordinary invertebrates including many insect species, plus snakes and reptiles. 

Enjoy spectacular wildlife throughout this trip with our professional team focusing on nature journaling and photography workshops (including photo editing) for anyone interested in creative responses to nature, as well as scientific presentations and much more. 

Partners and accompanying friends will enjoy all of the wildlife experiences!

Nature tour inclusions: 

• Custom-designed 14 day itinerary of unsurpassed nature and science immersion experiences, including opportunities to sight rare and elusive wildlife.
• 3 nights accommodation in Quito (1, 8 and 13 January), including all transfers to/from the airport
• Internal airfares from Quito - Galapagos return, and Quito to Coca return.  
• 7 day/6 night luxurious catamaran cruise with comfortable accommodation provided (twin room/couples), exclusive chef-prepared meals, and all transfers. 
• 5 day/4 night extended stay at the Napo Wildlife Centre overlooking the Anangucocha Lagoon, in the middle of the Amazonian jungle; includes all transfers and activities such as walking trails, river trips, canoe rides and night walks to explore the best of the Amazon flora and fauna.
• Expert English/Spanish speaking local nature guides at all locations
• Photography mentoring and tuition with award-winning nature photographer and science presentations with evolutionary biologist Dr Damien Esquerre. 
• Entomology expertise and scientific content with Alan Landford
• Nature journaling guidance and workshops with NatureArt Lab Director Julia Landford. 

Exclusions: 

• International airfares are not included (Australia to Quito/return); these can be arranged separately through your preferred travel agent.
  
• Tips for guides and boat operators

Tour Details: 

• Dates: 1 - 14 January 2026
• Total cost: $20,400 with all inclusions listed above
• A non-refundable Deposit (25% of total cost) is due on booking - $5,100.00 by 4 January 2025
  
• The payment plan includes three additional payments of $5,100 due on 4 March 2025, 5 August 2025 and 2 October 2025.
• A maximum of 13 places available.
• Travel insurance is required by all participants - see details below
  
• Note: The itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions and government regulations. Prices may vary according to currency fluctuations/ exchange rates and minimum tour bookings. Full terms and conditions are available on request. 

Fitness levels: 

A good level of fitness is required to participate in this tour. In some destinations there are extensive sight-seeing excursions by foot which may include climbing of stairs and uneven terrain. Some South American cities such as Quito are situated at an altitude of over 2,850 metres above sea level. At these altitudes the lack of oxygen affects most people to some extent until they become acclimatised. We recommend that you visit a doctor and dentist prior to your decision to participate.

Our expert nature tour art and science team:

Travel with naturalists Julia and Alan Landford who have led many Australian expeditions including to Heron Island, Montague Island, Cape York and the Atherton Tablelands, Tasmania, Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Islands; international nature tours to Borneo, Costa Rica, The Galapagos Islands, Amazonian Ecuador and Peru.

Julia Landford is the team leader and Founding Director of NatureArt Lab and brings substantial experience with natural history, nature journaling and tour management.

Alan Landford has a scientific background in zoology, specialising in entomology from the Australian National University. He also has substantial wildlife experience from Australia and Papua New Guinea, and other regions.

Award-winning nature photographer: Dr Damien Esquerre

Dr. Damien Esquerré is a professional wildlife photographer and evolutionary biologist currently employed as a permanent academic staff (lecturer and researcher) at the University of Wollongong. Damien is also an experienced herpetologist, and is the Editor for the He was over 17 years of experience as a wildlife photographer (initially professionally trained by Chile’s top nature photographer), and has been teaching this course and an introduction for macro photography course for 6 years at NatureArt Lab, also joining as a wildlife photography instructor to tours in Borneo, Western Australia, Cape York, Costa Rica, Ecuador (Galapagos and Amazon) and Peru.

Damien won a finalist award at the Australasian Nature Photographer of the Year in 2023, and two of his photos are on display at the South Australian Museum. Damien's photographs have won multiple awards and have been published in number of books (including Damien’s authored book on the reptiles of Chile), magazines, calendars, websites and expos.

His main profession is a University biology researcher and lecturer, working to understand how biodiversity evolves, with a special interest in snakes, lizards and frogs and teaching evolution and ecology. The combination of Damien’s science and teaching experience means he knows how to make complex topics simple and accessible.

Nature Tour Cancellation policy:

Participants are required to take out comprehensive travel insurance against injury, illness, emergency medical evacuation, loss and damage to personal belongings, not being able to travel on a confirmed date of departure or tour cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances.

Any cancellations after the deposit is paid will incur loss of the full deposit, which helps to cover our costs for design and management of the tour program and early supplier costs incurred. 

For cancellations up to 181 days before departure 50% of the cost of the tour will be forfeited. If cancellation takes place 180 days or less before the start date 100% of the tour cost will be forfeited.

If NatureArt Lab has to cancel a nature tour due to undersubscription, you will receive a refund of all payments made for that tour.

Pre-Departure Briefing: 

• NatureArt Lab will host an information session for participants prior to departure.

Any questions:

• Please contact us at info@natureartlab.com.au  

NatureArt Lab Awards:

2022, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and National Finalist Award

2024, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Building Communities, ACT; and National Finalist Award

Images: Dr Damien Esquerre, Julia and Alan Landford