Travelling to Quito, Galapagos and elsewhere in Ecuador

[footman]

We're based in Quito but visiting the rain forest along the Napo River, a 4 day trip, travelling the Avenue of the Volcanoes and up to Cuenca, that's another 4 days.
Spending a week on a 16 person yacht in the Galapagos with a final 3 nights in a hotel there.

[footman]

Some excellent shots there, I just wish you hasn't posted those with the Nik software!
I've been breaking my head about buying that for some time and those shots look stunning in mono.

[DragonSpeed]

Originally Posted by footman

We're based in Quito but visiting the rain forest along the Napo River, a 4 day trip, travelling the Avenue of the Volcanoes and up to Cuenca, that's another 4 days.
Spending a week on a 16 person yacht in the Galapagos with a final 3 nights in a hotel there.

What tour company are you organizing with? Which boat? We will be on the 16 person Floreana. We might be doing exactly the same boat trip!

We plan to spend two days out visiting the Cloud forest etc. We spend only a couple days in Quito to get our group together, since we are coming from Canada and Hong Kong.

Tommy, some cool shots! I'm EXCITED!!!

[Tommydigi]

Thanks. Niks silver and color effects are both very good plug ins.

Lens wise A wide and tele should do the trick. I kept my 70-200 on my 5d2 about 75% of the time. If I was going today I would put my 70-300 on my 60d and 17-40 or 24-70 on my 5d. 100-400 should do well.

What's fun is many of the creatures are close. I was within the mfd much of the time but for the birds you will like having some reach. I wish I had more when I was there

[footman]

Originally Posted by DragonSpeed

What tour company are you organizing with? Which boat? We will be on the 16 person Floreana. We might be doing exactly the same boat trip!

We plan to spend two days out visiting the Cloud forest etc. We spend only a couple days in Quito to get our group together, since we are coming from Canada and Hong Kong.

Tommy, some cool shots! I'm EXCITED!!!

We're travelling with a UK based outfit called Llama Travel. The boat will be the Galapagos Galaxy.
The only other boat we've stayed on is the Atoll Explorer, a live-aboard dive boat in the Maldives. It really can best be described as a charming old tub, the Galaxy looks like the height of luxury to us!

Originally Posted by Tommydigi

Thanks. Niks silver and color effects are both very good plug ins.

Lens wise A wide and tele should do the trick. I kept my 70-200 on my 5d2 about 75% of the time. If I was going today I would put my 70-300 on my 60d and 17-40 or 24-70 on my 5d.

I think then I'll stick with the 24-105 and the 300 then.

[Tommydigi]

It's also worth mentioning an underwater point and shoot was also a lot of fun. We spent a lot of time snorkeling. Lots of cool stuff in the water.

[DragonSpeed]

Originally Posted by Tommydigi

It's also worth mentioning an underwater point and shoot was also a lot of fun. We spent a lot of time snorkeling. Lots of cool stuff in the water.

How was the water temp? I think I saw someone in a wetsuit in your shots?

[Tommydigi]

Originally Posted by DragonSpeed

How was the water temp? I think I saw someone in a wetsuit in your shots?

Chilly, but not bad at all, I was there in late May I believe. Many of the water shots I got where crap but the one with the sea lion is like one of the best experience with nature I ever had. I was swimming out around pinnacle rock thinking my nephew was next to me not realizing he swam away. I felt this bumping and when I turned thinking it was him I realized it was that sea lion in the photo. He was just kinda hanging out around me and he seemed to sit there long enough for me to pull up my camera and take a few shots. The guide told us the sea lions will just mess with you, grab your flippers and just mess with you.

We saw so much cool wildlife in the water, the penquins, lots of starfish and white tip sharks and all kinds of small squids and things. Would be great with a real underwater camera.

[fatcat2000]

Hi.. Our family travelled to Quito, then on to Galapagos and Peru. I was never worried about my gear. I took 24-105, 70-200 plus extender and cheap 18-55, all for my two canon bodies, 1DM3 and 7D. Wish I had had a bettr quality wide angle. But that selection of lenses was great!!
Have a wonderful trip

[fatcat2000]

Water was cool so we were in wet suits. Had an Olympus umnderwater camera with us that was fun. Got pics of sea turtles and sea lions swimming by.

[Tommydigi]

We did wear wet suits so it was pretty cold now that I think about it.

[PATMAHONEY]

Was there a few years ago and We are retiring to Cuenca in August.
I took a 30D with a 100-400 and a 40D with a 17-55.
That seemed to be great.
As far as security, simple vigilance will suffice.Quito will undoubtably be the biggest concern, however, that concern is no bigger than any large city.
Enjoy. Truly magical.

[Bianchi]

Have a close friend who has traveled the world, I asked, what was your favorite place, his answer The Galapagos.

Enjoy folks !!!

[HughR]

I just got back from a 2 week trip to Lima, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu in Peru. Like others above, I was worried about camera theft. My compromise was to use a point & shoot in Lima, which was the most likely area for robbery. However, I saw lots of people with DSLRs dangling from their necks. Left my 60D with 15-85 IS in the hotel safe in Lima. As soon as we got to Cuzco then Machu Picchu, I switched to my 60D with 15-85 and used it for the rest of the trip. I never had any problems, although I was careful. Take your camera and lenses and enjoy. In the Galapagos and cloud forest (Machu Picchu is also in a cloud forest), I don't think you'll have any trouble.

For the record, my wife had her wallet stolen by a tandem of thieves in Amsterdam, Netherlands a few years ago, and I almost had my wallet ripped off on the Champs Elysées in Paris. That taught us how to prepare better and be more cautious.

[Tommydigi]

I just got back from a 2 week trip to Lima, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu in Peru. Like others above, I was worried about camera theft. My compromise was to use a point & shoot in Lima, which was the most likely area for robbery. However, I saw lots of people with DSLRs dangling from their necks. Left my 60D with 15-85 IS in the hotel safe in Lima. As soon as we got to Cuzco then Machu Picchu, I switched to my 60D with 15-85 and used it for the rest of the trip. I never had any problems, although I was careful. Take your camera and lenses and enjoy. In the Galapagos and cloud forest (Machu Picchu is also in a cloud forest), I don't think you'll have any trouble.

For the record, my wife had her wallet stolen by a tandem of thieves in Amsterdam, Netherlands a few years ago, and I almost had my wallet ripped off on the Champs Elysées in Paris. That taught us how to prepare better and be more cautious.

sounds like a great trip, I really want to do Machu Picchu. IMO you can get robbed anywhere so where ever I go with expensive gear I am just more cautious. People get killed over Iphones or gym shoots so its always best to be aware of others. Sad but true.