Travel for Photographers

For twenty-five years Lindblad Expeditions has taken guests to extraordinary locations and provided them with the right conditions for life-altering experiences. From Lindblad's expedition ships you walk, hike, Zodiac or kayak further into the heart of wildness. Top-notch Lindblad naturalists add their knowledge and experience to your explorations.

Now, through their Photo Expedition program, Lindblad guests are provided with the opportunity to take some of the best photographs of their life. Created by photographers for photographers, Lindblad's Photo Expeditions offer a number of special features. Cruise for composition aboard expedition ships, or in smaller groups aboard their fleet of Zodiacs to get the best angle on a subject. Special sunrise and sunset landings offer the best light. Walks devoted to photography let you take advantage of coaching in the field when and where a shooter can really profit from a timely suggestion or a pro’s example. Most importantly, these expeditions have been designed to give you more time for your photography. Back onboard, you’ll enjoy an array of instructional presentations, often from leading nature photographers who join you as special guests on Photo Expeditions.

Alaska, British Columbia & San Juan Islands: A Land of Natural Splendor
12 days from Seattle to Juneau or reverse
2008 Departure Dates: Sept 6, 7

From the San Juan Islands up through Johnstone Strait in British Columbia to Alaska’s famous Glacier Bay, this is a sweeping exploration of the wildlife, scenery and indigenous cultures of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. This majestic region is a maze of mist-shrouded fjords, channels, rivers and glaciers gliding towards the sea – ideally suited for a Photo Expedition aboard a small ship that enables up-close and personal exploration.

These waters are among the best for watching and photographing whales, with good chances of finding humpbacks and orcas. And whales aren’t the only highlight. There are towering, moss-draped spruce forests, salmon-choked streams, brown bears and soaring eagles.  Lindblad Photo Expeditions take full advantage of photographic opportunities throughout, whether it’s a brown bear wading in a stream or the quest for the “magic light” at sunrise and sunset.

Baja: Where the Desert Meets the Sea
8 days roundtrip from Loreto
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; July 6

With no set itinerary by design to allow maximum time to focus on photography and exploration, this Photo Expedition is about discovering Baja’s uninhabited islands and beaches and photographing the whales and wildlife that make Baja an eco-mecca. Its topography is stunning – with a shell-studded shore and delicious dunes to climb. Whether you’re on deck or the bridge, out on the water in a Zodiac or kayak, or ashore among giant cacti, you will be in a prime position to observe the myriad wonders that make each day in the Sea of Cortez another bit of magic.

Here are a few highlights from a recent voyage: one hundred bottlenose dolphins leaping over sperm whales; a pod of fin whales feeding; thousands of Heermann’s gulls and royal terns arriving on the shores of Isla Rasa to incubate their eggs; and one evening, the vision of hundreds of Humboldt squid illuminated in the ship’s lights.

Galapagos Aboard M.S. Polaris
10 days roundtrip from Ecuador
2008 Departure Dates: Dec 5, 12

Thematically, one might ask why connect a visit to Peru with an expedition to Galápagos? Two answers: as magnificent as the Galápagos Islands are for nature, so is Peru from an historical and archaeological perspective; and second, Lima — Peru’s capital is less than two hours away by air from Guayaquil. So, if you have the time, you’re almost there anyway.

A couple of key issues to point out. You spend a week in Peru. Occasionally people ask, “why so long when the highlight is Machu Picchu?” The fact is that there is so much more in Peru, which you’ll see when you read the itinerary. Another reason is that rushing from sea level to 11,000 feet and back is just not wise. You need time to adjust.

Zegrahm Expeditions was started in October 1990 for one clear reason: to offer travelers the most intriguing adventures in our world, whether by land or sea. They keep the number of travelers on each expedition small to allow members personal contact with their leaders and naturalist experts, making each trip truly expeditionary in nature.  Join them as they explore the fascinating far reaches of the world — Antarctica, the Galápagos, the Arctic, the South Pacific and Indian Ocean — via a fleet of exclusively chartered sailing ships, icebreakers and yachts. Accompany Zegrahm to Botswana, India, Mongolia and Madagascar on one of their intimate, expertly led land programs. Their expeditions operate year-round, and the destinations include the most remote and remarkable on earth.

Zegrahm has voyages with some of the top photographers in the world:  Art Wolfe, Tom Mangelsen, Arthur Morris, just to name a few.

Wild India with the Brahmaputra River
19 days
2008 Departure: Nov 14

India is a country steeped in beauty: a land of thriving cities and remote villages, of temples and tombs. India is also a land whose wildlife habitats can equal those of Africa for drama and for profuse concentrations of animals: thousands upon thousands of birds, herds of grazing deer, bison, and elephants. We invite you to join us on an adventure that will unveil an India unseen by most.

Antarctica with the Falkland Islands
12 days
2008 Departure Date: Nov 15

Antarctica is the last great wilderness on earth. Its lofty peaks spill forth dazzling glaciers and towering ice shelves, creating 100,000 icebergs each year. Given the hostility of Antarctica’s climatic extremes, you might think the region devoid of life; however, life exists here in great abundance—whales, seals, and thousands of seabirds, including penguins. Weather and ice conditions determine your path and landings, just as they governed the voyages of the Antarctic explorers of the past. Expert naturalists and leaders guide you along the way enhacing your expedition.

Pristine conditions at this time in Antarctica, with brilliant snow and incredible icebergs.  Penguins galore, very animated at this time.  Penguin chicks are beginning to appear in the Falklands, which is a rare sight and a photographers dream.

Best of Melanesia & Micronesia: Papua New Guinea, Trobriand Islands, Yap & Palau
17 days

On our voyage in the far frontier of the western South Pacific, we’ll observe the ways of Melanesian and Micronesian peoples, including Rabaul’s fabulous fire dancers and Yap’s enormous stone currency. We’ll hike through exotic tropical landscapes, snorkel and dive nearly every day among more than 1,400 fish species, and even swim in a magical lake full of stingless jellyfish.

Take an instant out of time...
Venture into realms where the beautiful rainforests, serene unspoiled islands, pristine waters, and remarkable wildlife can be innocently captured in photos. Cruise West, the leading small ship cruise line, and PENTAX, a leader in digital photography, have created a partnership that will bring PENTAX photography experts and equipment onboard six Cruise West itineraries in 2008.

Here’s your chance to expand your photographic expertise, interact and learn from a professional photographer and our expert Exploration Leaders all on a small-ship journey of amazing discovery.

While no professional photographers are part of the tours they offer, Travcoa travels to destinations off the beaten track that offer amazing photo opportunities.  Here are three that come highly recommended.

Mongolia & the Gobi Desert
12 days, from Beijing to Beijing
2008 Departure Date: July 5

Wild horses galloping across the steppes, Genghis Khan and caravans of camels trekking the Gobi Desert—the name “Mongolia” has always stirred visions of the untamed. Even today, outside of Ulaan Baatar, you sense that you've stepped into another century rather than another country. Whether it be attending local festivals, or playing paleontologist for a day among the region’s many fascinating locales, you’ll find Mongolia, the “Land of BlueSky,” a remarkable country of spectacular light and traditional culture. It is an invigorating and exhilarating place to visit, and remains one of the last unspoiled travel destinations in Asia.

Bhutan & Sikim Revealed
12 days, from New Delhi to New Delhi
2008 Departure Dates: Sept 9

Hidden treasure of the Himalayas, and only recently opened to Western tourists, Bhutan and Sikkim have become one of the most desirable places to visit in the entire region. Discover this rarely-visited land where Nepalese, Bhutanese, Tibetan and Lepcha cultures coexist and blend. Buddhist traditions exhibit their full splendor and depth in elaborate monasteries interspersed with commanding dzongs (fortresses) cut into the towering mountains. Enjoy exclusive delights including a private dinner and dance performance in Paro and a visit to a Darjeeling tea plantation to sample the fresh-picked tea. On this journey, you can find out for yourself why those who make the effort to reach these remote regions consider this the exotic journey of a lifetime.