Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor icon Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor

Patricio Maldonado

Patricio, better known as Pato amongst his friends, was born in the Galápagos Islands. His family moved to the islands from the mainland and settled on the island of Santa Cruz over thirty-five years ago. Pato had an enchanted childhood in the islands, where his keen interest in the wildlife of the Galápagos was born initially through catching lizards and observing how they lost their tails. His experiences in the islands have led him to teach visitors about the need to protect this rare and unique environment.

Pato underwent all his primary and secondary studies in local schools on Santa Cruz, and after graduation he moved to Quito to attend college, where he studied hotel management. This was an adventure that lasted for only two years, since city life was too hectic for Pato, who missed his idyllic islands. He learned that the Galápagos National Park was opening a guide course and looking for new, fresh-minded applicants. He passed the entrance requirements and the intensive three-month course, and now finds himself in his dream job of leading visitors along the trails of the islands. He has taken such joy in this line of work that he is continuously striving to improve his understanding of the Galápagos Archipelago, to better share it with others. He is now continuing his studies, taking a new direction – a distance learning course in ecology.  Pato loves music, especially Andean music, and the first time he set foot aboard a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic vessel it was actually as a musician with a local band!

He received his Photo Instructor certification in a multi-day training workshop.  Developed and taught by National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions photographers, the workshop helped him develop additional insight and skills necessary to help you better understand your camera and the basics of composition — to better capture the moments at the heart of your expedition.

My upcoming expeditions

Galápagos Escape: An 8-Day Voyage

Nov 21 2024
Jan 16 2025
Jan 25 2025
Jan 30 2025
Apr 19 2025
Apr 24 2025
Jun 28 2025
Jul 3 2025

Peru and Galápagos Escape

Nov 22 2024
Jan 17 2025
Apr 11 2025
Apr 25 2025
Jun 20 2025

Galápagos Escape: A 7-Day Voyage

Nov 26 2024
Jan 21 2025
Apr 15 2025
Apr 29 2025
Jun 24 2025

Upper Amazon: A River Expedition

Dec 7 2024
Dec 14 2024
Jul 19 2025
Jul 26 2025

Exploring Galápagos

Feb 21 2025
Feb 28 2025
Mar 21 2025
Mar 28 2025
Apr 4 2025
May 30 2025
Jun 6 2025
Aug 22 2025
Oct 17 2025
Oct 24 2025
Nov 14 2025
Nov 21 2025
Dec 12 2025
Dec 19 2025

Exploring Galápagos, Machu Picchu and Peru's Land of the Inca

Feb 21 2025
Feb 28 2025
Mar 21 2025
Mar 28 2025
Apr 4 2025
May 30 2025
Jun 6 2025
Aug 22 2025
Oct 17 2025
Oct 24 2025
Nov 14 2025
Nov 21 2025
Dec 12 2025
Dec 19 2025