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

Wild Galápagos Escape (8-Day)

Aug 29 2024
Nov 16 2024
Nov 21 2024
Apr 20 2024
Apr 25 2024
Jun 15 2024
Jun 29 2024
Aug 24 2024

Wild Galápagos Escape (7-Day)

Sep 3 2024
Nov 12 2024
Apr 16 2024
Jun 11 2024
Jun 25 2024

Wild Galápagos & Peru Escape

Aug 30 2024
Nov 8 2024
Apr 12 2024
Jun 7 2024
Jun 21 2024

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II

Sep 13 2024
Sep 20 2024
Sep 27 2024
Nov 1 2024
Mar 29 2024
Apr 5 2024
May 10 2024
May 17 2024
Jul 26 2024
Aug 2 2024

Galápagos Aboard National Geographic Endeavour II + Peru's Land of the Inca

Sep 20 2024
Sep 27 2024
Nov 1 2024
May 17 2024
Aug 2 2024

Upper Amazon Aboard the Delfin II

Dec 7 2024
Dec 14 2024