CALLING ALL CONSERVATION STORYTELLERS:

Did you know that every year, 50,000 tons of plastic fishing nets end up in the oceans? That is the same weight as 50,000 cars. Did you know that most of these are made of plastic that takes hundreds of years to degrade, never going away and instead ending up in our water, fish and even in the air we breathe?

In 2026 we have partnered with Guardianes del Mar (Guardians of the Sea) for an Expedition that will benefit their collective conservation efforts that involve communities throughout the Gulf of Tribugá. The Guardianes are leading the effort to tackle the problem of ghost nets from industrial fishing vessels and other unsustainable fishing practices, which threaten this precious ecosystem.

The Guardianes work in one of the most beautiful and biologically-diverse UNESCO sites in the world–a place where volcanic jungle meets the ocean. Linked by mangroves, which are nurseries for thousands of species including sharks, shrimp, crustaceans, fish and more, this is an experience you will never forget.

TRIP DATES: March 17-29, 2026

COST: $4,249 USD (SHARED)

$4,999 USD (PRIVATE)

Deadline to register: February 1, 2026

Meet your local guide and expert, María! María Andrea Pineda López is a designer, project manager, and producer with a strong social and environmental focus. Based in Nuquí, Chocó, her work is rooted in community processes and territorial engagement. She believes in art, care, and collaborative practices as key tools for fostering social transformation and sustainable change.

Physical Rating: Moderate

DAY 1 

March 17: Fly into Medellín and meet anytime during the day. Make your way to the 4-star hotel we have arranged for you in a taxi that will be provided. Get some rest or take the chance to meet up with the rest of the group to walk around the city, enjoy some local Colombian cuisine and get to know your fellow travellers.

DAY 2 

MEDELLÍN

Opening Ceremony

We will visit various places in Medellin that will deepen ourselves into the history, culture and context of Colombia’s Indigenous and local communities. We will get to know each other a bit through a photo exercise, followed by a delicious local lunch at the botanical gardens, where our first assignment will take place.

We will meet for dinner in the evening where we will learn more about the context of the place we will be traveling, the communities and the itinerary, and we will have the chance to answer any questions you might have. We will give an idea of what we each expect from the workshop. We will share our intentions in an intimate ceremony and prepare for our flight the next day.

DAY 3

TRIBUGÁ

We will have breakfast at the hotel before heading to the airport to catch our flight and fly over the vast rainforest of Choco to land in Nuqui, where we will try some local “empanadas” before catching our small boat to our hotel in an exquisite part of the Gulf of Tribugá in a small village on the beach where we will be spending the next few days (transfer lasts 45 minutes approx). We will stay at a hotel and pollinator reserve that is operated by one of the Guardianes.

Participants will begin work on their images and stories.

After the lesson, participants are welcome to wander and get to know the territory. We will have dinner together, share our impressions, questions and learnings.

DAY 4

MEET THE GUARDIANES

We will spend the majority of our time with the Guardianes, and so it’s important we meet them! Guardianes del Mar is comprised of “Guardianes” from each of the 8 “corrigimientos” or villages that make up the Gulf of Tribuga. Together we will discuss the background of the organization, get to know the different Guardiens and their stories, and start to get a sense of the overall story we are telling. We will learn about the issue of ghost nets and other challenges they face, as well as their triumphs and joys. Speaking to the communities that have lived here for generations, you will learn how to ask meaningful questions in about the challenges and understand what the main environmental challenges the communities are facing and the grassroot initiatives led to face them. We will learn about the relationship of the communities with their land, their state-recognized system of self-governance, and local traditions such as artisanal fishing, local cuisine, agriculture, and sustainable tourism, including the preparation of “viche,” a traditional, and emblematic sugar cane drink of the Pacific coast, which has been used for more than 300 years for medicinal purposes and was recently declared a cultural heritage of Colombia.

Our first activity will be snorkelling with the Guardianes and seeing some local coral while starting on our first assignments.

After a hearty lunch, we will introduce ourselves to the territory and listen to what she has to share with us (an easy beach hike to a waterfall and only some good water shoes needed, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat and a drybag).

We will walk back to the hotel to work on our stories, reflect on the day, and ask any questions.

DAY 5

TRIBUGÁ

We will put into practice the lessons learned so far through various activities organized with the Guardianes to support participants with their stories. Today we might look at the ghost nets more closely, or accompany the Guardianes to a site for ghost net extraction. We can even learn about what they are doing with the ghost nets they have removed from the coral reefs.

DAY 6

TRIBUGÁ

A 30-minute boat ride will take us to Cabo Corrientes with some of the Guardianes, where we will have the chance to snorkel or dive and if we are lucky, we might get to see some interesting wildlife. We will get a chance to learn from the communities how community-based projects have been a sustainable alternative to halt major industrial projects imposed by the governments and private entities.

We will head back to the hotel for lunch and afterwards, participants will have the opportunity for some free time to work on assignments or take part in other activities.

Participants will receive feedback on their images and stories throughout.

DAY 7

TRIBUGÁ

Participants will share their assignments from the night before, receive feedback and discuss their projects to further develop their stories and photography skills.

We will head to Coquí, a small village located a few minutes by boat from the hotel. We will have a special lunch at Zotea (“zoteas” are traditional beds to grow herbs and local plants in the communities), an etno-gastronomic hub where local men and women are working to recover the traditional knowledge related to recipes, local plants, fruits, and ingredients which are found only here, and are combining them with modern techniques to impulse their economy and preserve their customs.

After lunch, we will go on a canoe ride through the mangrove forests, known as some of the best preserved in Colombia and the world, which includes seven of the world’s 12 species. Here you can spot rare birds, crabs, crustaceans and unique tropical plants, and learn how communities have transitioned from cutting down the mangrove forests to reforesting them and benefiting from local tourism as a way to protect them, and how these mangroves protect the communities from erosion and hurricanes, which have become more frequent with climate change.

DAY 8

TRIBUGÁ

Today will be another day to hang out with the Guardianes del Mar, visiting the nearby town of Termales where some of the Guardianeslive. We can make photographs of them surfing and see how the community sustains itself with fishing.

We will be back for lunch and have the afternoon to rest, continue working on our stories, and finalizing our ideas for our final projects.

DAY 9

TRIBUGÁ

Today will be another day to hang out with the Guardianes del Mar and visit another town such as Jovi where we will prepare activities based on the group’s needs.

DAY 10

TRIBUGÁ

Today is a day to do some editing and enjoy your last day in this lush landscape.

We will have a free afternoon to complete our stories. We will have a special closing dinner to integrate what we have learned and felt during the last few days, share our perspective, experiences and challenges.

Participants will have 10 minutes to share their final visual story with the Guardianes presentation-style, and will receive feedback.

DAY 11

RETURN TO MEDELLÍN

Travel back to the trip’s starting point for some rest and last-minute shopping or sight-seeing and discussions around what’s next! We want to see you and your stories thrive. After all, it takes all of us to champion collective and local conservation efforts!

DAY 12

DEPARTURE

March 29: We will organize your taxi to the airport (any extra days must be covered by each participant).

what’s not included

• International air fare to/from Medellín, Colombia and applicable tourist visas or airport taxes.

• Medical insurance for travellers (required)

• Tips or gratuities

• Incidentals (e.g. alcoholic beverages, snacks, souvenirs, etc.) or optional tours or activities (e.g. yoga, massages, etc.)

what’s included

• Orientation and tours

• All transportation between program activity destinations and to/from all included activities

• Accommodations

• Most meals are included (please allow $200-400 USD for additional meals, drinks and gratuities)

• Staff & experts: PWB Staff, Local Staff

My bags are packed. Sign me up!

Please select the workshop of your choice below.

You will be required to make a $1000 USD, non-refundable deposit to secure your space.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FEB 1, 2026 OR WHEN FULL (MAX 6 PARTICIPANTS).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What are Expeditions?

Expeditions are immersive field opportunities where photographers and visual storytellers travel to work alongside grassroots nonprofit partners around the world. Participants use their photography or video-making skills to create impactful visual stories that support the partner’s mission and programs.

2. Who can participate in an Expedition?

To apply, you must be a professional member of Photographers Without Borders and have experience in photography or video-making. This ensures storytellers are prepared to deliver high-quality work that benefits the community partners.

3. Do I need any specific certifications to go on an Expedition?

Yes. Participants are required to complete the Ethical Storytelling Certification before joining. This certification is included in the logistics/administration cost for those who haven’t completed it yet.

4. Are Expeditions suitable for beginners?

Expeditions generally expect participants to be comfortable travelers with prior visual storytelling experience. Beginners with minimal experience might not be best suited unless they already meet these requirements and the Expedition’s specific criteria. Photographers Without Borders

5. What’s the difference between an Expedition and a Storytelling School workshop?

• Expeditions are in-field experiences — travel with community partners, produce real stories for real impact, and work directly with organizations on the ground.

• Storytelling School workshops are educational programs focused on building your skills through guided instruction (online or in-person), without the travel/field component.

6. Are there limits on group size?

Yes. Expeditions typically range from 1–6 participants, depending on the specific trip and partner needs.

7. What do participants actually do on an Expedition?

While details vary by trip, duties usually include:

• Photographing/documenting local programs and community stories

• Creating images or videos that community partners can use for campaigns all year

• Potentially contributing to your own portfolio or pitches to media outlets
  Every Expedition’s itinerary and focus can differ based on the partner organization’s needs.

8. How long are Expeditions?

Duration varies by specific Expedition. Some may be short (around one week), others may last longer depending on the goals and logistics of the project. (Example: the Sumatra Expedition runs ~10 days).

9. Do I need special gear (e.g., underwater housing)?

There’s no general requirement for specialty gear like underwater housings — gear needs depend on the specific Expedition’s focus and environment. However, you should bring whatever equipment you need to fulfill the visual storytelling goals of that particular trip. Confirm gear needs with the organizers if you’re unsure.

10. What happens to the photos/stories created on the Expedition?

The images and video you make are shared with the community partner, who may use them year-round for advocacy, fundraising, or outreach. You also often gain material for your own portfolio and storytelling practice.

Okay, I’m ready!