01 / THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view.
Explore Madagascar, Réunion, Mauritius and Seychelles through wildlife, baobabs, volcanoes and island landscapes. Inter-island flights and optional activities require confirmation.
Madagascar nature photography
Look for whales off Sainte-Marie, explore Andasibe rainforest and photograph the baobabs of Morondava.
Réunion volcano and cirque
Photograph Piton de la Fournaise, Salazie, waterfalls and villages. Helicopter excursions are optional and paid separately.
Mauritius coast
Combine boat excursions, the Natural Bridge, Blue Bay and sunset photography. Aerial views of the underwater-waterfall illusion are optional.
Seychelles islands
Explore Mahé, Praslin and La Digue for beaches, granite formations, tropical vegetation and island life.
The journey in pictures
Leading photographers: XAVI Zhuang →
Destination illustrations · select a photo to explore
02 / IN GOOD COMPANY
A different way of seeing.
Leading photographers
XAVI Zhuang · View photographer profile →
XAVI Zhuang
Graduated from the Photography Department of South China Normal University. Specializes in landscape, documentary, mobile and drone photography. He has provided photography lectures and training for the municipal library, the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, the news agency of South China Normal University, the Senior Photographers Association, China Southern Power Grid, the Bao'an land bureau, UnionPay International, Standard Chartered, Ping An Bank, Bank of China, Industrial Bank, China Merchants Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Jiangsu, the coastal administration, the Capital Institute, SF Express and local community offices. Photography journeys He has led photography groups to Turkey, the Balkans, Japan, Eastern Europe, Semporna, Israel, Cuba, Iran, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Spain, Namibia, Bangladesh, Russia, Cambodia, Chiang Mai, Myanmar, Italy, Portugal and Morocco. Destinations in China include Longji, Weizhou Island, Yuanyang, Puzhehei, Bashang, Xuexiang, Beijing, Niubei Mountain, Guangwu Mountain, Huangshan, Wuyuan, Poyang Lake, Nanjing, Wuxi, Nyingchi, the Yellow River in Shaanxi, the Qiantang River, Hainan, Xiaodongjiang, Zhangjiajie, Zhongwei, Xiapu, Daocheng–Shangri-La and Ejina Banner. Selected awards and exhibitions 15th National Art Photography Competition; 2nd Shenzhen Photography Annual Exhibition; 10th PSAChina International Photography event; 2015 Toronto International TIPF Annual Excellence Award; multiple acceptances in the Austrian circuit, 2017–2019; exhibition at the 7th Dali International Photography Festival, 2018; silver award in the first Beautiful China Aerial Photography competition; second prize in the People category of the China division of the 2019 National Geographic Global Photography Contest.
03 / THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light.
Shooting locations, accommodation and transport are subject to confirmation before departure and may change with the weather.
Times above are for reference only. The photography leader will adjust arrangements according to local flights, weather, scenes, and other factors for the best photographic results.
Itinerary dates and text times without their own zone use: Indian/Antananarivo。Exact times use your selected timezone; dates alone and descriptions such as “morning” are not converted.
DAY 01Aug 16 · Indian/AntananarivoMeet at Hong Kong Airport
Accommodation:At the airport or in flight
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 02Aug 17 · Indian/AntananarivoHong Kong–Antananarivo, Madagascar
Arrive at Hong Kong Airport at a suitable time for an international flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital. [Reference flights] August 17: Hong Kong–Addis Ababa ET645/00:25–06:25 August 17: Addis Ababa–Antananarivo ET853/08:55–13:45 A Chinese-speaking guide meets you in Antananarivo. Tour the city by vehicle, visiting the Queen's Palace, history museum, and amphitheater. Overlook the 'City of a Thousand Warriors' and photograph sunset over the hillside city. (Airport to city: approximately 1 hour. If traffic delays arrival or attractions are closed—they close on Tuesdays—the visit will be rescheduled.)
Accommodation:Antananarivo
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 03Aug 18 · Indian/AntananarivoAntananarivo–Sainte-Marie Island (domestic flight)
Fly according to the schedule to Sainte-Marie, another of Madagascar's island destinations. By the mid-17th century, it had become a pirate refuge; by the 18th century, thousands of pirates of different nationalities reportedly lived peacefully alongside local people. The surviving pirate cemetery remains an attraction. Photograph it after lunch and learn about Sainte-Marie's pirate culture. The island's annual whale season is its greatest attraction for domestic and international visitors. Sainte-Marie is the best whale-watching location in Madagascar and the whole Indian Ocean. Each July–September, many whales migrate north to breed in surrounding waters, mainly humpbacks. Adult males average nearly 13 meters and females nearly 14 meters, weighing 25–35 tonnes. Females and calves arrive first in July, followed by juveniles; adult males arrive more than half a month later. Their arrival transforms the quiet sea into a lively scene of enormous creatures chasing, rolling, playing, and occasionally breaching in huge splashes. Flight: MD530/06:00–07:05. Domestic schedules may change; actual arrangements govern.
Accommodation:Sainte-Marie
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 04Aug 19 · Indian/AntananarivoFull day on Sainte-Marie Island
Rise for sunrise, then head to sea after breakfast for whale photography, with ample time to record different behaviors. Many whales return to nearby waters this season to mate and give birth, turning the usually quiet sea into a lively spectacle. It offers an excellent chance to observe whales closely in a fully natural setting as they chase, roll, play, and occasionally breach, throwing up immense sprays.
Accommodation:Sainte-Marie
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 05Aug 20 · Indian/AntananarivoFull day on Sainte-Marie Island
Rise for sunrise, then head to sea after breakfast for whale photography, with ample time to record different behaviors. Many whales return to nearby waters this season to mate and give birth, turning the usually quiet sea into a lively spectacle. It offers an excellent chance to observe whales closely in a fully natural setting as they chase, roll, play, and occasionally breach, throwing up immense sprays.
Accommodation:Sainte-Marie
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 06Aug 21 · Indian/AntananarivoSainte-Marie Island–Antananarivo (domestic flight)
Sleep until you wake naturally or rise early to enjoy sunrise over the sea independently. Fly back to the capital at the appropriate time. [Baggage allowance per person: 1 × 20 kg checked bag + 1 × 5 kg carry-on. Flights have poor punctuality; actual conditions govern.] Flight: MD531/10:45–11:45. Domestic schedules may change; actual arrangements govern.
Accommodation:Antananarivo
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 07Aug 22 · Indian/AntananarivoAntananarivo–Andasibe
Drive to Andasibe National Park, approximately 4.5 hours. Explore the reserve at night in search of tiny mouse lemurs, nocturnal chameleons, frogs, and other small creatures. [Wear long sleeves, trousers, socks, and non-slip shoes; bring mosquito-repellent patches.]
Accommodation:Andasibe
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 08Aug 23 · Indian/AntananarivoAndasibe–Antananarivo, 4.5 hours' drive
Walk in the Andasibe rainforest with a guide to look for lemurs and other wildlife, then visit reserves around the rainforest lodge. Return to Antananarivo after photography and check in at the hotel.
Accommodation:Antananarivo
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 09Aug 24 · Indian/AntananarivoAntananarivo–Morondava (domestic flight)
Take a domestic flight to Morondava in the west (indicative aircraft: ATR72, capacity 70; only three flights weekly). After lunch, drive to the Avenue of the Baobabs to view and photograph sunset. After dinner back in town, return to the Avenue of the Baobabs for night photography of star trails. Flight: MD702/10:10–11:20. Operates at fixed times weekly; punctuality is poor and actual conditions govern.
Accommodation:Morondava
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 10Aug 25 · Indian/AntananarivoFull day photographing Morondava
Head to the Avenue of the Baobabs early to capture sunrise and local life in dawn light; After breakfast, take an outrigger canoe to the traditional fishing village of Betania for cultural photography. In the afternoon, drive to see the unique Lovers' Baobabs, then stop again at the Avenue of the Baobabs for sunset before returning to the hotel for dinner and rest.
Accommodation:Morondava
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 11Aug 26 · Indian/AntananarivoMorondava–Antananarivo
Return to the Avenue of the Baobabs early once more to capture sunrise and local life in dawn light; After checkout, take a domestic flight back to the capital (indicative aircraft: ATR72, capacity 70; only three flights weekly, with poor punctuality, subject to actual conditions). In the afternoon, you may visit the handicraft market for distinctive souvenirs. Flight: MD703/11:55–13:05. Operates at fixed times weekly; punctuality is poor.
Accommodation:Antananarivo
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 12Aug 27 · Indian/AntananarivoAntananarivo–Saint-Denis, Réunion
[Suggested flight] UU612 Antananarivo–Saint-Denis 12:40–15:06 Transfer to the airport at the appropriate time and fly to Saint-Denis, Réunion. After pickup, check into the hotel to rest and adjust.
Accommodation:Saint-Denis
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 13Aug 28 · Indian/AntananarivoSaint-Denis–Piton de la Fournaise–Saint-Denis, Réunion
After hotel breakfast, drive to photograph Piton de la Fournaise. Called the world's most accessible volcano, it is also one of the most frequently active, with at least 530,000 years of activity. In southeastern Réunion, it is among the world's most remarkable volcanoes. Drive south along the western coastal highway to its foothills, where natural mountain meadow pastures with cattle and sheep are called Little Switzerland, a rare grassland sight on a natural island. Volcanic soil mixed into the road gives it a beautiful natural ocher-red color. Ascend past extinct Commerson Crater to the barren Plaine des Sables at 2,000 meters, one of Earth's most Mars-like landscapes. The route moves from coastal vegetation to forest and green mountain farmland, as though instantly shifting from a European town to an African estate and then strolling the moon. Reach the volcano viewpoint, then drive to the important southern city of Saint-Pierre. Then photograph the local rum museum, also a distillery and a collaboration between the island's three distilleries. Located in the center of the Isautier estate, founded in Saint-Pierre in 1845 by the oldest family sugar business, the museum covers 600 square meters. Visit the working distillery, learn its history and culture, discover how sugarcane becomes fragrant rum and sugar, and taste various flavored rum blends. After dinner, check into the hotel and rest.
Accommodation:Saint-Denis area; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 14Aug 29 · Indian/AntananarivoSaint-Denis–Cirque de Salazie–Saint-Denis, Réunion
Visit Salazie for the Bridal Veil waterfall, Hell-Bourg, Creole architecture, ponds and a vanilla garden. An optional helicopter excursion of around 45 minutes is paid separately and requires advance booking; confirm duration, amount and availability.
Accommodation:Saint-Denis
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 15Aug 30 · Indian/AntananarivoSaint-Denis–Mauritius
Transfer to the airport after breakfast for the planned reference service UU104 from Saint-Denis to Mauritius. Meet the guide on arrival and check in; the final service requires confirmation.
Accommodation:Mauritius
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 16Aug 31 · Indian/AntananarivoPrivate speedboat for dolphins and whales in Mauritius–mountaintop restaurant–bird park
After breakfast, join a speedboat dolphin-and-whale trip from Tamarin jetty; visit Casela Bird Park in the afternoon. [Boat excursion] Depart Tamarin jetty by speedboat to seek wild Indian Ocean dolphins and capture them leaping from the water with fast shutter speeds. Skilled swimmers may enter deep water for close encounters and swim alongside dolphins; this is only for very strong swimmers. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are supplied aboard. [Mountaintop restaurant] Lunch at Mauritius's famous popular mountaintop restaurant, admiring the beautiful west coast and tasting its celebrated Millionaire's Salad. Daily quantities are limited, so availability is not guaranteed. [Casela Bird Park] Established in 1979 in Black River District, the park covers 25 acres and houses over 2,500 birds from five continents, representing more than 160 species and 21 groups. Rare examples include South American macaws, toucans, flamingos, red-crowned cranes, and crowned pigeons. It also has an aquarium and wallabies, tigers, tortoises, monkeys, deer, and other animals. You can walk with the king of the forest in an African-savanna-style setting, getting close to these big cats and taking photographs.
Accommodation:Mauritius
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 17Sep 1 · Indian/AntananarivoOptional helicopter view of the underwater waterfall–Natural Bridge–Blue Bay–Land's End
Enjoy free time in the morning or take an optional, separately paid helicopter flight over the underwater-waterfall illusion. Advance booking is required; confirm duration, amount and availability. Continue to the Natural Bridge, Blue Bay and coastal sunset photography before returning to the hotel.
Accommodation:Mauritius
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 18Sep 2 · Indian/AntananarivoPort Louis Citadel in the north–Red-Roof Church–Seychelles
[Suggested flight] HM048 Mauritius–Mahé 16:55–19:30 After breakfast, visit Port Louis Citadel in the north and the romantic Red-Roof Church. Transfer to the airport at the appropriate time. Meet the Seychelles guide on arrival and check into a Mahé hotel to rest.
Accommodation:Mahé
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 19Sep 3 · Indian/AntananarivoMahé, Seychelles–Praslin–La Digue
Take a boat to Praslin, Seychelles' second-largest island, for aerial photography of Anse Lazio, then discover the legendary Garden of Eden, Vallée de Mai. Home to black parrots and coco de mer, whose shape astonishingly resembles human anatomy, this World Heritage Site reveals a marvelous world. Along with captivating golden beaches, the area offers Anse Lazio, one of the world's most beautiful beaches, ideal for swimming and relaxation. A traditional Creole buffet lunch features distinctive fish dishes, fragrant curry rice, and sweet tropical fruit. Ride a wooden truck leisurely along leafy lanes past historic Creole houses, experiencing Seychelles' untouched romance. At the colonial-era L'Union Estate coconut-oil factory, the scent of dried coconut seems to carry history itself. Then visit La Digue to photograph Anse Source d'Argent, also called Silver Spring Beach and described as the world's most beautiful beach. Blue sea, silver sand, and surrounding fantastically shaped rocks immerse you in Seychelles' unique scenery.
Accommodation:La Digue; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 20Sep 4 · Indian/AntananarivoLa Digue–Mahé
Photograph sunrise, then return to Mahé by boat at a suitable time. Toward evening, visit Mission Lodge, a pavilion at the highest point of the Royal Ceylon tea mountain where the British Queen enjoyed afternoon tea. Half of Mahé spreads before you. Drone views perfectly combine mountains and sea, making this a must for photographers!
Accommodation:Mahé
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 21Sep 5 · Indian/AntananarivoMahé, Seychelles–Addis Ababa
Suggested flight: September 5, Seychelles–Addis Ababa ET878/17:15–20:05 Depart the hotel in the morning and choose sightseeing according to flight time: Port Launay on the north coast; Grand Anse, Anse Intendance, and Anse Takamaka with Chez Batista on the west coast; Anse à la Mouche, Police Bay/Anse Bazarca, and Anse Forbans on the south coast; Anse Parnel, Anse Royale, Fairyland Beach, and Takamaka Rum Distillery on the east coast; exterior views of Eden Island and Victoria's Little Ben clock tower. Transfer to the airport at a suitable time for the return flight.
Accommodation:In flight
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 22Sep 6 · Indian/AntananarivoAddis Ababa–China
Arrive in China, concluding the four-destination Vanilla Islands journey! Suggested flight: September 5, Addis Ababa–Hong Kong ET644/23:10–14:55+1
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefWhere we stay
Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Day 1: At the airport or in flight Day 2: Antananarivo Day 3: Sainte-Marie Day 4: Sainte-Marie Day 5: Sainte-Marie Day 6: Antananarivo Day 7: Andasibe Day 8: Antananarivo Day 9: Morondava Day 10: Morondava Day 11: Antananarivo Day 12: Saint-Denis Day 13: Saint-Denis area; hotel to confirm Day 14: Saint-Denis Day 15: Mauritius Day 16: Mauritius Day 17: Mauritius Day 18: Mahé Day 19: La Digue; hotel to confirm Day 20: Mahé Day 21: In flight
Getting there
The following flights are references, not confirmed group bookings. Confirm departure and transfers before booking. [Reference flights] The photography instructor's flights for this trip are as follows: August 17: Hong Kong–Addis Ababa ET645/00:25–06:25 August 17: Addis Ababa–Antananarivo ET853/08:55–13:45 August 27: Antananarivo–Saint-Denis UU612/12:40–15:06 August 30: Saint-Denis–Mauritius UU104/10:10–11:00 September 02: Mauritius–Mahé HM048/16:55–19:30 September 05: Seychelles–Addis Ababa ET878/17:15–20:05 September 05: Addis Ababa–Hong Kong ET644/23:10–14:55+1 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
04 / A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included.
Platform service fee to be confirmed
Deposit USD 5,972.25 Original CNY 40,000 · Reference rates 2026-09-18 · Frankfurter / person
Included
Hotels: 19 nights in standard twin rooms at local four- or five-star hotels or accommodation close to photography locations;
Meals: all meals throughout;
Tickets: attraction and boat tickets included in the itinerary;
Vehicles: transportation throughout;
Guide: local Chinese-speaking guide throughout;
Complimentary mineral water per person daily;
Four domestic flight sectors: Antananarivo–Morondava round trip and Antananarivo–Sainte-Marie round trip;
Complimentary retouching of 30 photographs from the journey;
Photography instruction and services from the instructor throughout;
Réunion visa-exemption entry and exit letter;
All sunrise and sunset overtime charges.
Not included
International airfare;
Visa and processing expenses; the applicable procedure and amount require confirmation with the operator.
Optional activities, including helicopter excursions in Réunion and Mauritius, require advance booking. Confirm booking, payment arrangements and amounts.
Driver and guide tips; currency, amount and chargeable days require confirmation with the operator.
Single supplements for solo occupancy or when room sharing is unavailable; the amount requires confirmation with the operator.
Personal expenses such as drinks, individually ordered food, hotel room service, telephone calls, laundry, and tips;
Additional expenses caused by circumstances beyond human control;
Tips for other services, such as boat trips, helicopter flights, wildlife viewing, and restaurant meals, are excluded;
In exceptional circumstances involving force majeure, such as natural disasters, war, strikes, airline delays or cancellations, or consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or alter the itinerary. Additional expenses, including visas, accommodation, meals, transportation, or national airfare adjustments, may be charged at expense. We will nevertheless do everything within our ability to minimize participants' losses;
Other additional service fees and personal expenses not listed;
Invoice-related taxes are additional; confirm the applicable amount with the operator.
Service fees, supplements, taxes and the final total are subject to written confirmation.
05 / BEFORE YOU GO
Clarity before departure.
Availability and registration
Register your interest in this trip. Departure confirmation, availability, the final total and booking conditions require confirmation with the operator.
Cancellation and breach provisions
Before departure, participants and the organizing team may sign a written travel contract or give notice terminating the trip agreement. The contract is legally binding. If termination is requested more than 120 days before departure, neither party is liable for breach. Days are calculated by subtracting the date the termination notice is received from the departure date; the same calculation applies below. If the organizing team terminates, all travel fees must be refunded without deducting visa or entry-permit fees. If a participant terminates after a visa or entry permit has been processed or a flight purchased, the relevant visa, entry-permit and flight cancellation charges are deducted. The organizing team must refund the travel fees within 5 working days of receiving the termination notice. If either party terminates within 120 days of departure, including day 120, the terminating party bears liability for breach. [Participant liability] Participants terminating the agreement within 120 days of departure must pay the organizing team a business-loss charge according to the following schedule: 119 to 90 days before departure: 10% of the total trip fee; 89 to 60 days before departure: 40% of the total trip fee; 59 to 30 days before departure: 70% of the total trip fee; 29 to 1 days before departure: 100% of the total trip fee; If these percentages do not cover the organizing team's actual losses, the participant must compensate the actual losses, up to the total trip fee. After deducting the business-loss charge, the organizing team must refund the remaining travel fees within 5 working days of receiving the participant's cancellation notice. The cancellation cutoff is inconsistent. The rule for exactly 120 days before departure and any unlisted dates requires confirmation with the operator.
Trip information
[Registration] Registration for this trip is confirmed upon receipt of the deposit. [Transport] 1. Flights booked by the organizing team are economy-class group tickets. Once issued, they cannot be endorsed to another carrier or refunded. 2. Actual flight, driving and boat travel times on the day apply. 3. Airlines and flight schedules above are for reference only. Changes to flight times may require minor itinerary adjustments; the departure notice takes precedence. [Accommodation] The amount is based on 2 people sharing 1 room. We will try to pair solo participants with another participant of the same gender. Participants who do not wish to share, or cannot be matched, must pay the single supplement for a room of their own. [Group meals] We try to choose meals suited to Chinese tastes and ensure that every guest receives an adequate portion. [Photography] 1. Photography activities follow the itinerary. In exceptional circumstances, time spent photographing each location will depend on the actual conditions that day. 2. Please read this itinerary carefully and choose a photography trip suited to your circumstances. If you give up part of the itinerary for personal reasons, including health, or request to forgo accommodation or transport, this is considered voluntary withdrawal. expenses already incurred are non-refundable. You are responsible for your personal safety while not participating in the itinerary. 3. Participants may not leave the group without permission during group photography activities, except during free time. Leaving partway through the trip is considered a breach by the participant. Unused photography activities, meals, accommodation and vehicle services are non-refundable, and the organizing team is not responsible for accidents occurring while the participant is away from the group. 4. If force majeure events such as typhoons or blizzards prevent travel according to the agreed itinerary, additional or reduced expenses following changes will be settled according to the travel agency's actual group operating expenses. [amount adjustments] the organizing team reserves the right to adjust amount if major fluctuations in international oil amount cause substantial increases in fuel surcharges. If the increase is within what we can absorb, the trip fee will not be adjusted. [Departure notice] 1. The departure notice will be sent no later than 1 day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed earlier, we will notify you as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the departure notice, the departure notice takes precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from organizing or arranging optional activities at additional expense, guests wishing to join such activities should contact the service provider themselves for information, amount and participation. If language difficulties lead you to ask a guide or tour leader for additional assistance, any paid or unpaid help is provided solely in that person's individual capacity, not on behalf of the organizing team or the local receiving agency. the organizing team has no involvement in the expenses, transaction amount or service standards of free-time activities; guests bear the outcomes themselves.
Photography credits
Selected photographs: 笨笨红烧鱼 and 得缸.
Fitness, equipment and conditions
Equipment and fitness requirements will be provided by the operator.