THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Explore Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar, capturing the Indian Ocean islands through coasts, volcanoes, baobabs, forests and daily life.
Indian Ocean island landscapes
Explore Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar, photographing coastlines, volcanoes, forests, baobabs and island life. Visas, entry arrangements and transport are pending confirmation with the operator.
A Richly Varied Itinerary
This 22-day, 19-night route links Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion and Madagascar for coastlines, volcanoes, waterfalls and local cultures. Planned subjects include Seychelles' granite beaches, Mauritius' coast, Piton de la Fournaise, the Avenue of the Baobabs and whale watching off Sainte-Marie. Confirm whale and dolphin watching, and the availability, permissions and participation conditions for any animal-contact activities, with the operator.
Professional Photography Guidance
Pre-departure photography teaching, individual on-site guidance, lessons while traveling, image sharing and critiques, and post-processing assistance: expertise you can see.
Transportation Arrangements
Inter-island and domestic flights connect the photography locations. Services, direct-flight availability, flight duration and luggage arrangements are pending confirmation with the operator.
Hotels and Meals
We select local four- and five-star hotels or distinctive accommodation nearest the photography locations throughout. Comfortable rest keeps you energized daily, while local specialties add enjoyment. With local Chinese-speaking guides, you can savor life at the pace of local people.
Seychelles
Seychelles is an island nation woven from coral reefs and islands. Its water shifts through fifty shades of blue, every glimmer a natural masterpiece. Far from the bustle, it holds incomparable pristine beauty and wild charm. A favored honeymoon paradise for European aristocrats and celebrities, its beaches have been acclaimed by National Geographic among the world's most beautiful.
Mauritius
Mauritius offers reefs, coastal plains and upland landscapes. The 'underwater waterfall' off Le Morne is a visual effect created by sand and sediment, rather than an actual submerged waterfall. Confirm dolphin watching and other water activities for your departure.
Réunion
Réunion, the Indian Ocean's last adventure island, is called a world of ice and fire. Formed by volcanic eruptions, 40% of its territory is World Heritage-listed. Piton de la Fournaise, one of Earth's most active volcanoes, attracts countless travelers and photographers with spectacular eruptions and a lunar surface.
Madagascar
Explore Madagascar through baobabs, lemurs and chameleons. At the Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava, work with tree shapes and changing light. Forest activities offer opportunities to look for wildlife; species, viewing distances and access depend on local arrangements.
Whale watching on Sainte-Marie
Sainte-Marie Island, a sparkling jewel off Madagascar's east coast, is famed for abundant marine life and clear water. Each July–September it becomes a superb whale-watching destination as humpbacks return to mate and give birth, offering close observation of these magnificent creatures. Here you may see dolphins leap through waves and whales spout 'rainbows,' experiencing nature's extraordinary power. Photography @Degang <Some of the images below were provided by participants Benben Hongshaoyu and Degang>
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Weixi Lin →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Weixi Lin
Has led photography trips to Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Russia, Indonesia, Semporna, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Niubei Mountain in western Sichuan, Nyingchi, the Qiantang River, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Yangzhou, Wuxi, Yongfu in Fujian, Dongying, Zhongwei, the Yuanyang rice terraces, Xianggong Mountain and Zhangjiajie.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Jul 28 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 1: July 28 — Meet at Hong Kong Airport
DAY 02Jul 29 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 2: July 29 — Hong Kong–Antananarivo, Madagascar
Arrive at Hong Kong Airport at a suitable time for an international flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital. [Reference flights] July 29: Hong Kong–Addis Ababa ET645/00:25–06:25 July 29: 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.)
DAY 03Jul 30 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 3: July 30 — Antananarivo–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.
DAY 04Jul 31 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 4: July 31 — Full 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.
DAY 05Aug 1 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 5: August 1 — Morondava–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.
DAY 06Aug 2 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 6: August 2 — Antananarivo–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.
DAY 07Aug 3 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 7: August 3 — Full 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.
DAY 08Aug 4 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 8: August 4 — Full 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.
DAY 09Aug 5 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 9: August 5 — Sainte-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.
DAY 10Aug 6 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 10: August 6 — Antananarivo–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.]
DAY 11Aug 7 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 11: August 7 — Andasibe–Antananarivo, 4.5 hours' drive
Early in the morning, follow the guide on an approximately 2-hour hike through Andasibe rainforest. Then visit the private reserve at the rainforest lodge for close observation and photography at Lemur Island and Crocodile Valley. Seek the famous indri, the largest living lemur and the only short-tailed one, found only in this area. Proud by nature, captured indris refuse food and die. Many beautiful local legends concern them, including one nurturing a baby whose father fell from a cliff. None has yet been successfully kept in captivity; only about 150 remain in this area. With luck, you may also find golden dancing lemurs. Return to Antananarivo and check into the hotel to rest.
Accommodation:Hotel in Antananarivo
DAY 12Aug 8 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 12: August 8 — Antananarivo–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:Hotel in Saint-Denis
DAY 13Aug 9 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 13: August 9 — Saint-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 centre 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:Hotel in Saint-Denis
DAY 14Aug 10 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 14: August 10 — Saint-Denis–Cirque de Salazie–Saint-Denis, Réunion
After hotel breakfast, an optional self-funded helicopter flight around the island lasts approximately 45 minutes. Participation depends on circumstances and personal health; this activity is paid separately; confirm the amount before booking, and reservations must be made more than 15 days ahead. With an experienced pilot, soar over Réunion's blue sea and skies, ancient cirques, magnificent waterfalls, chasms, inland mountains, lakes, and tropical forests for a glimpse worthy of a National Geographic cover. Then drive to nature's sanctuary, Cirque de Salazie, for photography. This lush garden watered by a thousand waterfalls includes the divinely gifted Bridal Veil Waterfall, Hell-Bourg, called France's most beautiful village, and dreamlike Creole cottages. Stroll peacefully around Mare à Poule d'Eau, photograph rare local birds, and enjoy tranquil free time. Photograph the Vanilla Garden: Réunion is one of the world's most famous spice-producing places, and almost every visitor comes here. Select pod-like vanilla plants, see processed black vanilla, and learn to judge quality by flexibility, color, sheen, and aroma. Rest at the hotel after dinner.
DAY 15Aug 11 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 15: August 11 — Saint-Denis–Mauritius
[Suggested flight] UU104 Saint-Denis–Mauritius 10:10–11:00 After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to Mauritius. Meet the guide on arrival, then check into the hotel and rest.
Accommodation:Hotel in Mauritius
DAY 16Aug 12 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 16: August 12 — Private 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.
DAY 17Aug 13 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 17: August 13 — Optional helicopter view of the underwater waterfall–Natural Bridge–Blue Bay–Land's End
Free morning: sleep in at the hotel, or take an optional 25-minute shared helicopter flight over the underwater waterfall paid separately; confirm the amount before booking. Helicopters carry at most 6 passengers; book at least 2–3 months in advance, with actual charges subject to circumstances. After breakfast, transfer to the helipad and fly to the underwater waterfall. From above, an extraordinary scene appears: a large, steep cliff suddenly opens beneath the broad, flat sea, with huge white flows plunging down its edge into dark, seemingly bottomless depths. Then take aerial photographs of the spectacular natural stone bridge on the south coast. Blue Bay, in southeastern Mauritius near the airport, has the island's most beautiful coral. Photograph sunset at Land's End, then check into the hotel and rest.
Accommodation:Hotel in Mauritius
DAY 18Aug 14 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 18: August 14 — Port 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:Hotel on Mahé
DAY 19Aug 15 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 19: August 15 — Mahé, 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.
DAY 20Aug 16 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 20: August 16 — La Digue, Seychelles–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!
DAY 21Aug 17 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 21: August 17 — Mahé, Seychelles–Addis Ababa
Suggested flight: August 17, 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.
DAY 22Aug 18 · Indian/AntananarivoDay 22: August 18 — Addis Ababa–China
Arrive in China, concluding the four-destination Vanilla Islands journey! Suggested flight: August 17, Addis Ababa–Hong Kong ET644/23:10–14:55+1
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Weixi Lin
- IncludedGuide: local Chinese-speaking guide throughout;
- ExcludedDriver and guide tips: USD 10/person/day, USD 200 for the trip;
Transport
- IncludedTickets: attraction and boat tickets included in the itinerary;
- IncludedVehicles: transportation throughout;
- IncludedFour domestic flight sectors: Antananarivo–Morondava round trip and Antananarivo–Sainte-Marie round trip;
Travel details and reference schedules
The services below are the tour leader's reference travel options. They are neither mandatory for participants nor confirmed group transport arrangements. Participants may choose suitable services that fit the meeting and departure times. July 29: Hong Kong–Addis Ababa ET645/00:25–06:25 July 29: Addis Ababa–Antananarivo ET853/08:55–13:45 August 08: Antananarivo–Saint-Denis UU612/12:40–15:06 August 11: Saint-Denis–Mauritius UU104/10:10–11:00 August 14: Mauritius–Mahé HM048/16:55–19:30 August 17: Seychelles–Addis Ababa ET878/17:15–20:05 August 17: Addis Ababa–Hong Kong ET644/23:10–14:55+1 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website. Included · Tickets: attraction and boat tickets included in the itinerary; Included · Vehicles: transportation throughout; Included · Four domestic flight sectors: Antananarivo–Morondava round trip and Antananarivo–Sainte-Marie round trip; Excluded · International airfare; Excluded · All optional activities, such as helicopter flights; Excluded · Tips for other services, such as boat trips, helicopter flights, wildlife viewing, and restaurant meals, are excluded;
Photography
- Indian Ocean island landscapes
- A Richly Varied Itinerary
- Professional Photography Guidance
Photography details
Indian Ocean island landscapes Explore Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar, photographing coastlines, volcanoes, forests, baobabs and island life. Visas, entry arrangements and transport are pending confirmation with the operator. A Richly Varied Itinerary This 22-day, 19-night route links Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion and Madagascar for coastlines, volcanoes, waterfalls and local cultures. Planned subjects include Seychelles' granite beaches, Mauritius' coast, Piton de la Fournaise, the Avenue of the Baobabs and whale watching off Sainte-Marie. Confirm whale and dolphin watching, and the availability, permissions and participation conditions for any animal-contact activities, with the operator. Professional Photography Guidance Pre-departure photography teaching, individual on-site guidance, lessons while traveling, image sharing and critiques, and post-processing assistance: expertise you can see. Transportation Arrangements Inter-island and domestic flights connect the photography locations. Services, direct-flight availability, flight duration and luggage arrangements are pending confirmation with the operator. Hotels and Meals We select local four- and five-star hotels or distinctive accommodation nearest the photography locations throughout. Comfortable rest keeps you energized daily, while local specialties add enjoyment. With local Chinese-speaking guides, you can savor life at the pace of local people. Seychelles Seychelles is an island nation woven from coral reefs and islands. Its water shifts through fifty shades of blue, every glimmer a natural masterpiece. Far from the bustle, it holds incomparable pristine beauty and wild charm. A favored honeymoon paradise for European aristocrats and celebrities, its beaches have been acclaimed by National Geographic among the world's most beautiful. Mauritius Mauritius offers reefs, coastal plains and upland landscapes. The 'underwater waterfall' off Le Morne is a visual effect created by sand and sediment, rather than an actual submerged waterfall. Confirm dolphin watching and other water activities for your departure. Réunion Réunion, the Indian Ocean's last adventure island, is called a world of ice and fire. Formed by volcanic eruptions, 40% of its territory is World Heritage-listed. Piton de la Fournaise, one of Earth's most active volcanoes, attracts countless travelers and photographers with spectacular eruptions and a lunar surface. Madagascar Explore Madagascar through baobabs, lemurs and chameleons. At the Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava, work with tree shapes and changing light. Forest activities offer opportunities to look for wildlife; species, viewing distances and access depend on local arrangements. Whale watching on Sainte-Marie Sainte-Marie Island, a sparkling jewel off Madagascar's east coast, is famed for abundant marine life and clear water. Each July–September it becomes a superb whale-watching destination as humpbacks return to mate and give birth, offering close observation of these magnificent creatures. Here you may see dolphins leap through waves and whales spout 'rainbows,' experiencing nature's extraordinary power. Photography @Degang <Some of the images below were provided by participants Benben Hongshaoyu and Degang> Indian Ocean island landscapes A Richly Varied Itinerary Professional Photography Guidance Transportation Arrangements Hotels and Meals Seychelles Mauritius Réunion Madagascar Whale watching on Sainte-Marie Included · Complimentary retouching of 30 photographs from the journey; Included · Photography instruction and services from the instructor throughout;
Accommodation
- 21 nights
- IncludedHotels: 19 nights in standard twin rooms at local four- or five-star hotels or accommodation close to photography locations;
- ExcludedA supplement applies for a private room; the amount is pending confirmation with the operator.
Accommodation details
Hotels: 19 nights in standard twin rooms at local four- or five-star hotels or accommodation close to photography locations; Day 11：Hotel in Antananarivo Day 12：Hotel in Saint-Denis Day 13：Hotel in Saint-Denis Day 15：Hotel in Mauritius Day 17：Hotel in Mauritius Day 18：Hotel on Mahé Specific hotels and any accommodation arrangements not listed here are pending confirmation with the operator. Day 11 · 2027-08-07 Hotel in Antananarivo Day 12 · 2027-08-08 Hotel in Saint-Denis Day 13 · 2027-08-09 Hotel in Saint-Denis Day 15 · 2027-08-11 Hotel in Mauritius Day 17 · 2027-08-13 Hotel in Mauritius Day 18 · 2027-08-14 Hotel on Mahé
Meals
- IncludedMeals: all meals throughout;
- IncludedComplimentary mineral water per person daily;
- ExcludedTips for other services, such as boat trips, helicopter flights, wildlife viewing, and restaurant meals, are excluded;
Visa
- IncludedRéunion visa-exemption entry and exit letter;
- ExcludedVisa fees: Madagascar visa on arrival US$35 per person (prepare small-denomination cash yourself);
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
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 fees: Madagascar visa on arrival US$35 per person (prepare small-denomination cash yourself);
All optional activities, such as helicopter flights;
Driver and guide tips: USD 10/person/day, USD 200 for the trip;
A supplement applies for a private room; the amount is pending 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, transport, or national airfare adjustments, may be charged based on the actual additional expenditure incurred. We will nevertheless do everything within our ability to minimise participants' losses;
Other additional service fees and personal expenses not listed;
Tax is excluded; the applicable invoice tax must be paid additionally if an invoice is required.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] Accommodation is arranged for two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements. Some images above were supplied by participants Benben Hongshaoyu and Degang.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Note: 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 use Indian/Antananarivo. Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.