01 / THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view.
Explore Madagascar’s Avenue of the Baobabs, Sainte-Marie and Andasibe rainforest through landscape, whale and wildlife photography.
Baobabs in changing light
Return to the Avenue of the Baobabs for sunrise, sunset and night photography, with a visit to Betania fishing village.
Whale photography off Sainte-Marie
Spend two days looking for whales off Sainte-Marie, alongside sunrise and island photography. Sailings and sightings depend on conditions.
Andasibe rainforest and the capital
Explore Andasibe with a guide for lemurs and forest wildlife, then photograph Antananarivo’s urban scenery.
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.
itinerary timings above are for reference only. The photography leader may make suitable adjustments according to local weather, conditions and other factors to achieve 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 5 · Indian/AntananarivoMeet and depart from China
Accommodation:At the airport or in flight
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 02Aug 6 · 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 06: Hong Kong–Addis Ababa ET645 00:25–05:40 August 06: 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; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 03Aug 7 · Indian/AntananarivoAntananarivo–Morondava (domestic flight)
Take a domestic flight to Morondava in the west (indicative aircraft: ATR72, capacity 70; only three flights weekly). In the afternoon, 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; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 04Aug 8 · Indian/AntananarivoFull-day photography in 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 hotel
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 05Aug 9 · 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; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 06Aug 10 · 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; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 07Aug 11 · 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; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 08Aug 12 · 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; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 09Aug 13 · Indian/AntananarivoSainte-Marie Island–Antananarivo (domestic flight)–Andasibe
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.] 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.] If the flight arrives too late, the night reserve visit will be moved to the following evening. Flight: MD531/10:45–11:45. Domestic schedules may change; actual arrangements govern.
Accommodation:Andasibe; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 10Aug 14 · Indian/AntananarivoAndasibe
Walk in the Andasibe rainforest with a guide to look for lemurs and other wildlife, then visit reserves around the rainforest lodge. The return to Antananarivo conflicts with the following day’s plan; confirm return timing and the overnight location.
Accommodation:Andasibe or Antananarivo; return timing to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 11Aug 15 · Indian/AntananarivoAndasibe–Antananarivo, 4 hours' drive
Return to or continue photography in Antananarivo according to the confirmed plan, with city views and local life in evening light. Confirm the return timing across days 10 and 11.
Accommodation:Antananarivo; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 12Aug 16 · Indian/AntananarivoAntananarivo–Addis Ababa
[Reference flights] August 16: Antananarivo–Addis Ababa ET852 14:50–19:25 August 16: Addis Ababa–Hong Kong ET644 23:10–14:55+1
Accommodation:In flight
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 13Aug 17 · Indian/AntananarivoArrive in Hong Kong
Where 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; hotel to confirm Day 3: Morondava; hotel to confirm Day 4: Morondava hotel Day 5: Antananarivo; hotel to confirm Day 6: Sainte-Marie; hotel to confirm Day 7: Sainte-Marie; hotel to confirm Day 8: Sainte-Marie; hotel to confirm Day 9: Andasibe; hotel to confirm Day 10: Andasibe or Antananarivo; return timing to confirm Day 11: Antananarivo; hotel to confirm Day 12: In flight
Getting there
The following flights are references, not confirmed group bookings. Confirm departure and transfers before booking. [Reference services] The instructor will take the following services: Outbound: August 06: Hong Kong–Addis Ababa ET645 00:25–05:40 August 06: Addis Ababa–Antananarivo ET853 08:55–13:45 Return: August 16: Antananarivo–Addis Ababa ET852 14:50–19:25 August 16: 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
Included
Hotels: standard twin rooms in local four- or five-star hotels or accommodation close to photography locations throughout;
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 accompanying instructor throughout.
Not included
International airfare;
Visa and processing expenses; the applicable procedure and amount require confirmation with the operator.
All optional activities, such as helicopter flights;
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 30 days before departure, excluding day 30, 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 the agreement, 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 booked, 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 30 days of departure, including day 30, the terminating party bears liability for breach. [Liability of the organizing team] If the organizing team terminates the trip agreement within 30 days of departure, including day 30, it must refund all travel fees without deducting visa, entry-permit or similar charges, and pay compensation according to the following schedule: 30 to 15 days before departure: compensation of 2% of the total trip fee; 14 to 7 days before departure: compensation of 5% of the total trip fee; 6 to 4 days before departure: compensation of 10% of the total trip fee; 3 to 1 days before departure: compensation of 15% of the total trip fee; On the departure date: compensation of 20% of the total trip fee. If this compensation does not cover the participant's actual losses, the organizing team must compensate those actual losses. The organizing team must refund the full trip fee and pay compensation within 5 working days of receipt of the cancellation notice. [Participant liability] Participants terminating the agreement within 30 days of departure must pay the organizing team a business-loss charge according to the following schedule: 30 to 15 days before departure: 5% of the total trip fee; 14 to 7 days before departure: 15% of the total trip fee; 6 to 4 days before departure: 70% of the total trip fee; 3 to 1 days before departure: 85% of the total trip fee; On the departure date: 90% 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.
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.
Fitness, equipment and conditions
Equipment and fitness requirements will be provided by the operator.