Bhutan Photo Tour

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

Bhutan With Peter Eastway & David Oliver 1 - 15 November 2016

AWAY PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

Paro, Early MorningPhotograPhed from our hotel verandah!

Photography by Peter Eastway

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Why Bhutan?Hopefully a flick through the pages of this

brochure will explain why you have to visit the

remote and mysterious Kingdom of Bhutan.

It is a country like no other, steeped in history

and religion, tucked away between towering

mountains, yet with an authenticity that is hard to

find in an ever diminishing world.

For photographers, Bhutan is Paradise - or should

we say ‘Shangri-la’? There is so much to point

your camera at, from the local people in their

traditional dress to the imposing ‘dzongs’ or

fortified monasteries clinging to sheer cliffs.

However, don’t come just to take photographs.

Come to experience a truly unique part of the

world. Immerse yourself in the Tibetan Buddhist

culture, walk across the bare wooden floors of

ancient temples, listen to the drums, bells and

horns underneath the rhythmic chanting of the

crimson-robed monks.

We travel in Bhutan with Illuminating Tours and

our head guide, Namgay. We visit his family village

as well as the most famous landmarks, so we don’t

just see the touristy spots, we get a taste of real

life in Bhutan.

However, we travel in comfort. Our tour has six

comfortable vehicles, each with two guests, one

guide and one driver. The guides include Peter,

David, Kathie Eastway, Namgay and two other

Bhutanese guides. All the drivers are Bhutan

locals. It’s a great way to get around the country.

The 3 to 4 star hotels are clean and comfortable,

the food is excellent and there are lots of

opportunities to purchase souvenirs.

However, the biggest thrill will be the

photographs you capture while travelling through

Bhutan, the land of the thunder dragon.

Paro Dzong, ParoWe visit this location on our first day!

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Photography ExclusivesThere are a number of tour companies offering

access to Bhutan and its incredible culture, so why

travel with Peter and David?

Bhutan with Peter Eastway and David Oliver

offers photographers a number of exclusive

opportunities that are not available with other

tours.

For instance, we visit our head guide’s home

village, Tshangkha, for a unique experience,

interacting with villagers of all ages. Learn about

their lives, share stories, visit their homes and have

an intimate and memorable experience.

We also take a short walk for a two-night stay

in a local guesthouse in the Ugyencholing

village. During your stay, you can visit the unique

Ugyencholing Palace Museum and participate

in village activities including dancing, hoisting

prayer flags, and the local village games of archery

and khuru. Very few tour groups are currently

overnighting in this authentic feudal village for an

experience you will never forget.

We also drive in a convoy of cars. Don’t

underestimate the importance of this when

negotiating Bhutan’s narrow, winding roads - it is

far more comfortable than a bus!

And most importantly, you have the expertise

and experience of two AIPP Grand Masters of

Photography. If photography is your thing, there

are few photography workshops that can offer this

depth of experience. Both have been practising

professional photographers for over 30 years,

both are invited around the world to lecture

on photography, and Peter has an incredible

knowledge of the technical side of photography as

well - and he’s done this trip Bhutan twice already!

So, please, this is not just an ordinary trip to

Bhutan, amazing as it is. It’s a photography tour

which will leave you breathless!

Red Rice PaddiesBring your telePhoto lens for shots like this

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ItineraryTravel | Tuesday 1 November

Meet in Bangkok and overnight at the Novotel

Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel. The group will meet

for dinner and a briefing by Peter and David in

the evening to prepare for an early morning

departure to Paro the next day.

Day 1 | Wednesday 2 November

Bangkok - Paro - Thimphu

Early flight to Paro with Druk Air, the national

carrier of the Royal Government of Bhutan. If the

weather is clear, experience breathtaking views

of the Himalayan peaks as we descend into this

remote land. The flight into Paro is one of the

most spectacular in the world.

On arrival our guides and drivers will meet us at

the airport and drive us to Paro for sightseeing

and lunch. We will visit the dramatic Paro Dzong

(fortress) built in 1646 (where the movie ‘Little

Buddha’ was filmed).

There are many more photographic opportunities

along the road while we drive to the capital

Thimphu (2320 m).

Day 2 | Thursday 3 November

Thimphu - Tango - Memorial Chortan -

Painting School - Paper Factory

The walk up to Tango Monastery takes

approximately 45 minutes and provides a

wonderful opportunity to visit monks and receive

blessings. Spend some time at the monastery

and talk with the monks about their daily lives.

At present, Tango Monastery is a university of

Buddhist philosophy, with a student body of over

70 monks. The monastery was founded by Lama

Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 13th century and built

in its present form by Tenzin Rabgye, the 4th

Temporal Ruler in 1688. It underwent restoration

in the mid 1990s. Later in the day, begin exploring

Thimphu, including a visit to a painting school

and a paper factory.

Inside the Paro DzongWe asked the young monk to Pose.

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Day 3 | Friday 4 November

Dochu La (3,150 m) - Punakha Dzong -

- Divine Madman’s Temple - Punakha

Today we will depart Thimphu eastwards for Punakha.

Enroute we will cross Dochu La (‘La’ means mountain

pass) at 3140 m featuring 108 stupas built by the

Queen Mother in 2004. On a clear day we may enjoy a

spectacular view of the eastern Himalayan mountains.

After stopping for tea and refreshments we will

proceed over the mountains and into Punakha Valley.

In the afternoon, our guides will arrange a visit to the

breath-taking Punakha Dzong. Punakha is the ancient

capital of Bhutan and the dzong, built in 1637, is the

winter residence of the Head Abbott of Bhutan and

the main monk body. The dzong lies between two

rushing rivers (chhu), the Mo (mother) and Po (father)

Chhu and so is one of the most dramatic looking

buildings in Bhutan.

Take photos from various vantage points, then cross

the cantilever bridge and spend some time exploring

the interior, a treasure trove of small temples and

especially fine examples of Buddhist iconography.

Day 4 | Saturday 5 November

Punakha – Trongsa - Pele La - Yak herders -

- Tshangkha village

This morning we depart for the village of Trongsa

(2000 m). There are some great photo opportunities

of waterfalls on this part of the journey. We also have

an exclusive invitation to visit Tshangkha, the ancestral

village of our head guide Namgay. He will wander

with us through a cluster of traditional village homes,

meeting some of the residents as they go about their

daily chores, walk beside the fields and visit the village

temple.

Above the main village we will visit a traditional

farmhouse in the kitchen (the warmest room where

the whole family eats and sleeps together) and then

also visit the traditional altar room and the storeroom.

Day 5 | Sunday 6 November

Trongsa Dzong - Lunch at Bumthang -

Overnight in Ugyen Choling

There are some amazing views of the Trongsa Dzong

in the morning from our hotel and after breakfast, we

will walk through the ancient dzong ourselves and

perhaps see the monks going about their daily duties.

We Think This Is Namgay’s Uncle!at tshangkha village on the Way to trongsa

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We then drive over another mountain range with

spectacular views and down into Bumthang.

In the afternoon, we will depart for the Tang valley

where we will have a two-night stay in a rural village.

On arrival, we will take a beautiful one hour walk over

a suspension bridge, and pass rice fields to the isolated

village of Ugyencholing (2800 m), a pilgrimage site

since the 15th Century. This is the location of the

stately Ugyen Choling Palace.

This evening you will stay overnight in a highly

authentic guesthouse in the Palace complex. Shared

accommodation for these nights may be required.

Day 6 | Monday 7 November

Ugyencholing - Prayer flag hoisting -

interaction with the locals

Ugyencholing Palace has been converted by its 20th

generation of owners into a museum and houses

permanent exhibits that chronicle Bhutan’s feudal

history and also its agricultural development.

Traditional living quarters have been restored in

addition to the servants’ quarters, the temple and grain

storage areas. Today we spend time in the village with

the guides and drivers, interacting with the locals.

In the morning a local monk will join us to hoist prayer

flags, a cultural and religious gesture of goodwill and

intention. Buddhism and the animist Bon religion are a

part of daily life throughout Bhutan and many cultural

activities stem from it.

There will also be a many opportunities to interact

with the locals. There’s a chance they will be preparing

for a big festival, but if not, maybe we’ll watch an

archery match between the villagers and our guides,

or even play khuru with them ourselves. Khuru is a

dart game unique to Bhutan.

There are landscape and people photo opportunities

galore!

Day 7 | Tuesday 8 November

Ugyencholing Museum - Nunnery - Jakar

After breakfast and spending the morning in the

museum, we will return to Bumthang and on the way,

visit a local nunnery to observe how they live. This

is a large nunnery built by the nuns who live there.

Inside The Templeugyencholing Palace. great Wooden floors!

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They were responsible for making the mud walls by

pounding the mud to form the structure, like adobe

walls in the west. In the afternoon in Bumthang/Jakar,

you can enjoy an afternoon at your leisure, with or

without your guides.

Day 8 | Wednesday 9 November

Jakar Tshechu (Festival) - Jambay Lhakhang

(temple) - Kurji Lhakhang (temple) - Tamshing

lhaknag(temple) - Wangducholing palace

Lots of things to do today, including attending

a festival and watching the monks dance and

perform. This will be a highlight!

In addition, we may visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of

the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen

Gampo in the 7th century. The central figure is Jampa,

the future Buddha.

Many Bhutanese spend their time circling the temple

to gain life-long merit. Kurjey Lhakhang is another

temple to see. ‘Kur’ means ‘body’ and ‘Jey’ means ‘print’.

The revered Buddha, Guru Rinpoche is believed to

have left the imprint of his body on a rock here after

meditating in this spot for many years.

The cypress tree on the site is said to be the walking

stick of Guru Rinpoche. The temple was built in 1652

and the first King and Queen Mother of Bhutan built

the other two buildings.

Day 9 | Thursday 10 November

Trongsa Museum - Gangtey Gomba - Overnight

in Phobjikha

We have a fair drive today, but some great sights

along the way. The museum in the watch tower

above the Trongsa Dzong is simply amazing. Even

people who are not museum lovers will enjoy this

experience and the view from the top of the tower.

We cross back over the pass of Pele La and down to

the famous Phobjikha valley (3000 m), the winter

breeding ground of the endangered Black-necked

Crane. This is a beautiful glacial valley that is quite

different to others you will have seen. With noticeably

different vegetation, it is well worth the visit.

Day 10 | Friday 11 November

Black Necked Crane festival - Punakha

Our second festival - can’t wait! There will be

more great opportunities to practise your people

The Oldest Nun In The Nunnerynote the Wonderful orange ‘crocs’

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photography skills and the colour and costumes

will amaze you! We may have spotted some cranes as

well, but there are no guarantees with the wildlife.

In the afternoon, we return to Punakha. Gradually, we

are heading back the way we came, but there’s lots

more to photograph yet!

Day 11 | Saturday 12 November

Punakha Dzong - Lunch at Thimphu

We will be up in the early morning for a

photograph of the Punakha Dzong - fingers

crossed for some great atmosphere. Then it’s

into the cars for a drive back to Thimphu and an

opportunity to walk the streets of the capital.

Visit the book shops, have a real coffee, visit the

local archery field. There’s lots to do, or you can

take a little time off for yourself.

Day 12 | Sunday 13 November

Chele La - The Ruined Drugyal Dzong

- Overnight in Paro

We drive to the highest motorable pass in Bhutan,

Chele La (3988 m) and on a clear day, you will see

snow-capped mountains. Make sure you carry

warm clothes and some rain gear ( just in case)

because you will want to get out to photograph

the forest of prayer flags on the pass.

After lunch, we will stop at the ruins of the

Drukgyel Dzong that was built in 1649, but

destroyed by fire in 1951. It was one of the four

principal fortresses built to protect Bhutan against

invading armies.

The name ‘Druk Gyel’ means ‘fortress of victory’,

and was built to celebrate the victory of the

Bhutanese over the Tibet-Mongol forces. Only the

ruins of giant walls, charred large wooden posts,

beams and watch towers remain of the important

fortress.

Day 13 | Monday 14 November

Hike to Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) - Traditional

hot stone bath at the farmhouse - Paro

We save the best for last! Following breakfast

you will drive for about thirty minutes to reach

the start of your two and a half hour walk up to

Taktshang Monastery. (There is an option for a

YakaBove the PhoBjikha valley

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pony ride part the way up, but not coming down.)

This is the most famous monastery in Bhutan.

Taktshang Monastery is built on the sheer cliff

about 900 metres above the Paro valley floor.

It is believed that in the eighth century, Guru

Rinpoche (regarded by the Bhutanese as the

second Buddha) flew to the site where the

monastery would eventually be built, riding on

the back of a flying tigress (one of his consorts)

to subdue the local demon Sengay Samdrup.

After Guru Rinpoche subdued the demon, he

meditated in a cave there, which has become a

place of Ney (holy place).

Fortunately, the cave was spared in the fire that

gutted much of the original seventeenth century

monastery on 19 April 1998. The careful and

complex restoration provides us with a never to

be forgotten experience. You will walk alongside

many pilgrims on the way up. Cameras are not

allowed inside the monastery itself.

After visiting the many sacred rooms of this

complex of monastery and temples, we will briefly

retrace our steps to the waterfall and then begin

the final descent of about an hour along the

ancient pilgrim path to reach our vehicles and

drive back to Paro.

That evening enjoy a hot stone bath at a

farmhouse after your walk, or a cup of good

coffee in one of the new cafes in Paro.

Day 14 | Tuesday 15 November

Paro – Bangkok

We know you won’t want to leave, but this is a

journey you will never forget.

It’s so much more than just a photography trip.

Friendly MonksWe met on the Walk to taksthang

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How Do You Like To Learn?Everyone has different ways of learning. For some,

it is sitting back and watching an expert at work,

noting how he or she positions and uses the

camera, reacts to the light and the weather, or

interacts with people and wildlife to achieve the

best posing and expression.

Others like to be given suggestions, to understand

what the experts are seeing and thinking, and

then left to experiment and discover on their own.

They are looking for guidance, but not too much.

And yet other photographers like to be shown

how to find the photograph, how to compose

the image and what camera settings are required.

They want help with their camera controls

and detailed instructions on how to frame and

compose.

Different photographers at different stages require

different levels of assistance and that’s fine! Peter

and David provide all three levels of interaction,

all you have to do is ask. Importantly, you will

never be made to feel silly because you asked a

basic question - chances are others in the group

don’t know the answer either!

Peter and David will be shooting as well. They are

just as passionate as you are about photography.

They also feel it is important to practice what they

preach and to show participants what they have

captured as the tour/workshop progresses.

However, both Peter and David are very aware

that their primary role is to act as your instructor

and guide. And they want you to return on other

workshops and trips, which you will only do if you

are happy.

So, please don’t be shy to ask for help at any time

and it will be cheerfully provided with a smile!

Drummer, Jakar DzongPhotograPhed at one of the festivals.

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What Level Of Photographer Do I Need To Be?You don’t need to be an experienced

photographer to come on this expedition and

you can choose as much or as little photography

education as you like.

On trips like this in the past, we have had all

levels of photographers attending, from seasoned

professionals wanting to refine their skills, to

newcomers who need assistance with basic

camera settings.

Peter and David actually like a range of

photographers to attend. The more experienced

participants invariably help the newcomers, and

the newcomers give all of us new ideas we’ve

never thought about!

“One of the things that keeps me grounded”,

said Peter, “is the range of ideas and viewpoints

participants bring. They see things I don’t, so I’m

learning just as much as everyone else.

“And importantly, it is all done in a positive and

encouraging environment. I’ve been doing this

long enough that I don’t need my ego stroked.

“What I get a buzz out of, is helping other

photographers capture great photos - my reward

is seeing the expression on their face when they

nail a top shot.”

And David said that Peter lied about not needing

his ego stroked.

“Please pay him a compliment every now and

then – or I will never hear the end of it!”

Young Monk, Bumthangmost PeoPle are very oBliging for a Portrait

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How Physical Is It?You don’t need to be super fit to enjoy this

photography tour. If you can bushwalk in Australia

along well maintained tracks, you should have no

trouble on this trip.

However, there will be some walking involved

when we leave the hotel or the vehicle to get to

the best photographic locations.

Sometimes we will be walking a few hundred

metres, on other occasions there are tracks of two

to 5 kilometres.

There are really only two main walks. One is up to

Tango Monastery. It is an easy path, but it takes a

good 45 minutes and it’s all up hill.

The second is to Taktshang Monastery which is a

couple of hours up and it will test you! However,

there are ponies to take you up to the tea house

from where you can view the Monastery, but you

will have to walk back down. However, it’s an easy

walk down.

If you don’t want to do any of the walks, you

can stay with the vehicles and/or the guides will

arrange an alternative activity.

Behind Ogyen Cholingsome of the landscaPes are Breathtaking

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Bring Your PartnerThis trip is as much about being a traveller as it is

about being a photographer. Yes, the focus will be

on photography, but that doesn’t mean you have

to be a photographer to enjoy it.

However, the itinerary is all about photography,

so there will be some early mornings and late

evenings when we might not eat breakfast or

dinner at exactly the right time. If the light is right,

we want to be taking photographs.

However, these are often the most memorable

times of the day and even non-photographers will

appreciate the experience.

So, if you feel you need to convince your partner

that they will enjoy themselves without a camera,

we don’t think you will have much convincing.

The Bhutan trip is a smorgasbord of experiences

that everyone will appreciate, whether they have a

camera in hand or not.

Spectator, Jakar DzongWatching the festival, oBlivious to the camera

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Peter Eastwayg.m. Photog., mnZiPP, hon faiPP, hfnZiPP, faiPP

Sydney-based photographer Peter Eastway

is a Grand Master of Photography and a two

time winner of the AIPP Australian Professional

Photographer of the Year. Known best for his

landscape and travel photography, he has worked

in most areas of the profession and also loves

sport, studio still life, portraiture and wildlife.

Peter is the editor and publisher of Better

Photography magazine and website, a position

that has given him special access to many of

the world’s leading photographers over the past

30 years. His ability to communicate both the

technical and aesthetic sides of photography

makes him a sought after speaker on the

international circuit.

Peter was the chairman of the Canon AIPP

Australian Professional Photography Awards for

many years and is still involved in all aspects of

photography competitions, both as a judge and

as an active participant. He judges and speaks

internationally on a regular basis.

Peter’s work has been published internationally

in photography and travel magazines, and he

was also the author of the Lonely Planet’s Guide

to Landscape Photography. His photography has

featured on the cover of the Lonely Planet’s guide

to Australia, an Australian postage stamp, in

articles in the Qantas inflight magazine, and in an

Apple television commercial. And he has worked

with Phase One researching and promoting its

Capture One raw processing software, and with

Adobe on its Lightroom software.

In 2015 he featured in the National Geographic

Channel’s Tales By Light six-part photography

series produced in partnership with Canon.

He is familiar with Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and

Phase One camera systems.

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David Oliverg. m. Photog., faiPP

A Nikon Ambassador with over 30 years as

one of Sydney’s leading wedding and portrait

photographers, David Oliver has a passion for

photographing life and the landscape as he finds

it. A devotee of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s approach

to photography and capturing the decisive

moment, you will learn from David a fresh and

responsive style of photography where in-camera

technique is incredibly important.

Over the years, David developed a keen attention

to gesture and nuance learned from posing

and lighting thousands of portrait subjects. This

skill has followed him into the worlds of street

and documentary photography, and of course,

his passion for the landscape. The connections

between portrait and landscape in terms of

lighting are surprising.

David photographs for clients from New York

to Hong Kong, has worked with a not-for-profit

organisation in Rwanda, and has been a speaker

and workshop leader all around the world. He

works mainly in black and white for his personal

work, but is very comfortable with colour

compositions.

David is a Fellow of the AIPP and a Grand Master

of Photography. He spends half his time at his

property in the Lower Hunter Valley farmlands

near Gresford, working from his studio in Pennant

Hills as little as possible. What a life!

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ChecklistHere’s an incomplete list of some of the things you

may need.

Recommended Camera Stuff• DSLR or CSC camera recommended

• Standard zoom - covers everything (but you might

leave this behind if you bring the next 4 lenses)

• Wide-angles - as wide as you have for interiors

• Standard 50mm f1.4 or f1.2 for portraits or

• Mid-tele 85mm f1.8 or f1.2 for portraits

• Telephoto zoom - 100-400mm is not too long

• Spare camera battery & battery charger

• Backpack style camera bag

• Tripod (with a quick release plate)

• Plenty of storage cards for your camera

• Polarising filter

• Neutral density filters (0.9x, 4.0x optional)

• Card reader and cable if necessary

• Laptop computer (Mac or PC)

• External back-up drives

• Photoshop, Lightroom, or Capture One

• Mouse or stylus/tablet

• Hat, sunscreen

Camera Equipment For The ExpeditionPeter and David are not equipment snobs! Yes,

they use professional equipment, but that’s their

full time job.

So, whether you turn up with the latest DSLR or

an older camera you’ve loved for many years, it

really doesn’t matter. However, there are some

lenses and accessories that will certainly help you

capture a wider range of photographs.

We do recommend you bring everything you

think you might need, but not so much you

can’t carry it with you. You will be able to leave

equipment behind in the hotel or car at any time.

And think about working quickly. While there are

some great landscapes, this trip is more about

capturing moments and working hand-held.

Local at Prayerogyencholing feudal village

The Atacama and Patagonia with Peter Eastway

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GENERAL INFORMATION Local Guide Leader – NamgayNamgay started working as a tour guide

in 2004, after graduating from Bhutan’s

Sherubtse College. He grew up in Tshang-

kha village, Trongsa, in the central part of

Bhutan where he experienced rural life

and worked on farms. He also studied

religious texts for a short period in a mon-

astery during his childhood.

Namgay currently lives in the capital city

of Thimphu, which is quite different from

the village. Through his life experiences

thus far, he’s come to understand the

urban, rural, and even the monastic life in

Bhutan. He sees his determination, sense

of responsibility, willingness to learn, and

sense of humour as some of his most

important character traits.

“Since starting my career as a tour guide,

I’ve gained more in-depth knowledge

about many things about Bhutan, such as

its culture, traditions, flora, and fauna.

“I have worked on photography tours

since 2007, which was when I began

developing my own interest in photog-

raphy. I like taking photos of people and

landscapes, and enjoy keeping an eye out

for photo opportunities for other photog-

raphers. Apart from photography, I enjoy

helping guests experience the cultures

and traditions that make Bhutan unique

from the other parts of the world.”

Namgay is the owner and head guide of

Illuminating Tours.

Driving across BhutanWe will be travelling on roads along rug-

ged and mountainous terrain that limits

car speeds to 40 km per hour. Even short

road journeys may seem long and slow as

a result.

Along the way there are spectacular views

of snow-capped mountains, lush green

valleys, unpolluted and crystal clear rivers,

farmlands and villages, as well as oppor-

tunities for great conversations. Bhutan

is truly spectacular and beautiful to drive

across.

PassportWell before travelling, please ensure that

you have a current passport, with an ac-

curate photo, that is valid for at least six

months after your scheduled return home.

Also check that your airline tickets are in

exactly the same name as your passport.

InsuranceYou must have comprehensive travel

insurance, which we recommend you take

at the time of paying your deposit.

Participants without adequate insurance

cover will be asked to arrange cover im-

mediately before commencing their trip

- this can be very difficult and expensive

to arrange locally.

Your policy MUST cover evacuation by he-

licopter and repatriation. In general, your

policy should cover you for medical and

evacuation expenses, lost luggage and

cancellation fees. Please check your policy

carefully before leaving home and familia-

rise yourself with the procedures that you

may need to follow in the unlikely event

that you need to make a claim.

If you are covered by a policy arranged

through your credit card company, you

will be asked to provide evidence of this

cover, as well as a 24-hour emergency

contact number.

Many credit card companies do not

provide an insurance policy number. In

this instance, the tour leader will need to

record your credit card number, as this is

required to activate any request for emer-

gency assistance.

You should also bring along the travel

insurance information booklet provided

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by your credit card company. It is your

responsibility to ensure that you meet

the requirements set out by your credit

card company in order to be effectively

covered and that the cover offered is of a

suitable standard.

VisasAll nationalities require a visa for Bhutan.

Travellers can only enter Bhutan as part

of a group visa. Independent visas are not

issued. Your Bhutan visa is organised by us

and issued on a group basis upon arrival

at Paro Airport, Bhutan. The cost of the

visa is covered in our tour.

VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip.

Please consult your doctor or a travel

health specialist.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you

obtain any vaccinations or preventative

medicines. To find out which, if any, vac-

cinations are mandatory or recommended

for your destination, contact your local

doctor, immunisation centre or medical

centre for up-to-date information.

If you need to arrange vaccinations or

a supply of preventative medicine, you

should contact your doctor at least two

months before you depart. Some inocula-

tions require more than one visit and can

take several weeks to administer the full

course.

For travellers from Australia and New Zea-

land, we recommend Travel Doctor-TMVC

clinics to obtain the most up-to-date

advice on health risks and vaccinations

(see www.traveldoctor.com.au for loca-

tions and detailed vaccine information or

phone 1300 658 844 for an appointment

in Australia).

Travellers living outside Australia and New

Zealand will need to consult a similar

organisation in their own country (please

ask your travel agent for recommenda-

tions), but can still access the following

link for information: www.traveldoctor.

com.au

ClothingBhutan is not super cold, but temperature

is a relative thing. It could conceivably be

close to zero in the early mornings, but

more often it is 5o- 10o C. In the middle of

the day, it can get up to 20o C and even

25o C in the sun.

So bring lots of layers. A good, wind-proof

jacket is a great outer shell. Underneath,

have several layers, such as a thermal top,

a shirt, a light-weight skivvy and a thicker

jumper. Slacks or trousers are best.

Both men and women are asked to dress

modestly, especially when visiting the

dzongs and temples. Shorts and short

dresses are not suggested.

A good pair of walking shoes is useful, but

the paths and trails are not difficult and

so a good pair of comfortable runners will

work just as well. You will be taking your

shoes off quite a bit to go into temples, so

keep this in mind if you have challenging

shoe laces!

A rain jacket (which might be the same as

your windproof jacket) and water-proof

overpants are probably overkill - if it’s that

wet, we will probably do an alternative

activity, but Peter always carries these

with him.

Bring a hat and sunblock. A beanie could

be good for early mornings and maybe a

light pair of gloves, but they will probably

stay in your suitcase. We are unlikely to

have bugs or mosquitoes. Our guides will

have umbrellas if needed.

About this informationThe information provided here is given in

good faith and has been compiled with all

reasonable care. However, things change

and some of the information may become

out of date.

Please keep this in mind when you read it

and check with us if you want to be sure

about something.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS These terms and conditions relate to the

photography tours and workshops organ-

ised by Pt 78 Pty Ltd [Pt78], ABN 75 003

152 136, trading as Better Photography,

and run by Peter Eastway, the workshop

leader.

RESERVATIONS Bookings can be made on the Better

Photography website at

www.betterphotography.com in the online shop, or you can email Kim

Valenti at [email protected],

or call her on +612 4388 6851.

The photography tour is limited to a

maximum of 12 participants (plus the

workshop leaders). A mininum of 10

participants is required for the workshop

to run. Workshop places will be confirmed

in order of receipt, payment or deposit.

We will be using Illuminating Tours in

Bhutan to arrange our photography tour.

PRICEBhutan 2016: US $8,490

The price includes the following:

• Return flights from Bangkok to Paro

with Druk Air, including taxes

• Accommodation in clean, comfort-

able 3 to 4 star local hotels

• Private 4WD transport with drivers

• Bhutanese guides

• All meals

• Bottled water along the tour

• Sightseeing and entrance fees

• Visas for Bhutan

• Bhutan Tourism Development fee

Not included are:

• Flights from your home to/from Bangkok

• Accommodation in Bangkok

• Travelinsurance(compulsory)

• Alcoholicdrinksandyourownsnacks

• Optionalactivitiesduringfreetime

• Tipsanditemsofapersonalnature

You may need to arrange a night’s accom-

modation in Bangkok at both the begin-

ning and end of the trip - check with your

travel agent when organising your flights

in and out of Bangkok.

DEPOSIT & PAYMENT To confirm and pay for our flights into

Bhutan, and to confirm accommodation

for our tour, Illuminating Tours asks for a

deposit to be paid.

• Deposit by 31 August 2015 US $1,995• Balance due by 1 July 2016.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDSShould you wish to cancel your booking,

you must advise us in writing (email is

fine):

• if you are cancelling more than 120

days from the tour/workshop date,

and after your cancellation we still

have 10 participants, we will refund

your deposit, less any monies that

Illuminating Tours is out of pocket

for booking your flights and accom-

modation;

• if you are cancelling more than

120 days from the tour/workshop

date, and after your cancellation we

have fewer than 10 photography

participants, we will not refund your

deposit unless we can re-sell your

place; in which case we will refund

your deposit, less any monies that

Illuminating Tours is out of pocket

for booking your flights and accom-

modation;

• if you are cancelling less than 120

days from the tour/workshop date,

which means you will have paid

in full at this time, we will refund

so much of the flights and accom-

modation as is refunded to us by

Illuminating Tours (which may be

nil); and if we can re-sell your place,

we will refund you the balance of

your booking to the extent that we

are not out of pocket due to your

cancellation.

We reserve the right to cancel your

booking if payment is not received when

due, wherein this Cancellations and

Refunds clause shall come into effect.

In addition, Pt78 and Illuminating

Tours are not responsible for and will

not provide any refund for portions of

travel services missed due to cancelled

or delayed flights, third party transporta-

tion services and any other circumstances

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beyond explora’s control or responsibility

that may be considered events of “force

majeure.” This includes, but is not limited

to, cancellations and/or delays as a result

of weather conditions, road conditions,

fires, explosions, earthquakes, drought,

tidal waves, floods and general strikes.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTSThe workshop is designed to be suitable

for people of all ages in good health and

moderate fitness. While activities are not

strenuous, on some workshops we may

be taking hikes for several kilometres on

quite steep trails and you need to be care-

ful when you are on them.

It will be necessary to be able to carry

your own camera equipment and water

for these activities, although there is a

good chance we can arrange one of our

Bhutanese guides to assist you.

Should you have any concerns about

your own capabilities and/or fitness,

please contact us to discuss this before

booking your place.

You are required to disclose any medical

or physical condition that you have which

could create a risk for you or any other

participants. We assume no responsibility

for medical care nor guarantee to meet

any special dietary requirements.

INSURANCE: We have public liability insurance, but

we have no insurance for participants,

their health, their equipment or personal

belongings. We strongly advise you to

obtain your own insurances suitable for

your needs.

LIMITED LIABILITYAs we are a small company, we are not in

a position to insure your travel arrange-

ments with Illuminating Tours. If Illuminat-

ing Tours were unable to provide the

services for which you have contracted

and paid, Pt78 will not be liable to you for

any loss you incur. We strongly suggest

you take out travel insurance.

In such an unlikely event, we would

naturally refund the tuition component

of the tour. We are not opting out of our

responsiblities to you, only those over

which we have no control. We are asking

you to take the same risk you would were

you to book your accommodation directly

with Illuminating Tours.

RESPONSIBILITYThe responsibility of Pt78 is strictly lim-

ited. As a tour/workshop operator, Pt78

may organise, promote, and sell programs

consisting of services that it purchases

from various suppliers. Pt78 does not own

or operate any of these suppliers and as

such is not responsible for any negligent

or wilful act or failure or omission of any

supplier. By taking part in the tour/work-

shop, you agree that Pt78 shall not be

liable for the above failings.

Pt78 cannot accept responsibility for

losses or extra expenses caused by, but

not limited to, delay or changes in any

transportation services, weather, illness,

injury, strike, quarantine or other causes.

All such losses or expenses will be the

sole responsibility of the participant.

Pt78 reserves the right to cancel any

workshop prior to commencement,

whereupon paid funds will be refunded

in full, but is not liable for any other trip

preparation expenses such as, but not lim-

ited to, air ticket penalties, visa fees and

medical treatments.

Pt78 reserves the right to substitute

accommodations (if any) of similar

category for those indicated and to make

any changes in the itinerary or transport

where deemed necessary. Where weather

conditions or forces of nature restrict or

prohibit workshop activities, it reserves

the right to alter the trip program and

substitute alternative activities.

Prior to commencement of any work-

shop the Acceptance of Risk Release form

is a term of sale.

The Acceptance of Risk release must

be agreed to by each participant prior

to the commencement of the workshop.

No alterations to the Acceptance of Risk

Release will be accepted.

If a participant attends a workshop

without signing an Acceptance of Risk

Release, their attendance confirms their

acceptance of all parts of these Terms and

Conditions, and the Acceptance of Risk

Release.

These Terms and Conditions, and the

Acceptance of Risk release, shall be gov-

erned in all respects by and interpreted

in accordance with the law within New

South Wales, Australia.

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For more information and bookings, contact Peter Eastway

at [email protected]

Bhutan With Peter Eastway & David Oliver 1 - 15 November 2016

AWAY PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

Bhutan Photo Tour

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Transcript of Bhutan Photo Tour