Bhutan 2019

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

AWAY PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

Magical Bhutan From West to East

With Peter Eastway & David Oliver 23 November – 7 December 2019

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Photograph by Peter Eastway

Taktsang Monastery The walk is well worth the visit!

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

Why Bhutan?

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Hopefully a flick through the pages of this

We travel in Bhutan with Illuminating Tours and

brochure will explain why you have to photograph

our head guide, Namgay. We visit his family village

the remote and mysterious Kingdom of Bhutan.

as well as the most famous landmarks, so we don’t just see the touristy spots, we get a taste of real

It is a country like no other, steeped in history

life in Bhutan.

and religion, tucked away between towering mountains, yet with an authenticity that is hard to

However, we travel in comfort. Our tour has six

find in an ever diminishing traditional world.

comfortable vehicles, each with two guests, one guide and one driver. The guides include Peter,

For photographers, Bhutan is Paradise - or should

David and Namgay. All the drivers are Bhutan

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

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

your camera at, from the local people in their traditional dress to the imposing ‘dzongs’ or

The 3 to 4 star hotels are clean and comfortable,

fortified monasteries clinging to sheer cliffs.

we have one night in Namgay’s village, the food is excellent and there are lots of opportunities to

However, don’t come just to take photographs.

purchase souvenirs.

Come to experience a truly unique part of the world. Immerse yourself in the Tibetan Buddhist

However, the biggest thrill will be the friendly

culture that values kindness, walk across the bare

locals and the photographs you capture while

wooden floors of ancient temples, listen to the

travelling through Bhutan, the land of the thunder

drums, bells and horns underneath the rhythmic

dragon.

chanting of the crimson-robed monks.

Photograph by Peter Eastway

Grandfather The patriach of one of our guide’s family

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Photography Exclusives 23 November – 7 December 2019 / US$8490 There are a number of tour companies offering

experience of two AIPP Grand Masters of

access to Bhutan and its incredible culture, so why

Photography. If photography is your thing, there

travel with Peter and David?

are few photography workshops that can offer this depth of experience. Both Peter and David

Magical Bhutan offers photographers a number of

have been practising professional photographers

exclusive opportunities that are not available with

for over 30 years, both are invited around the

other tours. For instance, we visit our head guide’s

world to lecture on photography, and Peter has

home village, Tshangkha, for a unique experience,

an incredible knowledge of the technical side of

interacting with villagers of all ages. Learn about

photography as well - and he’s done this trip to

their lives, share stories, visit their homes and have

Bhutan four times already!

an intimate and memorable experience.

So, please, this is not just an ordinary trip to We also drive in a convoy of cars. Don’t

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

underestimate the importance of this when

which will leave you breathless!

negotiating Bhutan’s narrow, winding roads - it is far more comfortable than a bus! It also means more flexibility to stop when photo opportunities arise.

Importantly, you have the expertise and Photograph by David Oliver

Village Life It pays to always have your camera at the ready!

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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New West to East Itinerary Travel | Saturday 23 November 2019

(fortress) built in 1646 (where the movie Little

You need to arrive in Bangkok today, the day

Buddha was filmed), and maybe the historic

before we fly to Bhutan. This means an overnight

Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest dzongs

stay at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.

in Bhutan. Afterwards, there are many more

It is an early morning departure to Paro the

photographic opportunities along the road as we

following morning. (There are options for flying

drive to the capital Thimphu (2320 m).

via Singapore and India as well.)

Day 2 | Monday 25 November Day 1 | Sunday 24 November

Thimphu

Bangkok - Paro - Thimphu

We will hike up to Tango Dzong which has been

An early flight from Bangkok to Paro in Bhutan.

recently renovated. It’s a wonderful walk under

If the weather is clear, experience breathtaking

leafy trees, but a little steep in places. Once up the

views of the Himalayan peaks as you descend into

top, it is worth every step! Spend some time in

the remote land of the Thunder Dragon. The flight

the dzong, talk with the monks about their daily

into Paro is one of the most spectacular in the

lives and take photos.

world.

There will also be time to visit the Memorial On arrival, our guides and drivers will meet us at

Chorten and the painting school in Thimphu, and

the airport and drive us to Paro for sightseeing

Dechenphodrang Lhakhang to photograph the

and lunch. We will visit the dramatic Paro Dzong

young monks. We’ll overnight again in Thimphu.

Photograph by Peter Eastway

Near Mongar A pack of biscuits was all their reward!

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

Day 3 | Tuesday 26 November

see the ruined Drugyal Dzong, dinner and an

Thimphu - Haa

overnight stay.

Today we drive into the mysterious Haa Valley.

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It is considered one of the most beautiful and

Day 5 | Thurday 28 November

isolated areas in the kingdom, yet is one of the

Taktsang Monastery

least visited. There’s a number of great dzongs and

We return to Paro so we can spend the day hiking

temples sitting on promitories or high in the hills,

up to the remarkable Taktsang Monastery, the

punctuating some amazing landscapes.

most famous destination in Bhutan and arguably the most remarkable place on Earth.

Haa is home to a number of nomadic herders and there’s lots to explore before settling into our

Taktsang Monastery is built on a sheer cliff

unique homestead-style hotel for the night.

about 900 metres above the Paro valley floor.

It is believed that in the eighth century, Guru

Day 4 | Wednesday 27 November

Rinpoche (regarded by the Bhutanese as the

Haa - Chele La – The Ruined Drugyal Dzong

second Buddha) flew to the site where the

– Overnight in Paro

monastery would eventually be built, riding on

We drive to the highest motorable pass in Bhutan,

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

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

subdue the local demon Sengay Samdrup.

snow-capped mountains. Make sure you carry warm clothes and some rain gear (just in case)

After Guru Rinpoche subdued the demon, he

because you will want to get out of the cars to

meditated in a cave there, which has become a

photograph the forest of prayer flags on top of

place of Ney (holy place).

the pass.

Fortunately, the cave was spared in the fire that From here, we drop down into Paro again to

gutted much of the original seventeenth century Photograph by Peter Eastway

Real Festivals And you will see very few tourists!

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

monastery on 19 April 1998. The careful and

in 2004. On a clear day we may enjoy a spectacular

complex restoration provides us with a never to

view of the eastern Himalayan mountains.

be forgotten experience. You will walk alongside

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many pilgrims on the way up. Cameras are not

When we drop down the hill, our guides will

allowed inside the monastery itself.

arrange a visit to the breath-taking Punakha Dzong.

Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan and the

After visiting the many sacred rooms of this

dzong, built in 1637, is the winter residence of the

complex of monastery and temples, we will briefly

Head Abbott of Bhutan and the Central Monk Body.

retrace our steps to the waterfall and then begin the final descent of about an hour along the

The dzong lies between two rushing rivers (chhu), the

ancient pilgrim path to reach our vehicles and

Mo (mother) and Po (father) Chhu and so is one of the

drive back to Paro.

most dramatic looking buildings in Bhutan.

(There is the option to ride a pony most of the

In the evening, we will either overnight in Punakha

way up to the top if you choose.)

with breathtaking hotel room views over the dzong and valley, or take a short drive to the delightful

In the afternoon, you will be rewarded with a

Wangdue Eco Lodge which sits above a number

visit to Paro’s local coffee shops and lots of great

of idyllic rice fields. Either option is great!

shopping. Overnight again in Paro.

Day 7 | Saturday 30 November Day 6 | Friday 29 November

Punakha – Phobjikha

Paro – Punakha – Wangdue

We have sereral options this morning, or perhaps

From Paro, we drive through Thimphu and up to

we will do them all. We can explore the village

Dochu La. Dochu La (‘La’ means mountain pass) at

below the eco lodge, or take early morning

3140 m features 108 stupas built by the Queen Mother

photos of Punakha Dzong, maybe in the mist!

Photograph by David Oliver

Kitchen Window With a cup of tea in Tshangkha Village

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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We will then drive to a guide’s home village,

lead us through a cluster of traditional village homes,

Dawakha. It sits at the end of the valley from

meeting some of the residents as they go about their

Punakha and has incredibly impressive views over

daily chores, walk beside the fields and visit the village

a hanging valley full of rice fields - it’s an amazing

temple.

pattern shot.

We will also stay and eat in a traditional farmhouse In the afternoon, we drive over to the famous

in the kitchen (the warmest room) and then also visit

Phobjikha Valley (3000 m), the winter breeding ground

the traditional altar room and the storeroom. There

of the endangered Black-necked Crane. This is a

will be many opportunities to interact with the locals

beautiful glacial valley that is quite different to others

and photograph the village in its dramatic mountain

we have seen. With noticeably different vegetation,

surroundings.

it is well worth the visit – and we’re looking forward to the photo opportunities in both the evening and

And best of all, we overnight in Tshangkha

following morning.

Village - but relax! It’s warm, it’s clean and it’s an experience you’ll treasure the rest of your life.

We overnight in Phobjikha.

Day 9 | Monday 2 December Day 8 | Sunday 1 December

Tshangkha – Bumthang

Phobjikha – Tshangkha

We’ll be up early again for another opportunity to

After an early morning landscape photography

photograph village life before breakfast and then it’s

session in Phobjikha and a hearty breakfast, we’ll

off to Trongsa.

drive over to Tshangkha via Pele La (Pass, 3390 m).

There are some amazing views of the Trongsa Dzong We have an exclusive invitation to visit Tshangkha, the

on the road and then once in Trongsa, we will walk

ancestral village of our head guide Namgay. He will

through the ancient dzong ourselves and perhaps see Photograph by Peter Eastway

Harvest Time, November We will be there at planting time this trip

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

the monks going about their daily duties.

Today, it’s a six hour drive to Mongar in East Bhutan, but it will go really quickly because of the

The museum in the watch tower above the

amazing scenery from high mountain roads.

Trongsa Dzong is simply amazing. Even people who

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are not museum lovers will enjoy this experience

We’re breaking new ground, but David and Peter

and the view from the top of the tower.

were so impressed with Mongar on their special research trip in early 2018, they’ve arranged two

On the road from Trongsa to our overnight destination

nights in this delightlful town.

in Bumthang are some more incredible alpine landscapes.

Day 11 | Wednesday 4 December Mongar

Depending on how many stops you make on the

One of the reasons for visiting Bhutan is to attend

way, there should be a little time off this afternoon to

a festival and we’ve chosen Mongar as it’s a little

spend in Bumthang and possibly find one of the great

out of the ordinary.

new coffee shops that are springing up!

Photograph the locals in all their finest clothing And the hotel we’re staying in has the best ginger

and the amazing dancers as well. This is

carrots – here’s hoping they are on the menu!

something not to be missed!

Day 10 | Tuesday 3 December

Afterwards, explore Mongar and its cute little

Bumthang – Mongar

streets, tucked away in exotic East Bhutan.

There’s a great distant view of Jakar Dzong from our hotel which can look great with early morning mist (keep your 200mm lens at the ready).

Photograph by Peter Eastway

The Road to Bumtang Bring a telephoto lens for shots like this

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Day 12 | Thursday 5 December

Day 14 | Saturday 7 December

Mongar - Trashigang

Samdrubjongkhar – Guwahati

Trashigang is not to be missed and certainly not

We know you won’t want to leave, but you’ve just

our hotel that night, with spectacular views all

completed a journey you will never forget.

around, including the remarkable Trashigang Dzong, recently renovated (see cover photo).

It’s not too far into India to Guwahati where we’ll pick up the plane from Paro and continue on into

On the way, we’ll explore Yadi Village. Google

Bangkok – with memory cards full of photographs

Maps this place and check it out in satellite view -

and our souls full of Bhutanese memories!

it’s a quaint little town and looks even better from a distance when shot from the road.

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

In Trashigang, we’ll visit the dzong before making our way up the hill to our hotel for the night.

Day 13 | Friday 6 December Trashigang – Samdrubjongkhar Wake up early because the views could be spectacular!

We’re on the homeward trail now, but there’s still some great little villages to stop in on our drive towards the Indian border and we’ll overnight in Samdrubjongkhar.

Photograph by David Oliver

Traditional attire Photographed in Jakar Dzong, Bumthang

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

How Do You Like To Learn?

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Everyone has different ways of learning. For some,

to do is ask. Importantly, you will never be made

it is sitting back and watching an expert at work,

to feel silly because you asked a basic question -

noting how he or she positions and uses the

chances are others in the group don’t know the

camera, reacts to the light and the weather, or

answer either!

interacts with people and wildlife to achieve the best posing and expression.

Peter and David will be shooting as well. They are just as passionate as you are about photography.

Others like to be given suggestions, to understand

They also feel it is important to practice what they

what the experts are seeing and thinking, and

preach and to show participants what they have

then left to experiment and discover on their own.

captured as the tour/workshop progresses.

They are looking for guidance, but not too much.

However, Peter and David are very aware that And yet other photographers like to be shown

their primary role is to act as your instructor and

how to find the photograph, how to compose

guide. And they want you to return on other

the image and what camera settings are required.

workshops and trips, which you will only do if you

They want help with their camera controls

are happy.

and detailed instructions on how to frame and compose.

So, please don’t be shy to ask for help at any time and it will be cheerfully provided with a smile!

Different photographers at different stages require different levels of assistance and that’s fine! We provide all three levels of interaction, all you have Photograph by Peter Eastway

Phobjikha Valley Bring your telephoto with you for landscapes.

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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

learning just as much as everyone else.

photographer to come on this expedition and you can choose as much or as little photography

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

education as you like.

encouraging environment. I’ve been doing this long enough that I don’t need my ego stroked.

On trips like this in the past, we have had all levels of photographers attending, from seasoned

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

professionals wanting to refine their skills, to

photographers capture great photos - my reward

newcomers who need assistance with basic

is seeing the expression on their face when they

camera settings.

nail a top shot.”

We actually like a range of photographers to

And David said that Peter lied about not needing

attend. The more experienced participants

his ego stroked.

invariably help the newcomers, and the newcomers give all of us new ideas we’ve never

“Please pay him a compliment every now and

thought about!

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

“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 Photograph by Peter Eastway

Young Monk Dancer Long exposures can create great effects

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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

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

photography tour. If you can bushwalk in Australia

stay with the vehicles and/or the guides will be

along well maintained tracks, you should have no

happy to arrange an alternative activity. You won’t

trouble on this trip.

be left on your own!

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 is really only one main walk 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.

Photograph by David Oliver

Religious Rituals Found in a home temple in Tshankha

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

Bring Your Partner This trip is as much about being a traveller as it is

So, if you feel you need to convince your partner

about being a photographer. Yes, the focus will be

that they will enjoy themselves without a camera,

on photography, but that doesn’t mean you have

we don’t think you will have much convincing.

to be a photographer to enjoy it.

The Bhutan trip is a smorgasbord of experiences However, the itinerary is all about photography,

that everyone will appreciate, whether they have a

so there will be some early mornings and late

camera in hand or not.

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.

Photograph by Peter Eastway

Monk Playing Horn There is a wealth of detail if you just look

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

Peter Eastway G.M. Photog., MNZIPP, Hon FAIPP, HFNZIPP, FAIPP

photography competitions, both as a judge and as an active participant. He judges and speaks

Sydney-based photographer Peter Eastway

internationally on a regular basis.

is a Grand Master of Photography and a two time winner of the AIPP Australian Professional

Peter’s work has been published internationally

Photographer of the Year. Known best for his

in photography and travel magazines, and he

landscape and travel photography, he has worked

was also the author of the Lonely Planet’s Guide

in most areas of the profession and also loves

to Landscape Photography. His photography has

sport, studio still life, portraiture and wildlife.

featured on the cover of the Lonely Planet’s guide to Australia, an Australian postage stamp, in

Peter is the editor and publisher of Better

articles in the Qantas inflight magazine, and in an

Photography magazine and website, a position

Apple television commercial. And he has worked

that has given him special access to many of

with Phase One researching and promoting its

the world’s leading photographers over the past

Capture One raw processing software, and with

30 years. His ability to communicate both the

Adobe on its Lightroom software.

technical and aesthetic sides of photography makes him a sought after speaker on the

In 2015 he featured in the National Geographic

international circuit.

Channel’s Tales By Light six-part photography series produced in partnership with Canon. It is

Peter was the chairman of the Canon AIPP

currently playing on Netflix. He is familiar with

Australian Professional Photography Awards for

Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and Phase One camera

many years and is still involved in all aspects of

systems.

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

David Oliver G. M. Photog., FAIPP 31 A Nikon Ambassador with over 30 years as

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

one of Sydney’s leading wedding and portrait

organisation in Rwanda, and has been a speaker

photographers, David Oliver has a passion for

and workshop leader all around the world. He

photographing life and the landscape as he finds

works mainly in black and white for his personal

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

work, but is very comfortable with colour

to photography and capturing the decisive

compositions.

moment, you will learn from David a fresh and responsive style of photography where in-camera

David is a Fellow of the AIPP and a Grand Master

technique is incredibly important.

of Photography. He spends half his time at his property in the Lower Hunter Valley farmlands

Over the years, David developed a keen attention

near Gresford, working from his studio in Pennant

to gesture and nuance learned from posing

Hills as little as possible. What a life!

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

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

Camera Equipment For The Expedition

Checklist

Peter and David are not equipment snobs! Yes,

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DSLR or CSC camera recommended

they use professional equipment, but that’s their

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Standard zoom - covers everything (but you might

Here’s an incomplete list of some of the things you may need.

Recommended Camera Stuff leave this behind if you bring the next 4 lenses)

full time job.

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Wide-angles - as wide as you have for interiors

So, whether you turn up with the latest DSLR or

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

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

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

really doesn’t matter. However, there are some

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Telephoto zoom - 100-400mm is not too long

lenses and accessories that will certainly help you

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Spare camera battery & battery charger

capture a wider range of photographs.

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Backpack style camera bag

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Tripod (with a quick release plate)

We do recommend you bring everything you

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Plenty of storage cards for your camera

think you might need, but not so much you

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Polarising filter

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

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Neutral density filters (0.9x, 4.0x optional)

equipment behind in the hotel or car at any time.

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Card reader and cable if necessary

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Laptop computer (Mac or PC)

And think about working quickly. While there are

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External back-up drives

some great landscapes, this trip is more about

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Photoshop, Lightroom, or Capture One

capturing moments and working hand-held.

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Mouse or stylus/tablet

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Hat, sunscreen

Photograph by Peter Eastway

Monk In Debating School There are many opportunities for portraits

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

GENERAL INFORMATION Local Guide Leader – Namgay

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Namgay started working as a tour guide in 2004, after graduating from Bhutan’s Sherubtse College. He grew up in Tshangkha 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 monastery 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 photography. I like taking photos of people and landscapes, and enjoy keeping an eye out for photo opportunities for other photographers. Apart from photography, I enjoy helping guests experience the cultures

and traditions that make Bhutan unique from the other parts of the world.”

insurance, which we recommend you take at the time of paying your deposit.

Namgay is the owner and head guide of Illuminating Tours.

Participants without adequate insurance cover will be asked to arrange cover immediately before commencing their trip - this can be very difficult and expensive to arrange locally.

Driving across Bhutan We will be travelling on roads along rugged and mountainous terrain that limits car speeds in many areas 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 opportunities for great conversations. Bhutan is truly spectacular and beautiful to drive across.

Passport Well before travelling, please ensure that you have a current passport, with an accurate 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.

Insurance You must have comprehensive travel

Your policy MUST cover evacuation by helicopter 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 familiarise 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 emergency assistance.

You should also bring along the travel insurance information booklet provided

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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.

Visas All 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.

Vaccinations Vaccinations 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, vaccinations 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 inoculations require more than one visit and can take several weeks to administer the full course.

For travellers from Australia and New Zealand, we suggest Travel Doctor-TMVC clinics to obtain the most up-to-date advice on health risks and vaccinations (see www.traveldoctor.com.au for locations 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 recommendations), but can still access the following link for information: www.traveldoctor. com.au

Clothing Bhutan 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 information The 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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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 36

These terms and conditions relate to the photography tours and workshops organised 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 kim@betterphotography.com, 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 8 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.

PRICE Bhutan 2019: US $8,490 23 November – 7 December 2019 The price includes the following: • Return flights from Bangkok to Paro with Druk Air, including taxes • Accommodation in clean, comfortable 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 • Travel insurance (compulsory) • Alcoholic drinks and your own snacks • Optional activities during free time • Tips and items of a personal nature You may need to arrange a night’s accommodation in Bangkok at both the beginning 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 with booking US $995 • Balance due by 15 September 2019 Please do not book your flights until you have been informed we have the minimum number of guests to proceed.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS Should you wish to cancel your booking, you must advise us in writing (email is fine). We try to have a fair refund policy that works for both you and us: • Deposits are refundable, up to 90 days prior to the event. If you don’t request a refund of your deposit 90

days out or longer, we will assume you wish to come and the full balance is payable.

• if you are cancelling more than 90 days from the workshop date, we will refund your deposit in full; • if the workshop is not full and, after your cancellation within 90 days, we still have the minimum number of bookings to run, we will refund your deposit in full; • if the workshop is full, and we have turned away other customers, and you are cancelling within 90 days of the workshop date, we won’t refund you unless your place is filled by someone else; • if after you cancel your booking the workshop numbers fall below the minimum number required to run, and you are cancelling within 90 days, we won’t refund you.

No part refunds are made for unused portions or services of a workshop.

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 transportation services and any other circumstances

Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

beyond our 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 REQUIREMENTS The 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 careful 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 LIABILITY As we are a small company, we are not in a position to insure your travel arrangements with Illuminating Tours. If Illuminating 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.

RESPONSIBILITY The responsibility of Pt78 is strictly limited. 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/workshop, 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 limited 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 or local 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 workshop 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 governed in all respects by and interpreted in accordance with the law within New South Wales, Australia.

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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Bhutan with Peter Eastway & David Oliver

AWAY PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

Magical Bhutan From West to East

With Peter Eastway & David Oliver

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23 November – 7 December 2019

For more information and bookings, contact Peter Eastway at eastway@betterphotography.com Or Kim Valenti - kim@betterphotography.com