VIETNAM IN FOCUS PHOTO TOURS AND WORKSHOPS
Northern Horizons is a photographer s adventure through beautiful Northern Vietnam. It takes you on an unforgettable journey, from Vietnam s bustling capital of Hanoi to the country s spectacular northern regions of Ha Giang and Ba Be National Park. We enjoy a special photographic exploration of Hanoi s Old Quarter before heading north for a minibus trip through Ha Giang s incredible rocky plateau, with lunar landscapes and tribal cultures unique to this part of the world. Along the way, we ll experience homestays with the extremely hospitable people of the Red Dzao and Tay ethnic minorities; a night at Auberge de Meo Vac, a H mong fort restored as a charming mountain resort; and a day and two nights in gorgeous Ba Be National Park, relaxing at a stilt house on the edge of a tranquil lake. We end the adventure with a trip by luxury junk in Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bay, giving us both a chance to kick back and capture some stunning seascapes at this World Heritage listed destination. This is a premium photographic adventure, and we ll enjoy the best accommodation available in the region, from stylish bamboo eco-lodges to mountain resorts and restored H mong forts. We ll also taste the most delicious cuisine in a part of the world already renowned for its culinary excellence. We travel by spacious and comfortable minibus, with an extra vehicle to transport our luggage between accommodation. At the same time, our close connection to the people of this region, local friendships and many years of experience give us unparalelled access to the authentic life of the ethnic minorities and the area s most stunning vistas. As working photographers and journalists, with many years of teaching experience, we provide you unique insights and knowledge about Vietnam and photographic storytelling.
ITINERARY Day 1 of Northern Horizons Airport pick-up and hotel check-in. In the evening we enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at a specialty Vietnamese restaurant in the Old Quarter. Overnight at our boutique hotel in the Old Quarter. Day 2 of Northern Horizons - Hanoi Walking Tour Next morning we start early for a special Hanoi photo tour, with an overview of photography essentials such as settings and composition. The 4 hour walking tour takes in the best of our acclaimed Hanoi tours, including Long Bien Sunrise, On the Tracks and Hanoi Encounter. In the afternoon, we head to the fascinating Museum of Ethnology for an insight into the minority cultures we ll be encountering over the next week. Overnight at our boutique hotel in the Old Quarter. Day 3 of Northern Horizons - Ha Giang We board our minibus for Ha Giang in the morning, and have lunch en route. After passing through Ha Giang town, we head for the mountains and our Red Dzao ethnic minority-run eco-lodge in Nam Dam village. Sustainable tourism here has been developed with the support of international NGO Caritas, and our stay makes a meaningful contribution to the lives of all in the community. Afternoon at Nam Dam gives us time for a short sunset trek and photo-shoot in the stunning countryside surrounding the homestay. Dinner and overnight at Nam Dam.
Day 4 of Northern Horizons - Nam Dam / Yen Minh / Dong Van An early start, and the road now takes us from the lush valleys of Quan Ba up into the incredible Dong Van Rocky Plateau. Views of pine-forested mountain and deep gorges give way to the awe-inspiring lunar landscapes for which Ha Giang is famous. Our journey also allows us many encounters with the colourful ethnic minorities inhabiting this region, including H mong, Hoa and Dzao. Overnight in the frontier town of Dong Van. Day 5 of Northern Horizons - Dong Van / Meo Vac. We head out the next morning for the short, jaw-dropping journey through the clouds across the Ma Pi Lan pass, perhaps South-East Asia s most spectacular road. Our early arrival in Meo Vac means time for a photo-shoot at Meo Vac s bustling ethnic minority market. The focus here is on portraiture. After lunch, we check in to Auberge de Meo Vac, an old H mong fort now restored as a luxury eco-resort. We trek to local bee-keeping hives and a H mong minority village in the afternoon, witnessing rural life as it has been lived here unchanged for many generations. Overnight at Auberge de Meo Vac. Day 6 of Northern Horizons - Meo Vac / Bao Lac In the morning, we take some time out at the Auberge for editing and feedback on our photos before hitting the trail after lunch. The mountainous road out of Meo Vac winds in hairpins along the Chinese border, taking us down into the fertile valleys near Bao Lac. Along the way, we encounter many locals working in the fields and paddies with their buffalo, giving us opportunities to photograph their daily lives up close. Overnight at our hotel in Bao Lac.
Day 7 of Northern Horizons - Bao Lac / Ba Be Lake The back road from Bao Lac to Ba Be Lake takes us through some of the most stunning rural scenery in Vietnam. Descending from the mountainous borderlands, we glide past bright green paddy terraces and cascading waterfalls. On this part of the trip, we look at more advanced types of landscape photography such as HDR (High Dynamic Range). The final stretch into Ba Be National Park brings us into a verdant valley, and face to face with the limestone mountain lakes that give this area its name. Overnight with our Tay minority friends at their homestay on the shore of Ba Be Lake. Day 8 of Northern Horizons Ba Be Lake We have a full day to explore and enjoy the lush area around Ba Be, with a guided boat trip around the enormous lake, including visits to a waterfall and cave, as well as time for swimming before lunch. In the afternoon, we can discover the stilt house villages and streams nearby on foot, or relax in hammocks at the homestay. Before dinner, we take time to finalize and edit our picture choice from the tour so far. Overnight at the homestay.
Day 9 of Northern Horizons Ba Be / Hanoi After breakfast, we hit the road back to Hanoi, returning to the capital in late afternoon. We have a farewell dinner, and flights home may depart that night or the next day. For those who wish to stay another half-day or day in Hanoi, excursions to any of the Ceramic, Silk or Bamboo craft villages around the city can be organized. Day 10 of Northern Horizons - Hanoi / Ha Long Bay We climb aboard our minibus in the morning for the trip to Ha Long, arriving at the bay for a delicious seafood lunch on our luxury junk. The afternoon is spent cruising amidst the forested islands of this World Heritage site, refining our technique in landscape photography. We then have the chance to go kayaking in the natural lagoons of Cat Ba National Park, before a swim near the boat. Sunset sees us atop the deck of our junk, capturing shots of the incredible scenery before dinner. Day 11 of Northern Horizons Ha Long Bay / Hanoi A sunrise start brings us to Cuu Van floating village, where we capture fishermen and women starting their work for the day. Our focus here is on portraiture and relationship shots in the dawn light. We return to our boat to enjoy the rest of the journey through the bay, and to complete editing of our Ha Long picture stories. Our boat docks in Ha Long at lunchtime, and we head back to Hanoi, arriving at our hotel at 4 pm. Dinner in the Old Quarter and Hanoi by Night tour. Day 12 of Northern Horizons Hanoi Our last morning together means a final photo editing session, followed by picture story presentations and farewell lunch. We then have a free afternoon in Hanoi, according to flight times. Airport drop-off.
Tour Dates October 20th 31st 2018 Recommended Photography Equipment Digital camera Selections of lens Cable release Tripod Memory cards ND Graduated filters Laptop/tablet Storage device Included All transportation All accommodation during the tour All meals All non-alcoholic drinks All tickets and permits for sightseeing Excluded International flights Participants' travel insurance Participants visas
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