PHOTO TOURS

HOT ROD HORSES AND DANCING MONKS
PHOTO TOUR | 2020 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Accepting applications now, maximum 10 participants.
Email me for more details.

А guided photographic pilgrimage to some of Asia’s most spectacular festivals: the Tibetan nomad horse and Buddhist temple festivals that only take place once a year deep inside a seldom-visited region of China’s Sichuan Province, in the heart of the eastern spur of the Himalayan massif. These festivals are breathtakingly photogenic and I will personally guide you through all their highlights.

This is a unique opportunity to get up close to the fast‑disappearing Tibetan culture, a traditional lifestyle little changed across the centuries, and photograph it in‑depth right in the thick of it.

In the summer of 2020 I will accompany a maximum of 10 participants on this photographic journey to a part of the world that few people will ever get to witness. At an average altitude of 3,000-4,500 meters (10,000 – 15,000 feet), with passes exceeding 5000 meters (16,500’), this is a tour for those who savour adventure.

There are photographic opportunities aplenty, and we will take our time to explore these, so please, only serious photographers should contemplate joining this tour. I also will be offering shooting advice based on my more than 25 years as a professional photographer. You will certainly return a much better photographer than when you left home.

PROVISIONAL TOUR SCHEDULE

Day 1 | Chengdu (elevation 500 meters – 1600ft)
All participants gather in the city of Chengdu for the first night.

Day 2 | Travel to Danba (elevation 2000 meters – 6500ft)
Danba is known for its centuries old enigmatic stone watchtowers.

Day 3 | Travel to Tagong, over night in town. (3000 meters – 9800ft)
Tagong town is situated on the edge of beautiful grasslands.

Day 4 | Shamalong Horse race festival, overnight in Tagong
The first festival of the tour; nomads and horses showcase their skills.

Day 5 | Shamalong festival, over night in Tagong
The second day of the festival; more nomads and horses plus singing and dancing.

Day 6 | Tagong grasslands
We move to our accommodation in the grasslands.

Day 7 | Tagong Temple festival – main day, overnight Tagong grasslands
The second festival; masked temple dances

Day 8 | Tagong Temple Festival
Horse blessing at Tagong Temple, unveiling of Big Thanka, overnight Dawu

Day 9 | Drive to Ganzi
Temples and beautiful scenery.

Day 10 | Drive to Derge (3180 meters – 10400 ft)
Stunning scenery leading up to the Cho La mountain pass (5000 meters – 16000 ft)

Day 11 | Visit the Derge printing house followed by drive to Baiyu
One of the three most holy places in Tibetan Buddhism.

Day 12 | Baiyu to Litang (4100 meters – 13400 ft)
A long drive, old temples on the way

Day 13 | Litang Horse Festival
The third and final festival of the tour, a true feast for the senses.

Day 14 | Litang Horse Festival
The second day at this horse festival.

Day 15 | to Kangding (2600 meters)
The return journey to Chengdu begins.

Day 16 | to Chengdu
The tour ends with the last night in a Chengdu hotel.

INTERESTED IN JOINING THIS UNIQUE AND EXCITING PHOTO TOUR?

Send me an email request for more information and I will send you a full color pdf brochure with many more details of the tour, costs, inclusions and of course photographs. Remember, I’m only taking a maximum of 10 participants on my HOT ROD HORSES AND DANCING MONKS PHOTO TOUR so if you think this might be something for you, request more information right now by using this EMAIL FORM.