Photo trip Proposal: Madagascar - Circuit West The West coast is the home of many species of orchids and endemic plants, lemurs, frogs, chameleons, geckos but above all it is also home for the stunning baobabs and unearthly landscape of the Tsingy. Less known is that its tranquil and warm waters are welcoming colonies of whales just like the east coast of Madagascar. This trip will give you the opportunity to learn more about photography, interact with the local children and to experience the culture that this beautiful country has to bring! During this trip you get the unique opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade of Photography from Anthony Asael, the founder and executive director of AiA and a spectacular renowned photographer who has had over sixty expositions in ten countries. Anthony has traveled around the world extensively and has been living in Madagascar for over a year and knows the country very well. Places : Antananarivo Antsirabe Betafo - Tsiribinha river - Tsingy de Bemarah Baobab Alley Morondava Nosy Be
Travel with Art in All of Us Myanmar-Mexico-Guatemala-Brazil-Chile-Ecuador-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand-Russia-North Korea- China-Cambodia-Congo-Indonesia-Bangladesh-Madagascar-Kenya-Uzbekistan-Colombia-Eritrea- Venezuela-Tajikistan-Turkmenistan-Israel-Lebanon-Iceland-Turkey-Rwanda-Yemen-Azerbaijan- Malaysia Learn more about photography differently Travel to off beaten tracks Interact with the local children and Experience the beauty of a local culture and nature. I learned much more in 2 weeks than in 2 years of studying photography. Nadine, USA Best travel experience in 15 years Benoit, France Travelling and learning with Anthony is a mixture of passion and creativity Miriam, Brazil "We are used to travel a lot, but with Anthony we discovered so many unique places that we would never have known without him. Furthermore, he has a beautiful relationship with local people. He is full of added value!" Isabelle, Belgium I took several photo tours with AiA. Having already excellent technical knowledge and taking astroand nature photography since over 20 years, Anthony taught me the more human and relational approach of photography. Photography with Anthony is always an overwhelming experience and a therapy for me. Marc, Madagascar
Why come on photo tour with us? What better way to perfect your photography than on an unforgettable holiday, surrounded by amazing people as part of a small, private group of similarly inspired photographers! No more groans from uninterested fellow-travelers who just want to keep moving: you'll be feeding off each others creativity, trying different skills, making great friends and borrowing gear - all the while under expert and enthusiastic guidance of a professional photographer there to help YOU get to all the most photogenic locations, at the best time of year, use the right settings, and capture your own stunning collection of wall-hanging memories! Travelling alone? Partner not into photography? Am I too amateur? Why come with us? Over the years of running our photo tour, we've listened to your initial concerns and have done our best to put you at ease. If you travelled with us before, you'd already know why you'd want to come back with us on another one, and our repeat guest rate speaks for itself - we've had some people try to book on every single safari we offer, and we've had entire safaris sell-out solely with repeat customers. But if you're a newcomer, then let s be objective: We might not be the cheapest operator, but we pride ourselves on providing not only the best value, but the best experience. For example, for several of our photo tour destinations, while other photo tour operators will book you a spot on a busy scenic boat cruise for say an afternoon's activity, we'll privately charter the whole boat, relaxing the pace, giving you plenty of space, modifying the route specifically to visit photogenic locations, and only moving on when we've all got the shot - rather than you trying to snap some photos amongst other jostling, impatient tourists before the boat rushes ever on. We keep our groups small and personal so there's plenty of time for relaxed 1 to 1 help, and no queues for the best locations. We're a Belgian non for profit organization and therefore by participating you will help and support Art in All of Us as all benefits will be given to AiA creative programs in schools around the world. During each tour, we will visit also one or more of AiA schools and organized photo games with children. Often it is the best memories of the photo tour. Anthony Asael will lead the tour. He is the founder and executive director of Art in All of Us and an international award winning photographer who has had over 80 expositions in ten countries. He has travelled to each one of the 192 countries of the world and also organized creativity photo workshops in schools in each one of them. During the entire trip, photography session will be given by Anthony. He adapts himself to the exact level of the participants and helps them to enhance their technical level and creative photographical perspective. He will be also reviewing your photos with you to check settings, helping out with composition ideas.
Day 1 : 1 st of August Antananarivo (Tana) You arrive late in the evening in Tana. We pick you up at the airport and bring you to your hotel (or at home?). Day 2: 2 nd of August Tana Breakfast and first visit of beautiful Tana with visit of Queen Palace and high hills and its secrets Option for the afternoon: - Visit of Ivandry neighborhood through the ricefields -Trek on hills close to Tana with spectacular views - visit of colorful markets -free to visit on your own Malagsy Diner at home (with chilean wine ;-) Day 3: 3 rd of August Betafo-Antsirabe Early Departure for the Monday market of Betafo. Beautiful road with many ricefields and tropical vegetation and photographic opportunities. On Monday, we will visit the most beautiful market of Madagascar in Betafo (20km from Antsirabe). Very typical and friendly and fortunately very few people know about it. Antsirabe is a charming little town, known to be also the coldest of the island as it lies on the highlands. It is also the town of the artists and you will be able to visit many artisan shops showing how one can be creative with his own hands. Trekking options are also unlimited in the region and will be on your program.
Day 4: 4 th of August Antsirabe We will also organize a visit of an orphanage and organize local AiA activities there in the afternoon. Day 5: 5 th of August Antsirabe- Miandrivazo
We will travel to Miandrivazo after lunch to get ready for the dugout trip Day 6, 7, 8: 6-8 th of August Tsiribinha river On day 6, 7 and 8, you will get the opportunity to experience the infamous Tsiribinha river, it cuts its way through the rugged mountains, that in places tower 600 meters above you. View a range of birdlife and many species of large chameleons, all by the riverbank. Drifting leisurely down the Tsiribihina River remains a Zen experience. The air is silent except for the plunk of the local piroguier s paddle splashing against the dark curtain of water. Lemurs hop from treetop to treetop and fish swim alongside your boat. Floating down the 146km stretch of river allows you to experience Madagascar from a new perspective; you have access to areas so remote they can only be reached by boat. The scenery is beautiful and varied, and the route takes you through the striking Tsiribihina Gorge and past stretches of deciduous forest. Day 8-10 : 8-10 th of August Tsingy de Bemarah At our arrival at the small local pier our 4x4 will be waiting for us for a long journey towards Bekopaka, the gateway for the Tsingy de Bemaraha, UNESCO World Heritage Site, a pure natural marvel. Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve comprises karstic landscapes and limestone uplands cut into impressive 'tsingy' peaks and a 'forest' of limestone needles, the spectacular canyon of the Manambolo river, rolling hills and high peaks. The undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are the habitat for rare and endangered lemurs and birds.
Day 11-12: 11-12 th of August Allée des Baobabs-Morondava Some tourists come to Madagascar only to see the stunning Baobab Alley. It is indeed one of the highlights of any trip in the country. You will arrive before sunset and enjoy this extraordinary photography moment. The laidback atmosphere of Morondava is felt all over the city. The local market is full of colors and with Vezo culture influences. A usual exploration of the city starts normally at the airport, whose name, Anstakoameloky, has a weard origin and means "angry tree" (apparently an European pilot could not manage well the landing of his aircraft and crashed onto a tree, that was awaken to life and reacted in an aggrieved manner...). While we approach the city centre we pass through the boroughs of Tsimavao Bet and Tsimavao Kely with the same colorful atmosphere, ricefields and sea breeze. Seafood fireworks will certainly be on the menu during those days on the coast Day 13-18 : 13-18th of February Tana-Nosy-Be-Tana We will transit back to the capital before leaving to the beautiful island of Nosy Be. You will be able to rest for 4 full days and leisure. Many activities can be organized on the tropical island: Diving, snorkeling, trekking, quad, national park with lemurs. Or just resting and reading on the white sand beach,. We will also organize also one full day of whales watching. If you are lucky, you will be able even to snorkel with them
Day 19: 19 th of August Early departure back to Europe www.artinallofus.org
Conditions The price of the trip is of 4390 Euros/pp all included (see below) for 19 days based on 4 people. Accommodation are middle standard and always in a clean, comfortable environment giving preference to small, charming and ethical boutique hotels over large hotel chains. Price includes accommodation, 3 meals/day (except in Nosy-Be), car + driver, and entrances for National Parks, taxes, local transportation, local guides, photo classes, and 3 local flights. Price does not include international flight, personal expenses, alcohol, insurance, tips, and optional activities not mentioned in the description like diving trips. The itinerary of the trip and dates could be changed with consultation of all the participants if for reasons beyond our control an activity should be canceled. 50% of the price shall be paid at the inscription and 50% 1 month before the start of the trip. Cancellation Policy: Reservations that are cancelled, reduced in length of stay or numbers (rooms and persons) hereinafter collectively called a CANCELLATION are subject to fees as follows: Between 101-200 days of the arrival date, the cancellation fee is 15% of the applicable rate Between 45-100 days of the arrival date, the cancellation fee is 25% of the applicable rate Between 32-44 days of the arrival date, the cancellation fee is 50% of the applicable rate Between 0-31 days of arrival date, the cancellation fee is 100% of the applicable rate Cancellation will be charged a handling fee of 10% on amount received
FAQ Ok, great, but why Anthony? Anthony has travelled to each one of the 192 countries of the world and also organized creativity photo workshops in schools in each one of them. Photography, travelling and teaching are his passion. He works only with small groups and adapts himself to the exact level of the participants and helps them to enhance their technical level and creative photographical perspective. Anthony has also developed a very easy-going, practical approach to photography that helps encourage and reassure people that photography really isn't about graphs, calculations and concerns. I Anthony is also a travel encyclopedia and you enjoy his travel tips and stories during all your holidays. And why Art in All of Us? Art in All of Us is a Belgian non for profit organization and therefore by participating you will help and support as all benefits will be given to AiA creative programs in schools around the world. During each tour, we will visit also one or more of AiA schools and organized photo games with children. Often it is the best memories of the photo tour. I am not into photography, will I enjoy? Yes! It really doesn't matter if you're going to a place like say Kenya or Brazil to take photos, or as a holiday - in the end, it's all about experiencing beautiful local encounters, finding and getting as close as you can to as many of the amazing wildlife species as possible, experiencing the local food and culture, admiring the landscapes, breathing the fresh air, and enjoying the whole unforgettable experience with a small group of soon-to-be (if not already) friends. Whether or not you shove a camera in front of your face doesn't really change this. We've had many 'non-photographers' come on our tours, enjoying the landscape and some unforgettable human encounters, and by the end of the trip many of them do start picking up a camera (or borrowing one of ours) and start getting excited about the photographs too! I don't know what to pack!? For each of our tours, we've carefully prepared a detailed information document covering everything from what to bring (in terms of camera gear, clothes, what type of power plug, etc), what currency they use, what the climate is like, language tips and plenty of other information to help answer all your questions! What level do I need in photography? No specific level is needed as Anthony will adapt to the exact level of each participant. He will work on a one to one basis with each person of the group. Only working with small groups permits this approach. What will I learn? During the trip we will have plenty of time to practice dozens of techniques and also to listen to photographic explanations. The workshop offers personal treatment, and is suitable for both those who are merely curious about photography as well as those professionals who wish to go more in depth into landscape or portraiture photography. We will shape our courses in function of your requirements. Some of the subjects we will look at in these theory/practice sessions are:
Digital photography: basic and advanced concepts. Appropriate material for wildlife photography. The exposure and shot. Posterior processing using software. Photography, landscape and light. Photographic composition. Macrophotography. Making photographic features. Manual Modes I have compared with other tours and looks like that you are more expensive? We did the same work. We compared ourselves to tens of other photo tours. And we found out that we are not. We might even one of the cheapest and certainly the best value. If you compare to regular tour operators holiday makers (with no photo tour), we are most of the time (and amazingly not always) more expensive. However it is important to compare same services and same itineraries. AiA tours goes most of time off beaten track letting you experience things that you would not with other tours. AiA also include everything inside its tours, except the international travel. Many tours, would not include meals or entrance to National Parks for example. Furthermore, Anthony s photography courses rate is zero, as he is donating his time fully to Art in All of Us. You will have his full availability before, during and after the tour. Those are important points to consider when comparing tours What does the price include? Price includes accommodation, 3 meals/day, car + driver, and entrances for National Parks, taxes, local transportation, local guides, photo classes, and local flights. What does the price not include? Price does not include international flight, personal expenses, alcohol, insurance, departure tax, tips, and optional activities not mentioned in the description. Any other questions? Just ask us! We're always very happy to hear from you: info@artinallofus.org