EVEREST FALL COLOR

Whytake & Marc Adamus

2nd - 18th October 2015

US$12000 ($4000 deposit)

Join Marc Adamus and WHYTAKE cofounders Alister Benn and Juanli Sun on the Ultimate Tibet Photography Tour, trekking into the remote and unforgettable Kharta Valley - surrounded by the worlds highest mountains; Makalu, Lhotse and Everest.

MAKALU (27.766 ft)

whytake

About Us

Whytake Limited was founded in 2011 by Alister Benn, Juanli Sun, Rafael Rojas and Anca Minican, who shared a dream of creating a truly Global Community of Nature Photographers that achieved a number of key goals.

1: To attract the best nature photographs in the world to inspire other photographers and the general public to fully appreciate the natural world - our most precious gift.

2: To create a platform for nature photographers to connect with like-minded people and subscribe to their work and output.

3: Deliver a searchable database of photographers, their images and products & services.

Marc Adamus is one of those like-minded people.

A photographer and humanitarian whose core-values mirror those of Whytake, Marc has been a much-valued supporter and advocate of the mission Whytake is undertaking.

This Expedition to Tibet is the first of these rare events - a collaboration between Whytake and master photographer who both inspire others and care passionately for our environment.

Join Whytake & Marc Adamus in Tibet - The Third Pole.

http://whytake.net/inspire

Incredible Photo Instruction

Marc Adamus needs no introduction, and is without doubt one of the worlds greatest landscape photographers.

Whytake co-founder Alister Benn is an award winning landscape photographer and author of numerous instructional ebooks on Night & Landscape Photography. He and his wife Juanli Sun lived in the Tibetan Regions for nearly a decade and have extensive experience at high altitudes.

Juanli Sun is also one of the co-founders of Whytake and as a native Chinese speaker is an essential part of our logistical team for this expedition. She is also an accomplished landscape photographer in her own right and has vast experience of Tibetan travel.

A Unique Opportunity

Very few overseas people have ever been into the Kharta Valley and none of them on a dedicated landscape photography expedition.

We have the experience, knowledge and logistical support to get you into one of the most spectacular and unique landscapes in the world.

Where else can you photograph the worlds highest mountains, including 3 over 8000m juxtaposed with peak fall colors, crystal clear alpine lakes and glacial rivers?

This is not the tourist route to Everest Base Camp - this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Meticulous Attention to Detail

Marc is a veteran of hundreds of landscape photography workshops and has an ethos of excellence. When we met in Scotland to discuss this trip, it became immediately clear that the three of us shared those core professional values.

Alister & Juanli have travelled and led clients to over 5000m and high altitude expeditions demand an awareness of circumstances and personal boundaries like nowhere else on earth.

This expedition aims to deliver you and your gear to the heart of the Himalaya, make you as comfortable as possible and keep you well fed and watered. The rest is up to you...

MARC ADAMUS ALISTER BENN JUANLI SUN

Expedition Highlights

Kharta Valley

The Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Beijing - In the evening we will meet and share a dinner together to discuss the trip ahead.

Day 2: Fly to Lhasa - From the airport it takes about 45 minutes to Lhasa (3650 m/12,000 ft). After checking in at the hotel, you are advised to rest and take it easy.

Drinking plenty of fluids and letting your body get used to Lhasas high altitude is an important part of the trip.

Note: There is no fixed program arranged for today except drinking tea, coffee, eating cake and other Tibetan speciality cuisine.

Day 3: Lhasa - Plenty of time for leisurely walks around the main sites in Lhasa. Again, we have no fixed itinerary for today as it is most important to acclimatize and drink lots of fluids, especially the local tea.

The better we rest at this stage the better we will be for the more strenuous trekking stages.

Day 4: Drive to Shigatse (3900m/12,795 ft) - Our first day on the road is relatively short, making our way down a broad river valley overshadowed by 5000m peaks.

Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and another cultural feast with great architecture, diverse food and culture.

lhasa life

Day 6: Drive to Shegar (4050m/13,287ft) - Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscapes and passing the small towns of Lhatse and the Gyamtso La pass at 5220m/17,175ft.

As the route opens into plateau, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible.

Day 7: Drive to Kharta (3690m/12,106ft) - 6 miles past the town of Shegar, we leave the main highway and head south towards the Everest region. From the top of Pang La (5150m/16,896ft) we may get excellent views of Everest and the surrounding mountains.

These high passes en route to our trek are ideal aids to acclimatization as they are allowing us to gain height exposure while returning to a more reasonable altitude to sleep.

From the pass we descend to the village of Phadhruchi, where the jeep track divides - the track to the west heads to the Rongbuk Valley, but we head east in to the (Phung Chu) Arun Valley and the village of Kharta - where our trek will begin.

from betweentingri & Kharta

Days 8-15: Trekking (Camp between 4300-4950m) - In order to get you into the most incredible Himalayan landscapes, we will spend 7 nights camping in the remote and incredible Kharta Valley. This is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is unique in that the high alpine valleys are resplendent in fall colors, and it is these, juxtaposed with the worlds highest mountains, which will be our mission for the trip.

The trek will be a full high altitude expedition, with camp kitchen, Yak and Sherpa support.

You are only required to carry a small day sack containing any personal items - the rest will be carried by guides allocated for your assistance. Of course, if you want to carry your own gear, we wont stop you!

The trek will take us up to a high point of around 5390m/17,683ft, but our camps will more typically be between 4300m-4950m/14,107ft-16,240ft.

For full details of fitness levels and the possible effects of altitude, please read the Logistics Section later in this document.

Days 16: Return to Shigatse - After finishing the trek we retrace our route with a last glimpse back to the high peaks.

Day 17: Departures - Transit either direct to the airport for outward flights or back to Lhasa.

Logistics

Road Travel

In recent years, the roads in Tibet have improved immensely. The vast majority of our route is on tarmac, but sections of the side trail into the Kharta valley are still dirt, but nothing to cause any serious problems.

Altitude

This is one of the most often asked questions we get from people wanting to travel to Tibet, and no one considering a trip to this region can ignore thoughts of altitude and some potentially negative side effects that may be experienced.

The tour has been designed to be well within the limits of safe ascent, but it is never clear how any individual will respond to the reduced oxygen levels as we climb higher.

With many years of experience at high altitude in China, Tibet and Nepal our advice to minimise the risks of any acute mountain sickness symptoms is this.

Take it easy - dont push yourself too hard Drink copious amounts of water - c4-6 litres a day Avoid Alcohol - as it accelerates dehydration.

The graph below shows the height of each nights sleep, with the 8 nights of the trekking being over 4000m/13,123ft and up to 4900m/16,076ft.

The highest point we will reach on our main trek is

5390m/17,683ft - although we may venture higher on short forays in search of ultimate compositions.

This can be classed as a high altitude trip, and it is likely that some or all of us will experience some slight symptoms of altitude related health issues.

Having said that, we have been to these altitudes for long periods of time on numerous occasions and have never suffered anything beyond mild nausea or a slight headache.

Due to prolonged periods over 3500m we will be only accepting applicants who are in very good health and physical condition.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, respiratory or heart problems we cannot accept your application.

Our advise to the photographers who join us is this, dont dwell on it, relax, drink plenty of water and enjoy the views. In some ways the experience at high altitude is enhanced due to the occasional out of body sensations that can be felt.

Further details of our health and compulsory insurance requirements can be found in the Terms & Conditions.

Activity Level

This is a very subjective area, but we ask prospective applicants to honestly and objectively assess their ftness levels and abilities.

We will be trekking for 8 days at altitudes between 4000m/13,123ft and 5390m/17,683ft. If you do not have any experience of high altitude activities you need to be aware that you will most likely perform slower and use more energy the higher you go.

To qualify for this expedition you should be capable of a full 8-10 hour day trek on rough trails in the mountains carrying a 10kg/22lb pack. The fitter you are, the better youll enjoy the scenery. Most trekking days fall short of this level, but being capable of that at home should guarantee your ability.

To maximise the photographic opportunities we will be trekking in to the best area, basing ourselves there for a few days to explore in a more liesurely manner and then returning by the same route. There is one high pass to traverse in both directions - the 5390m/17,183ft Langma La.

The majority of the effort will be expanded crossing this obstacle. Yaks and Sherpa will be used to carry the vast majority of equipment, although for safety we recommend you carry your own camera bags and use the sherpa or yak to carry the tripod. We will cover recommended gear upon booking, but please bear in mind youll be carrying it.

This is not a race and there is plenty of time allocated each day to reach the next nights camp. There will be many and frequent opportunities to rest, take plenty of images and consuming snacks and water.

The absolute 100% focus of this expedition is making some incredible images - Marc and Alister will be out often and for prolongued periods, scouting out the best compositions and conditions. We will not be leaving camp until well after the end of the golden hour light and a big breakfast.

Food

Chinese and Tibetan food is excellent, but not always to everybodys taste, and we will do our best to deliver the best we can all the time.

In Beijing, Lhasa and Shigatse a broad choice of food is available, from Chinese, Tibetan, Nepali, Indian and some western food such as Pizza or fried chicken.

On the trek we will have our own cooks with us and will be providing nourishing and hopefully appetizing food for the duration of our time in the mountains.

Appetite can be variable at altitude and some of you may not feel as hungry as you do normally - or you could be unaffected and eat normally.

Typically Pancakes, eggs and beans for breakfast and mixed Chinese vegetables with rice or noodles/pasta for lunch and dinner. To reduce the risk of food poisoning we will almost most certainly keep to a vegetarian diet on the trek, but with a choice of 6 vegetables and 3 fruits available daily.

All meals are included in the price; Breakfast and Dinner will be sit-down meals, lunch may be either a sit down meal or a packed lunch, whatever is available.

We strongly advice packing some of your favourite snack foods with you; energy bars, chocolate, mixed fruit etc. High energy trail mix is the utmost luxury high on the mountain and you should carry it always. A good thermal/thermos cup is also recommended to have a hot drink available all the time.

Logistics - continued

Logistics - continued

Weather

Tibet is a high, dry and windy place, but it does experience the monsoon climate typical to the rest of the Indian Subcontinent, although to a far lesser degree than south of the Himalaya.

By early to mid October the monsoon is easing off and we can expect a lot of clear weather, with cobalt blue skies and pleasantly warm daytime temperatures.

Cloud cover can be variable, but multiple layers of cloud from valley floor to higher on the big peaks can create hugely dynamic photography conditions.

Prolonged rain is unlikely, but on the trek some low wet cloud or even snow are always possible.

Dress for the mountains in late autumn and you wont go wrong - a full packing list will be sent after your place on the trip has been confirmed.

Camera & Electrical Gear

A light, but sturdy tripod would be considered essential, as there will be a strong focus on blue hour, twilight and night photography.

A full range of lenses from wide through to zoom will be useful - well make some recommendations upon booking.

Circular Polarising Filter, ND Filters and cable release are highly recommended

Please bear in mind however, we will be hiking with our gear at heights over 4500m - pack as light as you can: if its not essential, leave it at home.

We cannot be held responsible for gear that is lost or stolen while on the trip. The best solution to avoid this is to carry your camera bag at all times - again, pack light.

There will be no power available for the duration of our trek - we recommend you bring plenty of spare fully charged batteries (at least 6) to avoid running out. Also, a foldable solar charger may be an excellent investment to charge on the go. High altitude sunlight is super efficient and free.

You may also want to bring a small, light laptop and a backup storage device to make sure you have sufficient storage space for your images.

WIFI is widely available on the trip - the exception is once we leave Shegar for the whole duration of the trek, when neither mobiles of wifi will work.

We will carry a satellite phone to cover emergencies.

between camps1 & 2

typical camp

Accommodation

We aim to stay in comfortable and clean 4+star hotels in Beijing, Lhasa and Shigatse. Elsewhere it will be best available.

For 8 nights we will be in tents, one for each person unless you wish to share with a spouse or partner. Please let us know your preference at the time of registration. During the trek toilet facilities will be behind a convenient rock!

Even the hotel accommodation can be variable however; a new, good quality hotel or guest house this year, may deteriorate by next, or conversely, a more basic guest house may be replaced by a new and pleasant alternative.

Participants

With a maximum group size of 10, plus the three leaders, drivers, Tibetan guides, Sherpa and Yaks, the group dynamics are very important.

The expedition is open to photographers of all levels of experience and while it is open to non-photographing spouses or partners paying the full price, we would stress that this is an extremely intensive photographic journey.

We are travelling together through some magnificent areas, but it is not always a picnic, and will often be tough going. If youre not keen on the food, suffer symptoms of altitude sickness, or are heavily attached to home comforts, this may not be the trip for you. There are no iced coffee in the afternoons, or luxurious sheets to curl up in at night.

A willingness to keep going when it gets a bit tough and a smile under pressure are hugely beneficial

to not only the group harmony, but your own enjoyment of this unique experience.

view fromcamp 4

view fromcamp 3

Whats Included

16 nights accommodation, ground transport, internal economy flight from Beijing to Lhasa, all meals as specified, park & scenic area entrance fees, airport transfers, Tibetan Permits, Tents, guides and Sherpa support.

Not Included Sleeping Bag/ Thermal Ground Mat, tips/gratuities for drivers/porters, personal snacks and drinks, passport and/or visa fees, international flights, internal transport in China/Tibet before or after the trip, compulsory travel & medical insurance, phone calls, alcoholic drinks and personal expenses, souvenirs and excess baggage charges.

Baggage

As we are travelling by road or Yak for the majority of the trip, we would urge you to be considerate to the space limitations for carrying baggage in the vehicles.

Ideally, one camera bag, tripod and a 60/80L stuff sack/rucksack should be adequate for the necessary personal belongings and camera gear.

view fromtingri

Terms & Conditions

Liability & Responsibility

Whytake Ltd. is acting as an independent travel agent. The designated tour operator(s), in turn, acts only as an agent for any transportation carrier, hotel, ground operator, or other suppliers of services connected with these tours (other providers), and the other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective services. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger; the carriers are not responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time participants are not aboard their conveyances.

Whytake Ltd. and its designated tour operator and tour administrator shall not be held liable for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such other provider; and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against Whytake Ltd. and/or its designated tour operator and tour administrator for any such loss, damage, injury, or death.

By registering for a Whytake Expedition the participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants.

Whytake Ltd and its designated tour operator reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant. Whytake Ltd and the tour operator reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or

safety of participants. Neither Whytake Ltd, its designated tour operator, nor its tour administrator shall be liable for any air carriers cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket to or from the participants Whytake Expedition departure city. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.

Basis of Rates:

All prices are based on single room occupancy. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars. The rates are based on current tariffs and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge, we reserve the right to do so, and notification will be given at the time of final invoicing.

Eligibility

The minimum age for a participant is 16 years; a parent or guardian must accompany all individuals under the age of 18 at all times.

Whats Included

Accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary; educational materials; predeparture information; entrance fees, excursions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary; ground transportation and internal flights during the tour; transfers to and from group flights where applicable; services of Whytake Ltd experts, lecturers, guides, expedition manager, and any other staff; and taxes, port charges, baggage handling, and service charges.

Not Included

Air transportation and related fees (except as indicated in the itinerary); activities noted as optional in the itinerary; passport and visa expenses; baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone calls, and alcoholic beverages; and any other items not specifically noted as included.

Single/Shared Accommodations

The price is quoted on a single room occupancy basis and there is no discount for voluntary sharing. Please note that in the Shegar Area guesthouses, sharing may be necessary due to a limited availability of rooms.

Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds

To reserve space on this Whytake Expedition, a non refundable deposit of US$4000 per-person is required.

Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Your reservation may be cancelled if full payment has not been received by 60 days prior to departure. For reservations made within 60 days of the departure date, full payment is required when the reservation is accepted. All cancellation notices must be in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark.

Cancellations can be made up to 60 days prior to the start of the tour, however, you forfeit your deposit, unless Whytake Ltd cancels the trip, or we can fill your space from the waiting list, in which case you will receive a full refund (less bank transfer charges and any expenses incurred).

Cancellations made after 60 days prior to the workshop date are not eligible for refunds. We have the right to cancel any workshop if the minimum number of registrants is not met up to 60 days prior to the workshop date.

We strongly recommend the purchase of independent Trip cancellation insurance.

Itinerary Changes

The itineraries and staff presented in this catalogue are subject to modification and change by Whytake Ltd or its designated tour operator. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations to the route based on weather or conditions may be made at the last minute.

Terms & Conditions - continued Medical Issues

You must be in good physical and mental health. Any physical condition, diet, or treatment requiring special attention must be reported in writing when the reservation is made.

You must advise us in writing, at or prior to booking, of any physical, emotional or mental condition that may require professional attention during the trip or may require the use of special equipment. Please note, our tours are not wheelchair friendly and sadly we cannot accept participants with such disabilities.

Whytake Ltd reserves the right to decline any trip participant whose condition, in our opinion, may affect the health, safety or enjoyment of themselves or other participants. Additionally, should a tour participant require or request medical attention during the trip, such attention will be provided by locally available health care officials and at locally available facilities. In such events, Whytake Ltd will not be responsible for health service costs incurred nor in the quality of medical care or medical services rendered.

Smoking Policy

We do not permit smoking in the vehicles, within the proximity of any of the participants or the instructors or guides, or indoors during meals or workshop sessions. Please let us know if you are a smoker.

None of the guides or Instructors smoke.

Baggage Allowances

Participants may bring ONE medium sized stuff sack or rucksack, one camera bag and a tripod.

Whytake Ltd reserves the right to insist on a repacking if space is not available for the excess bags.

Exclusivity

Participants are not allowed to organize, host, promote or sell photo trips, tours or workshops to locations they visited with Whytake Ltd within 5 years of joining a trip. In case of violation, a penalty of US$50000 per year is applicable.

Payment of your deposit confirms that you agree to these terms and conditions.

How to Apply

Please complete an Application for this expedition on the website

The final tour participants will be selected from all the applications we will receive. Completing an application does not guarantee a place on the trip.

Successful applicants will be notified by email and a US$4000 non-refundable deposit per person is required within 10 working days of notification to secure their place(s) on the trip. If the deposit is not received in time, your place will be allocated to another applicant.

Please contact us if you have any questions prior to your application.

Whytake Ltd.4 Albert Place

Perth, Scotland Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 744102

http://whytake.com

Makalu8463m/27,766ft

view fromcamp 2

Lhotse8516m/27,940ft

everest8848m/29,029ft

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