INDONESIA-Borneo_Old

14 DAYS INDONESIA
BORNEO - SULAWESI - BALI.
Wildlife, Culture & Zen
19th July - 1st August 2020
Early Booking €1050*

"Leave nothing but footprints.  Take nothing but memories."
Mindfulness photography tour with like-minded travellers.
Set your creative side free with amazing photography, make new friends and discover Indonesia.
Occupying three-quarters of Borneo, the third largest island in the world, the Indonesian province of Kalimantan is an adventure in every sense of the word. Remote jungle, snaking rivers and interior mountains serve up endless opportunities for exploration. 

No trip to Kalimantan would be complete without glimpsing the orangutans in the wild.  This is the best place in the world to see the noble orang-utan sharing the remaining jungle canopy with acrobatic gibbons and proboscis monkeys.  Banjarmasin capitalises on its waterways and river life – its early-morning floating markets are among the most photogenic city sights in all of Kalimantan.

The island of Sulawesi is as fascinating as its shape. Just as this splay-limbed tropical island was formed by the complex and sometimes violent mashup of tectonic plates, its intriguing social fabric is the result of the complex and sometimes violent mashup of ethnic groups, religions and ecosystems. Sulawesi's interior is mountainous and cloaked in dense jungle. Meet the Toraja highlanders, with their elaborate funeral ceremonies and beautiful architecture and the lowland and coastal Bugis, Indonesia’s most (in)famous seafarers.

We cross over to Bali for the last few days of our tour to meet the Balinese amid sun drenched beaches and lovely sunsets.

Independent travelling in a small group of up to six participants.  A great way to bond with other like-minded travel photographers!  During the tour
* Usual fee €1250.  Early booking before 15th April 2020 at €1050.

INFORMATION EVENING
Friday 21st February 2020.  
20.00-21.00.

Your first time to Asia? Would you like a face to face discussion or have any questions? Great! I'll love to answer them! 

A 1 hour Indonesia info evening will be organised on Friday 21st February 2020. Join (or WhatsApp in) the information evening by filling in the contact form below.

Book Photo Tour

Book Hotel & Flights

Get There

Enjoy!

The only photography workshop tour that gives you full control and flexibility by providing the great workshops, and tours which include transport and like-minded photography travel pals. You just book your flights to get there. Then book the hotels of your choice where we will be travelling through, or use my recommendations.
 
Don't forget, you are also on holidays and may want some time for yourself. Apart from the workshops where we work and travel together, there is sufficient rest & recreation time included for your own thing. Or if you prefer, hang out with me for meals, drinks and company. Whatever you decide, is cool for me! The tour is designed to end in Bali where you can choose to extend your stay or travel further with your new friends and photography skills.
 
The Borneo - Sulawesi - Bali photography workshop tour is open to most levels of photography experience and physical condition.  We will wake up rather early (oh god....!). This is when we have the best light and less crowd. However, don't forget that you can always take a siesta during the day!
 
Needless to say, you'll get better deals for summer the earlier you book your flights and hotels.

Tour Highlights

  • Workshop leader speaking the local language!
  • Boat trip in Borneo with all delicious meals included.
  • Cut off from the world and all mobile communications for 3 days.
  • Encounters with Orang Utans in the nature.
  • Explore the less known but unique region of Torajaland in Sulawesi.
  • Spend a quiet night in the karst mountains with no light and noise pollution!
  • Treat yourself to amazing sunsets right on the beach of West Bali while immersing yourself into it's culture.

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY
Highlights
Included
DAY 01
19th Jul. Sun.
Jakarta
5pm. Meet up for welcome drink, tour briefing and get to meet fellow photographers. 

'Early' is the keyword!  Early dinner,  early night as we depart for the airport early morning. 

Group dinner is optional.
Welcome drink!
DAY 02
20th Jul. Mon.
Kalimantan Borneo
We depart in the early morning to the airport for our flight to  Pangkalan Bun. Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to our private boat where we depart immediately to the first orang utan feeding station.

Navigating along the river in the jungles of Borneo we will have a preparatory workshop while pleasantly interrupted by sights and sounds of monkeys and other wildlife.
 
During the next 3 days, we will be cut off from the world with no 3G/4G or phone connection. Time to get rid of the smartphone addiction! 
All meals, park fees and overnight on the boat.  Transfers  in Pangkalan Bun.
Photography workshop.
DAY 03
21st Jul. Tue.
Kalimantan Borneo
We greet the early morning sunrise with silence except for sounds from the jungles followed by breakfast. We head off to the second feeding point.  A leisurely lunch will follow later and we proceed to Camp Leakey, the final feeding station. 

Adhoc workshops and discussion will fill the day.  In the evening you will get a chance to view fire flies.  Group dinner on the boat!

All meals, park fees and overnight on the boat.  
Photography workshop.
DAY 04
22nd Jul. Wed
Kalimantan Borneo
Another wonderful morning waking up to the sounds of the jungle! We have a leisurely breakfast and slowly head back to Kumai port.

We spend a night in the river village of Pangkalan Bun .  A very unique experience you will never forget!

We'll take time to review your photos as well as introduce techniques for simple astro photography and long exposures.

Group dinner is optional.
Breakfast and transport.
Photography workshop.
1 night accomodation in Pangkalan Bun.
DAY 05
23rd Jul. Thu.
Kalimantan Borneo
We leave very early morning for Banjarmasin.  It will be a very long drive.  Along the way, we'll have a lunch stop.  We aim to arrive in Banjarmasin by 8pm and we overnight in this river city.

Group dinner is optional.
Breakfast . Transport.
Photography workshop.
DAY 06
24th Jul. Fri.
Kalimantan Borneo to Sulawesi
Early morning we have our private boat to take us to the centuries old colourful floating market.

Late morning we transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Makassar, Sulawesi.  We will take this one night break to relax and enjoy the Bugis food and culture.

Group dinner is optional.
Transport and boat.
Airport transfers.
Photography workshop.
DAY 07
25th Jul. Sat.
Kalimantan Borneo to Sulawesi
We have a slow and easy morning with photo reviews and workshop.

In the afternoon we depart for Rammang Rammang, a karst mountains region. We will explore a magnificient limestone cave. The region's isolation treats us to almost zero light and zero noise pollution.

Here we'll try out new skills - astro photography!

Group dinner is optional.
Transport and 1 night accommodation.
Photography workshop.
DAY 08
26th Jul. Sun.
Sulawesi
An early morning sunrise in the village of Berua.  Time permitting, we'll take a short river trip to the karst 'gardens' and visit a very unique limestone cave.

It will be a long drive to Torajaland.  Along the way, we'll have a lunch stop at a view point overlooking the magnificient Celebes sea.

We should arrive in Torajaland early evening.  And preparations to be made for your visit of this special place.

Group dinner is optional.
Breakfast. Transport.
Photography workshop.
DAY 09
27th Jul. Mon.
Sulawesi Toraja
We spend the day visiting South Toraja.  Some flexibility will be needed the next few days as the program may change to accommodate local festivities (e.g.) weddings, funerals.

Group dinner is optional.
Transport.
Photography workshop.
DAY 10
28th Jul. Tue.
Sulawesi Toraja
Depending on weather conditions, we might schedule a sunrise shoot.  Then we spend the day visiting North Toraja.

Group dinner is optional.
Transport.
Photography workshop.
DAY 11
29th Jul Wed.
Sulawesi -  Bali/Ubud
Early morning surise shoot. Toraja - Makassar - Bali.  Arrival in Bali around 21.15.

Group dinner is optional.
Transport. Airport transfers.
Photography workshop.
DAY 12
30th Jul. Thu.
Ubud
Morning sunrise rice fields shoot. Breakfast. Visit to the water palace.

In the afternoon we'll review your photos and practice long exposure techniques.

Evening culture show.

Group dinner is optional.
Transport.
Photography workshop.
DAY 13
31st Jul. Fri
Ubud
 to Canggu
You can take it easy or opt for a morning walk into Ubud's countryside.

Check out and depart to Canggu. In the late afternoon we will practice long exposure techniques. on the beaches of Canggu and wait for the spectacular sunset to arrive.

End of tour group dinner is optional.
Transport.
Photography workshop.
DAY 14
01st Aug. Sat
Canggu
A leisure morning for you.  Or why not try something different?  How about morning meditaiton on the beach followed by yoga!

We say goodbye after breakfast!  But you can always extend your stay!

End of tour.

Tour participant's profile

  • You are a free independent traveller with a lust for adventure and photography. You are capable of making your own accommodation arrangements at each location. Everything else is taken care of. Relax and enjoy yourself.
  • You believe in mindfulness photography, not mindless photography (as in shooting everything you see and tons of selfies) ;-)
  • Minimise the use of plastics.
  • Bummer..... You should have some basic knowledge about photography, understand exposure and handling your camera. If you are not a photographer, you can follow our schedule.
  • Another one....Wake up early. It will be easy!  You will love to greet the morning sun in its glory in the middle of nowhere! Photography is more important than sleep! Remember, you have the day to take a siesta and at the end of the tour, extend your stay and wake up at your leisure.
  • Be reasonably fit as it involves walking and very light treks.  Nothing strenuous.
  • This is not a luxury tour.  The facilities on the boat are limited but comfortable and not cramped. You will have individual open air make shift beds on the deck, individual mosquito nets, cold showers, delicious food (vegetarian option available), always fresh fruits, limited electricity (charging of batteries is possible), use soap sparingly so as not to pollute the rivers that animals drink from.
  • At appropriate times, no music to be played and keep noise levels low so everyone can appreciate the sound of silence and of the nature!
  • You are easy going, enjoy meeting people and making new friends. We are a small group of up to 7 photographers and I want everyone to have an a wonderful time with me. 
  • Like me, you are passionate about travel photography and wish to get amazing photos and not snap shots!
  • You can join me for morning meditation when the opportunity arises!

RELAX

You like a combination of photography workshops and vacation.
 
You might prefer to have your own personal chill-out time or choose to hang out and dine with new friends from the group whenever you feel like it.
 
Whatever you decide, just relax and have a great time! 

RESPONSIBILITY

You have a social conscience.
 
We travel in small groups and support the local economy by frequenting independently owned businesses.
 
We interact culturally with the local people.
 
We believe in social & environment responsibility. We limit our use of plastics.

FREEDOM

You have complete freedom and choice.  

Unless specified, the tours do not include accommodations & meals 

You can choose to stay at any accommodation and have meals of your choice, company & budget.

Complete freedom!

FLEXIBILITY

You smile a lot!
Yes you do!
 
As we travel off the beaten track, we'll sometimes need to adapt around planned events.

Take things in stride and treasure your travel memories.
 
You are a traveller, not a tourist! Be Zen and appreciate the unexpected!

Skills you will take away 

  • Meaningful and mindfulness photography.
  • Develop core photography competence.
  • Understand landscape, night. people and basic wildlife photography.
  • Work with long exposures and capturing star trails.
  • Effective composition tips.
  • Shoot great travel photographs.
  • Manage challenging light situations and using available light.
  • Other image editing & processing techniques of with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
  • People interaction skills in spontaneous situations.
What is included and excluded from the photography tour.

I believe in transparency and accessibility to the tours. Each of us have personal budgets, different comfort expectations but a common goal of travel photography and great images. Over 11 days, through the workshops and tours, we will explore many photography techniques, improve your photography skills along the way while working together.

 

Apart from the personal attention you'll be receiving, you will have your own free time. There will be opportunities as well to share costs with fellow photographers to do other activities not included (optional excursions).

 

The most important components of the tour are already included.

 

WHAT IS INCLUDED :

 

  • Unless mentioned, all land transport during the period and the workshops are included.
  • 3 days/2 nights private boat trip. All meals on the boat. All park fees.
  • 1 night stay individual room in the river village of Pangkalan Bun
  • Private transfer from Pangkalan Bun to Banjarmasin.
  • Private morning boat to visit the footing market and transfer to the airport.
  • All land transport and boat trips in Sulawesi.
  • 1 night individual room accommodation in the karst mountains with no light and noise pollution
  • Transfer in Bali to hotel.
  • 1 day transport and tour in Bali.

 

WHAT IS EXCLUDED :

 

  • Airfare or transport to arrive in Jakarta and depart from Bali.
  • Airfare from Banjarmasin to Makassar.
  • Airfare from Makassar to Bali.
  • Travel insurance.
  • 9 nights accommodation (those not mentioned above).
  • Unless mentioned above, all meals, accommodation, entrance fees (will be listed out for you in advance),
  • Tips and expenses of a personal nature
  • Anything else that is not included will be mentioned in the detailed program.
  • Please take a moment to glance through the links below as they provide insights, tips and suggestions to make your travel arrangements hassle free.

 

Do you have any questions or would like more information?  Just contact us!

GET IN TOUCH!

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