Mystery of the Maya Photography Workshop | Sojourn Series

Mystery of the Maya 7-Day Photography Workshop

The Maya Empire was once one of the most dominant societies on the planet, building cities and inhabiting the Central America lowlands of what is now Belize, Guatemala and Mexico for centuries. It is estimated their population reached nearly 2 million persons, but around 900 AD they mysteriously disappeared leaving giant stone pyramids and monuments...but little clues to their fate.

Join us on a photographic journey deep into the jungles of Central America as we explore and photograph these monolithic ruins. And of course, no trip to Belize would be complete without a visit to Ambergris Caye, home to the 2nd largest Barrier Reef in the world. We'll snorkel and photograph (optional) in some of the most pristine waters on earth!

From ancient ruins and deep jungle waterfalls to exotic wildlife, Belize offers up a fantastic combination of photography. And if you enjoy traveling in style, then you'll love this workshop because we will be staying in some of the best accommodations Belize has to offer.

What to Expect

This workshop was designed by photographers, for photographers. With that in mind, we've painstakingly designed an itinerary that maximizes your opportunity to capture professional quality images.

We are going to visit and photograph many of the best Maya Ruin sites on the planet, including the Maya city of Tikal, located in Guatemala. In addition we will focus on many species of birds, amphibians and other types of wildlife, along with the lush jungle and cascades of elegant streams and waterfalls!

Along with pro-photography instructors Scott and Phil, you'll be led by expert local guides in Tikal and Ambergris Caye. Our goal is to put you in the best possible positions at the right time of day so you come away with a great educational experience, new photography skills and last but not least, images you will be proud of.

Group Size

We designed this trip with these three things in mind: photography, comfort, and learning... oh, and fun! Guess that makes it four things. In thinking of these things, we decided to limit the group size to 10. We will oftentimes split up into two groups to maximize the ease of image capturing, eliminating the need to compete for a prime position.

With 2 instructors we'll keep the student to teacher ratio low, the comfort high, and most of all the learning experience maximized!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Belize City, at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. After passing through immigration we will transfer to the Great House Hotel and stay there overnight.

Day 2 - Belize City to San Ignacio. We will meet for orientation before departing for our first Maya Ruin, Lamanai, located near the crocodile infested waters of the New River Lagoon. We will spend 2-3 hours exploring some of the oldest Maya ruins in Belize, from the giant stone masks to the ancient ball courts. And for a birds eye view, climb the Jaguar temple steps for a panoramic view above the jungle canopy!

From Lamanai we will stop for lunch on our way to the Hidden Valley resort located in west Belize. Once everyone is settled in we will depart for nearby "Butterfly Falls," a stunning beautiful waterfall located deep in the Belizean Jungle.

Day 3 - Cayo District. An early departure will take us deep into the jungle on our way to one of the most remote Maya Ruins - Caracol. This amazing location is the largest Maya Ruin in Belize, covering 15 square miles and having once supported a population of about 100,000 people. We will tour and photograph the ruins as well as the native jungle wildlife, which is abundant.

In the afternoon we will visit the massive Rio Frio cave for photography and exploration. That evening we will enjoy a poolside dinner buffet!

Day 4 - Tikal. We will spend a full day traveling to and visiting the Maya City of Tikal. Tikal is the largest excavated site in the American continent, with several massive temples that tower over the jungle below. Be sure to bring a telephoto lens as well because Tikal offers many wildlife opportunities from exotic birds to the curious looking Coatimundi.

Day 5 - San Ignacio to Ambergris Caye. We will start with a morning visit to the Maya Ruin of Xunantunich (pronounced 'shoo-nahn-too-nitch'). Located near the green crystalline waters of the Mopan River, this Maya Ruin site provides some of the best views from atop the massive pyramid "El Castillo" (The Castle) which rises 130 feet above the plaza grounds. Howler monkeys often play in the trees so be sure to bring your telephoto!

After a stop for lunch we will make our way back to Belize City to catch a short flight to the town of San Pedro, located on Ambergris Caye. We will arrive in time to settle into our next resort and explore the tropical shores for sunset.

Day 6 - Ambergris Caye. Since no trip to Belize would be complete without a trip to Ambergris Caye, we have added a full day of snorkeling with wildlife on the barrier reef! Bring your swimsuit or favorite lounge clothing as we enjoy a day on the tropic waters of the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second longest in the world! We will visit Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.

The water level averages 10ft in most parts we explore, some as low as 4ft! The currents are not strong as we are not in open ocean, and as we have two boats, if you get tired, we can always shuttle you back to the hotel, which is nearby.

Bring an underwater camera, GoPro or just your sense of adventure to see some of the most amazing sea life on the planet. We will fish for lunch and have a BBQ lunch on the boat! (Don't worry, if you do not like fish other food will be available.) After a day of exploring these tropical waters we will enjoy a group farewell dinner!

Day 7 - San Pedro to Belize City. Join us for a sunrise shoot or just sleep in, it's up to you. We will depart San Pedro in the mid-morning for connecting flights home.

Travel and Lodging

We've chosen the hotels, not only for proximity to the Maya Ruins we will visit, but also for comfort and cleanliness. We will be staying in some of the best accommodations Belize has to offer.

Travel

The vans you'll be riding in are meant to seat more than 10 people. We've planned so that you'll have plenty of room for your camera gear and luggage, as well as ample space to spread out and relax. Also, each van is equipped with air conditioning to keep you cool as a cucumber.

Meet Our Workshop Pro Instructors...

Meet our master instructors and learn what qualifies them to give you a great experience during your workshops! While you're joining us, you will receive comprehensive digital photography instruction and tutoring by our team of award-winning photographers.

→ Scott Donschikowski

Scott Donschikowski is a professional photographer, speaker and instructor of photographic arts and digital darkroom techniques. He is a master of the digital workflow, is an Adobe Certified Expert and has taught and lectured all over California about the benefits of becoming proficient in the digital darkroom.

Scott is a versatile photographer, specializing in architecture, lifestyle and landscapes but also having completed work in weddings, editorials, events and product photography. He has worked extensively covering events for the City of San Jose and has contracted his work out to a number of local businesses providing them with his own unique style of photographic imagery.

A tech geek at heart, when Scott is not out taking pictures in his native California, he spends his time writing for numerous blogs, maintaining several websites, reviewing photography gear, and refining his digital darkroom craft. He is also an avid astrophotographer and when the available light runs out, he brings out his telescope and captures images of the heavens above.

→ Phil Nicholas

Phillip's passion for photography started when his mother gave him an old point-and-shoot camera to use during his first photography class. He would snowshoe out from his home and practice using the camera amidst the snowy woods of Northern Michigan. In the beginning, he focused on capturing the small things others missed, and enjoyed taking macro nature shots.

He began to realize that photography was his passion, and took his learning to the next level. He completed his photographic imaging program at Lansing Community College and started to learn how to develop a portfolio and expanded his repertoire to include natural landscape pieces.

Phillip moved to Yosemite National Park in 2011, and started working at the Ansel Adams Gallery. During his time at the gallery, he had the opportunity to participate in workshops with some of the leading contemporary landscape photographers. He began selling, and continues to sell, his personal work at the gallery. He also discovered another passion – that of teaching. He began to teach, solo guide, and lead walks in the park on a regular basis, and received excellent reviews.

Phillip's niche is in adventure and finding the areas seldom seen to the casual passerby – whether it means scrambling over boulders, crossing rivers, or looking beyond the obvious, his work conveys new perspectives from which to view the natural landscape.

Note: In the event a scheduled instructor for a particular workshop is unavailable, a replacement instructor will be scheduled. While we make every effort, there is no guarantee that the assigned instructors for a scheduled workshop will be present.

What's included in the price?

→ The cost includes all accommodations (based on double occupancy) during trip dates upon your arrival to Belize (single room supplement is available, see pricing tab for more information), all transportation during your workshop dates including airport transfers and charter flights during the workshop, all meals including a farewell dinner the last night, local naturalist guides, all park entrance fees, and water/snacks during van transportation. Of course, all your photography instruction and photo-editing instruction is included as well!

What's not included in the price?

→ What is not included in the cost: international arrival and departure flights to Belize, fees to obtain a passport, excess baggage fees, personal expenses such as room service, alcohol, or additional beverages, laundry, phone service, activities or meals not listed on the itinerary, travel insurance (strongly recommend) and instructor gratuities.

What type of camera equipment do I need?

→ To get the most of your images, a good quality DSLR is strongly suggested. Simple point-and-shoot cameras often result in disappointment and frustration. If you are interested in renting any camera gear, we recommend companies such as www.borrowlenses.com, who offer outstanding products at reasonable prices.

A wide-angle lens of approximately 16-35mm, or 24-105mm, will come in handy for the Maya Ruins, as well as the waterfall and cascade photography. Oftentimes, the best images of water are when you're standing in it (with a very gentle current only). A longer lens ranging between 70-400mm will also come in handy for the some of the ruins, as well as some potential wildlife we may encounter, including monkeys and birds.

You'll also need a camera rain jacket or cover, in case we encounter some light sprinkles. Don't forget, we will be in a tropical environment, so an occasional sprinkle is quite common, and it's what keeps things so beautiful. You can find these camera and lens rain covers at all sorts of retailers, such as www.bhphoto.com, www.adorama.com, or www.amazon.com.

A lighter-weight travel tripod is essential for our longer exposures of waterfalls and cascades, as well as any sunsets that we may get the pleasure of experiencing. Something sturdy yet compact is key.

Make sure you bring sufficient memory cards, especially if you tend to be heavy on the trigger finger. Multiple 16gb and 8gb cards are a good idea, as is an external hard drive to back up your images (500gb minimum) with your laptop. If you want to view your images, get feedback and photo-editing skills, your laptop is a must-have.

Is this a tour or workshop?

→ It's a mix of both. We do expect you to be familiar with the basic settings of your camera. Our instructors will be available in the field with suggestions about exposure, composition and technique; but in general, it's best to come with a basic working knowledge of your camera gear. If you're unsure, we highly recommend you sign up for one of our 1-Day workshops prior to taking this trip. Once back at the hotel though, we can offer you image critique and instruction or guidance of post processing skills.

What language do they speak in Belize?

→ English is the primary language spoken. There is a little Spanish spoken, but everyone speaks excellent English.

A common phrase you'll hear from on this trip is "You better Belize'it!" (we're not kidding...we promise you'll be saying it too).

What is the currency in Belize?

→ The Belizean Dollar. As of this writing (summer 2015), the exchange is 2 to 1. $2 Belizean Dollars is equal to $1 US Dollar.

What type of food will we be eating?

→ The resorts we will be staying at are luxury and provide a vast menu for any dietary needs. For our two travel lunches we will stop at a nice restaurant that has a menu with a wide variety of items, from salads to sandwiches, burgers and more. (We're especially fond of the Carmel Coffee ice cream!) For our last full day, where we snorkel and photograph on the Belize Barrier Reef, we will BBQ on the boat, but not to worry, vegetarian options will also be available.

Are there any baggage limitations during the trip?

→ Yes, WHEN FLYING WITHIN BELIZE: A MAXIMUM OF 30 POUNDS OF LUGGAGE IS ALLOWED PER PERSON. The 30 lb. weight limit for the flight to Ambergris Caye does not mean that you need to limit yourself to 30 lbs. of baggage for your entire trip to Belize. While it always makes sense to travel light, you can bring more than 30 lbs. of luggage. We will store your excess luggage while you are on the portion of the trip that involves a charter flight to Ambergris Caye, and return it to you once we return to Belize City. Also, arrangements can be made to permit more luggage per person at an extra cost, if you need that option.

What will the weather be like?

→ Most of the regions we'll be visiting are in the jungle. Our trip is planned before the "rainy season" starts, but that does not mean that we won't encounter an occasional sprinkle or shower. Usually they pass quickly, but just in case we are out shooting during a passing shower, you'll want to have some protection for your camera. We recommend something as simple as a disposable shower cap, but there are other camera "rain gear" options you can purchase for increased protection.

The overall temperatures will be warm. Morning lows may be in the high 60s, with afternoons in the mid 80s. Dressing in layers is always recommended for optimal comfort. When the afternoon sun shines on you, your core temperature can heat up relatively quickly.

A wide-brim hat and sunscreen are going to be your best friend. Another important tool on this trip is going to be bug spray! Especially if you know you're the kind of person that mosquitoes seem to adore. They will find you in Belize, so don't forget the bug repellent. Dressing in light clothes that cover you up can also be effective in eliminating bug bites. Brands like Exofficio and Columbia make clothing with built in bug repellent. These are excellent options for those who do not like to apply bug spray to their skin.

Do I need to bring anything special to do snorkeling?

→ Absolutely not, unless you want to photograph or video your experience. Everything necessary to make the snorkeling trip complete will be provided by our boat captains. This includes masks, snorkels, fins, and life vests. Cameras are not included. Sunscreen alone will not suffice the entire day, so we recommend bringing a rash guard, or other long sleeve quick-dry shirt so you don't get burned by prolonged exposure to the sun.

What kind of underwater equipment is necessary?

→ That depends on your budget. You can have a great time with a GoPro, waterproof Point & Shoot, or DSLR with a housing. Ask our staff to send you some examples from each. BorrowLenses.com rents everything you'd need to keep your underwater memories with you after your trip, and our instructors will help you put your equipment to the best use.

I plan on traveling alone. Do I need to bring someone?

→ No, you don't need a companion, however, tour price is based on double occupancy, so we will place you with other solo travelers of the same gender. If you prefer your own room, we can make arrangements for single accommodations at a supplemental charge.

Do you recommend trip insurance?

→ YES! We recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any non-refundable registration fees, travel, lodging, equipment rental or any other related expenses.

Do I need a passport to visit Belize?

→ Yes, you're traveling to Central America, so a passport is required. They are easy to get if you don't currently have one. Just allow 3 months for processing time, just to be on the safe side. Generally it takes about 4-12 weeks to receive a passport after mailing in the appropriate paperwork.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Belize?

→ If you're worried about it, then the answer is yes. You can find the most current information at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/belize, or simply contact your physician or primary health care provider. It's not required and most don't get any types of shots or vaccinations, and are perfectly fine. It all depends on you and your own health and level of concern.

Have more questions?

No problem! Our instructors are happy to answer them: Email Scott Donschikowski or Email Phil Nicholas

Workshop Price and Deposit

The workshop fee is $4,295. A $1500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your space. Balance is due by January 15th, 2016. Due to the exclusivity of this trip, and the limited number of seats available, refunds are as follows:

Refundable Balance: 150 days (five months) or greater (not including deposit)
No refund within 149 days or less of the start date
Seats are transferrable

Please Note: Returning student discounts are not applicable to Sojourn Series workshops.

What is/isn't included?

The workshop/tour price includes:

Lodging (for single supplement, add $800)
All guide and instructor services
All in-country transportation
All in-country airport transfers
Park fees
Meals

The workshop/tour price DOES NOT include:

Transportation to/from Belize
Passport
Alcoholic beverages
Instructor gratuities
Travel insurance
Additional/optional excursions not listed in the itinerary

Photos and Comments from Past Belize Workshops

Mystery of the Maya Photography Workshop - April 2016

Machu Picchu 5-Day Photography Workshop

Join us on this 5-day adventure as we journey to the remote "Lost City of the Incas," known as Machu Picchu.

In a remote region of southern Peru, perched high above the Urubamba river valley, you'll find the legendary Machu Picchu, one of the most famous archeological ruins in the world. Inexplicably, it is nestled into a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, where it was mysteriously abandoned more than four centuries ago. Yet, to this day, it remains as a remarkable symbol of the engineering prowess of the Inca.

We'll overnight in the beautiful city of Cusco, rich with well-preserved colonial architecture and history. Cusco represents the center of indigenous Quechua culture in the Andes, and by merely walking the streets one sees the layers of history. Spanish colonial buildings erected directly atop Inca walls line the square, while the modern tourist nightlife flourishes in their midst.

Every detail of this workshop is first class. We will be staying in two of the finest hotels such as Hotel Monasterio, set inside a stunning 16th Century Monastery. This historic luxury hotel offers unparalleled service and comfort in the heart of Cusco Peru.

To reach Machu Picchu, we'll board the Inca Rail Train that follows the valley floor and through some of the most scenic views Peru has to offer.

We will have two full days in Machu Picchu to explore and photograph this amazing location before returning, again by train, to Cusco.

This trip is designed to give you access to Machu Picchu and the Peruvian culture as well as provide you with the most luxury accomodations and other comforts.

→ Itinerary

Day 1: Flight to Cusco, Peru. Reception and transfer to Hotel Monasterio. Free day to relax and acclimatize to the altitude
Day 2: Free morning to explore Cusco - Afternoon Train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu). Transfer to hotel
Day 3: Full Day in Machu Picchu
Day 4: Half Day in Machu Picchu. Afternoon Train departure - Overnight in Cusco with Farewell dinner
Day 5: Transportation to airport - Return flight home

Workshop Price and Deposit

The workshop fee is $3,295. A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your space. (Single Supplement: $1050) On November 1st, 2015, 50% of the remaining balance will be due. The remaining balance is due in full on or before January 15th, 2016. Due to the exclusivity of this trip, and the limited number of seats available, refunds are as follows:

100% refundable: 150 days (five months) or greater (not including deposit)
50% refundable: 149-121 days (not including deposit)
No refund within 120 days or less of the start date
Seats are transferrable

Please Note: Returning students discounts are not applicable to Sojourn Series workshops.

What is/isn't included?

The workshop/tour price includes:

Lodging in Cusco and Machu Picchu Peru
Train transportation from Cusco to Machu Picchu Peru
Departure Dinner in Cusco

The workshop/tour price DOES NOT include:

Transportation to/from Cusco Peru
Alcoholic beverages
Instructor gratuities
Travel insurance

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