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Description
Ladakh is a barren yet breathtakingly beautiful region in the northern India. It is a remote paradise in the Tibetan Plateau that offers great views of the towering Himalayas, high plains, confluences, deep valleys and high-altitude lakes. Tucked among the mountains and valleys are villages and green terraced fields of vegetables that testify to a life of abundance in the region. Ladakh is also home to “stupas” and huge Buddhist monasteries that have radiant prayer flags that constantly flutter from the constant breeze from the mountains. Undeniably, there are so many stories to be told about Ladakh as a region and its way of life. It offers not only an opportunity to experience unique culture, but also a chance to explore the region and document its beauty through still photography. |
Date/s
1st - 9th June 2023 Duration 9 days & 8 nights Starting Place Leh Airport, India Ending Place Leh Airport, India International Airport Arrival and Departure Indira Gandhi International Airport Season Summer / Pre-monsoon Group Size 5 - 8 not including the tour leader and driver Accommodation Type Hotels and/or homestays Difficulty Easy Tour Leaders Francis Ansing |
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Itinerary
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May 31 (Suggested Arrival in Delhi)
Inbound flight to New Delhi. Stay 1 night at a hotel near the airport. June 1 (Official Start) Morning flight to Leh. Check in at our hotel. Rest, acclimatize and get used with the mountains and high elevation of the region. We will walk around the streets of Leh for travel photography. June 2 (Delhi - Leh - Shanti Stupa - Thiksey - Stakna) We will rise up early in the morning and head to Leh Palace. We will photograph this beautiful structure from a distance as the Sun rises up on the horizon. After we will head to Shanti Stupa for another hour of photography. After, we will head back to our hotel for breakfast. Then, we will immediately head to Indus viewpoint. This offers scenic and wide views of rivers, valleys and distant Himalayan mountains. We will head back to our hotel in Leh to rest and in the afternoon, we will head to Thiksey Monastery and Stakna Gompa for more photography. June 3 (Leh - Indus & Zanskar - Basgo - Alchi) We will rise up and check out early in the morning for a landscape shoot in the confluence of Indus and Zanskar. These two merging rivers offer great views of the scenic Nimmu Valley. After, we will have our breakfast and head to Basgo Fort. This fort is in ruins but it houses gompas and monasteries that offer great photographic opportunities. We will head to Alchi for more photography. Then head back to our hotel in Leh to rest and prepare for the long travel tomorrow. |
June 4 (Leh - Khardung La - Nubra Valley)
Early morning breakfast and check out. We will depart immediately for Khardung La Pass (the highest motorable road in the world). This journey offers jaw-dropping mountain landscapes. After reaching Khardung La, we will continue our journey to Nubra Valley. After reaching the valley, we will check in at our hotel and rest a little bit. Then we will head out in the afternoon for sunset shoot in the white sand dunes area. June 5 (Nubra Valley - Diskit - Yarma) Morning shoot around Diskit Monastery. We will go back to our hotel for breakfast. We will head out again to visit Yarma Village. We will return to our hotel in the afternoon and will do more photography around Nubra Valley. June 6 (Nubra Valley - Leh) Early breakfast and check out. We will slowly head back to Leh. We can stop along the way for mountain photography. We will check in at our hotel and will have free afternoon or evening. June 7 (Leh - Pangong Lake) Early breakfast and check out. We will head slowly to Pangong Lake. We can stop at beautiful spots for photographic opportunities. Upon arrival at Pangong Lake, we will check in at our accommodation. We will explore and photograph around the lake in the afternoon until sunset. |
June 8 (Pangong Lake - Leh)
We will have our sunrise photography around Pangong Lake. After breakfast, we will head slowly back to Leh. We can stop at scenic spots as needed. We will check in at our hotel and we will spend the rest of the night celebrating our journey. It will be a free time. You can explore the streets of Leh for one last time. June 9 (Official End / Flight Departure) Flight to New Delhi from Leh in the morning. Head to Agra for Taj Mahal side trip or take your night flight to your home country. If joining the Taj Mahal side trip, we will check in at our hotel near Taj Mahal. All transportation, hotel and fees up to June 11 are included in the side trip fee of additional USD 150. June 10 (Taj Mahal side trip) Morning shoot inside and around Taj Mahal. Head back to New Delhi and check in at our hotel near the airport. June 11 Flight to your home country. |
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Price
USD 1600 (without Taj Mahal side trip) USD 1750 (with Taj Mahal side trip) ***Monthly Installment Plan is available. Please message us if you are availing this plan.*** Included ✓ Double/twin accommodations for 8 nights in Ladakh ✓ Transportation service in Ladakh ✓ Roundtrip domestic flights (Delhi - Leh) ✓ Breakfasts ✓ Entry fees in Ladakh ✓ 1 tour leader Solo Room Supplement Please contact us if you would like to have a solo room |
Not Included
X Accommodation outside the tour date X International flights X Bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and the likes X Personal and accidental expenses X Meals not stated in the inclusions X Visa fees (if applicable) X Travel insurance X Laundry Solo Room Supplement USD 450 - 500 |
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Requirements
✓ E-visa (if applicable)
✓ International travel insurance
Payment Options (50% Downpayment or Monthly Installment Payment Plan)
1. 50% downpayment upon registration and 50% balance payment completion 3 months before trip departure OR
2. First payment of the Monthly Installment Plan. Please message us if you want to avail the Monthly Installment Plan.
Registration
1. 50% down payment or the first payment of the Monthly Installment Plan is required upon registration.
2. Balance requires to be settled 30-60 days before the first day of the tour (for 50% down payment). For Monthly Installment Plan, the final payment is made 30 days before the first day of the tour.
3. Registration shall be done by filling up the registration form below. Click on the yellow "REGISTER" button.
4. Please send the following as your register: Identification/passport and proof of down payment.
5. Download the waiver form sent to your email, fill out and send it back to shutteradventuresco@gmail.com.
✓ E-visa (if applicable)
✓ International travel insurance
Payment Options (50% Downpayment or Monthly Installment Payment Plan)
1. 50% downpayment upon registration and 50% balance payment completion 3 months before trip departure OR
2. First payment of the Monthly Installment Plan. Please message us if you want to avail the Monthly Installment Plan.
Registration
1. 50% down payment or the first payment of the Monthly Installment Plan is required upon registration.
2. Balance requires to be settled 30-60 days before the first day of the tour (for 50% down payment). For Monthly Installment Plan, the final payment is made 30 days before the first day of the tour.
3. Registration shall be done by filling up the registration form below. Click on the yellow "REGISTER" button.
4. Please send the following as your register: Identification/passport and proof of down payment.
5. Download the waiver form sent to your email, fill out and send it back to shutteradventuresco@gmail.com.
Payment Channels (any of the following)
Bank: UnionBank of the Philippines (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Shutter Adventures Co
Account Number: 0005-8002-0812
BIC/Swift Code: UBPHPHMM
Bank Code: 010419995
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands (US DOLLAR ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account: 3254-0482-07
BIC/Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
Bank Code: 010040018
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account: 9809-2077-33
BIC/Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
Bank Code: 010040018
Bank: BDO, Unibank, Inc. (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account Number: 008180116757
BIC/Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Bank Code: 010530667
G-Cash
Francis Ansing
09177302505
Paymaya
Francis Ansing
09201233942
Paypal
francisansingphotography@gmail.com
Registration, Cancellation and Refund Conditions
1. A deposit and completed Registration Form are required to reserve a place for you on a Shutter Adventures Co. tour.
2. All prices are quoted in Philippine Peso or USD.
3. We accept payments via remittance, wire, bank, G-Cash, Paymaya or using your credit cards via PayPal Checkout.
4. A deposit / down payment of at least 50% of the total fee is required to sign up for a tour.
5. Trip deposits / down payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
6. Full payment / balance is due at least 30 days (for local tours) and 90 days (for international tours) prior to departure date.
7. No partial refunds are made for unused portions or services of a trip for any reason whatsoever.
8. Cancellation fees are not transferable.
9. We must receive written notice of your cancellation, at which time cancellation fees in the following amounts apply:
Bank: UnionBank of the Philippines (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Shutter Adventures Co
Account Number: 0005-8002-0812
BIC/Swift Code: UBPHPHMM
Bank Code: 010419995
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands (US DOLLAR ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account: 3254-0482-07
BIC/Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
Bank Code: 010040018
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account: 9809-2077-33
BIC/Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
Bank Code: 010040018
Bank: BDO, Unibank, Inc. (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account Number: 008180116757
BIC/Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Bank Code: 010530667
G-Cash
Francis Ansing
09177302505
Paymaya
Francis Ansing
09201233942
Paypal
francisansingphotography@gmail.com
Registration, Cancellation and Refund Conditions
1. A deposit and completed Registration Form are required to reserve a place for you on a Shutter Adventures Co. tour.
2. All prices are quoted in Philippine Peso or USD.
3. We accept payments via remittance, wire, bank, G-Cash, Paymaya or using your credit cards via PayPal Checkout.
4. A deposit / down payment of at least 50% of the total fee is required to sign up for a tour.
5. Trip deposits / down payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
6. Full payment / balance is due at least 30 days (for local tours) and 90 days (for international tours) prior to departure date.
7. No partial refunds are made for unused portions or services of a trip for any reason whatsoever.
8. Cancellation fees are not transferable.
9. We must receive written notice of your cancellation, at which time cancellation fees in the following amounts apply:
Local Tours
If written cancellation is received: |
Cancellation fee: |
60 days or prior |
100% of down payment |
59 to 31 days prior |
50% of entire tour fee |
30 days or fewer |
100% of entire tour fee |
International Tours
If written cancellation is received: |
Cancellation fee: |
150 days or prior |
100% of down payment |
149 to 91 days prior |
50% of entire tour fee |
90 or fewer days |
100% of entire tour fee |
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Personal Things to Bring
- Travel document (passport) - Covid-19 vaccination card - Comfortable clothes for 8 days - Warm jacket or fleece - Waterproof and windproof jacket - Waterproof trekking shoes - Trekking pants - Bonnet - Gloves - Flashlight or headlamp - Personal medicines - Pocket money - Cellular phone |
Camera Equipment to Bring
- Camera body (mirrorless or DSLR) - Lenses (ultra-wide, standard zoom, telephoto) - Sturdy tripod - Filters (CPL, NDs and GND) - Extra batteries - Extra memory cards - Rain protector |
Terms & Conditions
By using www.shutteradventuresco.com, you agree to be legally bound by these terms, which shall take effect immediately.
If you do not agree to be legally bound by all the following Terms & Conditions, please do not use Shutter Adventures Co. website.
Shutter Adventures Co. may change these Terms & Conditions at any time by posting changes online. Please review these Terms & Conditions regularly to ensure you are aware of any changes made by Shutter Adventures Co. Your continued use of www.shutteradventuresco.com website after changes are posted means you agree to be legally bound by these terms as updated and/or amended.
You may not copy, reproduce, republish, download, post, broadcast, transmit, make available to the public, or otherwise use content owned by Shutter Adventures Co. (inclusive of text, images, URLs, pricing information, etc.) in any way except for your own personal use.
Any commercial use of Shutter Adventures Co. content requires the prior written permission of Shutter Adventures Co.
You agree to use www.shutteradventuresco.com only for lawful purposes, and in a way that does not infringe the rights of, restrict or inhibit anyone else's use and enjoyment of Shutter Adventures Co.
Your use of www.shutteradventuresco.com is intended for personal, use and/or to make legitimate requests to book the products or services offered. You agree not to use this site to make any speculative, false or fraudulent requests. You agree not to use robots or other automated means to access this site, unless specifically permitted by Shutter Adventures Co.
We grant you permission to use the site subject to the restrictions in these Terms & Conditions. In accessing or using the site, you may be exposed to content that is offensive, indecent, inaccurate, objectionable, or otherwise inappropriate. Shutter Adventures Co. does not endorse such content, and cannot vouch for its accuracy. You therefore access and use the site at your own risk.
Tour Costs
Information supplied upon registration describes the specific costs that are included in your tour fee. Generally, these costs include lodging in double/twin/triple room occupancy; meals (specified in the itinerary as BLD denoting breakfast, lunch or dinner); ground transportation during the trip in vans, SUVs or small busses; National Park fees, entrance fees, and coordination/guide services provided by the tour leaders. Not included are airfare or other transportation from your home to the tour staging location, airport departure taxes, insurance, alcoholic beverages and bar expenses (plus bottled water and soft drink expenses), tips and gratuities to local guide, phone calls, passport or visa expenses, laundry or items of a personal nature. Gratuities to Shutter Adventures Co. tour leaders are optional and always appreciated. Rates are based on group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration, a small party supplement may be charged.
Single accommodations are available for a supplemental cost in many locations; see the pre-departure tour information or message us for details. You will be charged the single supplement fee if you desire single accommodations. In some remote locations, clients with single rooms are infrequently compelled to share a room due to circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, appropriate per diem refunds will be made reflecting the direct cost of the single room at the facility where clients are required to share.
Tour Cost Amendments
Cost increases may occur unexpectedly due to rising costs of airfares, ground transport, fuel surcharges, accommodations and currency fluctuations, among others. Shutter Adventures Co. may be compelled to amend prices, and we reserve the right to do so without prior notice. All photo tour quotes are based on known costs and rates of exchange at the time of booking and any significant changes beyond the control of Shutter Adventures Co. will be passed on to the client. Tour prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. An increase in tour prices shall not be sufficient grounds for any refund of funds paid for the trip other than as determined by the terms of our cancellation policy.
Items Excluded in the Tour Price
Passport and visa fees, camera fees, (excluding Photo Tours), excess baggage charges, medical and evacuation costs, all items of a personal nature such as laundry, beverages (alcoholic, soft drinks, bottled water), client communication expenses, room service, optional excursions, or deviations from the scheduled tour, meals not included in the itinerary, and gratuities for the drivers, guides, and hotel porters. If any tour is delayed due to weather or road conditions, flight delays, illness, or other contingency over which Shutter Adventures Co. or its agents or contracted tour operators have no control, the cost incurred by such delay is not included in your tour cost.
Logistics
Whenever possible, our tour participants are lodged in comfortable, modern hotels. We select among the above average to best available accommodations, but refrain from extravagance. Some interesting photographic destinations are far removed from modern amenities, however, and where necessary we will be accommodated in rustic country inns, cabins or tented camps.
Our itineraries are intended as examples only. Participants should allow for flexibility due to changes in weather, natural history or cultural events, or other logistical arrangements deemed necessary by Shutter Adventures Co., our tour leaders or the local guides.
The second tour leader listed for each tour on the website will be added as the group size warrants. If only one space remains on a tour, and logistics permit, we accept two persons traveling together, even if it exceeds the tour maximum participants.
Registration, Cancellation and Refund Conditions
1. A deposit and completed Registration Form are required to reserve a place for you on a Shutter Adventures Co. tour.
2. All prices are quoted in Philippine Peso or USD.
3. We accept payments via remittance, wire, bank, G-Cash, Paymaya, Paypal, or credit cards using PayPal Checkout. Additional 4% PayPal fee applies if you are paying thru PayPal or PayPal Checkout.
4. A deposit / down payment of at least 50% of the total fee is required to sign up for a tour.
5. Trip deposits / down payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
6. Full payment / balance is due at least 30 days (for local tours) and 90 days (for international tours) prior to departure date.
7. No partial refunds are made for unused portions or services of a trip for any reason whatsoever.
8. Cancellation fees are not transferable.
9. We must receive written notice of your cancellation via email, at which time cancellation fees in the following amounts apply:
Local Tours
If written cancellation is received
60 days or prior : Cancellation fee of 100% of down payment
59 to 31 days prior : Cancellation fee of 50% of entire tour fee
30 days or fewer : Cancellation fee of 100% of entire tour fee
International Tours
If written cancellation is received
150 days or prior : Cancellation fee of 100% of down payment
149 to 91 days prior : Cancellation fee of 50% of entire tour fee
90 days or fewer : Cancellation fee of 100% of entire tour fee
Contact Schedule
Participants will receive four messages/emails before the tour departs:
1. Confirmation of the the deposit and issuance of acknowledgement receipt.
2. Information about clothing and photo gear recommendations, climate data, applicable health advisories and reading list. Visa information will also be included (if applicable).
3. Issuance of Official Receipt within 30 days for local and international tours.
4. Final tour Information includes pick up and drop off locations (local tours), flight arrival instructions (if it involves air travel), itinerary revisions (if any), hotel addresses, tour telephone contact information and participant list. We provide the tour leader's telephone number(s) and/or e-mail address with final documents so you can inquire about special photographic questions you may have regarding the tour. We welcome your calls or e-mail messages to shutteradventuresco@gmail.com.
Trip Insurance
We provide a travel insurance for all our local tours. AXA PH is our choice of company to provide our clients' domestic travel insurance. For international tours, it is mandatory for our clients to get their own travel insurance with coverage depending on the country of destination.
Health Considerations
Our tours are within the capabilities of people with average fitness / health. Some photography adventures require several kilometers of trek on uneven terrain. There are tours that require motorcycle and boat rides. Photography adventures in the mountains usually require trekking at high elevations - all while carrying your camera equipment. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/or fitness as it relates to a trip, please inquire with our office before reserving a space. By forwarding a signed Registration Form and tour down payment, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you or other trip participants and you agree to inform us in writing if changes in your health occur any time prior to the tour. We reserve the right to request a doctor's statement of good health. The company's or tour leader's judgement shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual's ability to embark upon or to continue a tour. Once a tour has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements. “Meatless” meals are normally available at most locations. Due to the remote nature of many photo locations, and the growing diversity of today’s dietary trends, participants requiring special food items are encouraged to bring their own.
Responsibility
Shutter Adventures Co. and/or their Agents act only as agents for the passenger (tour participant) in regard to travel including, but not limited to, sightseeing, meals, lodging, transportation, and all other services whether by railroad, motorcar, motor coach, boat, ship or aircraft or other conveyance, and they assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts, bankruptcy or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour.
They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay, cancellations or changes in flights or other tour services, and by force majeure including sickness, weather, strike, war, volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine, epidemics and outbreaks, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour fees provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
Alteration of Tours
The right is reserved to 1) substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed necessary, or caused by changes in flight schedules or equipment substitution; 2) cancel any tour prior to departure due to low registration, in which case full refund of the paid trip funds will be given, but Shutter Adventures Co. is not responsible for any other tour preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 3) At the company’s/business’ sole discretion, suspend or postpone any tour due to force majeure in which case the trip may be rescheduled, or a refund issued less any non-refundable deposits paid to tour component providers on behalf of the passenger, or a travel credit given, but Shutter Adventures Co. is not responsible for any other tour preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 4) substitute tour leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitution is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund other than provided by our normal cancellation policy; or 5) accept or retain any person as a member of any trip.
Registration Form and Waiver
A Registration Form including the Registration Conditions and Release and Assumption of Risk sections must be signed by each participant prior to the commencement of the tour. Participation by any tour participant will be declined in the absence of the signed Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk section, with no tour fee refund. No modification to the Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk section will be accepted.
Should Shutter Adventures Co., or anyone acting on their behalf be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, the registering tour participant(s) agree(s) to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs. In the event a lawsuit is filed, the registering participant(s) agree(s) to do so solely in the Municipality of Cainta, Rizal, Philippines.
If you do not agree to be legally bound by all the following Terms & Conditions, please do not use Shutter Adventures Co. website.
Shutter Adventures Co. may change these Terms & Conditions at any time by posting changes online. Please review these Terms & Conditions regularly to ensure you are aware of any changes made by Shutter Adventures Co. Your continued use of www.shutteradventuresco.com website after changes are posted means you agree to be legally bound by these terms as updated and/or amended.
You may not copy, reproduce, republish, download, post, broadcast, transmit, make available to the public, or otherwise use content owned by Shutter Adventures Co. (inclusive of text, images, URLs, pricing information, etc.) in any way except for your own personal use.
Any commercial use of Shutter Adventures Co. content requires the prior written permission of Shutter Adventures Co.
You agree to use www.shutteradventuresco.com only for lawful purposes, and in a way that does not infringe the rights of, restrict or inhibit anyone else's use and enjoyment of Shutter Adventures Co.
Your use of www.shutteradventuresco.com is intended for personal, use and/or to make legitimate requests to book the products or services offered. You agree not to use this site to make any speculative, false or fraudulent requests. You agree not to use robots or other automated means to access this site, unless specifically permitted by Shutter Adventures Co.
We grant you permission to use the site subject to the restrictions in these Terms & Conditions. In accessing or using the site, you may be exposed to content that is offensive, indecent, inaccurate, objectionable, or otherwise inappropriate. Shutter Adventures Co. does not endorse such content, and cannot vouch for its accuracy. You therefore access and use the site at your own risk.
Tour Costs
Information supplied upon registration describes the specific costs that are included in your tour fee. Generally, these costs include lodging in double/twin/triple room occupancy; meals (specified in the itinerary as BLD denoting breakfast, lunch or dinner); ground transportation during the trip in vans, SUVs or small busses; National Park fees, entrance fees, and coordination/guide services provided by the tour leaders. Not included are airfare or other transportation from your home to the tour staging location, airport departure taxes, insurance, alcoholic beverages and bar expenses (plus bottled water and soft drink expenses), tips and gratuities to local guide, phone calls, passport or visa expenses, laundry or items of a personal nature. Gratuities to Shutter Adventures Co. tour leaders are optional and always appreciated. Rates are based on group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration, a small party supplement may be charged.
Single accommodations are available for a supplemental cost in many locations; see the pre-departure tour information or message us for details. You will be charged the single supplement fee if you desire single accommodations. In some remote locations, clients with single rooms are infrequently compelled to share a room due to circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, appropriate per diem refunds will be made reflecting the direct cost of the single room at the facility where clients are required to share.
Tour Cost Amendments
Cost increases may occur unexpectedly due to rising costs of airfares, ground transport, fuel surcharges, accommodations and currency fluctuations, among others. Shutter Adventures Co. may be compelled to amend prices, and we reserve the right to do so without prior notice. All photo tour quotes are based on known costs and rates of exchange at the time of booking and any significant changes beyond the control of Shutter Adventures Co. will be passed on to the client. Tour prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. An increase in tour prices shall not be sufficient grounds for any refund of funds paid for the trip other than as determined by the terms of our cancellation policy.
Items Excluded in the Tour Price
Passport and visa fees, camera fees, (excluding Photo Tours), excess baggage charges, medical and evacuation costs, all items of a personal nature such as laundry, beverages (alcoholic, soft drinks, bottled water), client communication expenses, room service, optional excursions, or deviations from the scheduled tour, meals not included in the itinerary, and gratuities for the drivers, guides, and hotel porters. If any tour is delayed due to weather or road conditions, flight delays, illness, or other contingency over which Shutter Adventures Co. or its agents or contracted tour operators have no control, the cost incurred by such delay is not included in your tour cost.
Logistics
Whenever possible, our tour participants are lodged in comfortable, modern hotels. We select among the above average to best available accommodations, but refrain from extravagance. Some interesting photographic destinations are far removed from modern amenities, however, and where necessary we will be accommodated in rustic country inns, cabins or tented camps.
Our itineraries are intended as examples only. Participants should allow for flexibility due to changes in weather, natural history or cultural events, or other logistical arrangements deemed necessary by Shutter Adventures Co., our tour leaders or the local guides.
The second tour leader listed for each tour on the website will be added as the group size warrants. If only one space remains on a tour, and logistics permit, we accept two persons traveling together, even if it exceeds the tour maximum participants.
Registration, Cancellation and Refund Conditions
1. A deposit and completed Registration Form are required to reserve a place for you on a Shutter Adventures Co. tour.
2. All prices are quoted in Philippine Peso or USD.
3. We accept payments via remittance, wire, bank, G-Cash, Paymaya, Paypal, or credit cards using PayPal Checkout. Additional 4% PayPal fee applies if you are paying thru PayPal or PayPal Checkout.
4. A deposit / down payment of at least 50% of the total fee is required to sign up for a tour.
5. Trip deposits / down payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
6. Full payment / balance is due at least 30 days (for local tours) and 90 days (for international tours) prior to departure date.
7. No partial refunds are made for unused portions or services of a trip for any reason whatsoever.
8. Cancellation fees are not transferable.
9. We must receive written notice of your cancellation via email, at which time cancellation fees in the following amounts apply:
Local Tours
If written cancellation is received
60 days or prior : Cancellation fee of 100% of down payment
59 to 31 days prior : Cancellation fee of 50% of entire tour fee
30 days or fewer : Cancellation fee of 100% of entire tour fee
International Tours
If written cancellation is received
150 days or prior : Cancellation fee of 100% of down payment
149 to 91 days prior : Cancellation fee of 50% of entire tour fee
90 days or fewer : Cancellation fee of 100% of entire tour fee
Contact Schedule
Participants will receive four messages/emails before the tour departs:
1. Confirmation of the the deposit and issuance of acknowledgement receipt.
2. Information about clothing and photo gear recommendations, climate data, applicable health advisories and reading list. Visa information will also be included (if applicable).
3. Issuance of Official Receipt within 30 days for local and international tours.
4. Final tour Information includes pick up and drop off locations (local tours), flight arrival instructions (if it involves air travel), itinerary revisions (if any), hotel addresses, tour telephone contact information and participant list. We provide the tour leader's telephone number(s) and/or e-mail address with final documents so you can inquire about special photographic questions you may have regarding the tour. We welcome your calls or e-mail messages to shutteradventuresco@gmail.com.
Trip Insurance
We provide a travel insurance for all our local tours. AXA PH is our choice of company to provide our clients' domestic travel insurance. For international tours, it is mandatory for our clients to get their own travel insurance with coverage depending on the country of destination.
Health Considerations
Our tours are within the capabilities of people with average fitness / health. Some photography adventures require several kilometers of trek on uneven terrain. There are tours that require motorcycle and boat rides. Photography adventures in the mountains usually require trekking at high elevations - all while carrying your camera equipment. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/or fitness as it relates to a trip, please inquire with our office before reserving a space. By forwarding a signed Registration Form and tour down payment, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you or other trip participants and you agree to inform us in writing if changes in your health occur any time prior to the tour. We reserve the right to request a doctor's statement of good health. The company's or tour leader's judgement shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual's ability to embark upon or to continue a tour. Once a tour has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements. “Meatless” meals are normally available at most locations. Due to the remote nature of many photo locations, and the growing diversity of today’s dietary trends, participants requiring special food items are encouraged to bring their own.
Responsibility
Shutter Adventures Co. and/or their Agents act only as agents for the passenger (tour participant) in regard to travel including, but not limited to, sightseeing, meals, lodging, transportation, and all other services whether by railroad, motorcar, motor coach, boat, ship or aircraft or other conveyance, and they assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts, bankruptcy or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour.
They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay, cancellations or changes in flights or other tour services, and by force majeure including sickness, weather, strike, war, volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine, epidemics and outbreaks, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour fees provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
Alteration of Tours
The right is reserved to 1) substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed necessary, or caused by changes in flight schedules or equipment substitution; 2) cancel any tour prior to departure due to low registration, in which case full refund of the paid trip funds will be given, but Shutter Adventures Co. is not responsible for any other tour preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 3) At the company’s/business’ sole discretion, suspend or postpone any tour due to force majeure in which case the trip may be rescheduled, or a refund issued less any non-refundable deposits paid to tour component providers on behalf of the passenger, or a travel credit given, but Shutter Adventures Co. is not responsible for any other tour preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 4) substitute tour leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitution is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund other than provided by our normal cancellation policy; or 5) accept or retain any person as a member of any trip.
Registration Form and Waiver
A Registration Form including the Registration Conditions and Release and Assumption of Risk sections must be signed by each participant prior to the commencement of the tour. Participation by any tour participant will be declined in the absence of the signed Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk section, with no tour fee refund. No modification to the Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk section will be accepted.
Should Shutter Adventures Co., or anyone acting on their behalf be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, the registering tour participant(s) agree(s) to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs. In the event a lawsuit is filed, the registering participant(s) agree(s) to do so solely in the Municipality of Cainta, Rizal, Philippines.