Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the trip for?
We welcome keen adult photographers of all ages with varying levels of photographic experience and ability. Our trips are for people with a desire to combine their passion for photography with adventure travel. If you are are prepared to put in the effort to get to those hard to reach places you will be rewarded with the special images you have been dreaming of. All our trips are graded according to the level of fitness required so this should be borne in mind when booking.
How many people will be in the group?
Group sizes are usually between 6 – 8 people though can occasionally be smaller or slightly bigger. We think small group size is good! You will be joined by a UK based Mountain Leader Photographer and possibly porters and local guides if appropriate for the trip (please refer to trip itineraries).
How fit do I have to be?
All our trips are graded according to the level of physical fitness required. You are responsible for ensuring you are aware of the nature of the associated activities and physical requirements before you book. By confirming your booking you acknowledge that you have the appropriate levels of ability, fitness and good health to safely participate in the tour. Here is an explanation of our fitness levels. We are happy to discuss and advise you on the fitness levels required for each trip.
Easy – Mostly level walking. Short distances. Transport or easy walking to most photographic viewpoints with short walks in between. Mostly low level altitudes.
Easy to Moderate – Single or multi-day trekking sometimes at mid altitude. Usually uneven and uphill/downhill walking whilst carrying a day pack.
Moderate – Single or multi-day trekking sometimes at mid altitude. A moderate level of fitness is required. This is within the reach of most people who are prepared to be on their feet for most of the day(s) carrying a day pack.
Moderate to Challenging – Multi-day treks sometimes at mid to high altitude but with full porter support. A reasonable to good level of fitness is required but is within the reach of anyone who is prepared to do a little training beforehand and those with a positive mental attitude. Need to be used to being on your feet for several days in a row. More strenuous trekking than moderate but still within the reach of many people.
Challenging – These treks are multi-day, often at high altitude possibly with little external support carrying a reasonably heavy pack. A good to high level of fitness is required and a commitment to training is usually necessary along with a positive mental attitude in order to get the most out of these trips.
What support will I get?
All our trips include photography guidance and assistance from your Leader. Any physical support such as porters will depend upon the trip in question. Please refer to the specific trip details and itineraries.
I have only recently discovered photography. Does that matter?
Absolutely not! We enjoy sharing our trips with people of all levels of photographic experience and abilities. We would suggest that you get to know the basics of how your camera works prior to the trip in order to get the most out of the guidance and knowledge we will share with you. You should read your manual and bring it with you. We always find that your fellow group members will be more than happy to share tips too. Whatever level of photographer you are we’ll help you put some adventure into your photography!
Will it be a photo workshop or photographic trip?
Our trips are described as ‘trekking expedition holidays for photographers’. Due to the nature of the trips, we teach techniques and give advice ‘on the go’ whilst making the most of the surroundings rather than in a classroom style environment. Throughout the adventure we will strive to provide you with the best advice, coaching and photo opportunities possible. We can plan in some informal discussion/review time also if the group wishes.
Will my flight be included in the cost of the trip?
We offer ‘land only’ packages so International flights are not included. It will be your responsibility to book your International flights to the destination country and ensure that you will be on time to meet us at the agreed meeting venue at the beginning of the trip. This may be at the airport or our hotel accommodation depending on the trip. We will then meet and greet all members of the group at the pre-arranged time and location in order to discuss the plan for our adventure. Internal flights may be included depending on the chosen itinerary.
How do I book?
Firstly contact us by email or phone to confirm that you wish to join us on your chosen trip. We will then forward you a Booking Form and will require a 10% deposit to hold your place. Once minimum numbers have been reached and the trip has been confirmed to run we will ask you for a further 40% to fully secure your place. We will then forward you a Welcome Pack with a detailed itinerary, kit list and other important information. At this point you will be able to book your International flights, visa and travel insurance and this would be a good time to check that your passport expiry date will be valid for the trip. The balance of payment will be required no later than 90 days prior to departure. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions of booking for our cancellation policy.
Is my money protected? What method of payment do you accept?
We take the protection of your money seriously. Your payments will be fully protected by our Financial Failure Insurance which would compensate you in the unlikely event of our insolvency. We accept payment by bank transfer or payment by credit or debit card. All payments are handled securely.
Can I organize a private trip?
Yes we can arrange private and bespoke adventures and would be happy to discuss your requirements with you.
Why travel with Dreamtreks Photography?
Dreamtreks Photography are specialists in adventure travel photography. We strive to get you to those hard to reach places so you can capture the images you having been dreaming of. We are a UK based company lucky enough to have experienced and knowledgeable UK based Mountain Leader Photographers to accompany you on your trip of a lifetime. We want to share our passion for travel, photography and adventure and help you put some adventure into your photography.
Which travel insurance do I need?
Personal travel insurance is not included in the tour price and is mandatory for all clients. Together with their personal property, including baggage, clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own personal travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate and appropriate cover. Clients should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting or excluding protection for the type of activities included in their tour. We will need a copy of your Insurance Policy in order for you to join our trips. Please refer to Terms and Conditions of Booking.
Can you help arrange my travel visa/vaccinations?
Our itineraries include some visa and vaccination advice. However, we suggest that you consult your doctor or travel medical specialist for any vaccination requirements. For visas, we recommend that you check the current visa requirements for your nationality and chosen country of travel. Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid, acceptable passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey and tour. You will not be entitled to a refund if you are denied boarding or entry on any basis, including without limitation, improper documentation (i.e., visas) or failure to provide information.
How will I know what trekking kit to pack?
All trip dossiers will include an essential kit list for you to refer to when preparing for your trip. Most of our trips require a fairly standard ‘multi-day trekking’ kit list with adjustments for the temperatures and climates you will expect to encounter. If you have kit for hiking in the UK then that will be a good start.
What is my baggage allowance? What type of luggage should I take?
This will depend upon your chosen destination, and detailed information will be given in your trip notes. It is worth mentioning, and you will be reminded in the trip dossier, that as well as the baggage limit imposed by the airline for your international flight, there may be additional baggage limitations in relation to domestic flights, maximum porter weights, availability of space on transportation or other reasons.
Do I need to know how my camera works? Will you help me?
In order to get the most out of our Photography Expeditions, we highly advise that you know the basic functions of your camera and be familiar with the manual. Whilst we try to stay up to date with the latest cameras, it is not possible to know in detail how every camera operates. We want you to gain as much as possible from the trip opportunities and the guidance and knowledge we will share. We will assist you in getting the most from your camera as well as guiding you in using creative techniques, using the light effectively and planning your composition.
What photographic equipment should I bring? What type of camera?
Camera equipment is very much a personal choice and depends upon your individual preference, experience and budget. Please refer to the trip dossiers for further information and advice. Please bear in mind that you will be carrying your equipment possibly over a number of days depending on the itinerary.
Do I need to bring a laptop with me?
This will depend upon your chosen trip and itinerary. Due to the nature of some of our treks, and various weight limits, we don’t advise bringing a laptop on the trek itself, though you may decide to bring one and leave it at the hotel before your departure on the trek.
What is included in my trip?
All our trips are different, and this will be clarified in your chosen trip dossier. Generally, most of our trips include in-country transportation, accommodation, meals, guiding and permits where necessary. Please refer to the itinerary for more details.
What is not included in my trip?
All our trips are different and this will be clarified in your chosen trip dossier. Generally, we do not include your main international flight, tips and gratuities, unscheduled hotels or restaurant meals, alcoholic , soft drinks or bottled water not supplied with meals, entrance fees to monuments or tourist attractions or the cost of any add-on trips not arranged through us. Please also refer to our terms and conditions.
Should I offer tips? Are they included?
Tipping is not included and guidance will be given in your specific trip itinerary. Whilst tipping is discretionary, it is considered usual practice and part of accepted culture on some of our trips.
What will I have to carry on a typical day?
This depends upon the trip in question. However, you would usually carry a day pack containing camera equipment, spare clothing, waterproofs and water.
What food can I expect?
This will depend upon your chosen destination, and details will be provided in the specific trip dossier. We cater as best we can for all dietary requirements, although in remote locations this is not always possible. Please advise us of any dietary requirements and/or food allergies at time of booking.
What will the accommodation be like?
This will depend upon your chosen destination and your exact location and remoteness from day to day. We feel it is important to embrace the culture and hospitality of local people by using their tea houses, huts and hotels to support them, and to enhance your experience of the regions. Some itineraries are tent based. Further details are provided in the specific trip dossiers.
What will the weather be like?
Our itineraries are designed to coincide with the best trekking seasons for each particular location. However, we cannot guarantee what the weather will be like. This is one of the joys of adventure travel and impressive images can still be captured during inclement weather. As our trips are multi-day we hope that Mother Nature will be kind to us at least some of the time if not all!
What if I become ill or injured on the trip?
Our leaders are fully trained to deal with these situations.
If you are injured during your trip/trek and evacuation is required, your group leader will work with our local agents and guides to coordinate an evacuation to the nearest medical facility. Evacuation may be by land or air, depending on location and local availability. In developing world countries evacuation, ambulance services and medical facilities may not be up to the standard you are used to in your home country. In remote regions, evacuation may take some time, but be assured we will do everything we can.
We will not be liable for the costs of evacuation or medical expenses and it is important that your travel insurance covers search and rescue, evacuation and medical expenses for the activities and regions you are taking part in. This should include helicopter rescue and appropriate cover for the altitudes we will be trekking at.
If you find that you are not coping on the planned route or need to discontinue your trek we try to offer a few options. If you are finding the route too challenging then we will try to make arrangements so that you can still meet the team at various points on the trek. For example it may be possible for you to forgo more strenuous sections eg: missing out extension days or peaks but still meet the group in the evening. This will very much depend upon each individual case. This may incur additional costs.
If you need to abort the trek completely we will make arrangements for you to leave the group and help arrange travel back to the nearest city from where we started. Any additional costs incurred in arranging guides, medics, porters, transport or accommodation used outside of the main group itinerary will be at your own expense. And your contract with us will end. Please be assured that your group leader will advise you on the best and safest plan for your departure.
Can I extend my trip?
As we offer land only trips you are free to arrive or depart outside of the trip dates. We do sometimes offer optional excursions and side trips and are happy to discuss this further with you.
