Why should I book a specialist photographic tour?
A specialist photographic tour operator can offer a tailor made itinerary that gives you the very best opportunity to enjoy your photography. Photoventures is owned and operated by one of the United Kingdoms leading photographers who has years of experience finding the best photographic locations and opportunities to visit. This allows the client to concentrate on getting great photographs and enjoying the experiences without all of the hassle of having to do the specialist research and spending the time and money required to find the best photographic locations.

What kind of photographic opportunities will there be on the tour?
Each tour is designed to offer a wide range of photography. Photoventures takes a great deal of time planning itineraries and locations to ensure that you maximise your photography. We have extensive knowledge of many of the areas we visit and this enables us to take you to the best locations at the very best times so all you have to do is enjoy your photography. Of course we cannot plan everything and when a unique opportunity comes along we will take full advantage of it.

How much of the day is given over to photography?
We plan to photograph all day where permitted. Our tours are planned to make the best of the early and late light as well as offering photography during the remainder of the day. Even on travelling days we try to factor in plenty of photographic stops along the way.

What are the group sizes on your tours?
Group sizes vary according to tours. However we are always mindful of ensuring that the group size does not become too unwieldy. On our tours to the USA we usually operate with a maximum group of ten clients travelling in two seven seat vehicles. Our tours to other locations usually use coach transport and we ensure that we have a large enough vehicle for comfort.

How arduous are your tours?
We understand that photographer like to be able to carry a lot of equipment with them and that this can restrict hiking long distances. We always endeavour to gain the easiest access to photographic locations however there may be occasions when a hike is needed. If this is the case we will know what equipment will be necessary to obtain the best photographs and just how arduous the hike will be so we can advise our clients accordingly and make the experience an enjoyable one. Of course any hike that we include in our itineraries is optional.

What is included in the price?
The price of our tours cover all ground arrangements and include Motel/Hotel accommodation, which will be on a two persons sharing basis (Twin or Double), all ground transport and travel costs, entry fees to State and National Parks in USA and photographic advice from an experienced Photographer.

What is not included in the price?
We do not include Flights from Heathrow or other United Kingdom airport to destination, all meals unless specified in the itinerary, the entrance fees to other locations and trips and personal travel Insurance.

How do I book a tour?
To book a tour you need to complete a booking form and send it to Photoventures together with your £200 deposit. The booking form is available as a download form the website or can be obtained by contacting Photoventures direct.

What happens if an entry fee is required to another location?
On some occasions the tour will include excursion that is additional to the tour cost. These will be optional and the estimated cost will be shown in the detailed Itinerary and the fees will be paid at the time of the entry or trip.

Do I need travel insurance?
Yes every client must have travel insurance. We always advise clients that travel insurance should be in place the moment you send your booking deposit. This will protect you against any losses that you might incur through cancellation.

What do I do about booking flights?
The law prevents us from including the flights in out tour cost however we offer the very best assistance possible to our clients to make the flight booking a simple process. Photoventures will arrange the flight itinerary with an agent and then inform each client personally who to contact to make payment for their flight. Of course we can also arrange any variations to the flight itinerary that a client requires.

Why do you need a deposit?
When you book Photoventures requires a £200 non returnable deposit to secure a place on any planned tour. The deposit is required to cover any costs that may be incurred if the client later cancels.

What happens if a tour is cancelled?
After the initial deposit Photoventures will not require any further payment until it confirms to the client that there are sufficient numbers booked for the tour to take place. In the event that there are not sufficient numbers or the tour is cancelled for some other reason deposits will be returned in full.

What happens if I cancel?
If the client cancels between paying the initial deposit and notification from Photoventures that final payment is required the client will forfeit the deposit in full. If the client cancels after full payment has been made then the following cancellation fees will apply. Less than 70 day before departure 50% of the full tour cost, less than 56 days 100% of the full tour cost. (PHOTOVENTURES will endeavour to resell any tour to minimise the loss to the individual. However we cannot guarantee that the tour place will be resold. There will be a charge for this service) this is why it is imperative to have travel insurance cover form the moment you pay any money towards your tour. All cancellation must be made in writing.

What happens if I require single accommodation?
Photoventures tour prices are based on two sharing however we can of course accommodate clients who require single accommodation. In this instance Photoventures policy is only to charge the actual additional cost and not to place a surcharge on single room accommodation. On trips to the USA we give the client an indication of the projected cost but will not ask for payment until two weeks prior to departure. This policy allows us to accurately assess the exchange rate in order that only the exact cost is passed to the client. When using agents we pass on only the cost they make to us for single accommodation.

What about health issues?
Our booking procedure requires each client to notify Photoventures of any medical condition. This is to ensure we are fully aware of any client’s personal situation. In the unlikely event that Photoventures is concerned with the ability of any client to undertake a particular tour this will be fully discussed with the client at time of booking. The vast majority of our tours are not restrictive to any person with but if a client does fall ill whilst on tour we need to be fully aware of any medical history.

Special dietary needs
One of the reasons for not including food in the cost of the majority of our tours is to allow the client an individual choice. If food is included as part of the tour cost then special arrangements can be made to cater for any clients particular needs, provided we are informed in advance. If vegetarian meals are required on flights then the client should inform the booking agents at the time of paying the for their flight ticket.