Secrets of the Maya Photography Adventure in Belize and Guatemala

 

December 4-12, 2011 (includes an overnight at Tikal in Guatemala)  (Full)
November 23 - December 1, 2013 (includes an overnight at Tikal in Guatemala)

Grade 2
Link to Gallery of Images from Past Adventures

Secrets of Maya takes you on a photo safari to the rainforests, ruins, and underworld of Belize and Guatemala.  We'll visit ancient Mayan cities, explore caves where Mayans held rituals, and photograph the flora and fauna of the lush rainforest ecosystem that engulfed the region after the collapse of the fabled Mayan cities.

Bob Harvey and Diane Kelsay have made many trips to Belize since 1990 working among its natural and cultural treasures - and will use this adventure to introduce a small group of participants to some of their very favorite places in both Belize and Guatemala.

We will take time to make great images of spectacular Mayan cities, finding artful compositions amongst the tangle of the rainforest and the architecture of these old masters. We will explore little known parts of Belize and Guatemala that traditional tours miss.

We will time our visits for great light and dedicate ample time in each location to capture quality photos.

We'll take time to look closely find great compositions among the plants and animals that make up the macro world of the Belizean rainforest.  We'll stalk leaf cutter ants and find butterflies with transparent wings.  We'll capture droplets of water adorning the webs of golden orb spiders.  We'll seek patterns in nature that please us abstractly.

We will spend evenings discussing photo techniques and tips for the following day’s outing. We'll also explore the magnificent grounds of our host nature lodge with cameras, capturing outstanding close-ups, bird photos, and unique nature images. 

Individual coaching will be given in the field.

Included in the safari, is an overnight trip to Guatemala to explore the well known site of Tikal and the relatively unknown site of Yaxhá, the two most impressive Mayan sites in the region.

 

 

The group will also visit other fascinating Mayan archaeological sites in Belize.
All outings will be guided and facilitated by local Belizeans and Guatemalans. Lodging will be in quality nature oriented facilities, known for great service and food. 
This workshop is a great opportunity to bring along a companion who likes to travel with you - but isn't absolutely addicted to photography.  There is plenty for that partner to enjoy on these guided outings.  We'll be guided by one of the best interpretive guides in the Americas!


 

Link to Gallery of Images from Past Adventures
 
  • Cost: $2,960 per person, double occupancy

  • Cost: $3,560 per person, single occupancy

  •  Begins and ends in Belize City.

  • Cost includes all lodging, most meals, guided outings, transfers, service charges.

  • Participants must be in good health, and be willing to try new things.

  • Minimum enrollment = 6


Cancellation Policy

Application

You may pay by check or credit card (see application) or online using PayPal.

Pay Deposit online with PayPal
Number of Participants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Suggested Equipment and Supplies
**A Digital SLR, capable of manual operation - you'll want wide angle, close up, and telephoto lenses
*We suggest a notebook computer for image storage and review, portable hard drives for storage, and a battery charger
*An off-camera flash and a slave or remote trigger would be fun for the caves.
*You'll enjoy a tripod on this adventure

*Rain jacket, trail shoes, and outdoor clothes
*A spirit of adventure

A more detailed list outlining equipment and personal gear suggestions will be sent to those who enroll in this program.



         
 

2012

 

Status

 

Yellowstone in Winter
(Three Sessions)

Explore Yellowstone's winter wonderland by snow coach, capturing images of pristine winter scenes, abundant wildlife, and exciting thermal features... Full


Full


Full

Jan
13-20

Jan
21-28

Jan 29 - Feb 5

Tanzania
Photography Safari

Timed to meet the great migration in the Serengeti, our safari takes you to some of the great parks and protected areas in northern Tanzania in search of lions, zebras, giraffes, cheetah, hyenas... Full

Feb
17 - 27

Patagonia

New Adventure
Explore southern Chile and Argentina finding huge glaciers, Torres del Paine, condors, guanacos, Tierra del Fuego and scenery that will simply amaze you!

Full

March 6-17

Galapagos Photography Adventure

North & West Itinerary.  Amazing opportunities with wildlife above and below water - and scenery - and great geological wonders. 

Full

April
8-18

Galapagos Photography Adventure Our Combined Itinerary featuring 15 days in the Galapagos!  This itinerary is to die for - or evolve from!  Life changing experiences and many many great photography opportunities! Full April
8-25
Galapagos Photography Adventure Unveiling our new South & East Itinerary.  Amazing wildlife and landscapes!  Some of the most dramatic Galapagos scenery! Full April 15-25
Wine and Waterfalls Let's explore Oregon's wine country, visiting a diverse selection of vineyards that demonstrate the strengths and quality of Oregon's wine regions.  We'll taste and photograph, and take interesting side trips to find photographic opportunities in spring flowers, pristine forests, and amazing waterfalls. Space Available May 26 - June
2

Oregon Coastal Adventures

Join us as we explore our old backyard on the Southern Oregon Coast.  We've timed this adventure around fantastic low tides, a full moon, and the bloom of wild rhododendrons.

Space Available

June
3-8

Glacier Bay Alaska Explorer

Whales, bears, bald eagles, otters, puffins, calving glaciers, sea lions and more.  Join us for this non-stop feeding frenzy of photography!

Limited Space Available

June 24-30

Oregon Cascades and Waterfalls

Let's explore Oregon's waterfall country, capturing exciting images, and learning new techniques made possible by changing technology! Space Available Sept 23-27
Wild Bunch Wild Bunch Rendezvous.  Date and Place available to Wild Bunch members. By Invitation Mid Fall
Wild Bunch in Belize That Wild Bunch is at it again.  Climbing higher and caving deeper in the Mayan sites and wild caves of Belize and Guatemala.  Are you wild enough to join them?  Email and find out! By Invitation Nov 17-25
Costa Rica  We have an exciting new itinerary.  Join us for a photographic exploration of the Pacific-facing rainforests, cloud forests, and coastal mangrove wetland forests - and all the great species that live there!  Think birds, reptiles, monkeys, frogs, butterflies, leaf cutter ants - and more! Space Available Dec 2-12
         
 

2013

 

Status

 

Yellowstone in Winter
(3 Sessions)

Explore Yellowstone's winter wonderland by snow coach, capturing images of pristine winter scenes, abundant wildlife, and exciting thermal features... Space Available

Full

Space Available

Jan
4-11

Jan
12-19

Jan
20-27

Tanzania
Photography Safari

Timed to meet the great migration in the Serengeti, our safari takes you to some of the great parks and protected areas in northern Tanzania in search of lions, zebras, giraffes, cheetah, hyenas... Limited Space Available Feb
13-24

Iguazú Falls

Come with us to Iguazú Falls on the Argentina/Brazil border, witness one of the most exciting waterfalls in the world, and develop your skills at waterfall photography! Space Available March 21-29
Galapagos Photography Adventure North & West Itinerary.  Amazing opportunities with wildlife above and below water - and scenery - and great geological wonders.  Space Available April
7-17
Galapagos Photography Adventure Our Combined Itinerary featuring 15 days in the Galapagos!  This itinerary is to die for - or evolve from!  Life changing experiences and many many great photography opportunities! Space Available April
7-24

Galapagos Photography Adventure

Unveiling our new South & East Itinerary.  Amazing wildlife and landscapes!  Some of the most dramatic Galapagos scenery! Space Available April
14-24
Exploring the Peruvian Andes, Land of the Inca We have woven together a tapestry of nature, Incan archaeology, and Quechua culture into an amazing photographic journey through the Andes.  Join us as we create art in Machu Picchu and other great Inca sites and learn as we explore! Limited Space Available May
17-26
Botswana! The Okavango Delta at the absolutely perfect time.  Victoria Falls.  Chobe National Park.  Safari by Mokoro.  Moremi Game Reserve.  Photography heaven!  And pleasant temperatures to boot! Space Available Aug
19-30
Southwest Sun, Shadows, Sandstone, & Slot Canyons! Monument Valley, Mystery Valley, Antelope Canyon and more as we explore the red rocks and strong light of this magic land of Navajo and Anasazi! Space Available Oct 16-21
Secrets of the Maya Our Belize and Guatemala Adventure explores Mayan sites, rainforest trails, and caves, capturing the Indiana Jones feel of the Mayan highland rainforest. Space Available Nov 23-
Dec 1
         
 

2014

Status  
Antarctica New Adventure
Join us for an exciting exploration of Antarctica, the Falklands, and South Georgia Island. 
We are close to filling one landing craft Jan  2014
Patagonia Explore southern Chile and Argentina finding huge glaciers, Torres del Paine, condors, guanacos, Tierra del Fuego and scenery that will simply amaze you! Space Available March 5-16
Galapagos Photography Adventure North & West Itinerary.  Amazing opportunities with wildlife above and below water - and scenery - and great geological wonders.  Space Available April
6-16
Galapagos Photography Adventure Our Combined Itinerary featuring 15 days in the Galapagos!  This itinerary is to die for - or evolve from!  Life changing experiences and many many great photography opportunities! Space Available April
6-23
Galapagos Photography Adventure Unveiling our new South & East Itinerary.  Amazing wildlife and landscapes!  Some of the most dramatic Galapagos scenery! Space Available April
13-23

Links to Galleries
from Past Photography Adventures

Galapagos 2010 Tanzania
Yellowstone in Winter Peru
Costa Rica Secrets of the Maya
Iguazú Falls Oregon Coast
Southwest 2008 Tanzania
 
Adventure Scrapbooks Participant Galleries
Yellowstone in Winter Yellowstone in Winter
Costa Rica Iguazú Falls
  Tanzania
  Costa Rica
 

Contact Information

Diane Kelsay
PO Box 1900
Ava, MO 65608

417 683 6881
diane@naturephotographyadventures.com

Note:
Please wait for confirmation before making travel arrangements.
Contact us if you have travel questions.