Join myself and Karadeniz local Refik Demir for a truly unique tour above the clouds and under the stars. This week-long adventure takes us across the stunning heights of the Black Sea region, staying at various yaylalar (mountain plateau villages) and immersing ourselves in the local culture with incredibly hospitable hosts.
With its Alpine scenery, terraced tea plantations and pastures of wild flowers, it’s difficult to understand how this area has gone completely under the radar. When I started organising photography workshops and adventures my main goal was to provide something unique, not the same old trips that many others provide, and it doesn’t get much better than this, Karadeniz truly is a hidden gem!
We will be visiting at the onset of autumn, the best time of year to find yourself standing above a cloud inversion gazing up at spectacular dark skies. We will of course be catching the tail end of Milky Way season, with the core sitting nicely above the charismatic peaks in the evening skies.
It’s also an area renowned for it’s incredible cuisine so you’ll be pleased to hear that all breakfasts and evening meals are included, prepared by locals with locally sourced organic produce.
Price
£750 (£175 deposit)
Date
12th - 19th September 2020
GROUP SIZE
6-8
SKILL LEVEL
Beginner to intermediate (also those advanced shooters who desire location guidance and advanced tips)
FITNESS level
Moderate (Vehicle transport between main stops but some days include 1-3 hour simple hikes)
Included:
- 7-nights accomodation (pansions and bunkhouses)
- All breakfasts and evening meals
- Airport transfers
- All transport during the week
- Professional photography tuition
- Guidance to the best locations
Not Included:
- Flights
- Personal accident, equipment, and travel insurance
- Snacks and lunch
Itinerary
Night 1 - Pokut/SAL Yaylasi
Once we have collected everyone from the airport we head straight to Pokut Yaylasi, perhaps the most quintessential mountain village in the area. We will spend the night in the neighbouring Sal Yaylasi, just a short walk through an enchanted woodland where we will enjoy some local food before our first chance at capturing the Milky Way.
Nights 2 & 3 - Avusor Yaylasi
We will spend 2 nights at Avusor Yaylasi, choosing to hike up to the lake for a sunset on the night with the best weather forecast so that we have a good chance to hang around for some Milky Way photography. There are also a couple of other neaby villages worth visiting and a hike to the foot of Kaçkar mountain, the tallest in the area at 3,937 metres (12,917 ft).
Nights 4 & 5 - Tahpur Yaylasi
The next two nights will be the highest in altitude, staying at the secluded Tahpur Yaylasi at 3,000m. The mountainous views here are spectcular and this will be our best opportunity to find ourselves above the clouds and under the stars. Plenty of lakes and mountainous views to enjoy which we will visit via minibus and short easy walks.
Nights 6 & 7 - Gito Yaylasi
Our final two nights will be spent at Gito Yaylasi with incredibly hospitable hosts at Koçira Pansiyon. Again, the views are to die for. The area is rich in wildflowers of all sizes and colours and there are plenty of nearby villages and mountain views easily accessible via minbus. Delegates will then be dropped off at Trabzon Airport ready for the return trip.
Topics covered:
Milky Way photography
Stacking for noise reduction
Exposure blending
Moonscapes
Star Trails
Focus Stacking
What’s in the night sky for the trip
Milky Way
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus
Meteors
Orion
Andromeda Galaxy
Moon
How to get there?
We will be collecting all delegates from Trabzon Airport. Depending on where you are coming from you will likely have to make a stop in one of Istanbul’s two airports, Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Either are suitable and it could be an opportunity for you to spend some time exploring the city before or after the tour.
what do you need?
- Camera, lenses, SD card, batteries and tripod
- Sun-screen, glasses and hat (for the sunny days)
- Thermal layers and insulated jackets (for the cold nights)
- Headtorch preferably with red-light function (and a backup is advised)
- Hiking boots/sturdy footwear.
- Personal accident, injury, and travel insurance.
How do You book?
Please fill in the form below and Alyn Wallace will get back to you with the full terms and conditions and a booking form. A deposit of £175 will be required to confirm your place with the full amount payable 90 days prior to workshop start date