East Bay Travel Buddies, Adventures, Local Hikes, & Trips

Colorful Cuba

January 24th - February 1st, 2025

Join Here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/cuba-small-group-tours/

E-mail us at [email protected] for the daily itinerary!

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club are relaunching their Colorful Cuba tour. It is an excellent program full of surprises, fun, and off the beaten path sights - and it is 100% legal! Take this once in a lifetime trip to this undisturbed Caribbean gem!

• 8N/9D throughout the best of Cuba with amazing off the path experiences!
• One-of-a-kind "casa particulares" (small converted homes & guesthouses!)
• Privately guided adventures and local experts throughout
• Breakfast every day
• 3 Dinners, 5 Lunches INCLUDED
• Legal, licensed & permitted program with all USA compliance requirements met under the SCP Program

Email us directly at [email protected] to receive a detailed daily itinerary!

Havana

• Old Havana: Privately guided walking tour including many of the historical sites
• Fusterlandia & Jaimanitas Fishing Village: Colorful fishing village made famous by local artist, Jose Fuster, outside Havana

Soroa

• Unesco Biosphere Reserve
• Callejon de Hamel: Street art project where resident Salvador Gonzáles Escalona has decorated and painted in vibrant colors a pedestrian alleyway with scrap objects
• Las Terrazas: Mountain community was built as a reforestation project in the 1960s and is now part of the same UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
• Orchid Garden: Specialized botanical garden, with a collection of 20,000 specimens and more than 350 species of orchids

Viñales

• Sustainable Farm Discovery: Cuban farmer and his family who'll show us around their organic farm and explain the methods they use to grow their produce without pesticides or artificial fertilizers
• Valley Walking Tour & Tobacco Plantation: A beautiful walk through the valley to a local tobacco farm to learn about the making of Cuba’s famous cigars
• Cuban Cooking Class: Learn to cook Cuban-style with a cooking demonstration of 'platos tipicos'.

Cienfuegos

• Bay of Pigs: Scenic drive along the site where the Bay of Pigs occurred in 1961.
• Sinkhole or Ocean Snorkel: Stop for a swim and snorkel in the ocean or by a sinkhole which resembles a huge natural tropical fish tank.
• Guided Orientation Walk & Palacio de Valle : A short walk to see and learn the local landmarks followed by a visit to the Palacio de Valle, an "Arabian Nights" like aspiring restaurant with a fantastic terrace bar.

Trinidad

• Guided Trinidad Walk: Cultural tour of numerous churches, museums, and many colonial buildings
• Learn to Bartend: Bartending demonstration and discussion of the history behind Cuba’s most popular cocktails.
• Salsa Lesson: Visit a local dance school for a demonstration and lesson in the dances of Cuba
• Salto de Javira Waterfall: An easy hike to this beautiful waterfall, perfect for photos and a dip to cool off.
• Dinner on the Beach: Weather permitting, we'll celebrate this amazing journey together with a feast on the beach!

E-mail us at [email protected] for the daily itinerary!

Price: $2,495
Single Supplement: $695

Deposit: $600

Check out our club's official trip page: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/cuba-small-group-tours/

February 1st – February 13th, 2025

Spiritual Capitals, Monuments of Love, & Bengal Tigers!

Sign up & Secure your spot at: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/mystical-india-group-tours/

Email us to see daily itinerary: [email protected]

We're invited to another incredible adventure with our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club! (https://www.photoflytravel.com/)

Deposit needed to secure spot, RSVPing does not secure spot.

• 12 Nights/ 13 Days
• Boutique hotels & 4 star accommodations
• Privately guided
• Expert local guides
• Breakfast daily
• 12 Dinners, 5 Lunches
• 4 domestic flights ($700 value!)
• Air-conditioned, luxury coach
• Porter gratuities included

Ancient monuments and century’s old traditions set the backdrop for the world’s largest democracy. Without a doubt, India is arguably the most diverse country in the world on many levels!

Delhi (2 Nights)

India’s capital and political hub is an ancient city that has something for everyone. Settled seven times over the centuries, this city has grown in a way that reflects its past, while retaining its cosmopolitan flavor.

• Explore Old Delhi: See Asia’s largest mosque (Jama Masjid), rickshaw ride through Old Delhi, & ancient silver market
• Experience New Delhi: See the India Gate (official residence of the President of India), Parliament House (unique circular building with huge colonnades), Humayun’s Tomb, & 70-meter high Qutub Minar

Varanasi (2 Nights)

Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world and has been the ultimate Hindu pilgrimage spot for thousands of years.

• Assi Ghat (Riverbank): Explore the fascinating riverside with narrow and puzzled alleys excellent for cultural photography
• Manikarnika: Sacred river fronts alongside the river Ganga and unique cremation ground will help us understand why people want to spend their last days in Varanasi.
• Sarai Mohana Village: Translated means “weavers” village, the mastery here is silk weaving.
• Sarnath, Birthplace of Buddhism: Considered the center of the Buddhist world, it was here that Buddha himself preached his very first sermon.
• On the Ganges: Hour long morning boat ride will be an outstanding way to see the pilgrims standing in deep-waist water to worship the rising sun.

Agra, Jaipur, & Udaipur (5 Nights)

Agra is synonymous with the Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

• Taj Mahal: View & photograph this master piece of marble, and the greatest monument depicting love of all time during the golden hour of sunrise!

Jaipur: The pink jewel of Rajasthan, Jaipur’s old walled section is known as the Pink City due to its light red paint (a lucky color in Hindu culture).

• Pink Markets & Bazars: Bapu & Johri Bazaar are not just great places to shop but make for a great photo walk
• Amber Fort: Ancient palace which doubled as a fort was at the former epicenter of Rajasthan during the 15th century, now a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Galtaji (monkey) Temple: Beautiful temple between two mountains is not only a favorite place of macaque monkeys, but a sought after pilgrimage site for Hindu’s all over India.

Udaipur: Founded in 1568 as the capital of the old Mewar state; Udaipur was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion.

• City Palace: Standing on the crest of a ridge overlooking Lake Pichola, the largest palace in Rajasthan was built over various historic periods.
• Jagdish Temple : In the heart of old town, this place of Hindu worship was built in the mid-17th century and has a remarkable bronze statue of Garuda.
• Lake Pichola: Relax on a boat ride through the steel blue waters of the magnificent, albeit artificially created lake of the 14th century.

Sawai Madhopur & Ranthambore, Home of Tigers! (3 Nights)

Ranthambore National Park is one of the few places left in the world where tigers roam free! Also keep your eyes open for sloth bears, hyena, leopards, and a number of other endangered species.

• Safari: Explore the park to photograph Bengal tigers in their home, along with other unique animals.

PhotoFly Travel Club adventures are laid back when it comes to photography. They are not workshop style-based tours, you do not need to be an avid photographer to join. All are welcome!

• 4 domestic flights INCLUDED ($700 value!)
• International airfare is not included.
• Flying round trip into/out of Delhi (DEL)
• Roommate pairing to save money
• All taxes, fees, & transfers included

Email us at [email protected] for the daily itinerary!

Join Us!

For our solo travelers I will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.

Price: $3,495

Single Supplement: $695.00

Deposit: $600.00

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/mystical-india-group-tours/

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club ( https://www.photoflytravel.com/ ) have planned an amazing cultural and visually stunning adventure through Cambodia and the coast of Vietnam.

February 18th - February 28th, 2025

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/cambodia-vietnam-small-group-tours/

E-mail us at [email protected] for the daily itinerary!

We’ll be exploring Cambodia's cultural treasures and landscapes and finishing the adventure on the picturesque cities and coastline of Vietnam. You'll be able to visit multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the ancient city of Hoi An in Vietnam.
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• 10 nights/11 days

– 5 nights/5 days in Cambodia
– 5 nights/5 days in Vietnam

• Boutique hotels throughout
• Breakfast daily
• 7 Lunches & 5 Dinners included
• International flight included (Cambodia -> Vietnam)
• Transportation throughout

"PhotoFly guides gave us a historical, cultural, and environmental view of large cities, beautiful countryside, and rural villages. The local guides could not have been kinder, fulfilling each and every traveler's request and going above and beyond. We had a steady guide, steering the group to a marvelous and memorable trip. With gratitude!" - R.S., Vietnam '23"

Cambodia (5 nights)

• Arriving to the ancient city of Siem Reap to enjoy the area and for an extensive tour of the sprawling temple complex, Angkor Wat
• Visit to the enormous Tonle Sap to relax and photograph rural life
• Koh Ker: Ancient city filled with temple ruins from the Khmer people from the 10th century.
• Day of volunteering in a local village: Over several years, we have made contributions to the local community by volunteering in a local village. The projects are easygoing and in the past we have repaired bicycles, helped to build a footbridge, and repaired a kitchen used to cook for the local kids.

Coastal Vietnam (5 Nights)

• Ho Chi Minh City: Day tour of the sites (Notre Dame, Hotel d’Ville, Ben Thanh Market, & Independence Palace)
• Cu Chi tunnels (Visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defense against the French, and later expanded during the American war)
• Da Nang: Tour of local sites including Marble Mountain and Linh Ung Pagoda
• Hoi An: Walking tour of Old Town, local markets, and riverside photos
• Optional food tours

Don’t forget to e-mail us for the daily itinerary of our Cambodia and Vietnam small group tour ([email protected]).
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Join Us!

*For our solo travelers I will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.

Price: $3,395
Single Supplement: $650

Deposit: $600

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/cambodia-vietnam-small-group-tours/

March 26 - April 4, 2025

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club ( http://www.photoflytravel.com/ ) have put an amazing, unbeatable Botswana safari combined with the best parts of Cape Town in South Africa!

Email [email protected] for daily itinerary!

Sign up here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/best-of-south-africa-kruger-cape-town-group-tours/

It’s clear we just can’t get enough of Africa based on everyone’s requests and how quickly these trips are filling up! We combine two things in South Africa: the vibrant city and beautiful natural landscapes around Cape Town followed by arguably the greatest safari experience in the world within Kruger National Park.

Email us to see the daily itinerary at [email protected]

• 9 nights/10 days
• All-inclusive safari plus 4 lunches & 5 dinners in Cape Town area
• Glamping and boutique properties throughout
• Wildlife: elephants, buffalos, antelopes, lions, leopards, giraffes, wild dogs, birding, and MUCH more!
• Multiple included domestic flights

South Africa's Cape Town - 5 nights

"A coming-together of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes, there's nowhere quite like Cape Town, a singularly beautiful city crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park. And one can’t help but be seduced by the glorious natural beauty of the Garden Route. The range of topography, vegetation, wildlife, and outdoor activities is remarkable, not to mention the world-class vineyards & stunning beaches." -Lonely Planet

There is A LOT to see and do here, this is what we have planned.

• Cable Car up Table Mountain for panoramic views of the city, waterfront, Hottentots Holland Mountains
• Cape Town city highlights private tour
• Traditional cooking demonstration and lunch in the Malay Quarter
• Harbor cruise to photograph Cape fur seals
• Visit to Boulder Beach's penguin colony
• Kirstenbosch botanical gardens with over 3,500 species of South African flora

After a few days exploring the city, we'll be heading west towards Hermanus along the world-renowned Garden Route finishing in one of the country's wine region.

• Coastal abalone aquaculture tour
• Fernkloof nature reserve with guided walking or hiking options
• Wine tasting safari in open-air safari vehicles
• Beautiful scenery with photo stops along the drive

Kruger National Park - 4 nights

Following our time surrounded by modernity, our included flight will take us to one of the world’s most magnificent game reserves to connect with Africa’s wildness – Kruger National Park. Steeped in legend and history, this flagship park is one of the largest reserves on the continent covering thousands of square miles in the northeast corner of South Africa. Conservationists estimate the park to be home to over 500 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles, 150 species of mammals, and containing multiple archeological sites, enormous diversity of trees and flowers, open savannas, rivers, streams, and much more. Highlights for animal viewing include the ‘Big Five’ – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and Cape buffalo. Not to be overlooked are zebra, giraffe, hippos, cheetah, crocodiles, hyenas, vultures, parrots, herons, owls, wild dogs, antelope, and so much more. Experiencing and photographing these precious creatures on our daily safaris, aboard comfortable 4x4s, will be complimented nicely with our luxury tented camp in the bush, with easy access to this memorable wildlife paradise.

From the luxury lodge, we'll be able to enjoy Africa's wild in total comfort.

• Daily game drives or other safari activities
• Incredible photo opportunities
• World-class animal viewing
• Local drivers & wildlife guides
• Spa treatments available for purchase

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- All taxes, transfers, fees included
- Airfare is not included, ask us for help. Flying into Cape Town International Airport (CPT), depart from Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP)
- Roommate pairing to save money
- Email us to see daily itinerary at [email protected]

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Join Us!

Solo travelers will pair up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.

Price: $4,595
Single Supplement: $959

Deposit: $600

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/best-of-south-africa-kruger-cape-town-group-tours/