Firstly, welcome to “your” page 🙂 If you have landed here, it’s because you were the recipient of the newsletter I sent out, and as such you have first choice on the 2027 trips before it all goes public. This page, basically, is hidden on the website for now but an updated variant of it will go “live” to all and sundry on 30 April.
So, in theory, you have a month’s head-start.
You can click on the link to view the 2027 GROUP TRIPS, but before you do, please have a read thru’ of the rest of the info’ here first.
We are constantly putting together exciting itineraries based on my own commission work (recent and ongoing), and often these are guided by myself. However, with continued squeezes on time, I have taken the decision that in 2027, all the group departures will be guided by teams on the ground that I have worked with, rather than be restricted by my time and availability. This frees up a number of locations that might otherwise not be possible for some time.
The advantage of a group tour over a bespoke ICONS one is that it tends to be a more economical version of doing the same trip that you might have wanted to do, but couldn’t, in bespoke form as it benefits from scale.
So, what we have are some “set” departures to a handful of the ICONS destinations which are therefore group travel. As I say, these will be guided by expert teams on the ground, or on occasion one of my photographic peers who I’ve worked with before. If that is the case, then it will be highlighted in advance. However, the main benefit of the group is that for those that do not wish the added expense of crafting an individual trip, are travelling alone, or simply prefer to be in a group of like-minded types, then this is the experience for you. Essentially, these are exactly as if you were travelling with me as your guide, but, well, without me nagging you along the way!
All groups will be either four or six guests maximum, determined by the location. If it is predominantly vehicle-based for example, it will only ever be a group of four, whereas if the vast majority of your viewing will be on foot , boat-based or simply away from the vehicle, then the group may extend to six.
Are there single supplements?
Sadly, yes. These vary according to location, but are a commercial reality. If you really, really must have a room to yourself, then it will cost extra. This is because we are charged for unoccupied beds. In an even-numbered group it also “creates” another single room too for the person you’d otherwise share with, and as such we are also charged for that. This would also need to be added to your overall costing unfortunately – it’s just the way of the world out there. We are usually good at mimimizing these where we can, and they are always passed on at cost, but we do have to make it clear that your cost will be higher.
Are these itineraries only for groups?
No. All of these can be modified to fit 1,2,3 or 4 of you if you want to travel as friends, or extended and varied if there are other things you wish to incorporate too – simply ask. You don’t have to join an established group. For numbers less than four, of course, but not wishing to have people they don’t know on the group, then this simply becomes our regular “ICONS” trip; essentially a bespoke one. You can adopt the exact same itinerary as the normal group if you wish, but just bear in mind that the groups are costed on being full so any less than the ideal number may result in you having to pay a bit more for exclusivity. For reference, in this situation if you are an “odd number” group (a 1, 3 or 5) we can “average” any single supplement that would be payable across all of you if that works.
How many groups will be there each year?
It is unlikely there will be more than 30-36 spaces per year on these exciting adventures. If it’s not listed as a group, then it’s still available though…just as a regular ICONS trip.
So, does that mean I don’t have a guide?
No. You will still be expertly guided by the teams I know on the ground who have managed and looked after me on numerous occasions. That said, I may choose to add a photographer to your trip – one that I trust and have worked with – if I feel it would be of extra benefit. If I do that, there’s no extra charge.
What else do I get?
A full briefing by me in terms of pre-trip notes highlighting what to expect and how to approach the shooting. If possible logistically, we will also meet up for a day’s free tuition/refresher too, geared at the location you have chosen and also to get your grey matter working in terms of processing ideas on what to achieve on site. After your trip, you can send me up to 30 images too, and we can have a discussion on what you could have done/what you achieved and critique your collection so that you can have a better idea next time you go away.
Why should I choose these trips?
Experience. I have been there and done it – multiple times usually. You are doing a potted version of what I do with no rushing around to simply “country tick” but instead having dedicated time with specific goals in mind photographically. Tourists will select more diverse operations and itineraries elswhere, but it’s photographers that choose trips like these
What do I do next?
Take a look and see if something appeals. For now, we are only indicating the month of travel as some of these are more than two years away. However, our trips are usually full about 18 months out. Once you have submitted your enquiry, we will finalise the dates and details to you with a full, detailed itinerary and costings, and then you will be able to commit. All trips will be put on “general” sale, as it were, on 30 April with any remaining spaces, so you have a full month advantage. Do bear in mind that the number of spaces on each trip is limited.