The Photographic tour to Russia is another of our new destinations for 2020. From June 19 to July 2 we will photograph the main spirit of the country. An exciting destination for his architectural, cultural and social culture that will offer us amazing photographies. We will visit the main Russian cities: Moscow and St. Petersburg and its surroundings, where we can photograph both its main monuments and incredible locations in more hidden places of conventional routes.

Within this extraordinary 15-day photographic journey, we will photograph magical places such as St. Petersburg, the city of the Tsars, which specially at this time of the year offers its best lights during white nights, where the sunset and sunrise are almost at the same time and that will allow us to visit different locations in the same day with the best lights. We will also travel to Moscow where on the way we can photograph the most unknown Russia, its typical wooden houses in the middle of immense forests, kremlins more unknown or incredible orthodox religious centers in the middle of nature. Already in the capital, we will have the possibility to photograph the historical Soviet architecture in all its splendor: The Kremlin and the Red Square, Soviet skyscrapers or the wonderful famous metro stations.

A destination with so many possibilities facilitates the realization of a really complete program, and that will take us to use ourselves to the maximum from the first moment, until the last day, before moving to the airport to start the return home.

So that you can have the maximum and best possibilities of obtaining great images, we have prepared this Photographic Trip to Russia with the highest level of detail and knowledge of the terrain, given that our guide Eduardo Fuster lives in Russia. Therefore, you can enjoy almost constant photographic possibilities during each of the days of our stay in this beautiful country.

In short, we talk about a very special opportunity to visit and photograph a country as full of contrasts and beauty as Russia, join our Photographic Tour and be one of the lucky ones who can enjoy an unforgettable experience.

Day 1

St. Petersburg

Arrival in Saint Petersburg. Meeting of the group and beginning of the trip.

Depending on the arrival time, we will visit the center to begin to know the city and photograph the Church of the Savior on the spilled blood, the Kazan Cathedral and the canals. Night at our hotel to rest and prepare for the next day.

Day 2

St. Petersburg

In the morning we will visit the Winter Palace (Hermitage), where we will guide you to the most spectacular rooms and we will begin to know Russian history a little better.

At the end we can take a short break in the center to eat and visit the summer gardens. In the afternoon we will cross the Neva river to visit the Peter and Paul fortress, and take photographs of the same fortress from within. Once visited inside, we will take a break at the hotel to gather strength for the night, where we will have plenty of time, thanks to the white nights, to take photographs at sunset of the sites visited during the day and return to the center as the previous day to photograph the main churches and streets of St. Petersburg

Day 3

Peterhof

In the morning we will go to visit the Peterhof Palace, about 30 kilometers from St. Petersburg. The place is considered the Russian Versailles, and apart from the great main palace we can photograph its immense gardens and the largest fountain complex in the world. We will attend the lighting of the fountains, and we will visit the palace inside on a guided tour.

In the afternoon we will return to St. Petersburg to have a bite to eat and rest before visiting St. Isaac and the statue of the bronze horse at dusk. We will climb to the top of St. Isaac to take panoramic photographs of the city. When going down and depending on the previous days, we will continue visiting the center to photograph its main monuments.

Day 4

Leningrad

In the morning we will visit the Soviet monuments in honor of Leningrad, we will leave the city to visit the Way of Life, the only way to entry food during the Nazi siege to the city, where we can visit many Soviet monuments, built in honor of the defenders of the city. Arriving at the Ladoga Side, we will continue our way to the south to reach the Oreshek fortress, to photograph it at sunset from the other side of the river, which will give us spectacular views of this ancient fortress of the Russian Empire.

Back in the city we will stop at the Smolny Cathedral to be able to photograph it during the white nights, from the banks of the Neva River and from the church square itself.

Day 5

Karelia

We will leave early to visit the island of Krondstad, located in the Gulf of Finland, and where we can visit its forts and amazing cathedral.

After that, we will continue our route to the north where we will stop to visit the Mannerheim line, a series of Soviet and Finnish bunkers in the winter war. At dusk we will arrive at Vasilyevo, where the church is located on the smallest island in the world and will offer us some spectacular photographs in a unique atmosphere.

Day 6

Novgorod

In the morning we will visit the Palace of Caterina. We will photograph the gardens and visit the interior in a guided tour.

At the end of our visit we will leave St Petersburg to go to Novgorod, stopping in the small towns to photograph typical Russian houses called isbas.

We will arrive in Novgorod where after settling in the hotel, we will go out to visit the Kremlin and photograph its walls. Depending on the forces we will wait at sunrise because, as we will still be north, the sun will rise at dawn and we will be able to rest after having made our photographs

Day 7

Istra

In the morning, and depending on the time of arrival the previous day we will visit the interior of the Novgorod Kremlin. We will gather strength to resume the march and leave for Moscow.

Just before arriving, we will stop in Istra to take pictures of the monastery and its mill, once visited inside we will go around its surroundings to wait for the sunset in the best location to photograph this incredible monastery that is part of the Russian Golden Ring. At the end of our session, we will arrive in Moscow to rest in our hotel of the Soviet era.

Day 8

Moscow

In the morning we will visit the center of Moscow. Walking from our hotel we will visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and we will arrive to the Kremlin and the Red Square. We will visit the GUM, the Bolshoi Theater and Lubyanka Square.

We will rest and eat something before returning to the Kremlin to visit it inside. Where we can visit their cathedrals and have time to walk around its walls. At dusk we will continue touring the surroundings of the Kremlin to take pictures of this iconic location from the best points.

Day 9

Pereslavl-Zaleski

Early in the morning, we will take the car to visit the Russian golden ring. We will arrive at Serguei Posad, considered the Russian Vatican. Its fortress houses the largest monastery in Russia and its incredible churches and monastic life in the interior will allow us to take incredible photographs of the largest Orthodox spiritual center.

After a short break to eat we will continue our route towards Pereslavl-Zaleski. Where we will visit the Church of the Transfiguration, built in white stone, like all the surrounding Kremlin. At dusk, and from outside the Kremlin we will have the best moment of light to make incredible photographs of its architecture.

Día 10

Suzdal

We will get up early to take photographs in the Church of the 40 martyrs, located just at the mouth of the river in the lake of the city, which along with the water lilies that grow on its shore will allow us to make magical photographs of its architecture. At the end of our session we will continue our route to Rostov Veliki, another of the cities of the Golden Ring and which has the most beautiful Kremlin in Russia.

In the afternoon we will travel to Suzdal, another of the cities of the Golden Ring, whose particularity is the colorful dome of its churches and the city retains a traditional atmosphere that will allow us to take pictures from the other side of the river with a spectacular skyline. We will spend the night in the city to take advantage of both sunset and sunrise the next day to be able to photograph its architecture in all its splendor.

Day 11

Moscow

After finishing the morning session in Suzdal, we will take the car to return to Moscow. In the afternoon we will visit the VDNKh park during the afternoon, where we can photograph Soviet pavilions dedicated to all the republics that were part of the USSR, as well as monuments dedicated to the scientists and workers of the extinct union.

In the surroundings we can also photograph the monument to the Soviet cosomonauts and one of the most emblematic monuments of the USSR: Worker and Kolkhoz. At the end of our session we will go to sunset to photograph one of the seven sisters of Stalin, a Soviet skyscraper on the riverbank that offers its best views at sunset. We will return to rest at the hotel once our session is over.

Day 12

Moscow

We will use the morning to visit and photograph its famous metro stations. We will make a tour of the most beautiful stations and be able to photograph them with time. At the end, we will make a little rest and visit in the afternoon the museum of World War II or Great Patriotic War, where we can continue photographing Soviet architecture and knowing this part of Russian history.

At the end we will visit one of the most iconic modern photographic points of the city: the financial center of Moscow at dusk. A set of skyscrapers on the banks of the river that will allow us to take pictures of the new Russia.

Day 13

Moscow

We will get up early to photograph another 4 of Stalin’s famous skyscrapers (The 7 Sisters) during the sunrise and in the morning. We will visit the city visiting the different buildings, besides knowing other buildings of interest. In the afternoon we will visit the university park, which has the last of the skyscrapers that we will visit this day and which will also offer panoramic views of the city.

In the afternoon we will visit the Novodevichy Convent that is close to the area, and at dusk we can choose between photographing its walls from the lake that surrounds it or returning to the university to make panoramic views of Moscow when the sun is setting.

Day 14

Moscow

We will get up early to finish photographing in the morning the 2 last sisters of Stalin. At the end of our session we will approach the Izmailovsky market where we can find Russian antiques and make social photography with calm, in addition to having time also to buy authentic Soviet souvenirs. As an optional activity, you can visit the Stalin bunker in the same area, which preserves the areas where the high Soviet leader sheltered from the Germans during the Nazi siege. In the afternoon we will visit the monastery of Izmaylovsky Ostrov inside and as usual, we will go outside to take pictures at sunset from the nearby lake.

Day 15

Moscow

Transfer to Moscow airport and return home.

Our Photo Tour to Lake Baikal, in Russia, is one of our new destinations for the year 2020. Incredible caves and dreamy landscapes in its famous frozen waters. Lake Baikal is a perfect destination for all those who love nature, the great landscapes and, without a doubt, for any landscape photographer. From February 29 to March 9, we can enjoy these landscapes without worrying about anything else, since all services will be included, traveling in full pension throughout the tour.

Located in the region of Irkutsk, south of Siberia, for many the most impressive lake in the world, is a region with an overflowing beauty. During our Photo Trip to Lake Baikal, we will have the opportunity to photograph ice caves, the frozen water of the lake with its characteristic lines and bubbles … apart from the possibilities of visiting the unique local culture in the world of this spectacular peninsula, a mixture of religions between orthodox, Buddhism and primitive shamanism.

In order to make the most of this trip, we will spend the nights in Olkhon Island, located in the center of the lake, and that will facilitate access to all places with the greatest possible comfort. In this way, we will be able to photograph the most spectacular and, at the same time, most exclusive locations. Always looking for the moments of better light, surrounded by a unique natural environment, in a wild territory.

For a trip like this, we will have the services of a local expert company, who will guide us, assist us and prepare everything we need during our trip, so that we only have to take care to enjoy photographing incredible places such as those here we will find A special photographic journey, an authentic adventure, that will allow us to reach where others only dream.

With the support of our team of guides, drivers and local experts, we offer you an incomparable Photographic Journey, towards wild routes, in search of really unique images. Thanks to them, our professional photographers, Eduardo Fuster and Sergio Lanza, will be able to focus on helping you to achieve the best possible photographs of Lake Baikal, contributing all your experience and knowledge in photography, and taking you to the most amazing locations of the destination.

ITINERARY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC TRIP TO LAKE BAIKAL

Day 1

Our Photo Tour to Lake Baikal begins on February 29, 2020, at Irkutsk Airport, the meeting place of the group at an agreed time. This first day, we will take the opportunity to get to know each other and our local guide. We will go directly from Irkutsk to Cape Kristovsky where we will stay in a house of local farmers in the middle of nature. Cape Krestovsky is located on the west bank of Lake Baikal, on the border of the Baikal forests and the Tazheranskaya steppe. The site is far away from other tourist sites, and will allow us to begin to intrude on the nature of the region and photograph its forests. Its majestic rocky cliffs are usually covered with ice sheets and without snow, which will allow us to start taking majestic photographs of the place. In the house we can rest and take a hot bath (the house has a Russian sauna: Banya), besides being able to taste typical homemade food of the region.

Day 2

We will wake up soon to begin visiting Lake Baikal, after having breakfast, in all its splendor in our transport by the bay near our house. We will be able to photograph it in all its splendor, with its iconic lines that will offer us magnificent photographic compositions. At the same time we will hear the sound of ice crunching under our feet at the bottom of the lake, something similar to ethnic music for the locals. At night we will return to the house, to rest and return to dinner typical food.

Day 3

We will return early in the morning to visit the Cabo Sagan-Zaba, which means Rocas Blancas, which will offer us spectacular winter views of the lake. In them we can observe cave paintings, of the Kurykan tribes, which according to the scientists are the ancestors of the native tribes of North America. From there we will go to the cave Aya, located on the plateau of the same name in the Tazheran steppe. Aya comes from the Evenk language, indigenous people of Siberia, and that means “beautiful, incredible”. In fact, the cave Aya is the largest on the west bank of Lake Baikal and in it we can visit several rooms called: music, cheese, snow and marble. On leaving we will continue advancing on Lake Baikal through the Tazheran steppe to the Strait of the Mar Menor. We will stay at the hotel and have time to take a walk around Cape Uyuga and the island of Oltrek, each year covered with incredible ice temples.

Day 4

After breakfast first thing, we will dedicate the day completely to visit the rocky caves of the island of Olkhon. From the southern end of Cape Mare to finish in the village of Khuzhir. We will visit caves with an infinity of ice stalactites and ice floors with frozen bubbles that will offer us incredible photographs. We will also visit the Buddhist steppe located on the top of the island of Ogoy, where we will have spectacular views and better understand the culture that inhabits the area.

We will return to the hotel for dinner and rest in the village of Khuzhir.

Day 5

As every day, we will have breakfast early to begin our excursion along the ice of the west coast of the island of Olkhon to its northernmost point: Cape Khoboy, which translated from the Evenk language means “Fang”. This Cape is also called rock “Virgo”, as the sign of the zodiac, because the rock of the cape is reminiscent of a woman in a long dress.

Late in the afternoon, we will arrive at the Uzura meteorological station, the only settlement on the east side of the island of Olkhon, and we will stay in a cozy guest house at the weather station.

Here we can take a bath and visit another Banya, to enter and heat, while we prepare dinner with the typical Baikal fish: omul a la parrila.

Day 6

Today we will wake up even more to prepare for the sunrise, since from this point we will have the best moment of light when the light arrives from the mountains on the other side of the lake. After the session, we will return to breakfast to gather strength for today’s excursion. We will walk to the Guardian of Lake Baikal, a majestic formation of old trees with twisted branches, which in winter will offer us incredible photographs of their nature. Then, we will move on the ice to the other side of the lake, to the Svyatoy peninsula on the other shore of Lake Baikal, in the republic of Buryatia. This is the widest place in the whole lake, and it will be a true adventure to cross from one side to the other. In the afternoon we will arrive at the fishing village of Kurbulik and we will stay in a guest house near the local fishermen’s houses. There we can take a hot bath in the Banya, and have dinner with the fishermen before resting in our rooms.

Day 7

This day we will explore the Chivyrkuy bay of Lake Baikal, visit the nearby islands and have the unique opportunity to swim in the hot springs and mineralized outdoors. The area will offer us the possibility of continuing to take photographs of its icy waters, but also we can make a more social picture of the fishermen of the area and the hard life of these in the long Siberian winters, with which we will spend the night again in the town.

Day 8

Today we will leave the cozy fishing village and go to the Barguzin valley, surrounded by mountain ranges – the mountains of Barguzin and Ikat.

Here we will visit the Suvo rock complex, which are the ruins of an ancient Buddhist castle discovered 20 years ago, and which has become a center of Buddhist pilgrimage. We will visit the current monastery, the temple dedicated to the goddess Yanzhima, that will offer us the possibility of making incredible social and architectural photographs. In the afternoon we will reach the extreme point of the Barguzin valley, where the two crests are closed and we will be located in a guesthouse on an island of the Barguzin river, at the foot of the mountains. This place is called Yhmey. Here you can also swim in the mineralized baths and, if you wish, even in a small warm lake.

Day 9

Return to Lake Baikal through the Barguzin Valley, driving along the lake shore to Ulan-Ude. There we will visit the Ivolginsky datsan, which is the center of Buddhism in Russia and where its architecture will offer us some wonderful pictures to close our trip.

Day 10

We will perform our last session at dawn on the Ivolginsky datsan, and later return to the hotel to pick up our bags and go to Irkutsk on the way to the airport, where the trip will end.

The photographic trip to Yucatan, its one of the news for 2019.  An exciting destination at cultural, social and humanistic level, dream of many photographers throughout the planet, that now we offer you the opportunity to photograph in all its splendor.

Within this extraordinary photographic journey, which lasts 11 days, we will photograph magical places like Tulum, the number one tourist destination in the world for Trip Advisor in recent years. We will also visit the incredible Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Uxmal, among others. Or the spectacular Holbox Island with its magnificent beaches where at night, if we are lucky, we can capture the bioluminescence of its waters.

In addition, this photographic trip to the Yucatan is one of our photographic trips with a greater social component. In each of our destinations during this trip, we can photograph local people performing their routine tasks. From artisans or salespeople in their jobs, to pedestrians and citizens buying in the markets, to Mayan populations that maintain their traditions in the middle of the jungle. Undoubtedly, the almost constant possibility of getting fantastic portraits will be another highlight of this incredible photographic journey.

A destination with so many possibilities facilitates the realization of a really complete program, and that will take us to use ourselves to the maximum from the first moment, until practically the last day, before moving to the airport to start the return home. Among the many sessions we will do, we highlight the sunrises and sunsets that we will spend photographing some of the most important Mayan archaeological sites, with special private entrance to capture them in a unique moment of light and away from the crowds of tourists.

So that you can have the maximum and best possibilities of obtaining great images, we have prepared this Photo Trip to the Yucatan with the highest level of detail and knowledge of the terrain. Therefore, you can enjoy almost constant photographic possibilities during each of the days of our stay in this beautiful country.

In short, we talk about a very special opportunity to visit and photograph a country as full of contrasts and beauty as Mexico, join our Photographic Journey and be one of the lucky ones who can enjoy an unforgettable experience.

Day 1

Arrival in Cancun. Meeting of the group and beginning of the trip.

Depending on the arrival time, we will try to photograph the sunset on the beach of Tulum. Night at our hotel to rest and prepare for the next day.

Day 2

Tulum.

Dawn in the ruins of Tulum at dawn, with special entrance outside the schedule of sightseeing, to capture the sunset from these ruins overlooking the Caribbean.

At the end we can visit the ruins of Muyil, another Mayan city hidden in the jungle and that will serve as a gateway for the excursion to the Sian ka’an lagoon that we will take by boat in the afternoon, where we can discover more ruins Maya and with a bit of luck photographing alligators or pelicans that populate this lagoon, gateway to the Caribbean.

Day 3

Coba.

Just like the day before, we will get up early to visit the incredible Mayan city of Coba. Where we can photograph at dawn the highest pyramid in the whole Yucatan with its 42 meters. We can even climb it, helped by its rope, since it is one of the few pyramids in the entire region where it is allowed to climb to photograph the Yucatan jungle from above.

At the end of the visit, we will visit a nearby Mayan town: Campamento Hidalgo. We can photograph the life of the current Maya in their environment and know the environment of the spider monkey, because thanks to this population, this area has become a sanctuary where almost certainly we can photograph them crossing the jungle. We will wait for the sunset in the lagoon to later arrive in Valladolid to photograph its streets and rest in the city.

Day 4

Ek Balam and Cenotes.

We will visit another of the most important Mayan cities in the region: Ek Balam. Again we can photograph these impressive ruins, both from the ground, as from the top of their pyramids.

The rest of the day we will dedicate to visit the spectacular area of ​​Valladolid, visiting last place the cenote Ik Ill, near the ruins of Chichen Itza, and world famous for its incredible beauty that will give us a lot of game to make incredible photographs. We will rest in a hotel in the same ruins of Chichen Itza, to be ready the next day.

Day 5

Chichen Itza.

We will wake up again, to visit Chichen Itza at its best: at dawn and without tourists. We can also take advantage of the sunrise, to photograph the Mayans who arrive with their handcrafts in their street vendors, and get fantastic portraits of their people.

In the afternoon, we will depart to Izamal, the yellow city where we will visit its famous monastery and its most incredible yellow painted streets that will give us an incredible game to get fantastic photographs at sunset and also thinking about the sunrise the next day.

Day 6

Celestun.

After getting up early and taking a last walk through the streets of Izamal, we will leave for the Celestun reserve. Where we will visit their mangroves by boat and photograph the pelicans that populate this lagoon.

In the afternoon, we will photograph the sunset from its beaches and we will sleep in our hotel that will serve as base for the next days in Merida.

Day 7

Route Puuc.

Today we will get up early to visit the Puuc route, where besides being able to photograph the incredible city of Uxmal and the rest of nearby ruins, we will visit ruins lost in the jungle thanks to local guides, who will take us through the jungle to capture unique photographs. At dusk we return to our hotel in Merida to rest.

Day 8

Bacalar.

We will start the trip of about 5 hours, to get to Bacalar, again in the Riviera Maya. Along the way we will have the chance to visit colonial architecture and make more social photography in Acanceh and its market, as well as in other towns that we will find while crossing the Yucatan jungle.

Already in the Bacalar Lagoon, or of the 7 colors, we will have the possibility of photographing the incredible landscapes of its crystal clear waters during the sunset, with its typical cabins that will allow us to make incredible photographs at sunset. We will value some night photography session in the area.

Day 9

Akumal.

We will wake up again to take more pictures of the lagoon at its best, which is the sunrise, since the sun will rise right in front of us.

After that, we will go back to Tulum, to visit Akumal this time, where on its beach we can photograph and swim with its turtles. At sunset we can make incredible photographs of the Caribbean beaches in the area.

Day 10

Holbox Island.

We will leave for Holbox Island, north of the Yucatan, where after catching the ferry we will arrive at this wonderful island. We will take advantage of the afternoon to visit its beaches and prepare the frames to photograph the sunset. At night we will try to find the bioluminescence of its waters in hidden beaches.

Day 11

Return flight.

In the morning, we will make the last photographs at sunrise on Holbox Island, before making the transfer to the Cancun airport and finish the photographic trip to Mexico. Flight back home.

Contact me for more info:

info@fusterphotography.com