EVEREST

FALL COLOR
Whytake
& Marc Adamus
2nd - 18th October 2015
US$12000 ($4000 deposit)
Join Marc Adamus and WHYTAKE cofounders
Alister Benn and Juanli Sun on the Ultimate
Tibet Photography Tour, trekking into the
remote and unforgettable Kharta Valley -
surrounded by the worlds highest mountains;
Makalu, Lhotse and Everest.
MAKALU (27.766 ft)
whytake
About Us
Whytake Limited was founded in 2011 by Alister Benn,
Juanli Sun, Rafael Rojas and Anca Minican, who
shared a dream of creating a truly Global Community
of Nature Photographers that achieved a number of
key goals.
1: To attract the best nature photographs in the
world to inspire other photographers and the general
public to fully appreciate the natural world - our most
precious gift.
2: To create a platform for nature photographers to
connect with like-minded people and subscribe to
their work and output.
3: Deliver a searchable database of photographers,
their images and products & services.
Marc Adamus is one of those like-minded people.
A photographer and humanitarian whose core-
values mirror those of Whytake, Marc has been a
much-valued supporter and advocate of the mission
Whytake is undertaking.
This Expedition to Tibet is the frst of these rare events
- a collaboration between Whytake and master
photographer who both inspire others and care
passionately for our environment.
Join Whytake & Marc Adamus in Tibet - The Third Pole.
http://whytake.net/inspire
Incredible Photo Instruction
Marc Adamus needs no introduction, and is without
doubt one of the worlds greatest landscape
photographers.
Whytake co-founder Alister Benn is an award
winning landscape photographer and author of
numerous instructional ebooks on Night & Landscape
Photography. He and his wife Juanli Sun lived in
the Tibetan Regions for nearly a decade and have
extensive experience at high altitudes.
Juanli Sun is also one of the co-founders of Whytake
and as a native Chinese speaker is an essential part
of our logistical team for this expedition. She is also an
accomplished landscape photographer in her own
right and has vast experience of Tibetan travel.
A Unique Opportunity
Very few overseas people have ever been into the
Kharta Valley and none of them on a dedicated
landscape photography expedition.
We have the experience, knowledge and logistical
support to get you into one of the most spectacular
and unique landscapes in the world.
Where else can you photograph the worlds highest
mountains, including 3 over 8000m juxtaposed with
peak fall colors, crystal clear alpine lakes and glacial
rivers?
This is not the tourist route to Everest Base Camp - this
is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Meticulous Attention to Detail
Marc is a veteran of hundreds of landscape
photography workshops and has an ethos of
excellence. When we met in Scotland to discuss this
trip, it became immediately clear that the three of us
shared those core professional values.
Alister & Juanli have travelled and led clients to over
5000m and high altitude expeditions demand an
awareness of circumstances and personal boundaries
like nowhere else on earth.
This expedition aims to deliver you and your gear to
the heart of the Himalaya, make you as comfortable
as possible and keep you well fed and watered. The
rest is up to you...
MARC ADAMUS
ALISTER BENN
JUANLI SUN
Expedition Highlights
Kharta Valley
The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Beijing - In the evening we will meet
and share a dinner together to discuss the trip ahead.
Day 2: Fly to Lhasa - From the airport it takes about 45
minutes to Lhasa (3650 m/12,000 ft). After checking in
at the hotel, you are advised to rest and take it easy.
Drinking plenty of fuids and letting your body get
used to Lhasas high altitude is an important part of
the trip.
Note: There is no fxed program arranged for today
except drinking tea, coffee, eating cake and other
Tibetan speciality cuisine.
Day 3: Lhasa - Plenty of time for leisurely walks around
the main sites in Lhasa. Again, we have no fxed
itinerary for today as it is most important to acclimatize
and drink lots of fuids, especially the local tea.
The better we rest at this stage the better we will be
for the more strenuous trekking stages.
Day 4: Drive to Shigatse (3900m/12,795 ft) - Our frst
day on the road is relatively short, making our way
down a broad river valley overshadowed by 5000m
peaks.
Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and another
cultural feast with great architecture, diverse food
and culture.
lhasa life
Day 6: Drive to Shegar (4050m/13,287ft) - Today you
will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst
picturesque landscapes and passing the small towns
of Lhatse and the Gyamtso La pass at 5220m/17,175ft.
As the route opens into plateau, many monasteries
and camps of nomadic herders become visible.
Day 7: Drive to Kharta (3690m/12,106ft) - 6 miles past
the town of Shegar, we leave the main highway and
head south towards the Everest region. From the top
of Pang La (5150m/16,896ft) we may get excellent
views of Everest and the surrounding mountains.
These high passes en route to our trek are ideal aids
to acclimatization as they are allowing us to gain
height exposure while returning to a more reasonable
altitude to sleep.
From the pass we descend to the village of Phadhruchi,
where the jeep track divides - the track to the west
heads to the Rongbuk Valley, but we head east in to
the (Phung Chu) Arun Valley and the village of Kharta
- where our trek will begin.
from between
tingri & Kharta
Days 8-15: Trekking (Camp between 4300-4950m) - In
order to get you into the most incredible Himalayan
landscapes, we will spend 7 nights camping in the
remote and incredible Kharta Valley. This is one of the
most beautiful places in the world. It is unique in that
the high alpine valleys are resplendent in fall colors,
and it is these, juxtaposed with the worlds highest
mountains, which will be our mission for the trip.
The trek will be a full high altitude expedition, with
camp kitchen, Yak and Sherpa support.
You are only required to carry a small day sack
containing any personal items - the rest will be carried
by guides allocated for your assistance. Of course, if
you want to carry your own gear, we wont stop you!
The trek will take us up to a high point of around
5390m/17,683ft, but our camps will more typically be
between 4300m-4950m/14,107ft-16,240ft.
For full details of ftness levels and the possible effects
of altitude, please read the Logistics Section later in
this document.
Days 16: Return to Shigatse - After fnishing the trek we
retrace our route with a last glimpse back to the high
peaks.
Day 17: Departures - Transit either direct to the airport
for outward fights or back to Lhasa.
Logistics
Road Travel
In recent years, the roads in Tibet have improved
immensely. The vast majority of our route is on tarmac,
but sections of the side trail into the Kharta valley are
still dirt, but nothing to cause any serious problems.
Altitude
This is one of the most often asked questions we get
from people wanting to travel to Tibet, and no one
considering a trip to this region can ignore thoughts
of altitude and some potentially negative side effects
that may be experienced.
The tour has been designed to be well within the limits
of safe ascent, but it is never clear how any individual
will respond to the reduced oxygen levels as we climb
higher.
With many years of experience at high altitude in
China, Tibet and Nepal our advice to minimise the
risks of any acute mountain sickness symptoms is this.
Take it easy - dont push yourself too hard
Drink copious amounts of water - c4-6 litres a day
Avoid Alcohol - as it accelerates dehydration.
The graph below shows the height of each nights
sleep, with the 8 nights of the trekking being over
4000m/13,123ft and up to 4900m/16,076ft.
The highest point we will reach on our main trek is
5390m/17,683ft - although we may venture higher on
short forays in search of ultimate compositions.
This can be classed as a high altitude trip, and it is
likely that some or all of us will experience some slight
symptoms of altitude related health issues.
Having said that, we have been to these altitudes
for long periods of time on numerous occasions and
have never suffered anything beyond mild nausea or
a slight headache.
Due to prolonged periods over 3500m we will be only
accepting applicants who are in very good health
and physical condition.
If you suffer from high blood pressure, respiratory or
heart problems we cannot accept your application.
Our advise to the photographers who join us is this,
dont dwell on it, relax, drink plenty of water and
enjoy the views. In some ways the experience at high
altitude is enhanced due to the occasional out of
body sensations that can be felt.
Further details of our health and compulsory insurance
requirements can be found in the Terms & Conditions.
Activity Level
This is a very subjective area, but we ask prospective
applicants to honestly and objectively assess their
ftness levels and abilities.
We will be trekking for 8 days at altitudes between
4000m/13,123ft and 5390m/17,683ft. If you do not
have any experience of high altitude activities you
need to be aware that you will most likely perform
slower and use more energy the higher you go.
To qualify for this expedition you should be capable
of a full 8-10 hour day trek on rough trails in the
mountains carrying a 10kg/22lb pack. The ftter you
are, the better youll enjoy the scenery. Most trekking
days fall short of this level, but being capable of that
at home should guarantee your ability.
To maximise the photographic opportunities we
will be trekking in to the best area, basing ourselves
there for a few days to explore in a more liesurely
manner and then returning by the same route. There
is one high pass to traverse in both directions - the
5390m/17,183ft Langma La.
The majority of the effort will be expanded crossing
this obstacle. Yaks and Sherpa will be used to carry
the vast majority of equipment, although for safety
we recommend you carry your own camera bags
and use the sherpa or yak to carry the tripod. We will
cover recommended gear upon booking, but please
bear in mind youll be carrying it.
This is not a race and there is plenty of time allocated
each day to reach the next nights camp. There will be
many and frequent opportunities to rest, take plenty
of images and consuming snacks and water.
The absolute 100% focus of this expedition is making
some incredible images - Marc and Alister will be
out often and for prolongued periods, scouting out
the best compositions and conditions. We will not be
leaving camp until well after the end of the golden
hour light and a big breakfast.
Food
Chinese and Tibetan food is excellent, but not always
to everybodys taste, and we will do our best to deliver
the best we can all the time.
In Beijing, Lhasa and Shigatse a broad choice of food
is available, from Chinese, Tibetan, Nepali, Indian and
some western food such as Pizza or fried chicken.
On the trek we will have our own cooks with us and
will be providing nourishing and hopefully appetizing
food for the duration of our time in the mountains.
Appetite can be variable at altitude and some of
you may not feel as hungry as you do normally - or
you could be unaffected and eat normally.
Typically Pancakes, eggs and beans for breakfast
and mixed Chinese vegetables with rice or noodles/
pasta for lunch and dinner. To reduce the risk of food
poisoning we will almost most certainly keep to a
vegetarian diet on the trek, but with a choice of 6
vegetables and 3 fruits available daily.
All meals are included in the price; Breakfast and
Dinner will be sit-down meals, lunch may be either a sit
down meal or a packed lunch, whatever is available.
We strongly advice packing some of your favourite
snack foods with you; energy bars, chocolate, mixed
fruit etc. High energy trail mix is the utmost luxury high
on the mountain and you should carry it always. A
good thermal/thermos cup is also recommended to
have a hot drink available all the time.
Logistics - continued
Logistics - continued
Weather
Tibet is a high, dry and windy place, but it does
experience the monsoon climate typical to the rest
of the Indian Subcontinent, although to a far lesser
degree than south of the Himalaya.
By early to mid October the monsoon is easing off and
we can expect a lot of clear weather, with cobalt blue
skies and pleasantly warm daytime temperatures.
Cloud cover can be variable, but multiple layers of
cloud from valley foor to higher on the big peaks can
create hugely dynamic photography conditions.
Prolonged rain is unlikely, but on the trek some low
wet cloud or even snow are always possible.
Dress for the mountains in late autumn and you wont
go wrong - a full packing list will be sent after your
place on the trip has been confrmed.
Camera & Electrical Gear
A light, but sturdy tripod would be considered
essential, as there will be a strong focus on blue hour,
twilight and night photography.
A full range of lenses from wide through to zoom will
be useful - well make some recommendations upon
booking.
Circular Polarising Filter, ND Filters and
cable release are highly recommended
Please bear in mind however, we will
be hiking with our gear at heights over
4500m - pack as light as you can: if its
not essential, leave it at home.
We cannot be held responsible for gear
that is lost or stolen while on the trip.
The best solution to avoid this is to carry
your camera bag at all times - again,
pack light.
There will be no power available for the
duration of our trek - we recommend
you bring plenty of spare fully charged
batteries (at least 6) to avoid running
out. Also, a foldable solar charger may
be an excellent investment to charge
on the go. High altitude sunlight is super
effcient and free.
You may also want to bring a small, light
laptop and a backup storage device to
make sure you have suffcient storage
space for your images.
WIFI is widely available on the trip - the exception is
once we leave Shegar for the whole duration of the
trek, when neither mobiles of wif will work.
We will carry a satellite phone to cover emergencies.
between camps
1 & 2
typical camp
Accommodation
We aim to stay in comfortable and clean 4+star hotels
in Beijing, Lhasa and Shigatse. Elsewhere it will be best
available.
For 8 nights we will be in tents, one for each person
unless you wish to share with a spouse or partner.
Please let us know your preference at the time of
registration. During the trek toilet facilities will be
behind a convenient rock!
Even the hotel accommodation can be variable
however; a new, good quality hotel or guest house
this year, may deteriorate by next, or conversely, a
more basic guest house may be replaced by a new
and pleasant alternative.

Participants
With a maximum group size of 10, plus the three
leaders, drivers, Tibetan guides, Sherpa and Yaks, the
group dynamics are very important.
The expedition is open to photographers of all levels of
experience and while it is open to non-photographing
spouses or partners paying the full price, we would
stress that this is an extremely intensive photographic
journey.
We are travelling together through some magnifcent
areas, but it is not always a picnic, and will often
be tough going. If youre not keen on the food,
suffer symptoms of altitude sickness, or are heavily
attached to home comforts, this may not be the trip
for you. There are no iced coffee in the afternoons, or
luxurious sheets to curl up in at night.
A willingness to keep going when it gets a bit tough
and a smile under pressure are hugely benefcial
to not only the group harmony, but your own
enjoyment of this unique experience.
view from
camp 4
view from
camp 3
Whats Included
16 nights accommodation, ground transport, internal
economy fight from Beijing to Lhasa, all meals as
specifed, park & scenic area entrance fees, airport
transfers, Tibetan Permits, Tents, guides and Sherpa
support.
Not Included

Sleeping Bag/ Thermal Ground Mat, tips/gratuities for
drivers/porters, personal snacks and drinks, passport
and/or visa fees, international fights, internal transport
in China/Tibet before or after the trip, compulsory
travel & medical insurance, phone calls, alcoholic
drinks and personal expenses, souvenirs and excess
baggage charges.
Baggage
As we are travelling by road or Yak for the majority
of the trip, we would urge you to be considerate to
the space limitations for carrying baggage in the
vehicles.
Ideally, one camera bag, tripod and a 60/80L stuff
sack/rucksack should be adequate for the necessary
personal belongings and camera gear.
view from
tingri
Terms & Conditions
Liability & Responsibility
Whytake Ltd. is acting as an independent travel agent. The
designated tour operator(s), in turn, acts only as an agent for any
transportation carrier, hotel, ground operator, or other suppliers
of services connected with these tours (other providers), and
the other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing
their respective services. The passenger tickets in use by the
carriers shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers
and the passenger; the carriers are not responsible for any act,
omission, or event during the time participants are not aboard
their conveyances.
Whytake Ltd. and its designated tour operator and tour
administrator shall not be held liable for (A) any damage to, or
loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned
directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider,
including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft,
or vehicle operated or provided by such other provider; and (B)
any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption
in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures
to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or
any subdivision or agent thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fre,
food, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine,
epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The
participant waives any claim against Whytake Ltd. and/or its
designated tour operator and tour administrator for any such
loss, damage, injury, or death.
By registering for a Whytake Expedition the participant certifes
that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other
condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself
or other participants.
Whytake Ltd and its designated tour operator reserve the right
in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove
any participant. Whytake Ltd and the tour operator reserve
the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published
itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant, or
if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or
safety of participants. Neither Whytake Ltd, its designated
tour operator, nor its tour administrator shall be liable for any
air carriers cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of
a nonrefundable ticket to or from the participants Whytake
Expedition departure city. Baggage and personal effects are at
all times the sole responsibility of the participant.
Basis of Rates:
All prices are based on single room occupancy. All prices
and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars. The rates are based on
current tariffs and are subject to change due to unforeseen
circumstances. While we will do everything possible to maintain
the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge, we reserve
the right to do so, and notifcation will be given at the time of
fnal invoicing.
Eligibility
The minimum age for a participant is 16 years; a parent or
guardian must accompany all individuals under the age of 18
at all times.
Whats Included
Accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary;
educational materials; predeparture information; entrance fees,
excursions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary;
ground transportation and internal fights during the tour;
transfers to and from group fights where applicable; services
of Whytake Ltd experts, lecturers, guides, expedition manager,
and any other staff; and taxes, port charges, baggage handling,
and service charges.
Not Included
Air transportation and related fees (except as indicated in the
itinerary); activities noted as optional in the itinerary; passport
and visa expenses; baggage/accident/cancellation insurance;
personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone calls, and
alcoholic beverages; and any other items not specifcally noted
as included.
Single/Shared Accommodations
The price is quoted on a single room occupancy basis and
there is no discount for voluntary sharing. Please note that in the
Shegar Area guesthouses, sharing may be necessary due to a
limited availability of rooms.
Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds
To reserve space on this Whytake Expedition, a non refundable
deposit of US$4000 per-person is required.
Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure.
Your reservation may be cancelled if full payment has not been
received by 60 days prior to departure. For reservations made
within 60 days of the departure date, full payment is required
when the reservation is accepted. All cancellation notices must
be in writing and will become effective as of the date of the
postmark.
Cancellations can be made up to 60 days prior to the start of
the tour, however, you forfeit your deposit, unless Whytake Ltd
cancels the trip, or we can fll your space from the waiting list,
in which case you will receive a full refund (less bank transfer
charges and any expenses incurred).
Cancellations made after 60 days prior to the workshop date
are not eligible for refunds. We have the right to cancel any
workshop if the minimum number of registrants is not met up to
60 days prior to the workshop date.
We strongly recommend the purchase of independent Trip
cancellation insurance.
Itinerary Changes
The itineraries and staff presented in this catalogue are subject
to modifcation and change by Whytake Ltd or its designated
tour operator. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate
programs as planned, but alterations to the route based on
weather or conditions may be made at the last minute.
Terms & Conditions - continued
Medical Issues
You must be in good physical and mental health. Any physical
condition, diet, or treatment requiring special attention must be
reported in writing when the reservation is made.
You must advise us in writing, at or prior to booking, of any
physical, emotional or mental condition that may require
professional attention during the trip or may require the use of
special equipment. Please note, our tours are not wheelchair
friendly and sadly we cannot accept participants with such
disabilities.
Whytake Ltd reserves the right to decline any trip participant
whose condition, in our opinion, may affect the health, safety
or enjoyment of themselves or other participants. Additionally,
should a tour participant require or request medical attention
during the trip, such attention will be provided by locally
available health care offcials and at locally available facilities.
In such events, Whytake Ltd will not be responsible for health
service costs incurred nor in the quality of medical care or
medical services rendered.
Smoking Policy
We do not permit smoking in the vehicles, within the proximity
of any of the participants or the instructors or guides, or indoors
during meals or workshop sessions. Please let us know if you are
a smoker.
None of the guides or Instructors smoke.
Baggage Allowances
Participants may bring ONE medium sized stuff sack or rucksack,
one camera bag and a tripod.
Whytake Ltd reserves the right to insist on a repacking if space is
not available for the excess bags.
Exclusivity
Participants are not allowed to organize, host, promote or sell
photo trips, tours or workshops to locations they visited with
Whytake Ltd within 5 years of joining a trip. In case of violation, a
penalty of US$50000 per year is applicable.
Payment of your deposit confrms that you agree to these terms
and conditions.
How to Apply
Please complete an Application for this
expedition on the website
The fnal tour participants will be selected from all
the applications we will receive. Completing an
application does not guarantee a place on the trip.
Successful applicants will be notifed by email and
a US$4000 non-refundable deposit per person is
required within 10 working days of notifcation to
secure their place(s) on the trip. If the deposit is not
received in time, your place will be allocated to
another applicant.
Please contact us if you have any questions prior to
your application.
Whytake Ltd.
4 Albert Place
Perth, Scotland
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 744102
http://whytake.com
Makalu
8463m/27,766ft
view from
camp 2
Lhotse
8516m/27,940ft
everest
8848m/29,029ft