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

Sun, Oct 19 · 19:00 PDT

Extraordinary Nepal & Bhutan

Katmandu, Chhaya Devi Complex, Amrit Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Kathmandu, NP

Travel friends at Photofly Travel Club (www.photoflytravel.com) have planned an extraordinary Nepal & Bhutan Adventure!

October 19th - November 1st, 2025

More info: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/extraordinary-nepal-bhutan/
Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

• 13 Nights / 14 Days
• Amazing boutique hotels & 4 star accommodations
• Privately guided adventures
• Expert local guides
• Breakfast daily
• 11 Dinners, 8 Lunches - almost all meals!
• Four flights included - $1,000 value! *International flights not included

Nepal (7 Nights)

• 8 days throughout the greatest Himalayan Kingdom!
• Perfect combination of culture, photography, food, & adventure!
• We truly maximize our time to see the incredible diversity throughout Nepal which most trips don’t even know exists!
• Best time of year to explore after the monsoon has passed but before the tourist crowds take over!

Kathmandu

• Kathmandu City: Highlights include the temple of the Living Goddess & Durbar Square with it’s array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient residence of the Nepalese Royalty
• Swayambhunath: Just outside the city proper is a hill with a mosaic of small chaityas (shrines) and pagoda temples

Pokhara

• Pokhara city adventure: Discover the best of this Shangri-La Valley epicenter!
• Davis Falls
• Gupteswor Mahadev Cave
• Fewa Lake

Chitwan National Park - Safari

• In search of tigers, rhinos, & sloth bears: Time here will be spent on safari, exploring the gorgeous park to witness & photograph the mammals and birds in this amazing national park

Bhutan (6 Nights)

• 7 days throughout the last real Himalayan Kingdom!
• Low volume, high value tourism: Perhaps the most sustainable approach to tourism in the world!

Thimphu

• Thimpu city adventure: All the best of the new and old
• National Memorial Chorten
• Traditional Paper Factory
• School of Fine Arts: Here, young students learn the traditional arts and crafts known as Zo Rig Chusum (the thirteen crafts).

Punakha

• The Palace of Great Happiness

Paro

• Paro town adventure: Home to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery and much more
• The Old Watchtower
• Rinpung Dzong: This architectural wonder and the life around it are not to be missed and a must to photograph!
• Taktsang Monastary (Tigers Nest): This incredible feat of human architecture and pure will has a name to match and is deservedly one of the most venerated and famous of Bhutan’s monasteries.

Other Details:

• Four flights included - $1,000 value!
• International airfare is not included
• Flying into & out of Kathmandu International Airport (KTM)
• Specific arrival/departure times needed will be sent directly to the group
• Roommate pairing to save money
• All taxes, fees, & transfers included

Join Us!

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

Price: $4,995
Single Supplement: $850

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/extraordinary-nepal-bhutan/

Sat, Nov 1 · 19:00 PDT

Marvelous Morocco

Tangier, 42 Rue de Hollande, MA

November 1st - November 13th, 2025

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club (www.photoflytravel.com) have invited us on a well-crafted tour of Morocco.

Our Morocco Adventure has sold out several years in a row now, and for good reason!

Email joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Sign up at: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/morocco-group-tours/

• 12 N/13 D
• Private Guides
• Breakfast Daily
• 4 Lunches, 8 Dinners

Tangier (2 Nights)
Going back over 2,000 years to the time of the Phoenicians, and after WWII when it was made into an international zone attracting eccentric expats, colorful artists & hippies, and spies!

• Mountain Road Trip: Pass splendid villas & gardens en route to Cape Spartel and lighthouse
• Hercules Cave: Continually inhabited since the Neolithic period, we’ll visit the place full of legend
• Medina (Old Walled City): Private tour through the labyrinth of paths that make up the cultural epicenter of the city.

Chefchaouen (1 Night)
Known as the “blue” city due to its picturesque blue-glazed houses & buildings, the tradition comes from the town’s former Jewish population.

Volubilis
Spend the morning exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site, 2000-year-old Roman ruins.

Meknes
Two UNESCO World Heritage sites for the price of one this morning with another stop in the 17th century imperial city of Meknes.

Fes (2 Nights)
One of the largest medieval cities in the world and an UNESCO World Heritage site, Fes is Morocco’s oldest imperial city and the religious, spiritual, intellectual, and cultural center of the country.

• Guided City Walk: see and photograph the artisans’ quarters, 14th-century Koranic schools, the famous Fes tannery and more.
• Unique Family Dinner in Traditional Home: enjoy a very special experience dining at a traditional house with a host family.

Erfoud & Sahara Desert (2 Nights)
The “Gate of the Sahara” and some of the highest dunes in North Africa!

• Scenic Cedar Forest & Barbery apes: A drive through and stop to photograph a beautiful cedar forest and encounter a tribe of “apes”.

Erg Chebbi Desert Camp

• Camel ride into the desert: We’ll hop on camels at the edge of the desert and be guided to our luxury desert camp for an amazing sunset.
• Enjoy and photograph sunrise the next day before a specially prepared Berber breakfast

Boumalne Dades: Land of Valleys & Gorges (2 Nights)
Famous for it’s majestic, sand castle like rock formations, Dades Gorge offers a plethora of unique landscape shots.

• Tinghir: We’ll walk through flowered gardens, ksours, and Kasbahs, then onto the Todre Gorge.
• Todra Gorge: Lush palm trees cover 30 miles of wide tracts along this giant natural creation.
• Dades Gorge & Valley: Explore the stunning gorge and valley to admire and photograph all sorts of interesting formations.
• Ait Ben Haddou: World famous Ksar (fortified village), now an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Marrakesh (3 nights)
The Jewel of the South, the city reached its prominence when it became the epicenter of trade for slaves, gold, ivory, and leather along the ancient caravan routes.

• Bahia Palace: Gilded woodwork ceilings of the stunning grand and petit courts, & the sultans “harem” rooms with silk panels, stained-glass windows.
• Saadian Tombs: Three rooms make up the tomb with the most elaborate known as “The Chamber of the 12 Pillars”.
• Majorelle Botanical Gardens: A truly enchanting place, the gardens were designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle over the course of 40 years and are reminiscent of the famous

Generalife Gardens in Spain

• Jemaa el Fna Square: Wander around and photograph this UNESCO site and the heart of Marrakech.
• Souks of Marrakech: The most colorful and liveliest in Africa.

Lots of free time to explore the city on your own or sign up for an optional tour:

• Hot Air Balloon Ride
• ATV through the desert
• Day Trip to Essaouira
• Cooking classes, hammam (spa), horse cart rides, and other optional activities available

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

• International airfare is not included. (Flying into Tangier (TNG) & flying out of Marrakesh (RAK) )
• All taxes, fees, transfers Included

Email joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Join Us!

Solo travelers will be paired up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy requested.

Price: $3,295
Single Supplement: $749

Go Here to Sign Up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/morocco-group-tours/

Mon, Dec 8 · 19:00 PST

Fantastic Philippines

Coron, Governor's Drive, Sitio Jolo, Poblacion 5, Coron, 5316 Palawan, Philippines, PH

December 8 - December 18, 2025

Travel experts at PhotoFly Travel Club (www.photoflytravel.com) are happy to present a trip to the Pacific's up and coming destination - the Philippines! Sometimes overlooked by brand-name destinations, this archipelago has all the magic and beauty with far fewer tourists.

More info and register here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/philippines-small-group-tours/

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com to get the daily itinerary and more details!

Island of Luzon - Manila (1 night)
Welcome to the capital city of Philippines! Relax after a long journey or arrive a day early to join others for an optional activity
- Discover Old Manila (optional): Discover colonial charm at Plaza Roma, the Manila Cathedral, and the UNESCO-listed San Agustin Church, before stepping into 19th-century Filipino life at Casa Manila. End our day amidst the serene beauty of Baluarte de San Diego Gardens.

Coron - 3 nights
After the included domestic flight, Coron dazzles with its otherworldly limestone karsts, emerald lagoons, and some of the best wreck diving on the planet. Explore Kayangan Lake, a stunningly clear, jungle-fringed oasis. Snorkelers and divers can weave through vibrant coral gardens and eerie WWII shipwrecks while island-hopping unveils powdery white beaches and hidden coves.

• Coron Islands Snorkel - take a boat to multiple beaches around the tiny islands for snorkeling and swimming
• Free time to relax and enjoy amenities at a luxury resort
• Highlights of Coron Town (optional) - visit a rare saltwater hot spring, stroll the seaside promenade, visit local markets, visit historical buildings, and more!
• Snorkel with dugongs (optional) - similar to a manatee, Set off on a snorkeling adventure where you have a rare chance to swim alongside dugongs in their natural habitat

El Nido - 3 nights
El Nido stuns with its towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and powdery white beaches straight out of a dream. Kayak through lagoons, where emerald waters weave between dramatic rock formations and snorkel in the vibrant coral gardens surrounding this paradise.

• Ultimate Island Hopping - glide through the electric-blue waters of Bacuit Bay aboard a traditional bangka boat, stopping first at the awe-inspiring Big Lagoon, where limestone cliffs tower over tranquil waters ideal for kayaking. Nearby, the Secret Lagoon rewards intrepid explorers with its secluded beauty, accessed through a narrow crevice in the rocks. Dive into snorkeling hotspots like Shimizu Island, teeming with hundreds of fish species and unwind on the powdery sands of 7 Commando Beach
• Relax at the resort - amenities include pools, spa treatments, sunset cocktails, and ultimate comfort

Bohol - 3 nights
Bohol dazzles with its surreal landscapes. View the Chocolate Hills—hundreds of limestone mounds turning cocoa brown in the dry season. Cruise down the jade-green Loboc River, where floating restaurants serve local flavors to a soundtrack of live music. Encounter the wide-eyed tarsiers, one of the world’s tiniest primates. Coastal gems lure with powder-white sands and world-class snorkeling. End the day with a sunset stroll along Alona Beach’s palm-fringed shores and call it a wrap!

• Amazing Countryside - Bohol’s countryside packs centuries of history, natural beauty, and cultural charm into a single-day adventure. Stand at the Blood Compact Shrine, marking the first treaty between Spain and the Philippines, before stepping inside the centuries-old Baclayon Church and museum. Wander through the serene Loboc-Bilar man-made forest, a lush green tunnel of mahogany trees, then marvel at the iconic Chocolate Hills—Bohol’s most famous sight. Get up close with the elusive tarsier, one of the world’s tiniest primates before capping off our journey with a serene Loboc River cruise
• Dolphin Watching (optional) - Set sail on a once-in-a-lifetime island-hopping adventure, starting with an early morning dolphin-watching experience as these playful creatures glide through Bohol’s crystal-clear waters. Dive into Balicasag Island’s vibrant underwater world, where sea turtles drift gracefully over stunning coral gardens before stepping onto the breathtaking sandbar of Virgin Island, a dreamy stretch of white sand surrounded by endless turquoise seas.

Additional information:

• 10 N/11 D throughout Philippines
• Boutique hotels and luxury resorts
• Breakfast daily
• 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners
• All transfers & taxes included
• Inter-island airfare included ($500+ value!)
• International airfare is not included
• Email us to see daily itinerary at joinus@photoflytravel.com

Join Us!

For solo travelers, you can be paired up with someone of the same gender unless single occupancy is requested.

Price: $3,295
Single Supplement: $895

More info: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/philippines-small-group-tours/

Mon, Dec 8 · 19:00 PST

Costa Rica All-Inclusive Safari

Doka Estate Costa Rica Coffee Tour & Plantation, 3QXQ+3F Sabanilla, Alajuela Province , CR

December 8th - December 16th, 2025

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club (www.photoflytravel.com) have invited us on another epic adventure.

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/costa-rica-all-inclusive-group-tours/

Expect a masterfully planned tropical adventure which is always a blast. New, exciting twists and turns each year throughout the wonders of Costa Rica!

Check out the highlights below and email us for the full daily itinerary at joinus@photoflytravel.com

8 nights/ 9 day Adventure Tour

• Breakfast every day
• 7 lunches, 7 dinners (all meals included)
• Private guide & driver - local professionals with years of experience and qualifications
• Unique hotels and lodges

Included Activities
- Coffee! Doka Estate Coffee plantation is not only beautiful with amazing coffee, we’ll also learn about the production, the harvesting, the processing and the roasting of the grain. A fascinating visit whether you like the world’s most consumed beverage or not.

- Pierella Butterfly & Ecological Gardens - Located in the Sarapiquí lowlands, this family-run garden was established 20 years ago as a project to breed butterflies for export. Over time, it has been transformed into an area of 5 hectares changing from a simple butterfly nursery to a true ecological garden that now hosts a great diversity of environments and wildlife to explore. Join our naturalist guide and experience Pierella’s great birding trails with amazing photo opportunities and wildlife everywhere we look!

- Vida Campesina Farm - An organic farm lets us see real life in the Costa Rican countryside with a farming family.

- Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Lava flow hike - Lava rocks and occasional eruptions, this volcano is surrounded by lush rainforest and second growth that cover the old lava flows and river sides.

- Llanos de Cortez Falls - Considered one of the best waterfalls in the country! Great swimming by the falls no to mention amazing photographs.

- Optional Early Morning Bird Watching - There are dozens of endemic species and for bird lovers, it may be possible to arrange guided walks to find these treasures in the rainforest.

- Wetlands Boat Tour Floating safari - Variety of resident and migratory birds plus three different species of monkeys, iguanas, sloths, turtles and caimans.

- Rincon de la Vieja National Park - Famous for its abundant volcanic activity, we’ll explore Las Pailas Trail within the National Park, not only for the volcano, but plenty of wildlife to photograph within an impressive tropical forest.

- Hacienda Guachipelín - Positioned at the foot of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, adventure beckons at this boutique resort. Thrilling experiences include swinging like Tarzan on the many cables and ropes of the Canyon Canopy Tour, or cruise down the rapids of Rio Negro on a Tubing Adventure (optional). Relax your weary muscles in natural volcanic thermal springs or spectacular waterfall pools.

- Relax at one of best beaches in Costa Rica, Hermosa Beach - We’ll finish the adventure at this pristine, world renowned beach! The taupe sand beach is bathed by clear waters and some great waves (if the conditions are right). Many water sports can be enjoyed including fishing, swimming, windsurfing, and others.

• All taxes, fees, transfers included (excludes airport departure tax)
• International airfare not included

Email us to see daily itinerary at joinus@photoflytravel.com

Join Us!

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

Price: $3,095
Single Supplement: $895

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/costa-rica-all-inclusive-group-tours/