Yubarta Humpback Whales Photo Workshop

Yubarta Humpback Whale expedition is a 9-night 10-day trip of unbelievable adventure, photography and unique natural moments. Once a year, off the coast of Colombia, Humpback whales migrate to these warm waters to give birth to their young. Our accommodations are at a private coastal reserve on these pristine waters. This private reserve is available ONLY to Blue Sky Expeditions and their guests. Never before has such access been granted to any group. From this beach front reserve we will use our private boat to observe these amazing creatures up-close and in their element. In addition to observing from the boat, all guests will have the opportunity to get even closer by snorkeling or scuba diving in these crystal clear waters. All contact with the whales is closely controlled. In addition, with a local guide, we will spend two days exploring unique jungle waterfalls, hot springs and all that this amazing National Park has to offer.

Where you will rest:

Each cabin is separate from the other and each has private bathroom and showers. Our cabins have a private deck with ocean views. Most meals are served in the reserve's private restaurant with choices selected from a common menu. Each evening's meal will begin with a selection of local wines, beer, and cheese. Included at no extra cost is conversation about that day's adventure.

What to expect:

Once you arrive in Bogota we will transport you from the airport to the newly completed Bogota Marriott Hotel for your first night to relax and freshen up. We will have a welcoming dinner that evening for all guests with presentations. Our team will discuss what to expect in your upcoming adventure. The next morning you will rise to breakfast and then we will depart on our charted flight to the small coastal town of Nuqui. Here we will board our charter boat to the reserve.

What is included:

You will need to take care of the airfare from your hometown to Bogota, Colombia.

BSE will take it from there. Once you arrive everything is included: ground transportation, chartered Air, chartered boat, taxes, National park fees, etc. You just have to relax, enjoy and make beautiful pictures.

- Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are included.

- Two-days private boat to catch the perfect images (open water snorkeling is possible for those who want)

- One full day of scuba diving photography (there will be other activities for those who do not wish to dive)

- Two-days hiking in the Colombian jungle. The 1st day we

hike to a stunning waterfall in the middle of the rainforest. Here we will work on portraits and location lighting. On our 2nd day we will hike to a jungle hot spring to photograph flora and the jungle creatures that visit this stunning location. Best of all, we can slip into this beautiful warm natural pool to wash away any stress or worries.

We limit this once in a lifetime trip to a total of 12 participants.

**Like all BSE South American trips, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the National Parks in which we are guests. Volunteers are giving everything to keep these ecosystems working, without them we will not be able experience workshop like ours. Without their efforts the only thing left of these ecosystems will be our photos. BSE strongly encourage additional donations to these struggling groups.

Group A: August 15th/22nd Beginner Level= for those that are just getting started with digital photography

Group B: August 22nd/29th Medium Level= for those who have been to a few workshops, but want to move to the next level

Group C: August 29th/ Sept 5th High Level= for experienced photographers needing to be pushed to new limits.

Accommodation Single (own room) $3200.00

Accommodation Double (sharing room w/fellow participant) $2990.00

Thank you so much and we hope you will enjoy our Blue Skies.

About the YUBARTA or HUMPBACK WHALES

A team of Pacific Whale Foundation researchers are in Port Douglas, Australia to launch a study that they hope will better define mating and breeding areas of humpback whales along Australia's northeastern coast.

Port Douglas is located in the tropical far north region of Queensland, Australia about an hour's drive north of Cairns. It's at about the same latitude as Tahiti. The Great Barrier Reef is located offshore to the east.

In this region, Pacific Whale Foundation president Greg Kaufman and researcher Annie Macie are hoping to locate previously unidentified areas where humpback whales are mating, giving birth, and caring for their young.

"We believe that this research may locate new areas where the whales are breeding," said Kaufman. "This is very important from the perspective of managing and protecting the population of Southern Ocean humpback whales."

Humpback whales in Australia follow a seasonal migratory pattern of feeding in cold polar waters near Antarctica from November through March and then traveling to warmer waters near the equator from June through August. "It's the peak of the breeding season right now," said Kaufman. "If the whales are breeding off the coast of Port Douglas, this is the time to find them."

Since 1984, Pacific Whale Foundation has studied the migratory pathways of humpback whales along Australia's east coast. Data gathered by Pacific Whale Foundation in this region has indicated that a subset of humpback whales appear to be going to one or more breeding areas that have not yet been formally identified by researchers.