Mauritania

Travel Portrait Masterclass

20-27 February 2021

CHF 2,995

All-inclusive except flight

8 DAYS

3-7 PEOPLE

4* & 3* HOTELS

DESERT CAMPING

Imagine a country so remote that most people never heard about it - let alone can locate it on a map. A country with a unique and deeply traditional culture. Where most men wear dresses taken straight from the Tales of 1001 Nights. You wouldn't think such a place would exist in the 21st century. But it does.

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Mauritania is large a chunk of Sahara, 3x the size of France, that ends abruptly at the Atlantic coast. A harsh, rough country populated mostly by Moors. A place where you will not see another tourist for days.

 

Be prepared for a minivan rides on bumpy roads - and be fit for a 2-day walk through the Sahara.

Owing to its isolation and low population density, Mauritania has very low level of Covid-19 infections.

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As of mid-January, Mauritania has passed 2nd wave, with daily infections at around 20 per million inhabitants and declining (compared to 350 in Switzerland and 300 in Germany).

 

Mauritania requires negative Covid-19 test result to enter the country, but no quarantine.

 

Switzerland does not require quarantine on return from Mauritania - but Germany currently does.

Covid-19 Status

Locations

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Nouakchott

We will start in the capital, exploring the city and its markets, and absorbing Mauritania's exotic ambience, culture, and gorgeous dresses. The highlight will be a visit to Port de Peche (fishing port) on the Atlantic coast, with its raw beauty and incredible faces, seasoned in the harsh climate. While most people are busy with the fish, some take an opportunity to have a dip in the ocean.

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Chinguetti

One of the 7 holy cities of Islam in middle ages, today Chinguetti is a delapidated, forgotten place at the edge of the Sahara, with slow pace and detached feel. Not much is left of its former glory - except for several medieval libraries filled with thousands of old, hand-written books, and guarded by old-world librarians and wooden locks.

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Sahara Walk

From Chinguetti, we will take a 2-day walk through the Sahara desert, accompanied with a couple of guides and camels that will carry our stuff. A true old-style caravan. We will soak in the vastness, desolation and silence of the Sahara, and the gorgeous patterns on the dunes in a late afternoon sunlight. We will sleep one night in an oasis - and another in an open desert, under the stars.

Itinerary

Fri 19 Feb

Arrival in Nouakchott (around midnight)

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Sat 20 Feb - Nouakchott

Late start & stroll around town

Port de Peche

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Sun 21 Feb

Drive to Chinguetti (7h)

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Mon 22 Feb - Chinguetti

Street photography

Medieval libraries

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Tue 23 Feb - Sahara

Sahara walk + oasis

Overnight on the desert

Wed 24 Feb - Sahara

Sahara walk

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Thu 25 Feb - Chinguetti

Street photography

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Fri 26 Feb

Drive to Nouakchott (7h)

Stopover in Terjit oasis

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Sat 27 Feb - Nouakchott

Markets

Port de Peche

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Sun 28 Feb

Departure in the morning

Photographic Coaching

  • Full-time coaching by Pawel Lipski

  • Creative techniques & tips for travel portraits - both candid & posed

  • Camera settings for travel portraits

  • Location-specific briefings & assignments

  • Daily reviews of best photos

  • Written feedback on your 10 best shots after the trip

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Included:

  • Full-time travel portrait coaching

  • Accommodation in 4 & 3-star hotels (single occupancy), and 2 nights camping on the Sahara

  • All meals (with beverages)

  • Ground transportation in private minivan/4WD

  • Camel & guide for the Sahara walk

  • Airport transfers

  • Tips for guides 

Not Included:

  • International flight into Nouakchott

  • Visa

  • Travel insurance

  • Covid-19 test before departure

  • Personal expenses (e.g. room service, porters, laundry)

Accomodation

NOUAKCHOTT

Hotel Semiramis (4*) - single occupancy

SAHARA

1 night in an oasis in a tent

CHINGUETTI

Maison La Gueila - the hotel has 6 rooms, so single/sharing depending on group size

SAHARA

1 night in open desert under the stars

Price

PAYMENT

20% (CHF 600) refundable deposit to reserve your place

Balance by 31 January

DISCOUNT

CHF 300 (10%) for returning trip customers

Based on single room occupancy

CHF 2,995

This Trip Is For...

This trip has been designed primarily for people who have already completed my training "3 Steps To Stunning Portraits", and are already familiar with natural light and composition techniques for people photography.

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During this trip, you will learn how to apply these techniques to travel portraits - both candid and posed.

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You need a good camera with a telephoto lens up to at least 200mm (full frame) - plus a wider lens when we can get up close to our subjects.

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Personally, I will bring 24-70mm f2.8 and 70-200mm f2.8.

Important To Know

  • Registration deadline is 31 January

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  • Negative Covid-19 test result is required to enter Mauritania

 

  • No vaccinations required

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  • Information pack including a packing list and clothing recommendations will be sent after deposit payment

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  • Visa: all nationalities get visa on arrival at Nouakchott airport

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Flights

From ZURICH & BASEL

Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (CHF 550)

Swiss & Air France via Paris (CHF 900)

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From GENEVA

Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca (CHF 550, shortest connection)

 

From MUNICH

Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (€ 600)

Air France via Paris (€ 900)

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For current flight options, check:

skyscanner.ch

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Pawel Lipski

  • International photography coach, specialising in people photography in natural light - from posed to travel portraits

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  • 30+ years of photographic experience

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  • An avid independent traveller with a passion for remote, non-touristy places with authentic cultures

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  • Polish based in Zurich, Switzerland

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Cancellations

  • 100% refund if canceled by 31 January

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  • 50% refund if canceled by 10 February

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  • No refund if canceled after 10 February (50% refund in case of positive Covid-19 test)