Duration: 11 days Trip Code: 7V19 Dates: 8th – 18th Sept, 2019 Includes: 6 Whale Days, Airfares, Breakfasts, Island Feast, Transfers Tour Leader: Leighton Lum (Photography by Leighton) Cost: $AU 5,990 (Honolulu return) Cost: $AU 4,990 (Vava’u – no flights)

Swimming with Humpback Whales One of the Ocean’s Greatest Wildlife encounters

HIGHLIGHTS: Learn how to get the most from your photographic equipment while spending 6 days in the water with the Whales.

Photographic Tour Vava’u 2019

Tonga, ‘19

Join expert Photographer Leighton Lum and Quest Tours to enjoy one of Nature’s greatest interactive Wildlife experiences. We are the longest running LICENCED Travel Agent escorting tours to Vava’u. The privilege of swimming and photographing these gentle, intelligent mammals is truly life altering.

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Your itinerary

Sunday, 8th September 2019

Depart Honolulu (HNL) 0150

Monday, 9th September, 2019(Meals at own expense)

Arrive Nadi (NAN) 0735. Transfer to overnight hotel

Tuesday, 10th September, 2019(Meals at own expense)

Depart Nadi NAN 0800 on FJ 821 bound for Tonga

10:10 arrive Vava’u Tonga. (Total flight time, 2 hours, 10 minutes – Tonga is 1 hour ahead of Fiji).

You will be transferred to Neiafu township where you will check into your accommodation straight away. After a few hours to rest and relax, your Quest Tours representative will orientate you to town and give you a tour of the main area.

This afternoon Leighton will check your equipment & conduct the first workshop on what to expect over the next few days.

Wednesday, 11th September – Saturday, 14th September, 2019 (B, L) (Dinner at own expense)

We have booked an exclusive whale expedition boat just for our group. The trips will be full days of action packed photographic opportunities over 6 – 7 hours. The captain will tailor the whale watching to match the photographic requirements of the group.

Light lunch, fruit platters & refreshments are enjoyed whilst anchored off white sandy beaches. There will be many opportunities for snorkelling over tropical reefs and in open sea caves in the crystal clear water. It all adds up to being the best days out on the water imaginable.

The Friday night we will enjoy a traditional Tongan feast at our hotel – The Puataukanave.

Sunday 15th September, 2019 (B, L) (Dinner at own expense)

As there is no commercial activity allowed on Sunday we have a day off to catch up with editing and revising all of the new skills learnt over the previous few days. There is a delicious brunch booked for around 11am. For those who wish to explore the island for photographic opportunities there will be plenty of chances to capture sunrise, views and sunset over the harbour.

Monday 16th September Tuesday 17th September 2019 (B, L) (Dinner at own expense)

Once again we have booked an exclusive whale expedition boat just for our group. These will be our final whale days.

Wednesday 18th September, 2019 (B,) (Lunch and Dinner at own expense)

Our trip with the whales has ended, and we enjoy a lazy morning with a 12:10 Departure, Arrive Fiji at 13:30

YoucanalsospendthemorningcheckingoutthelocalcafesandutilisingtheWIFIspots

Options for activities in Fiji still to come

(Flight times are as at August, 2017 and subject to change at the whim of the airlines).

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Photographic Tour Vava’u 2019

Tour Leader

Profile

Leighton is a contemporary artist striving to capture the beauty in nature. His creative eye and passion for adventure, results in amazing photography. Leighton Lum was born and raised on the island of Oahu, and has traveled to many places, bringing a large variety to his photography from around the globe.

From swimming with sharks to tracking down big polar bears in the arctic, Leighton has always had a love and passion for the great outdoors.

As a boy living in paradise, his goal is to share the uniqueness of the world through his eyes.

Leighton hopes his photography inspires others and raises awareness about conservation to ensure future generations can enjoy nature the way it was meant to be seen.

Leighton Lum Photography by Leighton Photographybyleighton@yahoo.com

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The Humpback Whales of Vava’u What to expect while on tour…

You will be accompanied by your professional photographic guide throughout every step of your adventure.

Our Whale Watching days will begin early in the morning to be first out to the whale calving grounds, departing usually between 7 and 8 am.

There will be a maximum of SEVEN passengers onboard, plus Leighton and Crew. The vessel is for our exclusive use only. Four swimmers plus an accredited Tongan guide are allowed in the water at any one time. And with no more than 2 groups of swimmers onboard, you will have the maximum chance of enjoying the best possible experience.

You will be snorkelling with the Whales in open-ocean. You should have or, be willing to acquire adequate snorkelling skills, and undertake as much open ocean snorkelling experience before travelling to Tonga, to ensure you enjoy your time to the maximum.

You will need your own snorkelling gear; ask us for advice on this, as it is essential that your equipment is suitable for the tour.

The water will be around 24- 26 degrees, depending on currents and air temperature. Air temperature will be around 28-30 degrees, and quite humid. This being said, some seasons we have had cooler weather, around the 25 degree mark.

Cafes, Coffee Shops & Internet

There are a number of quality cafes available throughout Neiafu – we will be visiting these as a group according to the entertainment on offer on specific nights. Some nights during your stay will be at leisure to dine at a café of your choice.

Most cafes have internet facilities available for use by customers or, alternatively, there is an internet café with more reliable internet options at a small cost.

Photographic

Tour

Vava’u 2019

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Photographic Tour Vava’u, 2019

Vava’u is an island group of one large island and 40 smaller islands in Tonga. Vava’u rises 204 metres above sea level at Mt Talau. The capital is Neiafu, and has a population of around 6000 people.

We will be operating out of the Port of Refuge harbour, which is one of the best, most protected harbours in the world.

The Vava’u Island group in the Kingdom of Tonga is a spectacular tropical island paradise in the Pacific Ocean. It has a year-round climate suitable for swimming, snorkeling, diving and sailing. Some islands are ringed by white sand beaches while others have tropical forests, sea-level caves, and dramatic limestone cliffs with breathtaking vistas.

Remote and truly unspoiled, the waters around Vava'u are crystal clear with visibility exceeding 30 metres. Most of the islands are uninhabited, a few have villages, a few have very small unique resorts with exceptional food. There is abundant sea life with over 100 species of colorful tropical fish, giant clams, manta rays, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and July-October the Humpback whales!

Truly a paradise, with the only Polynesian Monarchy, this is a remarkable place to explore.

Vava’u

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Accommodation The Puataukanave

Hotel

$AU 5,990 Whale Snorkeller with photographic guide.

Located right in the centre of town, this lovely hotel has spectacular views of the harbour and is an easy walk to all the main cafes and attractions. Each room has two comfortable beds and an ensuite bathroom. Each room also has a balcony with chairs for relaxing. We will be in the Deluxe section of the hotel, which has been well received by our travelers in previous years.

Photographic Tour Vava’u 2019

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Photographic Tour

Vava’u 2019

Camera and Equipment Required • Open to all levels of photographic ability • Point and shoot cameras, cropped & full frame DSLR’s (Preferred) • Small or large dome ports for housing • Lenses – Fisheye or 16-35mm • If you own a ‘land’ camera and can fit it in with your luggage bring it along as

there are opportunities to capture some incredible action shots from above the surface.

• There are luggage limits of 23kg for the internal flights to & from Vava'u • Laptop & post processing software. Lightroom is preferred or Photoshop. Its

better if you have done an introductory course prior to trip. • Post processing sessions in the afternoons • Snorkelling equipment – Comprehensive info sheet upon confirmation on

booking • Alternatively there are fins and masks on the boat.

What to expect from Quest Tours prior to Departure…

We will book your airfares, both domestic and international, and organise your accommodation, transfers and Whale experiences.

You can expect a detailed packing list and travel updates in the weeks leading up to your departure date.

Leighton will be in touch regularly regarding camera equipment and processing tools.

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Included:

• International airfares ex. Honolulu return through Nadi and onto Vava’u ($AU 5,790) o Flights are also available ex. LAX and most major international airports o Itinerary is also available WITHOUT flights for $AU 4,590

• 1 nights accommodation Nadi • 8 nights twin share accommodation in Vava’u • 6 days Swimming with Humpback Whales incl. lunches onboard • Photographic workshops on Camera Settings • Post processing lessons • Over/under (split lens) Image Photography • Cave dives with Photography • Editing Sessions each day • Tips and techniques in and above water • Airport to hotel transfers throughout tour • Services of your Tour Leaders

o Leighton – Photographic guiding while in Tonga and equipment advice prior to departure

o Qualified Tongan Whale Guide

Not included:

• Meals & drink other than specified on the itinerary • Gratuities and Personal Travel Insurance (compulsory)

o Please note that travel among the pacific islands can often include frequent delays. We not only insist on every traveler having travel insurance, it would also be silly to travel without it!

Photographic Tour Vava’u 2019

Fact File

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Quest Tours – General Diving and Snorkelling Rules

Obviously on all dive and snorkelling tours, safety is our main concern. The quality of diving is guaranteed. Tonga has incredible reef diving, however, it is relatively remote compared to much of the developed world. The following guidelines will help you enjoy your tour and stay safe on your holiday

For Snorkellers/ Free Divers

Swimming with whales is a surface snorkelling activity only. Lead weights are not required. Should you need them they are available to hire.

Good quality, well fitting snorkelling fins (not kick fins) are essential. A well-fitted mask that has been treated so it does not fog will keep you comfortable, and we strongly recommend a high-quality snorkel with a splashguard and a purge valve.

Please ask us for advice regarding all of this equipment. We have packages exclusively available for our tour participants at $90.

Your guide on the tour will be trained for in-water rescues and emergency first aid.

Quest Tours – Forster NSW Australia (Licence number: 2TA 10493)

Bookings:

To book onto the tour you will need to supply a completed booking form, together with a photocopy of your passport and a $AU2000 non-refundable deposit.

We have booked the whale watch and diving operation for the height of the whale watch season, early bookings are essential and will ensure your spot on the tour. Before booking please read thoroughly the BOOKING CONDITIONS as published on our websites.

Late bookings may incur a flight surcharge

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours. We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance at the same time as paying your deposit. Quest Tours is at present only able to insure Australian travelers

We suggest carefully checking conditions of any other travel insurance you may be considering.

Please note that DAN (Diver’s Alert Network) Insurance does not cover you for things such as flight cancellations, lost baggage or similar. They only cover you for diving related injuries. We recommend and insist on additional, comprehensive insurance to cover cancellations, airline changes and baggage in conjunction with DAN.

Costs and flights are as at August, 2018 and are subject to fluctuations in exchange rate - $AU 1.00 = $TOP 1.60

The fine print… It is important to note that for international departures check in is no later than two hours prior to departure. Please ensure that all departure / arrival timings indicated are correct, as these are subject to change without notice. Your passport must have a minimum of 6 months validity from day of departure

Photographic Tour Vava’u 2019

Photographybyleighton@yahoo.com www.photographybyleighton.com

whales@questtours.com.au www.questtours.com.au

Unparalleled in-water Experience

Phone: +612 6554 7478 Skype: Quest_Tours