The Schedule

To attend this workshop you’ll need to fly into Quito airport (airport code: UIO) on the night of August 15th. We’ll pick you up at the airport and escort you to Hotel Quito.

 There’s no meeting on August 15th because we’re all arriving at different times. But we’re all staying at the same hotel so you’ll see everyone at breakfast.

On the morning of August 16th, breakfast will be served on the 7th floor... and from that height you’ll have a spectacular view of the city and the ever changing cloud formations that just beg to be photographed.

Note: Your hotel room on the night of the 15th is included in your conference fee as is a spectacular breakfast in the morning including fresh fruit, local baked goods, eggs and more.

After breakfast professional photographer Rich Wagner will be in the lobby to greet you. We’ll board our private bus to travel together to Cotacachi… the charming Andean village where we’ll be based for the next seven days.  If there’s time and the weather is nice, we’ll stop at the equator for a group picture and a chance to see if you really can balance an egg on the equator.

When we arrive to Cotacachi we’ll check into the charming Meson de las Flores hotel. Your accommodation, along with a hearty and delicious breakfast every morning is also covered in your conference fee.

When we get there, we’ll have opening sessions, then we’ll head out on an afternoon excursion to meet the local shamans.

Over the next few days in Cotacachi, you’ll hear from both Rich Wagner and Steenie Harvey about travel writing and photography.  You’ll have time to write about what you’re discovering in the surrounding villages, take a luxurious spa massage break (on us) and go shopping in a nearby leather village. Rich and Steenie will guide you through your articles and help you improve your photos each day.

On August 22nd, we’ll head to Otavalo to peruse the largest indigenous market in South America, and at 4:00 p.m. we’ll head back to Quito.

Accommodation in Quito on August 22 is not included in your conference fee.  You can choose to extend your stay in Ecuador and leave from either Quito (or Otavalo) that day or we can help you arrange accommodation at the Hotel Quito for our group rate of just $69 plus tax.

(Note: We plan to arrive back in Quito by 7:00 p.m. August 22.  You can risk a late night flight out of Quito.  However, I personally recommend you overnight in Quito and leave the next day if you’re not continuing on.

Though we plan to be back in Quito by 7:00 p.m., you just never know in a developing-world country if the traffic will be bad or not.  Ticket changes and missed-flight fees are at you own expense.)

** Classes during this workshop include both photography and travel writing courses. No prior experience in photography or writing is required.

In all honesty, you’ll never have a chance to experience Ecuador like this again.

There’s no other workshop out there that will offer you this... the opportunity to combine both photography and writing in six days while you explore the Ecuadorian countryside, taking pictures and getting article ideas in the traditional markets and colorful villages.

You’ll be in the classroom every day as well as out and about in the markets, visiting the villages and enjoying the hot springs, too. You’ll have fun with each writing lesson -- customized to an event to enjoy that day… plus you'll take your camera along to work on your photography at the same time. You get to put what you have learned into immediate action!

Plus, each day will begin with a photo review session. You’re invited to select your best photos from the previous day’s shooting and have them reviewed. These sessions are invaluable in helping you improve your technique while you’re out and about each day.

And as a special treat you’ll get to experience a spa treatment at the jaw-droppingly elegant, La Mirage Hosteria. This beautiful hotel is set in luxuriant gardens full of tropical flowers and wildlife and you’re invited to spend a half day relaxing at the elegant covered pool and spa area.

Balance is an important part of this workshop. When your body is in balance and relaxed, you learn more. So you’ll spend an entire half day here, relaxing and putting your body in balance.

La Mirage Spa offers 11 different types of massages and treatments, including some with local flavor, like the Shaman Purification Treatment, or the Amazonian Bamboo Massage (who knew rolling sticks of bamboo across your back and feet could feel so good) plus other well-know treatments. Couples can enjoy a synchronized massage (complete with rose pedal bath) in private next to the fire.

Whatever you choose, the treat is on us… just suspend your cares and soak up the tranquility while you luxuriate in this elegant Ecuadorian one-of-a-kind spa.

Ecuador Photography & Travel Writing
Immersion Expedition
Cotacachi, Ecuador
August 15 - 23, 2009

 Where: We’ll be staying in Cotacachi, a small, picturesque village about two hours north of Quito.

“This is more than what you can get from any other workshop that I know about -- there were so many professional and knowledgeable people involved.” -- Rose Fuller

“Thank you so much to Lori and the staff for providing such a fabulous experience. I learned so much and feel so confident about the information -- I can do this!” -- Lyrae Perry

“It’s a total experience -- lots of learning, lots of socializing, extremely professionally done. You don’t let us down in any area.” -- Viki Hildreth