PERIOD
November-December
DURATION
3 days-2 nights
LOCATION
Pescasseroli, Abruzzo
GROUP SIZE
8 people
ACCOMMODATION
B&B, small hotel, mountain hut
LENGTH
10-12 km per day
ELEVATION GAIN
500-700 m per day
DIFFICULT
Moderate
The excursion is not particularly difficult on a technical level. You’ll need to be in good shape and capable of hiking with a pack on your back and gains of as much as 700m.
An advanced workshop of nature photography for a few participants; then, a fairytale atmosphere to concentrate fully on searching Apennine chamois, defined by zoologists “the most beautiful chamois of the world” in the best period of the year. You will live dawns and sunsets, walks and sightings, nights in refuges and days in the most beautiful and less known places of the most ancient protected area of Italy.
Three days for lovers of photography who want to learn or study photographic shooting techniques and right approach to the wild fauna. You will have the chance to better your skills and your style thanks to the help of a Nikon Professional Service photographer and thanks to hikes and exercises in the magnificent natural setting of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park.
Choice of camera equipment;
Advices about photographic shooting;
How to use natural light;
Cleaning of camera equipment, recommendations for trips;
Exposure and focus: how to get the best from your camera;
How to use creatively the combination of aperture value and shutter speed;
How to use filters in landscape photography;
On Earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.
DAY 1 – Mount Amaro
Arrival in Pescasseroli (L’Aquila) in the late morning, check in and accomodation of participants in the hotel and introduction of the guide. At 2:00 p.m. departure for a first high-altitude hike until the sunset. Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
4h of walk · 600 m ascent · 600 m descent
DAY 2 – The big plateau of Biscurri and Tartari
After a hearty breakfast in the hotel we will be able to analyse the first pictures. Then, a short transfer by car to reach the Molise region side of Abruzzo National Park and the Rifugio Campitelli. After the accomodation in the refuge departure for a new high-altitude hike and photo session in a mountain environment. Return in the refuge in the evening, dinner and overnight stay.
6h of walk · 500 m ascent · 500 m descent
DAY 3 – Monte Meta, a terrace over three region
During the dawn of Sunday we will concentrate on taking landscape and panorama pictures. A new hike will lead us to the habitat of Apennine chamois and we will reach altitudes between 1800 metres and 2200 metres. After the return in the refuge we will be able to choose and evaluate our pictures. In the evening departure of participants.
6h of walk · 500 m ascent · 500 m descent
Prices
€ 165 / photographer
€ 80 / participant not photographer
What’s included
Guide and organization
Photo tour and lessons
What is not included
Food and accommodation
Any transports
Extra and personal expenses
Umberto Esposito is a mountain guide entered on the register of Alpine Guides of the Abruzzo Region and a naturalist photographer. He works between Abruzzo and Molise regions where, among the immense beech forests in the mountains or in the meadows, you can still see some extraordinary animal species. At the end of the nineties the encounter with the bears of the valley and the emotion for the first photographs guided him to what has become his job. Growing he has explored and loved these mountains. He is the creator and the director of Wildlife Adventures project and now he tries to convey the emotions he felt when he was young to those who walk along the paths and the mountains of Central Apennines with him. He has published pictures and articles on Oasis, Trekking&Outdoor, DOVE Viaggi, DRepubblica, Speciale “Qui Touring” of Touring Club Italiano. It’s co-author of the project Forestbeat and of the book Il Segreto dei Giganti, to sustain the nomination of the Apennine beech forests as “UNESCO World Heritage Site” Lazio e Molise.
Accommodation can be organized by our tour leader, or organized in your own.
The hotels are cosy and family managed with shared rooms. Breakfasts will be continental style there will be a wide range of homemade bread, cheeses, honey, cakes and cereals and muesli to fuel you up for the morning. While for dinner will be a typical dishes. A packed lunch of sandwiches, fruit and nuts is provided for the daytime in the little shop in the village.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request on your passenger info form.
Temperatures depend on season and time, warm clothes and dress up in layers is recommended: at 2.000 mt above sea level, in summertime too, it could be very cold. You must have hiking boots.
During the workshop we dedicate the whole day to the shooting phase, there will be a session in the classroom, the itineraries are planned to obtain the best of photographic shooting. Therefore, the laptop is not required. At the end of photographic weekend you will be invited in a private group where you can share your pictures with the tour leader and the participants, to comment and analyze the work.
SUGGESTED PHOTO EQUIPMENT
Medium tele zoom (es. 24-70 or 24-120 on full frame)
Telephoto zoom (es. 100-400 or 500 on full frame)
Filters (circular polarizer, ND, GND, etc.)
Cleaning kit with air blower pump, microfiber cloth
CLOTHING
Waterproof jacket with hood
Warm jacket
Lightweight trousers
Lightweight t-shirts
Worn in hiking boots or shoes
Warm hat
Thin gloves
BAG AND SLEEPING
Rucksack (40+ litres)
Raincover
Headlamp
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Water bottles or water bladder (at least 1 litre)
If your trip is cancelled due to Covid choose from free date changes, or a full refund.
Sure can! Over 30% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
This trip is especially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded.
Ask for a private tour if you need an exclusive experience. Send us an e mail and we’ll answer you back with the quotation.
Obviously some day could be cold or rainy: our guides will study alternative propose to offer you the best experience. Be sure to be well equipped for each weather condition.
Our guides are registered at the list of Collegio Guide Alpine Abruzzo and subscribed a professional insurance.
We suggest you to book on line travel insurance with World Nomads. They offer insurances designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.
Pescasseroli is the most important village of Abruzzo National Park, the oldest Italian protected area. It has guaranteed a life in harmony with nature for almost a century. You can easily reach it by car through three access points. FROM ROME (Highway A24 Rome – L’Aquila): from Rome highway A24 until Pescina exit, proceed on SR83 or on SP17 until Pescasseroli. FROM PESCARA (Highway A25 Roma – Pescara): from Pescara highway A25 until Pescina exit, go on towards SR83 or towards SP17 until Pescasseroli. FROM NAPLES (Highway A1 Naples – Rome): from Naples highway A1 until Caianello exit, enter SS85 towards Venafro and then proceed on SR83 until Pescasseroli.
You can arrive by bus thanks to daily connections from Castel di Sangro and Avezzano. Check the timetable on Tuabruzzo. Connections by train are only until Avezzano station. For those who come from Rome it is possible to check the timetable of Flixbus or Prontobus company that connects Roma and Ciampino airports to Abruzzo.