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Blog

Welcome to the Blog.  It’s our repository of useful info about a great variety of topics that will help you prepare for any trip and inspire you to dream beyond the borders of your imagination.  

We have guides, authors, adventurers, filmmakers and photographers sharing everything from packing lists, passport renewals, destination reviews, filmmaking, traveling across the globe, how to make the best coffee and where to find the little hidden spots for a great meal. 

Acclimatization in the Andes

What your body is actually doing, and how we build a trip around it

Your sleeping elevation drives altitude illness. The highest point you reach during the day matters much less. You can stand on a 4,700 m/15,420 ft...
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Land-Based Galápagos: Why I Don’t Photograph the Islands From a Ship

A cruise runs on the ship's clock. I run on the light's — and in the Galápagos that's the whole difference.

Most people come to the Galápagos to check it off a list. I come to photograph it, and that turns out to be an entirely...
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More Birds Than Anywhere on Earth: Photographing Colombia

The richest bird country on Earth — where you don’t chase the birds. They come to you.

On Global Big Day, the world’s biggest single-day bird count, Colombia has finished first on Earth five years running — 1,566 species logged in one...
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Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) perches on a limb above the Yacuma River, Beni

Photographing Madidi National Park & the Yacuma River Wildlife

A Field Guide from the riverside town of Rurrenabaque...one entrance to Bolivia's Amazon

Madidi National Park covers about 19,000 square kilometers (7,300 square miles). To put that in something you can picture: it’s more than twice the size...
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Colombia or Ecuador? Inside the Two Richest Bird Countries on Earth

The richest bird country on Earth vs the densest — an honest, by-the-numbers look for bird photographers, where the birds come to you.

Colombia and Ecuador sit shoulder to shoulder on the map and hold a slice of the planet's birdlife that's hard to believe until you're standing...
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Photographing the Salar de Uyuni: When the Mirror Happens, and How to Shoot Both Seasons

A photographer's guide to the mirror, the white, and everything the salt built.

Most people think the Salar de Uyuni is a three-month trip. It is not. The famous mirror belongs to the rainy months, but the largest...
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The North, Central and South Towers illuminated by the rising sun.

Photographing Torres del Paine in Autumn: Why March to May Beats Summer

Always at the right locations — with the right light, with time to wait, and the patience to come back.

The Cuernos mirrored at dawn, red autumn forests, Grey Glacier from the water — Torres del Paine's icons, shot the slow way. There are no...
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Cordillera Huayhuash in Peru

Photographing Peru’s Cordillera Huayhuash – What It’s Like, and Why You Are Better Served by an Expert Team

The finest small range in the Andes for a photographer — and the hardest to do alone. Best done with a seasoned team.

The Cordillera Huayhuash packs six 6,000-meter peaks and a string of mirror lakes into a few days’ walk. Here’s what it’s like to photograph, and...
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How To Use Your Mobile Phone When Traveling Abroad

Before departing on your trip, it’s important to contact your cellphone provider and know exactly what your existing plan offers in terms of international coverage....
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Navigating Flight Delays and Cancellations

Know Your Rights to Refunds and Compensation - Domestic and International Flights

Flight delays and cancellations don’t have to ruin your trip. By understanding your rights and using tools like the DOT’s dashboard, you can navigate these...
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Easy Tips to Booking Flights

Time of Booking is Everything

Timing your flight bookings is one of the most effective ways to save money on travel. By understanding the trends for domestic and international flights,...
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Online Passport Renewal

A Convenient Solution for American Travelers

The U.S. State Department has launched a permanent online passport renewal system, providing a convenient alternative for Americans who want to renew their passports without...
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Trekker at Viconga Pass in the Huayhuash range in Peru

Turn Passion into Pictures

Listen to the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast - episode # 465

Think of Sergio’s story: From his humble beginnings with a Rollie 35 S camera in the high mountains of Bolivia to running international photography tours...
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Travel Insurance vs. Travel Medical Evacuation and/or Rescue Services

Understand the different services and their importance

Understanding Travel Insurance vs. Medical Evacuation and/or Rescue Services: Why You Need Both When planning a trip, whether it’s domestic or international, it’s crucial to...
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Announcing the Shoot & Edit Workshop in Bolivia

Photo Leader: Karen Kasmauski (National Geographic veteran)

In the realm of visual storytelling, Karen Kasmauski and Bill Douthitt - an award-winning duo of photographer and editor - have become modern-day explorers, capturing...
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A Comprehensive Guide to Travel Insurance

How to Protect Yourself on the Road

Traveling is an exhilarating experience, full of opportunities to explore new cultures, landscapes, and adventures. However, along with these rewards comes the potential for unforeseen...
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Venturing Solo

Discovering Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path

Embarking on a solo journey to lesser-known destinations can be one of the most rewarding travel experiences. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in authentic...
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Altitude Sickness…

What is it and how to deal with it...

Above roughly 2,440 m/8,000 ft the air pressure drops, and every breath carries less oxygen than the same breath at sea level. Your body answers...
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Passport, currency, medical evacuation

U.S. Passport Renewal…do it as early as possible

Post-Pandemic Challenges and Solutions

Due to pent-up demand and a lack of resources, passport renewal waiting times increased significantly, leading to canceled international trips due to expired passports and...
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Jet Lag…what to know…

dealing with the "elephant in the room"

Jet lag is the result of disrupting your body's circadian clock. The most troublesome aspect of traveling across time zones is the chaos it causes...
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"The Giant" Cotopaxi volcano with a lenticular cloud in Ecuador

Ecuador is open for business…

A Photographer's Paradise of Biodiversity and Culture

Nestled on the equator, Ecuador is a small country that packs an incredible punch for photographers and nature lovers alike. Within the 109,000 sq mi...
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