Photographic journey
1 to 4 June 2023
The oldest mountains in Italy, the hidden pearls of the south. On their slopes lives the symbol of the Pollino Park, the loricate pine (Pinus heldreichii)
A journey into the wild beauty of the Apennines that will take us over 2000m between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas to one of the most unspoilt areas in Europe.
A four-day journey through wild landscapes, peaks above 2000m and the oldest trees in Italy. The loricate pine only lives here between Calabria and Basilicata. This trip allows you to visit places that are unique for these latitudes. Photography sessions at sunset in an easy-to-medium effort trek that will allow us to fully experience the disruptive nature of the Pollino National Park for three days. The fourth day will be dedicated to visiting Matera and the ‘Sassi’, a Unesco heritage site.
Programme (1-4 June 2023)
A briefing (video call) will be organised in order to get to know the group’s needs, share logistical aspects (car, travel) and inform about the daily activities.
The tour does not use a shared minivan, participants will use their own car.
Car rental can be organised on request (Bari airport)
June 1
Meeting of participants at Rifugio Fasanelli, h 3.30pm – (Rotonda, PT: 3 hrs drive from Bari airport)
Briefing of the trip, equipment check and accommodation in the refuge.
Short walk and photo session at Piano di Ruggio.
Sunset exit to photograph the loricate pines from the Malvento belvedere.
Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge (possible night photography session).
June 2
An excursion of medium difficulty to visit and photograph the Pollino plain and Serra Dolcedorme.
This is one of the most significant places on the Pollino where the largest loricate pines in the region live.
Packed lunch and dinner.
Sunset photo session in the magnificent scenery of the Serra Dolcedorme and Mount Pollino.
Return with headlamps along the outward path.
Overnight stay in a refuge.
June 3
Departure after breakfast for easy hike in the Pollino, we can photograph it from another angle from the Serra delle Ciavole.
Return in the early afternoon, packed lunch/coffee along the transfer route.
Transfer to Matera (approx. 2.5 hours by car).
Accommodation in B&B and briefing before the evening outing.
Dinner in Matera and sunset / blue hour photo session of the city of stones from different perspectives.
Overnight stay in B&B.
June 4
Breakfast in B&B.
Visit to the city of Matera and reportage photography sessions, among unique alleys and architecture.
Lunch in town (optional) and end of activity. (Approx. at 1 pm).
Journey themes
Landscape and nature photography, night photography, sunset, blue hour, reportage photography.
Engagement
Training is required for hikes of 4 hours per day and 5/600m of altitude difference.
To assess your hiking experience and required skills, please call us: we will be happy to help you.
Required equipment
SLR/mirrorless camera and/or other photo/video devices.
Recommended lenses: Wide angle, telephoto.
Recommended filters: Digradant, big stopper (8-10 stop ND), polariser.
Tripod.
Comfortable hiking clothing, hiking boots. Windbreaker, cap, gloves (the Pollino exceeds 2200m altitude).
Photographic or trekking backpack.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Before departure, the guide contacts all participants for useful information about the trip and the necessary equipment.
The programme may be subject to change at the sole discretion of the guide depending on weather conditions and the technical level of the participants.
In the event of changes to the programme, for reasons beyond the guide’s control, any additional costs will be divided between the participants.
General information
| Duration | Destination | Start |
| 4 days / 3 nights | Italy, Basilicata : Pollino Park and Matera | June 1
September tbd |
Group tour (min. 6, max. 8 persons): 4 days, 3 nights
COST PER PERSON (double room): 590 €
Early booking promotion: 490 €
PAYMENT POLICY, BOOKINGS AND PENALTIES:
Payments: 30% deposit on booking, balance 30 days before departure date.
Cancellation fee: 30 % of the participation fee (100 % for cancellations less than 20 days before departure date)
Excursion as planned, organisation and assistance in preparing the programme by SUMMIT-8
Accompaniment and teaching by Mirko Sotgiu, professional photographer and mid-mountain guide
Common safety and first aid equipment
Accompanying person’s transfer/accommodation costs
Assistance throughout the programme
Overnight stay and breakfast in hotel/refuge
1 dinner in refuge.
Transfers to and from meeting place – Rifugio Fasanelli
Internal transfers (micro transfers in the Park, transfer to Matera where the tour ends).
Photographic equipment, clothing and trekking gear.
Lunches and drinks. Excluding a packed dinner for sunset on day 2.
Trip cancellation insurance.
Extras and everything not mentioned in “the price includes”.
