Dates Feb 7–19, 2008
Leader Joe Van Os and local guides
Fee $6,695 from Shanghai, China; departing from Beijing, China
Deposit $400
Limit 14
Terms and Conditions

Siberian tigers are the largest subspecies of tigers in the world—and one of the world’s most endangered big cats. In the snowy environs of the extreme northeast corner of China, near Harbin, we photograph scores of these huge predators at an unbelievable zoo/ breeding center virtually on the edge of Siberia—the eastern fringe of the Siberian tiger’s shrinking habitat.

Photographing from large private busses with opening windows, our group drives into the large compounds (approximately 30 acres), each containing dozens of these immense cats. Often we are surprisingly close to them as they walk past our vehicles. During the early morning, when temperatures are well below freezing, these frosty-faced tigers in their snowy habitat present exceptional opportunities for portraiture as well as photographs of them as pairs and small groups. Then feeding starts. Now, the tigers living in these exceptionally high densities come alive as food is brought into the compound. This is the time when we photograph intense snarling interactions; the friction that takes place should produce exceptional imagery as they clash over
food. With more than 700 Siberian tigers in this facility there are many chances for success as we shoot the tigers during morning and afternoon sessions every day for three days!

Our trip coincides with the Harbin Ice Festival, one of the most spectacular displays of ice sculpture in the world. At night, these colossal ice carvings—often depicting world-famous buildings and landmarks—sizzle with thousands of colorful internal lights that can occupy a group of photographers for hours!

Chengdu is our gateway to the Wolong Panda Reserve located in the center of China in Sichuan Province. Here in this world-famous panda breeding center we shoot contented pandas in a variety of camera-pleasing situations. The local bamboo, with lingering greens of summer and golden hues of autumn, blends now with the whites and grays of winter. Mountains, covered with a dusting of snow, emerge and evaporate through the clouds on the horizon—a remarkably photogenic location for China’s icon animal. With very special permission
we make every effort (animals willing) to attempt the endearing shot of a doting female panda cradling her small baby. We have three full days of photo opportunities to shoot pandas climbing trees in their wooded compounds and groups of year-old cubs in the outdoor panda nursery. We also arrange special feeding sessions where we can direct the placement of the pandas within landscaped enclosures at the breeding center. At this elevation, snow squalls come and go, typically falling in the morning and melting by early afternoon.

We should get a wide variety of weather conditions and likewise a wide variety of lighting situations for our panda photography.

Join us this winter to photograph these two fantastic iconic animals of Asia as few have done!



Day 1
Depart home.

Day 2 (Feb 8)
Arrive in Shanghai. (D)

Day 3
Fly from Shanghai to Chengdu. (BLD)

Day 4
Drive to the Wolong Reserve in the mountainous countryside; late afternoon photo session with the pandas. (BLD)

Days 5–7
We photograph the pandas in their breeding compounds for these three full days. The pandas will climb trees, interact in groups and be generally accessible for the entire day. One session of a female with baby is a special feature of this tour. (BLD)

Day 8
Drive to Chengdu and fly to Harbin. (BLD)

Days 9–11
We photograph tigers twice a day in their snowy breeding compounds and visit the Ice Festival at night as time permits. (BLD)

Day 12
Fly to Beijing for morning photography of the Great Wall at Mutianyu. (BLD)

Day 13 (Feb 19)
Depart for home. (B)





Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070
Phone: (206) 463-5383   Fax: (206) 463-5484    Email: info@photosafaris.com
Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.