Guided by Award-Winning Photographers Robert Bilos and Kassem Kalo!
Robert has visited the French Alps numerous times, while Kassem, who lives there, began his photography career by discovering and drawing inspiration from this stunning region. Together, they possess an intimate knowledge of this part of the Alps, offering personalized guidance and tips to enhance your photography skills.
Join us for a seven-day photography tour through the picturesque landscapes of the Chamonix Mont Blanc valley, where you’ll have the opportunity to photograph the highest peak in Europe in all its snow-capped splendor. Discover the dramatic Cirque Fer à Cheval with its towering cliffs and waterfalls and explore the serene Vallée de la Clarée with its lush landscapes and the rugged beauty of Parc National des Écrins.
Immerse yourself in authentic French life as we visit charming alpine villages, savor local cuisine, and hike through verdant meadows. Limited to a small group of a maximum of seven people, this intimate tour ensures a personalized experience tailored to your photography interests and skill level.
LIVE THE HIGHEST EMOTION!
Who hasn’t dreamed of living an exceptional experience in the heart of the very high mountains? Dream no more, experience it at the Aiguille du Midi, the highest cable car in France! L’Aiguille du Midi is the absolute dream, the place to see at least once in your life!
Bring your camera gear and hiking essentials and get ready to capture unforgettable moments in one of Europe’s most remarkable regions.
DAY 1 – Geneva Airport to Sixt Fer à Cheval
Meet us at Geneva Airport where we’ll pick you up by 11 am, then drive to our hotel in Sixt Fer à Cheval (approximately 1 hour) where we will stay for the night. In the afternoon, we will head to Sixt Fer à Cheval valley, a stunning treasure nestled in the French Alps, where we will shoot the sunset on this amazing peak. This area offers incredible foreground compositions with majestic mountains in the background.
DAY 2 – Sixt Fer à Cheval
On this day of our French Alps photo tour, we’ll start early to witness the sunrise at Sixt Fer à Cheval Valley. We will spend the morning exploring various viewpoints, reminiscent of scenes from a Lord of the Rings adventure. In this valley, you’ll discover up to 30 waterfalls cascading from the mountain peaks, some of which are among the most photogenic in Europe. After breakfast, we will head out to shoot some amazing waterfalls, capturing the magnificent spectacles they offer. In the afternoon, we will drive to Chamonix Mont Blanc, where we will stay for 2 nights. In the evening, we’ll head out for a photo shoot in the scenic surroundings of the Chamonix area, offering plenty of stunning landscapes and captivating scenes to capture.
DAY 3 – Mountain Peaks and Mont Blanc
On the third day, after breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start early by taking the cable car to ascend to incredible vantage points for shooting the majestic mountain peaks and the iconic Mont Blanc. From this spot, we will be able to see the highest peaks of the French Alps, including Mont Blanc (4809 m), Aiguille du Midi (3842 m), Aiguille Verte (4122 m), and many more. This excursion, which requires no hiking, promises to be a memorable highlight of our photography tour in the Chamonix area. In the afternoon, we’ll take another cable car to explore the other side of the valley and get close to the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France and one of the most iconic glaciers in Europe. If open, we will also visit the ice cave.
DAY 4 – L’Aiguille du Midi and Pointe Helbronner
On day four, we will take the highest cable car in France to experience the heart of the very high mountains. L’Aiguille du Midi, standing at 3,842 meters, offers stunning panoramic views of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. From the 3,842-meter terrace, you can experience ‚Step into the Void,‘ a technological marvel that promises an unforgettable experience. Inside this glass box, with more than a thousand meters of emptiness beneath your feet, thrills are guaranteed. We will have lunch at the restaurant in the Aiguille du Midi, enjoying a meal at an altitude of 3,842 meters with breathtaking views all around. Afterward, we’ll continue our journey to the Italian side of Mont Blanc, heading towards Pointe Helbronner in Italy. This will give us the unique opportunity to capture Mont Blanc and its surrounding peaks from different international vantage points. At the end of the day, we will leave Chamonix Mont Blanc and head to the Clarée Valley, where we will stay for the rest of this trip.
DAY 5 – Vallée de la Clarée
We will wake up early to catch the sunrise at Vallée de la Clarée. Even though the night’s sleep was short, we will catch up on our rest after this sunrise shoot during the daytime! This spot does not require any hiking and is easily accessible by car. The valley itself offers plenty of different compositional options. We will be shooting and exploring here for a good amount of time. After this shoot, we will head back to the hotel for breakfast and a well-deserved nap. After lunch, we will head back again to Vallée de la Clarée. The numerous possibilities here will offer many compositions, and the sunset light will provide new perspectives and moods.
DAY 6 – Vallée de la Clarée
On this day, we will head back to Vallée de la Clarée to catch the sunrise from a different spot, which requires a short hike from the parking area. There are various compositions possible, making it perfect for a panorama shot with mountains in the background and endless trees and flowers covering the valley. There are also tele-zoom options from this location. At the end of the day, we will drive along the „Route des Grandes Alpes“ to catch the sunset at one of the most incredible mountain passes in the French Alps, Col du Galibier at 2642 m, where we will be able to shoot incredible peaks from the Parc National des Écrins.
DAY 7 – Col du Lautaret – Back to Airport
On the last day, we will catch the sunrise at Col du Lautaret, surrounded by green pastures and lush woods, easily accessible and requiring no hiking. The pass is located at the foot of the magnificent Pointe Piaget peak, which rises to about 3000 m elevation. After breakfast, we will depart and arrive at Geneva Airport at approximately 3 PM.
P.S. DURING OUR PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR WE MIGHT ADJUST OUR PLAN DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Order by phone-call +49 163 6781570
Order by e-mail info@robertbilos.com
Price: 3.890,- Euro per person (twin share, single room + 690€)
Deposit: 1.000,- € to book and hold your spot
Fitness Level – Easy (with just 2-3 small hikes for a half hour without big elevation)
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Pick-up & drop-off at Geneva Airport
- Gasoline and parking fees
- All transfers are included in the price, including Airport transport
- Accommodation in a very good hotel in shared rooms with private bathrooms
- Breakfast
- Post-processing Tutorials – worth 790€
- All Cable Car tickets.
- Post Processing (editing) seminar – Our workflow, tips & tricks, Lightroom + Photoshop
- Guided by 2 professional photographers (English, German, French, Croatian languages)
Not included in the price and paid additionally:
- Dinner / Lunch
- Air / train tickets
- Visa & Travel insurance
- Extra-alcohol
- Personal expenses (souvenirs etc.)
Photography gear:
- Camera
- Tripod
- Wide-angle lens (11-24mm or 16-35mm)
- Middle-range zoom lens (24-70mm)
- Telephoto zoom lens (70-200mm or 100-400mm)
- POL filter to shoot waterfalls and rivers.
- Memory cards
- Extra batteries
- Shutter release
- Headlamp
Clothing:
The average temperature in the Alps in Summer is 68°F (20° C), but in the mornings or at higher elevations, it can drop below 50°F (10°C). You should come prepared for all kinds of weather and bring warm clothing. Rains and storms are also very common in the Alps. Some of the things that we recommend bringing on this French Alps photography tour are:
- A system of layers to wear (base layer, fleece, windproof layer, shell).
- A good pair of breathable boots to keep your feet warm and protect your ankles while walking over rocks and uneven terrain.
- A wool hat, neck gaiter, and gloves.
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Waterproof shoes or rubber boots
- Casual clothing for dinners, visits to towns, processing sessions
WE WILL HELP YOU BRING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY TO THE NEXT LEVEL:
- Post-processing
- Focus stacking
- Time Blending
- Panorama Photography
- Camera Settings
- Drone Photography
- And many other photography tips…
CANCELLATION, REFUND POLICY & PAYMENT:
- Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop. Full refund minus 200€ service
- 60 days or more – 50% refund
- Less than 60 days: no refund
- Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made
Robert Bilos
