Posted by Susan Knox

After 13 days in India we are back in Delhi waiting to board our flight back to Toronto. This has been the trip of a lifetime and we all owe it all to our leader, James Cowie and Photo Tour Trekkers. In my 23 years at Air Canada I came into contact with many travel professionals and nobody came close to impressing me as much as James has. He orchestrated a fantastic itinerary, found a variety of great accommodations, and managed to make each of us, a group of 12, feel like we were the most important person on the tour. James is a problem solver extraordinaire - and is adept at anticipating a potential problem before it arises. He watches his “flock” continuously to make sure everyone is happy, safe, and enjoying themselves. Customer service is his priority and he does it masterfully. For the entire time we’ve been away James has been a ray of sunshine (albeit with the worst jokes!). Our pace was pretty gruelling and we were all fatigued at times, yet when we went to bed James was still working, editing pics to post on our daily blog, planning for the following days’ events, as well as upcoming tours. If he got 4 hours of sleep a night I’d be amazed, yet he was always smiling. Now here’s the cool part....James also does private tours for groups of 10 or more!! He has been everywhere in the world and has contacts every place he’s been. He can work with you to plan your trip of a lifetime to take with 9 of your closest friends! I guarantee you will have the time of your life. James Cowie, I can’t thank you enough. 

Thanks also to Dinesh Durani, our host in India who was with us from the moment we arrived in Delhi to our final day. Dinesh and his lovely wife even invited us all into their home in Jaipur for a cocktail party! Thank you both.

Thanks to Sandra Orr for being my roomie. So many laughs - and we’re still speaking after 2 weeks in close quarters!! Where next, Sandy??

Finally, huge thanks to Chris Knox for encouraging me to do this and for volunteering to keep the home fires burning....you are one in a million, Captain. X

                                                                                                                     Susan Knox
                                                                                                                    
Posted by Jeff Van Kuik

Thanks so much James for getting Gord and myself on the Bonaventure Island photo shoot. It was simply amazing ,The Northern Gannet images were stunning and our Guide Len showed us some great shooting locations and camera tips . We were blessed with good weather and great company . Many thanks James .....

                                                                                                                    Jeff Van Kuik

"We have truly enjoyed traveling with Photo Tour Trekkers and James. We travel as a couple, one photographer, and one tourist.  The groups have been varied, but so interesting. Everything is well thought out and taken care of so that the main focus is on photography or sight seeing. Sharing ideas and thoughts with other photographers is a bonus as well. Top rate accommodations, meals, and places to visit. We plan on many more adventures with James and Photo Tour Trekkers. Love this way of travel.  It's not just a trip, it is an adventure."

                                                                                                      Dave and Laura Huffman

"Every tour is so well planned.  Each one presents terrific photo challenges, but I really appreciate the attention to all of the travel details.  This means that I can simply relax, and shoot images.  I can't wait for the next one."

.......................................................................................................Jim Nagy

 
The Galapagos Islands Tour was my first with James Cowie and the phototrekkers. The trip was exceedingly well organized and I was surprised and delighted to learn that James had incorporated most of the tips and fees into the total cost of the excursion. No hidden fees! How refreshing! This trek was healthy, healing, gourmet food for the mind, soul and body. I belly-laughed more during our ten days than I have during the last five years. There was lots of climbing and physical activity so that, no doubt, gave our endorphins a boost as well as burned off the scrumptious buffet-meal calories. James was not only our tour guide but our “go to” person for all concerns, most importantly regarding photography. I made new treasured-friends and learned from them. (Thank you J) Every day was a new “ooh aah” exciting experience. Just when I’d thought the most wonderful events were behind us, we were taken to a restaurant for our “last supper” and we sat at a table with a spectacular view of Quito. The awe was just never ending. This trip was pure pleasure. Kudos to James! I’ve already started saving for the next adventure.
                                                                                                     Michelle Rondeau
 
 
The Galapagos Islands each had its uniqueness in landscape and wildlife.  It was a photographers dream.  Just you and the photographers and the freindships of others with a common interest.  It was a time away from news and media and the everyday busy-ness of life.
                                                                                             Bill & Linda Coombes
 
 

"Scotland was our first tour with you, but it won't be the last.  The itinerary was well suited to photography and your attention to detail made for a carefree adventure.  We've been on other tours that just weren't suited for photography, so your's was a refreshing change.  Thank you for a great trip and we look forward to traveling with you again in 2011."

....................................................................................................Deb and Bill Hall

 

"I never considered myself a "tour" traveler but that changed after joining James' photography tour of Scotland.  The combination of great company, good balance of organized shooting and free time as well as James' photographic knowledge and forethought to ensure a well organized, stress free vacation resulted in a trip I'll never forget.  I will tour again!"

.....................................................................................................Patti Hinton

 

"I have been on four of the trips that James and Photo Tour Trekkers have put on.  On many regular tours, there is not ample time to photograph.  On these trips, the time is there to shoot away as well as time to try various viewpoints settings and techniques.  The other very enjoyable aspect of these tours are the camaraderie and sharing between other photographers.  All of the Photo Trekker trips have been a lot of fun combined with great learning experiences at spectacular sites.  I'm looking forward to going on more trips."

...................................................................................................Sue Southon 

 

   James, I have had the good forturne of travelling with you on four tours now: Yosemite, South Africa, the Galapagos, and the Polar Bears in Churchill, Manitoba.  Loved them all but Churchill was my favourite so far.  Travelling with you has not only taken me to some rather unique destinations, but it has also allowed me to improve my photographic skills, thanks to your mentoring as well as the fact that these tours are geared to photographers.  You where else could you find a better group to travel with?  I would seriously recommend one of your tours to anyone who is interested in photography, boht for the travel opportunities as well as the chance to enhance your skills.  Thank you for your camaraderie and I hope that we will be "on the road" again some time in the future.

                                                                                                    Bill Pickering

 

"My trip to Scotland in August 2010 hosted by James Cowie was fantastic.  From the time we left London, James had us looking forward to each day coming up.  It was so well organized and the folks on the trip also made it a very memorable experience.  I am looking forward to going on another trip with James and am anxiously waiting for the information on the tours for 2011"

.......................................................................................................Gail Nichol

 

"Travelling with the Photo Trekkers is always an adventure; from colourful vistas and sprawling outback to charming villages and stunning cities.  Every year I learn more about this beautiful world we live in and come home with the most amazing images.  It's a true pleasure to travel with James as every detail is mapped out.  It's a joy to have found a group of people who share the same love of travel and photography"

..................................................................................................Brenda Fee-Perkins

 

"I've been on six photo tours with James and my fellow photo tour trekkers, and have shot thousands of memorable photos.  He not only knows where to go for the great pictures, but also gives us time to take them.  Each day is scheduled for the best light as per the location and all you need to think about is taking the photos.  I cannot wait for our next photo adventure, all I need to tell James is to sign me up"

....................................................................................................Nancy Maki

 

"We''ve always travelled on our own in the past; so we didn't know what to expect on James' Death Valley tour in April 2010.  The trip greatly exceeded our expectations; it was well organized, the accommodations were first rate, and the photo opportunities were outstanding.  James was a great host, and the group was friendly and congenial.  The few non-photographrs spouses, including mine, that travelled with us were welcomed by the others and never felt excluded.  We're looking forward to future photo tours with James ..."

......................................................................................................Santo Giorno

 

"I have had several occasions to take part in James Cowie's photography photo tours and am currently planning on going on more coming up.  These are the best opportunities that I have ever had to go to places that I would not normally go.  It is also great to be with likeminded photographers and have the opportunity to photograph some of the best features that area has to offer.  There are always workshops provided and much insight to how best to approach some of the opportunities in the area.  All of the photo tours that I have attended are "picture perfect" from the viewpoints of how well they are organized.  Care is taken in choosing accommodations arranging transportation whether it be air or ground and lastly the destination itself.  I would not hesitate to recommend any of the photo tours that will be presented in the future and am eagerly waiting for my next one.  Thanks James for a great trip."

..................................................................................................Jerry Cornell

 

"Our Tours, have always been well organized, enjoyable, exciting and worry free.  Travelling with James is always Picture Perfect."

.......................................................................................Erika and Robert Wilson

 

"My wife and I have been on several of the photo treks arranged by James and have always found them top notch.  They are designed by a photographer for photographers to insure plenty of time to get that perfect image.  Each site we visit is specifically chosen with the photographer in mind with respect to lighting and subject matter.  There are workshops done by James and some of his professional guests that help us try new things with respect to our photographic passion.  If you are a photographer and want to travel to some great places we would highly recommend these tours arranged by James Cowie." 

.................................................................................Bob & Gail Steer