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May 22, 2027: Cross the American West with Zhuang Xiaowen on an exceptional landscape photography journey.2027-05-22 · Linked trip

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← All expeditionsUnited States
May 22, 2027: Cross the American West with Zhuang Xiaowen on an exceptional landscape photography journey.
BEYOND THE FRAME / FIELD JOURNAL 01

United States

May 22, 2027: Cross the American West with Zhuang Xiaowen on an exceptional landscape photography journey.

A photographic expedition

2027-05-22 — 2027-06-10Date timezone: America/Los_Angeles
20 days/ 19 nightsTime to create
Up to 8 photographersGroup size

Go beyond the view.

The American West is a dream destination with many world-class photography locations. The grandeur of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone's natural wonders and Antelope Canyon's shifting light bring geology and ecology together. Their distinctive landforms and rich natural resources make them essential destinations for photographers and outstanding starting points for exploring America's natural beauty.

01

Yosemite and Death Valley

Travel from San Francisco for extended photography in Yosemite and Death Valley, exploring cliffs, valleys and salt flats.

02

Canyons and sandstone arches

Photograph the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point.

03

Grand Teton and Yellowstone

Photograph Grand Teton peaks and reflections, then explore Yellowstone’s geothermal areas, canyons and waterfalls with flexible photography time.

THROUGH THE LENS

The journey in pictures

Leading photographers: XAVI Zhuang →

Destination illustrations · select a photo to explore

A different way of seeing.

Portrait of XAVI Zhuang

XAVI Zhuang

Graduated from the Photography Department of South China Normal University. Specializes in landscape, documentary, mobile and drone photography. He has provided photography lectures and training for the municipal library, the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, the news agency of South China Normal University, the Senior Photographers Association, China Southern Power Grid, the Bao'an land bureau, UnionPay International, Standard Chartered, Ping An Bank, Bank of China, Industrial Bank, China Merchants Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Jiangsu, the coastal administration, the Capital Institute, SF Express and local community offices. Photography journeys He has led photography groups to Turkey, the Balkans, Japan, Eastern Europe, Semporna, Israel, Cuba, Iran, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Spain, Namibia, Bangladesh, Russia, Cambodia, Chiang Mai, Myanmar, Italy, Portugal and Morocco. Destinations in China include Longji, Weizhou Island, Yuanyang, Puzhehei, Bashang, Xuexiang, Beijing, Niubei Mountain, Guangwu Mountain, Huangshan, Wuyuan, Poyang Lake, Nanjing, Wuxi, Nyingchi, the Yellow River in Shaanxi, the Qiantang River, Hainan, Xiaodongjiang, Zhangjiajie, Zhongwei, Xiapu, Daocheng–Shangri-La and Ejina Banner. Selected awards and exhibitions 15th National Art Photography Competition; 2nd Shenzhen Photography Annual Exhibition; 10th PSAChina International Photography event; 2015 Toronto International TIPF Annual Excellence Award; multiple acceptances in the Austrian circuit, 2017–2019; exhibition at the 7th Dali International Photography Festival, 2018; silver award in the first Beautiful China Aerial Photography competition; second prize in the People category of the China division of the 2019 National Geographic Global Photography Contest.

A rhythm shaped by light.

Shooting locations, accommodation and transport are subject to confirmation before departure and may change with the weather.

itinerary timings above are for reference only. The photography leader may make suitable adjustments according to local weather, conditions and other factors to achieve the best photographic results.

Itinerary dates and text times without their own zone use: America/Los_Angeles。Exact times use your selected timezone; dates alone and descriptions such as “morning” are not converted.

DAY 01May 22 · America/Los_Angelesdeparture city–San Francisco

After arrival in San Francisco, transfer for city photography and Golden Gate Bridge views in the evening, followed by dinner. Rest at the hotel according to arrival time.

Accommodation:San Francisco

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 02May 23 · America/Los_AngelesSan Francisco–Yosemite

Itinerary After breakfast, travel to Yosemite National Park, a celebrated once-in-a-lifetime destination and the landscape where Ansel Adams created many of his photographs. Around lunchtime, visit the Ansel Adams gallery to revisit his black-and-white Yosemite landscapes and their remarkable interplay of light and composition. In the afternoon, photograph classic park views according to the weather and light, then choose a location for sunset and evening colors.

Accommodation:Yosemite

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 03May 24 · America/Los_AngelesFull day photographing Yosemite

Itinerary Spend the day photographing Yosemite with the photography leader.

Accommodation:Yosemite

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 04May 25 · America/Los_AngelesYosemite–Death Valley

Itinerary Rise early to photograph Yosemite in the dawn light. After sunrise, travel to Death Valley National Park. In the evening, photograph sunset over the salt flats at Badwater Basin, followed by the expansive night sky.

Accommodation:inside Death Valley National Park

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 05May 26 · America/Los_AngelesFull day photographing Death Valley

Itinerary Spend the day photographing Death Valley with the photography leader.

Accommodation:inside Death Valley National Park

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 06May 27 · America/Los_AngelesDeath Valley–Las Vegas

Itinerary Photograph Death Valley's colorful geological formations in the dawn light once more, then travel to Las Vegas for free time.

Accommodation:Las Vegas

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 07May 28 · America/Los_AngelesLas Vegas–Grand Canyon

Itinerary Travel via Route 66 to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Photograph stretches of Route 66 and its small towns along the way, then enter the Grand Canyon to photograph several classic viewpoints and sunset over the canyon.

Accommodation:Grand Canyon

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 08May 29 · America/Los_AngelesGrand Canyon–Antelope Canyon

Itinerary Return to the park early to photograph sunlight illuminating the canyon. Then travel to Page and photograph Antelope Canyon on Navajo land. In the evening, photograph another famous local landmark, Horseshoe Bend.

Accommodation:Page

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 09May 30 · America/Los_AngelesAntelope Canyon–Monument Valley

Itinerary Travel to Monument Valley on Navajo land to photograph the valley and Highway 163, familiar from many Hollywood films. In the evening, capture broad views of Monument Valley in the sunset glow.

Accommodation:a nearby town

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 10May 31 · America/Los_AngelesMonument Valley–Arches National Park

Itinerary Photograph sunrise in Monument Valley, then travel to Arches National Park for afternoon and evening photography. Locations will be selected according to participants' fitness and conditions so everyone has rewarding opportunities. Photograph the red rocks at sunset.

Accommodation:Moab

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 11Jun 1 · America/Los_AngelesCanyonlands–Dead Horse Point State Park

Itinerary Visit Canyonlands National Park early to photograph Mesa Arch, a classic canyon scene of the American Southwest. The first sunlight makes the underside of the sandstone arch glow red like molten lava, creating a celebrated western sunrise view. Through the arch, open country, deeply cut ravines, rock fissures and snowy mountains form an exceptional vista. Rest at camp around midday, then photograph Dead Horse Point State Park in the evening.

Accommodation:Moab

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 12Jun 2 · America/Los_AngelesArch photography around Moab

Use Moab as a base for arch photography with the instructor. Viewpoints depend on light and access.

Accommodation:Moab

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 13Jun 3 · America/Los_AngelesArches National Park–Salt Lake City

Itinerary After photographing sunrise at the North and South Windows, drive along the highway to Salt Lake City and visit the Mormon temple area. Then visit the Utah State Capitol and photograph sunset from a hilltop.

Accommodation:Salt Lake City

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 14Jun 4 · America/Los_AngelesSalt Lake City–Grand Teton National Park

Itinerary Travel to Grand Teton National Park early in the morning.

Accommodation:Jackson

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 15Jun 5 · America/Los_AngelesGrand Teton–Yellowstone National Park

Itinerary At dawn, photograph sunrise and reflections of Grand Teton's snow-covered mountains from a carefully selected viewpoint. Continue to the renowned Yellowstone National Park. Today's main session is sunset at Grand Prismatic Spring in the geyser basin.

Accommodation:West Yellowstone

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 16Jun 6 · America/Los_AngelesYellowstone National Park

Itinerary Yellowstone rewards close exploration. This morning, enter again through the West Entrance to explore and photograph the central canyon and waterfall area and the northern geological formations.

Accommodation:West Yellowstone

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 17Jun 7 · America/Los_AngelesYellowstone–Idaho Falls

Itinerary Today is a flexible day for additional photography. The photography guide will choose Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Park according to actual conditions. After the session, travel to Idaho.

Accommodation:Idaho

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 18Jun 8 · America/Los_AngelesIdaho Falls–salt lake area–West Wendover

Itinerary Travel to Salt Lake City in the morning, then photograph the salt flats described as America's mirror of the sky.

Accommodation:West Wendover

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 19Jun 9 · America/Los_AngelesWest Wendover–Salt Lake City Airport–departure

Airport transfer brings this varied photography journey across the American West to a close, from rural towns to cities and from the coast to national parks inland. [Reference flights] June 9: Salt Lake City–San Francisco, DL920, 08:00–09:09 June 9: San Francisco–Hong Kong, CX879, 12:55–18:55 (+1 day)

Accommodation:overnight flight

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 20Jun 10 · America/Los_AngelesArrive in China
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief

Where we stay

Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Day 1: San Francisco Day 2: Yosemite Day 3: Yosemite Day 4: inside Death Valley National Park Day 5: inside Death Valley National Park Day 6: Las Vegas Day 7: Grand Canyon Day 8: Page Day 9: a nearby town Day 10: Moab Day 11: Moab Day 12: Moab Day 13: Salt Lake City Day 14: Jackson Day 15: West Yellowstone Day 16: West Yellowstone Day 17: Idaho Day 18: West Wendover Day 19: overnight flight

Getting there

The following flights are references, not confirmed group bookings. Confirm departure and transfers before booking. [Reference services] The instructor will take the following services: Outbound: May 22, Hong Kong–San Francisco, CX870 / 13:25 / 11:15 Return: June 9, Salt Lake City–San Francisco, DL920 / 08:00 / 09:09 June 9, San Francisco–Hong Kong, CX879 / 12:55 / 18:55 +1 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.

Know what is included.

USD 9,658 person, from

Platform service fee to be confirmed

Deposit USD 5,972.25 Original CNY 40,000 · Reference rates 2026-09-18 · Frankfurter / person

Included

Standard twin rooms in four-star hotels in the United States or the best locally available hotels listed in the itinerary, except within scenic areas;

Breakfast at the hotels;

Initial entrance tickets to listed attractions;

A 15-seat high-roof touring vehicle with vehicle and third-party insurance; the model and on-board internet require confirmation.

Photography guidance from the local instructor;

Photography course fees for the accompanying instructor throughout;

Daily mineral water for each participant, with no waste permitted.

Not included

Travel to and from the United States;

Meals are shared expenses, including breakfasts not taken at the hotels;

Single supplement;

Driver and guide tips; currency, amount and chargeable days require confirmation with the operator.

expenses of itinerary changes caused by flight delays, cancellations or force majeure may be charged at expense;

Meals during free time and items marked as self-funded, plus all personal expenses. Examples in the source include Las Vegas shows, Antelope Canyon photography, luggage handling and laundry;

Additional transport and overtime services outside the itinerary. The planned service day is 10 hours; overtime arrangements and charges require confirmation.

In force majeure circumstances, such as natural disasters, war or strikes, or exceptional events including flight delays or cancellations and consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or modify the itinerary. Additional expenses, including extended visas abroad, accommodation, meals, transport and national airfare adjustments, may be charged at expense. We will nevertheless try within our ability to minimize participants' losses;

Other additional expenses not listed under inclusions;

Invoice-related taxes are additional; confirm the applicable amount with the operator.

Service fees, supplements, taxes and the final total are subject to written confirmation.

Clarity before departure.

Availability and registration

Register your interest in this trip. Departure confirmation, availability, the final total and booking conditions require confirmation with the operator.

Cancellation and breach provisions

Before departure, participants and the organizing team may sign a written travel contract or give notice terminating the trip agreement. The contract is legally binding. If termination is requested more than 120 days before departure, neither party is liable for breach. Days are calculated by subtracting the date the termination notice is received from the departure date; the same calculation applies below. If the organizing team terminates, all travel fees must be refunded without deducting visa or entry-permit fees. If a participant terminates after a visa or entry permit has been processed or a flight purchased, the relevant visa, entry-permit and flight cancellation charges are deducted. The organizing team must refund the travel fees within 5 working days of receiving the termination notice. If either party terminates within 120 days of departure, including day 120, the terminating party bears liability for breach. [Participant liability] Participants terminating the agreement within 120 days of departure must pay the organizing team a business-loss charge according to the following schedule: 119 to 90 days before departure: 10% of the total trip fee; 89 to 60 days before departure: 40% of the total trip fee; 59 to 30 days before departure: 70% of the total trip fee; 29 to 1 days before departure: 100% of the total trip fee; If these percentages do not cover the organizing team's actual losses, the participant must compensate the actual losses, up to the total trip fee. After deducting the business-loss charge, the organizing team must refund the remaining travel fees within 5 working days of receiving the participant's cancellation notice. The cancellation cutoff is inconsistent. The rule for exactly 120 days before departure and any unlisted dates requires confirmation with the operator.

Trip information

[Registration] Registration for this trip is confirmed upon receipt of the deposit. [Transport] 1. Flights booked by the organizing team are economy-class group tickets. Once issued, they cannot be endorsed to another carrier or refunded. 2. Actual flight, driving and boat travel times on the day apply. 3. Airlines and flight schedules above are for reference only. Changes to flight times may require minor itinerary adjustments; the departure notice takes precedence. [Accommodation] The amount is based on 2 people sharing 1 room. We will try to pair solo participants with another participant of the same gender. Participants who do not wish to share, or cannot be matched, must pay the single supplement for a room of their own. [Group meals] We try to choose meals suited to Chinese tastes and ensure that every guest receives an adequate portion. [Photography] 1. Photography activities follow the itinerary. In exceptional circumstances, time spent photographing each location will depend on the actual conditions that day. 2. Please read this itinerary carefully and choose a photography trip suited to your circumstances. If you give up part of the itinerary for personal reasons, including health, or request to forgo accommodation or transport, this is considered voluntary withdrawal. expenses already incurred are non-refundable. You are responsible for your personal safety while not participating in the itinerary. 3. Participants may not leave the group without permission during group photography activities, except during free time. Leaving partway through the trip is considered a breach by the participant. Unused photography activities, meals, accommodation and vehicle services are non-refundable, and the organizing team is not responsible for accidents occurring while the participant is away from the group. 4. If force majeure events such as typhoons or blizzards prevent travel according to the agreed itinerary, additional or reduced expenses following changes will be settled according to the travel agency's actual group operating expenses. [amount adjustments] the organizing team reserves the right to adjust amount if major fluctuations in international oil amount cause substantial increases in fuel surcharges. If the increase is within what we can absorb, the trip fee will not be adjusted. [Departure notice] 1. The departure notice will be sent no later than 1 day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed earlier, we will notify you as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the departure notice, the departure notice takes precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from organizing or arranging optional activities at additional expense, guests wishing to join such activities should contact the service provider themselves for information, amount and participation. If language difficulties lead you to ask a guide or tour leader for additional assistance, any paid or unpaid help is provided solely in that person's individual capacity, not on behalf of the organizing team or the local receiving agency. the organizing team has no involvement in the expenses, transaction amount or service standards of free-time activities; guests bear the outcomes themselves.

Fitness, equipment and conditions

Equipment and fitness requirements will be provided by the operator.

USD 9,658 Waitlist · person, from
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