01 / THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view.
Floating in the central Pacific, Hawaii is the United States' only island state. Its 8 major islands and 124 smaller islands resemble pearls scattered across the blue ocean, holding some of Earth's purest colors and textures. More than a simple beach destination, it combines powerful volcanoes, lush rainforest, expansive coasts and welcoming local culture into a photographer's paradise. Every ray of light, stretch of sea and patch of land awaits its own interpretation through the lens.
Oʻahu coast and city
Photograph Waikiki, Lanikai and city viewpoints, combining coastal scenery, mountains and Honolulu lights.
Hawaiʻi Island volcanoes and black sand
Explore black-sand beaches, waterfalls and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from Hilo.
Kona coast and stargazing
Photograph white beaches, palm silhouettes and sunsets along the Kona coast. Mauna Kea access and stargazing locations require confirmation.
The journey in pictures
Leading photographers: XAVI Zhuang →
Destination illustrations · select a photo to explore
02 / IN GOOD COMPANY
A different way of seeing.
Leading photographers
XAVI Zhuang · View photographer profile →
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.
03 / THE DAYS AHEAD
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: Pacific/Honolulu。Exact times use your selected timezone; dates alone and descriptions such as “morning” are not converted.
DAY 01May 13 · Pacific/HonoluluArrive on Oʻahu–Waikiki
Reference flights: May 13, Hong Kong–Seoul, OZ722 / 13:00 / 17:35 May 13, Seoul–Honolulu, OZ232 / 20:25 / 10:10 Itinerary: arrive in Honolulu (HNL) → collect vehicle → check in at a Waikiki hotel. Activity: visit Waikiki Beach at dusk. Photography tip: use a telephoto lens to photograph surfers with Diamond Head behind them. After sunset, the contrast between Waikiki's city lights and the beach is excellent for street photography during blue hour.
Accommodation:Waikiki hotel
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 02May 14 · Pacific/HonoluluOʻahu gardens–Lanikai–Honolulu viewpoints
Morning: Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, a key photography location. A 70–200 mm lens is recommended to emphasize the depth of the road leading toward the Koʻolau Mountains. Afternoon: swim in the clear waters of Lanikai Beach. If fitness permits, climb to the Lanikai Pillbox for a panorama of the twin Mokulua Islands, described as Oʻahu's finest coastal viewpoint. Dusk: Tantalus Lookout for a panorama of Honolulu and sunset in excellent light.
Accommodation:Oʻahu; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 03May 15 · Pacific/HonoluluOʻahu east coast–Hilo
Morning: drive along Kalanianaʻole Highway, passing the outskirts of Hanauma Bay and Halona Blowhole. Midday: Makapuʻu Beach Park, whose imposing cliff-lined coast is ideal for wide-angle landscapes. Afternoon: fly to Hilo (ITO) on Hawaiʻi Island. Collect a rented 4WD vehicle and check in in Hilo. Photography tip: choose a left-side seat, an A seat, on the flight from Oʻahu to Hilo for a possible aerial view of Hawaiʻi Island's volcanic outline.
Accommodation:Hilo
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 04May 16 · Pacific/HonoluluHilo coast, waterfalls and market
Early morning: look for sea turtles at Richardson Ocean Park, where black rocks contrast strongly with green-blue water. Morning: Rainbow Falls. Around 10, sunlight is most likely to create a rainbow. Afternoon: Kehena Black Sand Beach, a natural beach with an artistic atmosphere. Dusk: Hilo Farmers Market, capturing distinctive Hawaiian colors in tropical fruit and flowers.
Accommodation:Hilo; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 05May 17 · Pacific/HonoluluHawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park–Kona
Morning: Liliʻuokalani Gardens, combining Japanese garden design with Hilo Bay. Afternoon: explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in depth. Photograph Nāhuku Lava Tube, including light-painting photography. Along Chain of Craters Road, photograph lava-formed cliffs and the Hōlei Sea Arch. Night: the main photographic focus is the crater beneath the stars, waiting at Uēkahuna. Night-sky photographers can use the low-light conditions for time-lapse sequences or stitched panoramas of the Milky Way crossing the crater.
Accommodation:Hotel on the Kona side
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 06May 18 · Pacific/HonoluluKona coast–Mauna Kea
Photograph the Kona coast and the Place of Refuge, with a planned morning snorkeling session. Travel toward Mauna Kea in the afternoon, starting at the visitor center. Confirm sunset and night photography locations, access hours and transport.
Accommodation:Kona area; hotel to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 07May 19 · Pacific/HonoluluKona west-coast beaches and sunset
Photograph Kua Bay in the morning and palm silhouettes and sunset at A-Bay in the afternoon. The vehicle return and airport transfer conflict with the next morning’s reference flight; confirm the overnight stay and transfers.
Accommodation:Kona stay and airport transfer to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 08May 20 · Pacific/HonoluluDeparture from Kona Airport
Depart Kona via Honolulu and Seoul. Confirm arrival dates across the International Date Line and onward connections.
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefWhere we stay
Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Day 1: Waikiki hotel Day 2: Oʻahu; hotel to confirm Day 3: Hilo Day 4: Hilo; hotel to confirm Day 5: Hotel on the Kona side Day 6: Kona area; hotel to confirm Day 7: Kona stay and airport transfer to confirm
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 13, Hong Kong–Seoul, OZ722 / 13:00 / 17:35 May 13, Seoul–Honolulu, OZ232 / 20:25 / 10:10 Return: May 20, Kona, Hawaiʻi Island–Honolulu, AS1027 / 08:18 / 09:06 May 20, Honolulu–Seoul, KE054 / 12:35 / 17:45 May 20, Seoul–Hong Kong, KE2011 / 19:45 / 22:45 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website. Confirm the arrival date in Seoul and onward connection, plus the day-seven vehicle return and day-eight departure.
04 / A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included.
Platform service fee to be confirmed
Deposit USD 2,239.59 Original CNY 15,000 · Reference rates 2026-09-18 · Frankfurter / person
Included
Standard twin rooms at the listed three- or four-star hotels in Hawaii, or the highest local category available, except within scenic areas;
Breakfast at the hotels;
Initial entrance tickets to listed attractions;
A 7-seat four-wheel-drive SUV for every 4 participants, including vehicle insurance and third-party liability cover;
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
All flight expenses;
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;
Items marked as self-funded, meals during free time and personal expenses such as 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.
05 / BEFORE YOU GO
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 30 days before departure, excluding day 30, 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 the agreement, 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 booked, 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 30 days of departure, including day 30, the terminating party bears liability for breach. [Liability of the organizing team] If the organizing team terminates the trip agreement within 30 days of departure, including day 30, it must refund all travel fees without deducting visa, entry-permit or similar charges, and pay compensation according to the following schedule: 30 to 15 days before departure: compensation of 2% of the total trip fee; 14 to 7 days before departure: compensation of 5% of the total trip fee; 6 to 4 days before departure: compensation of 10% of the total trip fee; 3 to 1 days before departure: compensation of 15% of the total trip fee; On the departure date: compensation of 20% of the total trip fee. If this compensation does not cover the participant's actual losses, the organizing team must compensate those actual losses. The organizing team must refund the full trip fee and pay compensation within 5 working days of receipt of the cancellation notice. [Participant liability] Participants terminating the agreement within 30 days of departure must pay the organizing team a business-loss charge according to the following schedule: 30 to 15 days before departure: 5% of the total trip fee; 14 to 7 days before departure: 15% of the total trip fee; 6 to 4 days before departure: 70% of the total trip fee; 3 to 1 days before departure: 85% of the total trip fee; On the departure date: 90% 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.
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.