THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Hawaii's volcanic terrain, rainforest, coastlines and island communities offer landscape and documentary subjects. Explore differences between islands through ocean colors, rock textures and daily life.
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
Photographers linked to this route: Xavi Zhuang →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
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.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
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
DAY 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
DAY 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
DAY 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
DAY 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
DAY 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 centre. Confirm sunset and night photography locations, access hours and transport.
Accommodation:Kona area; hotel to confirm
DAY 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
DAY 08May 20 · Pacific/HonoluluDeparture from Kona Airport
Depart Kona via Honolulu and Seoul. Confirm arrival dates across the International Date Line and onward connections.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Xavi Zhuang
- Up to 8 travelers
- IncludedPhotography guidance from the local instructor;
View trip staffing details
Photography leader · Xavi Zhuang Up to 8 travelers Included · Photography guidance from the local instructor; Excluded · Driver and guide tips; currency, amount and chargeable days require confirmation with the operator. Excluded · Additional transport and overtime services outside the itinerary. The planned service day is 10 hours; overtime arrangements and charges require confirmation.
Transport
- IncludedA 7-seat four-wheel-drive SUV for every 4 participants, including vehicle insurance and third-party liability cover;
- ExcludedAll flight expenses;
- ExcludedAdditional transport and overtime services outside the itinerary. The planned service day is 10 hours; overtime arrangements and charges require confirmation.
Travel details and reference schedules
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.
Photography
- Oʻahu coast and city
- Hawaiʻi Island volcanoes and black sand
- Kona coast and stargazing
Photography details
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. Oʻahu coast and city Hawaiʻi Island volcanoes and black sand Kona coast and stargazing Included · Photography guidance from the local instructor; Included · Photography course fees for the accompanying instructor throughout;
Accommodation
- 7 nights
- Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator.
- IncludedStandard twin rooms at the listed three- or four-star hotels in Hawaii, or the highest local category available, except within scenic areas;
Accommodation details
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 Day 1 · 2027-05-13 Waikiki hotel Day 2 · 2027-05-14 Oʻahu; hotel to confirm Day 3 · 2027-05-15 Hilo Day 4 · 2027-05-16 Hilo; hotel to confirm Day 5 · 2027-05-17 Hotel on the Kona side Day 6 · 2027-05-18 Kona area; hotel to confirm Day 7 · 2027-05-19 Kona stay and airport transfer to confirm 7 nights Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Included · Standard twin rooms at the listed three- or four-star hotels in Hawaii, or the highest local category available, except within scenic areas; Excluded · Meals are shared expenses, including breakfasts not taken at the hotels; Excluded · Single supplement;
Meals
- IncludedBreakfast at the hotels;
- IncludedDaily mineral water for each participant, with no waste permitted.
- ExcludedMeals are shared expenses, including breakfasts not taken at the hotels;
Meal details
Included · Breakfast at the hotels; Included · Daily mineral water for each participant, with no waste permitted. Excluded · Meals are shared expenses, including breakfasts not taken at the hotels; Cost details · Items marked as self-funded, meals during free time and personal expenses such as luggage handling and laundry.
Visa
- To be confirmed by the operator
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
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 arising from itinerary changes caused by flight delays, cancellations or force majeure may be charged based on the actual additional expenditure incurred;
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 based on the actual additional expenditure incurred. We will nevertheless try within our ability to minimise participants' losses;
Other additional expenses not listed under inclusions;
Invoice-related taxes are additional; confirm the applicable amount with the operator.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] The total is based on two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Itinerary dates use Pacific/Honolulu. Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.