THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Explore Waikiki, the east coast and North Shore for bays, rocks and coastal mountains; surf varies. Photograph Haleakala sunrise and the Hana road, subject to reservations, access and confirmed locations. Explore Hilo, Hamakua and volcanic landscapes; lava, night skies and summit activities depend on conditions.
Oahu coastlines
Explore Waikiki, the east coast and North Shore for bays, rocks and coastal mountains; surf varies.
Maui volcano and rainforest
Photograph Haleakala sunrise and the Hana road, subject to reservations, access and confirmed locations.
Big Island landscapes and skies
Explore Hilo, Hamakua and volcanic landscapes; lava, night skies and summit activities depend on conditions.
The journey in pictures
Photographers associated with this journey: Richard Xie →
Journey page images · select a photo to explore
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Richard Xie
Based in Hawaii, Richard Xie photographs the meeting of island landscapes, the ocean and people. His work ranges from the coasts and streets of Oahu to the volcanic cloudscapes of Maui and the summits, sea cliffs and black-sand beaches of Hawaii Island. He explores the relationship between sky, land and people. In his work from the Faroe Islands, distant human figures offer a sense of scale within a vast landscape and prompt reflection on our role as observers and stewards of the earth. Through photography, he seeks to capture harmony between nature and humanity.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Nov 5 · Pacific/HonoluluGuangzhou–Arrive on Oahu
Arrive at Honolulu International Airport. Hotel check-in begins at 3 p.m., so first visit Pearl Harbor’s WWII attack sites, watch a historical documentary, tour the harbour by boat and visit the USS Arizona memorial museum. 15:00–18:00: rest at the hotel. 18:00: head to Waikiki Beach. Accommodation: Oahu Flights and transport connections are to be confirmed.
Accommodation:Oahu
DAY 02Nov 6 · Pacific/HonoluluOahu’s East Coast
Sunrise photography at Makapuʻu Lookout, on high ground on the island’s east side, overlooking cliffs, the Pacific, a lighthouse and coastal highway: an important coastal sunrise viewpoint. After sunrise, travel around the island to Kualoa, the North Shore, botanical gardens, the Koʻolau Mountains and Sunset Beach. Accommodation: Oahu
Accommodation:Oahu
DAY 03Nov 7 · Pacific/HonoluluHalf day on Oahu and half day on Maui
06:00: photograph at Lanai Lookout, a seaside cliff location suited to sunrise environmental portraits. 10:00: check out. At noon, fly from Honolulu to Kahului, Maui, and check into accommodation in the Kihei area. Photograph the Makena coast in southern Maui in the afternoon. Accommodation: Maui Flights and transport connections are to be confirmed.
Accommodation:Maui
DAY 04Nov 8 · Pacific/HonoluluSunrise at Haleakalā Volcano, Maui
Sunrise at Haleakalā’s summit requires advance park reservations. On the descent, photograph mountain bikers riding through clouds and zipline scenes, then visit Upcountry Maui. Accommodation: Maui
Accommodation:Maui
DAY 05Nov 9 · Pacific/HonoluluMaui’s Road to Hana
Known for 620 bends and 59 bridges, this road passes tropical rainforest, waterfalls, coastlines, black volcanic rock and tropical palms. Accommodation: Maui
Accommodation:Maui
DAY 06Nov 10 · Pacific/HonoluluMaui–Big Island, Mauna Kea
Fly from Kahului to Hilo; flight number and times are to be confirmed. A Mauna Kea visit is planned, subject to confirmation of accessible locations, vehicles and activity conditions.
Accommodation:Hilo
DAY 07Nov 11 · Pacific/HonoluluBig Island Active Volcano Photography: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and photograph along Chain of Craters Road. Volcano-and-stars night photography: under ideal conditions, capture glowing lava with the Milky Way. Accommodation: Hilo
Accommodation:Hilo
DAY 08Nov 12 · Pacific/HonoluluHilo and the Hāmākua Coast, Big Island
Route: Hilo → Hāmākua Coast → Honokaʻa → Waimea/Kohala → Pololū Valley Lookout. Hāmākua Coast: a lush tropical coast of deep valleys, waterfalls and rainforest, ideal for aerial photography of valleys meeting the ocean. Pololū Valley Lookout: a key photography location overlooking steep green valleys, a black coastline and the Pacific, with exceptional visual depth. Accommodation: Hilo
Accommodation:Hilo
DAY 09Nov 13 · Pacific/HonoluluBig Island–Return to Oahu
Fly from Hilo to Honolulu and photograph sunset at Magic Island. Southern-beach visits may conflict with the midday flight; morning locations and airport timing are to be confirmed.
Accommodation:Oahu
DAY 10Nov 14 · Pacific/HonoluluReturn journey
Return from Honolulu via Seoul on an overnight international journey. Onward flight number, arrival date and connection are to be confirmed.
Accommodation:In flight / transit; arrangements to be confirmed
DAY 11Nov 15 · Pacific/HonoluluArrive in Guangzhou
Arrive in Guangzhou.
Accommodation:End of trip
Our team
- Photography leader · Richard Xie
- Up to 4 travelers
- IncludedPhotography guidance from the local instructor;
Team service details
Photography leader · Richard Xie Up to 4 travelers Included · Photography guidance from the local instructor; Included · Photography course fees for the accompanying instructor throughout; Excluded · Tips for the relevant guides, drivers or service staff are additional; applicable amounts, days and total are to be confirmed. Excluded · Driver or guide overtime is additional; daily service hours, charging units and amounts are to be confirmed.
Transport
- IncludedSUVs on both Maui and the Big Island, with four-wheel-drive vehicles on the Big Island; vehicle insurance and third-party liability insurance;
- ExcludedAll round-trip and intermediate flights;
Travel details and reference schedules
The flight routes and times shown are for reference only; they are not confirmed group flights, and you do not need to take them. Please confirm the meeting location and transfer plan with us before booking your own flights.
Photography
- Oahu coastlines
- Maui volcano and rainforest
- Big Island landscapes and skies
Photography details
Oahu coastlines Explore Waikiki, the east coast and North Shore for bays, rocks and coastal mountains; surf varies. Maui volcano and rainforest Photograph Haleakala sunrise and the Hana road, subject to reservations, access and confirmed locations. Big Island landscapes and skies Explore Hilo, Hamakua and volcanic landscapes; lava, night skies and summit activities depend on conditions. Oahu coastlines Maui volcano and rainforest Big Island landscapes and skies Included · Photography guidance from the local instructor; Included · Photography course fees for the accompanying instructor throughout;
Accommodation
- 10 nights
- Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and unspecified details are to be confirmed.
- IncludedStandard twin rooms at the three-star hotels listed in Hawaii or the highest-category local hotels, except within scenic areas;
Accommodation details
Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and unspecified details are to be confirmed. Day 1: Oahu Day 2: Oahu Day 3: Maui Day 4: Maui Day 5: Maui Day 6: Hilo Day 7: Hilo Day 8: Hilo Day 9: Oahu Day 10: In flight / transit; arrangements to be confirmed Day 11: End of trip Day 1 · 2027-11-05 Oahu Day 2 · 2027-11-06 Oahu Day 3 · 2027-11-07 Maui Day 4 · 2027-11-08 Maui Day 5 · 2027-11-09 Maui Day 6 · 2027-11-10 Hilo Day 7 · 2027-11-11 Hilo Day 8 · 2027-11-12 Hilo Day 9 · 2027-11-13 Oahu Day 10 · 2027-11-14 In flight / transit; arrangements to be confirmed Day 11 · 2027-11-15 End of trip 10 nights Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and unspecified details are to be confirmed. Included · Standard twin rooms at the three-star hotels listed in Hawaii or the highest-category local hotels, except within scenic areas; Included · Breakfast at the hotels; 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 person; please do not waste it.
- ExcludedMeals are shared expenses, including breakfasts not taken at the hotels;
Meal details
Included · Breakfast at the hotels; Included · Daily mineral water for each person; please do not waste it. Excluded · Meals are shared expenses, including breakfasts not taken at the hotels; Excluded · Meals marked as self-funded, free-time activities and personal expenses such as porterage and laundry.
Visa
- To be confirmed by the operator
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit
per personIncluded
Standard twin rooms at the three-star hotels listed in Hawaii or the highest-category local hotels, except within scenic areas;
Breakfast at the hotels;
Initial entrance tickets to listed attractions;
SUVs on both Maui and the Big Island, with four-wheel-drive vehicles on the Big Island; vehicle insurance and third-party liability insurance;
Complimentary travel accident insurance specially provided for every participant.
Photography guidance from the local instructor;
Photography course fees for the accompanying instructor throughout;
Daily mineral water for each person; please do not waste it.
Not included
All round-trip and intermediate flights;
Meals are shared expenses, including breakfasts not taken at the hotels;
Single supplement;
Tips for the relevant guides, drivers or service staff are additional; applicable amounts, days and total are to be confirmed.
Expenses arising from itinerary changes caused by flight delays, cancellations or force majeure may be charged based on the actual additional expenditure incurred;
Meals marked as self-funded, free-time activities and personal expenses such as porterage and laundry.
Driver or guide overtime is additional; daily service hours, charging units and amounts are to be confirmed.
In force majeure circumstances, such as natural disasters, war or strikes, or exceptional events including flight delays or cancellations and consular visa delays, the organising 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;
Invoice taxes are additional; details are to be confirmed.
Service fees, supplements, taxes and the final total are subject to written confirmation.
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 organising 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 travellers 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 organising 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 organising 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 organising team or the local tour operator. The organising 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. The images above were supplied by the local instructor. They will be removed if we are notified of copyright infringement.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Photography arrangements may change with weather and local conditions. Flights and transport connections are to be confirmed.
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.