AI SupportAsk anytime · Here to help
March 8, 2027: Explore otherworldly Socotra with Zhuang Xiaowen and Li Limei.2027-03-08 · Linked trip

How can we help?

Ask about a trip, its price or the photographer, and continue with follow-up questions.

Enter to send · Shift+Enter for a new line

Do not enter payment, passport or health details. Conversations may be reviewed to improve service.

March 8, 2027: Explore otherworldly Socotra with Zhuang Xiaowen and Li Limei.
BEYOND THE FRAME / FIELD JOURNAL 01

Yemen

March 8, 2027: Explore otherworldly Socotra with Zhuang Xiaowen and Li Limei.

A photographic expedition

2027-03-08 — 2027-03-17Date timezone: Asia/Aden
10 days/ 9 nightsTime to create
Group size to be confirmedGroup size

Go beyond the view.

Explore Socotra’s dragon’s blood forests, desert rose valleys, white dunes and lagoons, combining hotels with three nights of camping for landscape photography.

01

Dragon’s blood forests

Photograph dragon’s blood trees in Dixam and Firmihin, with camping for morning mist, sunset and night-sky sessions.

02

Desert roses and canyons

Explore Kalysan Canyon, bottle-tree valley and Homhil for desert roses, rock formations and water.

03

White dunes and lagoons

Photograph Arher and Omaq dunes, Detwah Lagoon and fishing village life.

THROUGH THE LENS

The journey in pictures

Leading photographers: XAVI Zhuang →Limei Li →

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.

Portrait of Limei Li

Limei Li

Specializes in children's portraits, portrait photography and mobile photography. She has worked in professional photography travel and portraiture since 2012. She regularly provides mobile photography training for the municipal and Pingshan procuratorates, Agricultural Bank of China, rural commercial banks, the water group, China Southern Power Grid, the municipal planning and land commission, the ocean administration, Jiuzhou Construction, Marriott's fitness club, the BMW owners' club and other organizations. Photography journeys She has led groups to the Balkans, Russia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Japan, Chiang Mai, Turkey, Semporna, Singapore, Iran, Israel, Italy, India, Indonesia, Jordan and Vietnam, as well as Anhui, Beijing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Inner Mongolia, Shanghai, Sichuan, Suzhou, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Yunnan and Zhejiang. Selected awards and exhibitions Excellence awards in the Hantu Imaging China WeChat competition, Charming China National Photography Exhibition, Toronto International TIPF documentary category and Sirui Mobile Photography Competition; gold in the documentary category of the Shenhong Photography Competition; work exhibited at the Dali and Vancouver international photography exhibitions.

A rhythm shaped by light.

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

Note: this itinerary is for reference only. Actual arrangements may be adjusted according to local weather, transport and other conditions.

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

DAY 01Mar 8 · Asia/AdenGuangzhou–Jeddah

Accommodation:Overnight flight or transit

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 02Mar 9 · Asia/AdenJeddah–Socotra–Arher white dunes

Fly to Socotra in the morning, arriving at the island's airport in the afternoon. Meet the local team and visit the Arher white dunes for aerial photographs of white sand and translucent sea. Return to the capital, Hadiboh, and check in at the hotel.

Accommodation:Hadiboh hotel

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 03Mar 10 · Asia/AdenHadiboh–Kalysan Canyon–bottle-tree valley

After breakfast, drive to Kalysan Canyon, arriving before midday. Marble-white rocks surround green pools, made especially vivid by the midday light. Both distant views and aerial compositions are rewarding. After lunch, visit the bottle-tree valley, the area with the highest concentration of desert roses. Photograph their unusual trunks and abundant blossoms. Camp in the valley and photograph desert roses beneath the stars.

Accommodation:Camping in bottle-tree valley

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 04Mar 11 · Asia/Adenbottle-tree valley–Homhil National Park–Hadiboh

Rise early to photograph desert roses in morning light. After breakfast and a short rest at camp, drive to Homhil National Park. The park is home to hundreds of rare plant species found nowhere else, and offers scenes of desert roses growing alongside dragon's blood trees. You may also encounter the rare Egyptian vulture. The park's natural infinity pool opens onto expansive views. Return to Hadiboh in the evening and check in at the hotel.

Accommodation:Hadiboh hotel

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 05Mar 12 · Asia/AdenHadiboh–Wadi Difa Canyon–Dixam Nature Reserve

After breakfast and a short rest, drive to Wadi Difa Canyon. Its dramatic scenery also provides excellent distant views of the dragon's blood forest. Photograph dragon's blood trees on the hills and canyon landscapes en route before reaching Dixam Nature Reserve. Tonight, camp in the dragon's blood forest. Vast starry skies, gnarled branches and the warm glow from tents provide excellent photographic elements.

Accommodation:Camping in Dixam Nature Reserve

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 06Mar 13 · Asia/AdenDixam Nature Reserve–Firmihin Forest

Spend the entire day photographing the dragon's blood forest. Rise early for its misty atmosphere, as a soft veil of fog reveals a different beauty from the night before. After lunch, walk through Firmihin Forest within the reserve, known for its 'plain dragon's blood trees' and desert roses. Observe the gnarled branches and blood-red resin closely. At dusk, photograph sunset, afterglow and silhouettes; aerial views of the forest at sunset are spectacular.

Accommodation:Camping in Firmihin Forest

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 07Mar 14 · Asia/AdenFirmihin Forest–Dagub Cave–Omaq white dunes–Hadiboh

Photograph the dragon's blood forest in morning light, then return to camp for breakfast. Drive to Dagub Cave to photograph its natural stalactites. Rest after lunch, then photograph the extensive Omaq white dunes in the afternoon. Return to Hadiboh for urban cultural photography. Stay at a hotel tonight and recover from several nights of camping.

Accommodation:Hadiboh hotel

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 08Mar 15 · Asia/AdenHadiboh–Dolphin Bay–Detwah Lagoon–Hadiboh

Rise early for Shuab Beach and take a speedboat to photograph dolphins swimming and leaping in clear water. There may be opportunities to see hundreds at once. Morning seabirds and fishermen heading out from Shuab Beach provide further subjects. After breakfast, visit Detwah Lagoon for classic aerial compositions of blue water and desert roses. Walk along the shore and photograph the lagoon. After lunch, visit the nearby fishing village to photograph welcoming children, whose natural smiles and enthusiasm for interacting with visitors make engaging subjects. Warm afternoon sunlight intensifies the water's color, creating an excellent time for photographs with sea and fishing boats as a backdrop.

Accommodation:Hadiboh hotel

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 09Mar 16 · Asia/AdenSocotra–Jeddah

Sleep in, then enjoy free time after breakfast. Transfer to the airport according to the flight schedule and say goodbye to Socotra.

Accommodation:Transit at Jeddah or overnight flight

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 10Mar 17 · Asia/AdenJeddah–home cities

Return to China and conclude the photography trip.

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: Overnight flight or transit Day 2: Hadiboh hotel Day 3: Camping in bottle-tree valley Day 4: Hadiboh hotel Day 5: Camping in Dixam Nature Reserve Day 6: Camping in Firmihin Forest Day 7: Hadiboh hotel Day 8: Hadiboh hotel Day 9: Transit at Jeddah or overnight flight

Getting there

The following flights are references, not confirmed group bookings. Confirm departure and transfers before booking. The instructor will take the following flights: Outbound: March 8, Guangzhou–Jeddah, SV883 / 22:30 / 03:25 +1 day March 9, Jeddah–Socotra, IY525 / 11:00 / 14:00 Return: March 16, Socotra–Jeddah, IY526 / 14:45 / 19:10 March 17, Jeddah–Guangzhou, SV882 / 01:05 / 15:25 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.

Know what is included.

USD 5,551.21 Original CNY 37,180 · Reference rates 2026-09-18 · Frankfurterperson

Platform service fee to be confirmed

Deposit USD 2,986.12 Original CNY 20,000 · Reference rates 2026-09-18 · Frankfurter / person

Included

Hotel accommodation on Socotra and three nights of camping; hotel and camp details require confirmation.

Off-road vehicles throughout, with 3 participants per vehicle;

Meals during the Socotra itinerary.

Visas for the entire journey;

Photography instruction and services throughout;

Full-trip personal assistance from a Chinese-speaking tour leader;

Main entrance tickets to all attractions;

Travel accident insurance;

Bottled drinking water for every participant each day.

Not included

All flights from your departure city to Jeddah and between Jeddah and Socotra, round trip;

Potential tips for travel-service staff and people being photographed;

Single supplements requested by participants;

Personal expenses, including laundry, telephone, fax, pay television, late-night meals, drinks, postage, luggage handling and evening activities;

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 visas, accommodation, meals, transport and national airfare adjustments, may be charged at expense. We will nevertheless try within our ability to minimize participants' losses;

Other unspecified additional service charges and personal expenses;

Other additional expenses not listed under inclusions.

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 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.

USD 5,551.21 Waitlist · person
Interested in this journey?