Embark on a 6-night photography journey through the surreal landscapes of Death Valley. Capture the golden dunes of Mesquite Flat, the otherworldly salt flats of Badwater Basin under the stars, and the rugged textures of Zabriskie Point bathed in first light. Explore hidden canyons, colorful badlands, and the remote Eureka Dunes for dramatic compositions. Practice your hand at astrophotography under some of the darkest skies in the U.S. (this trip takes place during the new moon 🌑and waxing crescent phase, ideal for night sky photography with illuminated foreground!) This trip is a dream for landscape photographers seeking raw beauty and dynamic light in one of the most extreme yet stunning environments on Earth.
Our itinerary is subject to change. We may switch up days, shoot orders, etc. to accommodate for changing weather and the pace of the group.
We will be doing our best to eat lunch on the go, so we will make sure to stop for groceries. There is also a General Store where we are staying that offers wrapped sandwiches and snacks. We will eat dinner at a restaurant (there are limited options however).
🖼️Making Impactful Landscapes
✔️Using Tripods Properly
📷 Concepts in Composition
🎨 White Balance & Color
🗻Depth, Compression of Perspective & Scale
🌎Pre-Scouting Locations via Apps
🌠 Photographing the night sky
💻Editing & Processing Your Star Photos
◼️Editing for Black & White Conversion
Featuring a refreshing outdoor swimming pool and sweeping views of the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, the Stovepipe Hotel welcomes guests with a blend of historic charm and modern comfort.
You will have your own room (you won't need to share) for the duration of the trip. Your room will also include a mini-fridge, so don't be afraid to grab some cold items for lunches.
If you are coming from Boston, you will fly from Logan to Harry Reid International in Las Vegas. We will update this with a recommended flight soon.
We will pick you up at the airport in our vehicle rental and make our way to our accommodations: a 2 hour and 40 minute drive away.
Lucky for us, our hotel is directly next to this favorite location in the park. As the sun dips below the horizon, the dunes come alive with vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple. Capture stunning silhouettes against the backdrop of shifting sands.
Grab some grub at the Toll Road Restaurant after a long day.
Just 10 minutes from the hotel, get ready for sunrise at Mosaic Canyon, where the golden light dances across rock formations. As dawn breaks, the vibrant hues of orange and pink illuminate the intricate patterns etched into the canyon walls.
We will return to our hotel for breakfast, a break, and reconvene for some midday roadstops and viewpoints.
Enjoy sunset at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant oranges, pinks, and purples, casting a magical glow over the salt flats. The unique landscape, with its vast expanse of white salt crust, reflects fiery colors.
Featuring relics of the past such as movie posters, “Wanted!” fliers touting the misdeeds of outlaws, antique firearms, and taxidermied game animals, The Last Kind Words Saloon is a testimony to the days of a bygone era.
Photograph the sunrise at iconic Zabriskie Point. As the sun rises, the golden light illuminates the landscape, casting hues across the Badlands and Panamint Mountains.
There is a short (1/4 mile) walk from the parking area that leads to the overlook. We plan to be here at least 30 minutes before actual sunrise.
After a decently long break and breakfast, reconvene for some midday stops at locations like Twenty Mule Team Canyon.
Catch sunset at Dante's View, a lookout point that towers 5,575 ft over Badwater Basin.
Located at The Ranch - Lunch and dinner feature a full salad bar, a rotating selection of entrees, and assorted desserts. Each meal is all you-can-eat after you pay at the register. Adults are $29.
On this night, and for the next few nights, we will have an opportunity to practice photographing the night sky.
Death Valley is one of the best locations in the USA to photograph dark skies. Practice capturing pinpoint stars and star trails with some of the most interesting foreground around. Get your practice using your equipment to be able to chase the Milky Way in the "ungodly hours" in the days to come. The galactic core is visible during the new moon, around 3:30-5 AM.
DarkSky International has designated Death Valley National Park a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park, which is the highest rating of darkness. Our trip may even coicinde with the National Park Service's Dark Sky Festival!
Sleep in today, before heading out for a long outing to the Racetrack Playa.
Racetrack Playa is a dry lakebed famous for its mysterious moving rocks that leave trails across the ground.
To reach the playa, prepare for a bit of a journey. The drive involves a rugged 27-mile dirt road, best navigated with a high-clearance vehicle. Along the way, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and unique geological formations. Once we arrive, we will take time to explore.
These rocks appear to glide across the dry lake bed, leaving long trails behind them. The secret lies in a combination of ice, wind, and the unique conditions of the playa. During cold winter nights, thin sheets of ice form around the rocks. As the sun rises, the ice melts slightly, and when a gust of wind hits, it pushes the rocks forward. 🪨
On our way back, make a visit to Ubehebe Crater, which is 600 feet deep and half a mile across.
Photograph sunset at any of the locations nearby where we have already visited.
Located conveniently at our hotel.
Photograph the core of the Milky Way as it rises over the sand dunes.
Rest up this morning and take some free time. We will reconvene in the afternoon to go over how to edit and process photos we have taken so far. This will be especially helpful for your night sky photos. We will also teach you how to make the most of images taken on clear sky days and turn them into Monochrome works of art.
Tucked behind an unassuming yellow landscape, the rainbow of Artists Palette is the highlight along the Artists Drive Scenic Loop. Here, visitors marvel at an array of colors (red, orange, yellow, blue, pink, and green), splashed across the hills. These colors are from volcanic deposits rich in compounds such as iron oxides and chlorite, which creates a rainbow effect.
We will save the last day to repeat any locations that we wish, or fit in that we didn't have time for! We build in this time for flexibility.
We will make sure to check out of the rooms early enough to make the almost 3 hour ride to the airport, with a couple of hours before departure.
We will update this soon with a recommended flight for those coming from Boston.
We will be in touch some time after the tour to organize an optional Zoom session to review our images together and offer critique.
Embarking on a photo tour in Death Valley is an exhilarating adventure that requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Participants should be prepared for various terrains, including sandy dunes and rocky paths, which may involve some hiking. Expect to walk several miles each day, sometimes under the sun, so good stamina and hydration are essential.
Ensure you're comfortable with light to moderate physical activity with a camera pack on your back. With breathtaking landscapes as your backdrop, the effort will be well worth it, rewarding you with stunning photographs and unforgettable memories.
In February, Death Valley experiences mild and pleasant temperatures. Daytime highs typically reach around 70°F (21°C), while nighttime lows can drop to about 40°F (4°C). The cooler climate allows for comfortable exploration of the stunning landscapes, but don't be fooled by the desert night's chill.
This tour requires spending more time than we normally do in a vehicle, due to its remoteness. We may spend up to 6 hours driving within a day, depending on what we are doing.
✅ All overnight accommodation in Stovepipe Wells
✅ Ground transport in a 4WD Capable Vehicle
✅ Park Permit & Fees
✅ Photography guidance & instruction
✅ Optional After-tour Zoom session for Feedback/Critique
❌ Flights
❌ Alcohol, Meals, Groceries
❌ Any tips or gratuities
❌ Visa(s)
❌ Travel Insurance
You will automatically receive information about travel insurance with our partner, Redpoint, a couple of days after your successful trip registration. You can take a peek here.
Paul Nguyen has lived and worked from coast to coast across the U.S., and has over 35 years of experience in film and digital photography. He specializes in digital photography of natural landscapes and wildlife, and capturing the authentic experience of outdoor adventure and exploration through his video series.
In April 2017, he served in the prestigious National Park Artist in Residence program at Petrified Forest, Arizona, and continues to create programs for the National Park Service. His accomplishments also include an exclusive assignment as a photographer for the Boston Museum of Science, and a position as a program guide and brand ambassador for Swedish outfitter Fjällräven.
His noteworthy image-making and teaching in the realm of photography have gained him sponsorships from Tamron USA and Sun Surveyor, and his acclaimed adventure and overlanding videos have led to numerous outdoor equipment sponsorships.
Hailing from Massachusetts and now based out of Flagstaff, AZ, Paul spends most of the year exploring the western U.S. to research photo tour destinations and create video content. You may run into him, his Jeep, his trailer, and his cat somewhere along your own travels. Despite the distance, he maintains an active connection to New England camera clubs, and continues to serve as a remote lecturer and competition judge.
