Vietnam: Coastal Impressions

22 May – 28 May 2027
View Dates & Prices

Destination 
Viet Nam

Group size
6 participants

Information

• Tour start: Tan Son Nhat int’l airport (SGN)
• Ending place: Da Nang int’l airport (DAD)
• Dates: 22 May – 28 May 2027
• Duration: 7 Days
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Physicality: Easy
• Maximum participants: 6
• Price: Contact for more information
• Terms & Conditions

What to Expect

Vietnam reveals itself in countless ways, through mist drifting across mountain valleys, the rhythm of life along the river, weathered streets, and the hands that keep generations of tradition alive.
This photography journey is an invitation to look beyond the familiar and experience Vietnam through its landscapes, cultures, and people. From remote highland communities to bustling local markets and quiet countryside, we’ll travel at a pace that leaves room for unexpected encounters and meaningful photographs.
Rather than simply visiting places, we seek to understand what makes them unique. The stories, the light, the people, and the small details of everyday life, these are not only the moments but also pictures worth bringing home.

Itinerary

Day 1 (13.09.2027): Arrival in Ha Noi

Welcome to Vietnam, and to its capital, Ha Noi. You can arrive in Ha Noi at any time of the day—ideally before 3:00 PM. We will hold a brief introductory session to get to know one another and go over the itinerary for the days ahead. We will also visit several notable landmarks around Ha Noi—places that I am certain will surprise and delight you at every turn.
We’ll also assist you with currency exchange for personal expenses. In the evening, we’ll gather for traditional Vietnamese food at local restaurant.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will set out to explore the traditional craft villages surrounding Ha Noi. Following lunch, we will return to the hotel by 4:00 PM. From there, we will have the chance to visit the unique “train street”—a spot that draws many curious travelers and is an unmissable destination when visiting Ha Noi.

A day of encountering a holy Lake in high mountains. Depart from the campsite and arrive at Emerald Lake at 3,500 meters. Along the way, the alpine meadows and glacial landscapes are captivating. The glacial scenery at the lake is particularly spectacular. Emerald Lake is a serene alpine lake with crystal-clear water, forming a striking contrast with the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Sunset at the Emerald Lake is truly special, with the snow-capped mountain reflecting the brilliant glow of the sunset light.

Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Horse
Altitude: 3500m

Begin the day with sunrise into the breathtaking Bogeda Mountain region, where the rugged peaks of the eastern Tianshan create one of Xinjiang’s most spectacular alpine landscapes. During the short summer season, the elusive Snow Lotus (Saussurea Involucrata) emerges among rocky slopes and glacial terrain. The Tianshan Snow Lotus takes six to eight years to bloom just once in its lifetime; it stands as a symbol of extraordinary, enduring vitality, flourishing amidst one of Earth’s harshest environments. This flower species is strictly protected in China due to the risk of extinction caused by over-harvesting.

Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Horse
Altitude: 3500m

The final day of our expedition is still exciting. Depart from the campsite and pass through Heigou Elephant Trunk Ridge and Heigou East Pass, eventually returning to Aksu Valley to conclude the trekking adventure and head back to Urumqi. Along the way, the alpine meadows and glacial landscapes provide a final visual feast for you. The scenery at Heigou Elephant Trunk Ridge is unique, with a mountain ridge resembling an elephant’s trunk leaving a lasting impression. The glacial scenery at Heigou East Pass is equally magnificent, especially the combination of the glacier and the surrounding mountains. Finally, you will return to Aksu Valley and then back to Urumqi, perfectly completing the Bogeda Photography Expedition.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Horse, Car
Altitude: 800m

Head to the airport for your flight home. You can choose any flight departing that day, or you can extend your trip to visit Ili, Xinjiang grasslands with us.

Learn more Xinjiang Grassland extended trip.

Head to the airport for your flight home. You can choose any flight departing that day, or you can extend your trip to visit Ili, Xinjiang grasslands with us.

Learn more Xinjiang Grassland extended trip.

Head to the airport for your flight home. You can choose any flight departing that day, or you can extend your trip to visit Ili, Xinjiang grasslands with us.

Learn more Xinjiang Grassland extended trip.

Head to the airport for your flight home. You can choose any flight departing that day, or you can extend your trip to visit Ili, Xinjiang grasslands with us.

Learn more Xinjiang Grassland extended trip.

Head to the airport for your flight home. You can choose any flight departing that day, or you can extend your trip to visit Ili, Xinjiang grasslands with us.

Learn more Xinjiang Grassland extended trip.

Head to the airport for your flight home. You can choose any flight departing that day, or you can extend your trip to visit Ili, Xinjiang grasslands with us.

Learn more Xinjiang Grassland extended trip.

Head to the airport for your flight home. You can choose any flight departing that day, or you can extend your trip to visit Ili, Xinjiang grasslands with us.

Learn more Xinjiang Grassland extended trip.

Tutition

We will have plenty of time for one-on-one, hands-on guidance—both while out in the mountains and back at our accommodation. I am fully confident in my ability to instruct everyone from complete beginners to experienced photographers.
During this trip, you will have the opportunity to explore a diverse range of photography genres, including landscape, portrait, and street photography. The sessions are thoughtfully structured to keep things engaging: we will focus on landscapes during sunrise and sunset, while dedicating the middle of the day to capturing people and local culture.
You will also gain essential skills in operating drones and aerial photography.

Fitness & Experience

The journey in the Tianshan Mountains typically involves ascents with an elevation gain of approximately 900 meters to reach the campsite – situated at 3,500 meters above sea level – and may require spending the entire day in the mountains; Therefore, you need the appropriate level of physical fitness for these activities. Even if horses are arranged to transport you to the camp, good physical condition remains essential for acclimatizing to the altitude and moving around the campsite for photography. We will schedule at least one rest day between climbing days; furthermore, weather conditions often permit only one or two days of high-altitude climbing.

Equipment

A kit list will be sent out in advance of the trip, but you should dress expecting wet and cold weather (see below from late-October 2024!). It could be near zero and windy on the summits, so full waterproofs, hat, gloves and plenty of warm layers are necessary. You will need a headtorch in case we need to walk back in the dark (as will be the plan if we get a good mountain day). You must have walking boots or other suitable footwear if you are more experienced and know you can get away with trail shoes etc! Wellies and an umbrella may also be helpful.

Accommodation & Transportation

Our photography journeys are designed to take you deep into remote landscapes where comfort meets adventure. Depending on the destination, accommodation ranges from carefully selected local guesthouses and mountain lodges to scenic campsites set beneath vast skies and surrounded by nature. In the most remote areas, we travel by horseback, allowing us to reach trails, valleys, and viewpoints inaccessible by vehicle while carrying essential photography and camping equipment. These journeys are not simply about reaching a destination – they are about slowing down, embracing the landscape, and experiencing the rhythm of the mountains along the way.

Terms & Conditions

What INCLUDED in the price of this trip?
• All transportation
• Local transportation by motorbike
• Accommodations in twin-room 4-star hotels and local hotel
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on all days, including non-alcoholic drinks.
• Expert guidance on Photography.
• English-speaking guide.
• All entrance fees.
• Local model donations.
• Plenty of drinking

What is NOT INCLUDED?
• International flights in and out Ha Noi, Viet Nam
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Extra hotel charges
• Personal expenses 
• Excess baggage costs.
• Alcoholic drinks.
• Personal needs and laundry.

Note about the Itinerary: 
Please be aware that due to various factors such as weather, local conditions, or unforeseen events, the itinerary may be subject to change. To accommodate this, we have built in some flexibility with a few buffer days to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.