Silk Road Gobi Desert Adventure

9 – 17 Oct 2024 | max 5 participants | USD $3500 per person

This unique photography workshop, taking you into the heart of the Gobi Desert, is where you can immerse yourself in simple, delicate creativity far from the modern world and its distractions. For myself, a first visit was a life-changing experience, and I felt instantly at home, as I do in the Himalayas but differently. Its earthy and sensuous form echoes the romantic and surreal part of myself, and the body of work I created consisted as much of myself as the Gobi Desert .

We will pass hundreds of square miles of gigantic dunes, some of the world’s highest static sand dunes and rising to over 1640 feet and above a series of crystal clear lakes. This remote area is intensely sparse yet profoundly elemental and beautiful, and we’ll be camping out in the dunes for most of the nights with one or two nights beside the lake, and of course the spectacular starscapes is something you will never forget. 

You will be travelling with someone well experienced in desert photography, and who has detailed cultural and practical and linguistic skills for this region, as well as being taken through this challenging terrain by an expert and experienced driver, making your journey a safe and enriching experience. The Gobi I take you into is so vast and astonishing that each journey visits not only some of the best viewpoints I know but also seeks to discover something new. Every trip is unique.

Itinerary: Day 1 Arriving Zhangye, and group dinner; Day 2 Going to desert after breakfast, and spend the next 5 nights/days in the desert Day 7 Leave desert after morning photography, arrive Zhangye Hotel for a relaxing dinner/evening; Day 8 Visiting Danxia Landform; Day 9 Morning flight or train out of Zhangye depends on individual’s travel plan.

Note: for participants that do not wish to join the Danxia Landform on day 8, $250 will be deducted on the final invoice. Which means that workshop will end on day 8.

Meeting Point: Zhangye  (I will coordinate with each participant for the best ways to get there near the planning stage).

Included: All vehicle Transportation | Photography Location Entry Tickets | All meals, simple meals in the desert, we will bring lots of fruits, seeds, nuts, oats, eggs, vegetables and noddles with us | Accommodations – Single Occupancy, 5 nights in the desert will be camping or farm stay (single occupancy room with your own bathroom) depend on the route choice each day, tents and sleeping mat provided, but bring your own if you have a light one | Tips for drivers

Excluded: Flights | Chinese Visa Application | Travel and Medical Insurance (required) | Alcoholic beverages | Personal equipment | Sleeping Bag – We have a few spares, please let me know if you don’t have your own

Photography Skill Level: Intermediate and above.  Beginners and non-photographers welcome, however, as with the more experienced, I will not be able to provide photography instruction, because I will be fully busy with aspects of the journey. Regardless of your level, please come with good knowledge of and capability with your equipment. I am more than happy to share my own approach at each significant stop, and discuss techniques/concepts via the camera screen at the end of the day as we gathering for a drink/meal.

Fitness: You must be able to walk on sand. The photography opportunity will be good just beside the vehicle, but able to walk another mile into different peaks of dunes offers even greater view.

One 50L bag for your clothes and sleeping bag; tripod and 1 camera bag will be the maximum allowance of luggage you can bring for desert trip, suitcase need to be stored in Zhangye Hotel

Booking Process 

Complete Booking Form |  Deposit GBP £700 or USD $700 to reserve your place after receive Invoice | Visa Application allowed from 90 days before the trip | The balance is due no later than 90 days prior to the Workshop | Packing list | Arrive Zhangye on time

SIGN UP TO THIS UNFORGETTABLE GOBI DESERT ADVENTURE