Designed for passionate photographers and stargazers, Socotra Photography Expedition blends dramatic desert terrain, ancient dragon blood trees, untouched beaches, and some of the clearest night skies on the planet.
Led by acclaimed photo guide Andy Marty, this 9-day adventure offers rare access to Socotra’s dreamlike environments—capturing its sculpted white dunes, twisted bottle trees, and mythical dragon blood forests under the golden light of day and the luminous arc of the Milky Way by night.
Each evening features hands-on astrophotography sessions, including Milky Way composition, star trails, and creative light painting—ideal for both beginners and seasoned night photographers.
Day 1, Arrival & Photography Masterclass – April 16, 2026
Our adventure begins as we meet our photo guide, Andy Marty, at the Premier Inn near Abu Dhabi Airport. In the afternoon, we’ll gather for an introduction and a comprehensive photography masterclass to prepare for the exciting days ahead. After dinner, we’ll turn in early to rest for our morning flight to Socotra.
Day 2: Arrival in Socotra & First Milky Way Shoot
We fly from Abu Dhabi to Hadibo, the capital of Socotra, where our local guides and drivers will be waiting to welcome us. After loading up the vehicles, we head west toward the coastal village of Qalansia, our first base camp. Following lunch, we’ll venture to the dramatic cliffs overlooking Detwah Lagoon, scouting the area for compelling compositions in preparation for our first night shoot.
After dinner and a short rest, we return to our selected spots for a breathtaking astrophotography session under Socotra’s pristine night sky—a magical introduction to the island’s celestial beauty.
Day 3 – Sunrise Hike & Dragon Blood Plateau
We begin the day with an early morning hike to a stunning overlook above Detwah Lagoon, where we’ll capture the iconic bottle tree at sunrise—a scene made famous by Daniel Kordan. After breakfast and packing up camp, we visit a nearby fishing village to photograph the morning catch and daily rhythms of local fishermen.
From there, we ascend into the island’s rugged mountain plateau, home to the legendary Dragon Blood Trees. Our base for the next two nights is a scenic camp in Deksam. That afternoon, we’ll start exploring the alien-like Dragon Blood forests, seeking out dramatic compositions amid their twisted, umbrella-shaped canopies.
After dinner, we head out for an unforgettable astrophotography session, capturing the Dragon Blood Trees silhouetted against the Milky Way and experimenting with star trails in this surreal, high-altitude landscape.
Day 4: Forest Light & Canyon Sunset
Early risers can take advantage of the gentle morning light filtering through the Dragon Blood Trees, a perfect time to capture their sculptural forms in warm, golden tones. After breakfast, we’ll visit a local conservation nursery dedicated to preserving these ancient and iconic trees.
Following lunch and a brief rest at camp, we set out to explore a nearby canyon—a dramatic landscape offering striking compositions for both sunset photography and our evening Milky Way shoot. As day fades into night, the canyon becomes an incredible natural stage for capturing stars over Socotra’s timeless terrain.
Day 5 – Southern Coast & White Dunes of Zaheq
We begin the day with a sunrise shoot in the canyon, capturing the interplay of light and shadow in this dramatic landscape. Then, we journey south to the island’s striking white sand dunes of Zaheq, where sweeping curves of sand meet the turquoise Arabian Sea.
Here, we’ll stage a unique photography session with a local Bedouin and his camels, set against the surreal backdrop of coastal dunes and sea. As night falls, we settle into his desert campsite for an unforgettable evening of astrophotography, creating one-of-a-kind images beneath Socotra’s pristine night sky.
Day 6 – Snorkeling & Homhil Plateau
You may choose to rest this morning or enjoy the soft light over the dunes. After breakfast, we head to the marine reserve at Dihamri for snorkeling with turtles, tropical fish, eels, and even octopus—perfect for GoPro photography. Following a picnic lunch, we drive to Homhil, a striking landscape of pink-flowering bottle trees, twisted frankincense, and rare cucumber trees. We’ll spend the afternoon and the next two nights capturing magical sunset, Milky Way, and star trail compositions.
Day 7 – Bottle Trees & Infinity Pools
We rise for sunrise among the bottle trees, where soft morning light and pink blossoms offer unforgettable scenes. After breakfast, we unwind with a swim in Homhil’s natural infinity pool, overlooking the vast ocean. Later, we return to the creek to explore new angles with the bottle trees at sunset and stay out late for our final astrophotography session here.
Day 8 – Arher Sand Dunes & Ocean Views
After breakfast, we travel east toward Arher, pausing en route at a hidden white sandstone gorge—a striking natural formation and the perfect place for a refreshing swim.
At Arher, towering sand dunes rise dramatically from the shoreline, offering breathtaking panoramic views where desert meets sea. We’ll hike to the crest of the dunes to photograph this awe-inspiring landscape, capturing the contrast of golden sand and deep blue ocean in the soft afternoon light.
Day 9, April 24 – Departure
Begin the day with an optional sunrise swim in the ocean—one final moment to soak in the magic of Socotra. After breakfast, we pack up camp and make our way back to Hadibo for our return flight to Abu Dhabi, carrying with us memory cards full of stunning images and hearts filled with unforgettable experiences from this extraordinary island.
Pricing:
Total price: 6500 USD
Maximum Number of Participants: 8
Difficulty: easy
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel and trip cancellation insurance once your booking is confirmed.
If you need to cancel and we are able to fill your spot, you will receive a full refund of the amount paid, minus a $1500 fee (which covers non-refundable costs such as local flights and visa arrangements).
If we are unable to fill your spot, refunds will be issued based on the following schedule, calculated from the full workshop fee:
More than 90 days before the workshop start date: full refund minus a $1500 service fee
60–90 days before the start date: 50% refund
Less than 60 days before the start date: no refund
Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
Also please take note that in any case of another pandemic or global issue that will disrupt this tour that we need to cancel, we can refund 100% of your deposit back to your credit card or can also be used as credits for future use.
Included in the price:
- Camping gear & team for 7 nights
- Local return flights from Abu Dhabi to Socotra worth $1000
- Accommodation in a hotel in Abu Dhabi (first night)
- Accommodation in a tent (single occupancy)
- All transfers by 4×4 cars (up to 3 guests in one car)
- English-speaking tour guide
- Professional photo guide
- Visa to Socotra worth $160
- Boat trip to see Shoab beach
- All entry fees to protected areas and camping sites
- All government fees
- Airport pickup and drop off
Not included in the price:
- Airfare
- Medical insurance
- Personal expenses
