Death Valley Photo Workshop
- 6 Days
From $4,295 - Interests
- Landscape, National Parks, Night Sky
- Activity Level
- Moderate
- Group Size
- 6
Stark vistas, colorful badlands, rugged mountains, sand dunes, and saltpans
As the lowest, driest, and hottest point in North America, Death Valley National Park is a land of extremes. Its stark landscapes present photographers with countless opportunities to create stunning images. The valleys are surrounded by towering mountain ranges and are home to colorful badlands, saltpan polygons, and sweeping sand dunes.
We visit in the cooler months to photograph well-known locations like Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, Dantes View, and more. We’ll also visit off-the-beaten-path locations and venture into the sand dunes to photograph their graceful lines and dramatic shadows.
Akari Photo Tours is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.
Highlights
- Transportation via spacious 4WD SUV, including remote dune destinations.
- Personalized photo instruction and image reviews from an experienced photography guide.
Your Guides
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Kevin Lisota
Feb 14–19, 2027
Activity Level
You should be able to walk 1–2 miles (1.6–3.2 km) on uneven dirt surfaces and sand dunes carrying your photo gear.
This tour has an activity level of Moderate. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas
Arrive at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) before 10:00 AM on this day. Air travel delays are possible, so please consider arriving early, possibly the day prior. We don't want you to miss out on trip activities. Airport transfer is included on arrival.
If you need a hotel room the night before the workshop begins, let us know, and we will add it to your reservation. We will pick you up at the hotel or airport at 11:00 AM, then drive to Death Valley with a stop for lunch.
After checking in to our hotel, we'll have our first sunset photoshoot, followed by dinner.
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Day 2–4: Death Valley
Our itinerary will begin each day with a sunrise photoshoot and breakfast. We'll then have time to rest and review images. We'll head out again in the afternoon to explore and photograph the sunset before dinner.
We'll concentrate on locations like Mesquite Dunes, 20 Mule Team Canyon, Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Cottonball Basin, Dantes View, and other favorite places.
If the sky is clear, we'll photograph the stars on one or two of these nights.
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Day 5: Ibex Dunes
In the morning, we'll photograph the sunrise, followed by breakfast. After lunch, we'll drive the dirt road to Ibex Dunes, perhaps our favorite dunes in the park. We'll pack our dinner and photograph the sand through sunset before returning to the hotel.
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Day 6: Return to Las Vegas
We'll photograph the sunrise, have breakfast, and check out of our hotel. We'll then drive back to Las Vegas for your flights home.
Departure from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). Book your departing flight no earlier than 2:00 PM on this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Testimonials
Kevin, thank you for an exceptional experience in Death Valley. This was my first photography workshop; it definitely will not be my last! In addition to broadening my understanding of landscape photography and helping me with my photography techniques, it exposed me to some incredibly beautiful parts of the US.
Dates & Prices
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Feb 14–19, 2027$4,295 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$975 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin LisotaGroup Size: 6Payment Terms: Deposit: $1,500 USDBalance Due: Oct 17, 2026
All of our standard Terms & Conditions apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single lodging is available with payment of a single supplement fee.
- All transportation during the tour.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure.
- Snacks and water between meals.
- Welcome dinner.
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Our group will dine together, but the cost of most meals is not included.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (required).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
Prepare for Your Trip
Please review our photography travel resources, including know your camera and our camera gear list, to help you plan your trip. Before your trip, we’ll contact you with more detailed gear recommendations specific to your trip.
Also, get a head start on your workshop learning experience with our night sky photography tutorials.