Voted Travelers' Choice 2024
Find Your Next Photo Adventure
Trip Calendar Most Popular Photography Tours 2024 Photography Tours 2025 Photography Tours 2026 Photography Tours 2027 Photography Tours Spring Photography Tours Summer Photography Tours Fall Photography Tours Winter Photography Tours Landscape Photography Tours Wildlife Photography Tours International Photography Tours
Stay Up To Date On All Things
Backcountry Journeys
Backcountry Journeys
Our Photography Community
Our Blog
From articles on the latest camera gear, to trip reports from our latest expeditions, our blog is meant for all interested in travel photography.Our Webinars
Our regularly hosted webinars provide photography instruction from our own guides on a wide range of topics.Our Education Portal
Explore our library of articles that cover everything from common questions, to in-depth guides on how to achieve that perfect shot.Community Testimonials
We're proud to foster an amazing group of photo travelers, and here you can find their stories from their past adventures.About Backcountry Journeys
Why Choose Backcountry Journeys
If you're considering a photography tour, hear why Backcountry Journeys delivers the best experience in the industry.Frequently Asked Questions
If you're new to photography tours, or new to BCJ, you can find our common travel questions here.Fitness Levels
Our trips vary on physical intensity, and by reviewing our fitness levels, you can find out which trips may be more challenging, or aligned more closely with your comfort level.Meet The Crew
We've built an amazing team of experienced guides, and dedicated office staff that elevate your travel experience. Get to know their backgrounds, and hear their stories.Travel Desk
You can review our various payment, and travel policies here, along with resources regarding international travel.Gift Certificates
Give the gift of photo adventure! We offer gift certificates that can be applied to any of our upcoming tours.Contact Us
If you need to get in touch with our office staff, or have additional business inquiries, you can find our information here.Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
Kauai: The Garden Isle
Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
Upcoming Departures
Don't See The Dates You're Looking For?
[Block//Start Date %M j%+0] - [Block//End Date %M j, Y%+0]
[Block//Web Spots Left]
Trip Leader(s)
[Block//Trip Leader #1]
[Block//Trip Leader #2]
Starting From [Block//Current Price]
Single Supplement: +$1,395.00
[Block//Online Availability]
Deposit: $3,000.00
Start/End
Lihue, HI / Lihue, HI
Length
7 Days/6 Nights
Fitness Level
Level 1 - What's This?
Group Size
Up To 7 Guests
Highlights
- Explore the enchanting beauty of Kauai, one of Hawaii's most captivating islands
- Once in a lifetime doors off helicopter experience! Photograph the Na Pali Coast from the air
- Marvel at the breathtaking vistas of Waimea Canyon, often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific
- Capture the dramatic splendor of the jagged Na Pali Coast through your lens
- Immerse yourself in a world of stunning beaches, cascading waterfalls, and lush rainforests
- Enjoy the intimacy of small groups, fostering personalized guidance and camaraderie
- Indulge in fantastic accommodations & local cuisine
If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Coordinators are available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.
Trip Description:
Kauai, known as 'The Garden Isle' of Hawaii is a captivating destination that boasts breathtaking beauty and rich cultural heritage. As the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands, its ancient volcanic origins have shaped a diverse and stunning landscape. With its pristine beaches, majestic waterfalls, and lush forests, Kauai offers a paradise for landscape photographers seeking remarkable imagery.
Backcountry Journeys invites you to embark on an unforgettable photography tour that showcases the best of Kauai's natural wonders. From the dramatic cliffs of the Na Pali Coast to the awe-inspiring vistas of Waimea Canyon, our itinerary is carefully crafted to capture the island's iconic locations. We'll explore Koke'e State Park, walk through verdant Monkeypod tree forests, and witness the beauty of sunrise at the island's most picturesque beach spots. We'll also have the opportunity to take to the air for an incredible doors off helicopter flight over the Na Pali Coast!
Beyond photography, our journey is designed to provide a holistic experience of Kauai. Indulge in the island's delectable local cuisine, immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Hawaiian culture, and create lasting memories in the company of fellow photography enthusiasts. With a perfect balance of artistic pursuit and relaxation, our seven-day workshop promises to be an enriching and rejuvenating adventure.
Join Backcountry Journeys on this exceptional journey to Kauai, where you'll capture stunning images, embrace the island's natural splendor, and create a portfolio of memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Backcountry Journeys invites you to embark on an unforgettable photography tour that showcases the best of Kauai's natural wonders. From the dramatic cliffs of the Na Pali Coast to the awe-inspiring vistas of Waimea Canyon, our itinerary is carefully crafted to capture the island's iconic locations. We'll explore Koke'e State Park, walk through verdant Monkeypod tree forests, and witness the beauty of sunrise at the island's most picturesque beach spots. We'll also have the opportunity to take to the air for an incredible doors off helicopter flight over the Na Pali Coast!
Beyond photography, our journey is designed to provide a holistic experience of Kauai. Indulge in the island's delectable local cuisine, immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Hawaiian culture, and create lasting memories in the company of fellow photography enthusiasts. With a perfect balance of artistic pursuit and relaxation, our seven-day workshop promises to be an enriching and rejuvenating adventure.
Join Backcountry Journeys on this exceptional journey to Kauai, where you'll capture stunning images, embrace the island's natural splendor, and create a portfolio of memories to cherish for a lifetime.
What's Included
- All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop
- All transportation during the workshop
- All lodging during the workshop
- Doors off helicopter flight
- All permits and park fees
- Professional photography guiding and instruction
- Gratuity for service staff
What's Not Included
Transportation to and from Lihue, Hawaii
Meals not listed as included on the itinerary
Lodging outside workshop dates
Alcoholic beverages
Souvenirs and personal items
Gratuity for photography guide(s). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities
Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.
Trip Itinerary
Trip Itinerary
Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 1 (Travel Day)(D)
Arrive in Kauai and hotel check-in. We will have a group orientation dinner tonight and discuss the logistics of the workshop.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
We will spend sunrise photographing one of the beaches near our hotel. We’ll watch the sun peak over the horizon and work on capturing seascapes. After the shoot, we will get breakfast and stop at one of the best coffee/tea shops on the island then we’re off to the south coast. Our sunset destination will be the incredible Waimea Canyon. We’ll make our way to some of the best overlooks of the canyon and check out Waipo'o Falls cascading into the canyon. If the group is interested, we will go for a short hike. Our main goal will be to capture the soft sunset light hitting the canyon. On either Day Two, Three, or Four, we will take a doors-off helicopter flight over the Na Pali Coast in the afternoon - the experience of a lifetime!
Day 3 (B,D)
Our morning shoot will focus on a nearby beach, either in the north or south of the island. Kauai is home to many dramatic beaches with unique features (like jagged mountains spouting blowholes). We will grab some acai bowls for breakfast at a local café and work on processing some of the images we’ve captured. In the afternoon, we will retrace our steps to the Waimea Canyon, but we will continue even further up into Koke’e State Park. The park offers some off the best hikes on the island and is home to the Kalalau Overlook. The overlook peers thousands of feet down into the lush Kalalau Valley, it’s simply jaw dropping.
Day 4 (B,L,D)
On Day 4, we’ll change our morning focus from seascapes to waterfalls. We will head to the Wailua River and spend sunrise overlooking Wailua Falls. We will also take advantage of the morning light and head to nearby Opaeka'a Falls as well. We will head back to Poipu for some downtime and processing after a busy two days. This afternoon we will head to Koke’e State Park, Waimea Canyon, or a beach near Hanalei.
Day 5 (B,L,D)
Today we will focus on the north side of the island, but not before hitting one of the best spots on our way. We will do a relatively easy hike, the Kuilau Ridge Trail, if time permits. The trail offers expansive views from the ridge of lush jungle and Waiʻaleʻale. We will also visit some of the brightly colored Eucalyptus trees near Keahua Arboretum before grabbing lunch and continuing towards Princeville. We will shoot sunset at one of the many beaches that scatter the north shore.
Day 6 (B,D)
We will head towards Hanalei for our sunrise shoot. We will stop at the famous Hanalei Beach. The beach is home to the Hanalei Pier, which we will photograph, but the beach also offers a great view of Kauai’s rugged mountains. We will grab lunch at one of the food trucks in Hanalei, they offer some of the best food on the entire island, and then head back to our hotel. For sunset, we will attempt a short (but muddy) hike to Queen’s Bath. If closed due to surf, we will head to one of the local north shore beaches, like Tunnels Beach or Lumahai Beach. This evening we will enjoy our last, but delicious meal together on the island. One more sunrise to go before the trip concludes!
Day 7 (B)
On our final day we will visit a north shore beach for a spectacular sunrise. After we wrap up shooting and a morning breakfast, we will head back to Lihue for drop-offs and departing flights.
Day 1 (Travel Day)(D)
Arrive in Kauai and hotel check-in. We will have a group orientation dinner tonight and discuss the logistics of the workshop.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
We will spend sunrise photographing one of the beaches near our hotel. We’ll watch the sun peak over the horizon and work on capturing seascapes. After the shoot, we will get breakfast and stop at one of the best coffee/tea shops on the island then we’re off to the south coast. Our sunset destination will be the incredible Waimea Canyon. We’ll make our way to some of the best overlooks of the canyon and check out Waipo'o Falls cascading into the canyon. If the group is interested, we will go for a short hike. Our main goal will be to capture the soft sunset light hitting the canyon. On either Day Two, Three, or Four, we will take a doors-off helicopter flight over the Na Pali Coast in the afternoon - the experience of a lifetime!
Day 3 (B,D)
Our morning shoot will focus on a nearby beach, either in the north or south of the island. Kauai is home to many dramatic beaches with unique features (like jagged mountains spouting blowholes). We will grab some acai bowls for breakfast at a local café and work on processing some of the images we’ve captured. In the afternoon, we will retrace our steps to the Waimea Canyon, but we will continue even further up into Koke’e State Park. The park offers some off the best hikes on the island and is home to the Kalalau Overlook. The overlook peers thousands of feet down into the lush Kalalau Valley, it’s simply jaw dropping.
Day 4 (B,L,D)
On Day 4, we’ll change our morning focus from seascapes to waterfalls. We will head to the Wailua River and spend sunrise overlooking Wailua Falls. We will also take advantage of the morning light and head to nearby Opaeka'a Falls as well. We will head back to Poipu for some downtime and processing after a busy two days. This afternoon we will head to Koke’e State Park, Waimea Canyon, or a beach near Hanalei.
Day 5 (B,L,D)
Today we will focus on the north side of the island, but not before hitting one of the best spots on our way. We will do a relatively easy hike, the Kuilau Ridge Trail, if time permits. The trail offers expansive views from the ridge of lush jungle and Waiʻaleʻale. We will also visit some of the brightly colored Eucalyptus trees near Keahua Arboretum before grabbing lunch and continuing towards Princeville. We will shoot sunset at one of the many beaches that scatter the north shore.
Day 6 (B,D)
We will head towards Hanalei for our sunrise shoot. We will stop at the famous Hanalei Beach. The beach is home to the Hanalei Pier, which we will photograph, but the beach also offers a great view of Kauai’s rugged mountains. We will grab lunch at one of the food trucks in Hanalei, they offer some of the best food on the entire island, and then head back to our hotel. For sunset, we will attempt a short (but muddy) hike to Queen’s Bath. If closed due to surf, we will head to one of the local north shore beaches, like Tunnels Beach or Lumahai Beach. This evening we will enjoy our last, but delicious meal together on the island. One more sunrise to go before the trip concludes!
Day 7 (B)
On our final day we will visit a north shore beach for a spectacular sunrise. After we wrap up shooting and a morning breakfast, we will head back to Lihue for drop-offs and departing flights.
Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.
More Trips Like This
[Block//Trip Category (Destinations)]
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
[Block//Trip Length]
From [Block//Basic Pricing]
[Block//Author//First Name] [Block//Author//Last Name] | [Block//Published Date]
Why Choose Backcountry Journeys?
UNPARALELLED
PHOTOGRAPHY
TRIPS
PHOTOGRAPHY
TRIPS
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
Explore over 100 worldwide photo tours and workshops tailored to photographers of all skill levels, from iconic U.S. National Parks to Africa's untamed savannahs.
THE BEST TEAM
IN THE
BUSINESS
IN THE
BUSINESS
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
We're proud to offer unmatched photography trips led by exceptional instructors who not only excel in photography but also serve as expert guides.
WORLD-CLASS
PHOTOGRAPHY
COMMUNITY
PHOTOGRAPHY
COMMUNITY
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
Join the Backcountry Journeys Tribe, where shared adventures in breathtaking locations foster lasting connections with fellow photographers in a warm, inclusive atmosphere.
Testimonials From Our Customers
Julie K.
"I have traveled with Backcountry Journeys (BCJ) several times over the last 4 years to Glacier NP, Costa Rica (2x), Smoky Mountains NP, Joshua Tree, Zion and Bryce NPs, and most recently to Alaska.
Every trip with BCJ has been an outstanding experience. The guides are professional photographers who put the experience of the guests first. They are willing to provide as much hands on help as you need/want. The guides are also extremely knowledgeable and well trained in wilderness safety as well as the areas they guide.
BCJ trips are well run from the time of reservation through the entire trip. They will take you to great places and find great photographic opportunities."
Every trip with BCJ has been an outstanding experience. The guides are professional photographers who put the experience of the guests first. They are willing to provide as much hands on help as you need/want. The guides are also extremely knowledgeable and well trained in wilderness safety as well as the areas they guide.
BCJ trips are well run from the time of reservation through the entire trip. They will take you to great places and find great photographic opportunities."
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
Scott S.
"BCJ provides an outstanding experience for photographers of all levels of experience/expertise. Each day's excursion is well planned-out and the guides always have a back-up plan if the weather is less than cooperative.
I have now been on 5 trips and each one seems better than the last. I find the guides to be very helpful and personable. The guides provide the level of hands-on assistance each participant wants.
The accommodations are always good, taking into consideration what each particular destination has to offer. I plan to continue doing these trips with BCJ and can't recommend them highly enough."
I have now been on 5 trips and each one seems better than the last. I find the guides to be very helpful and personable. The guides provide the level of hands-on assistance each participant wants.
The accommodations are always good, taking into consideration what each particular destination has to offer. I plan to continue doing these trips with BCJ and can't recommend them highly enough."
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
Katherine P.
"I have now been on 8 trips with Backcountry Journeys. I love traveling with this company, as I am a woman traveling alone, and all I have to do is show up and they take care of everything else.
They have wonderful, caring, helpful, FUN, and knowledgeable guides who make the days fly by. They get us to the best photography sites possible and are always willing to help with anything and answer all questions.
We stay in great places and there is always too much wonderful food! I have met other travelers on their trips who will be friends for life, plus the guides are more than guides--they become friends too. I know I will be doing more traveling with them in the future."
They have wonderful, caring, helpful, FUN, and knowledgeable guides who make the days fly by. They get us to the best photography sites possible and are always willing to help with anything and answer all questions.
We stay in great places and there is always too much wonderful food! I have met other travelers on their trips who will be friends for life, plus the guides are more than guides--they become friends too. I know I will be doing more traveling with them in the future."
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
Worry Free Travel Guarantee!
Worry Free Travel Guarantee!
HERE’S THE DEAL
We offer one of the most rock solid guarantees in the travel industry - our worry free travel, peace of mind guarantee to you!We’re so confident that the Photography Trips we offer will not only meet but exceed the lofty expectations set forth on our website – if your trip experience does not 100% match the promises laid forth on our website we will gladly give you a credit toward a future trip.
Natural events such as wildlife & weather are certainly out of our control but every aspect of the trip including logistics, accommodations, vehicles, itinerary & your expert trip leaders will match the lofty promises we’ve made on the site – we guarantee it!
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024