Milky Way Over Socotra: A Desert and Night Sky Photography Expedition

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Milky Way Over Socotra: A Desert and Night Sky Photography Expedition
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Likely to sell out soon
Free Tutorials
Perfect Photo Workshop
Fully customizable

Travel details

Dates
Time
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Travelers
1
From: Abu Dhabi Airport

Description

Summary

Tour starts
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Duration:
9 days
Ending place
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Languages:
English
Difficulty:
Easy
Available:
April
Minimum age:
None
286 reviews

Description

Venture to one of the world’s most otherworldly landscapes on this immersive photography expedition to Socotra, Yemen’s remote island jewel. Designed for passionate photographers and stargazers alike, Milky Way Over Socotra combines rugged desert beauty, ancient dragon blood forests, pristine beaches, and some of the clearest night skies on Earth.

Led by expert photo guide Andy Marty, this 9-day adventure offers a rare opportunity to capture the island’s surreal geography by day—and the breathtaking Milky Way by night. From the towering white dunes of Zaheq to the alien silhouettes of bottle trees and dragon blood forests, every location has been handpicked for its photographic magic.

Each night offers guided astrophotography sessions focusing on Milky Way composition, star trails, and light painting—perfect for both beginners and experienced night photographers.

This is more than just a photo tour. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime creative retreat in a land unlike any other—where silence, starlight, and stunning scenery await.

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Included

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 4x4 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

Activities

Sight Seeing
Photo Workshop

Daily itinerary

Day 1
Milky Way Over Socotra: A Desert and Night Sky Photography Expedition - day 1

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.

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Day 2

Day 2 - Welcome to Socotra – Qalansia & Detwah Lagoon

We fly from Abu Dhabi to the capital of Socotra, Hadibo, where our local guides and drivers will greet us. Once loaded up, we set off for the coastal village of Qalansia—our first campsite. After lunch, we’ll explore the cliffs overlooking the Detwah Lagoon, scouting compositions for our first Milky Way shoot. Following dinner and a brief rest, we return to our chosen locations for a magical night of astrophotography beneath the stars.

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Day 3

Day 3 - Sunrise Hike & Dragon Blood Plateau

An early morning hike takes us to a breathtaking vantage point above the lagoon, where we’ll photograph Daniel Kordan’s iconic Bottle Tree at sunrise. After breakfast and breaking camp, we’ll visit the nearby fishing village to capture the morning haul of local fishermen. Next, we journey into the mountainous plateau in search of the famed Dragon Blood Trees. Our base for the next two nights is a camp at Deksam. In the afternoon, we begin exploring the surreal forests of Dragon Blood Trees, followed by a post-dinner astrophotography session capturing the trees under the Milky Way and star trails.

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Day 4

Day 4 - Forest Light & Canyon Sunset

For early risers, the morning offers a chance to photograph the Dragon Blood Trees in soft golden light. After breakfast, we visit a local nursery working to conserve these ancient trees. Following lunch and a short rest, we explore a nearby canyon—an exceptional location for both sunset and Milky Way photography.

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Day 5

Day 5 - Southern Coast & White Dunes of Zaheq

We start the day with sunrise photography in the canyon before heading south to the pristine white sand dunes of Zaheq. Here, a photography session awaits featuring a local Bedouin and his camels set against a stunning backdrop of white dunes and turquoise waters. That night, we’ll create one-of-a-kind astro images at his desert campsite.

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Day 6

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.

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Day 7

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.

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Day 8

Day 8 - Arher Sand Dunes & Ocean Views

After breakfast, we head east toward Arher, stopping at a natural gorge with white sandstone cliffs—an ideal spot for a refreshing swim. At Arher, we climb towering sand dunes that rise straight from the ocean, capturing panoramic views that will linger in memory.

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Day 9

Day 9 - Farewell Socotra

Consider one last swim in the ocean at sunrise before we pack up for our return to Hadibo and our flight back to Abu Dhabi—leaving with memory cards full of incredible images and hearts full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

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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.

Departure Schedule

April 16-24, 2026 - guided by Andy Marty

Guides

Andy is a passionate and talented travel photographer who has been capturing stunning images from around the world for over a decade. With a keen eye for detail and a love for adventure, Andy has traveled to some of the most remote and exotic destinations on the planet, always seeking out new and exciting subjects to photograph. Born and raised in Australia, Andy is now based in Dubai, where he has become renowned for capturing cityscape images, including the elusive Dubai fog. Fusing his loves of photography and travel, Dubai has provided an ideal base from which to explore the world. Passionate about capturing the culture, people and landscape of a destination, Andy has worked on creating images that take the viewer with him on his journeys. Over the years, Andy has worked with several large brands on travel campaigns - including flydubai, One&Only, Fairmont Group, Audi and Visit Dubai. His images are known for their vivid colour, striking compositions, and unique perspectives. Whether he's capturing the bustling energy of New York streets, the culture of remote tribes or the quiet stillness of a mountain landscape, Andy's work is always inspired by the beauty of the world around him. When he's not traveling, Andy is a sought-after speaker and teacher, sharing his experience with others and inspiring the next generation of photographers. With a deep passion for helping everyone to improve and truly enjoy their photography, Andy loves nothing more than seeing people travel with their cameras and take amazing images.

We guarantee

Your trip is protected, personalized, and priced right. No surprises, no stress.

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