TRIP DATES
OCTOBER 15TH-19TH, 2026
These dates were chosen to maximize the star experience during pleasant weather.
TRIBE SIZE
We will only be accepting 10 students with three interstellar guides for our galactic adventure.
STAR DOMES
Enjoy your unique home in the desert, you'll be staying in star domes nestled among the alien landscape.
HIKING
This adventure will require moderate hiking (no more than 3 miles) through rocky or sandy terrain.
MILKY WAY
Let us take you on a journey through the stars, lean back and enjoy views and stories of more stars then we've seen anywhere in the world.
YOUR FIRST PHOTO
We bring the professional camera gear and you snap the photos. You won't believe what's on the back of your camera!
Capturing memories.
EXPLORE MORE
Visit some of the most unique landscapes through interpretive hikes. Canyons, hoodoos, tower spires and buttes, see it all.
GUIDED EXCURSIONS
This trip is full of experiences that last a lifetime. Each day holds a new place to explore and learn more about the area, all while doing something epic.
ITINERARY
This Itinerary is subject to change as with any outdoor adventure weather plays an important role in our excursions.
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Day 1 – Arrival in Hanksville: Official meeting time will be 2PM local time in Hanksville, Utah. We will have a bonus early arrival activity at a historic orchard, starting 11AM local time. If the season allows, we may even pick apples and enjoy fresh pie before settling into our desert domes for the week. (If you can't make it early we will save you some pie!). That evening, we carry a chef-prepared dinner into the heart of the badlands, where twin monoliths rise from the desert floor and the night sky opens above us.
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Day 2 – Mountains and Myths: Our second day takes us on a guided back roads adventure high into the remote Henry Mountains. Along the way we discover ghost towns, learn about the history of the land, and if fortune smiles on us, a glimpse of wild bison. After an early dinner back at the domes we venture out again, this time to a sweeping overlook where you will feel like you are standing on the edge of the moon. This is where you will have the opportunity to capture your first image of the Milky Way with our provided professional camera gear, no previous experience necessary.
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Day 3 – Riding Through the Red Desert: We head into the painted hills of the red desert, here you truly feel like you are roving on mars. Returning to the domes for a short rest, we then head out with another chef-prepared dinner for a picnic beneath a hidden arch tucked deep within a canyon. We share stories and stargazing before returning to camp for the night.
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Day 4 – Ancient Marks, Final Thoughts: The day begins with sunrise over a solitary desert butte glowing with morning light. After breakfast we set out on an interpretive hike to see petroglyphs and learn about the first people of this land. As evening falls we wander through the valley of goblins, watching the sunset before one final night under the stars. The evening may even end with a cozy movie showing back at the domes.
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Day 5 – Farwell Feast - We check out of the domes by 10 AM on October 19th, 2026, but not before one last group breakfast in town, complete with another slice of unforgettable pie for the road. The adventure ends here, though the stories and starlight will travel home with you.
LOGISTICS
NEAREST AIRPORT
You will want to fly into
SALT LAKE CITY AIRPORT or MOAB AIRPORT, we recommend arriving the day before if possible.
MEETING LOCATION
Hanksville, Utah (4hr Drive from Salt Lake City Airport or 1.5hr Drive from Moab Airport), make sure to plan accordingly, so you can arrive at 2PM.
ADVENTURE INCLUSIONS
ALL LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS
We will have our very own unique stay in the star domes, so you can really feel at home among the galaxy.
GUIDED
ACTIVITIES
This includes, but not limited to: interpretive hikes, star stories, photo opportunities and other guided activities.
BREAKFAST
& DINNER
Your breakfast and dinners are prepared by our chef camp style, you just bring lunch, drinks and snacks!
NOT INCLUDED
TRANSPORTATION
Flights / car transportation are not included, there are potential carpooling options available.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
With any adventure, it is recommended you have travel insurance, especially for medical emergencies
THE EXPERIENCE
Adventure never feels neat in the moment. It's dusty boots, unexpected turns and laughing under a sky so full of stars, it makes you forget your phone exists. Years from now, you won’t remember the itinerary, but you will remember the taste of pie after a long day, the sound of hooves in painted hills, and the way strangers around a campfire somehow became companions.
That is what this journey is about, collecting stories you will retell long after the desert dust has faded.
WHY THE UTAH BADLANDS?
There are places that make you stop mid-step and forget whatever came before. The badlands do that. You stand in the stillness and the world feels older than you can imagine. Shale and stone shaped by time, stars spilling across skies so dark they feel infinite.
Out here, the earth feels ancient, the sky endless and you are simply part of the story.
MEET THE TEAM
Be sure to check out our ABOUT page to learn more about our guild masters and your future favorite teachers ever!
JESS SANTOS
RYAN OSWALD
IAN LAUER
Ryan is an explorer of light and landscapes who helps photographers capture unforgettable moments.
Jess is a lifelong creator who brings the magic of wild places and the night sky to each and every workshop.
Ian is an adventure educator leading unforgettable workshops under the darkest skies, helping to reconnect with the stars...and themselves.
A GUIDE TO THE GALAXY STARTS IN THE BADLANDS
Since there are only 10 spaces and we typically receive more applications than we can cater for, the application portal will only be open for a few weeks. If you'd like to come on this incredible adventure, we recommend you fill out the application ASAP. If we can't fit you into this workshop, we'll place you as first pick for future workshops where possible.
We'll organize a quick chat prior to selection to make sure this workshop is right for you and to learn more so we can make this an incredible experience for you. You'll get to ask any questions you need before making any commitments. And you can then choose to pay in full or as a deposit with payment plan, after we chat.
