This post is intended to be an essential packing guide for photography tours, trips and workshops with Eight Peaks Photography. Participants can reference the guide before each excursion, helping you make informed decisions about what to pack based on specific itinerary and conditions.

Essential Packing Guide for Photography Tours

Let’s cut to the chase and begin with the obvious – Cameras and Lenses!

Essential Camera Gear for Hiking

As tempting as it may be to invest in a new camera before your trip, I’d generally advise against it as we want you to get the best shots you can get, not miss them because you’re engaged in understanding your new camera! That being said, with Eight Peaks you will have experienced photographers offering help and guidance during the trip so if you really want that new camera, you’re in good hands.

Camera body selection

Weight is an important, but not the most important consideration. DSLRs are heavier as a rule than mirrorless systems, iPhones barely weigh at all! I personally migrated to mirrorless cameras in 2025 although I kept a DSLR as back up.

Realistically, bring the best body you have for the job in hand. Bearing in mind that you’ll be carrying it for several hours.

Lens choices for hiking

This is the thorniest of questions and depends to an extent on the type of camera body you are using.

The first three suggestions here are based on using a full frame camera such as the Canon 5D or the Canon R5. If you are using a camera with a crop sensor (APS-C) then you need to be aware that there is a multiplier of 1.4 applied to get to the full frame equivalent. For example if the 16mm recommended here is attached to a camera with a crop sensor then you will be looking at an effective focal length of around 24mm. So on a Canon R7 for example you’d want a 10mm lens to get the 16mm equivalent focal length referred to here.

You can’t go wrong with the holy trinity of lens choice for photo trips which consists of:

Wide Angle lens. I’d suggest a 16-35mm or 17-40mm to get those beautiful, dramatic wide angle shots.
Mid Range Zoom – I use the 24-70mm focal length, it covers wide shots at the 24mm end and portraits, record shots etc at the 50-70mm range.
Long Range Zoom – The f/4 70-200mm lens is light enough to carry for hours and for landscape photography you don’t need a wider aperture. An alternative is the 70-300mm lens.

Alternative Approaches
Super Zoom – these lenses have been made possible by technical advances in the mirrorless systems for which they are designed. A good example is the Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 which is designed for APS-C sensors and gives you a full frame equivalent of roughly 24-450mm. One of these lenses will give you pretty much every focal length you’ll need out in the deserts and mountains. You’re sacrificing image quality for convenience but the reviews of this particular lens suggest it is worth considering.
Lens extenders are also useful in this context, I have x1.4 and x2 extenders for Canon EF lenses and use both regularly. This saves me from hauling a 100-400mm lens across mountains!

Support equipment

Techical innovation in image stabilisation, both in-camera and in-lens, has meant that it’s possible to get sharp photographs without a tripod these days. That being said, a solid tripod virtually guarantees that your shots will be crisp and sharp where you need them to be.

It’s worth noting that the further away from the lens an object is, the greater the magnification of the slightest movement of the camera. In other words if you want sharp mountain peaks, bring a tripod!

Lightweight Tripod

Carbon Fiber tripods are really the only choice here. I use Feisol Tripods because they combine lightness with solidity and combined with a solid ball head such as my Acratech, offer a really stable platform.

Monopods

Even lighter than Tripods! Monopods are a fantastic alternative for hiking, offering a solid platform for low light photography. I have a tripod that allows me to detach one leg to use as a monopod but I must confess I’ve only ever used it a handful of times.

Lens Filters

A polarising filter is pretty much mandatory in landscape photography as it will help cut through the haze and bring colours to life. Remembering that your camera is only as good as the weakest component, it’s worth investing in high quality lens filters.

A basic filter system should include a circular polarising filter, a 10 Stop ND (for milky seascapes) and optionally 6 and 4 stop filters for slowing down the action or mitigating against extremely bright light.

I use the Kase system, These are circular, magnetic filters that combine convenience with quality. I can also recommend Lee filters although they are fragile, and I have colleagues who speak highly of NiSi.

Camera Protection and Carrying Systems

If you’re going to be carrying a camera body and minimally two lenses for any length of time, I’d recommend a back pack over any kind of sling or shoulder bag. If possible you should try out the back pack before the holiday as I’ve owned several that either cut into my shoulders or restrict the blood supply to my arms. Different bags suit different people, this really is a matter of personal choice.

Camera bags and backpacks

After many years of dallying with Manfrotto and ThinkTank bags, (I’ve owned more than forty in my life) I have settled on F-Stop Gear Back packs. They are expensive, but designed specifically for walking. Extremely comfortable, apparently indestructible, light, strong and offering excellent protection for your gear.

Weather protection

Any camera bag worth its salt will be weather resistant and also include a rain shield. Don’t forget to bring lens and camera cleaning supplies, it can be dusty in Spain!

I normally pack a small blower, a soft brush and a lens cloth.

Security

This really only applies to city photography, but you need to be aware of the possibility of theft. I use Peak Design Cuffs, to strap the camera to my wrist. I find camera straps uncomfortable and the brand’s own designs advertise the camera to all and sundry!

Power and Storage Management

Battery strategy

I always take a minimum of three camera batteries with me when I’m out taking photographs for any length of time. Mirrorless cameras drain batteries fast, especially if you’re shooting video.

Memory card planning

I recommend taking a minimum of one spare card on any photography trip. Cards do fail, albeit rarely, but you do need to be sure that your photos are safe.

Back Ups

When I’m out on location I take a 2Tb portable SSD drive and my cards get backed up to this drive every day. While I’m away, I don’t delete the contents on the card. We used to have a saying in the IT industry “Data doesn’t exist unless there are at leat two copies”.

Clothing for Photography Hikes

Spain is a hot country, but high up in the mountains there is a noticeable drop in temperature. Which is why I spend so much time in the Sierra Nevada during the summer months!

Layering system for Spanish climates

For comfort it is best to use some kind of layering system using modern fabrics that wick the moisture away from your body. There are specialist camping and hiking outlets in every city, I tend to use Rab clothing more than any other brand as they combine good design with practicality and lack of weight. In the summer I generally wear a T-shirt and take with me a lightweight rain proof jacket. Just in case. In autumn and Spring I’ll take a second layer consisting of a light zip up jacket and in Winter, a third layer consisting of a Puffa jacket for warmth and if it’s snowing, a gore tex waterproof layer too.

Our tours are scheduled to take advantage of the milder conditions so I’d recommend two layers and a lightweight waterproof to keep in your backpack.

Footwear selection

Footwear is so important. Make sure that your walking boots are broken in. The last thing you want, because it will really wreck your holiday is blisters. I normally take three weeks of regular walking before a pair of hiking boots is reliably broken in.

Depending on time of year and type of trip I’ll take either a lightweight hiking boot or a properly sturdy boot with ankle support. I use Salomon footwear mainly, it’s well made, reliable and hard wearing. Other brands I can recommend include Merrell, La Sportive, Scarpa and Arc’teryx (it is actually spelled this way!)

For hiking in the mountains I’l always take a heavier boot, you need the ankle support if you’re carrying a backpack full of gear and the terrain can be demanding. for desert trips and pueblo photography a lightweight alternative will be ideal.

Accessories

In Spain, the sun is not your friend these days! I always take headgear to protect my head and face and a neckerchief to protect my neck. This last item is often overlooked but the worst sunburn I ever had was on the back of my neck descending from the Sierra Nevada with the sun at my back. Essential!

Personal Safety and Comfort Items

At Eight Peaks we use qualified mountain guides so this section is informational more than anything else. do bring your own sunscreen, blister protection, plasters etc.

Navigation tools

I use a mobile phone and a GPS tracker to help me find my way around. It’s terrifyingly easy to get lost in the wilderness and even in the city you’ll need a GPS enabled phone to keep you aware of the way back to base.

First aid essentials

I would recommend plasters and blister pads at minimum. Our guides will be carrying first aid kits on longer hikes so there is no need to worry too much, but on a personal level if I’m going into the mountains or desert I always carry a portable first aid kit with me. A sprain or even blisters can be a nightmare if you’re not properly equipped.

Sun Protection

As a matter of course I use a Factor 50 sunscreen whenever I’m exposed to the sun. I highly recommend you do the same. Also lip balm and if you’re light sensitive, sunglasses.

Hydration and Nutrition

Water Requirements

Water is probably the heaviest thing I carry, but it is also the most necessary. Always bring as much as you can reasonably carry, a couple of litres minimally for a one day hike. When we go on overnights, as we do on the Ultimo Sierra Nevada trip, we take water filtration kits with us, the springs high in the Sierra Nevada contain some of the purest water on the planet but I always filter it before drinking.

Food Planning

On a single day hike, we normally stop for lunch at the half way point, sandwiches, energy bars, nuts and fruit. I’ve taken to using isotonic energy powders in my water to accelerate absorption and replenish flagging energy levels if it’s hot.

Seasonal Considerations

At Eight Peaks we schedule our trips at the more comfortable times of the year so this section is more for general advice.

Spring hiking preparation

Dawn in the springtime can be spectacular as there are still clouds in the sky so early starts are in order. In the middle of the day the light in the countryside is too stark to be interesting, but in the city it can create some remarkable high contrast opportunities.

Summer Adaptations

In summer it’s not possible to hike from 11am to 5pm as the sun is dangerously hot. The most beautiful light and comfortable temperatures are found between 8am and 9am and in the evenings around 9pm.

Autumn and winter modifications

Autumn is similar to Spring but Winter can bring changeable weather, spectacular storms and interesting skies.

Sunrise and cloud inversion in the alpujarras

Different Terrain Preparations

Coastal Hikes

The main thing to be aware of with a coastal trip is salt. Always wash the salt off your tripod and backpack, it is highly corrosive. If you get spray on your camera, a damp cloth will do the job when you’re back at base.

Mountain photography hikes

I have learned over the years to take fewer lenses and really optimise the load that I carry. The mountains are hard taskmasters and for the unwary, quite dangerous.

Forest and woodland trails

These Spanish trips are the closest thing to English and American equivalents but without the bears, snakes and flesh eating insects! Spain does have snakes, but none of the native species are poisonous and all are shy so it’s unusual to see them. There are bears in the North, but like the snakes, they avoid human contact. Never leave them food, they have plenty!

Pre-Hike Checklist and Planning

The preparation that goes into every Eight Peaks holiday is considerable and by far the most time consuming and arduous part of our lives. We set out to create the best photography workshops in Spain and we personally walk every route, noting the photography opportunities, where the sun is relative to the route and of course the weather.

Weather monitoring

The weather in the summer is pretty reliable although there are occasional thunderstorms. We always monitor the weather over the periods of our trips so that we can modify routes if necessary. Very rarely have we had to change plans but it can happen and we always have a plan B to hand.

Route research

We work out our routes during the summer months and road test all of them. This includes the use of traditional maps, Google earth and apps such as OutdoorActive.

Emergency preparedness

The guides and myself always carry GPS transmitters hooked up to emergency services. We’ve never had to use them in anger but the app messages base with location information and if necessary we can summon mountain rescue in the case of an accident, providing them with precise location details.

Post-Hike Considerations

Equipment care

Spain is a dusty country, whether its up in the mountains, out in the desert or down by the sea, its always a good idea to clean your camera kit, tripods and lenses after every trip. Especially if you’ve been on the coast.

Image backup

As I mentioned earlier, I always back up my camera cards to a portable SSD drive when the day’s shooting is done. This should be considered mandatory. There is nothing worse than losing good images that you put a lot of effort into.

Conclusion

Try to travel light, as I’ve got older I’ve grown to appreciate the importance of weight!
Make sure your shoes and clothing are comfortable, robust and worn in.
Take care of your gear and back up your images.

If there were just three things that I could advise, those are the three most important.

Thanks for reading the article and we look forward to seeing you on one of our trips!