OVERVIEW:  Five inclusive days to explore a piece of the wilderness sandwiched between Idaho and Montana. We’ll go horseback into a remote chunk of the largest wilderness in the lower 48 States. Mountains, rivers, wildlife, wildflowers, cowboys and a Salmon River raft shoot, etcetera

The ‘spud state’ as it is known, is also a place to lose oneself when one considers that it’s 83,574 square miles are populated by a mere million people. That’s just 4.7 people per square mile, and is mostly the result of the vast wilderness that envelops east central Idaho and spills into western Montana. Our trek will take us into a piece of this unspoilt jewel where photographic subjects will be mountains, wildlife, wildflowers, and our own cowboys, etcetera Do join us for this refreshing sojourn.

TRAVEL TO THE GATEWAY AIRPORT
o It is recommended that clients arrive a day early to be fresh for the trip, and to also counteract possible flight delays.
o Early arrival also enables you to explore the gateway city should you wish to do so.
o When booking flights, add a day for overnight travel or two days if also crossing the Pacific Ocean/International Dateline.
o The last day of the trip is the date you should arrange your flight home unless you plan to stay on. Thank you!

DAY 1  |  To McCALL, IDAHO
Arrive Boise where I'll meet your flight at around midday, and following a leisurely introductory lunch in the city, we’ll line up a city skyline shot from a quiet position overlooking Ann Morrison Park. Then north into the Payette River canyon where we’ll shoot scenics with a smattering of whitewater adventurers. Cascade Lake and old barns are other options for us as we continue north to McCall. The town, on the edge of Payette Lake, has been voted among the 5 most desirable places to live in recent years and you’ll see why.
McCALL, 1 night

DAYS 2, 3, 4 and 5  |  The WILDERNESS
First light on Payette Lake this morning for those up to it, and following breakfast we’ll head for our rendezvous with our outfitting crew. Our four night base camp is located in a meadow below the rock scape that is Needles Mountain in the Boise National Forest. We’ll get in on horseback, though you’ll have an option to hike, or both, if you prefer. Chief outfitter on the trip will be Mark Downing, and he and his co-wrangler will see to it that we are comfortable and well fed throughout our stay. They will also cooperate for some exclusive cowboy shots which John has set up often on the Yellowstone/Teton trips in recent years. The twilight cowboy shots will be particularly striking.  
During our sojourn there will be wildlife, wildflowers and landscapes to be shot, or you may just want to relax once in a while. We also recommend you bring your rod if fishing is your ‘bag’. John will be on hand for photographic assistance and direction at all times or as you need it, and should you have a camera malfunction, you’ll be really glad John is along!
TENTED WILDERNESS CAMP, 4 nights

DAYS 6 and 7  |  McCALL AREA and SALMON RIVER
By early afternoon we’ll be back to ‘civilization’ as it were, and enjoying the comforts of our hotel back in McCall. Dinner overlooking Payette Lake will be quite a contrast to the other ‘paradise’ we were in the midst of 24 hours earlier!
On day 7 we will skirt Payette Lake and move north for pictures of the Burgdorf and Warren communities. Each is remote and our pictures will capture the essence of what the west once was. Then down to the Salmon River via French Creek to shoot the rafters as they take a drenching in the many rapids. The rapids are why the Salmon is known as the ‘River of no Return’. Back to McCall via Riggins on more conventional roads, and following dinner some of John’s two projector programs called Visual Journeys, to close the day.
McCALL, 2 nights

DAY 8  |  Flights home
Following breakfast we’ll take a leisurely ride to Boise with a handful of photo stops en route, and arrive in good time for early afternoon flights.

PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR FEES

TRIP COST:  $TBD per person double occupancy

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: 14% of the trip cost

SMALL GROUP SUPPLEMENT:
For groups of 3 only: Add 10% of the trip cost above.
For 1 and 2-person ‘groups’ only, the rate is negotiable.

INCLUDED IN THE TRIP COST: The following items are included in the trip cost: personalized photography instruction throughout the trip by John; all accommodations; all breakfasts; on-vehicle snacks and bottled water; all ground transportation; airport transfers on the first and last days of the trip only; entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions’; and following the trip, field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, and a disc containing images of clients 'in action' on the trip.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TRIP COST: The costs for these items are the responsibility of each participant: airfare; travel costs between your home and the gateway airport and return; any transportation or travel costs incurred prior to or after the tour’s inclusive dates; pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodation; lunches and dinners; alcoholic beverages; entrance fees or costs related to optional sites or activities not included in the itinerary or a part of the trip; excess baggage charges; medical costs; personal items; incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as internet access, phone calls or laundry; baggage and/or travel insurance; passport or visa expenses; and airport departure taxes.

ENROLLMENT