October: This photography tour is not currently in the schedule, but can be added by request

  9 nights/10 inclusive days  |  Maximum of 8 participants, and a minimum of 4 participants

Photography Tour Overview: The red rock of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, Monument Valley Tribal Park, Canyon de Chelly, and Antelope Canyon. This itinerary includes a number of classic icons of the southwest in eastern Utah, and northern Arizona. It includes stunning formations such as towering monoliths, canyons, spectacular overviews and more. This is some of the best southwestern photography the USA has to offer and at an ideal time in America's southwest. As with all of our photography tours, early and late shooting is scheduled for each day.
 

Our itinerary . . .
But first things first! We suggest that you set your camera's clock to the local time, as your images will then synchronize with the times in our included photo tour field notes.

Days 1, 2 + 3  |  Salt Lake City to Moab
Our Icons of the American Southwest photography tour will get under way mid-morning, and as we head south we'll pause for the included lunch and a digital orientation of images you can expect to take on the trip. We'll then head on to Moab via Price and Green River and on over the Colorado River into Moab . . . with photo stops along the way. Late light photography as we approach Moab, and on to this 'adventure town' for our three night stay.
For two days we’ll photo-explore the highlights of Arches National Park featuring the best arches and rock formations. Early and late light is essential, and the short hike for the last light on Delicate Arch will be most worthwhile. Dawn at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands is a classic must-have sunrise image, and we'll follow that with a pair of detours for mesas complete with meandering rivers. Plus, as usual, more besides!
Moab, 3 nights

Days 4 + 5  |  Hovenweep National Monument and Monument Valley Tribal Park
We’ll ‘mop-up’ around Moab photographically speaking this morning, and then depart toward Monument Valley. On south via Wilson Arch and Hovenweep National Monument to the classic highway and Monument Valley scene, and sunset on the Monument Valley rim as the light fades.
On day 5 our photography will commence at dawn with the classic Mittens view. For the remainder of the day you will be guided around Monument Valley by a local Navajo and myself - in an air-conditioned vehicle - and record many classic scenes taking our time get the very best from each situation. We'll access spots reserved only for Navajo guidance such as Teardrop Arch and more.
Monument Valley Tribal Park, 2 nights

Days 6 + 7  |  Goosenecks State Park, Mexican Hat and Canyon de Chelly
We'll point cameras at the Mittens once more as they are touched by the first light, then following breakfast we'll make our way to Canyon de Chelly via a detour to Goosenecks State Park on the San Juan River, the Mexican hat rock near Mexican Hat, and various additional photography stops to arrive in time for the evening light at the Antelope Ruins viewpoint.
On day 6 a Navajo guide will take us through the bottom of Canyon de Chelly. The air will be a little cooler down there - early on at least - and we'll make multiple stops for images including the White House ruins, Spider Rock, colorful Cottonwood trees, petroglyphs, pictographs and much, much more . . . all in an air-conditioned vehicle once more.
Near Canyon de Chelly, 2 nights

Days 8 + 9  |  Canyon de Chelly, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
Breakfast, and as the light starts to flood the eastern reaches of Canyon de Chelly, we'll be shooting Spider Rock from above one more time before departing for Page. We'll cross Native American lands pausing for the best rock formations, and after a break at our hotel we'll head for the late light on Lake Powell.
At mid-morning on day 9, we'll explore lower Antelope Canyon. Those that might have problems with the ladders in the canyon will have the option of photographing the 'busier' upper Antelope Canyon. Once in the canyon, and armed with a tripod, you'll enjoy creating some classic ‘rippling rock’ compositions. Throughout our time in the colorful canyon the light and soft shadows will caress the walls and create ever-changing photo challenges. After lunch we'll photograph the spectacular Horseshoe Bend classic scene, and close out the day with a sunset session at Lone Rock. The included dinner on the last night of our photography tour will feature an 'It's You!' presentation of clients in action on this tour by John.
Page, 2 nights

Day 10  |  Departure day
As there isn't any photography scheduled for the day of departure on this trip, your flight home can be arranged for any time today. Transport to the airport is included unless you’re staying on for a day or more.

Photo Tour Photographer/Leader: John Baker, Travel Images Photography Tours
The preceding itinerary is a copyrighted work by John Baker Photographer LLC, and Travel Images Photography Tours
 

Enhancing Your Photography Skills
Describing the assistance you'll receive on one of our photography tours takes more than a few words, so for greater detail please go here.

Exertion level: This photography tour is classified as 'mildly strenuous' to 'strenuous'

Horseshoe Bend image: Moderately strenuous

Delicate Arch image: Strenuous

Landscape Arch image: Mildly to moderately strenuous based upon distance and temperature on the day

Turret Arch image: Short strenuous scramble at the end of a moderately strenuous ascent of steps

Mesa Arch image: Mildly to moderately strenuous

In every other respect this photography tour is considered non-strenuous to mildly strenuous

Do you need a Visa for travel to the United States?
Travelers from all countries can do a quick check of visa requirements here or here
Our international clients may need to contact the embassy of their intended destination in their own country for a visa. Go here or here
 

Photography Tour Cost, Deposit, Cancellation Policy and Enrollment Guidance

Trip Cost: $4,410 USD per person not including airfare. A 5% discount is applied to all double occupancies. A single room supplement is required for single occupancy

Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

The deposit for this photography tour is $400. Make a deposit, or pay your tour balance here

Cancellation policy: Go here

Enrollment guidance: Go here
 

Included in the Trip Cost: The following items are included in the trip cost . . .

• Photography instruction throughout the trip by John

• All accommodations with private facilities [en-suite]

• All breakfasts

• Lunch on day one of the trip

• Dinner on the last night of the trip

• On-vehicle snacks and bottled water

• All ground transportation

• Airport pick-up on day 1, and drop-off on departure day. Arrival prior to day 1 is not included

• Entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions Included’

• Following the trip you'll receive detailed field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, plus image uploads to a private web page 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 except for lunch on day one of the trip, and dinner on the last night of the trip

• Alcoholic beverages

• Entrance fees or costs related to optional sites or activities not included in the itinerary

• Baggage fees

• Medical expenses

• Personal items such as the hotel mini-bar, laundry et cetera

• Incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as movie rentals, internet and phone

• Travel insurance

• Passport or visa expenses

• Airport departure taxes, if applicable

Admissions Included in the Trip Cost:

• Admission to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks is included in our Commercial Organization, Commercial Tour Fees, and/or a Commercial Use Authorization [CUA] permit

• Natural Bridges National Monument

• Monument Valley Tribal Park

• Canyon de Chelly National Monument

• Antelope Canyon

• All other possible rides, admissions or excursions are optional and not included